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Under the radar: 12 killer 2016 albums you may have missed

Anderson .Paak – Malibu: Three albums into his career, 29-year old rapper and singer Anderson .Paak is ridiculously on point, merging 70s soul and funk influences with the kind of free-flowing jazz-informed hip hop that’s reminiscent of Thundercat and Flying Lotus. Paak however has his own muse, and on Malibu he follows it relentlessly and with delightful results.

Parquet Courts – Human Performance: After the relatively unsuccessful experiments of last year’s Monastic Living EP, it’s incredibly satisfying to hear Parquet Courts return to the format at which they excel – ragged indie-rock with a punk heartbeat. Like Jonathan Richmond fronting Pavement, there’s a breezy familiarity to their shaggy-dog likeability.

Cate Le Bon – Crab Day: In an otherwise pretty heavy year for world events, perhaps Cate Le Bon’s balmy, surrealist post-punk was just what we needed. Named after her niece’s predilection for drawing crustaceans on April Fools Day instead of playing pranks, there’s a delightful obtuseness to Le Bon’s wonky, angular pop that’s utterly disarming.

Anohni – Hopelessness: Formerly of Antony & the Johnsons, Anohni continues one of the most compelling career trajectories in music. Enlisting the help of cutting-edge producers Hudson Mohawke and Oneohtrix Point Never, on Hopelessness she tackles heady political themes amongst a sea of synths and strings. The results are lyrically crushing and sonically devastating in their beauty.

Chance the Rapper – Colouring Book: After appearances on albums by Kendrick Lamar and Kanye West, Colouring Book signaled Chance the Rapper’s arrival. Fusing gospel samples with slick, upbeat G-Funk production, the result is infectiously enjoyable bubblegum rap.

Car Seat Headrest – Teens of Denial: Will Toledo’s slacker anthems are unusually refreshing. He tackles everything from bad drug trips to feeling lame and self-conscious – basically all the stuff your champagne-swilling pop stars won’t touch. Lay it over the top of some of the most propulsive indie rock you’re likely to hear and old-fashioned teen angst never sounded so good.

case/lang/veirs – case/lang/veirs: Not so much a super group as a vital new collaboration, on their debut album as a trio Neko Case, k.d. lang and Laura Veirs prove why they’re amongst the most celebrated songwriters of the last few decades. Relaxed and comfortable, these are exquisite folk-tinged acoustic pop songs with a warm familiarity and a gorgeous sense of celebration to them that’s beautifully inviting.

YG – Still Brazy: Being shot last year seems to have consolidated YG’s status as a celebrity gangster, and on his sophomore album he muses on the philosophical implications not only of his own life, but of the broader state of black America. Backed by slick post-trap G-Funk production, it makes for a gripping cautionary tale.

Schoolboy Q – Blank Face LP: On his fourth album, South Central native Schoolboy Q trades bars with two of the biggest names in contemporary hip hop – Kanye West and Vince Staples. The fact that he manages to remain the central attraction on his own album in such company is testament to his distinctive flow. Add to that the spooky, smoked-out production for which Schoolboy has become renowned and you have one of the most enjoyable hip hop records of recent years.

Angel Olsen – My Woman: In six short years Angel Olsen has morphed from an alt-country-tinged folkie to a fully developed and nuanced songwriter whose songs, whilst dipping into all of the above genre, more easily transcend categorization. My Woman also has a fairly playful rock streak too, and is all the better for it.

Jenny Hval – Blood Bitch: Norwegian ambient avant-pop artist Jenny Hval is on an incredible hot streak, following last year’s incredible Apocalypse, girl. On Blood Bitch she creates a concept album about menstruation, a creative act that might seem preposterous in less sure hands. But Hval’s deftness in blending art with pop ensures the results are not only thematically adept, but sonically both challenging and rewarding.

Nicolas Jaar – Sirens: A New Yorker who grew up in Chile, Nicolas Jaar is a DJ, producer, soundtrack artist and boss for esteemed experimental label Other People. On his second full-length album he takes all of these elements and combines them with plaintive songwriting, creating deconstructed dance music that resonates with the sonic innovation of the best leftfield electronica, whilst engaging the listener through his strong pop sensibility and ear for a hook.

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As well as headline making albums like Bey's Lemonade, 2016 produced some quiet achiever albums not to be missed. By Adam Trainer

2016 has been an incredible year for music, but amongst the blockbusters and high-profile masterpieces there have been some exceptional releases that didn't get quite as much attention From understated folk-pop to brazen gangsta rap, quirky guitar pop to sprawling electronica, here are music insider Adam Trainer's picks of the year's best-kept musical secrets.

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Lucie Clark

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07/01/2017 7:00:18 AM

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