Official Charts team pick their favourite singles and albums of 2016

Another year's almost over, and throughout 2016, we've been listening to all kinds of music at Official Charts HQ. We have very different tastes and sensibilities, but it's music that brings us all together.

As we look back on the year in music, we thought we'd share with you our personal highlights from the last 12 months. As ever, our rules were tough: we could only pick ONE single and ONE album, and it had to have first charted in 2016.

Check out our favourites here, and tell us your favourites at the bottom of the page...

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Martin Talbot, CEO

Single: The Weeknd - Starboy

"Mr Potty-mouth and the world's favourite French robots. What could go wrong? Nothing. Soaring tune."

Album: Beyonce - Lemonade

"Brilliant album, scandalously overlooked for much of the year (partly because of its 'limited' digital release), a soul/urban album which stands comparison with the best of all time."

Rob Copsey, Editor

Single: Fifth Harmony - Work From Home

"Stone. Cold. Banger."

Album: Shura - Nothing's Real

"Shura’s debut album encapsulates so many things I enjoy in pop music. The production is sleek – in this case shimmering synths and moody electronics that broadly sits under the umbrella of ‘80s’ – there are hooks for days (White Light, Indecision and Make It Up are must listens), and there’s a running theme that pulls the whole thing together into a proper, actual album that you want to put on and listen to in its entirety. Keep up the great work, Shura."

Justin Myers, Content

Single: Zayn - Like I Would

"'Hey what's up? It's been a while…' From the moment Zayn's voice belts out in the song's cold open, you know you're in for an experience here. Sounding much stronger and packed with swagger then he did on debut solo smash Pillowtalk, Zayn's first flirtation with dance-pop is packed with hooks and knows it. Like I Would is the standout track on Zayn's impressive debut Mind Of Mine, and was a tantalising glimpse at just how versatile Zayn was going to be now he was doing things his own way. "Promise it won't last long," claims Zayn – but you never want the song to stop. Plus: he is the very opposite of ugly, isn't he? Did you notice?"

Album: Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Familia

"Soph. Oh we've been at this a long time and after all these years, Sophie EB never fails to surprise. After previous album Wanderlust took a folky turn, Familia evolves that sound, adding a South American flavour with extra punch and slightly disco-esque vibes to the already strong melodies. Sophie is one of the few artists who can pull off the perfect "happy-sad" type of pop voice that makes you feel she means every word (Robyn is another, for example) and her crystal clear delivery is as sparkling as ever. Lead single Come With us dazzled with confidence and saw Sophie returning, very much on her own terms, to the dancefloor – but with regular breaks to run to the bar for a Diet Coke or a shot of mezcal."

Dom Murray, Commercial

Single: Radiohead – Daydreaming

"I'm a huge fan of Thom Yorke and Radiohead. Think Daydreaming is one of the best things they’ve ever done. Beautiful track, beautiful video. They are playing Glasto in the summer!"

Album: Bon Iver - 22, A Million

"Again, I’m a huge, raving, loony of a fan and been waiting for this album for ages. Worth the wait and did not disappoint. Praying he is playing Glasto in the summer."

Lauren Kreisler, Head of Brand & Digital

Single: Christine & The Queens - Tilted

"Christine & The Queens made my year. A welcome breath of fresh air in what was, at one point, feeling like a relatively mundane release slate. Tilted, the stand-out single from Chaleur Humaine was my first encounter of Heloise Letissier – the French singer/songwriter who found her feet and her “queens” in the drag clubs of Soho.

"As with all things French, Christine & The Queens oozes effortless cool. Usually found dressed head to toe in pared-down, regulation grey t-shirt and joggers, her/their live performances are far from drab; the minimal styling clears the way for slick electronic pop brought to life by some quirky gender-neutral choreography - not a twerk or a slut-drop in sight - and it’s MESMERISING. Throw in a squeal-inducing breakthrough Glastonbury set incorporating covers of Pump Up The Jam and Chaka Khan’s I Feel For You, and we’ve got ourselves a fun, intriguing new chart star set for big things."

Album: Gregory Porter - Take Me To The Alley

"I was such a fan of Gregory’s Liquid Spirit album, that inevitably when a follow-up is on the way, you tend to hold your breath, cross your fingers, and wince a bit in hope that it will live up to its predecessor. I’m glad to say the man in the funny hat didn’t disappoint this year.  From the groove of Don’t Lose Your Steam, to Consequence Of Love's pretty melody, all brought together by that warm, signature velvet voice, Take Me To The Alley is an album that seems to work perfectly for so many situations – admittedly not one for the treadmill, but for a train ride home after a long day in the office, a sunny Sunday morning stroll around London, or just pottering about the house, you can’t go too far wrong. As with Liquid Spirit, you don’t need to be a discerning jazz head to appreciate it either, it’s simply another beautiful, accessible, crossover album that deserves a listen."

Louise Frodsham, Operations

Single: Snakehips ft. Zayn - Cruel

"This song encompasses everything I wish Zayn’s solo album had been. Laid back, cool, “of-the-moment” pop, and doesn’t sound like a boyband song at all. I’m a big fan of all Snakehips’ work – put this to the top of my 'wish it had been Number 1' list."

Album: Ariana Grande - Dangerous Woman

"I had low expectations for this album, thinking it would be just another basic pop star’s rubbish 2016 offering. How wrong I was! Each song is a hit in its own right – potential singles for days."

Austen Hornbrook, Finance

Justin Timberlake - Can't Stop The Feeling

"As with most Timberlake releases it is memorable and funky. A very catchy and uplifting song, much needed in a year when uplifting events were conspicuous by their absence."

Album: David Bowie - Blackstar

"His final album, released 2 days before his tragic death, is one of his most interesting and compelling recordings. In my opinion Bowie’s most complete work since “Let’s Dance”. It’s most likely he was aware that “Blackstar” could be his last album but there’s no wallowing in sentimentality or nostalgia here. No chance! This is still someone who wanted to challenge his listeners and give them something unique. In contrast the album finishes with one of his most delectable, soaring pop songs “I Can't Give Everything Away”. A worthy reminder of that same outstanding song writing ability that delivered “Hunky Dory” and “Ziggy Stardust” at the beginning of his career."

Jack White, Content & Brand

Single: Beyoncé – Sorry

"Beyoncé returned in 2016 with a feisty, gritty, sassy and quite frankly, brilliant album in Lemonade, and one of its tracks in particular struck a chord with me as a major standout. Sorry is a total pop banger, dripping with controversy thanks to the song’s angsty lyrics and dramatic supposed backstory. I also saw Queen Bey live for the first time this year at Wembley Stadium, and there was something really fulfilling and definitely hilarious about putting those middle fingers up. Hearing Wembley shout “suck on my balls, pause” in unison was an experience to behold. Beyoncé came to slay. She totally did."

Album: Empire Of The Sun - Two Vines

"My favourite band released a new album in 2016, and thankfully it delivered for me in so many ways. While Empire of the Sun are known for their ambitious themes, crazy fashion and other-worldly live shows, their third studio album discusses themes that their previous albums haven’t; diving deeper into spirituality, nature, political themes and most importantly, good ol’ fashioned love. Standout tracks include the anthemic There’s No Need, the juxtaposing themes of darkness and light in Lend Me Some Light and Welcome To My Life - an uplifting, anthemic hidden gem that ends the deluxe edition. Not to mention, the vinyl edition is translucent green. It doesn’t get cooler than that!"

Jonathan Woods, Finance

Album: Van Morrison - Keep Me Singing

"The standout track for me on this is Van Morrison’s 36th studio album Too Late. There are 13 tracks here, and 12 of those are original songs written and performed by the great man  himself. It’s always exciting to have a brand new album from Van the Man and this one can already stand proudly alongside his very best."

Gus Hully, Analyst

Single: Sigala ft. Imani & DJ Fresh

"This collaboration between Sigala, Imani and DJ Fresh is a total banger, with the steel drums and warm bassline giving the song a massive summer vibe. Shame it was released in March and peaked at Number 5 in April. Imani’s vocals are spot on and according to Wikipedia the track uses 'a hook from Mariah Carey's 1996 hit Always Be My Baby', so I guess there’s that as well." 

Album: Blink-182 - California

"Who knew that when Blink 182 replaced Tom Delonge with Matt Skiba, they would go ahead and make an album this good? The signs were all there with an excellent +44 record from a few years back and Matt Skiba’s consistently excellent work in Alkaline Trio, but this definitely exceeded my expectations. ‘Cynical’, ‘Brohemian Rhapsody’ and ‘Built This Pool’ are all stupid but fun songs that the band are known for and the singles ‘Bored To Death’ and ‘Rabbit Hole’ are both classic Blink singles with excellent choruses and woahs all over the shop. Lovely stuff."

Gabbie Witham, Operations

Single: The Weeknd ft. Daft Punk – I Feel It Coming

"I'll be honest: never in my life have I been so disappointed to hear a collaboration between two of my favourite artists and the result be Starboy. Thank you, then, to The Weeknd and Daft Punk for going on to release this funky dance flurry; what a brilliant feel-good track."

Album: Kanye West - The Life Of Pablo

"Kanye for President 2020."

What was your favourite single and album of 2016? Tell us below...