Music Monday 🎧 My Albums of the Year

It took me about 2 weeks to decide my favourite albums of the year. I created about 4 different lists. I originally had over 50 albums that I wanted to try and cut down to 10. It was not easy. 2016 was a really a good year for music and I discovered so many new bands!

Please ignore how repetitive I am when explaining why I love each album. I am NOT a music reviewer. I just listen.

To see a full list of all my favourite albums then be sure to check out this Spotify playlist!

If you want to see a list of ALL the albums I downloaded in 2016 you can do that HERE.

This is in alphabetical order because trying to do favourite order would be even more impossible

Bad Omens – Bad Omens [Post Hardcore]

Stream the Album on Spotify

I only found out about Bad Omens last month, but I became obsessed with this album. I listened to it on repeat about 15 times. Something about their music just instantly connected with me. It’s been a while since I found a new post-hardcore band and it was just really great coming back to my favourite genre.

Favourite song

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Panic! At The Disco – Death Of A Bachelor [Alt Rock]

Stream the Album on Spotify

I mentioned Panic! in my “Bands that Changed My Life” post so I was really excited, but nervous for this album. I wasn’t a fan of Hallejulah when it was first released. I was really worried this album was going to be Pretty.Odd all over again for me because I don’t like that album. However, as more singles got released I really loved them. Then hearing the whole thing I was in love and it’s hard to believe that there was a time when I thought I was going to like this.

Favourite song

This song never fails to put me in a good mood. I just want to dance around my room every time I hear it.

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Pierce The Veil – Misadventures [Post Hardcore]

Stream the Album on Spotify

You’ve probably seen me talk a lot about how much I love Pierce The Veil. They’re another band I mentioned in my “Bands that Changed My Life” post. They are so important to me. This is PTV’s first album in 4 years. I honestly didn’t think we were ever going to get it at one point. It was an incredibly long and anxious wait, as thoughts like “maybe they’re breaking up” plagued my mind. That wait was totally worth it though when Misadventures was finally released. I’ve been listening to this album on repeat since May. It’s everything I wanted and more. Pierce The Veil have such an unique sound, both instrumentally and vocally. In interviews Vic always says how he wanted every song to be a story on it’s own and it definitely is.

Favourite songs

Vic wrote Phantom Power and Ludicrous Speed about how difficult writing Misadventures was and it’s just so real and raw. You can tell just how much he put himself through to get this album out. I also think this song really showcases how versatile Vic’s vocal range is. Song For Isabelle is about a girl he met. She spoke about how all the horrible things that happen in the world make her feel so helpless and I relate to that so much. The opening verse describes how I feel a lot.

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Rarity – I Couldn’t Be Weaker || Trash Boat – Nothing I Write You Could Change What You’ve Been Through [Pop Punk]

 
Stream I Couldn’t Be Weaker on Spotify || Stream Nothing I Write You Can Change What You’ve Been Through on Spotify

These are together because I’d be pretty much saying the same things. I discovered both bands this year and instantly connected with their unique pop punk sound. I love the gritty and raw feel to each album and both are really different to a lot of other pop punk bands that are out there. Both albums definitely focus on the heavier side of pop punk and I love it.

Favourite Songs

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Real Friends – The Home Inside My Head [Pop Punk]

Stream the Album on Spotify

I’ve loved Real Friends for a few years now. When I first started lightening to them all they had out was a couple of EPs so it’s been awesome seeing them signed and release albums. When I first listened to The Home Inside My Head I really liked it, but didn’t think much else about it. However, recently, I started listening to it again and I was just pulled in. The lyrics made me feel so many nostalgic things.

Favourite Song

I just really love the way this song sounds? It’s so gritty. It makes me feel alive.

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Stuck Out – What We’ve Come To Be (EP) [Pop Punk]

Stream the Album on Spotify

What We’ve Come To Be may only be a 3 song release, but it deserves to be here. I discovered Stuck Out a few weeks ago and they’re easily one of my favourite bands now. They’re songs are raw and gritty (can you sense a trend of what I like when it comes to music?) and have such a great sound. The reason this is here is because those 3 songs have me DYING for more. I can not wait until this band releases a full length because I already know it’s going to make it onto my top albums list for that year. Plus, I love supporting local bands!

Favourite Song

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Too Close To Touch – Haven’t Been Myself [Post Hardcore]

Stream the Album on Spotify

This is only Too Close To Touch’s second album, but it’s easily one of the best of the year. The songs are full of so much emotion. Their debut was AMAZING, but this has shown that they’ve gotten even better. A track off this called Eiley is one of my favourite songs of the year. It makes me cry (like sobbing crying) every time I listen to it because it’s so real and genuine and 100% emotion.

Favourite Song 

This song is about the vocalist’s sister who passed away. You can feel the pain he feels. It’s beautifully heart-wrenching how honest he is.

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Trophy Eyes – Chemical Miracle [Pop Punk]

Stream the Album on Spotify

Another Australian band I discovered this year that made my top albums list! Trophy Eyes lyrics are so raw and honest. I immediately connected with the themes in them. They don’t hold back. From the first song you’re just thrown into intense and real lyrics and each song just builds on that. Again, they focus on the heavier side of pop punk which I love.

Favourite Song

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With Confidence – Better Weather [Pop Punk]

Stream the Album on Spotify

You’ve probably seen me talk about With Confidence a lot too! They’re another Australian band. I’ve been a fan for a few years now and seeing them signed to a major US label and release a debut album has been so good. This album completely took me by surprise. I’ve loved all their releases, but this feels like a 2nd or 3rd album not their first. Everything about this is perfect; the lyrics, the vocals, the sound. I am so excited to see what With Confidence does next.

Favourite Song

Jayden, the vocalist, wrote this about mental illness. The title is Voldemort because 1) he’s a huge Harry Potter fan and 2) it’s a play on how everyone is too scared to speak about mental illness and how their’s a stigma attached to it

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Honorable Mentions

As I said above my original list had over 50 albums. I couldn’t not give a shout out to some of my other favourites that I lost sleep over because I couldn’t decide whether to include them or not.

All links go to Spotify

The 1975 – I like it when you sleep for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it • A Day To Remember – Bad Vibrations • The Amity Affliction – This Could Be Heartbreak • Against The Current – In Our Bones • Beartooth – Aggressive • blink-182 – California • Chelsea Grin – Self Inflicted • Columbus – Spring Forever • The Hamilton Mixtape • Hands Like House – Dissonants • Hayley Kiyoko – Citrine [EP] • letlive. – If I’m The Devil… • Little Mix – Glory Days • Moose Blood – Blush • Tkay Maidza – TKAY • Vanna – All Hell

Do you love any of these albums? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

What’s your favourite album that was released this year?

I hope you’re all having a fantastic day xx