31. The Weeknd, Starboy

[Republic]

The Weeknd makes a splash with his third proper album, Starboy.  Starboy is a big and flawed effort, but nonetheless, it’s jam-packed with hits.  The two Daft Punk collaborations (“Starboy” and “I Feel It Coming”) are the best moments, hand down.  Joints like “Party Monster” and the unapologetic “Reminder” showcase the high-pitched musician’s toughness – grit.  Ballad “True Colors” shifts the perception, finding The Weeknd singing radiantly, with incredible tenderness. All in all, the album has a little bit of something for everybody.

Gems: “Starboy,” “Party Monster,” “Reminder,” “True Colors,” “Sidewalks” & “I Feel It Coming”

32. Elton John, Wonderful Crazy Night

[Mercury / Island]

Had Wonderful Crazy Night arrived closer to penning of this list, it’s value would’ve been elevated more.  Still, Elton John “did some work” on Wonderful Crazy Night, clearly expanding his legacy and arguably stepping up his game up more than 2013’s solid The Diving Board.  The best moment? The rollicking title track without question!

Gems: “Wonderful Crazy Night,” “In the Name of You,” “Claw Hammer,” & “A Good Heart”

33. BJ The Chicago Kid, In My Mind

[Motown]

Ah, another fine, if underrated/underappreciated R&B album. BJ The Chicago Kid’s debut In My Mind like Anderson. Paak’s Malibu is clearly one of the year’s elites that hasn’t received the notoriety it should’ve.  Despite poor commercial sales, critically, In My Mind has plenty of goods to offer, whether it’s the spiritual concerns of “Church” and “Jeremiah/Worlds Needs More,” or the sensually-charged “The Resume.” Two moments in particular shine: “New Cupid” featuring Kendrick Lamar and groovy, throwback closer “Turnin’ Me Up.”

Gems: “Church,” “Love Inside,” “The Resume,” “Jeremiah/World Needs More Love,” “New Cupid,” & “Turnin’ Me Up”

34. Bruno Mars, 24K Magic

[Atlantic]

Bruno Mars is carefree on his highly anticipated third album, 24K Magic. A fun album, 24K Magic tackles partying, ladies, and looking back to past R&B as its inspiration.  “24K Magic” is drenched in swagger, with Mars elevating himself as the player of players, spitting mad game.  “Versace on the Floor” centers around sex, but Mars incorporates legit emotions and magnificent vocals. On “Finesse” he indeed “shut the shit down on sight…drippin’ in finesse” while he nails Babyface-assisted ballad “Too Good to Say Goodbye,” which closes the album.  24K Magic is short, but sweet.

Gems: “24K Magic,” “Versace on the Floor,” “Finesse” & “Too Good to Say Goodbye”

35. The 1975, I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It

[Interscope]

The 1975 fans will clearly be angry at the placement of I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It on this best-of list.  Why so low? Honestly, while the album has its epic moments, it also runs too long, specifically with “Please Be Naked” slowing down the momentum. Nonetheless, The 1975 kill gems like “Love Me” and “UGH,” with the crème de la crème being the extended, gospel-infused joint “If I Believe You.”

Gems: “Love Me,” “UGH,” “If I Believe You,” “Loving Someone,” “The Sound” & “Paris”

36. ScHoolboy Q, Blank Face LP

[Interscope]

Blank Face LP, the fourth album from ScHoolboy Q, is an ambitious and incredibly moody effort. Albeit polarizing, it’s among the better albums of 2016.  The brief “Lord Have Mercy” packs a mean punch – soulful with a bite.  The quirk and distinct “THat Part” brings Kanye West along for an exhilarating ride. “Ride Out,” featuring Vince Staples, has commercial appeal as a banger, featuring a hard beat, hellish production, and fiery rhymes. All said and done, Blank Face LP is one of the year’s most intriguing efforts.

Gems: “Lord Have Mercy,” “That Part,” “Groovy Tony/Eddie Kane,” “Ride Out,” “Dope Dealer” & “JoHn Muir”

37. Lady Gaga, Joanne

[Interscope]

Joanne is a stark contrast to the Lady Gaga discography, marking the most eclectic album of her career. Rather than continuing with her past script, she expands it, incorporating a number of different styles. Danceable break-up anthem “Perfect Illusion” sounds closest to her past, giving Gaga another infectious gem.  Single “Million Reasons” marks a complete 360º, incorporating country music and co-written by Hillary Lindsey.  “Angel Down” tackles racism, social injustice, and gun control, inspired by the murder of Trayvon Martin.  All in all, Joanne is well- rounded.

Gems: “Diamond Heart,” “A-YO,” “John Wayne,” “Perfect Illusion,” “Million Reasons” & “Angel Down”

38. Danny Brown, Atrocity Exhibition

 [Warp]

Midwest, alt-rapper Danny Brown is one of a kind, possessing a distinct set of pipes with a jagged, raw style. Atrocity Exhibition showcases his eccentricity in all its glory.  Brown discusses his demons on thrilling opener “Downward Spiral.” The album’s best moment comes on banger “Really Doe,” which assembles an all-star cast of Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, and Earl Sweatshirt.  “When it Rain” mixes hardcore, unapologetic rap and the dancefloor.  If nothing more, Atrocity Exhibition is among the most interesting albums of the year.

Gems: “Downward Spiral,” “Rolling Stone,” “Really Doe,” “Ain’t It Funny,” “Pneumonia” & “When It Rain”

39. Drake, Views

[Cash Money]

This one’s tough. Arguably, Views is arguably Drake’s weakest album.  Even so, Views is by no flop.  The biggest rub against this album is that Drake doesn’t necessarily progress forward, opting to maintain the status quo.  Is that bad? No. Views is still one of the year’s more interesting albums, and when Drizzy is “on,” he’s clearly “on.” “Hotline Bling” would be sufficient in itself.

Gems: “Keep the Family Close,” “9,” “Hype,” “Redemption,” “Views” & “Hotline Bling”

40. Lukas Graham, Lukas Graham

[Warner Bros.]

Danish band Lukas Graham concoct an enjoyable, memorable pop album with their self-titled debut. While the main attraction is clearly the emotional, meaningful “7 Years” (“Once I was seven years old…”) that’s not the only magnificent highlight. “Mama Said” and “Better Than Yourself (Criminal Mind Pt. 2)” both possess depth, while the shallower “Drunk in the Morning” is clearly the most fun song on the album, hands down.

Gems: “7 Years,” “Mama Said,” “Drunk in The Morning,” & “Better Than Yourself (Criminal Mind Pt. 2)”

Final Thoughts

A number of other albums could’ve easily graced this list or expanded this list.  Emile Sandé delivered an awesome effort with Long Live the Angels.  Corinne Bailey Rae was incredibly underrated with The Heart Speaks in Whispers.  Tech N9ne closed out 2016 with a fantastic, eclectic rap effort, The Storm, led by banger “Sriracha.” But alas, the list would never be complete, so we settled on the aforementioned 40 albums, for better or for worse.

Photo Credits: Sony, Bad Seeds Ltd., Columbia, Epic, Boys Don’t Cry, Roc Nation, XL, Chance the Rapper, Jagjaguwar, Def Jam, Fueled by Ramen, Virgin, Island, Glassnote, Polydor, Interscope, Dreamville / Roc Nation, RCA, Blue Note, Republic, Capitol, Warner Bros., Atlantic, Steel Wool / OBE, Mercury / Island, Motown, Warp