For many in the West, 2016 will be remembered for Trump, Brexit, terrorism in Europe and an absurd number of pop culture deaths, from Bowie to Muhammad Ali. By comparison, China had an unusually quiet year. Nonetheless, there were still a few goings-on in the world's most populous country.
In our 2016 Year in Review series, we recap the best (and worst) of China's year in the worlds of technology, social media, sport, fashion, food, arts and more.
Loved by some, missed by many – here’s our Top 50 Albums of 2016 from Chinese mainland This year marked the return of the father of yaogun, the impressive evolution of a teenage jazz prodigy and a trio of outstanding Blade Runner-inspired discs from Shanghai. For the full 2016 Top 50 Albums List click here. For past editions, visit our 2013 Notable Albums list, our 2014 Top 25 Chinese mainland Albums list and our 2015 Top 50 Mainland Records list.
40. ZHI 16: Can't Stay Here No More
支十六: 这地儿我待不下去了
(Do Hits)
Genre: Future Garage
Buy/Stream: Bandcamp, Soundcloud, Xiami, 163.com, iTunes
Follow: Soundcloud, Beatport
The young prodigy in the ultra-talented Beijing based Do Hits collective has already laced beats for pop stars (Momo Wu) and rising rappers (Bloodz Boi). After contributing to label compilations, his debut disc is an experiment with song titles just labeled by their track number. While that may trigger warning signs, ZHI 16 has crafted a smooth sonic journey full of funky horns, sultry vocals, spacey synths, fat jazz lines and plenty of surprises that hint at the Beijing based producer’s overwhelming potential.
39. Rolling Bowling: Love Not Tomorrow
旋转保龄: 爱，不用明天
(Modern Sky)
Genre: Rockabilly
Buy/Stream: QQ Music, 163.com, Modern Sky,
Follow: Facebook, Douban
Beijing's premier rockabilly trio managed to score a deal with the country's largest indie label, Modern Sky, after years of steadily touring the country. While they may have seemingly went incognito for months following the deal, they've re-emerged with their sophomore disc and first for the label, preceded by the jaunty video 'His Wife Was Not At Home,' showing that the hard-working group was indeed grinding, just in Europe. Love, Don't Have Tomorrow kicks off with a 50s style guitar riff and never lets up the classic rock and roll groove throughout its 10 tracks.
38. Wang Shengnan: s/t
王胜男: 王胜男
(self-released)
Genre: Indie-pop
Buy/Stream: Bandcamp,
Follow: Douban,
The Beijing based indie pop singer-songwriter has never been shy with experimenting with her lush sound through collaborations with underground producers like thruotin. On her latest disc, she links with Malaysian producers Yahna and Vmprmyth for a brisk romp through lush indie-pop where ethereal beats and jazz-tinged indietronica sets for Wang’s enchanting voice and impressive command over the songs.
37. Atta Girl: Everyone Loves You When You're Still a Kid
(Boring Productions)
Genre: Twee indie
Buy/Stream: Bandcamp, 163.com
Follow: Douban,
Ever since they linked up with iconic Guangzhou indie label Full Label last year on a full-length tribute to UK indie label Sarah Records, Shenzhen based Boring Productions has cultivated a roster steeped in charming lo-fi dreampop that stretches from Shaoxing's The Cheer Cheers to Texas' Drippin Wet. Label boss Jovi teams with the singular named Jonny on this duo named after single by UK indie group Heavenly that specializes in twee indie-pop perfect for the precious set.
36. Holy Arrow: Oath of Allegiance
御矢: Oath of Allegiance
(Pest Productions)
Genre: War Metal
Buy/Stream: Taobao, Bandcamp, Xiami
Follow: Facebook, Douban
China's rich history is a goldmine for folk metal acts and for their debut disc, the Amoy black metal act tells the story of Koxinga's 17th century campaign against the Qing Dynasty, which was ruled by Manchu invaders. Battle cries meets poudning riffs and brooding atmospherics in this five chapter epic that also serves as a notice that standout Nanchang metal label Pest Productions shows no signs of slowing down as it enters its second decade.
35. Kai Luen: The Hollow Ghost
(SVBKVLT)
Genre: Dark Electronic
Buy/Stream: Bandcamp, iTunes
Follow: Douban,
Known for his soulful hip hop beats, Beijing based producer Soulspeak indulges his darker side on his SVBKVLT debut. Released under the alias Kai Luen, The Hollow Ghost features haunting tracks constructed out of field recordings of China. With more of a focus on sound design than sampling, the disc taps into the frenzy of modern China while channeling the paradoxical feeling of isolation in such a chaotic and packed place.
34. Casino Demon: Purple Haze from the Orient
赌鬼: 紫气东来
(Modern Sky)
Genre: Indie Rock
Buy/Stream: QQ Music, 163.com, Modern Sky, iTunes
Follow: Facebook, Douban
Along with Queen Sea Big Shark and Hedgehog, Casino Demon were one of the first Chinese groups to tour America. Seven years after their beloved debut Teenage, they’re back and remain as smartass as ever. A little older and somewhat wiser, there’s an added Americana edge to Purple Haze of the Orient’s melodic yet messy guitar licks inspired by frontman Wang Zi's fixation with Wilco.
33. The White Tulips: Shonen Spa
(Qiii Snacks)
Genre: Indie Rock
Buy/Stream: Bandcamp, Xiami
Follow: Facebook, Douban
The young Xiamen indie group has founds fans across the world (including a San Diego based indie label that sold out its limited cassette rerelease of the group’s debut). For their follow-up to their excellent debut Fondle, they team with Guangzhou lo-fi label Qiii Snacks for this summery EP. On Shonen Spa, The White Tulips move past their shoegaze indebted sound, teaming with saxophonist Huang Zhihao and casiotone synthesizer player Luo QuanQuan to add new sonic flavors to their palette.
32. JaJaTao: Rite of Spring
假假條: 時代在召喚
(self-released)
Genre: Chinese Grunge
Buy/Stream: Xiami, Bandcamp,
Follow: Douban
The Beijing upstarts have turned heads across the country with their menacing sound that can only have been created in China. Peking opera meets grunge for the group that dresses like cult members and have terrified with their in-your-face live show. Their wild and demented sound has them as the unlikely successors to Secondhand Rose as both pranksters and pioneers of a distinctly Chinese take on rock.
31. Lu1 x Cee: Farewell on a Midnight Train
Lu1xCee: 午夜列车上的告别
(Mintone)
Genre: Hip Hop
Buy/Stream: iTunes, Spotify, Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Xiami, QQ Music, 163.com
Follow: Facebook, Douban, Soundcloud
This hip hop super duo pairs young upstart Lu1, who won numerous awards for his debut disc last year, with Shanghai OG Cee, who won the Iron Mic as a teen, released a record with Sony and was the most hardcore member of Shanghai icons Bamboo. Farewell on a Midnight Train is full of soulful jazzy flavor perfect for fans of 90s hip hop.
For the full 2016 Top 50 Albums List click here.
For more 2016 Year in Review coverage, click here.
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