Every year, music lovers do the same thing, wait. They anxiously wait to hear what songs will rule the radio waves and which videos will become trendsetters.

This exercise was getting a bit challenging in 2016 given that the number of good albums and artists were few and far apart in release.

 

However, as the saying goes, good things do come to those that wait and after more than three quarters of the year gone, the good stuff has started popping up weekly.

In the last three months, music from Britney Spears, OneRepublic, Frank Ocean, Kings of Leon and Lady Gaga has been released and so far, it is making 2016 stand on its own merit rather than relay on 2015 releases and hits from artists like Justin Bieber, Drake and Adele carry it on.

 

Additionally, that is not all for 2016. Alicia Keys, Emeli Sande, The Weeknd, Michael Bublé and Bruno Mars are some of the artists with fresh albums on the horizon therefore, we could be in for a late but, great year in music.

Here are our list of albums picked and rated by the editorial team;

 

1. Oh My My (OneRepublic)

 

Here is a group that knows how to make a great album, when they decide to anyway. The group’s fourth studio set has all the kind of music one can expect from OneRepublic.

There is only one downside to it, it kind of feels and sounds like their last set, Native though with more polished finishing and arrangement.

On a plus side, you won’t want to skip a song which is why we won’t bother with highlighting the stand out tracks.

L.I.C Magazine Rating: 7/10

 

2. Glory (Britney Spears)

 

This should be considered a serious comeback album from Spears because, after the mess her last album made, this has cleaned up rather nicely.

This is the album fans have been waiting for and she delivered on all fronts. The downside is that she packed quite a number of songs and as the case is with most pop albums these days, they only have a handful songs on them.

She does have a decent handful of songs such as; Make Me, If I am Dancing, Better (absolute favorite), Man on The Moon and Private Show.

L.I.C Magazine Rating: 5.5/10

 

3. WALLS (Kings of Leon)

 

Here we go, a rock band of the times with yet another moving album. Compared to their last two albums since Only By The Night in 2008, they regained their standing as one of the most consistent rock bands around, kind of the same circles as Coldplay.

This album which stands for We Are Like Love Songs highlights the band’s folky, laid back style of storytelling and with that, they can’t go wrong.

Standout tracks include, Muchacho, Walls, Waste a Moment, Around The World, Wild, Conversation Piece – that is almost the entire album.

L.I.C Magazine Rating: 5/10

 

4. Wild World (Bastille)

 

After Bad Blood three years ago, we were hooked to this British indie rock band and the follow up is every bit as good.

They jammed an incredible 14 songs on the standard edition and so far, it is a faring better with critics than their predecessor.

Standout tracks include, Good Grief, The Currents, An Act of Kindness, Glory, Power and Fake It.

L.I.C Magazine Rating: 5/10

 

5. Blonde (Frank Ocean)

 

When Beyoncé released her first surprise album a few years back, many artists took note and eventually, those bold enough followed her path including Drake, Beyoncé (again this year), her sister – Solange whose new album arrived with only three days’ notice, and now add, Frank Ocean.

These surprise releases have added a bit of excitement in the industry and all the aforementioned artists having gone on to top the album charts in the U.S and several digital charts such as iTunes.

Blonde is Frank Ocean’s follow up to Channel Orange and there are no surprises to how good it is. He successfully managed to blend his rhythm, interludes and even raps in this collection and we have to say – thumps up.

Standout tracks include, Nikes, Ivy, Solo, Be Yourself, Godspeed and Pretty Sweet.

L.I.C Magazine Rating: 5/10.

 

Under The Radar Albums:

These are albums that are already out but, we have yet to give our verdict on their impact this year;

• Joanne by Lady Gaga

• Nobody But Me by Michael Bublé

• Young as The Morning, Old as The Sea by Passenger