Images via Apple Music
The rapid ascension of homegrown megastars pushed Canadian music to new heights last year. Drake, The Weeknd, and Justin Bieber have all dominated global radio play, and the rise of pop sensations, Alessia Cara and Shawn Mendes, have kept our national scene buzzing. Now a year later, Canadian talent continues to drive the cultural narrative, and shows no signs of slowing down. Following up 2015 seemed like a daunting task, but our artists have spoiled us with a wide array of excellent releases.
The charts may have belonged to OVOXO, but some of the year's best releases came from fresh faces and indie darlings. From the cimmerian You Want It Darker, to the Polaris Prize-winning 99.9%, here are the best Canadian albums of 2016.
KROY, 'Scavenger'
Listen here. Top Track: "Cold"
Camille Poliquin's solo debut marries cold synth backdrops with spastic drum loops. Scavenger is a trip-hop rollercoaster that takes the listener through waves of heartbreak and glimmers of hope. The project's love lost narrative shouldn't work with cheery pop melodies, but it's this contrast that allows the LP to truly shine.
River Tiber, 'Indigo'
Listen here. Top track: "I'm a Stone"
River Tiber confidently delivered on his growing hype, by dropping the richly textured studio album, Indigo. It's a collection of music that pushes the talented artist into a pantheon of similarly smooth crooners like James Blake, How to Dress Well, and Sampha. Indigo flexes Tiber's composition muscle, proving to doubters that his work is more than just a Drake sample.
Hannah Georgas, 'For Evelyn'
Listen here. Top track: "Rideback"
For Evelyn is an incredibly personal release, both inside and out. Hannah Georgas dedicated the project to her 98-year-old grandmother, and like the title, its music discloses intimate details. The album itself is uncomfortably reflective and self-referential, leaving the listener feeling more of intruder than witness. For Evelyn is an enthralling open book, and it's the Vancouver musician's strongest project to date.
Andy Shauf, 'The Party'
Listen here. Top track: "Quite Like You"
Singer-songwriter, Andy Shauf, grew up in a small town in Saskatchewan. For those unfamiliar with Canadian geography, the prairie province is usually associated with barren landscapes and rural homesteads. It's an environment that can either force creativity, or sedate the artistic mind. Thankfully, Shauf is an example of the former. His latest effort, The Party, is a soothing album that transplants listeners into the POVs of various relatable characters. It's a simple concept, but it's augmented by beautiful melodies and executed with grace.
Tegan and Sara, 'Love You to Death'
Listen here. Top track: "Boyfriend"
Love You to Death is the spiritual successor to Tegan and Sara's 2013 release, Heartthrob. Both albums are an unabashed foray into mainstream pop, something that has divided the duo's devoted fanbase. Regardless of their detractors, the Quin sisters embraced their newfound appreciation of chart-ready singles, and snagged Adele producer, Greg Kurstin, to continue their artistic evolution. Tegan and Sara's rebrand has been a successful move critically and commercially, and with earworms like "Boyfriend", it's hard to argue with the results.
Dvsn, 'Sept. 5th'
Listen here. Top track: "Angela"
Dvsn gained considerable attention last October through an excellent D'Angelo-esque anthem, "The Line". The song turned heads for its throwback aesthetic and incredible vocal strength of then-unknown singer, Daniel Daley. When it was revealed that "Hotline Bling" producer Nineteen85 was also involved, it only made sense that the pair would find their way onto OVO Sound. The turnaround of their debut album was impressive, and it makes us ponder the amount of music left in the Dvsn vaut. If it's anything like Sept. 5th, we'd like to hear it very soon.
White Lung, 'Paradise'
Listen here. Top track: "Hungry"
Paradise is a rather ironic name for such an angsty, gloomy, and fuzz-filled album. White Lung followed up 2014's Deep Fantasy, with a fast-paced punk outing, that features prominent double-tracked vocals and ample amounts of guitar shredding. Highlights like "Hungry" and "Below", showcase the band's refined melodic approach, while they also deal with sinister subject matter in tracks like "Sister" and "Vegas". In a genre that can often be monotonous, White Lung demand our undivided attention.
BADBADNOTGOOD, 'IV'
Listen here. Top track: "Speaking Gently"
This year, Toronto's best purveyors of jazz dipped their toes in retro psychedelia. IV is a feature-heavy album for the group, and while these guest appearances are welcome and worthwhile, the project's best cuts remain hypnotic instrumentals. Leland Whitty officially joined the band in 2016, and his inclusion added a smooth new layer to the band - something that is delightfully apparent on IV.
Preoccupations, 'Preoccupations'
Listen here. Top track: "Degraded"
Preoccupations shed their previously controversial band name, and made a grand reintroduction with a terrific self-titled LP. Listening to the album's 40 minutes is drowning in a sea of drudging post-punk, and the few hits of neon-drenched keys is like surfacing for fresh air. If that experience sounds up your alley, then give this record a spin.
Leonard Cohen, 'You Want It Darker'
Listen here. Top track: "Leaving the Table"
Of the many icons who passed away this year, few were producing excellent and relevant music in 2016. Leonard Cohen was in this select group of people, and his final studio album, You Want It Darker, is evidence of this claim. Much like David Bowie, the famous Canadian made his closing statement piece a eulogistic one. Cohen's lyricism is in full force here and his grizzled, laboured voice now adds grim context to an already wistful album.
Jessy Lanza, 'Oh No'
Listen here. Top track: "It Means I Love You"
Jessy Lanza avoided any bit of a sophomore slump, by releasing the dancy and post-genre affair, Oh No. The Hamilton native blends an assortment of influences, and churns out something completely inventive and gorgeously confusing. Oh No is like an ayahuasca trip meets Chicago house - a cathartic release of twitchy electronic vibes.
The Weeknd, 'Starboy'
Listen here. Top track "I Feel It Coming (feat. Daft Punk)"
Starboy sees The Weeknd flirt with early 80s disco, 90s R&B slow jams, and trap-flavoured bangers. Barely a year removed from the monstrous, Beauty Behind the Madness, Abel returns with his slickest material yet. Like the song of the same name, the album is a reminder that the singer's debauched material is a mainstream anomaly, and it's a place "The King of the Fall" won't give up anytime soon.
PUP, 'The Dream Is Over'
Listen here. Top track: "DVP"
PUP begins their latest project with the snarling one-two punch of "If This Tour Doesn't Kill You, I Will" and "DVP". The album doesn't let up from there either, and when it's 30 minutes are over, it feels like you've just driven through a tunnel of broken guitar strings. The Dream Is Over is no-nonsense punk - an album that comes in, rocks hard, and leaves way before overstaying its welcome. PUP's music is chock-full of foot-stomping chants, outstanding riffs, and a dose of wry wit. It's a perfect cocktail for some of 2016's best music.
Drake, 'Views'
Listen here. Top track "Controlla"
Drake music was inescapable this year, and that left a bitter taste in a lot of people's mouths. Views had the impossible burden of pleasing the rapper's old fans, as well as the glut of new ones received while reaching global superstardom. When the album dropped this April, the initial reaction was underwhelming. Maybe it's the cold weather, but reflecting upon the year has many finally warming up to the project. Views may suffer from a smidgen of filler, but the remainder is catchy, lively, and ultimately, peak Drake.
Kaytranada, '99.9%'
Listen here. Top track: "Glowed Up (feat. Anderson .Paak)"
Kaytranada made history this year by taking home the Polaris Music Prize - the national award given to an album for artistic merit alone, regardless of sales or chart positions. The Montreal producer's full-length debut was the first hip-hop or R&B album to win the honours, besting previous nominees like Shad, Drake, and The Weeknd. Delving into the soul-drenched project, it's easy to understand what the panel saw in 99.9%. The album is richly composed, completely diverse, and colourfully decorated. In a year when Kaytra collaborated with Mick Jenkins, Craig David,and Chance the Rapper, his biggest success remains this beautiful solo project.