The 2016.

 " Why do you write like your running out of time?"

- The musical, Hamilton

2016 if anything, was a year of musical revival.

Lady Gaga wowed us with the rawness of her voice and compassion of her lyrics. You will never dismiss her as the girl in the bacon dress again. Girl has got IT.

Chance the Rapper found a new drug. A postive vibe worthy of a well lived life. His flow was already enough to stop you in a sentence. Now he teaches from the radio.

J. Cole made us listen. Called out the figures of division in hopes of giving vision. He allowed us a window into some harrowing moments. 

Charlie Puth brought back the classic crooner sound. The stuff that made it to the radio was good, but the album is worth listening to collectively.

Lukas Graham showed us life in a free-town in Copenhagen. He related to us his father's death and the poverty he grew up in.

James Vincent McMorrow switches and picks up his sound a little with, We Move. At first I was a skeptic, he has such a brilliantly sorrowful tone, but this small strip of light is nice too.

The 1975 also chose to mellow a bit with their 2016 release. I put this one on loop for hours. I also saw this album performed live so I am partial. The Brits have done it again.

NF let us into his Therapy Session with just the right amount of grit. The Michigan native always gives us true lines. It also has a nice exploration of his work ethic.

Florida Georgia Line perfected the hip hop, country blend in a way only the good Ole boys can. You can hate the genre just fine, but they own what they represent. A lot of heart on this album from the two, newly married southern boys.

Drake. Obviously with Views we flipped the 6. It gets stuck in your head. No explanation necessary.

Sia continues to pile on the hits. I truly admire her talent and how she shares herself with the artistic world. It's much more than "Cheap Thrills", even though the radio loves her too.

There are many more. And probably some albums that weren't that great. But overall it was a year of real lyrics. I dig that, 2016.

2017, if and when it comes will be back to music on this blog. Sorry for the personal segways and silent moments. I think they were important to share, but they will block progress no longer. I will begin two series come 2017.

Stay tuned. Or not. I'll still be rambling on about music :)