Less than a week until the end of the year, so time to look back at the best albums of 2016. And there were some great ones. This list really show the brilliant sides of pop, there are comeback albums, debut albums and continuations of great careers. One thing they had in common, they were all on high rotation in 2016.
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Now for our Top Ten Albums of 2016:
10 - DNCE - DNCE
DNCE exploded out of the gate and went big time very quickly. With help from debut single, the catchy as hell, "Cake by the Ocean" - DNCE became more than just a project for Joe Jonas. They became a fantastic and very relevant band that deserved attention. The band has a beautiful way of blending pop and rock and seem to always know where the party is. This is one fun album.
Track Highlights: Cake by the Ocean, Toothbrush and Doctor You
Our review: http://theinternaljukebox.blogspot.com.au/2016/11/album-review-dnce-dnce.html
9 - Illuminate - Shawn Mendes
Shawn's first album was great but he really stepped up his game with album two. He's getting older, so his voice is growing stronger and his songwriting skills are also flourishing. And sure, Shawn may be very nice to look at, but there's more than that, he is a true talent. There's some great songs here, "Treat You Better" was a deserved hit and "Ruin" did just that, ruined me - it is so beautiful. A very solid album.
Track Highlights: Treat You Better, Ruin and Roses
Our Review: http://theinternaljukebox.blogspot.com.au/2016/10/album-review-illuminate-shawn-mendes.html
8 - Unfinished Business - Nathan Sykes
Nathan Sykes burst out of "The Wanted" and became a legitimate pop star in his own right in 2016. Sure, he'd released some of these songs last year, but it was in 2016 the album came out and we could see as a whole how damn good this album was. This is classic pop, Nathan sounds amazing and the songs are slick and brilliant. Bonus points for "Over and Over Again", a song that sounds awesome as a solo track or as a duet with Ariana Grande. Plus, "Give It Up" was one of our favourite songs of the year.
Track Highlights: Give It Up, Over and Over Again & Money
Our Review: http://theinternaljukebox.blogspot.com.au/2016/11/album-review-unfinished-business-nathan.html
7 - This Is What the Truth Feels Like - Gwen Stefani
It had been a little time since Gwen released a solo album. I was worried we wouldn't get a new album when the last one was shelved after the songs didn't chart as expected - which was a shame because "Baby Don't Lie" was brilliant. "This Is What the Truth Feels Like" is a great album, and while Gwen might be a Mum and older, she hasn't abandoned all her punk pop roots. There is so much to love here, and while her marriage breakdown is terrible for her, it has provided some truly sensational songs.
Track Highlights: Used To Love You, Make Me Love You and Truth
Our Review: http://theinternaljukebox.blogspot.com.au/2016/03/album-review-this-is-what-truth-feels.html
6 - Glory - Britney Spears
"Glory" was the album Britney fans wanted and needed. While there were things to like in "Britney Jean", it wasn't an excellent album. We want Britney making pure pop, and this year she was back with a vengeance. And these songs are so good. Pop that is damn sexy, just like Britney should always release. Britney is at her seductive best here and there is not one misstep on the album. Now what does an icon need to do to get a number one album?
Track Highlights: Do You Wanna Come Over?, Slumber Party and Liar
Our Review: http://theinternaljukebox.blogspot.com.au/2016/08/album-review-glory-britney-spears.html
5 - Glory Days - Little Mix
Little Mix are getting better and better. Album number four and the ladies are sounding more cohesive than ever. While other vocal bands suffer from infighting (hey there Fifth Harmony), the ladies of Little Mix seem to genuinely like each other and it results in some great tunes. They haven't made a bad album, in fact they seem to only be getting stronger. When it comes to pop in 2016, Little Mix rightly deserve to be sitting on top of the mountain.
Track Highlights: Shout Out To My Ex, Touch and Oops
Our review: http://theinternaljukebox.blogspot.com.au/2016/11/album-review-glory-days-little-mix.html
4 - Mind of Mine - Zayn
It was devastating when Zayn left One Direction, as a group they were iconic. But all good things must come to an end and we can't complain about his departure too much when he releases solo music this good. This album is brilliant, it is filled with loads of sexy tracks that seamlessly combine pop and R&B. Every single was a winner, and so many of the album tracks could have been released - that doesn't happen often. Zayn is certainly an artist with a bright future.
Track Highlights: Pillowtalk, BeFour and T.I.O
Our Review: http://theinternaljukebox.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/album-review-mind-of-mine-zayn.html
3 - This is Acting - Sia
This is where things get difficult. The top three could all be swapped around, there is so little between all of them. "This Is Acting" is a brilliant album, and while there was no "Chandelier", this album as a whole is stronger than her last outing. And how great that "Cheap Thrills" was such a massive hit. There's so much to love her, especially ironic when you remember that all of these songs were rejected by other pop stars, you have to imagine they would be kicking themselves now!
Track Highlights: Cheap Thrills, Move Your Body and Reaper
Our Review: http://theinternaljukebox.blogspot.com.au/2016/02/album-review-this-is-acting-sia.html
2 - Dangerous Woman - Ariana Grande
Ariana had a good year. It's hard to believe that she could top 2014's "My Everything", but top it she did. This album is perfect and Ariana's voice is crazy good. Ask for the best songs, and they could all be listed. "Into You" is the best song of 2016, hands down, and there's so many other great tunes to love. And what great collaborations, Nicki Minaj, Macy Gray and Lil Wayne. This album has been played a lot this year and will be played right through the new year. Ariana has cemented her place in the pop music royal court.
Track Highlights: Into You, Dangerous Woman and Be Alright
Our Review: http://theinternaljukebox.blogspot.com.au/2016/06/album-review-dangerous-woman-ariana.html
1 - Red Flag - All Saints
If you said at the end of 2015 that the All Saints would release our favourite album of 2016, we wouldn't have believed you. But release it they did and it was everything. Their break was the best thing for them, they have come back hungry, mature and with a wealth of life experience to throw in these amazing songs. You can hear their stories mixed with their flawless vocals, and you can't help but relate. "Red Flag" is All Saints best album, it is as perfect as pop gets.
Track Highlights: One Strike, This is a War and Who Hurt Who
Our Review: http://theinternaljukebox.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/album-review-red-flag-all-saints.html
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