My choices for the best songs of the year have been handily compiled into this Spotify playlist. They’re not in any real order but they’re somewhat themed by genre so that the playlist flows. I’ve decided to include only one song per artist, no matter how transcendent their 2016 output. Full disclaimer: I haven’t properly listened to either album by the Knowles sisters (don’t kill me).

Ryley Walker – The Halfwit In Me

Kendrick Lamar – untitled 05 09.21.2014

Kanye West – Famous

Frank Ocean – Solo

Anderson .Paak – The Dreamer

Maxwell – Lake By The Ocean

Tkay Maidza – Carry On

Chance The Rapper – All Night

Santigold – Banshee

Montaigne – In The Dark

The Avalanches – Subways

Japanese Breakfast – Everybody Wants To Love You

Mitski – My Best American Girl

Frankie Cosmos – If I Had A Dog

Weaves – Tick

PJ Harvey – Ministry Of Defence

Big Scary – Organism

Middle Kids – Edge Of Town

Angel Olsen – Sister

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard – Mr. Beat

Japandroids – Near To The Wild Heart Of Life

Car Seat Headrest – Vincent

Radiohead – Burn The Witch

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Girl In Amber

Sturgill Simpson – Welcome To Earth (Pollywog)