Music-Drop Magazine

2016 was the year of Beyoncé more than any other music artist. It was the year where she became political, the year she got critical acclaim and the year she redefined the concept of a surprise album and the music video.  I’m not a fan of Beyoncé. Sure she’s released a fair few catchy pop songs that I’ve not minded and I’ve always appreciated that she has a good set of lungs, I also enjoyed her singing Etta James’ At Last at President Obama’s inauguration. I also didn't mind her sister Solange , but I’ve never been a fan of Beyoncé. Lemonade is an album I expected to hate, I expected to listen to it and think “why is this so well thought of?” then I’d complain until I bored even myself and then I’d never pick up the album again, that’s what I expected. The artwork for the sixth studio album of Beyonce released in April 2016.  Expectations though are made to be broken by Beyoncé. Because Lemonade is one of the best albums of the year, although I can’t ...

Solange is probably best known for being the sister of Beyonce, Solange is popular, talented and cool but let’s be honest she’s still best known as Beyoncé’s sister. While she doesn’t particularly stray from the musical content of a Beyoncé record Solange has managed to create a rare, yet good, political pop album. However contrary to Beyoncé Solange has amassed more critical attention than popular, her 2008 record was praised for it’s neo soul sound and her 2012 EP True is one of the best EPs of recent memory. So A Seat At The Table had to compete with Beyoncé’s shadow and previous critical acclaim, plus the fact she hadn’t made a studio album in 8 years. The album artwork of Solange's third studio album. The album rises to the test though and it is one of the few pop albums of the year which is wholly enjoyable, some songs might be more hit than miss, and some interludes might annoy more than inspire, but overall it’s a pleasant well thought out record....

As far as music goes I’m a pretty bias sort. I have my preferences and the music I listen to often is contained within those preferences. I like alternative rock with a lot of guitar, sometimes I try the new releases of artists I like (Typically critically acclaimed artists) but I am very dependent on publication’s tastes, and I do follow several reviewers who I know share my tastes. This sometimes means I don’t listen to some of the more obvious albums of a year so that’s why I’m doing this, to rectify my issue and listen to what could be considered representative of 2016’s sound. So I decided to look at 20 sources of the best album of the year, add them all up, do a little aggregate, and churn out a top 20. Then I want to listen to those 20 albums, give them my personal opinions while laying them out in a fashion that makes them easy for the reader/listener to access. Iggy Pop's best album since The Idiot just missed out on the top 20. The lists I chose wer...