The Guardian's Best Albums of 2016 – So Far

The year is half over and it’s time to take stock of all the brilliant albums made in 2016, from Beyoncé’s fizzing pop to Anohni’s anguished protest music

Published: June 08, 2016 07:00 Source

# 1

The Source by Afro Celt Sound System

Album • Apr 29 / 2016 Celtic Electronica

# 2

HOPELESSNESS by ANOHNI

Album • May 06 / 2016 Art Pop Electropop Deconstructed Club

# 4

Lemonade by Beyoncé

Album • Apr 23 / 2016 Contemporary R&B Pop

# 5

Chaleur Humaine by Christine and the Queens

Album • Jun 02 / 2014 Electropop Alt-Pop Nouvelle chanson française

# 6

Blackstar by David Bowie

Album • Jan 08 / 2016 Art Rock

# 7

Views by Drake

Album • May 06 / 2016 Pop Rap Contemporary R&B

# 8

Old Adam by Fay Hield

Album • May 21 / 2012 English Folk Music

# 9

The Colour In Anything by James Blake

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

# 10

The Life Of Pablo by Kanye West

Album • Jun 10 / 2016 Pop Rap Hip Hop Experimental Hip Hop

# 11

Bottled out of Eden by Knifeworld

Album • Apr 22 / 2016 Art Rock Progressive Rock

# 12

Midwest Farmers Daughter by Margo Price

Album • Mar 25 / 2016 Country

# 13

Dystopia by Megadeth

Album • Jan 22 / 2016 Thrash Metal Heavy Metal

# 14

Human Performance by Parquet Courts

Album • Apr 08 / 2016 Indie Rock

# 15

The Hope Six Demolition Project by PJ Harvey

Album • Apr 15 / 2016 Art Rock Alternative Rock

# 16

A Moon Shaped Pool by Radiohead

Album • May 08 / 2016 Art Pop Art Rock Chamber Pop

# 17

ANTI by Rihanna

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

# 18

Konnichiwa by Skepta

Album • May 06 / 2016 Grime UK Hip Hop

# 19

I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it by The 1975

Album • Feb 26 / 2016 Synthpop Pop Rock

# 20

A Cosmic Rhythm With Each Stroke by Vijay Iyer + Wadada Leo Smith

Album • Mar 11 / 2016 ECM Style Jazz