The New Zealand Herald's 20 Best Albums of 2016

Let's just call it what it is: Beyonce owned 2016. Lemonade changed the game with its celebration of black culture and what it is to be a black woman; Bey's...

Published: December 14, 2016 22:00 Source

# 1

Lemonade by Beyoncé

Album • Apr 23 / 2016 Contemporary R&B Pop

# 2

Skeleton Tree by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

Album • Sep 09 / 2016 Singer-Songwriter Art Rock

# 3

Blonde by Frank Ocean

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

# 4

The Life Of Pablo by Kanye West

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

# 5

Blackstar by David Bowie

Album • Jan 08 / 2016 Art Rock

# 6

22, A Million by Bon Iver

Album • Sep 30 / 2016 Art Pop Folktronica

# 7

Malibu by Anderson .Paak

Album • Jan 15 / 2016 Neo-Soul

# 8

A Moon Shaped Pool by Radiohead

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

# 9

untitled unmastered. by Kendrick Lamar

Album • Mar 04 / 2016 Jazz Rap Conscious Hip Hop West Coast Hip Hop

# 10

ANTI by Rihanna

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

# 11

Wildflower by The Avalanches

Album • Jul 08 / 2016 Plunderphonics Neo-Psychedelia

# 12

The Death of All Things by Beastwars

Album • Apr 21 / 2016 Stoner Metal Sludge Metal

# 13

Blank Face LP by ScHoolboy Q

Album • Jul 08 / 2016 Gangsta Rap West Coast Hip Hop Hardcore Hip Hop

# 14

Total Depravity by The Veils

Album • Aug 26 / 2016 Indie Rock

# 15

A Seat at the Table by Solange

Album • Sep 30 / 2016 Neo-Soul

# 17

Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not by Dinosaur Jr.

Album • Aug 05 / 2016 Alternative Rock Indie Rock Slacker Rock

# 18

Adore Life by Savages

Album • Jan 22 / 2016 Post-Punk

# 19

We Got It from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service by A Tribe Called Quest

Album • Nov 11 / 2016 Conscious Hip Hop East Coast Hip Hop Jazz Rap

# 20

RR7349 by S U R V I V E

Album • Sep 30 / 2016 Synthwave