Sounds for Stylish Folks: 2016 in Songs

Music makes the world go ‘round.  It puts rhythm in our feet and inspires us to dance, love and reflect.  The comforting sounds of favorite songs and artists help us through tough times and remind us of great moments of joy.  Through these experiences and sonic associations, we develop our own taste in music.

So what did stylish folks listen to in 2016?  The music released this year fell in one of two camps: songs of reflection and songs of protest.  Contemplative, angsty lyrics and moody melodies are reactions to the strange state of our modern world, at times careening toward chaos.  The best of these tunes, however, make us feel less alone and give us a sense of hope, or at the least help us make sense of what's going on around us.  

These five songs aren’t a Top Five list, but are songs I’ve kept on repeat because they capture the tenor of this year and have memorable lyrics, backstories or grooves driven by the times.

"Awaken, My Love!" - an album cover that will stand the test of time.

“Redbone” - Childish Gambino:  Childish Gambino’s “Redbone” has been on repeat since his album, “Awaken, My Love!” dropped earlier this month.  The ‘70s funk melody and reverberating call to “Stay woke” combine to make a catchy yet ominous sing-a-long tune.  While the song centers around the theme of fidelity, the lyrics double as a reminder of vigilance and non-complacency, to be alert to the times that are a changin’.  Peep the version Childish did on Jimmy Fallon, where his soaring falsetto takes center stage and prepare to be blown away.

The cover of Jeff Parker's 2016 album The New Breed.

“Executive Life” - Jeff Parker: Several artists are leading the resurgence of jazz, one of them being Chicago guitarist Jeff Parker.  On his recent album The New Breed, Parker’s compositions are built around loops, and the beginning and bridge of “Executive Life” pay homage to legendary samplers like J Dilla and moody trip-hoppers Zero 7.  The doubled sax-guitar melody is genius, since neither instrument jockeys for sonic domination.  

.Beyoncé in the music video for Lemonade

“Formation” - Beyoncé: “Formation” needs no introduction.  Though Beyoncé’s Lemonade was great in its entirety, this single (which turned out to be the album’s bonus track) is a call to arms to stand up against the oppressive forces permeating our society.  We’d be wise to heed Queen Bey’s call and get “in formation” (and information).

Leonard Cohen in Los Angeles, September, 2016 (Photo courtesy of The New Yorker).

“You Want It Darker” - Leonard Cohen: On Leonard Cohen’s final album, the title track distills complex themes into understandable poetry.  “You Want It Darker” features some of the most memorable couplets of the year and serves as proof that rhyming verse doesn’t have to be cutesy to be catchy.  With lyrics like “If you are the dealer, I’m out of the game/If you are the healer, it means I’m broken and lame,” it’s easy to think that Cohen knew about his own mortality - and had the ability to reflect on his life as a detached observer - better than most of us dream of doing.

ZuluZuluu

"What's the Price?” - ZuluZuluu: In a strong year for Minneapolis music - Prince's death aside - hip-hop squadron ZuluZuluu led the pack with a series of conscious grooves that explore themes of blackness and racial injustice, both in history and modern times.  I interviewed them in 2014, and this year they dropped an excellent EP What's the Price and mixtape The Cover Up, which features funkified reinterpretations of classic R&B grooves like WAR's "The World is a Ghetto" and the O'Jays' "Back Stabbers."  The title track of the former combines Zapp-inspired vocoder with a spooky loop.  The lyrics discuss the struggle for minorities to get ahead in society, and how in an increasingly diverse America, it's up to us to elevate our perceptions and ourselves to build the self up while forging a greater sense of humanity in the process.