issue 15 // volume 44 20. Starboy by The Weeknd. This may be Abel Tesfaye’s most pop-sounding album to date, but it still feels like an authentic Weeknd record. In his previous album, Tesfaye perfectly portrayed dark realities, but with Starboy, this imagery is lit up with neon lights. However, tracks like “False Alarm” still recall the eerie and shadowy mood from his previous works. While this may seem like a brighter album, recurring themes like drugs and sex are still evident, though it doesn’t feel too self-indulgent. Tesfaye also explores anew sound he hasn't before by collaborating with Daft Punk, and some tracks have an ’80s dancefloor vibe. fa tic Gacte DANGEROUS WOMAN 16. Dangerous Woman by Ariana Grande. Asolid pop album by Miss Grande that taps into her inner femme fatale for its mature sound and provocative nature. “Ain't you ever seen a princess be a bad bitch?” Ariana asks seductively during the bridge of a standout track called “Bad Decisions,” and in this album, she really flaunts that persona. Ariana’s powerful and soulful vocals shine in this record, and the album does not sound generic, making it fresh and interesting. 14. Sirens by Nicolas Jaar. A chaotic and adventurous record that starts off almost silent from the solemn opener “Killing Time” and becomes disruptive due to its experimental nature. Consequently, the sound lives up to the album title, as you feel a sense of urgency and intensity. Lyrically, the album conveys the continuous tragedies that happen in the Chilean- American artist’s home country. Jaar ponders about Chilean politics, but interestingly, it seems like America is caught in an almost similar situation. 19. Wild World by Bastille. The British indie band Bastille’s sophomore album improves from their debut’s flaws and the result is a strong follow-up. The album's sound explores the cityscape in the aloum art, and each track represents different parts of this panorama. For example, an intimate part of the city can be visualized from the tracks that have a minimalistic style, and the crowded streets surrounded by huge skyscrapers can be imagined in tracks like “Send Them Off” for its exuberant horns. The fact that all songs were written by Dan Smith is remarkable, as his lyrics are beautifully poetic. 18. Next Thing by Frankie Cosmos. If coming-of-age teen movies were made into an album, this would be the outcome. The album is rather fast- paced, since the majority of the tracks are around two minutes at most. Despite this, they donot feel too abrupt, and it's one of the album's strengths, since one track hops smoothly to the other. The best 20 albums from 2Ol6: #20-13 A look back at last year’s music scene Carlos Bilan, Staff Writer CONTINUED IN FEATURE arts // no. 9 Lda Pot DPS 17. E-MO-TION: Side B by Carly Rae Jepsen. This album is a follow-up to her underrated 2015 synth-pop gem, E*MO-TION. Itis rare for extended plays to be solid, let alone an album consisting fully of tracks of which Carly Rae Jepsen cut off from the final product of E*MO-TION. That is to say, she potentially considered these as weak tracks, and she only released this album as a gift to her loyal fans. However, the EP is amazing and the tracks do not soundlike filler, as each one has distinctly strong characteristics and catchy tunes. 1S. Pool by Porches. A nostalgic and dreamy record that makes you think of rainy days, eon lights, soft pastel, and the ocean. ssentially, the aloum is composed of a nultitude of synths, wonky basslines, and =ndearing hooks. Although Aaron Maine pytended for this album to be something ‘People can dance to, it feels more like the album has tracks ideal for the romantic slow dance during prom night in the 80s. You could even consider this the album to listen to after the party for its chill vibe. 13. Blood Bitch by Jenny Hval. It might be an album that is hard to digest for its experimental genre and the fact that itis a concept album. Jenny Hval considered this album an investigation of desire through bloodlust, so in this album, she thinks like a vampire. The album's listening experience is rather cinematic; it is as though you're watching an art house vampire film. The highlight “Conceptual Romance’ is, to me, the most accessible track from the album due to its melodic phrases and mystical tunes.