Brooke Pawling Stennett’s Top 5 Mid-Year Albums

1. Ariana Grande – Dangerous Woman

Solid pop, solid production, all around this is Ariana’s best album so far. Every track is worth multiple listens and the flow of track to track keeps you on your toes. This album definitely lived up to its hype. Some of my favorites: “Into You,” “Side to Side” featuring Nicki Minaj, and “Everyday” featuring Future.

2. Birdy – Beautiful Lies

An incredible sophomore effort by Birdy. It’s flawlessly put together and like Ariana Grande’s Dangerous Woman, the flow of track to track is impeccable. Birdy’s voice is so unique in its vulnerability that this album will leave you emotionally vulnerable yourself. Some of my favorites: “Keeping Your Head Up,” “Wild Horses,” and “Hear You Calling.”

3. Yuna – Chapters

I want to simultaneously keep this album for myself and also let the world listen to how brilliant it is. It’s a very under the radar album (so far) and the larger part of me that has expectations for everyone to love the melodic, sultry album has won out. Listen to it. There’s also a duet with Jhene Aiko and it’s so good. Some of my favorites: “Lanes,” “Too Close,” and “Used to Love You,” featuring Jhene Aiko.

4. Beyoncé – Lemonade

There is nothing I can say about this album than what has already been said, other than how fantastic and iconic this album is. If you haven’t had the chance to listen to this in full, and watch the accompanied movie, please do so. It will change you. Some of my favorite tracks: “Pray You Catch Me,” “Sorry,” and “Don’t Hurt Yourself.”

5. Fifth Harmony – 7/27

This album is so addictive it hurts. I have never loved pop music like I love it when it’s performed by a band. Girl bands, especially. Do yourself a favor and ignore the song you hear ten times on the radio each hour and listen to one of the greatest girl band albums of all time. So far, at least. Some of my favorite tracks: “Dope,” “All in My Head (Flex)” featuring Fetty Wap, and “Scared of Happy.”

Brooke’s Top 5 Songs of 2016 (So Far)

1. OneRepublic – “Wherever I Go”
2. Sia  – “Cheap Thrills”
3. Bastille – “Good Grief”
4. Drake feat. Wiz Kid and Kyla – “One Dance”
5. The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – “Don’t Let Me Down”