There's no shortage of DJ/producer types working near the nexus of pop, hip-hop, modern R&B, and electronic music these days, so it takes a special sound (or at least a prominent co-sign) to rise from little-known SoundCloud striver to legit star. It takes something more to stand out from the standouts. The Haiti-born, Montreal-based producer Kaytranada has that something—it's been evident for years in his beats and remixes, which skillfully bridge the gaps between radiant future-pop, beat-driven dance music, and smooth, soulful sounds. His debut album, 99.9%, released earlier this month, boasts an eye-popping roster of guest vocalists (Anderson .Paak, Craig David, Vic Mensa, Little Dragon, AlunaGeorge) who turn in solid performances. But Kaytranada doesn't fade into the background. In fact, his fresh, well-crafted tracks shine through and anchor one of the best albums of 2016's first half. BEN SALMON