We’ve already shown you our picks for best songs, albums and videos by Austin artists in 2016, but to close out the year we wanted to do something a little different and let our friends in the music community pick their favorite works by local and global artists from this year. We hope you’ll enjoy seeing what the Austin music community loved in 2016!
Chief and TheDoomsdayDevice
MC | DJ | Producer | Artist
Top 5 Albums of 2016
1 Frank Ocean Blond: pure masterpiece that took me time to truly appreciate.
2 Warpaint Heads Up: my favorite new discovery of 2016, and they have infinite potential.
3 Onry Ozzborn Duo: the true epitome of “works well with others.”
4 Westside Gunn Flygod: my second favorite new discovery of 2016, straight raw deluxe.
5 Jim James Eternally Even: where do this man’s creative boundaries end, if there are boundaries?
Top 5 Songs by Austin Artists
1 Third Root “Soul Force”: a who’s who of central Texas talent dropping all kinds of knowledge.
2 Muff “Follow”: new tune from one of my favorite local rock bands that already has me excited for a follow-up album.
3 DdotElles “Dos Almas”: a beautiful story told in an arrestingly concise manner, with that signature movie sample method at the end.
4 Mirage “They Wrong (Bruh)”: growth from an Austin legend.
5 Delano Taylor “Recess”: genius in three movements… one of the most slept on local producers.
Top 5 Albums by Austin Artists
1 Tee Double presents… Black Mics Matter: a perfect example of how you can be conscious and aware of both your community and the bigger picture.
2 …&more… Existence Is Existential: a situation where the parts are dope, yet the whole vastly exceeds the already lofty expectations.
3 Muff Muff: somebody signs these guys to a major label already.
4 Retr0gRaDe Retr0gRaDe: another dynamite combination pushing the boundaries of the Austin hip hop sound.
5 Out Of Place Reaganometry Digital Tape: this mix is too dope for me to break down into individual reasons why.
Favorite Austin Music Video of 2016
(really wanted it to be Butcher Bear “Barbaric Rhetoric”)
Favorite Austin Show of 2016
Weird Star State Tour: the Austin hip hop community has been so splintered over the years, so it was nice to see a variety of Austin hip hop acts tour Texas together, with local support at each stop.
Your music resolution for the New Year
Work through the writer’s/creator’s block, and score a short film.
Singer-songwriter | Podcast host
Top 5 Songs of 2016
Beyonce “Freedom”: Really, can’t choose a best track off Lemonade, but this song always makes me feel alive and whole.
Angel Olsen “Shut Up, Kiss Me”: This song just makes me want to listen to it again and again and again and again.
Third Root “Soul Force”: This song reminds me that we live in a city full of inspired and activated create souls, and makes me want to be more like everyone on the track.
Lizzo “Good as Hell”: I needed this song before the election, and I need it even more after the election.
Magna Carda “The Root”: This song is just an undeniable jam that also creates empathy, and I need as much empathy as I can muster.
Top 5 Albums of 2016
Beyonce Lemonade: Beyonce just elevated the form, making the most compelling and impactful piece of art in recent history. We should all be inspired.
Lizzo Coconut Oil EP: In times like these, we need women like Lizzo who are using their skills to inspire us and elevate us through good grooves, humor, and killer rhymes
Third Root Libertad: This may be the best local record of 2016. It makes me want to dance while I improve myself and improve the world.
Jim James Eternally Even: This strangely prescient record can be one of your lights in the coming darkness, art that you can turn to when you need to remember that you have the power to create the world you want to see.
Calliope Musicals Time Owes You Nothing: Watching Calliope Musicals perform is the antidote to any malaise you may be suffering from, a reminder that you are worthy, beautiful and magical.
Music Resolution for 2016
See more live shows. Being a working mom, I often opt for the promise of an early bed, rather than going out and supporting live music. But In 2017, I’d like to see more of that bounty that our fair city has to offer. It might require babysitters and coffee, but I think I can make it work.
Electronic artist | Visual artist
Top Albums of 2016
James Blake The Colour in Anything
Arca Entrañas
Jimmy Edgar Dreamz Come True
Matmos Ultimate Care II
Top Songs by Austin Artists
Lightworks “Piel Canala”
Holiday Mountain “Como Te Llamas”
Butcher Bear “Barbaric Rhetoric”
Top Albums by Austin Artists
Click-Clack Hous3work
Vegetable Kingdom New Worlds
&More Existence is Existential
Man of The Down #fuckagenre
Botany Deepak Verbera
Lightworks Sleepover
Favorite Austin Music Video of 2016
Favorite Austin Show of 2016
Favorite local show(s) of 2016, though this may be biased, are the Feedback Alliance Monthly’s at Exploded Records and our crossover series shows. Getting to give back to the ATX community is the biggest reward of putting these shows on, in so have been the most satisfying.
Favorite non local show of 2016, James Blake at Moody Theater, hands down. It was everything I wanted it to be.
Your music resolution for the New Year
Spend more time in the community, and get to know some new people & artists that are shaping the ATX creative atmosphere.
Hip hop collective
Top 5 Songs of 2016
Cory Kendrix: Top 5 songs?!? Damn, there’s a lot of songs to choose from … Shit ummm let’s see, in no particular order I’m gonna go ahead and put “Panda” by Desiigner up there somewhere just cause that shit was everywhere all year whether you liked it or not. Drake could have a bunch of records in the top 5 but if I gotta pick one, Ima say “Controlla” cause it was a problem. I really fucked with Skepta this year and that “Shut Down” record was my shit. Kanye “Stretch My Hands” or what ever it’s called off of Pablo was dope even if he bitched up and canceled his tour before the Denver date and I had to return my tickets (🖕Kanye for that). And then just cause I literally been waking up every morning with it stuck in my head, “Rain Drops” aka “Bad and Boujee” by Migos.
Top 5 Albums of 2016
Kydd Jones: Definitely something from Drake for sure. Was “Back To Back” this year? I haven’t even listened to much besides Future, Drake, 21 Savage and Uzi Vert. Solange’s album was dope, I’d probably give that album of the year.
DJ Charlie: Pink Polo EP by Masego & Medasin, 99.9% by Kaytranada, Body Wash by MNDSGN, Malibu by Anderson.Paak and Awaken My Love by Childish Gambino.
Top 5 Songs by Austin Artists
(note: LNS Crew interpreted this as all time)
Tank Washington: I’ma stick to rap cause that’s what I know. “South Austin Cuz” by C.O.D., “Heel Toe” by Impac, “20s On The Drop” by Gutta, “Rollin” by Black Mike, and “Jungle” by my brother Kydd Jones.
Top 5 Albums by Austin Artists
Haris Qureshi: Man I’m gonna sound like a hypebeast with this one… electronic-wise, I’ma go with the Stranger Things Vol 1. Arguably the biggest electronic release the city has had since Bames released their EP on Fool’s Gold a while back, but it had way more of a noticeable splash. Big ups to S U R V I V E and Switched On. Rap-wise? I’m biased, but I’ll say Sounds In My Head 2: The Righteous Edition that Kydd Jones just dropped. I think the newer singles that end the album out really add something to it and make it feel like a more complete project, as opposed to how the original version ended on bonus tracks that Kydd liked. Plus now it’s got all the crew on it (except for Charlie but screw him anyways, haha). But Austin’s mainly a rock town so I guess I need to put older stuff from rockers in there too. My pantheon of Austin bands basically consists of Spoon, The Sword, Octopus Project, Explosions In The Sky and Gary Clark Jr. It’s pretty damn hard to cut someone off that list so just imagine locking all those cats in a studio and forcing them to cut three LPs. Those would probably be on here.
Favorite Austin Music Video of 2016
Favorite Austin 2016 Show
Tank Washington: Any show we did at Empire was probably my favorite. Big shoutout to all my people there, that’s one of the illest venues in town. The PAIN release party at Mohawk and the Weird City Fest at Spiderhouse in January were both dope, too.
DJ Charlie: My favorite show of 2016 was Questlove at Empire Control Room. It really felt like he could play whatever he wanted to and the crowd would have appreciated it.
Musical Resolution for 2017:
Cory Kendrix: I would say to focus less on other peoples music and more on my own. I feel like in 2016 I spent a lot of time working on other people’s projects (whether it be from the engineer/production side of things or just features and side collab projects) but in 2017 I want to get the focus back on my own releases and really build my solo brand.
Music video director | Singer and Guitarist
Top 5 Songs of 2016
Dawes “Roll With The Punches”
Dawes “Less Than Five Miles Away”
Neil Young “Peace Trail”
David Bowie “Lazarus”
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds “I Need You”
Top 5 Albums of 2016
Dawes We’re All Gonna Die
Neil Young Peace Trail
Neil Young Earth
Fog & Bone The Way It Is
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds Skeleton Tree
Top 5 Songs by Austin Artists
Tinnarose “Aesthetic Anarchy”
A Giant Dog “Jizzney”
Fog & Bone “Familiar Strange”
Matthew Squires “Dead or Dying”
Tele Novella “Dead Canary”
Top 5 Albums by Austin Artists
Shearwater Jet Plane And Oxbow
Fog & Bone The Way It Is
Tinnarose My Pleasure Has Returned
Matthew Squires Tambaleo
Wild Bill & The Lost Knobs Scumbags of the Rodeo
Favorite Austin Music Video of 2016
Favorite Austin Show of 2016
Fog & Bone Release Show at The Cactus Cafe
Your music resolution for the New Year
To start a new band.
Cristian Apodaca
Promoter | KVRX
Top 5 Songs of 2016
1. DIIV “Bent (Roi’s Song)”
2. Omni “Earrings”
3. Bueno “I Got Your Back”
4. Warehouse “Super Low”
5. EZTV “Racing Country”
Top 5 Albums of 2016
1. Omni Deluxe
2. DIIV Is The Is Are
3. Bueno Illuminate Your Room
4. Whitney Light Upon the Lake
5. Uranium Club All Of Them Naturals
Top 5 Songs by Austin Artists
1. Hidden Ritual “Always”
2. Dryspell “You Without Me”
3. Sidechick “Mercury”
4. US Weekly “Outside, Relaxing”
5. Hovvdy “Can’t Wait”
Top 5 Albums by Austin Artists
1. Hidden Ritual Always
2. Hovvdy Taster
3. Spray Paint Feel the Clamps
4. Holy Wave Freaks of Nurture
5. Carl Sagan’s Skate Shoes Carl Sagan’s Skate Shoes
Favorite Austin Music Video of 2016
Favorite Austin Show of 2016
Slowdive at Scoot Inn.
Your music resolution for the New Year
Listen to lyrics more.
Singer
Top 5 Songs of 2016
1. Ariana Grande “Dangerous Woman”
2. Sylvan LaCue feat. Linzi Jai “Loner”
3. Gallant “Weight in Gold”
4. Xavier Omar “Grown Woman”
5. Rihanna “Sex With Me”
Top 5 Albums of 2016
1. Xavier Omar Everlasting Wave
2. Sylvan LaCue “Far From Familiar”
3. The Weeknd Starboy
4. SiR HER
5. Sia This Is Acting
Top 5 Songs by Austin Artists
1. The Teeta “Sayanora”
2. Kenny Gee “Pull up”
3. Maxo Kream “Karo (Eric Dingus Edit)”
Favorite Austin Show of 2016
Orange Mag 5-1-Tunes at Antone’s on 12/1/2016
Your music resolution for the New Year
Take my music overseas to continue to show a different side of the beauty of the art that can come from my amazing hometown of Austin, Texas.
TasZ of BLXPLTN
Singer and Drummer
Top 5 Albums of 2016
Ringo Deathstarr Pure Mood
This album is a dream pop classic, from start to finish. I’ve always heard Ringo’s music as rhythms and melodies that were always within me and I would have liked to have created, but didn’t know how to achieve physically.
Magna Carda Cirqlation
This is a perfect hip hop album through and through. I’m proud to say that’s my amazing son Uszee on the cover. Can’t wait to hear what’s next from these guys!
SUPER THIEF dump sink
This EP is sick! I actually first heard this on Ovrld, and now it’s a regular on my playlist. This is the music I hear in my head when I want to stomp over to my neighbor’s house and tell him to shut up his damn dogs that he leaves outside to bark and tear up our fence all damn day.
WestSide Gunn FLYGOD
Hip hop for hip hop heads. Fly kicks, Carhartt jackets, blunts, and Henny. This shit will have you zoning.
A Tribe Called Quest We Got it from Here… Thank you 4 your Service
Hip hop is probably the only music that can make me shed tears of joy. We really needed this in 2016, this year has been brutal for the community. I love this from front to back. It has all the classic ATCQ moments but is still in touch with the way hip hop is changing and is relevant for the youth and old heads alike. Rest in Power, Phife Dawg.
Top 5 Songs from ATX Artists
Ghost Wolves “Journey On”
Something about this one that always stays in my head. Although this is a tribute to the band’s wolf, Winter, who recently passed away, it feels like something beyond that. A celebration, a sense that there is something to look forward to in the afterlife. It’s reminiscent of Zeppelin’s “Bron Yr Aur Stomp”. I guess the dog songs will always get me, and Ghost Wolves is really an all-around great band.
Residual Kid “Scentless Princess”
When I first heard this, I was like, “whaaaat?! Yo, I gotta step up my game, because these little homies are killing it.” The sound quality alone on this track alone is enough to write home about.
Mindz of a Different Kind “For All by feat. Abstract Rude and Myka 9, produced by Blueprint”
First off, these kids are dope! I used to see them on public access way back in the day, and they have come a long way and kept grinding every since. It’s dope seeing a joint like this coming out of Austin with such legendary features. Don’t sleep on MDK.
Carl Sagan’s Skate Shoes “Gambit”
This. Is. Awesome. It’s ferocious, it’s powerful and to the point. It’s a swift punch in the nose that you don’t see coming. Carl. Sagan’s. Fucking. Skate. Shoes.
Basketball Shorts “Hot and Ready”
Besides these guys being cool as hell, they can play their asses off. I love this joint. This is how pop punk should sound, folks. I watched the video like 10 times when I first found it. It just rocks.
Favorite Austin Show of 2016
Ex-Legionnaires at Spiderhouse during SXSW
These guys tore up the coffeehouse indoors during SXSW at the Godless America showcase. It was a real punk show, with a rawness that I had been missing lately without realizing it. We had just finished our set in the ballroom and headed over there. We were all packed in, sweating, stomping, and they just slayed it. We’ve been friends ever since.
Video of the Year
Trying to put Ho99o9 into a category does them a disservice. It’s pure brutality. One of my favorite bands, and great guys too.
Ryan Darbonne
Space Camp Death Squad | Music video director | Comedian
Top 5 Songs of 2016
1. Run The Jewels “Legend Has It”
2. A$AP Ferg “New Level”
3. Chance the Rapper “No Problem”
4. The Avalanches “Frankie Sinatra”
5. Childish Gambino “Me and Your Mama”
Top 5 Albums of 2016
1. Run the Jewels RTJ3
2. Chance the Rapper Coloring Book
3. A Tribe Called Quest We Got It From Here
4. Run the Jewels RTJ3
5. A$AP Ferg Always Strive and Prosper
Favorite Austin Show of 2016
Express Yourself – ColdTowne Theater
Your music resolution for the New Year
Watch more movies *yuck* *yuck* *yuck*
Courtney Goforth
Do512 Marketing Manager
Top 5 Songs of 2016
Whitney “No Woman”
Angel Olsen “Shut Up Kiss Me” –
Slothrust “Horseshoe Crab”
Mothers “It Hurts Until It Doesn’t”
Kevin Morby “Black Flowers”
Top 5 Albums of 2016
Angel Olsen My Woman
Whitney Light Upon the Lake
Andy Shauf The Party
Diarrhea Planet Turn to Gold
Pup The Dream is Over
Top 5 Songs by Austin Artists
A Giant Dog “Sleep When Dead”
Tele Novella “Heavy Balloon”
Holy Wave “She Put A Seed in My Ear”
Smile “All The Things”
Tamarron “Let’s Get Out”
Top 5 Albums by Austin Artists
A Giant Dog Pile
This Will Destroy You Young Mountain (10th anniversary edition)
The Echocentrics Echo Hotel
Hovvdy Taster
Bayonne Primitives
Favorite Austin Music Video of 2016
Tele Novella “Even Steven”
Favorite Austin Show of 2016
My favorite show in Austin this year was watching Whitney play at The Sidewinder right after I fell in love with the album, and seeing him (Julien Ehrlich) giggle nervously before singing the last chorus of “No Woman” to a crowd beating him to the words.
Your music resolution for the New Year
My music resolution for the New Year is to see all of the emo reunion tours of 2017 and get more badass local talent into the Do512 Lounge.
Tyson Swindell
General Manager of The Sidewinder | Theorie Ornery
Top 5 Songs of 2016
PREP “Cheapest Flight”
Frank Ocean “Ivy”
Chairlift “Crying in Public”
Blood Orange “Best to You”
Bon Iver “715 CREEKS”
Top 5 Albums of 2016
Bon Iver 22, A Million
Radiohead A Moon Shaped Pool
Frank Ocean Blonde
Blood Orange Freetown Sound
Chairlift Moth
Top 5 Albums by Austin Artists
Carl Sagan’s Skate Shoes Carl Sagan’s Skate Shoes
Street Sects End Position
US Weekly Imploading + Ideas
Your music resolution for the New Year:
Spread more music to people.
Promoters
Top 5 Songs by Austin Artists
Magia Negra “Enslaved”
A Giant Dog “Sex & Drugs”
Strange Mother “La Reina De Tejano”
Scenery “The Beat Goes On”
Spray Paint “Shit Me to Tears”
Favorite Austin Music Video of 2016:
Favorite Austin Show of 2016:
A Place to Bury Strangers at Barracuda last spring.
Your music resolution for the New Year:
Only eat/drink at places that host local music, or at least support it in some way (HAAM contributors). And encourage others to do the same!
Connor Beitel
Small Batch Productions
Top 5 Albums of 2016
5. Angel Olsen My Woman
4. Frank Ocean Blonde
3. Kevin Morby Singing Song
2. Chance the Rapper Coloring Book
1. Anderson Paak Malibu
Top 5 Austin Albums 2016
5. Altamesa The Long Ride Home
4. Magna Carda CirQlation
3. Megafauna Welcome Home
2. Tele Novella House of Souls
1. A Giant Dog Pile
Favorite Austin Music Video:
These guys did some really cool/innovative stuff for a badass no-budget video. Respect!
New Years Music Resolution:
We’re beefing up production this year with more everything! Music videos, Small Batch Music Project Sessions, & more! Keep your eyes peeled for all things Small Batch!
Magic Rockers of Texas
Band
Top 5 Albums
5. Kevin Morby Singing Saw
4. A Tribe Called Quest We Got it From Here…Thank You 4 Your Service
3. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard Nonagon Infinity
2. Wilco Schmilco
1. Beyonce Lemonade
New Years Music Resolution:
Finally release our frigggin EP! Big firsts for the Magic Rockers of Texas tour, music videos, EP, & mike’s first service job. We’re all ready for some change – fuck 2016.
Livestreaming Event Service
Top 5 Albums of 2016
David Bowie Blackstar
One more doozie from our fearless leader. Unrivaled and totally relevant on his way out.
G.L.O.S.S. Trans Day of Revenge
G.L.O.S.S. recently decided to leave well enough alone with 5 punishing songs in 10 minutes.
Childish Gambino Awaken, My Love!
Whether you love or hate his music Awaken, My Love! is so different from his other material, its worth giving an honest listen. Find me another song from 2016 as sexy as “Redbone.”
Nuke Nuke
Totally relentless heavy metal with killer guitar work and crushing vocals on this debut. Raw production and a genuine aesthetic make this everything I could possibly want from a band from Detroit called Nuke.
Blood Orange Freetown Sound
Dev Hynes getting a lot off of his chest by way of wonderfully danceable and funky tunes to deliver the message.
Top 5 Albums by Austin Artists
Troller Graphic
Amber Star-Goers’ voice sets this apart for me in a genre that had a lot of attention and great releases this year. Dark and crawling and heavy from start to finish.
Eternal Champion The Armor or Ire
Technical and tasteful with great riffs, epic vocals and very little downtime spent forging steel and sharpening swords.
Street Sects End Position
Very abrasive album with intense sampling and some nice hooks throughout if you can hang with it. Interesting use of sampling on a solid debut.
Spray Paint Feel The Clamps
Some of the hardest working dudes in the city deliver some deliciously jarring and atonal jams via double down tuned guitars. When the lyrics aren’t totally off the wall they’re completely relatable and delivered by this trio who’ve always looked like brothers to me.
Bellringer Jettison
Equally heavy and unpredictable tunes that find themselves far from where most of them started by the end of each track. A lot to digest in just one listen from the debut from Mark D and company.
Record Label
Top 5 Songs of 2016
Snakehips “All My Friends (PREP Remix)”
I usually drift toward female vocals. 2016 is no different. The Snakeships remix just pops from beginning to end.
Rina Sawayama “Where U Are”
Rina Sawayama borrows a verse from “I Wanna Be Where You Are” by The Jackson 5 and masterfully turns it into a modern digital love song.
Maria Usbeck -“Jungla Inquieta (Jensen Sportag Remix)”
The Jensen Sportag remix of Marin Usbeck is absolutely stunning, nothing more to say.
Blood Orange “Best to You”
Sofi Tukker “Hey Lion”
Top 5 Albums of 2016
GL Touch
I’ve been following GL since their song “What Happened To Us” in 2014. Front woman Ella Thompson and her musical partner have a gift to craft great Pop music.
Shampoo Terrible Heat
Shampoo came out of nowhere for me with their single “Hanging up on U,” I followed up when they released their album and I’ve driving to it since.
Nicholas Jaar Sirens
I was pretty broken hearted after hearing the news of Darkside’s break up in 2014 after such a short run, and especially missing their highly regarded live show. Little did I know Nicholas Jaar had a solo career.
Roosevelt Roosevelt
Roosevelt has been a staple of mine since I saw them at SXSW in 2013. They had been working on a full length for a couple of years and was more than thrilled to hear the collection. It’s been in my daily playlist since its release.
Blood Orange Freetown Sound
Speaks for itself. Saw him at Day for Night. If you have the chance, see him live.
Top 5 Songs by Austin Artists
All the artists here have shined bright and have elevated Austin’s music scene as a whole.
Troller “Storm Maker”
Capyac “Shouldabeen”
Night Drive “Rise and Fall”
SURVIVE “Wardenclyffe”
Omenihu “All Vibes Matter ft. Micky”
Favorite Austin Music Video of 2016
I really dig this song and video because I can relate to the idea that sometimes you have to face yourself and be the change you wanna see in your life.
Favorite Austin Show of 2016
Junior Boys, Jessy Lanza & Borys at Mohawk [3/22/2016]
Junior Boys were fundamental in my first adventures into electronic music. So many wonderful memories of long nights working/studying in college and walking around to their music. The band was amazing and the crowd danced all night. What else could you ask for?
Your music resolution for the New Year
Release more in SCR.
Band
Top 5 Albums of 2016
Whitney light upon the lake
Savoy Motel Savoy Motel
Okkervil River Away
Ultimate Painting Dusk
The Lemon Twigs Do Hollywood
We listen to a lot of full albums in the van from start to finish. I think music is meant to be heard and digested this way. Feed yourself a coursed meal not a ritz cracker with cheese. These records have a story and flow from beginning to end. – Devon McDermott
Top 5 Albums by Austin Artists
Major Major Major PG 13 Movie
A Giant Dog Pile
Tele Novella House of Souls
Mama k & The Shades Honey Made
Croy & The Boys Hey Come Back
Explosions in The Sky The Wilderness
Selected by Drew Schlegel
Favorite Austin Music Video of 2016
Favorite Austin Show of 2016
Drew: Our (Tinnarose) record release was one of the most memorable shows I’ve ever played. We had horns, dancers, two drummers, and a sold out crowd at one of the best sounding venues in Austin, Barracuda. We opened the night and were followed by amazing performances from two of Austin’s most unique and loved bands, Sweet Spirit and Calliope Musicals. Every person left that building with a feeling of fulfillment, whether it was as a listener or a performer. The people at Hotel Hot Burrito are killing it right now!
Your music resolution for the New Year
Tinnarose the band:My music resolution for the New Year is to keep a log of shows I go to and a tour journal. It would make answering these questions way easier! Also I share some amazing experiences with my best friends on stage and off the stage, and it’ll be nice to look back at my year in review or even years in the past if I can stick with it.
Promoters
2016 was way more about local music for Zac and Ben with the releases of the Flavorsound, Dillomilk 2, Slack Capital, and Attendance Records compilations. We really put our ears to the ground in Austin to see what was moving. There were so many great releases from Austin, it was super difficult to just pick five. We did however, find some time to listen to a few things on the National radar. Here are our top picks for 2016.
Top 5 Songs of 2016 (Ben’s Picks)
1. PUP “DVP”
2. The Terry Malts “Used to Be”
3. Joyce Manor “Fake ID”
4. Grandaddy “Way We Won’t”
5. The Wedding Present “Rachel”
Honorable Mention: Kevin Fowler “Texas Forever”
Top 5 Albums (Zac’s Picks. he gave up at the end)
1. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard Nonagon Infinity
2. Head Wound City New Wave of Violence
3. Culture Abuse Each
4. R. Kelly 12 Nights of Christmas
5. Rihanna ANTi
FLAVORSOUND 2016 ARTIST: BORZOI
There are so many reasons why Borzoi deserves this, and if you haven’t seen them live, you probably won’t get half of them. Borzoi wrecked through 2016 with a release of multiple singles, contributions to compilations and a split EP with Leche that flexed a creative muscle for the band. I found myself listening to their tracks on the Dillomilk and Attendance records compilation on repeat, with the same phrase echoing after each play, “This is fucking good.” Borzoi isn’t afraid of you, your band, or your friends; and they’re certainly not afraid of taking risks. We are stoked to see what they have in store for 2017.
Top 5 Songs by Austin Artists
1. Bad Sports “Living with Secrets”
2. Borzoi “Lizardmen of the Third Reich,” “Adult Contemporary,” and “Back in Time”
3. Tele Novella “Sacramento”
4. A Giant Dog “Creep”
5. Carl Sagan’s Skate Shoes “Sundance Kid”
Top 5 Albums by Austin Artists
1. Dillo Milk 2 Compilation
2. Slack Capital Compilation
3. Tele Novella House of Souls
4. Carl Sagan Skate Shoes, S/T
5. Space Battle, S/T
Honorable Mention:
Oozer Music Songs: The Songs of Music
Today’s gonna be a good day, Attendance Records Compilation
Favorite Austin Music Video of 2016
American Sharks “White Witch” (Ben’s Pick)
Favorite Austin Show of 2016
Dillomilk 2 Compilation Release Show at Cheerup Charlie’s
Half-O-Ween at Elysium
Honorable Mention: Dong Fest The Sequel at Granada House
Your music resolution for the New Year
Flavorsound boat party.
Photo by Robert “Lowkey” Hein
Soundfounder | Exploded Records Owner
Top 5 Albums of 2016
Radiohead A Moon Shaped Pool
Ital Tek Hollowed
Aphex Twin Cheetah
A Tribe Called Quest We got it from Here… Thank You For Your Service
Badbadnotgood IV
Top 5 Albums by Austin Artists
Botany Deepak Verbera
S U R V I V E RR7349
Butcher Bear Don’t Save Yourself…
Out of Place Reaganomatry Digital Tape
Dylan Cameron Infinite Floor
Favorite Austin Music Video of 2016
Butcher Bear feat. Boom Baptist and Chief and the Doomsday Device “Barbaric Rhetoric”
Favorite Austin Show of 2016
Exploded Drawing XXXIV
Your music resolution for the New Year
Get paid and get my friends paid for our work in this creative community. Continue to create and live from and through music on as many levels as possible.
Kady Rain
Pop star
Top 5 Songs of 2016:
I wanted to put these in a numbered order, 1-5, but they’re all pretty much the same in my book. 🙂
Michl “Die Trying” – This song left me speechless, the harmony in the chorus is impossibly cool. The minimal production, narrative chorus progression, and stunning lyrics make this song a Top 5 of 2016.
Sleeping Lion “Rug” – If you’re looking for a beautiful song that doesn’t so much as step outside the box, but come across as though Sleeping Lion simply didn’t notice that there is a box to begin with. Endlessly creative, beautifully haunting. Sign me up.
Mura Masa “What if I Go” – I don’t know if I’ll ever make music as cool as this guy. He just gets it. If this song has any faults, it’s that the 2nd verse drags on a little long, but the drop is so good I’ll accept my fate.
Annika Wells “Break” – Every now and then a song successfully combines elements from many genres and creates something that not only works, but thrives. “Break” by Annika Wells does just that.
Exes “Dear, Home” – If you haven’t listened to this song yet, I won’t spoil a single second. I’ll be listening to this song throughout my life, and I’m sure you will too.
Top 5 Albums of 2016:
Sia This is Acting – Sia really brings the fire with this album. If you have access to nice speakers, make sure that you bump this record on them.
Verite Living – Verite has a really great voice, even if you don’t like pop music you’ll be able to appreciate it.
Thomston Topograph – Track number 5, “Window Seat,” makes this album an instant classic. He does a good job at bottling some thunder.
Lido “Everything” – I rarely feel like an album is an experience anymore, but this one did feel special. At times it feels like a production showcase, but that’s not a bad thing.
Frank Ocean Blonde – This album is not as highly listenable as channel ORANGE, but it’s still very creative and worth an exploration.
Top 5 Songs by Austin Artists:
Mobley “Tell Me” – Mobley managed to create one of those songs that is simultaneously fresh as hell yet familiar and cozy. Thumbs up.
Smile “I Dunno” – I’m a sucker for a good vocal arrangement, and this song kicks off with some cool harmonies.
CAPYAC “Talk About” – This song will put you in a good mood, almost no matter what.
SLOOOM “Honey” – Ethereal and just plain cool, SLOOOM made a jam that can set the tone for a nice night out.
Emily Wolfe “Atta Blues” – Emily gives a great vocal performance and I really dig the effects on her voice.
Favorite Austin Music Video of 2016:
I really like what Diego Lozano did with Slooom and Dancinatra for “Control.” Got the vibes for days.
Your music resolution for the New Year:
We want to put out a follow up EP in July or August which is going to take a minor miracle, so my musical resolution is to learn enough witchcraft to pull it off.