2016 was a motherfucker. The world lost more than its fair share of cultural heroes. Evil and ignorance trumped sanity, as America elected to uphold the narrative of Idiocracy. The internet and mass media in general became an echo chamber of misinformation, and society’s empathy and perseverance were tested almost daily through acts of hatred fueled by systematic racism, sexism and xenophobia.

But we march on, clinging to any glimmers of hope. For some, that hope is found in a revitalized social unity — people coming together to stand up for what’s right. For others, hope lives in the prospect of future music, art and other creative and expressive ways to address societal cancers. And in that light, looking back on 2016, there’s a lot we can be thankful for: small victories in a greater battle for a better tomorrow.

With gratitude in mind, here’s a list of our 11 favorite local releases of 2016. Thank you for helping us continue to look ahead.»

– Travis Leipzig

Portland’s 11 Best Albums of 2016

11. Little Star – Being Close

Good Cheer Records

January 2016

Full review here.

10. Tender Age – Disappear Here

SINIS Recordings

March 2016

Full review here.

Bug Hunt Records

June 2016

Full review here.

8. Mic Capes – Concrete Dreams

Self-Released

September 2016

Full review here.

7. Animal Eyes – Where We Go

Self-Released

May 2016

Full review here.

6. Candace – New Future

Found Object Recordings

March 2016

Full review here.

5. Genders – Phone Home

Self-Released

November 2016

Full review here.

4. Y La Bamba – Ojos Del Sol

Tender Loving Empire

September 2016

Full review here.

Hit City USA

August 2016

Full review here.

2. Sun Angle – Skullflower

XRAY Records

October 2016

Full review here.

1. Radiation City – Synesthetica





Polyvinyl Records

February 2016

Full review here.