Let’s be honest here. The only thing 2016 did right was music. 

For me, this was the year of concerts. Johnnyswim, The Saint Johns, Judah and the Lion, Matt Wertz, Switchfoot, Relient K, Us the Duo, Pentatonix, Jon Bellion. All these artists’ were amazing live in their own right!! I can’t even pick a favorite. Actually, I only go to shows if they are already my favorite haha. And! I have 2 more concerts lined up in the next few months: Josh Garrels and Us the Duo <3 Yay LIVE MUSIC!

TOP SONGS of 2016. You’ll notice not many (any? maybe 2) are Top 40. I do listen to the radio, but in the last 2 years I’ve tried to stick with finding new artists (or new songs from artists I already love) in places besides the radio – mostly Spotify and Twitter if you’re curious. (read: I’m not saying there isn’t good music on the radio, there is!) I have singer-songwriter, pop, and country music taste tendencies, and of course anything with thoughtful, smart, challenging, inspiring lyrics. So if you’re into that, you’ll be into these 😉 Here we go!

If you want to skip the commentary and just listen >> Top 16 Songs of 2016 playlist on Spotify <<

• Andy Grammer – Fresh Eyes (makes ya dance around the living room)
• Birdy – Keeping Your Head Up (her voice amazes me!)
• Brooke Fraser – Therapy (BROOKE IS BACK!!! 😀 )
• Carly Rae Jepsen – Higher (her whole album is one big bop. so fun!)
• Castro – Diamond Dreams (their debut EP stole my heart)
  
• Coldplay – Up&Up (Freedo Remix) (great car jam + even better music vid)
• Josh Garrels – Hiding Place (so excited to see him in Feb!)
• Lindsey Stirling ft. Andrew McMahon – Something Wild (beautiful collab!)
• Michael Franti & the Spearhead – My Lord (really fun one!)
• Miranda Lambert – Vice (so proud of her & her new album)
• Nichole Nordeman ft. Plumb – Not to Us (great worship song)
• Pentatonix – Hallelujah (cried the first time I heard this)
• The Saint Johns – Lost the Feeling (best driving song!)
• Steve Moakler – Summer Without Her (his whole EP is worth a million listens)
• Switchfoot – Float (they brought out the bubble machines at the concert!)
• Us the Duo – Stop (Just Love) (their harmonies are INCREDIBLE.) 

ALBUMS + the TOP 2 SONGS ON EACH
Basically I loved these albums in their entirety SO MUCH that I couldn’t pick just one song from them. Really, these albums are each pure and perfect as a whole collection of songs. I did pick my favorite songs from them, but I rarely listen to them on their own. When I listen to these albums, it’s in order, in one sitting. In a generation of “singles” it’s refreshing to be able to listen to full albums that are well thought out as a whole. These 5 albums are definitely my most-listened-to of 2016.

Please love and admire my musical expertness. 😉 😉

• James Bay – Chaos and the Calm
  (Best Fake Smile, Need the Sun to Break) – Though it technically was released in 2015, I didn’t discover it until 2016, so I’m counting it for this year!! His words! His honest words and stripped back music are what really pulled me in.
• Johnnyswim – Georgica Pond
  (Let it Matter, First Try) – Throwin’ up them praise hands. That’s what happened the first time I listened to practically every one of these songs. Abner & Amanda & their soulful, harmonious musical abilities are sooo amazing.
• Jon Bellion – The Human Condition
  (Maybe IDK, Guillotine) – Thankful this album came into my life. Jon’s lyrics are so real, and his beats and sounds are refreshing & unexpected. Many of his thoughts (& lots of tough love) really challenged me and I appreciated that.
• Maren Morris – Hero
  (Sugar, Rich) – THIS GIRL. Was just nominated for FOUR Grammy’s!?!! Incredible, especially when country music is so male-dominated. Maren ripped right through all the washed-out party-country and created an album that absolutely changed the game. 
• Matt Wertz – Gun Shy
  (Smoke, Committed) – THIS GUY. Matt took a huge leap of faith and completely 360-ed his genre, going from calm singer-songwriter to pop GOD. He wrote, sang and produced a seriously ELECTRIC album. As a fan for over 10 years, I am so proud of MW.