It didn't quite live up to 2013's standards, but 2016 has been a stellar year for album releases. We've seen musical giants release eagerly-anticipated (and sometimes completely unexpected) records, new artists break onto the scene and a few curveball released thrown into the mix. 2017 is set to follow the trend and dish out a whole new bunch of tasty releases too. 

Once again, in no particular order, we've narrowed it down to our top five favourite album releases of 2016. Hopefully you'll find one of your favourite records of the year here or you might even discover something that's passed you by in recent months. Either way - enjoy the list!

Warpaint - Heads Up

This album came as a huge shock to fans when it was released at the end of September. The aftermath of their 2014 self-titled album saw the four-piece drift apart and pursue various individual projects, making it appear unlikely for them to head back into the studio and record another album together. 

However, the initial cut from the album 'New Song' cast new light on the group. Arguably their most triumphant work to date, the album is informed by hip-hop and R&B and sees the fiery females channelling moody downtempo rock. 

Where the LA quartet go from here is unclear. They have a huge run of tour dates booked in for 2017 but to out-do their third studio release would be an almighty task. We reckon they'll give it a go anyway. 

Bon Iver - 22, A Million

What a year it's been for third albums! Justin Vernon (the man behind Bon Iver) broke his five-year silence and dropped 22, A Million and we fell in love with it precisely a million times over. 

Playing the album in its entirety in Vernon's hometown of Eau Claire, Wisconsin was a bold move, albeit one he pulled off in true Bon Iver style. This album is his most experimental work to date and the different path he's taken truly paid off with the likes of slow beauties '33 God' and '8 (Circle). 

The record documents the struggle of identity whilst ensuring people learn that you don't have to fully 'get' a piece of music to take pleasure from it - and there's a lot of pleasure to be found here. 

Blossoms - Blossoms

Stockport's finest five-piece pulled out all of the stops for their debut album in August. Numerous outlets have tapped them as the UK's most exciting new act and there's plenty of conviction to back those claims up.

The track-listing of Blossoms' self-titled debut reads like a 'best of...' album, when really it's their first full-length EP. Tracks like the effortlessly catchy 'Texia' and the 80s indebted 'Honey Sweet' stand out as album highlights, whilst old fan favourites 'At Most A Kiss' and 'Blown Rose' have been added to the mix too. 

Blossoms' first release is jam-packed with radio-friendly hits, electrifying synths and guitar hooks that grab you by the neck. It will be a tricky one to follow up when they get round to writing that all-important second album, but if anyone can do it it's Blossoms. 

Two Door Cinema Club - Gameshow

They kept us in the dark for the last couple of years but everyone's favourite Irish trio, Two Door Cinema Club stepped up and delivered when it really mattered. Their third studio album 'Gameshow' saw them pick up where they left off with previous albums 'Tourist History' and 'Beacon'. 

After premiering the lead single 'Are We Ready (Wreck)' on Radio 1 in June, the band made their public announcement that they were back and ready to conquer the charts all over again. 

Tracks from the record, such as 'Bad Decisions' and 'Fever' are fast-paced and flashy. The upbeat disposition we find the three-piece in is the closest they have ever drifted to the dance genre. It works for them too. 

Two Door Cinema Club's reinvigorated sound is pleasing and will, no doubt, go down a storm during the live UK shows next year. 'Gameshow' is an album for the die-hard, casual and recently acquired fan of Two Door Cinema Club. 

The Courteeners - Mapping The Rendezvous

"No one will ever replace us" sings The Courteeners' frontman Liam Fray on the memorable album track of the same name. The Mancunians' fifth studio album is a swaggering call to arms that is likely to see chaos ensue at festivals next summer. 

Garage-psych opener 'Lucifer's Dreams' marks a different direction for the band, whilst 'De La Selle' finds Fray coming over all Morrissey-esque on us. The Courteeners have one of the best fan bases of any band in Britain, yet they still remain relentlessly on the edge of the mainstream. 

Maybe one day they'll crack it - it would be hard for them not to when they're already selling out the 25,000 capacity Heaton Park and are due to play the 50,000 capacity Old Trafford cricket ground next May. Whatever happens, 'The 17th' will sound breathtakingly fantastic when crowds sing it back to them at the end of shows. 

Words Lauren Wade

@laurenlily__

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WITH the announcement of their upcoming third album 'Gameshow' also came the release of a new single to tide fans over for a little big longer. 'Are We Ready (Wreck) unveiled a brand new funked up sound that sounds sleeker than ever.

The first track from the band's third album cites Prince, David Bowie and Kanye West as inspirations. Frontman, Alex Trimble says of the tune: "While I was writing this single I discovered the term weltschmertz, the German word for being at odds with the world around you. The fact that it was a fully coined term and related to so many people that have existed and do exist made me feel like it was okay to not exist on the same level as everyone else, it was okay to be comfortable doing your own thing. 'Are We Ready (Wreck)' was me... not attacking the world around me but outlining why I don't really get it and why I don't fit in with it."

"We're not embracing the pop that's going on now in a melodic or structural sense. Two biggest influences for me were Prince and Bowie - both total pioneers who straddled that line between out-there pop and avant-garde craziness." 

Trimble's sense of frustration is evident on the track that expands the blueprint laid down on the band's previous albums. 'Are We Ready (Wreck) is another string added to their already brimming bow. Eat it up because Two Door Cinema Club are back with an updated sound and what's next is bound to be just as accomplished as this first effort. 

Words Lauren Wade

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Are you looking for an extra bit of indulgence? Something non-sugary but just as sweet? Call off the search as we present Nottingham's Saint Raymond - real name Callum Burrows. Following in the footsteps of Jake Bugg, the eighteen year old recently supported Californian sisters Haim as they jetted around the UK on a sold-out tour.

After appearing at this year's Reading & Leeds Festival on the BBC Introducing stage and having released an EP on Gabrielle Aplin's Never Fade Records, word is spreading fast about the young talent that is Saint Raymond.

Latest track 'Young Blood' incorporates soaring, shimmering synths alongside the indie-disco bounce that is the jumped-up drumbeats. Burrows at times sounds like the lovechild of Two Door Cinema Club and The 1975 - he hits the right grooves time and time again even if they do sound best suited to festival crowds.

With sun-drenched melodies and impossibly moreish hooks in abundance, Saint Raymond will inevitably be plastered amongst 2014's festival line-ups; keep an eye out for this incredible up and coming talent. The future looks bright.

Words Lauren Wade

http://www.saintraymond.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/SaintRaymondMusic

https://twitter.com/Callum_SR

https://soundcloud.com/saintraymond

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With a mixed bag of talent on offer for all, the UK's widely popular (and arguably more commercial) festival is back for another year. Split between two sites in Essex and Staffordshire, festival-goers and music fans have commented on the decline in quality of the event in previous years. However, there's plenty of festivals to choose from and this could finally be the year V Festival prove everyone wrong.

 

This year's couldn't be more different, which adds just the right amount of variety to the fest. Superstar Beyoncé picks up where she left off after that Glastonbury performance back in 2011. For those who weren't at Worthy Farm, V is offering you another opportunity to catch the hits played out in all of their glory. American rock band Kings of Leon will take over the remaining headline slot. Expect current single Supersoaker, everyone's favourite KoL tune Sex on Fire and if we're lucky new material from the band's upcoming sixth studio album Mechanical Bull, due for release September 23rd.

 

Also on the Virgin Media Stage, you can catch unmissable performances across the weekend from Northern Irish indie rock trio Two Door Cinema Club, one Scottish four-piece who haven't been around in a while but we'll always reserve a soft spot for them,The Fratellis and one of the biggest guitar bands in the UK - The Vaccines. To save a repeat of last September's popularity contest between Two Door Cinema Club and The Vaccines, when their albums were released on the same day sending the album chart into meltdown, the bands are billed to perform on different days. There's no real rivalry though, and even if there was it would be nothing compared to that of Oasis vs. Blur in 1995 at the heart of Britpop.

 

Offering an alternative scene, the 4Music stage is the place to chill for all you indie darlings out there. Beady Eye were expected to fill one headline slot, however news broke on August 08th that they decided to pull out of the festival, to allow guitarist Gem Archer to focus on his recovery after suffering a head trauma. The Courteeners may not be adored by the masses, however they have a huge following on social networking sites. We can only hope their set will raise awareness of their talent and allow them to receive the recognition they deserve. Brit Award winner Tom Odell was slated by NME for the release of his debut album Long Way Down, now it's his chance to shine and show the crowds that the reviewers don't always get it right.

 

The Arena Stage is handy if you're looking to shy away from the blistering sun for a bit. It also helps that there are some stellar artists billed to play this stage throughout the weekend. Make sure you catch B-Town Britpop band Ocean Colour Scene during their headline slot. South London singer-songwriter Jessie Ware is also worth a watch if you're about. Word is finally spreading about her sound and here at Rock Revolver, we've backed her since the beginning.

 

If you're looking to discover raw talent and the stars of tomorrow, look no further than the Futures Stage. A few X Factor contestants are thrown into the mix, but if they don't tickle your fancies, Liverpool band James Skelly & The Intenders should not be missed as they show the rest of the line-up how it's done properly.

 

As someone who's attended V Festival in previous years, it can be confirmed that if you only like a select genre of music (such as the alternative scene), then perhaps this is not the right choice of festival for you. Whilst there is decent music to be found here, it must be noted that V has a tendency to attract people who might only go to get pissed in a field instead of being there for the music. This can be a shame as there are people who wait to see certain bands for years, only to have their experience dampened by other people. This does happen at most festivals and nothing can be done about it, so grab a beer or two and enjoy the music anyway.

 

 

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The most anticipated music event of the festival season is rapidly approaching, and this year, the line up boasts an impressive array of artists. With a little something for everyone, when the gates open in ten days - Worthy Farm is bound to be the epicentre of explosion. Here is Rock Revolver's definitive guide to the artists you need to check out if you're going to the festival, or simply streaming it online.

 

 

Announced as this year's headliners, Arctic Monkeys, The Rolling Stones and Mumford & Sons are set to tear it up on the Pyramid Stage. Following the debut of new tracks Do I Wanna Know? in Ventura, California and Mad Sounds at Hultsfred Festival in Sweden recently, Sheffield rock royalty, Arctic Monkeys, are ones not to be missed. Considering their performance at the Olympic Opening Ceremony last summer, and the fact that the band have got their fifth album scheduled for release in September, missing their headline set would make you a fool.

 

Offering another opportunity to catch those icons, The Rolling Stones, play the hits live (factoring a few rarities into the mix), make sure you witness the Pyramid Stage play host to the band on Saturday night, especially since last year's shows at the 02 had staggering ticket prices, leaving fans forking out hundreds. Initially, Sunday night headliners and everyone's favourite nu-folk group Mumford & Sons caused a bit of a stir when announced to close the Festival. However, you can't deny the band have worked hard to get to the top in recent years. Second album, Babel, released last September proved the folk rock four piece have got the goods and now all they have to do is display it to the masses.

 

Throughout the weekend, you can also catch excellent artists on the Pyramid Stage throughout the day, stretching into evening, such as: The Vaccines with their wailing guitars, and fast paced punchy anthems. 2012's biggest breakthrough, Jake Bugg with ballads to his youth and musical ability beyond his tender years. California's most chilled exports Haim. Saturday night sees indie folk star Ben Howard deposit a mellow set of acoustic anthems, whilst on the Sunday, New York rockers Vampire Weekend take to the stage.

 

Hitting up the Other Stage, across the weekend you can catch Northern Irish indie rock trio Two Door Cinema Club, tearing it up with their shimmering tunes and spewing riffs. Tame Impala, the psychedelic Aussies are not to be missed with their tripped out tracks, whilst the majority of their back catalogue sounds like they overdoes on flower power riffs and paisley vibes.

 

Playing host to under the radar rockers and those set to be massive in years to come, The Park Stage is packed with little gems you need to get in your life. Lambeth's own Palma Violets, backed by NME, take control on Friday night, crafting sets as impressive as their sudden rise to fame in the latter half of 2012. Tame Impala's female counterpart Melody's Echo Chamber play on Saturday afternoon; prepare yourself for the French vocalist's dreampop formula and acid soaked songs.

 

Saving the best for last, the John Peel stage is steeped in artists, serving as evidence that it really isn't all about the Pyramid Stage headliners. Aiming to lead the rock revolution (and mod of the moment), is Liverpool's Miles Kane. After releasing critically acclaimed second album, Don't Forget Who You Are, at the start of June; if you miss Miles' set you really are missing out, as he plays the crowd like no other. If we were to depict his live shows in percentages, it would go a little something like this - 50% puppy dog excitement and 50% rock swagger.

 

 

 

 

Pioneers of the B-Town scene, Peace and Swim Deep, are also set to appear on the John Peel stage on Friday afternoon, whilst Saturday sees sets from The Smiths' iconic guitarist Johnny Marr, and Ireland's teenage 60s revivalists The Strypes. Continuing the party throughout Sunday are, French wizards Phoenix, who are set to headline the stage and bring with them that much needed dose of wickedly warped electronics and dance-until-you-get-stitches-in-your-stomach sizzles.

 

Whilst this is just a preview of the thousands of acts at the festival,  there are many more appearing across the weekend and hopefully this guide will serve you well, in deciding who to catch a glimpse of and who to miss. With the weather set to hit a record high in the history of Glastonbury, you're bound to have an excellent weekend regardless of which artists you watch. 

 

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