2016’s 5 Must Hear Albums (So Far)

The+1975+released+their+sophomore+LP+I+Like+It+When+You+Sleep%2C+For+You+Are+So+Beautiful+Yet+So+Unaware+of+It+in+February.

Courtesy of diymag.com

The 1975 released their sophomore LP “I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It” in February.

Parker Reed

It’s only March, yet 2016 has given us some great (and not-so-great) releases from some of music’s biggest and lesser known names.

Here are five of 2016 most notable releases so far:

1. St Lucia – “Matter”

St. Lucia returned with their second full-length release in January. “Matter” features plenty of huge synth beats straight out of the ’80s, best seen on album opener “Do You Remember.” “Matter” also sports plenty of relentless hooks, as evident on “Physical” or the Jack Antonoff of Bleachers co-written track “Help Me Run Away.”

Recommended Tracks: “Dancing On Glass,” “Do You Remember” and “Physical”

2. The 1975 – “I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It”

The 1975 could have stuffed their follow-up to 2013’s “The 1975” with even more catchy singles capitalizing off of the success of singles such as “Chocolate” and “Girls” from their debut. “I Like It…” decides to go a different direction, featuring plenty of low-key and interlude-like tracks with moments of catchiness thrown in between.

At 17 tracks long, “I Like It…” may seem like a chore for some listeners, but those who take in everything it has to offer will find a satisfying sophomore effort from the group.

Recommended Tracks: “She’s American,” “If I Believe You” and “UGH!”

3. Kendrick Lamar – “untitled unmastered”

After the overwhelming success of “To Pimp a Butterfly,” no one expected Lamar to put out new material so quickly. “Untitled Unmastered” is less of an album and more of a collection of demos recorded during the production of “To Pimp a Butterfly” and features a number of artists on untitled tracks that continue in the experimental nature of Lamar’s previous release.

Don’t expect a cohesive package with “untitled unmastered” and you will find something to enjoy among its eight tracks.

Recommended Tracks: “untitled 07,” “untitled 06” and “untitled 05”

4. The Knocks – “55”

The Knocks’ “55” is packed with plenty of danceable tracks with features from many of pop and alternative music’s biggest names. Carly Rae Jepsen and the vocalists from Walk the Moon and X Ambassadors all show up at some point on the 15 tracks of “55.”

The album also features singles such as “Classic” and “Kiss the Sky” with appearances from Powers and Wyclef Jean respectively. When not accompanied by a guest artist, The Knocks still know how to bring addictive beats and hooks, best shown in “Time” and “The Key.” This DJ duo’s debut full length is not one to skip.

Recommended Tracks: “Time,” “Comfortable” and “Kiss the Sky”

5. Panic! at the Disco – “Death of a Bachelor”

A lot has been said about the current state of Panic! at the Disco. While unfortunately “Death of a Bachelor” ends up being the group’s weakest release to date, there are still a handful of songs worth salvaging from the release.

Singles like “Hallelujah” and “Victorious” failed to convince many that Urie’s new direction was a worthwhile one, but non-singles like “LA Devotee” and even third single “Emporer’s New Clothes” showed that there was still some spark in that disco.

Recommended Tracks: “Death of a Bachelor,” “LA Devotee” and “Emperor’s New Clothes”