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Best Albums of 2016: Top Ten

Obscure Sound presents the top ten albums of 2016.
 
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Best Albums of 2016: #20 to #11

The Top 20 kicks off with albums #11 to #20 taking the spotlight.
 
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Best Albums of 2016: #30 to #21

The top albums of 2016, with albums #21 to #30 featured.
 
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Dream-Pop + Shoegaze
 

Best Albums of 2016: #40 to #31

Albums #31 to #40 are covered as we continue the top 50 albums of 2016.
 
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Best Albums of 2016: #50 to #41

We feature the top 50 albums released in 2016, starting with numbers 41 to 50.
 
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Top Albums
 

Best Albums of 2015: Top Ten

The best albums of 2015 feature wraps up with our top ten releases of the year.
 
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Top Albums
 

Best Albums of 2015: #11-20

Albums #11 to #20 of 2015 are covered as we head toward the Top 10.
 
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Dream-Pop + Shoegaze
 

Best Albums of 2015: #21-30

Passing the half-way point as we recap the best albums of 2015, a stylistically eclectic year for sure.
 
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Dream-Pop + Shoegaze
 

Best Albums of 2015: #31-40

Albums 31 to 40 are revealed as we continue our countdown of 2015's best albums.
 
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Dream-Pop + Shoegaze
 

Best Albums of 2015: #41-50

The top 50 albums of 2015 are unveiled, with write-ups and audio, starting with the first ten.
 
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  • Washington, DC act @thisiscigarette show a gorgeous sound on “Mood,” a consuming track from their new album Light Blues. This is a project that, throughout this album, emphasizes their ability to weave emotional lyrics and vocal performances with gently expanding melodies, full of developing guitar tones and simmering rhythms. From the soaring vocal second-half of “Soil & Green” to the overall feel of “Mood,” Light Blues is an album full of gorgeous moments — one of my favorite albums of the year thus far. “Mood” specifically is a gem, moving with an ethereal vocal presence that casts a hypnotic lull. Per the band, the track “touches on the feeling of wishing. Wishing something didn’t happen.” The track is about a close friend of the band’s, who passed away in a motorcycle accident. {Link to listen in bio}
  • Max Cohen is a multi-instrumentalist based in Los Angeles, crafting spirited and catchy material under the name Mr. Max. His incorporation of everything from punk to funk has been evident on past releases, like “Let’s Get Cucked Up,” and his fifth and most recent release “I Wish I Loved Someone” is one that pursues an aesthetic reminiscent of “a retro ’70s ballad, with hints of psych-rock and soul.” It’s an infectious, bright effort with various eclectic touches — from the lush synth-pop interlude at 02:50 to the shimmering rock chorus, which reminds aesthetically of Smith Westerns. “The lyrics detail the respective viewpoints of lovers with ‘less power’ and ‘more power’ in an intimate relationship,” Max says. “The song ultimately concludes that, despite the power struggles people tend to play in shallow relationships, we all wish to love and be loved authentically.” The track was produced by Alex Arias. {Link to listen in bio}
  • Seattle act Guests churn out an otherworldly, psych-friendly vein of folk. Yearning, lo-fi male vocals mesh cohesively with an angelic female vocal presence — a fun hybrid of psych-folk and sophisti-pop. Led by guitarist/songwriter Sean Canfield, Guests reminds aesthetically of Ariel Pink’s more understated, lo-fi material. The female vocal backing provides a carefree, psych-friendly feel reminiscent of ’70s sunshine pop, with Canfield’s fairly nonchalant delivery and brooding acoustics combining for a truly unique feel that incorporates lo-fi psych-folk as well. Subtly effect melodic transitions, like the one around 01:11, work well throughout. The “I’m happy to know you,” conclusion is very affecting, specifically. Cited influences include “eastern European folk, doo wop, 60s vocal pop,” and more, with the project playing their songs live without mics or amps — conjuring “an inviting campfire storytelling vibe.” I’m definitely into this project. {Link to listen in bio}
  • @giannaalessimusic powerful, soulful vocal presence leads stellar new track “Night Mentality,” a suavely entrancing piece of R&B-laden pop with smooth guitars and twinkling keys. A nice bridge at 03:07 shows a melodic, passionate turn. “Night Mentality” is a well-constructed track that we’re happy to premiere, one that shows the NYC-based artist’s strengths well. Alessi’s work as a vocalist began at the age of nine, when her grandmother Maria Leone – a former soprano at the Metropolitan opera – gave the young Alessi a voice lesson. Now based in NYC again after performing across the US and Europe, Alessi is working with producer Carey Clayton, who aids in channeling her consuming vocal talents into a convincing aesthetic with soul, R&B, and pop vibes. Alessi begins a residency at Groove in NYC’s West Village this summer. {Link to listen in bio}

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