Here is Part 2 of my Top 26 Albums of 2016 so far. Check out part 1 here and once again, there is no order.
Crusial Star - Drawing #3: Untitled (Korean Hip Hop)
Drawing #3 marks the last mixtape Crucial Star will ever make and it is a very memorable one. Crucial Star sang and rapped on several styles of beats ranging from Hip Hop to some Jazz vibes. Definitely a great mixtape to listen to.
Garser The Clown Rating: 7.5/10
The Quiett - Q Train 2 (Korean Hip Hop)
There is honestly nothing more to say about this album. The Quiett went back to his roots and created yet another masterpiece of an album. Q Train 2 is a sequel to Q Train which was an instrumental album released in 2006. QT2 definitely operates as a great sequel and is better than the first. It is too hard trying to pick a favorite song from the 19 tracks, 21 tracks with the physical album, but Beat King and Dragon Quest are godly. Plus Justhis was on the album.
Garser The Clown Rating: 9/10
Garser The Clown Rating: 3.7/5
Mamamoo - Melting (Korean R&B)
This album was crafted by the Gods themselves and passed on to 4 Earth Goddesses to promote for us lowly commoners. Melting is one of the best albums I have heard this year. The singing is just out of this world and Moonbyul's rapping is unmatched. Purely gold.
Garser The Clown Rating: 8.5/10
Fiestar - A Delicate Sense (Korean Pop, R&B)
A Delicate Sense is a great name for this sensual album as the girls were not holding back on the mature theme. The singing and rapping was even better than Black Label which was a great EP last year. Thirst is my favorite songs as the girls sing for an intimate night. Are you sweating like me?
Garser The Clown Rating: 3.8/5
Bumkey - U Turn (Korean R&B)
All I heard was an angel on this album and I'm not talking about Bumkey's version of Amazing Grace. This whole album was bumping with amazing vocals with heartfelt and sincere lyrics from start to finish. Plus features from Beenzino, Chancellor, Dok2, Microdot, and Sanchez makes for an amazing album. "Better Man" and "Natural Woman" are filled with glory.
Garser The Clown Rating: 8/10
Sumin - Beat and Go To Sleep (Korean R&B, Pop)
I had come across Sumin's Instagram by mistake but stayed once I realized she was an artist. This has to be one of my best decisions this year because Beat and Go To Sleep beat my ears and put my soul to rest. Her singing mixed with her solid producing just swept my soul. You have to listen to this Goddess and her Instagram is suminismm.
Garser The Clown Rating: 4/5
Block B - Bloominng Period (Korean Pop, R&B)
I'm so used to Block B's in your face style of Pop and Hip Hop but Blooming Period is a more R&B and Pop EP that still, as E-40 would say, SLAPPED. The lyrics on this joint were on point and had me thinking about my ex and the girls I used to talk to. Plus Bingle Bingle is a club hit. Wiggle wit it.
Garser The Clown Rating: 3.9/5
Dean - Mood 130:TRBL (Korean R&B)
There isn't much to say about this man and his first EP but the fact that it was crafted and sung by a God. This album has bangers and shit that will get you in your feelings as the young people say these days. I'm 19 by the way. "Pour Up" will have you dabbin while "Half Moon" featuring Gaeko will have you serenading some chick or dude or both.
Garser The Clown Rating: 3.9/5
EXID - Street (Korean Pop, R&B)
This is the most balanced girl group I have ever witnessed in my life. All 5 members shine like a star on group songs and solos. What group do you listen to that showcases individual and group songs? When will your fave? This album is lowkey an emotional roller coaster that I can't stop riding.
Garser The Clown Rating: 8/10
SleeQ - Colossus (Korean Hip Hop)
If you're looking for a great female MC, here you go. SleeQ just released her debut full length album and it's bussin (Chicago Slang). Every song is tight and packed with meaningful lyrics. If you thought Cheetah and Jessi had the game on lock in Korea you are dead wrong. SleeQ just cemented her place with this album here.
Garser The Clown Rating: 8/10
Beenzino - 12 (Korean Hip Hop)
One of the best rappers in Korea right now has finally released his first full length album and I am shook. I was ready but I was not prepared for what this album brought. Signature Beenzino style with some new elements. Nothing but straight fire here.
Garser The Clown Rating: 8.5/10
Gifted Gab - Gab The Most High (American Hip Hop)
I came across this artist because Jay Park said she was the best Female MC right now. Gifted Gab is a local Seattle rapper and I might not have come across her any other way but I'm glad I did because this album had tons of tight raps. Her flow is amazing and so amusing while her raps switch from strong to sensual with each song. I enjoyed this album a lot and hopefully a Gifted Gab and Jay Park Collab on a Cha Cha beat is coming. In an Alternate Universe it already happened.
Garser The Clown Rating: 7/10
Band-Maid - Brand New Maid (Japanese Rock)
This album had me sweating. I lost weight listening to this album with all of the hard rock beating the shit out of my ears. The 6 song EP was going strong but the last 3 songs really kicked my ass. I can't stand to walk away from it though because it's so damn good. Rock fans get on this.
Garser The Clown Rating: 3.5/5
As you've noticed, 90% of the albums here are Korean and that's because I'm really into Korean Music because its my job. Check out the Chicago K Pop Podcast to learn of Korean and Japanese music. I have reviewd most of these albums on Blerdsonline so check under the Music tab for full reviews. If you disagree with my choices, fight me in the comment section.
Crusial Star - Drawing #3: Untitled (Korean Hip Hop)
Drawing #3 marks the last mixtape Crucial Star will ever make and it is a very memorable one. Crucial Star sang and rapped on several styles of beats ranging from Hip Hop to some Jazz vibes. Definitely a great mixtape to listen to.
Garser The Clown Rating: 7.5/10
There is honestly nothing more to say about this album. The Quiett went back to his roots and created yet another masterpiece of an album. Q Train 2 is a sequel to Q Train which was an instrumental album released in 2006. QT2 definitely operates as a great sequel and is better than the first. It is too hard trying to pick a favorite song from the 19 tracks, 21 tracks with the physical album, but Beat King and Dragon Quest are godly. Plus Justhis was on the album.
Garser The Clown Rating: 9/10
4Minute - Act.7 (Korean Pop)
I enjoyed this album way more than I thought I would after being disappointed that the girls would be returning with yet another mini album instead of a full length album. CUBE Ent. doesn't believe in full length albums but this was really good. The production was spot on and the lyrics were very good. I'm talking poem good. No Love is my favorite song but Hate is cool to. Garser The Clown Rating: 3.7/5
Mamamoo - Melting (Korean R&B)This album was crafted by the Gods themselves and passed on to 4 Earth Goddesses to promote for us lowly commoners. Melting is one of the best albums I have heard this year. The singing is just out of this world and Moonbyul's rapping is unmatched. Purely gold.
Garser The Clown Rating: 8.5/10
Fiestar - A Delicate Sense (Korean Pop, R&B)
A Delicate Sense is a great name for this sensual album as the girls were not holding back on the mature theme. The singing and rapping was even better than Black Label which was a great EP last year. Thirst is my favorite songs as the girls sing for an intimate night. Are you sweating like me?
Garser The Clown Rating: 3.8/5
Bumkey - U Turn (Korean R&B)All I heard was an angel on this album and I'm not talking about Bumkey's version of Amazing Grace. This whole album was bumping with amazing vocals with heartfelt and sincere lyrics from start to finish. Plus features from Beenzino, Chancellor, Dok2, Microdot, and Sanchez makes for an amazing album. "Better Man" and "Natural Woman" are filled with glory.
Garser The Clown Rating: 8/10
Sumin - Beat and Go To Sleep (Korean R&B, Pop)
I had come across Sumin's Instagram by mistake but stayed once I realized she was an artist. This has to be one of my best decisions this year because Beat and Go To Sleep beat my ears and put my soul to rest. Her singing mixed with her solid producing just swept my soul. You have to listen to this Goddess and her Instagram is suminismm.
Garser The Clown Rating: 4/5
Block B - Bloominng Period (Korean Pop, R&B)
I'm so used to Block B's in your face style of Pop and Hip Hop but Blooming Period is a more R&B and Pop EP that still, as E-40 would say, SLAPPED. The lyrics on this joint were on point and had me thinking about my ex and the girls I used to talk to. Plus Bingle Bingle is a club hit. Wiggle wit it.
Garser The Clown Rating: 3.9/5
Dean - Mood 130:TRBL (Korean R&B)
There isn't much to say about this man and his first EP but the fact that it was crafted and sung by a God. This album has bangers and shit that will get you in your feelings as the young people say these days. I'm 19 by the way. "Pour Up" will have you dabbin while "Half Moon" featuring Gaeko will have you serenading some chick or dude or both.
Garser The Clown Rating: 3.9/5
EXID - Street (Korean Pop, R&B)
This is the most balanced girl group I have ever witnessed in my life. All 5 members shine like a star on group songs and solos. What group do you listen to that showcases individual and group songs? When will your fave? This album is lowkey an emotional roller coaster that I can't stop riding.
Garser The Clown Rating: 8/10
SleeQ - Colossus (Korean Hip Hop)
If you're looking for a great female MC, here you go. SleeQ just released her debut full length album and it's bussin (Chicago Slang). Every song is tight and packed with meaningful lyrics. If you thought Cheetah and Jessi had the game on lock in Korea you are dead wrong. SleeQ just cemented her place with this album here.
Garser The Clown Rating: 8/10
Beenzino - 12 (Korean Hip Hop)
One of the best rappers in Korea right now has finally released his first full length album and I am shook. I was ready but I was not prepared for what this album brought. Signature Beenzino style with some new elements. Nothing but straight fire here.
Garser The Clown Rating: 8.5/10
Gifted Gab - Gab The Most High (American Hip Hop)
I came across this artist because Jay Park said she was the best Female MC right now. Gifted Gab is a local Seattle rapper and I might not have come across her any other way but I'm glad I did because this album had tons of tight raps. Her flow is amazing and so amusing while her raps switch from strong to sensual with each song. I enjoyed this album a lot and hopefully a Gifted Gab and Jay Park Collab on a Cha Cha beat is coming. In an Alternate Universe it already happened.
Garser The Clown Rating: 7/10
Band-Maid - Brand New Maid (Japanese Rock)This album had me sweating. I lost weight listening to this album with all of the hard rock beating the shit out of my ears. The 6 song EP was going strong but the last 3 songs really kicked my ass. I can't stand to walk away from it though because it's so damn good. Rock fans get on this.
Garser The Clown Rating: 3.5/5
As you've noticed, 90% of the albums here are Korean and that's because I'm really into Korean Music because its my job. Check out the Chicago K Pop Podcast to learn of Korean and Japanese music. I have reviewd most of these albums on Blerdsonline so check under the Music tab for full reviews. If you disagree with my choices, fight me in the comment section.
