SOUNDCHECK ALBUM OF THE YEAR 2016

2016 hasn't been the best year when it comes to politics, but it has definitely been a good year for music. To say good bye to 2016, we thought we would roundup the year one final time by appreciating its releases before a fresh start in 2017. Therefore, the entire SOUNDCHECK music-team put together a list of their personal favorite albums of the year, with me putting the entire thing together after taking everyone's personal ranking and how often the album got chosen in total into account. The results were pretty definite...


20. Phase - Jack Garratt

Phase is an indie electronic pop debut album by the English singer-songwriter Jack Garratt which was released on the 19th of February 2016. Debuting at number 3 in the UK Album Chart, Phase gained quick attention for his vocal and lyrical work. Mixed reviews were given to the album upon it's release but it is definitely an album you can enjoy again and again. Here's hoping we hear more music from Garratt in 2017!


19. Is The Is Are - DIIV

The band around Zachary Cole Smith', who did not only write the entre piece but also produced it, also released its second album in Febraury of 2016, four years after their debut "Oshin" came out.

"Is The Is Are" is not only more personal to Smith lyrically, but also discoveres new sides to the dream-pop sound that is DIIV. Definitely one of the most underappreciated albums of 2016 - and definitely worth for you give a listen. 

18. The Second EP From - The Magic Gang

The second EP from The Magic Gang transports you instantly into a summary haze with its shimmering guitar and unpretentious old school romance. The four tracks of light and fluffy indie rock encapsulate the infectious charm of the foursome’s live set, and leave you pining for more as you instinctively put it on repeat.


17. Blonde - Frank Ocean

Ladies and gents, it indeed is him. The world has barely seen as much of a myth of an artist as             Frank Ocean but I guess we all feel a little relieved after the never ending process of waiting for new material of the artist is finally over. Was it worth the wait? We think so. However, we all hope to see more of you in the future, Frank.


16. Babes Never Die - Honeyblood

Just two months after the release of their 2014 debut, Honeyblood’s former drummer, Shona McVicar, threw in the towel. Yet, vocalist/guitarist Stina Tweeddale soldiered on with a new drummer, Cat Myers, to produce the aptly titled Babes Never Die. It’s more than just a sophomore album- it’s a symbol of survival. The album is a fizzy rush of snarling indie and swaggering female empowerment, full of sugary hardboiled grunge tracks that put two-fingers up to those who doubt you. With its tough melodies and relentlessly empowering lyrics, this album will lift you up when 2017 gets you down.


15. Get Over It (EP) - RAT BOY

Rat Boy, taking a different direction to his usual style of upbeat hip hop, formerly being described as "loud and annoying", gave a more samba pop vibe to his newer tracks released newest EP Get Over It, very different to his usual style, but as every band, all his dedicated fans were just bound to love. Due to release his debut album sometime in the year 2016, this EP gives us a idea about how different his sound will be, however sure to still include some of the old "loud and annoying" sound we are all used to.


14. 22, a million- Bon Iver

22, a million is an evolution from 2007 Bon Iver’s For Emma, Forever Ago. The introverted artist has emerged from his cabin in the woods and has wandered into the bright lights. The album grows into itself with magnetising synth and heavy production, descending into discordant expressionism. Yet Justin Vernon’s heartfelt lyricism and still filter through, leaving you in dreamy discomfort

13. Viola Beach - Viola Beach

Not among us anymore are the guys of Viola Beach from Warrington who sadly did not blow up the news because people were finally appreciating their music, but because of their tragic passing after playing a festival in Sweden. It is tragic that the boys never got to witness not only their single going to number 1 in the UK, but also the album that was released later this year after their terrible accident. May the music of Viola Beach capture the passion and dream these four boys had, forever.


12.  Gameshow - Two Door Cinema Club

Two Door Cinema Club finally released their third album on October 14th, 4 years after their sophomore album hit "Beacon". The 80's vibes on this record are as undeniable as the fact that they've taken a huge step into the genre of danceable electro-pop with "Gameshow", but considering they had to expand their sold-out UK tour early next year and headlined numerous festivals this year, it seems to work really well.

11. Hills Ende - DMA's

The trio of DMA's from Sydney, Australia released their debut album 'Hills End' on February 26th 2016 after their self-titled EP came out back in 2015. 'Hills End' includes chilled-out acoustic songs, magnificent guitar melodies and the mesmerizing vocals of singer Tommy O'Dell, a solid debut livening up brit-pop again.


10. Karma Seeker (EP) – Vant

If there's one band for you to look out in 2017, then it is definitely this one. The young british indie-rock band around Mattie Vant is not scared to speak up about policial issues and tries hard to make a change,- and their music is great too. So eventhough this EP only includes 4 tracks, their spot in our ATOY rankin is well deserved. We're excited to see what VANT use their voices for in 2017 - and hope many people will follow their example.


9. On Desire - Drowners

DROWNERS released their sophomore album "On Desire" on June 24, 2016. After their debut album was more of a post-punk anthem, fast and rough, with the band describing it as an "recorded live set at that time", this one is an album full of catchy melodies and pop elements. There are darker lyrics, synths, and a lot of experimenting and effort with production that result into an overall round record that goes straight into the ear, however, the guitars are still there. With "On Desire", Drowners managed to create an excellent sophomore album that can keep up with their debut but shows how the band has matured in songwriting and sound.


8. Tell Me If You Like To - Spring King

Spring king being described as a "small scale art pop punk project based in manchester" released their debut album 'tell me if you like to' in june 2016 after their first 3 EPs. Including feel good indie bangers such as city, the summer and rectifier, which were all staples in our summer playlists, landed the band in playing major festivals such as reading and leeds, allowing even more people to love and appreciate the beauty which is spring king.

7. A Moon Shaped Pool - Radiohead

Radiohead's ninth studio album, "A Moon Shaped Pool" was released in May 2016. The album's experimental nature and trippy vocals easily explain why it reached number 1 in the UK album charts. Tracks such as 'Burn the Witch' and 'Glass Eye' are the stand out singles and make this beauty of an album even more intriguing.


6. Everything You've Come To Expect - The Last Shadow Puppets

Who thought The Last Shadow Puppets, aka the musical side project of Miles Kane and Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys), have for once and for all parted ways (at least as a band) in 2008 after their debut album got released, was wrong. Surprisingly good, and then again not surprising at all, was their follow-up album 'Everything You've Come To Expect' that once again beautifully captures the abilities of songwriting and their musicial talent.

5. Take Control - Slaves

Take Control, the second album from punk duo Slaves hit the shelves in late September. For the most part, the band stuck to their classic sound. Songs like Spit it Out, Same Again, and Play Dead just scream Slaves. The band had big shoes to fill after releasing their debut album Are You Satisfied? in 2015, however, fans were not disappointed by this sophomore release.


4. Trick - Jamie T

After thinking we had seen the last of Jamie T from his various other albums, he came back and surprised us all with trick, an album full of heavy upbeat tracks, and light hearted tunes full off light hearted lyrics. Opening with tinfoil boy, it being the heaviest track jamie t has ever produced, gives us an idea of what the rest of this album has to offer, an album everyone is bound to love.


3. Blossoms - Blossoms

Blossoms are that kind of band that just magically appeared out of nowhere and 10 seconds later everyone seems to obsess about already -and that for a reason. Blossoms discography includes tracks that feel like they're throwing you straight into some 80's nostalgia, and considering their very successful debut (!) album made it to #3 in our ranking, we're pretty sure there's more to come for them.


2. The Ride - Catfish And The Bottlemen

This album had both, brilliant and not-so-brilliant reviews. But despite everyone complaining about how this album doesn't live up to the expectations from the fans that hoped for a The Balcony 2.0, it is quite remarkable that it made it to #2 of our Album Of The Year Ranking nevertheless. Because once you pushed all your demands of it outranking their outstanding debut aside, it actually is a solid record. And considering how far they've made it just this year, playing venues like the SSE Arena Wembley in London with a capacity of 12.500, being #2 Album Of The Year is well deserved.



1. I Like It When You Sleep For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of it - The 1975

Turns out that this album does not only win longest album title of the year, but also our SOUNDCHECK album of the year. Things have been going really good for the quartet from Manchester, as they just played arenas all across the UK and are set to continue their tour europewide early next year, and nd eventhough the release of this album lays back in february, people still seem to be talking about it - the hype around the fresh pop album with an 80s twist to it hasn't vanished yet. We are excited to see what 2017 brings!