25 Best Albums of 2016 (So Far)
![Beyoncé, Lemonade [📷: Columbia]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/beyonce-lemonade-parkwood-entertainment-columbia.jpg?fit=768%2C768&ssl=1)
The title is self-explanatory. This list ranks the 25 best albums of 2016, so far. By the end of 2016, this could all change...or not.

Sifting through all of the musical hype

Sifting through all of the musical hype
![Beyoncé, Lemonade [📷: Columbia]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/beyonce-lemonade-parkwood-entertainment-columbia.jpg?fit=768%2C768&ssl=1)
The title is self-explanatory. This list ranks the 25 best albums of 2016, so far. By the end of 2016, this could all change...or not.
![Charlie Puth, Nine Track Mind [📷: Artist Partner Group/Atlantic]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/charlie-puth-nine-track-mind.jpg?fit=768%2C768&ssl=1)
Not every album is beloved by critics. In the case of the nine albums that grace this list, overall, critics were mixed or totally disliked them.

It’s-a-ways off 'til the 59th Grammy Awards Nominations are announced. With half of 2016 "in the books," who has an edge in earning a statuette this year?

In the case of the 13 handpicked songs on this playlist, time is a central element to their makeup – and no, we’re not talking about blush!
![Selena Gomez, Revival [📷: Interscope]](https://themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/selena-gomez-revival-interscope-768x768.jpg)
A lack of control captures the sentiment of the 11 songs selected on this playlist that lack control of their sexual appetites. The innuendo is legit.

After listening to all of albums released by Keyshia Cole (2005 - 2014), this playlist features one favorite (and a runner-up or two) from each album.
![Beyoncé, Lemonade [📷: Columbia]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/beyonce-lemonade-parkwood-entertainment-columbia.jpg?fit=768%2C768&ssl=1)
Examining the six studio albums by R&B superstar Beyoncé, here is how The Musical Hype would rank them.
![Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, This Unruly Mess I've Made [📷: Macklemore]](https://themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/macklemore-ryan-lewis-this-unruly-mess-ive-made-macklemore-768x664.jpg)
These albums just didn’t experience the same level of success as the album preceding them. Here are 10 albums where the sophomore effect was real!

Sometimes the albums you expect to win the Grammy for Album of the Year don’t. Here are the most surprising albums that won album of the year since 2000.

Ah, a playlist comprised of 10 songs requiring ‘work’ to be put in! The list includes songs courtesy of Rihanna, Fifth Harmony, Iggy Azalea and more.
![Taylor Swift, 1989 [📷: Big Machine]](https://themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/717dwgrftml-_sl1500_-768x768.jpg)
The 58th Annual Grammys ended predictably, with Taylor Swift earning her second Album of the Year honors with pop juggernaut, 1989.

After flexing my muscles (writing, not biceps) and compiling the best songs and best albums of 2015, how about diving into genres? Here’s a quickie – 25 Best Rap Songs of 2015. Are there some ‘best’ songs that didn’t get…