With so much good music coming out all the time, itÂ’s hard to get around to it all. Since we’re so helpful, we made a list of our favorite music from this year to make it easier on you. So sweet, right? From already-classic Detroit artists to upcoming Ann Arbor groups, hereÂ’s ten great albums from the last six months, in no particular order: 

Mayer Hawthorne – Man About Town Neo-soul at it’s finest. Though he hails from Ann Arbor, the Detroit/Motown influence in his music is hard not to hear. (Photo via google)
Elzhi – Lead Poison Every project this dude has released has been a hit, and this album does not differ. Thoughtful, relatable, and timely, this album was definitely worth all the wait. (Photo via google)
Royce da 5’9” – Layers Coming straight out of a collaboration with legendary producer DJ Premier, Royce continues his slew of hit releases. This dudes catalogue deserves a digging through, and this album is a good place to start.
Fake Surfers – Cheap Meat Debut release from this raw two-piece punk outfit. Timeless punk rock
Mountains and Rainbows – Particles The long anticipated debut album from local favorites. A double album of weird, frantic, catchy, beach-psych-rock tunes that tend to get stuck in your head.
Pity Sex – White Hot Moon The second album from this fuzzy-power-pop quartet really showcases their ability to expand their shoegaze sound and keeps things interesting. See them in Detroit at El Club on July 10th!
Failed Flowers – Failed Flowers This Ann Arbor garage pop group appropriately debuted their album on the first day of summer, because it’s the perfect soundtrack for any and all summer shenanigans.
ILL Itches – ILL Itches Possibly the best band name to come out of Detroit, this scuzzy-gospel group made their name known very quickly through their uniquely chaotic live shows.
Captwolf – F*ck Captwolf EP Their 2015 mixtape “Liquor Store Pizza Party at My Crib” was MT’s favorite mixtape of the year, and if that name doesn’t make you want to listen to them then we don’t know what will.
Ugly Heroes – Everything in Between Verbal Kent, Red Pill, and Apollo Brown formed this supergroup about four years ago and just released their second album. Incredible hip hop.

Have something to share?

SEND US A NEWS TIP

Since 1980, Metro Times has been Detroit’s premier alternative source for news, arts, culture, music, film, food, fashion and more from a liberal point of view.