Top 10 albums of 2015
Kendrick Lamar: To Pimp a Butterfly •
King Kendrick dropped what might be one of the best rap albums this side of the Y2K scare. The social, political, and personal journey of an African American struggling with fame and self-destruction put Kendrick into a different stratosphere than most other rappers in the game. The fully formed and well thought album has yet to be rivaled by a rapper this year.
Jamie XX: In Colour •
The XX member Jamie Smith delved into his solo career over the last few years teasing out remixes and other singles. Finally, he released his first EP and it left audiences stunned, a revival of what it means to be a DJ was once again heard. The funk influences, artistic mixing, and beautifully crafted production make In Colour one of the top albums of 2015
Sufjan Stevens: Carrie & Lowel •
Eerily personal ballads and vocal styling of Sufjan Stevens once again have entered the ears of fans everywhere. One of the most personal top 10 albums of 2015 sends the listener on an emotional rollercoaster with Stevens’ sweet voice controlling the direction.
Father John Misty: I Love You, Honeybear •
Former Fleet Foxes drummer Josh Tillman started his solo act as Father John Misty a few years ago and with the release of his new album he has progressed into full form. The witty social commentary on love, relationships, art and music moves the listener. A personal album with hints of comic release make the album continually turn itself over.
Vince Staples: Summertime ‘06
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The West Coast rapper Vince Staples never really wanted to become a rapper, but started hanging out with Tyler the Creator’s posse Odd Future to escape the streets. With the help of producer No I.D. supplying the beats, Staples put out one of the rap albums full of this summer’s bangers.
Tame impala: Currents
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Kevin Parker’s outfit Tame Impala progressed towards their ultimate form of making music, according to Parker. Currents appears to be more fully formed as a complete album, chalked full of the same psychedelic tones, but more spatial aware of the atmosphere the music takes up. If Currents isn’t Parker’s idea of his perfect music and just a step in the evolution, the next album may be one of the greatest of all time.
The Chemical Brothers: Born in the echoes
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The electronic stylings of The Chem Bros have been on hiatus for a few years, but finally the silence has been broken. Finally, well produced electronic music has broken into the airwaves, with all the garbage EDM put out real house music fans can rejoice over Born in the Echoes
Panda Bear: Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper •
The Animal Collective band member followed up his 2012 album Tomboy facing some of the demons in his mind. Mainly death as the title of the album alludes to, the creepy electronic tones and distorted air space typical of Panda make the album unnervingly beautiful.
Courtney Barnett: Sometimes I sit and think, and sometimes I just sit The 27 year old singer song writer rolled out her first proper EP, and showed all the critics why she’s one of the best lyricist out there. The Dylanesque stylings and wit make Barnett’s album on of the best of 2015 thus far.
The dead weather: Dodge and Burn
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Another one of Jack White’s bands, The Dead Weather, where White plays the drums and hands the mic (for the most part) off to the Kills Alison Mosshart. While City and Colour bassist Jack Lawerence, and Queens of the Stone Age keyboardist Dean Fertita fill out the rest of the band. Dodge and Burn is the follow up to 2010’s Sea of Cowards. The album didn’t receive the greatest critical reviews, but may be one of the best true rock and roll albums out this year.
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