I’ve compiled our top 70 tracks of 2016, including both unsigned/independent acts and the more well-known from the year. It’s a great combination of highlights from the year’s greatest albums and single
New Tracks
New Dakotas by New Dakotas Based in the Boston Area, New Dakotas is a catchy power-pop act with members attending Tufts and Harvard. Their first release – a four-track self-titled EP –
Seattle-based group Echo Texture have a very apt name — as their sound adds textural depths to a vein of alternative-rock that values trickling post-punk verses and emotive blasts of emotion in
This past December, Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter Christina Rubino’s “Godspeed and Guns” showed an artist capable of eclectic stylistic appeal and contemplative, philosophical themes. The track explored the concept of Jung’s “shadow self”, over
Obscure Sound is pleased to premiere a new track from the collaboration between friends/neighbors Mikael Ögren and Johan Agebjörn, previously featured here for his solo works as well as his dazzling work
POKAL is the DIY-project of Sweden-based Norwegian Arne Barlindhaug Ellingsen, who shows off hook-y melodic pulsations and soundscape that merges past/future on new track “Great Expectations”. There’s an ’80s vibe, especially reminiscent
Pekoe Cat is a new act bursting at the seams with creative energy, on new track “Test” reminding strongly of early Ariel Pink with the creative lo-fi vocal production and melodic development,
Verena von Horsten is an emotionally powerful Swiss singer/songwriter whose second solo album Alien Angel Super Death blends infectiously eclectic music with heartfelt lyrical content. Heavy synth-rock combines with a passionate vocal
New Albums
Achieving a gripping mixture of lushly absorbing charm and funky pop vibrancy, A Timeless Echo is the sophomore EP from Paris-based quartet
MoreA fantastic display in poignant, darkly atmospheric songcraft, Alone is the debut full-length album from Denver artist Neo Dimes, the moniker of
MoreHonky Tonk is a wholly engaging Americana album from Seattle-based veteran collective Marley’s Ghost. Guided by producer Larry Campbell, the record honors
MoreConjuring a sound reminiscent of Wild Beasts in its haunting mixture of lush vocal-led intrigue and rock-laden emotion, headprint is the debut
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