2016 may be over, but it
sure has given us some fantastic new music (be sure to check out the earlier
parts of my ‘Top Albums of 2016’ series on this blog!). Read on to find out my
picks for the best albums to come out of the last quarter of 2016, and be sure
to let me know if you agree on Twitter @CiarasCountry!
Miranda Lambert – The Weight of These Wings
Why it made the list:
It goes without saying that this was one of, if not THE, top albums of the
year. Not only did we get one new Miranda Lambert album, but we effectively got
two in this double album split into two parts: ‘The Nerve’ and ‘The Heart’. It
was also particularly interesting to hear Miranda’s side of what has
undoubtedly been a tumultuous year, having already heard Blake Shelton’s point
of view on his earlier album If I’m
Honest. However, whereas Blake’s response may have been more pointed, I
felt Miranda dealt more emotionally with the split as shown in songs such as Use My Heart and Things That Break. However, it’s not all about heartbreak, and
there are a lot of fun songs on the album too, with Pink Sunglasses as a personal favourite. It’s a rough and real
album with a hell of a lot of heart. Don’t miss it.
Top Tracks: Tomboy,
Tin Man, Vice
Kacey Musgraves – A Very Kacey Christmas
Why it made the list:
It wouldn’t be an end-of-the-year album round up without a Christmas album,
and Kacey Musgraves’ latest addition tops the list. Offering a mix of old
favourites as well as new tracks, and all with Kacey’s unique style, we end up
with a Christmas album unlike any that you’ve heard before. Listening to the
album made me feel almost as if I were spending the holidays on a far-off beach
with tracks full of pedal steels and the likes of Mele Kalikimaka and Feliz
Navidad leading you to think of warmer climes. However, as lovely as
Kacey’s covers were, I felt she really shone on her new tracks, including Present Without a Bow and the soulful What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve? We
need to shake up the predictable Christmas songs played on the radio each and
every festive season, and I think Kacey makes a good job of doing so.
Top Tracks: Present
Without a Bow, What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?, Ribbons and Bows
High Valley – Dear Life
Why it made the list:
Having only heard Make You Mine before
listening to High Valley’s Dear Life album,
I had been worried that the duo might simply be a one hit wonder, but alas,
their debut album proved me wrong. As with many country artists, High Valley
have managed to carve their own niche in country with what I thought was a more
stripped-back version of much of the bro-country we’re hearing nowadays. We’re
presented with a mix of uplifting ballads like Don’t Stop to clap-along summer jams such as The Only and The Soldier.
This does mean that some of the songs do sound a bit similar, but if it ain’t
broke, why fix it? High Valley clearly have their own style that works. If you
like fast-paced guitar picking, harmonies and sing-along choruses, then these
might just be your next favourite country band.
Top Tracks: I Be
U Be, Dear Life, The Only
Kane Brown – Kane Brown
Why it made the list:
Most of the reactions I’ve seen to country newbie Kane Brown, with his
backwards baseball cap and tattoos, have been along the lines of ‘I did not
expect that voice’. Indeed, Kane has a wonderful authentic country voice as
highlighted on a number of tracks on his self-titled album like Thunder in the Rain. It’s easy to see
Kane becoming a big star within the genre, with guitar-heaving rocky songs such
as Pull It Off reminiscent of the
likes of Jason Aldean or Florida Georgia Line. However, coupled with some
really stunning slowed down tracks like Cold
Spot and it’s clear to see just how versatile Kane has the potential to be.
He’s bound to be playing sell-out stadiums some day soon.
Top Tracks: What
Ifs, Cold Spot, Comeback
Now that I’ve shared
my top picks for the best albums of the year, I’d love to know what were your
favourites! Be sure to let me know on Twitter @CiarasCountry, and keep me
updated as to what albums you’re most excite about for 2017!