Top Albums of 2016
This final installment of Salazen Media's favorite albums of 2016 features writing from two of our newest members! We can't wait for you to read their thoughts, and hear more from these ladies!
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I’ve been listening to The 1975 since 2013 when they had experimental EPs which were mainly instrumental more than vocal. When ‘I Like It When You Sleep’ dropped I wasn’t expecting the energetic sound they are trying which doesn’t actually fit into a genre but the lyrics and music are definitely jarring and make a statement. The lead singer Matty Healy shares his personal struggles on this album and his opinion about how the music industry is controlled currently. “If I Believe You” is one of my favorites by The 1975 due to the song’s strong yet personal message on religion, it's gospel/R&B influences and the music production quality. This album has the band’s strongest personal voice and I’m excited to see where they will take it in the future. -Carmyn
The eclectic sounds of indie folk-rock band Run River North dominated the first half of my summer. Drinking from a Salt Pond is the LA-based group’s sophomore album, and is structured in a more traditional sense lyrically than their previous work. I had the chance to see them headline a show with Night Riots in Chicago, and their effortless performance style and unique sound captivated myself and the rest of the audience. The six-piece often cites their Korean-American heritage as inspiration for their art, and the laid back vibes in many of the tracks invoke an idyllic sense of traveling the Pacific Coast.
While “Anthony” is my favorite song, the upbeat tempo and positive lyrics are everything, “Run or Hide” garnered a lot of radio play as the album’s break-out track. - Emmeline
I saw Emarosa for the first time at Vans Warped Tour 2016 at the Columbia, MD date and they put on an unforgettable performance. Their lead singer Bradley Walden took selfies and videos with the crowd and climbed the stage, hanging upside down while still holding his strong R&B influenced vocals which make the album catchy and irresistible. My favorite song on the album is “Never”, a powerful duet Bradley sings with his fiance . The raw emotion in both of their voices mixed with the clean atmospheric guitars is a beautiful combination that shows throughout the full length and this unique sound makes Emorosa's 131 the best album in their discography. - Carmyn
While Weezer has been blowing up airwaves since the early 1990s, I became a huge fan this year with the release of their latest record the White Album. While almost everyone knows the cult classics “Buddy Holly” and “Beverly Hills,” their latest album consists of nine beachy anthems and is rounded out by a rather innocent ballad that reminisces on summers past. Compared to their previous, darker-themed work, the White Album’s tracks are generally focused on light-hearted topics with a grungy twist. Lead singer Rivers Cuomo suggested in an interview earlier this year that the album serves as a tribute to The Beach Boys, and said that he drew inspiration for the album through people he met on Tinder in Venice Beach. This modern take on songwriting really drew me in, and the opening track “California Kids” is evidence that his quirky methods really paid off. Although it’s hard to pinpoint, my other favorites are “Do You Wanna Get High?” and “Thank God for Girls.” -Emmeline
Panic at the Disco are known for their theatrical, themed albums and Death of a Bachelor is a great addition to their discography. Front man, Brendon Urie’s vocal range is vast and has Frank Sinatra influences which I haven’t seen in any other piece of music released this year. “Victorious” is a fast paced, party song and I’d recommend it to anyone listening to this album for the first time. Each song tells different stories of wild adventures and has imaginative songwriting which makes a Panic at the Disco record unique. -Carmyn