Best music of 2016...so far

We're at the halfway mark of 2016, and it has already proven to be one of the most surprising years for music in recent memory.

In the first six months we've heard long-awaited releases from Beyoncé, Kanye West, Rihanna and David Bowie, and been surprised by offerings from Radiohead and Kendrick Lamar. Musicians like The 1975, Ariana Grande and M83 all finally emerged from the studio with different takes on the pop landscape.

So much interesting music means it's easy to miss some top-notch stuff. So here's my list of the year's best albums so far. I can't imagine what the second half of the year will hold.

Best albums of the year so far (arranged alphabetically) 

1. Why Are You OK - Band of Horses 

2. Lemonade - Beyonce

 

3. In My Mind - BJ The Chicago Kid

4. The Colour in Anything - James Blake

5. Teens of Denial - Car Seat Headrest 

6. Coloring Book - Chance The Rapper

7. Turn to Gold - Diarrhea Planet

8. Sept. 5th - dvsn

9. Ology - Gallant 

10. Goodness - The Hotelier

11. Standards - Into It. Over It.

12. untitled unmastered. - Kendrick Lamar

13. Cleopatra - The Lumineers

14.  Pennied Days - Night Moves

15. i like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it - The 1975

16. Malibu – Anderson .Paak

17.  Cardinal - Pinegrove 

18. White Hot Moon - Pity Sex

19. A Moon Shaped Pool - Radiohead 

20. The Heart Speaks in Whispers - Corinne Bailey Rae

21. Anti - Rihanna 

22. A Sailor's Guide to Earth - Sturgill Simpson

23. Love You To Death - Tegan and Sara

24. The Life of Pablo - Kanye West 

25. Still Brazy - YG

And song of the year so far goes to...