These albums were among those named “best of 2016” by The Los Angeles Times.

Sept. 5th

Dvsn

OVO Sound/Warner Bros.; $11.59 (CD)

Dvsn has an eye toward the heady, electronic progressive R&B of late as well as one of the genre’s golden eras of the ‘90s. The elusive act’s debut is inspired, almost wholly, by copulation, but these bedroom knockers are for adults who have moved beyond casual flings to long-term commitment.

The Hope Six Demolition Project

PJ Harvey

Island; $10.37 (CD)

A bluesy album full of shadows and disarming horns as well as lyrics that veer into progressive journalism. Harvey’s vision of our streets is that of a war-torn world full of beggars and the forgotten. But if times are tough, as Harvey seems to be saying, we may as well go down swinging.

Sirens

Nicolas Jaar

Other People; $11.99 (CD)

Opening after a moment of silence that shatters in an explosion of piano keys, the latest category-defying record from this Chilean composer reflects a sense of global unease in shape-shifting washes of electronics, plaintive keyboard and distant vocals.

A Good Night in the Ghetto

Kamaiyah

Self-released; $8.99 (MP3)

Inspired by R&B/hip-hop innovators Missy Elliott and TLC, Kamaiyah’s debut mixtape is a joyful celebration of life. Whether she’s rapping or singing about being broke, loving sex, partying or yearning, she’s doing it over beats that recall the bounce of G-funk and the minimalism of more recent R&Bass.

The Very Last Day

Parker Millsap

Okra Homa/Thirty Tigers; $10.99 (CD)

This raw, bluesy musical excursion could provide the Coen brothers with subject matter for a half-dozen of their noir-ish, character-rich comedy-dramas. The astuteness of Millsap’s writing is equaled by the unbridled spirit of his nimble band.

For All We Know

Nao

Little Tokyo Recordings; $19.94 (CD)

One of the year’s most exciting debuts came from this dynamic British R&B singer. Her voice is enchanting, and this sprawling collection of funky electronics and sweet retro R&B flourishes is bright. It’s also primed for the dance floor.

Blond

Frank Ocean

Boys Don’t Cry; $7 (CD)

An album of dream-like sounds — guitars and electronics blur into one — and hazy snapshots. Ocean’s quiet, contemplative work invites close listens, all while songs chronicling coming-of-age moments flicker, disappear and haunt.

My Woman

Angel Olsen

Jagjaguwar; $10.49 (CD)

With a striking voice and self-assured delivery, the St. Louis-born singer and songwriter Angel Olsen took a huge leap forward on “My Woman.” Her earlier albums were musically sparse, seemingly so she could highlight a wondrous voice that dances among the octaves. For “My Woman,” Olsen moved closer to pop, but not gratuitously so. Rather, she rightly decided that her voice is strong enough to handle some instrumental competition.

Malibu

Anderson .Paak

Empire/OBE/Steel Wool/Art Club; $11.29 (CD)

Covering genres from ‘70s-era soul and psychedelic funk to jazz, rock, classic hip-hop, beat-driven electronic music and contemporary R&B, “Malibu” was a lush, layered listen befitting a church-raised soul singer, hip-hop purist and free-spirited musician.

A Moon Shaped Pool

Radiohead

XL; $9.37 (CD)

After more than 20 years of reflecting an endangered and indifferent modern culture, Radiohead reaches further inward on an album framed by strings, choir and delicate folk guitar, only to find, after the end of a long relationship for Thom Yorke, things are broken there too.

Anti

Rihanna

Westbury Road Entertainment/Roc Nation; $13.79 (CD)

The biggest hitmaker of a generation unleashed her most understated offering, and it was well worth the unusually long wait (by Rihanna standards). Warm, adventurous, intimate and heavy on mood setting, “Anti” is a punch — even if it was slower to hit the senses.

Blue & Lonesome

Rolling Stones

Rolling Stones; $11.88 (CD)

Loose but powerful, vibrant yet confident, the Stones sound utterly at home and in their element in this full-album homage to the American blues that got them rolling in the first place.

Black Terry Cat

Xenia Rubinos

Anti-; $9.89 (CD)

“How do you spell angry brown girl?” asks this Afro-Latina singer-songwriter near the end of an album that deftly mixes rock, jazz and hip-hop. Nodding to Nina Simone and Abbey Lincoln, Rubinos doesn’t sound that angry, but amid her bracing sound are a lot more blunt, essential observations.

Adore Life

Savages

Matador Records; $10.19 (CD)

Is it OK to love — guilt-free — when times are hard? The U.K.’s blisteringly intense Savages counter any notion that love is some sort of fairy tale; instead, this aggressive, confrontational album propels listeners to act. Hug someone, before it’s too late

Stranger to Stranger

Paul Simon

Concord; $13.54 (CD)

A masterful songwriter and record maker in absolute top form. The fresh, lyrical, musical and sonic vistas Simon has created are breathtaking.

A Sailor’s Guide to Earth

Sturgill Simpson

Atlantic; $9.99 (CD)

Simpson is in full command of his gifts in this career-redefining outing celebrating the arrival of his first child. All the hope, fear, faith, wonder and heart-on-sleeve love that come with nascent parenthood are in high relief.

A Seat at the Table

Solange

Saint/Columbia; $13.96 (CD)

A meditation on being black in America, Solange’s first full-length project in eight years was an exploration of identity, empowerment, rage, grief and healing that was exquisite, cathartic and, especially, urgent.

Modern Country

William Tyler

Merge Records; $11.59 (CD)

The instrumental music of Nashville guitarist Tyler wanders near the intersection of folk, country and rock, but he has little interest in picking sides. The title of the album might hint at his allegiances, but the way Tyler and his expert band dance around the issue by incorporating German “krautrock” and John Fahey-inspired instrumental folk guitar repeatedly upends expectations.

Schmilco

Wilco

Dbpm Records; $9.20 (CD)

These veteran, adventurous rockers have gone acoustic — and emerged even weirder and angrier. “Schmilco” is equally harmonious and disjointed, viewing nostalgia and maturity with equal doses of cynicism. It turns out that Wilco’s quietest album is one built for a time of tension.