Favorite Instrumentals of 2016 By Dougy
I want to say thanks to Patrick for giving me this platform to express my thoughts on some of the best music I’ve heard up to this point. 2016 was nothing less than crazy when it comes to the music world. These songs I’ve picked here are some of my favorite productions of 2016, and I’ll briefly be explaining my thoughts on each record. They are in no particular order… THANK YOU
Travis Scott - the ends
I feel like I never heard these types of drums before, the bounce is incredible…. The first 50 seconds is so epic it’s the type of shit I need all of my homies to sing with me at my wedding.. The switch up for Andre’s part is so subtle, the drums and sounds all have a certain tastefulness that is beautiful, dope, & inspiring in the same moment… in the midst of everything the bassline is filthy.
Mick Jenkins - The Healing Component
This song has the same tastefulness to it...(a 2016 theme) The keys that are played during the bridge lift you to a new level. Then those island sounding keys play the craziest rift and drop you into a chorus that bounces. Extremely well produced, I was glad to see that Rascal did this track, his beats are crazy.
Isaiah Rashad - Stuck in the Mud
mannnn this beat just melts into your ears... that’s the best way I can describe it. I love the sporadic percussion throughout, and the bass line’s buzz feels so good behind Zay and SZA’s voices harmonizing.
Noname - Sunny Duet
I’m playing this song to my kid every night before I go to sleep.. This is such a happy beat, the vocal chops are incredible, what a vibe… the higher vocal harmonies playing with the chords during the chorus are crazy.
Frank Ocean - Endless (17:00-22:00 )
This is such a peaceful moment within the film, and every single element within the mix fits so well together. The drums are crazy, and I love the guitar that it switches into, AND THEN MORE DRUMS lol I love it all.. Some say this is what Arca produced, I definitely can see that and I hope it is because it landed with me.
James Blake - Put That Away and Talk to Me
The sounds in this song are so crazy, i love the bell sound that's panned all the way to the right… it has this hardness to it that’s still beautiful and emotional… I love the sample thrown in towards the end, it oddly fits so well, along with that extremely subtle synth hitting towards the end that grows into something bigger right before it ends…
These next songs I mention have some of the most incredible chord progressions that I admire so much.
Lance Skiiiwalker - Advantage
The beat drop is so beautiful, and the drums and keys are sooooooo fire.. Lance is a perfect addition to the beat.. I love the little breakdown before the beat switch where the beat just rides and then it drops into the craziest beat mannnnnnn… Mannn the whistles are so beautiful, and the keys have this bounce to them that fit so perfectly into the drop that just takes it home.
Chance the Rapper - D.R.A.M. Sings Special
This is the type of simplicity that I enjoy in music that I wish others enjoyed more often.. It’s such a light but beautiful sound that swings so nicely… The subtle keys at the end are so perfect.
Schoolboy Q - Never Change
Mannnnn the beat drop here lol.. I go crazy every time… The bassline is something special, and the percussion matches it perfectly.
Anderson Paak - The Season | Carry Me
I find it pretty incredible that both parts of this song are some of my favorite instrumentals of the year. The grittiness of the sample in sounds so nice, and the bassline is fat, Its definitely some 9th Wonder shxt… I’ll say it to this day, but the snare/rim hit on “Carry Me” is the best hitting snare I’ve ever heard. The bassline is crazy as well, and the samples thrown throughout just fit to perfection.
I have 2 honorable mentions, Frank Ocean’s Solo and Mick Jenkins’ Plugged. The first times I ever heard these songs they hit me so hard, and it reminded me how powerful music can be.