45 Best Albums of 2016 So Far
From Bey to Parquet, the best LPs from the first six months

Chance the Rapper, David Bowie and Beyoncé made some of 2016's best records.
Jeff Kravitz, Getty, Jimmy King, Kevin Mazur/Getty
The year of the "surprise release" has given us monster showings from Beyoncé, Radiohead, Drake, Rihanna, Kanye West and Chance the Rapper. But traditional release schedules have brought a wealth of music from hard-rhyming hip-hoppers, buzzy indie-punks, up-and-coming country songwriters, veteran Hall of Famers and more. Here's the best from New Year's Day to now.