20 Greatest Alternative Albums Of 2016

20. M.I.A. – AIM

Sri Lankan-born songwriter M.I.A. has been dazzling music fans ever since the monumental success of her noughties anthem ‘Paper Planes.’ This, combined with her disdain for the status quo, has made here her one of the most relevant and rebellious artists of the digital age.

Even more relevant though is her political and social convictions, which shine through brighter than ever on this year’s minimalist political statement AIM.

She mainly tackles immigration and the refugee crisis, setting her sights, and unloading in her deadpan style. Whether you agree with her political stance or not, it shouldn’t detract from the clear songwriting prowess that peppers much of this bold, full-length bombshell. She hits the target with deadly precision on songs like the anti-establishment banger ‘Borders’, the speaker shattering stonker ‘Go Off’ and the playful bubble popper ‘Fly Pirate.’

AIM may lack some of the colourful fun of her first few records, but it makes up for it with its much more weighty lyrical themes. Go off on this ballsy LP – you won’t regret it.