Sasha Frere-Jones: 100 Favorite Albums of 2016. See his spreadsheet for color codes and tiers; we’ve separated anything highlighted with “fire engine red,” which means “an exceptional thing.” Otherwise, albums are listed chronologically.
[see also 2022 • 2018 • 2017 • 2015 • 2014 • 2013 • 2012 • 2011]