Record stores and music mags are all publishing their 'Best Of' lists, so here's mine too. It's certainly no understatement to say that the events of this year have been devastating. We have lost some of the best musicians and entertainers the world has ever seen, plus 2016 has seen Brexit, Trump and a whole host of other disasters. In a time marred by tragedy it is even more important to turn to music for comfort and as a uniting force, and these outstanding new releases prove that we still have a lot to be thankful for as 2016 draws to a close...

Top 40 Albums of 2016

1. Loretta Lynn – Full Circle
2. Andre Williams – I Wanna Go Back To Detroit City
3. Bonnie Raitt – Dig In Deep
4. The Rolling Stones – Blue & Lonesome
5. Iggy Pop – Post Pop Depression
6. Loretta Lynn – White Christmas Blue
7. Dolly Parton – Pure & Simple
8. Margo Price – Midwest Farmer's Daughter
9. Maren Morris – Hero
10. John Doe – The Westerner
11. Alice Bag – Alice Bag
12. Cyndi Lauper – Detour
13. David Bowie – ★ (Blackstar)
14. AURORA – All My Demons Greeting Me As A Friend
15. The Paranoyds – After You EP
16. Laurel – Park EP
17. Los Rakas – Los Rakas
18. Martha Wainwright – Goodnight City
19. Lissie – My Wild West
20. The Sonics – Live At Easy Street
21. PJ Harvey – Hope Six Demolition Project
22. Kate Bush – Before The Dawn
23. Black Honey – Headspin EP
24. Lucy Rose – Live At Urchin Studios
25. Sunflower Bean – Human Ceremony
26. Southern Culture on the Skids – The Electric Pinecones
27. Sia – This Is Acting
28. Lita Ford – Time Capsule
29. Ace Frehley – Origins Vol. 1
30. Santana – Santana IV
31. Quantic presenta Flowering Inferno – 1000 Watts
32. The International Swingers – The International Swingers
33. Angel Olsen – My Woman
34. Leonard Cohen – You Want It Darker
35. Mudcrutch – 2
36. Eric Clapton – I Still Do
37. Miranda Lambert – The Weight Of These Wings
38. Steven Tyler – We're All Somebody From Somewhere
39. Kid Congo & the Pink Monkey Birds – La Araña Es La Vida
40. The Monkees – Good Times

Honorable mentions

1. Mouses – The Mouses Album
2. Hinds –  Leave Me Alone
3. White Lung – Paradise
4. Neil Young – Peace Trail
5. Slothrust – Everyone Else
6. Lady Gaga – Joanne
7. Savages – Adore Life
8. Heathen Apostles – Requiem For A Remix
9. Heart – Beautiful Broken
10. Andre Williams – Don't Ever Give Up

What was your favourite album this year? Let me know in the comments section! Merry Xmas & Happy New Year!