2015 ended on a sour note for me. However true that may be, I can't ignore the positives of this year. I feel like I grew a lot as person and gained more appreciation for the people I have in my life. Each year is a gift that we should hold on to, because life can be so fleeting. As I see my nephew grow up before my eyes, it's becoming more and more apparent how time is something that needs to be cherished.
2015 also happened to be a fantastic year for music. I tried my best to order these 50 albums. Not ordered really by what is "best" but more by what spoke to me, what I listened to the most, or what I just thought was plain old neat. I hope you enjoy.
50. Ducktails : St.Catherine
I’m beginning to like Ducktails more than I like Real Estate. This album only increases that feeling.
49. Benoît Piolard : Sonnet
I don’t know if he meant to do it, but Benoît made a perfect studying record. Just enough white noise, just enough peacefulness, this is just bare bones beauty and is perfect for reading or in the background when insomnia hits.
48. 100 Watt Horse : Everything is Alright Forever and Forever and Forever and Thank You
Thank You Thank You Amen
Maybe would have been ranked higher if its title wasn’t so annoying to type. I’m an absolute sucker for good melody and this album has one of my favorites in its first track (Bees 1). Overall, a solid folk effort that is definitely carried by strong melody.
47. Ghost Culture : S/T
I don’t delve too much into purely electronic music, but this easily caught my ear. It has a dance beat feel, but with a very ethereal vibe which creates a unique experience. Has a bit too much sameness, but it manages to create a mood that is refreshing.
46. Netherfriends : Blues Trap
Blues is fun, Trap is fun. Why not both? This album manages to combine the two without loses the soul of either in a fun genre bender. Not the highest form of art in the world, but it finds and satisfies a niche that I didn’t realize existed.
45. A$AP Rocky : At Long Last A$AP
Speaking of trap…honestly, I just absolutely adore the song Canal St. It is a solid album that show’s that Rocky is growing as an artist. Definitely more to come from him and this makes that prospect more exciting.
44. Broken Water : Wrought
A solid piece of shoegaze fun. Manages to combine the classic sounds of something like MBV while still finding its own voice. But if we’re mentioning voice, it should be noted that the female vocalist’s parts are more enjoyable to my ear than the male’s. Her songs shine much more while some of his seem like a completely different entity just tacked on.
43. Earl Sweatshirt : I Don’t Like Shit, I Don’t Go Outside
Sad rap. Manages to use very minimal and lofi beats in an interesting way. The feeling of bleakness in the lyrics combines well with the beats to give strong emotion to the whole work.
42. Chon : Grow
It might be frustrating for the band, but the best song on this album is the only one with vocals. Can’t Wait is just a fantastic song, that they shouldn’t ignore this facet of the group. Whole the straight up math rock instrumentation of the rest of the LP is impressive, I want more of what I heard in that song.
41. Foxing : Dealer
While it doesn’t have the same emotional rawness as some of their other work (Rory being the prime example) Foxing manages to create one large, more even, but still hard hitting album. Combing the feelings of modern emo and post rock flair, this only points to more growth.
40. Lakker : Tundra
I’m not very good at putting into words what I like about electronic music, so I’m not really going to try. I just enjoyed this a lot.
39. San Fermin : Jackrabbit
Varied vocalists (the male sounds like something out of a National cover band), interesting use of horns, and a fun live show. Whats not to like?
38. Jamie XX : In Colour
Clearly didn’t love this as much as some critics, but I definitely enjoyed it. His work away from the xx is much more exciting and this has me wanting more. Maybe more length next time?
37. Godspeed You! Black Emperor : Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress
Favorite post rock release of the year. They continue to build upon their drone influences while staying true to their roots as a darker and more heavy hitter in a genre most famous for pretty reverb guitar licks.
36. Lightning Bolt : Fantasy Empire
You know sometimes one just wants some angry, loud, violent sounding rock. This satisfies that urge masterfully. The talent on display here is mesmerizing. They manage to create a harsh sound that somehow invites the listener in closer instead of making them shy away.
35. Waxahatchee : Ivy Tripp
A more or less straightforward folk / folk rock sounding album. Is ranked this high only because its opener Breathless is maybe my favorite song of the year. Definitely my favorite opener.
34. Grooms : Comb the Feelings Through Your Hair
Grooms. Drumming. Grooms.
33. The Shivers : Forever is a Word
This is a throwback to the days of the mainstream soul / blues soft love making jam. They do this is in a sincere way, so it feels less like someone making a reference, but more like a band showing reverence.
32. Leon Bridges : Coming Home
Another throwback album, this one to the days of Motown. Leon has an energy to him that is infectious. From the days when this was just a few singles randomly on Spotify, it was obvious this album would be huge. He is filling a void in the modern music scene by having the right amount of soul to properly harken back to the days of the original Detroit crooners.
31. Mount Eerie : Sauna
If you know my music taste, you know I love Phil Elverum. While not his best work, it is one that shows how far he’s come. It has the sounds from everything from Clear Moon, to Ocean’s Roar, to Dawn, and even the microphones Glow pt.2 days. He continues to create his own little world where we are only visitors, but still feel like familiar friends.
30. Young Fathers : White Men are Black Men Too
This just feels like what would happen if Animal Collective came together and created a Hip Hop album, and I for one absolutely dig that.
29. Pinkshinyultrablast : Everything Else Matters
Blending indie pop rock stylings and classic shoegaze in a successful package.
28. Viet Cong : S/T
Harsh sounding, but in a lovable way. Viet Cong’s members are tired of the world’s shit and want to confront it via post-punk stylings. While maybe a bit on the nose (what with being named after the Viet Cong) they show that rock music can have an intelligent voice while still not saying much new at all.
27. Unknown Mortal Orchestra : Multi-Love
A consistently strong group, UMO continues their funky and groovy discography with this solid release.
26. Ought : Sun Coming Down
I love vocalists like Tim Darcy. He isn’t good. But he is good. His voice just fits absolutely perfect with the music his band creates and this is certainly no exception. A little jarring and unforgiving, it provides a stunning center for those willing to look past the shell.
25. Title Fight : Hyperview
If last year you told me Title Fight would release a shoegaze inspired album that would become one of my favorites of the year, you’d seem crazy. Yet here we are. They somehow kept the same uncompromised emotions while stripping away at all the distortion from albums like Floral Green. Is this what they are now? Will they change genres again? I’m excited to find out and you should be too.
24. Courtney Barnett : Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit
The boringness of everyday minutia might not seem like the greatest building block for an album, but Courtney Barnett makes it work. Simple relationships and little conflicts are truly what we can relate to the most. The uncomplicated shines through and reminds us what it’s like to just be a person.
23. Girlpool : When the World Was Big
Stripped down to a band’s barest parts, Girlpool whines and shouts against their increased role in the world. Growing up is freighting and responsibility might as well be a four letter word. It feels modern, but still has a certain nostalgia to it.
22. mewithoutYou : Pale Horses
The masters of the album as one large work of art, mewithoutYou delivers again. Reoccurring codas, melodies, and that same love of religious imagery. The quiet moments give way to the forceful, with the old speaking singing becoming more of a passenger to howls of anger and intensity.
21. The World is a Beautiful Place and I am no Longer Afraid to Die : Harmlessness
While the trope of large emo bands with long winded names might seem trite, TWIABP subverts that due to their absolute sincerity. They play ranging, grandiose songs that feel increasingly more mature than the term “emo” implies. The expansiveness of the music being undercut by relatable themes makes a wholly personal experience out of what could have been an alienating one. This is a band that is growing with each record, just like the range of what they play.
20. Lady Lamb : After
Never one for a consistent sound, Aly Spaltro still is able to have her ramblings (both lyrically and musically) form together in an odd unison of folk wonder. She is showing more and more growth as a songwriter and this is a great sign for the future.
19. Cloakroom - Further Out
From its opening bars, this album announces itself in a sludgey wave of brilliance. Emo lyrical sensibilities with the music of a shoegaze loving stoner rock band, Cloakroom staggers forward with genuine depth and a throaty, distorted punch.
18. Sorority Noise : Joy, Departed
Infectious melody, related emo lyricisms, with talented and fun guitar work. Really, that’s all I want in the world.
17. Hop Along : Painted Shut
Musically punchy, lyrically heartfelt, and sung in a way that just screams earnest, this is what it’s all about. Frances Quinlan has a voice that just naturally oozes feeling. If it was an album that stood alone on its vocalist, it would be strong. If it was an album that stood alone on its instrumentation, it would be strong. They both come together here to craft something special.
16. Happyness : Weird Little Birthday
Not many bands could pull off a nearly 9 minute long super quiet repetitive jam quite like these guys. Stretching out over an hour, Weird Little Birthday is a more or less soft spoken, understated, goofy little slice of heaven.
15. Elvis Depressedly : New Alhambra
The same lofi feel with the same short length, this is a textbook Elvis Depressedly album, yet it somehow feels different. It’s still sad songs (despite what NMSS says), but there is more. It’s more indie pop than ever. It’s almost lush. This optimism that is beginning to peak its head into the music is a good change. Emotional range is new territory here and the treading is careful, but well done.
14. Eskimeaux : O.K.
Dreamy, melodic, indie pop is fun right? Right? Not always. Especially not here. Yeah, on the surface it’s a neat romp through the indiesphere, but beneath that we have depth. Friendships and the real fears and responsibilities that go along with it, sometimes we want to ignore what it really means to have a human connection. This album reminds us to think deeper on what it really means to be close.
13. Archy Marshall : A New Place 2 Drown
A lonely, dark, and grey musical landscape is the backdrop for Archy’s baritone mutterings. Never one to pull punches, he finds himself in a dark place and is telling everyone about it. While it can be difficult to decipher what he’s saying, the lines that materialize through the fog hit hard.
12. Deerhunter : Fading Frontier
Bradford Cox doesn’t seem like the type to make a pleasant sounding, warm album. Yet, stranger things have happened, and that is where we find ourselves now. While normally making much darker sounding pieces, there is a warmness in tone here. Of course the lyrics betray that feeling, but it is a different step for Cox.
11. Fred Thomas : All Are Saved
He doesn’t really sing much. The songs sound vaguely pleasant until you really listen to what’s happening. The words come in long winded waves. This is the unique sound of Fred Thomas. He’s feeling nostalgic for memories ; Memories that he might hate, but they are still vital to his growth. He really only wants to connect with someone. Isn’t that what we all want?
10. Deafheaven : New Bermuda
When Sunbather came out it opened a lot of doors. Deafheaven somehow got black metal, shoegaze, and post rock to come together into one package and find widespread appeal. This raised many questions in the minds of their fans however. Would they continue in this direction? Would they lose their punch? Is Deafheaven near Blindheaven? Well, the questions were quickly answered and in brutal fashion. A heavier outing in every way, New Bermuda shows Deafheaven never forgot their roots.
9. Astronauts, Etc. : Mind Out Wandering
An intimate bedroom pop session with the touring keyboardist from Toro y Moi. Anthony Ferraro’s falsetto is carefully executed to draw the listener in while still maintaining a relaxed atmosphere. It somehow keeps this loosened feel while still revealing quite a lot of emotional depth.
8. Destroyer : Poison Season
It feels more like a musical than an album. I adored this, but had trouble listening to it multiple times because of the theatrics. It exists more as a performance piece, if that makes sense. It has a unique and different feel and is one hell of a work of art.
7. Tame Impala : Currents
I think just a week ago I thought this was a dull album. I thought it lacked depth and had no range in tone. Then I bought a decent pair of headphones and gave it another try and was blown away. Every note is carefully crafted to create a sonic experience that is second to none. The lyrics actually tell an intense tale of people moving on from a dying relationship. The songs are long, shifting, building, and gorgeous.
6. Jamaican Queens : Downers
Remember MGMT? I do. I remember the first time I heard them, where I was, who I was with. I thought they had so much potential, but up until now I don’t think they really delivered. Well, Jamaican Queens are shaping up to fill that void. Vulnerable, emotional lovestruck songs that grow within themselves are what they excel at. Served up among other things is the hopeless feeling of fading love, dying friendships, and boredom living as a couple. The album title hits the nail on the head, these songs are lyrically downers, but the electronic production masks it to make a binary listening experience
5. Beach House : Depression Cherry
I feel odd about this one being so high. Although I do feel like they’re growing, Beach House has found their sound and has more or less stuck to it. This album isn’t much of an exception, but yet it feels fresh to me. I absolutely love this for night bike rides because of its rich layers. It is so easy to get lost among the notes with the vocals carrying you along, not as a director, but more as a someone else sharing the trip. Where Beach House really makes their mark is in their excellent melodies and this album has that in spades. Each song drifts along through ebbs and flows and I’m just enjoying being caught in the tide.
4. Father John Misty - I Love You, Honeybear
Another “generic” pick, but damn, there is a reason this is so popular. FJM by some means makes a sad, angry, biting, sarcastic, bitter love album. He’s pissed guys are talking to his wife. He’s mad about relationships being so online based. He hates his old one night stands. But damn, he’s in love. “I haven’t hated all the same things as someone else since I remember.” That right there is one of my favorite lines of the year, maybe ever. He manages to boil down who he is and what he really wants out of love in one little line. He’s always going to be an unapologetic jackass, but he finally found that one person who accepts that.
3. Jeff Rosenstock - We Cool?
To be college aged and lonely can be a hell of a thing. You look outside your window and you see nothing but people hanging out, enjoying themselves. But why are you different? Well, your friends moved away. You don’t go to the bars. When you do manage to get invited to parties, you make an ass of yourself. Fuck it, you’ll just stay home and drink by yourself. These are the experiences that Jeff lays on the line in this album. His baring of his soul makes you realize that these things are normal. It’s not just you. Everyone is young and confused and sometimes it will get messy and sad. Jeff just happens to get messy and sad for everyone to see.
2. Kendrick Lamar : To Pimp a Butterfly
It is incredibly difficult to make a year end list and not include this album. Even if you ignore what Kendrick is saying and take it at face value, it’s an incredibly funky and enjoyable album. But that’s not what makes Kendrick great. He is making hip hop albums for a increasingly socially conscious generation. Hell, the chorus from Alright has been used at protests. When you can make an album that has widespread mainstream appeal while also having a deep message, you’ve done something special and Kendrick has become the new face of that feat.
1. Sufjan Stevens : Carrie & Lowell
Sufjan is a man who is willing to absolutely bare his soul. Seeing him perform these songs in person is overwhelmingly emotional, because of how heartfelt they are. For me, this album is painfully relatable. Losing my mother, having limited contact with my father for years, bleak feelings, all things I have felt. While not exactly the same as Sufjan’s, my experiences make me feel closer to his. He is doing something I could not yet imagine with this album and its tour. This is musical honesty in its purest form and a near perfect work of art. His softly whispered vocals are perfectly suited for this, with his deftly and gingerly picked guitar. This is less an album of songs, but more an album of family memories. Memories best left forgotten. But Sufjan knows forgetting them would betray himself. These memories, however painful, made him into the man he is today and now was his time to fully explore his past.
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