5 Albums You May Have Missed in 2016

OneThirtyNine is back from winter break! The first month of 2017 has been difficult in many ways and while 139 will never endorse ignoring what’s going on in the world around us, we know that sometimes you need a little distraction.

With that in mind we wanted to bring you five short albums you may have missed from 2016. Each of these are from artists on the come up, feature truly stand-out tracks, and clock in under 45 minutes long. The perfect length to escape from the world for a little bit, if you ask us!

Let’s dive in:

Taylor Bennet, Broad Shoulders

Ok, I admit this is cheating-This album showed up in late 2015….but it’s so good I didn’t feel right leaving it off the list.

At 139 we know what it feels like to be a little brother. It’s not always easy to walk your own path when folks are constantly comparing you to someone else. The first artist on our list is familiar with this pain as well. As the younger brother of Chancelor Bennett (aka Chance the Rapper) Taylor faces comparisons on a daily basis. It’s a tricky spot. Being compared to one of the best artists in the world is quite the compliment, but everyone wants to be recognized for their own merit. Luckily for the younger Mr. Bennett, everything he crafts on Broad Shoulders speaks to his skill. On his latest (and biggest) solo effort Taylor Bennett crafts dance-able, thoughtful, genuine hip hop steeped in the soulful Chicago sound. “Wasting Time”, “Dancing in the Rain”, and “Broad Shoulders” stand out as triumphs on the album which is otherwise full of solid, groovy efforts. On these tracks Taylor feels fully realized and naturally confident, experimenting with timing and delivery while laying his heart out for us all to hear. It’s these top tier tracks that landed Taylor on this list and have us the most excited for what he is bringing in the future.

Perfect for: A late night, windows down Whataburger run with friends.

Cecil Otter, Dear Echo EP

Cecil Otter, of Doomtree fame, might be new to you, but he is no stranger to the underground rap scene. He has been producing and dropping poetic verses from him Minneapolis home base for over a decade now. As a collection of songs written in years past and only now released Dear Echo works extremely well as a snapshot of a man’s life. There has always been a unique density to Cecil’s wordplay and that remains true here. It’s impossible not to listen and be pulled in by the abstract yet evocative lyricism on display. Listening to the three song EP almost feels like experiencing a short film. We watch relationships grow and diminish all in a few short minutes. If you think rap can only be one thing or sound one way, let Cecil Otter show you that there is more to the craft, it only takes someone as gifted as he is to put it on paper.

Standout Track: “Beauty”. This is essential Cecil Otter as far as I’m concerned. The way his delivery shifts from meandering to urgent within the first minute is fantastic and engaging, but the unsung hero is his production. There is something musically interesting happening on nearly every second of the track; the dichotomy of the sped-up sample and the chopped-up vocals in the last minute of the song combine to make this one of the most beautifully moody rap songs in years.

Allen Tate, Sleepwalker

You might have heard of San Fermin, the band for which Tate provides vocals. San Fermin is notable for their detailed orchestration and art house indie-rock. Much of that orchestration and depth can be traced back to band leader Ellis Ludwig-Leone. Ludwig provided the production for his band mate's first solo project, so it’s undeniable that this album sounds similar to San Fermin. Despite the resemblance Sleepwalker is more understated in a way that makes it feel fresh. The focus here is on the lyrics and Tate proves himself to be a worthy songwriter. If San Fermin is a meticulously crafted cocktail, blending various spirits into one creation, then Allen Tate’s effort is a neat whiskey on the rocks. A touch of moodiness, a splash of brooding baritone, just a hint of groove that a San Fermin lacks, and you end up with a bold drink that is satisfying in it's own right. Though you may prefer the full cocktail to a clean pour, there is much to enjoy about both. By letting his lyrics and delivery shine Tate proves that sometimes a full bodied spirit is exactly what we need, not it’s dressed up counterpart.

Perfect for: Putting on that Spotify playlist you use to impress your friends.

Noname, Telefone

Next up is the one and only Noname. You might recognize her voice from features around the industry, most notably her standout versus on Chance mixtapes. Telefone is the first full length effort from the Chicago native, and boy does she deliver. Noname emerged from the same literary-rap scene as Chance, but in the years it took to bake her first release Noname crafted a flavor all her own. In fact, this is a flavor you might not have tasted before at all. On every track she lets loose streams of poetry that will both set your headphones on fire and make you feel like flying over your city, buoyed by the breeziness of her flow.

Noname is more than just an effective rapper though. She just might be the poet laureate of a generation. This album is fearless in a way most music today is not. Death, abortion, drugs, sex, God, and a healthy dose of social commentary are addressed thoughtfully and with complete openness. If you have been waiting for an artist to emerge who observes the world around them with a keen eye, and isn't afraid to use poetry to reveal both it's beauty and darkness...Noname is here for you.

You’ll like if you like: Coffee shops, poetry, spoken word, being in on the next big thing before your friends.

Watch Noname's burn down the SNL set on her network TV debut:

Francis and the Lights, Farewell, Starlight

If you were to imagine a connective tissue between Drake, Kanye West, Chance the Rapper, and Bon Iver, you probably wouldn’t expect it to be a 35 year old Phil Collins soundalike. Unfortunately you would be wrong (and you should stop making assumptions). Fortunately for us though, this year saw the full realization of Francis Farewell Starlite (yes, that’s his real name), the man credited with writing and production for Drake and a frequent collaborator with Bon Iver and Chance. Francis emerged this year with his guest appearance on Chance's "Summer Friends" and used that to build hype for the release of his single "Friends" ft. Bon Iver. Things really took off though, with his now infamous appearance as the closer of the 2016 Eaux Claires festival.

After the festival came Francis' latest full length release, Farewell, Starlite. Over the course of ten tracks we are treated to handcrafted (Francis makes all the beats himself) electronic rock that somehow feels like it is from the future and the past. I don't actually have much a review for this album, except to say that it's one of the most fun releases in years. If you don't like dancing like a fool, you shouldn't listen because your head will start bouncing whether you like it or not. Want to listen to something that'll put a smile on your face even though you're stuck in traffic? Francis has you covered. Want to dance around your house with friends on a Friday night? Look to Francis. Want to listen to the person the most famous artists in the world listen to? Well...you get the point.

Listen to this album if: You want to dance down the sidewalks of New York at night and set a new standard of cool. (Watch Francis dance down the sidewalks of New York and redefine cool in the "See Her Out" video).

Happy listening!