Here we are at the half waypoint of 2016 and tons of music has been released. I have listened to a total of 95 Albums and Mixtapes with some being bad, some good and some just plaine ugly. Here is the first part of my top 26 albums thus far. There is no particular order and the descriptions are my gut feelings.
Babymetal - Metal Resistance (Japanese Heavy Metal/Pop Fusion)
Babymetal made their return to the music scene after almost two years with their second album Metal Resistance. Like the first it stuck to its very Hevay Metal instruments with Pop vocals and theatrics. Metal Resistance is a great allbum but in my opinion their first album Babymetal was better, but MR did have better lyrics and performances. The lead single Karate is one of my favorites.
Cream - Change (Japanese Pop, Hip Hop, R&B)
After two years the male/female duo of Staxx T and Minami gave us all the album we needed. A nice mix of Pop, R&B, and Hip Hop. Party After Party was lit and I'll let the album preview speak for itself on this one.
Jerry.K - Emotional Labor (Korean Hip Hop)
I knew this album was going to be amazing but I was not ready to be bombarded by the likes of songs "Life Changes", "Call Center" "Mic Twitter", and the smash hit banger "No Role Models" featuring hot rappers Nafla and Loopy of MKIT Rain, DJ Dolphin, and SleeQ and Don Malik of Daze Alive. This was a very emotional album about Hip Hop, life, and Pop Culture.
Oh My Girl - Pink Ocean (Korean Pop)
This is the first Oh My Girl album I listened to and I was slayed. Th cool mix of Pop and R&B was amazing and the vocal work was out of this world. I was not prepared for such good singing from a rookie group but I was wrong. Knock Knock is still stuck in my head and the Chinese Version of Liar Liar is fire.
Nucksal - The God Of Small Things (Korean Hip Hop)
The hype was real for this album and the hype delivered. Nucksal's unlimted flow and fast paced raps mixed with his great lyrics and story telling made a Legendary Hip Hop album. This may be the best album I have listened to all year. "Do It For", "The God of Small Things" and "The Villains" fearturing VMC labelmates Don Mills, Wutan, Deepflow and Odee was spectacularly villainy.
Hwaji - Zissou (Korean Hip Hop)
I took a wild chance on Hwaji as I decided to listen to him for the first time with this album and I was not disapointed. Zissou has a very dark, moody, and aestetic feel to it making Hwaji stand apart from other rappers. May be the second best album I have listened to this year. Gypsy Girl is one of my favorite songs
Scandal - Yellow (Japanese Pop/Rock)
This is a top 5 Scandal album for everyone. The bright moods and instruments packed with the feeling of Spring made my life complete. This album sent me to heaven and I have yet to comeback. "Morning Sun", "Love Me Do" and "Sunday Drive" just blow me away. "Stamp" is cool too.
Stellar - Sting (Korean Pop)
I listened to Stellar for the first time and was blown away. I did not know they could sing this well and I should be kicking myself for not listenening to hem ages agoe. The aesthetic feel on the album as well as the "Sting" music video just trapped me and will not let go. Let this trap you too.
Manju Pocket - Extraterrestial (Outside Earth) (Korean Indie Rock)
The Extraterrestial or Outside Earth EP is nothing short of amazing. I was enticed with all of the songs and I listen to this when I need to relax. It's a very fun and relaxing album.
Scary'P & Ex8er - 8 (Korean Hip Hop)
When I found out that Producer Doplamingo was in a group called Cream Villa I was happy to listen to them. Scary'P is another Producer in the group and Ex8er is one of 4 Rappers. This 8 song EP had me stunned with the diverse producing yet it stayed true to Scary'P's work and the lyrics and flow from Ex8er killed me. This man can spit rapid fire bars like a banana clip. Trumrap 2 with Nucksal and Juthis is angelic.
Swings - Levitate 2 & 3 (Korean Hip Hop)
Swings had returned to the rap scene after his miitary time last year in September wit Levitate but I wasn feeling it. This uear he released Levitate 2 and 3 which were fucking amazing and meant that Swings was back in full power. The mixtapes features tons rappers in the underground scene like Don Mills, G2, Changstarr, XQ, and Bewhy. When I tell you all 21 of these songs are bussin lyrically and production wise, listen to me, then listen to Swings.
Owen Ovadoz - P.O.E.M (Korean Hip Hop)
P.O.E.M is a great mixtape from Owen and my third favorite behind Levitate 2 and 3. You could feel this man's honesty and his hunger for what he does in the Hip Hop scene and you can tell that he will be a legend. My favorie song is Reasons for, well, reasons. Owen proved that he never disappoints here.
