Top Albums of 2016 (pt.3)
With the year winding down, we here at Salazen wanted to reflect on all of the incredible music that came out in twenty sixteen. So we sat down and the four of us picked our favorite albums of the past year!
There were a lot of albums put out this year that are more than worthy of being on this list, which made my job of narrowing it down that much more difficult. The albums and EPs that I picked are from all different genres, but each of them meant a lot to me throughout the year, and I think they could do the same for you! I'm really excited to see what else these artists, and the music scene in general, has in store for us next year -Sierra
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We all had that band growing up that got us into a certain type of music or that made us fall in love with them from the very first song. For me, that was Good Charlotte. One of their albums was the first CD I ever bought myself, back when I was 8, so for them to come out with new music 14 years later that still makes me feel the same rush I did back then is absolutely amazing to me. The music is still the Good Charlotte we all know and love, with a hint of The Madden Brothers Greetings From California vibe in there, and I don’t know why that works, but it definitely does. If you’re going to give this album a listen, I highly recommend “Life Changes”, “War” and “Cars Full Of People”.
Real Friends is one of those bands that has a song for every emotion and rough patch you could be going through, and this album is no different. This band puts out music with lyrics that are relatable to so many people, and that’s one of the many reasons this is one of my top albums of the year. The band kept their signature sound and the songs resonate with you because they are so raw and honest which are characteristics that can be pushed to the back burner for a lot of bands. Be sure to give this album a listen, and be sure to check out “Scared to Be Alone” and
“Colder Quicker”.
I wanted to put an EP in this list because I feel like EPs get lost in the mix sometimes and they deserve more attention. Repartee is a band that I’ve only known about for a few months but their music is so fun and relatable that everyone needs to hear it. I find that it was so easy to fall in love with their music because you just get lost in it. You have a lot of fun listening, which I think is really important. I definitely can’t wait for more music from them, and if you check out the EP definitely be sure to listen to “Nice Girls” and “Carelessly, Carelessly”.
Hands Like Houses never disappoints when it comes to great, high energy music. The first time I heard them, they had just recently put out Unimagine, and they became a band that I listened to when I needed a break from life because they brought my energy and my attitude about things back up. When Dissonants was released, they became the band I went to all the time. This album is so high energy and the songs are so well thought out and executed that you can’t help but fall in love with each song in it’s own unique way. My favorites off this album are “Perspectives”, “Division Symbols” and “Glasshouse”, so be sure to check it out. Give this band a chance, you’ll be sorry if you don’t.
It seems like we waited forever for new Pierce the Veil music, and when they said the release was getting pushed back from last year to this year, I have to admit I was pretty disappointed. However, listening to what this album became made me realize that it was so worth the wait. Every single one of these songs radiates all the emotions that I imagine the band (and Vic specifically) were feeling while writing and recording them. I’m more and more impressed with these guys with each album they release, and this record is just a solid work of art from start to finish. Be sure to check out “Circles”, “Floral & Fading” and “Today I Saw The Whole World” if (and when) you check out this album!
The Dirty Heads were one of those bands that I sort of knew but never really appreciated until I worked with them over the summer. Their self-titled album is really artistically set up in that the first half is meant to be listened to during the day, with the songs being super fun and easy to jam along with, while the second half is meant for night listening with a very chill/relaxing vibe. The songs are so much fun to listen to and they almost make you get lost in your own head as you listen to them. The band has released some incredible music in the past, and this album definitely lives up to and exceeds expectations. Be sure to check out “Oxygen”, “Doesn’t Make You Right” and “Smoke & Dream”.
Honorable Mentions
Taking One For The Team – Simple Plan, Stories For Monday – The Summer Set, The Human Condition – Jon Bellion, California – Blink 182, Yellowcard Self-Titled, Mothership – Dance Gavin Dance, 13 Voices – Sum 41, Upside Down – Set It Off, Glory Days – Little Mix, Summerland – Coleman Hell