Pitchfork's 20 Best Pop and R&B Albums of 2016

From Frank Ocean to Chairlift to Solange, here are the best and brightest releases of the year

Published: December 06, 2016 14:50 Source

# 1

Malibu by Anderson .Paak

Album • Jan 15 / 2016 Neo-Soul

# 2

Dangerous Woman by Ariana Grande

Album • May 20 / 2016 Contemporary R&B Dance-Pop

# 3

Lemonade by Beyoncé

Album • Apr 23 / 2016 Contemporary R&B Pop

# 4

Freetown Sound by Blood Orange

Album • Jun 28 / 2016 Alternative R&B Synth Funk

# 5

E•MO•TION: Side B by Carly Rae Jepsen

EP • Aug 26 / 2016 Synthpop Dance-Pop

# 6

Moth by Chairlift

Album • Jan 22 / 2016 Synthpop Alt-Pop

# 7

Redemption by Dawn Richard

Album • Nov 18 / 2016 Alternative R&B Art Pop Electropop UK Bass

# 8

SEPT. 5TH by dvsn

Album • Mar 27 / 2016 Alternative R&B

# 9

Blonde by Frank Ocean

Album • Aug 20 / 2016 Alternative R&B Art Pop Neo-Soul

# 10

The Colour In Anything by James Blake

Album • May 05 / 2016 Alternative R&B Art Pop

# 11

HEAVN by Jamila Woods

Album • Aug 15 / 2017 Neo-Soul Alternative R&B

# 12

Oh No by Jessy Lanza

Album • May 13 / 2016 UK Bass Alternative R&B Synthpop

# 13

99.9% by KAYTRANADA

Album • May 06 / 2016 Alternative R&B Funky House

# 14

blackSUMMERS'night (2016) by Maxwell

Album • Jul 01 / 2016

# 15

For All We Know by Nao

Album • Jul 29 / 2016 Alternative R&B Electropop

# 16

Yes Lawd! by NxWorries

Album • Oct 21 / 2016 Neo-Soul

# 17

Tempo by Olga Bell

Album • May 27 / 2016 Glitch Pop Electropop Art Pop

# 18

ANTI by Rihanna

Album • Jan 28 / 2016 Alternative R&B Contemporary R&B

# 19

A Seat at the Table by Solange

Album • Sep 30 / 2016 Neo-Soul

# 20

We Are KING by We Are KING

Album • Feb 05 / 2016 Contemporary R&B Psychedelic Soul