I have been avoiding negative reviews in my writing, as there is enough negativity among us humans. So this is an exception to the rule, a direct response to the zeitgeist gatekeepers who listen to music and write reviews(which I sometimes agree with). Recently as a kind, we are accepting the previously unacceptable, settling for the mediocre, and allowing the middling to be the new normal. I think Beyonce has made some breakthrough music during her career. I'm a massive fan of Lemonade and Beyonce's self-titled album. However, Beyoncé's Renaissance is okay, maybe even fine but very far from groundbreaking. My issue lies with the lack of appreciation for pioneering artists unerringly setting the stage for the future. Does the "independent" music community genuinely agree that the mainstream, generic, and perhaps most antiquated artist of her genre is the best this year offers? I guess the answer is yes. I wholeheartedly disagree; it's mid. Thus I'd like to share fifty albums that I find to be more substantial, original, groundbreaking, and creative than Renaissance.
50. Metro Boomin - Heroes & Villains
49. Mount Kimbie - MK 3.5 Die Cuts / City Planning
48. Sam Gendel - blueblue
47. Sun's Signature - Sun's Signature
46. Sudan Archives - Natural Brown Prom Queen
45. Zola Jesus - Arkhon
44. SYD - Broken Heart Club
43. Silvana Estrada - Marchita
42. Rome Streets - KISS THE RING
41. Nas - King's Disease III
40. Little Simz - NO THANK YOU
39. Flume - Palaces
38. Earl Sweatshirt - SICK!
37. St. Paul & The Broken Bones - The Alien Coast
36. Yeah Yeah Yeah's - Cool It Down
35. Black Midi - Hellfire
34. Rosalia - Motomami
33. Alabaster dePlume - Gold
32. Domi & JD Beck - Not Tight
31. The Weeknd - Dawn FM
30. Florist - Florist
29. Danger Mouse & Black Thought - Cheat Codes
28. The Smile - A Light For Attracting Attention
27. Young Jesus - Shepherd Head
26. Pusha T - It's Almost Dry
25. Sault - Earth
24. Jockstrap - I Love You Jennifer B
23. Elucid - I Told Bessie
22. Black Flower - Magma
21. Björk - Fossora
20. Gabriels - Angels & Queens
19. Sam Gendel - SUPERSTORE
18. Jack White - Entering Heaven Alive
17. Amir Bresler - House Of Arches
16. Dawn Richard & Spencer Zahn - Pigments
15. Obongjayar - Some Nights I Dream Of Doors
14. Steve Lacey - Gemini Rights
13. On Man - On Man
12. Billy Woods - Aethiopes
11. FKA Twigs - Caprisongs
10. Jacob Banks - Lies About The War
9. Terence Etc. - VORTEX
8. Kendrick Lamar - Mr. Morale And The Big Steppers
7. Back Country New Road - Ants From Up There
6. Weyes Blood - And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow
5. 070 Shake - You Can't Kill Me
4. Nilüfer Yanya - PAINLESS
3. JID - The Forever Story
2. Big Thief - Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You
1. Alex G - God Save The Animals
