Best Albums of 2016
selected by 6 Croatian critics

10
Sara Renar <BR>“Tišina”

Sara Renar
“Tišina”

In a short time, Sara Renar has grown from a girl with a guitar into an eclectic and versatile performer. After an EP called “Jesen”, the full-length album “Tišina” appears as a logical continuation.

Electronic and atmospheric, modern and psychedelic, plus lotso f good lyrics – Sara shows she’s one of the best young singers in Croatia.

♪♫ Listen: “Tišina” + album stream (Deezer)

Sara Renar on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, www.

9
Sowas <BR>“Golden Veil”

Sowas
“Golden Veil”

Sowas is a new band on the Croatian music scene. They come from Varaždin in the north of the country, so they are not recognized yet as much as they should be.

On “Golden Veil” they mix everything from rock to trip-hop with very interesting results.

♪♫ Listen: “Hypnotized” + album stream (YouTube)

Sowas on Facebook, Youtube.

8
Elemental <BR>“Tijelo”

Elemental
“Tijelo”

In 2016, Elemental has come of age. Because of this fact, they have released a new album, the seventh in their career.

“Tijelo” is a double hip-hop album with 18 songs and very intriguing lyrics about love, politics and dreams about a better tomorrow.

♪♫ Listen: “Tijelo pamti” + album stream

Elemental on Soundcloud, Twitter, Facebook, www + beehype.

7
Punčke <BR>“Ništa nije kako se čini”

Punčke
“Ništa nije kako se čini”

It’s almost 10 years since female rock trio Punčke was formed and over the decade they have improved a lot – and now they are one of the most acclaimed alternative/indie rock bands in Croatia.

“Ništa nije kako se čini” is their second full lenght album, which keeps a good balance between ballads and vigorous rock.

♪♫ Listen: “Ocean” + album stream (Bandcamp)

Punčke Ništa on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, www.

6
She Loves Pablo <BR>“Try Mandarin”

She Loves Pablo
“Try Mandarin”

She Loves Pablo have been present for ten years on the Croatian music scene now. “Try Mandarin” is their third album, which shows how they’ve evolved from stoner rock to an energetic groove group.

The change was successful, and “Try Mandarin” sounds both fresh and bombastic.

♪♫ Listen: “Next of kin” + album stream (Bandcamp)

She Loves Pablo on Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter, www.

5
Moskau <BR>“Gospel Machine”

Moskau
“Gospel Machine”

After several EPs, “Gospel Machine” is a second full-length album from Moskau. They are not a typical band. Their music is only a part of the whole story.

“Gospel Machine” is alternative gospel album with great interpretations. You might already know songs from this album, but you’ll be still surprised when you hear it.

♪♫ Listen: “Wade In The Water” + album stream (Bandcamp)

Moskau on Bandcamp, Facebook, YouTube.

4
Trees of Maine <BR>“False Dawns”

Trees of Maine
“False Dawns”

While The Orange Strips are put on aside, their Valdet Luboteni has started a project Trees of Maine. This autumn, Trees of Maine had released a debut album “False Dawns”, where we can find a lot of romantic and melancholic songs.

♪♫ Listen: “The End” + album stream (Bandcamp)

Trees of Maine on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter, www.

3
M.O.R.T. <BR>“Tužna kocka”

M.O.R.T.
“Tužna kocka”

On their second album, “Tužna kocka”, M.O.R.T. shows further progress in an already impressive career.

They are playing blues in the rock format as young people without any prospects. Apparently, though, they have found happiness with their cheerful songs.

♪♫ Listen: “Volim” + album stream (Spotify)

M.O.R.T. on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Facebook, www.

2
Cojones <BR>“Resonate”

Cojones
“Resonate”

Cojones is a stoner rock band from Zagreb. With their third album they changed their sound in a way that now they have more classic rock influences than before.

This makes “Resonate” an ideal album for a long car drive, and one of last year’s top albums in Croatia – as well as possibly one of the more successful stoner rock releases worldwide.

♪♫ Listen: “Providence” + album stream (Bandcamp)

Cojones on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter, www.

1
Valentino Bošković <BR>“Marsovska listina”

Valentino Bošković
“Marsovska listina”

Valentino Bošković is a futuristic indie pop band from the island Brač. They have a very characteristic sound and they sing in a local dialect.

“Marsovska listina” is their second album with its main theme being an asteroid in a shape, naturally, of the island Brač.

This unusual and irresistible mixture of traditional and futuristic ideas has led Valentino Bošković to record Croatian album of the year.

♪♫ Listen: “Ashke Maresh” + album stream (Bandcamp)

Valentino Bošković on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter.