Year in Review: The Best Songs of 2016

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Gunnar Mallon 
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Song: “Burn the Witch”
Artist: Radiohead
Album: A Moon Shaped Pool
Label: XL Recordings
Released: May 8 

Having worked with refugee children charities in Germany, documenting the struggle and positivity of young people, this song is a purely personal choice. “Burn The Witch” aims to raise awareness of the human refugee tragedy that is unfolding in Europe and the inherent nature of people to blame ‘others’ for their own misfortune.

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Song: “Crosses”
Artist: The Hyena Kill
Album: Atomized
Label” Independent 
Released: May 20

“Crosses” is one of the more palatable and radio-proofed songs by the young hard rock duo The Hyena Kill. Accompanied by a great low-budget video, “Crosses” is extremely catchy and highly energetic.

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Song: “Serotonin”
Artist: Highly Suspect
Album: The Boy who Died Wolf
Label: Sony
Released: November 16

The first time I heard the song was at the Reading festival and along with songs from their previous album, I immediately fell in love with it. It successfully brings grungy atmosphere of the late 90s to the 21st century, underscored with outstanding vocals.

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Song: “Cry”
Artist: Nuuxs
Album: The Cry EP
Label: Goldun Egg
Released: June 17

I saw Nuuxs live supporting Skinny Living in a small club in Sheffield. Her performance was captivating and the song Cry summarises her catalogue perfectly.

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Song: “Nobody”
Artist: Rachael Yamagata
Album: Tightrope Walker
Label: Frankenfish Records
Released: November 11

A slight outlier in tone from Rachael Yamagata’s latest album Tightrope Walker, the rockier and wilder sound of “Nobody” oozes feeling and heartbreak. It is a sad, yet uplifting song that pushes all of my musical buttons.