My Top Albums of 2015
Here is my list of my personal top Albums of 2015
You can find my separate list for top EPs of 2015 here.
My list last year for my top Albums of 2014 can be found here.
* indicates someone I saw live in 2015
In case you missed it, Adele’s return earlier this month broke the interwebs. Her powerful voice is a force in the music industry, she will always be a commanding person in the industry, and now she has another record breaking album to prove it.
Beach House – Depression Cherry / Thank Your Lucky Stars
Genre: Indie Pop / Alternative
Beach House were feeling super generous in 2015 after a 3 year absence and gave us two albums. For both their fifth and sixth albums the dream pop duo wanted to eliminate some of the noise that infiltrated their music as they became a bigger draw and playing in bigger venues. This makes a much more minimalist sound similar to their early albums but with a level of sophistication and diversity they have learned in the 10 years of the band’s existence. I think Depression Cherry is the stronger of the two personally, but both are a great collection of songs that whisk you away on a cloud.
Blackalicious – Imani, Vol. 1
Genre: Indie Hip Hop
One of underground hip hop’s pioneers return with an exhilarating new album showing they still got it. Together as Blackalicious, Gift of Gab and DJ Chief Xcel have an expansive catalog branching over 20 years. I have personally heard every album/EP (as well as Gift of Gab’s solo albums) they have made and can say this is one of their best.
Ellie Goulding – Delirium
Genre: Pop
I’ve been riding for Ellie when I first heard her on “Passport Approved” with the overlooked banger “Under The Sheets”. It was about a year later when “Lights” blew up and her debut was re-released in the US. Then she took it to another level with the stellar Halcyon. The unique mixture of general pop with EDM was not just a breath of fresh air, but whole gas mask of it. With her third album Ellie had a slight bit of regression in my opinion to something more generic. Despite that criticism, Delirium is still a fun and enjoyable piece of pop entertainment.
Erykah Badu – You Can’t Use My Phone [Mixtape]
Genre: R&B / Drake
I place “Drake” under genre semi on jest but also not. Erykah Badu felt inspired by the movement the Toronto superstar and made this mixtape with him and his style as an inspiration. She even has a Drake impersonator on two tracks on this album. The layers of Badu’s influences for this album don’t start and end only with Drake. This whole mixtape is an exploration in our society’s fascination with cell phones and uses past songs (including from her own discography as well as from others) in unique not-quite-covers arrangements. The high point for me is probably the brilliant “Dial’Afreaq” which at first listen made me out loud say “WTF is going on?”; but then I became instantly addicted to. You Can’t Use My Phone is a perfect exploration into music when an artist is influenced by other artists and not afraid to let that be known. I hope more musicians are willing to explore in their own music like this; even if it’s so derivative.
GoldLink – And After That, We Didn’t Talk
Genre: Alt-Hip Hop
If you don’t really know the name GoldLink yet, I would urge you to get familiar. I don’t know if he will ever quite blow up, but this debut from the D.C. rapper is such a shot in the arm of what genre-less music can be. GoldLink obviously is hip hop and influenced by hip hop but he never can be completely classified as hip hop throughout this project. The polyrhythmic sounds venture in R&B, reggae, jazz across the tracks.
Joe Budden – All Love Lost
Genre: Hip Hop
Joe Budden was a rapper who came up in the wrong generation for his talent. He was miscast to continue in the late 90’s/early 2000’s East Coast rap seen dominated by Bad Boy and Roc-A-Fella records, where you either were hard, or rich and all about a party. However, Joe Budden is best when he is venerable and honest about his pains and insecurities; two things that were looked down on during this time in hip hop. These sensibilities have shifted with artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Drake and J. Cole rising to the top, and we can tell Joe feels the most comfortable he has been in his career. At times All Love Lost is downright disheartening wehn he speaks of his lapse with depression and drug addiction, as well as women he has loves he has lost. Despite the difficulty of some of the subjects you can always feel Joe’s passion and never second guess the honesty in the assault of emotions being thrown at you. The songs meander in length all through the album as Joe tears his heart out of his rib cage and plops it in front of you. It’s a shame it had to take so long for Joe to find this new found confidence in his music, but I’m glad for him as well as us that he has eventually found it.
MED, Blu & Madlib – Bad Neighbor
Genre: Indie Hip Hop
Three of Indie Hip Hop’s best unite for this collaborative LP. Madlib has long been one of hip hops most distinctive and diverse producers and shows those skills off beautifully on this record. Getting Blu and MED to exchange rhymes over the ever evolving Madlib backdrops just is a perfect three-way match.
Modest Mouse – Strangers To Ourselves*
Genre: Indie Rock / Alternative
After 8 years away, my hometown’s darlings finally return with a new album. I know a large portion of longtime fans are underwhelmed at the lack of a cohesive concept wrapping the 15 songs together. I understand this but to me despite this more just being 15 songs created over the last 8 years, it still is 15 songs that are pretty damn good and enjoyable. As a casual fan of MM that is good enough for me.
Neon Indian – VEGA INTL. Night School
Genre: Electronic / Synth-Pop
At times Neon Indian’s third album is messy, confusing and incoherent. Alan Palomo is not afraid to take some weird swings in his music and at times those swings don’t quite connect. But when they do connect he makes some damn strong and catchy music that is hard to deny. VEGA INTL. Night School is no exception to this pattern in his discography but still sports some of the most successful songs of his career that overshadow the ones that don’t quite work.
Petite Noir – La Vie Est Belle / Life Is Beautiful
Genre: Alt-R&B
South African avant garde singer Petite Noir dropped his debut album a few months after his great King of Anxiety EP. His voice is commending and music so unpredictable in where it may go next. It maintains the tension his EP showed as the music always has a sense it is building to an emotional climax that keeps the listener on their toes with anticipation.
Run The Jewels – Meow The Jewels*
Genre: Hip Hop / Cats
It started as a joke Kickstarter option and ended up raising over $60,000 for charity. It’s pretty ridiculed and quite hilarious of a project from El-P and Killer Mike, but it shows how great these artists are as men. They make serious music, but still don’t take themselves too seriously in the process. The fact that it even came out as a pretty dope project is just icing on the cake.
Tame Impala – Currents
Genre: Indie Pop
Currents is like a sonic dream as you listen to the layers on layers on instruments and synthesizers all orchestrated and played by band leader Kevin Parker himself. The skill and care care shown in creating the lush musical landscapes on this record is pretty remarkable. Currents is another indication of how crazy deep this year has been for music as most years this album would be much higher ranking on my own list.
Tove Styrke – Kiddo
Genre: Synth-Pop
I was late finding out about this Swedish singer. She first was introduced to me back in February when my life was consumed for a month by her infectious single “Ego”. I missed her debut album back in 2010 but found out about her Borderline EP of last year which got me excited for this new album from her. Tove Styrke’s electropop music is often loud and in your face (The softer ”Ego” being a bit of an outlier) but boy is it exuberant and downright catchy.
Until The Ribbon Breaks – A Lesson Unlearnt
Genre: Synth-Pop / Electronic
British trio, Until the Ribbon Breaks produce music that is unpredictable, and diverse with contributions from synth-pop, hip hop, R&B and rock. At times A Lesson Unlearnt is a bit messy as the group tries to wear every hat imaginable and it can lack some continuity, but for a debut album this is allowable as you see a new band experimenting. Rough edges are enduring on a first record and show their confidence to be daring with their music. In future releases they will need to be better at establishing cohesion across a singular project, but for now I am just enjoying a band figuring themselves out and showing off their wide ranging influences.
Last One Out: CHVRCHES – Every Open Eye*
Genre: Synth-Pop
For their sophomore album, the Scottish band CHVRCHES show off a greater confidence and comfortability in their sound. Lead singer Lauren Mayberry has strengthened her lyrics and further empowered her voice on the records. You can tell the band has a further grasp on who they are what they want to accomplish with their music. Their place on this list is more a showing of the overwhelmingly deep year we had in music rather than an indictment on their music. Every Eye Open is an enjoyable bundle of endorphins in an infectious musical form.
30.) Ryn Weaver – The Fool
Genre: Synth-Pop
Last year, 21 year old singer Ryn Weaver showed up with a bang dropping “OctaHate” and blowing up the internet. She had a backing group of vets with Benny Blanco, Cashmere Cat and Michael Angelakos of Passion Pit. Eventually she released her four song Promises EP. Her form of pop music is incredibly catchy and joyous, her voice was surprisingly powerful and beyond her age, evoking influences from Florence Welch, Stevie Nicks and others. With a strong debut under her belt, the now 23 year old singer should be someone to continue to keep an eye on.
29.) Brandon Flowers – The Desired Effect
Genre: Pop / Alternative
I wasn’t that big of a fan of Brandon Flower’s debut solo album or the last Killers album. So my expectations going into this were at an all-time low for the lead singer of a band who had one of the best albums during the previous decade. The Desired Effect sucked me in early on with catchy alternative music that had an almost 80’s feel similar to The Killer’s Sam’s Town album. I thought, sort of being cheeky, “hey, good for you”. By the time I finished the album, I couldn’t be coy anymore; that was really good album full of jams. Don’t call it a come back?
28.) Logic – The Incredible True Story
Genre: Hip Hop
One of 2014’s albums that I feel was a bit overlooked was the debut album by Logic. Logic’s flow is relentless yes so effortless and smooth with a surplus of dope lyrics being thrown out at rapid pace. Well, a little over a year later Logic looks to build on that debut with this concept sophomore album. We join two people in a space ship 100 years in the future, fleeing a dying Earth, looking for a new planet labeled “Paradise”. While they travel they are listening to Logic’s album and breakdown its relevance. At times in between songs this concept can be a bit distracting (or annoying) but song to song it will be difficult to find a stronger collection of hip hop in 2015. Taking over production almost exclusively himself, Logic shows his debut album was just a taste of what’s in store for the young rapper. This album won’t be one of the biggest selling hip hop albums of 2015, but it is in the elite group of impressive albums.
27.) Jamie xx – In Colour
Genre: Electronic
The xx’s producer steps out for his first solo album (he made a joint album with Gil-Scott Heron in 2011) and shows off what he’s been making in the margins of his life over the last seven years. The album is a sonic cloud gliding along. Sometimes the tracks just sound like white noise coinciding together into a rhythm while other times the human hand is more apparent. The true gem is “Loud Places” located in the middle of the album with Romy Madley Croft from The xx. This track is so breath taking on first listen I selfishly wish In Colour could have had a few more moments like it, with more vocal collaborators. But I guess Jamie has to save some in the chamber for his next album.
26.) Active Child – Mercy
Genre: Synth-Pop, Electronic
Following up his beautiful 2011 debut and equally great 2013 EP, Active Child returns with his second LP, Mercy. On Mercy, Active Child stays mostly in a low tempo and unassuming production letting his unique falsettos stand out. Most of the tracks are subtle and slow churning yet still contain the emotion and depth to be impacting.
25.) Joey Bada$$ - B4.DA.$$
Genre: Hip Hop
By the time half of the 90’s were gone was when Joey Bada$$ was born in Brooklyn. Despite his young age he still was able to be heavily influenced by 90’s hip hop and it shows in his stellar debut album here. The album has such a strong 90’s nostalgia to it that leaks influences from The Fugees, Wu-Tang, Notorious B.I.G. and Nas. Joey never gets too excited on the track, always maintaining a calm control while he effortless spits over a range of emotional and calm backings to some pretty intense and dirty drum brakes. There’s a reason such respectable vets as Black Thought, MF DOOM, Royce Da 5’9” and DJ Premier and others have already began working with the young emcee.
24.) Of Monsters and Men – Beneath The Skin
Genre: Indie Pop / Folk
They made us wait a bit, but 4 years later Of Monsters and Men finally followed up their great 2011 debut album My Head Is An Animal. The band masterfully maintains their thunderous indie folk with tunes infectious and powerful that stay in your head long after listening. Singers Nanna and Ragnar have such a way of evoking the emotion in their lyrics with their cracking voices that together fit so well with the band’s rich landscapes.
23.) Mark Ronson – Uptown Special
Genre: Pop / Soul
Way back in 2003 Ronson released his debut album Here Comes The Fuzz, a pretty solid and diverse collection that was pretty overlooked and unsuccessfully commercially. Mark Ronson already had a solid footing with his production work behind the scenes; being a go-to producer for Amy Winehouse, Adele, Rhymefest, Christina Aguilera, Daniel Marriweather, Wale among others. He had success in the UK with his next two albums but it wasn’t until his 4th solo record Uptown Special and the unrelenting power of the Bruno Mars assisted song (you all have undoubtedly heard) “Uptown Funk” that Ronson found success in the US as a solo artist. His wide net to grab talent from over a decade producing has allowed him to show off diversity in his music while all the same time maintaining his soulful vernacular.
22.) Lin-Manuel Miranda – Hamilton (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
Genre: Hip Hop / Broadway
Yes, you read right, this is the soundtrack to a Broadway musical. I’m not very well versed in Broadway musicals myself but I heard about this one and had to check it out form the reviews. At first it sounds a bit absurd. A musical set in the 18th century about Alexander Hamilton’s life during the American Revolution, ohh and it’s told entirely in Hip Hop. Apparently tons of people were going into the shows skeptical themselves, and coming out completely awe struck at what they just saw pulled off by the Toni winner Lin-Manuel Miranda. The acclaim has been overwhelming and the box office sales for it have been unprecedented. I had to check out the sound track when it became available on iTunes to see what the fuss was about. The production is top notch, these beats could live on any hip hop album today. The true gem is the lyrics, so thoughtfully choreographed, telling the story so thoroughly. There are also many references to hip hop within the play that work great in placing the story in a timeless state for the audience to truly relate to it. Hopefully the play will begin traveling so I can see it live over here on the West Coast, but in the meantime I suggest everyone find a couple hours to listen to a this soundtrack. You probably didn’t know hearing a rap battle between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson was somehting you need to hear in your life, but believe me, it is.
21.) Towkio – .Wav Theory [Mixtape]
Genre: Hip Hop
The Chicago newcomer MC shows off how connected he has become in his young career with this fun mixtape. Collaborators include Vic Mensa, Chance The Rapper, Lido, KAYTRANADA, Donnie Trumpet and others, which successfully grabbed my attention to check this project out. I am glad I did! Towkio’s sound has a 90’s feel that creates compelling hip hip that also often has a message when you dissect what is being said. With his connections, Towkio will definitely be around more in the future, so keep an eye out.
20.) Passion Pit – Kindred*
Genre: Synth-Pop / Indie
On of Indie Pop’s favorite bands returns with another bouncing collection of their brand of alternative dance we have all come to admire. Michael’s vocals seem to be a bit more pronounced and authoritative than in past albums. This is their third time around and you can tell they are comfortable and confident. They know what they are doing and will continue doing it successfully. As the listener, just sit back and enjoy the vibes.
19.) Meg Myers – Sorry
Genre: Alternative / Pop
It was 3 years ago when I first heard Meg Myers’ debut EP Daughter in The Choir and immediately fell in love with her music. There were definite influences of Stevie Nicks and Fiona Apple in her raw and sexy form of Alternative Pop. Last year’s great Make A Shadow EP only increased that excitement. Meg did not disappoint. Even with loving her previous EPs I was pleasantly surprised by the improvement of the entire album to her already pretty great musical talents. She seems to be growing as a musician right before our ears. She still is a bit on the outskirts of the mainstream, but I think everyone should keep an eye on her; she could blow up before you realize it.
18.) Dr. Dre – Compton
Genre: Hip Hop
16 years later we finally get our follow up to the historical 2001 album. The long wait and cancelling of Detox haven’t downgraded the expectations for Dre. Compton is at times messy, disjointed and sometimes a bit out of date with current society (the skit after “Loose Cannons” where it suddenly turns into an Eminem album). Despite its flaws and unfair pressure, Compton shows Dre is truly one of the most skilled hip hop producers ever. The beats are as revolutionary as ever and they appear to ignite some fire we haven’t seen in a while from vets like Dre, Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube. Dre has never been someone to demand the spotlight on himself and as his previous albums, he wants to showcase other artists using and abusing these cinematic beats. In terms of the guest, the true stars are Anderson .Paak and Kendrick Lamar. Anderson is finally reaching a wider audience with Dre including him on 5 tracks. Kendrick is featured on three tracks but his three powerful verses leave a shadow over the rest of the album.
17.) Lana Del Rey – Honeymoon*
Genre: Pop
I’ve been a major fan of Lana since her YouTube days. Her progression has been fascinating. Honeymoon was released only 15 months after her magnificent sophomore album Ultrviolence. Where Born To Die has a heavy hip hop undertone, Ultravilence shifted to a grainier alternative sound, Lana shifts gears again with Honeymoon making a soft floating cloud of dream pop. Honeymoon is Lana’s most cinematic album, as you almost feel like you are watching a black and white movie as you drift through it. Personally, I do wish for a few more subtle tempo changes (a la “High By The Beach”), but that still doesn’t take away from the sheer beauty of this album. As most of the radio is dominated by EDM, Lana offers the perfect counter argument.
16.) Grimes – Art Angel
Genre: Art Pop / Synth-Pop
Scrapping a whole album in 2014 after the release of one off single “Go”, fans had to wait a little longer for Grime’s 4th album, but it was well worth the wait. Art Angel is such a burst of pop music that’s undeniably catchy yet slightly off kilter from what our ears are used to hearing. This album (almost 100% made by just women) is groundbreaking and completely disregards any genre boundaries, yet remains incredibly accessible and relatable. Grimes has always been masterful at using her high squeaky voice to great effect as an transitional instrument in her music, and that technique continues to be perfected on this record (just listen to the chorus for “Flesh without Blood” for an exceptional example). Some demean and denounce her in a sexist manner by just referring to her “girly voice” but this album is undeniable; Grimes is one of the most talented musicians/producers/singers/song writers making music today.
15.) Avicii – Stories
Genre: Electronic / Dance
Electronic music is probably the most sub-genre specific with it’s overall genre in music. Most DJ’s and producers have their lane and stick to it for the most part. Avicii’s lane is basically not having a lane at all. No matter what genre of music to infuse his synths in or what type of electronic music to do it with, Avicii takles them all. It should be pretty hard for anyone to not find one track they can dig on this diverse record. Not all of the risks quite connect with me unfortunately (Reggae influenced and Wyclef Jean/Matisyahu assisted “Can’t Catch Me”) but most of the time this album does connect and with quite a power punch. As music progresses further into a genre-less form it will be pioneer artists like Avicii leading the way.
14.) Years & Years – Communion
Genre: Synth-Pop
British trio Years & Years deliver on their debut album with an infectious blend of Synth-Pop, Electronic music, R&B and 90’s House. These tracks like to walk in your head and make themselves right at home with an extended vacation. Most of the upbeat and danceable tracks are the ones that really stand out initially, but upon deeper digesting of the album the more somber tracks like “Eyes Shut” and “Memo” sneak attack your sensibilities. It is another strong offering from the ever expanding London musician universe (Disclosure, Sam Smith, Jesse Ware, SBTRKT, Sampha, Kwabs, Shura, London Grammar just to name a few) that seems to sprout up new talent every month.
13.) Tuxedo (Mayer Hawthorne & Jake One) – Tuxedo
Genre: R&B / Funk
You never know what era Mayer Hawthorne will go to next. Following up the Hall & Oats-esque and glorious 2013 album Where Does This Door Go and the slightly disappointing 80’s dance inspired 2014 album The Big Knock with producer 14KT as Jaded Incorporated, Mayer teams up with the vet producer Jack One to form Tuxedo. Together they moon walk backwards into the 70’s with a funk infused soulful album for the nostalgic dance party. Synths are used to give hints to the listener they are still in 2015, but the music is very much rooted in Motown’s influential era. No matter what decade he’s looking to, Mayer’s vocals are always on point.
12.) Vince Staples – Summertime ‘06
Genre: Hip Hop
The young Vince Staples has been hanging around for a few years hoping around on Odd Future projects and dropping some mixtapes. Last year he dropped the terrific Hell Can Wait EP that was an effective introduction to him as a solo artist. With heavy hitters No I.D. and Clams Casino as his main production backing Staples builds beautiful on his debut EP with this debut double album. The tracks are a bit temperamental and glum at first listen but still have a bounce to them for Vince to effortlessly spit over. Personally I feel the album could have been condensed into just one and some of the filler tracks left off, but the tracks that really hit on here are some of the best in Hip Hop in 2015.
11.) The Weeknd – Beauty Behind The Madness
Genre: R&B /Pop
Readers of my blog probably are well aware I have been a big fan of Abel Tesfaye AKA The Weeknd since House of Balloon days. So much of a fan, House of Balloons was my favorite album of 2011 and his major debut Kissland was my favorite of 2013. This dark and moody sound wasn’t one for everyone leading to a passionate but very niche fan base for the Toronto singer. Abel could have easily found comfort in this spot and continued making strong music for this avid but relatively modest group. He was already selling out shows all over the world. Abel wanted more however and with his Sophomore album he looked to expand his music to a wider audience. The more pop direction seemed to have worked as he has been one of the dominate musicians of 2015 having at times 4 songs in the top 10 single charts. He did not abandon his previous style either, more he refined it. Songs like “Real Life” “Often” “The Hills” “Acquainted” still are very familiar to his fans. There are a couple songs (“As You Are” “Angel”) where I feel more of his previous sensibilities could be added back, but overall The Weeknd has made an album that is touching a much larger group and it will show as the awards season begins. He’s come a long way in 4 short years.
10.) Madeon – Adventure
Genre: Dance / Electronic
French producer Madeon’s long-awaited debut album is a shot of adrenaline to the skull. Adventure is a great indication of where EDM should be venturing towards post-Dubstep. The metallic backgrounds are chopped and dramatic yet still maintain rhythmic integrity to appeal to the casual pop music listener. The infectious beats pop along so organically they force anybody to drop what they are doing and dance. As the album progresses it is meant to symbolize maturation from the rambunctious opening tracks symbolizing adolescence to more somber and peaceful tracks near the end for being a young adult. The (standard edition) closer track “Home” symbolizes finding yourself and who you are as you truly enter adulthood. I assume the powerful burst a minute in the song symbolizes even in adulthood, you can still drop everything and dance.
9.) Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment (w/ Chance The Rapper) – Surf
Genre: Alt-Hip Hop / Progressive Jazz
When Surf first dropped by surprise late night on iTunes, I immediately downloaded it and had to give it a spin. I knew Chance the Rapper was heavily involved and “Sunday Candy” was a beautiful jam and that is about it I knew going in. The album had no features listed and that adds to the effect when first experiencing this “experiment”. After a soothing opener track from Chance the second song “Slip Slide” starts and you get the first surprise: “Is that Busta Rhymes?!” This continues for me throughout this album one after the other “Is that B.o.B? J. Cole? Big Sean? KYLE? Quavo from Migos? Erykah Badu? Who didn’t show up for this?” The actual band the Social Experiment consists of Chance The Rapper, Donnie Trumpet, producer Peter Cottontale, keyboardist Nate Fox, drummer Greg Landfair Jr and guitarist Jeff Gitty, but as the feature list shows this truly is a social affair. The music itself is such a blend of Hip Hop, Jazz and R&B that shows how music today is really starting to outgrow genres. My personal hidden gem on the album is the subtle closer “Pass The Vibes” that many may gloss over when first listening, but I personally had to listen to over and over again. “I got the vibes now…”
8.) Lupe Fiasco – Tetsuo & Youth
Genre: Hip Hop
The unique career of Lupe Fiasco has had some peaks and valleys; sometimes within a single album. Since his brilliant debut album, Lupe has been fighting the battle of making music for art but also for a major label that pushes for sales. From a now deteriorated relationship with Atlantic, Lupe was able to finally make an album with hands off from the label; unfortunately with basically no promotion as well. Despite the lack of sales, this is Lupe’s most successful album as a whole since The Cool. The production takes dramatic and unforeseen turns, song structure is ignored, then followed, then ignored again, and each song is packed again with the strong sense of place we have come to know from Lupe. I feel you can tell Lupe is finally making music that is fun to him again. The album has landmarks in the short instrumentals for each season to the three tracks over 8 minutes long. This almost keeps the listener engaged rather than in a fog of disorientation in all the layers being thrown at them. The future is completely in the air now that Lupe has made his last album under Atlantic, but as a longtime fan of Lupe, this gets me excited for what’s to possibly come when he has restored complete control.
7.) Twin Shadow – Eclipse*
Genre: Indie Rock
For his third album, but first under a major label, George Lewis Jr. aka Twin Shadow looked to bring his brand of Indie Rock to a wider audience. Some of the hazy synths and meandering rhythms of his previous efforts are replaced with a more straight forward sound. However, Twin Shadow never ventures into generic or uninspired. Instead he takes his already passionate music and lights a roman candle in its ass. Eclipse is a rush of stadium rock ballad after another. The tones of the 80’s are still there, but the instrumentation is less of a twisting journey and more of a backdrop for George’s powerful vocals.
6.) Purity Ring – another eternity
Genre: Synth-Pop
Purity Ring went from one of my music obsessions in 2011, off of a handful of songs, to releasing one of my favorite albums; Shrines in 2012. I loved their sound, I knew it wasn’t for everyone but it worked oh so well for me. It is this fact that makes another eternity such an amazing feat for me to admire. On this sophomore effort the style and sounds from their debut are very well maintained, the tweaks made are very subtle in the macro sense, but are very authoritative to the sound that hits the listener’s ears. First it begins with a more aggressive environment provided by Corin Roddick. The beats have a bit more teeth and aren’t afraid to take an unsolicited swing at the listener. Not to be outdone, Megan James also ups her vocals to have a bit more presence and her lyrics to not rely so heavily on figurative. Each (singer and producer) takes moments in the recordings to take a step back and let the other take the lead, only to end each song with both at full strength. The result is 10 songs that invade your conscious with their catchiness and overtake you neck muscles with their demand for head bobbing; to at times full on dancing. The exponential progression here from an already great debut album is quite remarkable.
5.) Major Lazer – Peace Is The Mission
Genre: Electronic / Dance
For the third installment of Diplo’s “side project that turned into his main project” he continued to progress the music more towards accessibility (as was the case from the more eccentric and unique first album to the club-friendly second album). In their debut, 2009’s Guns Don’t Kill People… Lazers Do, the music’s dancehall and reggae influences were worn aggressively on the epidermis as a badge of honor. With the shift in the group members around Diplo between albums, 2013’s follow up Free The Universe, those influences became more of an exoskeleton giving the EDM a unique framework to stand up with. On Peace Is The Mission the influences still are present but become more of a backbone in the heart of the electronic music; less of a literal entity in the songs that grabs you. I know a lot might prefer the more distinctive sound from 2009; I personally hope it won’t be completely abandoned in future releases. But despite the risk of falling generic going more mainstream, I still can’t deny that this is the strongest collection of songs that the group has put together. There isn’t a song that quite hits the sweet spot of perfection between these sounds ML found themselves in for “Watch Out For This”. The pace is much less breakneck as the previous two albums (one of my personally favorite traits about ML’s music to this point) but the songs still stand so powerfully in the ML catalog. Of course everyone has heard “Lean On” at least a few hundred times, and for good reason. But songs like the impossible-not-to-dance-to “Too Original” and the emotionally potent “Powerful” sneak up on you on the third or fourth listens. The strength of this album is also it being the shortest of the three. There isn’t a wasted moment in this album, were in their past efforts there’s a few moments here and there I could do without. Major Lazer have turned a corner in the mainstream with this album, let’s hope Diplo continues to use this ever-growing notoriety to push pop music to new places; not follow it.
4.) Kwabs – Love + War
Genre: R&B
In 2014 London’s Kwabs released three great EP’s introducing his powerful form of R&B to the world. I was anticipating this album to be good one, but was still pleasantly surprised by the vocal slap in the face it was. Kwab’s voice is so potent over production that equally packs a forceful punch. Times on the album the production takes a step bad and the mood is more somber, Kwabs voice still is as powerful and emotional as ever. I dare anyone to listen to the album closure “Cheating On Me” and not feel a twinge in their throat. I feel Kwabs still has more ground to cover in the US, so look out for the talented, young Brit to start getting more love stateside.
3.) Miguel – Wildheart*
Genre: Alt-R&B
Since I first heard the J. Cole assisted “All I Want Is You” from his debut album of the same name, I was hooked on the smooth vocals of Miguel. It’s that smoothness that has led Miguel to be one of the most sought after hook singers for hip hop artists. In 2012 Miguel perfected his suave alt-R&B sound from his debut with the great Kaleidoscope Dream. For his third offering Miguel didn’t remain complacent and looked to expand his musical pallet to a more rock infused sound. The sexiness is still there but now his voice is dancing around some dirty electric guitars and more rough percussions. The sound has sharp edges and at times is a bit more aggressive then Miguel’s past offerings. Miguel manages to take this roughness as a way to enhance the raw emotion in the songs. I can see heavy Purple Rain influences in Wildheart and I think Miguel accomplished this lofty feat beautifully.
2.) Disclosure – Caracal
Genre: Electronic / Pop
The album starts with a few seconds of air, almost telling the listening to take a deep breath of oxygen before taking that last bounce off of the diving board; you will need it. By 3 minutes into the lush 6 minute opener track featuring one of the top artists of 2015, The Weeknd, the listener is fully emerged in the world created by the English Brothers. Disclosure’s sophomore album’s feature list reads like an amazing music festival from not well known new comers in LION BABE, Nao and Jordan Rakei to some of the most popular artist of the last couple years in Lorde, Sam Smith, Kwabs and The Weeknd to seasoned vets in Miguel and Gregory Porter. Taking the same mold that made their debut Settle one of 2013’s best albums and sanding down some of the edges to a more defined product all together, the Lawrence brothers clearly stand out in a currently rather robust Electronic music field.
1.) Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp A Butterfly
Genre: Hip Hop
At first it felt like homework. It was overwhelmingly robust, convoluted and wound with so much tension you kept waiting for it to let go and a rubber band to slap you in the ear drum. The initial times listening to Kendrick Lamar’s sophomore effort was like running through a dense forest with every wet branch whacking you in the face along the way. I was worried if Kendrick had gone too far and sacrificed the entertainment factor of music too much for artistic integrity. It didn’t help that still two years since its release, Kendrick’s debut good kid, m.A.A.d. city was still in heavy rotation in all of our iTunes. good kid was such an accessible album from the first spin, yet still had a level of sophistication and artistic quality in the story telling and strong concept of the album; superior to almost anything else in the genre. Then to follow it up, Kendrick made such a dense album that as I said before, not only was it a challenge to the listener, but was downright confrontational. I could tell the true talent and beauty of what has been made, but couldn’t see through it all of the layers to enjoy it. Despite all of this, I was still obsessed with the album and immersed myself in it for multiple days. Eventually the storylines and multiple metaphors began to slowly shape themselves more clearly; the layers of musical genres throughout the album began to interact in harmony instead of in conflict as I perceived before. Then as I wrote in my lengthy piece here (even with the typos I think it is a great read!) about my initial interactions with the album it all seemed to connect. Suddenly, what seemed like drudgery became elation. The album has moods and organically expresses them. This is evident in the production as it transfers from an in your face modern funk to sharp and apprehensive jazz then to more somber R&B and eventually to a smoother and uplifting jazz. This is also apparent in the meanings as the songs progress from representing anticipation, to depression, to hope, to action and ultimately to love. This album is not for everyone and that is fine and dandy. But, to those willing to struggle with it, as I have, this album has been one of the most rewarding albums in the last several years. I truly believe with hindsight we could look back on TPAB as my generation’s Sgt. Pepper Lonely Heart Club Band / Dark Side Of The Moon / It Takes A Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back / Kid A as albums that challenged the listener at first but once it is truly digested, it is commonly considered a masterpiece in modern music. Maybe I’m just caught up in the moment (although this album came out now 9 months ago and I still believe this), but I think Kendrick just released the single most important album in the last 15 years. Lastly, “I LOVE MYSELF!”
Other Honorable Mentions:
Action Bronson – Mr. Wonderful, The Alchemist & Oh No – Welcome to Los Santos, Alessia Cara – Know It All, Alesso – Forever, AWOLNATION – Run, A$AP Rocky – At.Long.Last.A$AP, Autre Ne Veut – Age Of Transparency, BADBADNOTGOOD & Ghostface Killah – Sour Soul, Babyface – Return of the Tender Lover, Beirut – No No No*, BOOTS – Aquaria, BØRNS – Dopamine, Bryson Tiller – T R A P S O U L, CeeLo Green – Heart Blanche, Ciara – Jackie, Christian Rich – FW14, Coldplay – Adventure of a Lifetime, Death Cab for Cutie – Kintsugi, Dillion Francis - This Mixtape Is Fire [Mixtape], Dom Kennedy – Dom Kennedy, Drake – If You’re Reading This, It’s Too Late [Mixtape], Eligh – 80 HRTZ, Emile Haynie – We Fall, Fashawn – The Ecology, Fetty Wap – Fetty Wap, Florence + The Machine – How Big How Beautiful*, The Foreign Exchange – Tales From The Land Of Milk and Honey , Future – Beast Mode [Mixtape], The Game – The Documentary 2, The Game – The Documentary 2.5, G-Eazy – When It’s Dark Out, Giorgio Moroder – Déjà Vu, Ghostface Killah & Adrian Younge – Twelve Reasons To Die II, Hudson Mohawke – Lantern, Ibeyi – Ibeyi, The Internet – Ego Death, iSHi – Spring Practice [Mixtape], Jack Ü – Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack Ü, Jamie Foxx – Hollywood: A Story of A Dozen Roses, Janet Jackson – Unbreakable, Jason Derulo – Everything Is 4, Jay Rock – 90059, Jeremih – Late Nights, Justin Bieber – Purpose, Kehlani – You Should Be Here, KYLE – SMYLE, L’Orange & Kool Kieth – Time? Astonishing!, L’Orange & Jeremiah – The Night Took Us In Like Family, Lianne La Hava – Blood, Lucki Eck$ - X [Mixtape], Ludacris – Ludaversal, Mac Miller – GO:OD AM, Matt & Kim – New Glow, Metric – Pagans In Vegas, Mikky Ekko – Time, MS MR – How Does It Feel, MURS – Have A Nice Life, Muse – Drones, The Neighbourhood – Wiped Out!, Omen – Elephant Eyes, Raekwon – Fly International Luxurious Art, Ratatat – Magnifique, Raury – All We Need, Redman – Mudface, Scareface – Deeply Rooted, Shamir – Ratchet, Shy Girls – 4WZ [Mixtape], Silverspoon Pickups – Better Nature, SOAK – Before We Forget How To Dream, Sufjan Stevens – Carrie & Lowell, Talib Kweli & 9th Wonder – Indie 500, Tech N9NE – Special Effects, Tobias Jesso Jr. – Goon, Toro Y Moi – Samantha [Mixtape], Toro Y Moi – What For?, Travi$ Scott – Rodeo, Trey Songz – Intermissions I & II, Tyler The Creator – Cherry Bomb, Various Artists – 50 Shades of Grey [Soundtrack], Wale – The Album About Nothing, X Ambassadors - VHS, Yellow Claw – Blood For Mercy, YG, Blonco & DB Tha General – California Living [Mixtape], Zella Day – Kicker
Not So Honorable Mentions (Disappointing Albums):
Belly – Up For Days [Mixtape], Big K.R.I.T. – All My Life [Mixtape], Drake & Future – What A Time To Be Alive [Mixtape], Earl Sweatshirt – I Don’t Like Shit, I Don’t Go Outside, Future – DS2, J.Cole – Revenge of the Dreamers II [Mixtape], Jodeci – The Past, The Present, The Future, Kid Cudi – Speeding Bullet 2 Heaven, Method Man – The Meth Lab, Mumford & Sons – Wilder Mind, Snoop Dogg – BUSH, Ty Dolla $ign – Free TC
