Ghost Cult once again brings you “End Of Year” lists, memories, and other shenanigans from our favorite bands, partners, music industry peers, and other folks we respect across the world. Indie pop-punk up and comers Thieves have had a big 2016, releasing their new album No Motive on Revival Recordings and are touring like crazy all of 2017. Billy, Nathan, and Chris from the band shared with us their favorite music of the last year, in no particular order.

Every Time I Die – Low Teens

Nathan – This is the best album ever put out by my favorite band, so I’m biased. But the song-writing and instrumentation is far superior to other bands in the genre.

Chris – This is 100% the best ETID record yet. It’s full of great written songs. The lyrics give me chills, the best I’ve ever heard from Keith Buckley.

 

Joyce Manor – Cody

Nathan – Joyce Manor has a knack for writing songs that get stuck in your head immediately upon listening. These songs may be some of their simplest, so the catchiness is in full-effect.

 

Hardy & The Hardknocks – Drownin On a Mountaintop

Nathan – This album sounds like a Johnny Cash punk rock outfit. T Hardy Morris slowly solidifies himself as one of the more prolific, interesting songwriters of our time across yet another stellar project.

 

Robert Ellis – Robert Ellis

 

Nathan – If Bob Dylan weren’t so preachy and cryptic. Each song on this record is an interesting story told over great song-writing by a killer band. It’s good, catchy pop country.

 

Lake Street Dive – Side Pony

 

Nathan – Rachael Price is the only sub-mainstream vocalist in the past ten years who can actually sing. And the girl probably out-sings 90% of the mainstream too. This band is funky, smooth, soulful and can’t write a bad song.

Exalt – The Shape You Take Before The Ache

 

Nathan – Heavy hardcore without the campiness. Exalt keeps it going with another honest record that finds the group miles away from their previous effort, Pale Light, but doesn’t find them reaching past their capabilities. This record jams.

 

The Dillinger Escape Plan – Dissociation

Chris – Right before this record came out the band announced that it would be their last. So I feel like no matter what it sounded like, as a die-hard fan, I was going to love it. But it is some of their most technical work, and has longer songs that allow time for depth and exploration with cool grooves.

 

Fire From The Gods – Narrative

Chris – Some of my closest friends are in this band. They just got signed to Rise and I’ve just been rooting for ’em the whole time. Great production and some really catchy hooks.

 

Bruno Mars – 24k Magic

 

Billy – Bruno is the current king of pop. If the opening track to this album doesn’t make you wanna dance, you need to adjust your meds.

The Weeknd – Starboy

 

Billy – Jam after jam after jam on this record. I like how the Weekend expanded his sound on this record. He moved away from the straight R&B role and covers a lot of pop / electro territory. The Daft Punk features that book end this record are the icing on the cake.

 

Thrice – To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere

 

Billy – On every album, Thrice expands on their sound and covers new territory. This album is no different, and excellent from start to finish.

Chris – This is my favorite band, so after returning from a 3-4 year hiatus I was pumped. From the first song on the record, it was as if they hadn’t missed a beat and picked back up right where they left off.

American Football – LP2

Billy – American Football picks up with this album where the last one left off. Everything about this record makes you feel something.

Astronoid – Air

Billy – I’m always looking to expand my musical horizons and when I heard this album, I instantly knew it was different than anything I’d ever listened to. In my opinion, it’s a breath of fresh air for the metal genre.

Vince Staples – Prima Donna EP

 

Billy – Vince is the realest. He seems to do a lot of stuff other rappers would be afraid to do, and all of it sounds genuine.