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Top 25 Favorite Albums and Songs of 2015

Many great records this year some pretty big disappointments (Enter Shikari, Puscifer, Coheed and Cambria) but some surprises and new artists to follow up on. Hip Hop had the biggest streak of great releases since I can remember this year with Dr Dre releasing his first record in over a decade after much anticipation along with the NWA drama film Straight Outta Compton was released, Drake released an amazing mixtape out of nowhere and collaborated with Future for a release. Indie rap had some great releases as well from Fashawn, Kirk Night, Goldlink, Rich Homie Quan, Hopsin, Dizzy Wright, Jarren Benton and Swizzz. Kendrick Lamar, Meek Mill, J. Cole, A$AP Rocky, Big Sean, Machine Gun Kelly, Young Thug and Kid Ink all released great albums this year. 2 great records alone from The Game! First record from Scarface in 7 years and Fetty Wap with just his debut record cashed in numbers that only compare to Eminem and Drake. I couldnt fit every great 2015 hip hop record on this list but a separate list of just hip hop could have easily been made. I chose the best records of a wide variety of genres with 25 being my least favorite and 1 being most favorite. Hopefully you find something new out of this list!

25. Hopsin - Pound Syndrome (Rap)

The self produced independent and relatable L.A. rapper Hopsin has released his fifth record Pound Syndrome. Hopsin is a rapper known for his very charismatic and down to earth personality and his rap persona reflects that as well. The lyrical quality on this record is everything you might expect from Hopsin which isnt a ground breaking thing but yet still feels refreshing in the world of hip hop. Since his 2008 Emurge record Hopsin has been making quality and personally expressive records with his last record Knock Madness making my top 25 records of 2013. The undeniable characteristic of Hopsin though is that, while he can be clever and emotionally deep, he can be corny, gimmicky and sometimes contradicting.

Pound Syndrome proves that Hopsin’s flow and lyrical development is constantly improving with each release. As noted on the rest of his back catalog, his flow and critical and contemplative lyrical delivery is very Slim Shady Eminem inspired with even his lyrical content that contains melodic singing and deep, dark and exposing emotional topics and while Hopsin has been gaining more notoriety and success with each release his beats dont seem to reflect that. Some of his beats here dont even stand up to the beats on his 2010 record Raw. Lyrically Hopsin covers a lot of ground here. On parts of the album he comes off more cocky and sexist, something that never usually came through in Hopsins records like in the songs “Ramona”, “Mr Jones” and “Crown Me”. This may be an attempt to stand up to current cocky rappers like Drake, Kendrick Lamar and Kanye West and indirectly mocking rappers like Young Thug, T-Pain, and Future on the track “No Words” for their fake gimmicky autotune. Other times though Hopsin is mature and humble like in the song “Fort Collins” where he apologizes for abandoning a part of the tour for his last record when he slipped into a state of anxiety and depression. He goes into his upbringing going into his early lesser known days and who he was and why he is who he is today in the song “No Hope”.

My favorite moments of maturity though, despite their poor cheesy beats, on this record is the track “Ill Mind of Hopsin 7″ which is an inner emotional conflict between faith and logic when he is not only questioning the existence of God but questions his own conviction and devotion as a christian as well. Ultimately the cleverly written track ends with him deciding to live as an atheist and for himself individually. The other moment is on my favorite track “Fly” in which he speaks out about society’s intent to brainwash through its material items and media propaganda. He mentions marketing ads, racism, greed and television asking you to open your eyes and question yourself. While I love the lyricism on this track and his flow, I cant help but feel a bit of contradiction and hypocrisy when you look at both Hopsin’s previous tracks content even on songs before this on the record and his actions in his own life, not to mention he uses autotune in the chorus which he made stabs at earlier in the record. I don’t doubt he believes the things he says, sometimes… Hes harped on this topic before in the past, I just think he needs to devote more to the topic so we feel more strongly about his position.

Over all I think Pound Syndrome wasnt a perfect record and far from my number one record of 2015, most of it was very predictable and contradicting, but I think it was a fantastic one even still. I think as far as rap content goes he offers something the pop culture is missing. I think Hopsin has a lot of potential and more room to grow in terms of maturity, consistency and conviction and this record proves that. I think Hopsin has his flow down, but I think hes still trying to find his place not only in the world of hip hop but I believe in society and in his own life. He needs to focus more on a lyrical theme and content within his records as well as production. I dont think Pound Syndrome was his best release but it no doubt was one of the better rap records of the year. If you like artists like Swizzz, Dizzy Wright, Jarren Benton, Tech N9ne, Krizz Kaliko, CES Cru, Eminem, Rittz, or Stevie Stone you will love this album.

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24. Third Eye Blind - Dopamine (Pop Rock)

The first record in six years has emerged from San Francisco’s anthemic 90s pop rock band Third Eye Blind called “Dopamine”. A much anticipated record despite my disappointment over their lack luster fourth record “Ursa Major”. Third Eye Blind, when it comes to their self titled debut release, have been a band that have left a lasting impression on both my childhood and young adult life. Their music is accessible catchy and poppy but is at the same time original, soulful and melodic. One of the only pop bands of their generation to produce genuinely great unique music. Im happy to say their latest record “Dopamine” is in much better taste than their previous release.

While Third Eye Blinds first couple records are fantastic it became apparent after the success of their first record that egos began to clash and greed began to consume the music within the band which ultimately impacted the bands line up and affect the quality of their music. Since then to probably just a few years ago it seemed singer Stephan Jenkins had fallen victim to lead singer syndrome, however he seems to be in a better head space with this record and recent tour with his vocals sounding better than ever and him attempting to redeem his inner spirit and self consciousness. He definitely seems to be showing much more gratitude for his success over the past 20 years as he presumably calls the quits in the music business. The record captures the usual 3eb sound with dark, abusive and melancholic themes where Jenkins is confronting his ghosts while backed with very anthem energetic and at times ironically upbeat music, while other times they are exploring a more dance beat, new wave, indie shoegaze inspired sound with piano ballads with the mood of the cure and the atmosphere of Arcade Fire which surprisingly works well for 3eb. The album is definitely less aggressive,abrasive, witty and angsty when compared to their first record but we saw those things begin disappearing when their second record “Blue” released in 1999.

Dopamine is a simple nostalgic record that serves as a decent comeback for the band. I feel the original magic still isnt there here but i feel a new emotion and energy has been rejuvenated for me for sure with this new record and has them under my radar again. After seeing them live for the first time on this recent tour I was definitely left wanting more, so despite Jenkins recent comments of this being the bands last record I really hope they continue working up from this recent formula and continue to keep 3eb alive as he has also stated. I have my fingers crossed for a 20 anniversary tour on their debut release either way! If you like bands like Goo Goo Dolls, Eve 6, Nine Days, Better than Ezra, Everclear, Sugar Ray, Tonic, Matchbox Twenty or Semisonic you will love this album. My favorite tracks are “Everything is Easy”, “Shipboard Cook”, “Rites of Passage”, “Dopamine”, and “Mine”.

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23. Superheaven - Ours is Chrome (Post-Grunge)

Superheaven are a post-grunge emocore band from Pennsylvania that have released their sophomore record Ours is Chrome reflecting a style of music influenced by post-grunge bands like Silverchair, Failure, Bush and Seether. This is another band that much like Citizen and Balance and Composure I could see myself playing in. The style of music is gritty sludgy but still melodic. Its not an unknown fact that since Seattle’s grunge scene was exploited it gave birth to many bands in the mid 90s and into the 2000s, some good and some very terrible, and creating a trending radio friendly scene. Unlike many of Superheaven’s post-grunge contemporaries though, they deliver a refreshing quality and substance that has been missing from a majority of the grunge influenced bands before them.

While much of this record does sounds very late 90s early 2000s post grunge there are times on this record that unmistakably reflect even late 80s early 90s Seattle grunge bands like Seaweed, TAD, Screaming Trees and even Nirvana! As well as 90s emo bands like Mineral and Jawbreaker. Lyrically they offer dark depressing angsty themes youd expect from a 90s inspired rock band. The chunky, heavily distorted guitars and hooks on Ours is Chrome really bring out that 90s Alt rock, emocore vibe reminding me of guitarists like Tim Lash, James Iha, Nigel Pulsford, Joey Santiago and Mark Tremonti. Many of the songs have a shoegazing mid tempo drone to them with impacting melodic choruses from Taylor Madison’s vocals reminiscent of Daniel Johns and Gavin Rossdale. The drums though seem to offer a very repetitious rhythm and beat with a stagnant pacing, the records only flaw but I dont feel takes away from the rest of the record perfections.

To me Superheaven is a true post-grunge or at least one among few of post grunge bands that carry substance and a pure influence. I feel they could be a leading figure in the revival of the grunge sound or at least play a significant role in rehashing this post-grunge sound. I think the band has a lot of room to improve still with my only grip on this record being that many of the tracks seem to mesh into one, falling fate to the same same syndrome. I think their songs need more memorable characteristics to them. Ours is Chrome isnt a super memorable record but it is an unrest refreshing one. I really hope the band can define their sound a bit more and throw in a bit of variety on their next effort. Either way I am excited to hear this type of band offering much more than what has been offered in the genre over the past decade. If you like post-grunge bands like Silverchair, Failure, HUM, Alter Bridge, Local H, Bush, Seether, or more recent grunge influenced bands like Title Fight, Turnover, Basement, Balance and Composure, Sainthood Reps, I Was Afraid, Violent Soho, Narrow Head, Black Map, Moose Blood, Citizen or Diamond Youth you will love this album.My favorite tracks are “Ive Been Bored”, “Next to Nothing”, “Leach”, “From the Chest Down” and “Poor Aileen”.

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22. The Smashing Pumpkins - Monuments to an Elegy (Alternative Rock)

Billy Corgan has released another record under the name of the greatly appraised and influential 90s alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. The Pumpkins are a band that rose from Chicago out of nowhere in the middle of the huge success of Pearl Jam and Nirvana during the Seattle grunge scene. The band had a very unique and loud sound from art rock and dream pop to alternative, and hard rock The Smashing Pumpkins quickly rose to success almost overnight. The band was writing hit after hit with such a diverse and god-sent lineup like Jimmy Chamberlin who offered very fierce hard hitting, dynamic and complex drum patterns, James Iha’s wild, psychedelic, twangy and scratchy solos as well as his beautiful melodies, D'arcey Wretzky was a female self taught bass player who brought attitude to both the bands rhythm section and the bands image and Billy Corgan is well, one of the best songwriters of the 20th century and carried a very recognizable and distinct vocal delivery which are both sweetly melodic and scratchy.

As much as I loved the pumpkins for their relentless number of great albums earlier on, their huge success had began to go to front man Billy Corgan’s head. He began to slowly take over complete writing contributions on the pumpkins album to take what seemed like full advantage of claiming their success and future royalties. Billy was definitely looking out for himself and looking at the band on an individual business end rather than a full collaborative group effort that the others proceeded to strive for. The band eventually disbanded after becoming fed up with Billy Corgan’s ego in the late 90s. Corgan released a solo record and created a new band Zwan after the break up which neither release gained any success. Corgan then got a new group of musicians with the same image of his old band mates from The Pumpkins with only drummer Jimmy Chamberlin being the only reprising original member and recorded their first record in 7 years in 2007 under the same name. Corgan consciously chose not to play any songs James Iha wrote and instead only the songs Corgan himself wrote. While the new musicianship was not the same classic Pumpkins sound it was a descent production and recording with both Billy Corgan’s writing and musical compositions seemed to have a much more appealing creative production than what we got on his solo and Zwan projects.

Billy’s power and control over the creative process seems to be affecting his band’s line up. Here we are 7 years after reformation and Billy seems to have managed to lose his entire line-up a second time and while little is known about the instability in the bands lineup, it seems like it is due to the same reasons as the bands prior conflicts. At this point im surprised the band doesnt go by Billy Corgan and The Smashing Pumpkins. Ironically Billy has been criticizing and speaking harshly against Dave Grohl, Courtney Love and even worse Eddie Vedder. Corgan told Howard Stern that Pearl Jam’s work was derivative and sub-par when compared to The Pumpkins and Nirvana during the Seattle music scene in the early 90s, as if his band was even from Seattle and grew from the seed of grunge like Pearl Jam. I think Corgan is also forgetting that Pearl Jam gave The Pumpkins support when they had them open shows on the Ten tour. If it wasn’t for Pearl Jam I wouldn’t have even given The Pumpkins a second listen, its the only reason I even bought Gish… The fact that he is talking about Pearl Jam’s songs not standing the test of time when Pearl Jam wrote Alive in 1990 off a whim, remained 99% unchanged from its original demo recording and still plays on the radio today… Within a matter of days after meeting singer Eddie Vedder for the first time Pearl Jam played their first show consisting of 8 original songs… 3 of which became singles and still play on the radio today and another one was later used in the Cameron Crowe film Singles…

Corgan also called Eddie Vedder self-centered in a different interview regarding the recently leaked article/interview from 1994 with Eddie Vedder regarding his feelings about Kurt Cobain’s death because Eddie stated that hes surprised he didnt go first and that with Kurt gone he will be in the spotlight for the media to destroy next. Two things: One its obvious Corgan didnt read this full interview as you clearly read Eddie’s very emotionally distraught mental state and the pressures that the media had put on Eddie and Kurt that were not as heavily on Billy… I feel Billy Corgan is a success grubbing star who tries with a fair amount of conscious effort to retain his relevance when creating while Kurt and Eddie are creating things with ease and very naturally and are blowing up because of it and all they are doing is being themselves… Its a much more stressful situation with this mindset of not wanting fame but only getting more and more when you push hard and harder. The results can be devastating and they were. This interview with Eddie he talks about calling Courtney Love expressing his condolences and to give moral support and spoke about how he feels a bit of responsibility in regards to Kurts death as he regrets not talking to Kurt and sharing their pressures which may have alleviated some tension and inner turmoil. Since Kurts death Eddie strayed from speaking about it or glamorizing anything in the media as he felt it would be in disrespect to Kurt. All of these things plus the thousands of dollars Pearl Jam and Eddie Vedder donate to charities show that Eddie is far from self-centered, but two Corgan’s hypocritical words against Eddie really only make himself look like an ass since it was due to his self-centered personality that caused his band to crumble and the reason he cant keep a stable line up. Billy Corgan is very delusional, out of touch and in denial if he thinks him or the Pumpkins are more relevant than Pearl Jam. [mic drop]

[slowly picks mic back up]

With that said… As much as I cant stand Billy Corgan and how much his shitty personality seems to ruin his music for me you cant deny that Corgan is a fantastic writer and a unique singer. And I shamefully admit that the new Pumpkin’s record is actually pretty good. The new album Monuments to an Elegy contains much more synthpop styled electronics and harkens back to the Pumpkin’s decline album Adore. Corgan seems to pull influence from post-punk new wave bands like Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, New Order and The Cure with songs like “Run2Me” and “Dorian”. Its a short alternative electropop album that doesn’t over stay its welcome. Its probably the first record that doesn’t sound desperate to sound like “The Smashing Pumpkins” with a much more naturally written production regardless of the album consisting of mostly synthetic instrumentation. The first track “Tiberius” has a pretty sweet melodic keyboard with that Pumpkins vibe, the Black Sabbath influenced “One and All” while “Being Beige” captures a U2 influenced rhythm. Its definitely my favorite of Billy’s comeback records. The album has great energy, anthemic structures and is one of the better releases from Corgan in awhile but outside of that its still just essentially another solo record from Billy Corgan under the Smashing Pumpkins label that’s pretty simple and basic. Lyrically it is much more repetitive, I have seen Corgan do better and musically I’ve always preferred my Pumpkins carved via collaborative group effort. If you like bands like Zwan, Silversun Pickups, My Bloody Valentine, Janes Addiction, Kill Hannah, Sonic Youth, Foo Fighters, HUM, The Lassie Foundation, Placebo, Our Lady Peace, The Violet Burning, Ride, Live, Hole, Suede, Swervedriver or Bush you will love this record. My favorite tracks are “Tiberius”, “Being Beige”, “One and All” and “Monuments”.

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21. Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes - Blossom (Hardcore Punk)

UK native and ex Gallows and Pure Love front man Frank Carter is back at it! In what seems like out of nowhere, Frank has formed a new band and released a new album Blossom under his own name with The Rattlesnakes. Upon first listen hes definitely making a return to a heavier hardcore influenced sound with a very visceral and angry vocal delivery similar to Gallows first record. Its very sonically influenced by UK punk bands Sex Pistols, Discharge, The Exploited, Subhumans and Slaves and is rhythmically pummeling. Behind Frank’s rage he stands against religious extremism. You definitely get a taste of his utter bitterness through out the albums lyrical themes of isolation, loneliness and pure hatred no pun intended. Im definitely loving this record and the rage that its resonating with me as life turns to shit. With each listen it gets better and better. Its been awhile since we heard Frank this angry and while i feel the band name needs some work Im excited to hear what follows this release. If you like bands like Gallows, Pure Love, WLVS, The Bronx, The Ghost of A Thousand, Blackhole, Dead Swans, Your Demise, Gnarwolves, Turnstile, Landscapes, Pure Disgust, or Single Mothers you’ll love this album. My favorite tracks are “Juggernaut”, “Fangs”, “Loss”, and “Beautiful Death”.

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20. Chris Cornell - Higher Truth (Alternative Rock)

The lead singer of famed Seattle grunge band Soundgarden, Chris Cornell, has released his fourth solo effort and is possibly his best solo record to date. Since Cornell’s first and amazing solo record Euphoria I had fallen off and given up on his solo work with his second effort Carry On only being sightly mediocre with it and his third effort Scream being very shallow and gimmicky to put it lightly. Im happy to say this new record Higher Truth is so good its quite possibly better than Euphoria and even better than Audioslaves last record and quite possibly even better than Soundgarden’s last record King Animal!

Higher Truth has a very classic rock feel to it. Cornell’s screeching gritty, soulful, multi octave vocal range and acoustic melodic guitar structured songs really draws a lot of inspiration from classic artists like Robert plant and Jimmy Page as well as Bob Dylan and Neil Young and dare I say Bruce Springsteen into the organ and harmonica featured ballads. Much of the record has a bluesy Joe Perry and Gary Rossington influence on many of the tracks here. When it comes to the albums songwriting and lyricism its much deeper and personal when compared to his previous solo efforts. It feels very self confessing Nick Drake, making many comparisons to the weather referencing either the rain or the clouds in some way with themes surrounding loss, mortality, the inevitable passage of time and appreciating the simple yet meaningful things in life. He also writes a pretty love song about his daughters called “Only These Words”.

Chris Cornell’s Higher Truth is phenomenal from his vocal musical deliveries that sounds as though could fill a huge auditorium to his amazing folky bluesy instrumentation. Higher Truth marks as a Chris Cornell comeback record and and am exited to hear the emotive, melodic and harmonic side he possessed on Euphoria and throughout the 90s. If you like artists like Neil Young, Robert Plant, Soundgarden, Temple of the Dog, Eddie Vedder, Stone Gossard, Mad Season, Audioslave, Scott Weiland, Jerry Cantrell, Mark Lanegan or Billy Corgan you will love this album. My favorite tracks are “Murderer of Blue Skies”, “Before We Disappear”, “Let Your Eyes Wander”, “Bend in the Road”, and “Wrong Side”

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19. Fetty Wap - Fetty Wap (Rap)

Fetty Wap is a New Jersey rapper, singer and cyclopes who has released his critically acclaimed debut record and is a simple but very large and impacting album. With just Fetty Wap’s first and only record he is showing numbers that prove he can stand against big rap names like Drake, Kanye West, Eminem and Lil Wayne, grabbing his listeners and keeping them there. His diverse style of hip hop, r&b and trap is groovy soulful and engaging. For a majority of the record he is singing with a very mumbled lethargic delivery behind a slight autotune and many ays, whoas and ohs over layered instrumental samples and booming trap beats, singing about his devotion for his gang and lady whom he seems to have lost and wants back and also expresses his for love for money. Like a mix of like Bryson Tiller, Future and Quavo. As gimmicky as it really is it is a very hypnotic, contagious and catchy record. This Fetty Wap trap formula is very recognizable and characteristic much like Lil Wayne’s style is. You know Fetty Wap when you hear him.

I love Fetty Waps flow and production of trap inspired beats and samples on this record and despite his flat vocal delivery live his autotune brings out his melodic r&b influenced vocals very well. Lyrically there isnt much being said and mostly repetitious verses and choruses with each song sounding like that last and the next, even the same melodies and words seem to make returns in different songs, but id be lying if i said it wasnt the easiest 20 songs to get through. This record is so contagious, hard hitting and melodic that with even a simple production and formula gold was created. With the major success of this record and the image he has created for himself shows us his potential, I am curious to see where he goes from here. I hope he doesnt just play it safe, but instead incorporates a bit more versatility. I also hope he works on his melodic vocal capabilities, moving away from the crutch of autotune. If you like artists like Ty Dolla $ign, Wiz Khalifa, Kirko Bangz, Future, Migos, Young Thug, K Camp, Rich Homie Quan, French Montana, Meek Mill or Drake you will love this album. My favorite songs are “Trap Queen”, “How We Do Things”, “679″, “Jugg”, “I Wonder”, “Again”, “My Way”, “RGF Island”, and “No Days Off”.

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18. Kurt Vile - B’lieve I’m Goin Down… (Indie Folk)

Pennsylvania has been pumping out all kinds of amazing musicians and bands this year, Kurt Vile is just another the state has to offer. Kurt Vile has released his sixth record B’lieve I’m Goin Down… which contains a very creative mix of indie rock, folk and roots, incorporating banjo piano and acoustic/electric guitars, ultimately going back to the style of his break out critically acclaimed Smoke Ring For My Halo with its intoxicated psychedelic folk. Much of this records sound seems influenced by Tom Petty and Bob Dylan with his twangy vocal delivery and 70s inspired hippie musical arrangements. Also similar to Neil Young, a well known rebellious folk musician who recorded lengthy songs, something not commonly heard in the folk genre just as many of Kurts songs exceeding the 5 minute mark. Unfortunately though at times feel they sit too long, bringing a feeling of exhaustion. He also taps into a bit of Daniel Johnston within some of his lyrical development on B’lieve with songs like “Thats Life Tho”, “Wheelhouse”, “Lost My Head There”, and “Wild Imagination” with their colorful and bizarre themes and imagery, which are some of the stand out tracks on the record as well.

B’lieve really captures that natural, quiet, isolated sound as he wrote and recorded the record in my area of California, the High Desert, an area known for its orangey yellow sunsets, starry skies and mountain ranges and this recorded reflects that. Musically many of the tracks have a peppy jangle to them accommodated with very clever and comical lyricism delivered in a very lethargic stupor bewilderment. The lyrics, on the surface dark yet comedic and sarcastic, explore the worlds duality of tragedy and humor with themes like isolation, spontaneity, paranoia, schizophrenia and singing about the pointlessness and meaninglessness of life. B’lieve I’m Goin Down… is definitely a fantastic and ambitious folk record that feels honest and creative. I love the very intricate dry steel wound guitar riffs and unique vocal delivery. If you like artists like Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Neil Young, Daniel Johnston, The War on Drugs, Cass McCombs, Ty Segal, Vetiver, Lotus Plaza, Real Estate, or Steve Gunn you’ll love this album. My favorite tracks are the ones talked about in this review, but also songs with intricate guitar like “Pretty Pimpin”, “All in a Daze Work”, “Stand Inside” and “Kidding Around”.

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17. Machine Gun Kelly - General Admission (Rap)

Cleveland, Ohio based rapper Machine Gun Kelley has released his second full length record titled General Admission. The thing I like about Machine Gun Kelly and this record is even though apart of a major label like Bad Boy he still seems to remain small and low key, most the time self producing and self promoting creating music from his own ambition. The album at times does come of a little overly epic and melodramatic but I love the themes and personal reflective stories in the lyricism. MGK goes into his upbringing in the midwest and rising to stardom as well as past events, positive and negative, that made him who he is today.

The overall message on this record is nothing can keep you from achieving your goals or dreams. No matter your color of skin, your upbringing or even a not so prideful past of drug addiction, depression, homelessness from a broken family and home or any other anchoring situation, as MGK has been through all that and says its been an up hill battle but he provides proof that success is possible no matter how cloudy it gets. His Marshall Mathers emotive and hook inspired flow really fit the dramatic production and themes on the record, its aggressive, passionate and determined. He offers a very DMX inspired spit style rap. I love the production, featured artists and the overall delivery of the record. Definitely one of my favorite rap records to release this year. If you like artists like DMX, Kid Ink, Hopsin, Yelawolf, French Montana, Macklemore, Rittz, Tech N9ne, Chris Webby, Eminem, Yo Gotti, Ace Hood or Dizzy Wright you will love this record. My favorite tracks are “Spotlight”, “Till I Die”, “World Series”, “Gone”, “Story of the Stairs”, “Merry Go Round”, “A Little More”, and “All Night Long”.

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16. Leon Bridges - Coming Home (R&B)

Leon Bridges is a fresh new singer songwriter from Atlanta Georgia whom upon first listen of his debut record Coming Home you immediately hear the 1960s R&B influence similar to that of Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Sam Cooke and Otis Redding with some southern blues influence as well. Leon Bridges’ not only has the 1960s and 1950s soul and gospel sound to a “T” but he also has the look down with his vintage wardrobe. From the back up female singers, reverb soaked clean guitar to the howling organ and horn arrangements Bridges style doesnt come across and gimmicky or ripped off but rather naturally inspired.

Though Coming Home doesnt exactly offer anything real exciting or original and sounds as though could be heard in the background at any starbucks it is nice to hear a modern musician explore a genre and time period that doesnt get enough attention or exploration. Coming Home is a simple yet genuine and naturally passionate record from its love ballads to its finger snapping and hip popping doo wop tracks. Leon Bridges has a phenomenal voice with a lot of potential to expand beyond what is offered on his first record, im definitely going to be keeping tabs on his future releases. If you like artists like Otis Redding, Raphael Saadiq, Cody Chesnutt, Nick Waterhouse, Mayer Hawthorne, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Curtis Harding, Sam Cooke, John Legend, JD McPherson, or Tobias Jesso Jr. you will love this album. My favorite tracks are “Coming Home”, “Better Man”, “Pull Away”, and “River”.

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15. Adventures - Supersonic Home (Emo)

Not everything has to be heavy and the members of this band from Pittsburgh prove that to be the truth with this debut release. Most of the members in Adventures are members of the hardcore metal band Code Orange. This record is more on the alternative rock side focusing on emotive melodies. From track to track this record blows me away with its very Breeders and Belly-esque quality and 90s inspired emo and alternative rock sound, which you can guess many of the songs here are about love and tension and inner conflicts. The very anthemic poppy song structures, wails and reverberated guitars are the building blocks of this records sound. Its a great album to play while driving with the top down going 60. Its a dynamic, nostalgic and ambitious little record. Supersonic Home is definitely one of the more pure indie pop punk, alternative and emo records ive heard in awhile. Adventures are off to a good start with this album and I will be certain to follow them through their future releases. If you like bands like Veruca Salt, Breeders, Texas is the Reason, Tigers Jaw, Superchunk, Belly, Pity Sex, Title Fight, Cloakroom, Warm Thoughts, Sorority Noise, Nai Harvest, Basment, Seahaven, You Blew It!, or Turnover you will love this record. My favorite songs are “Dream Blue Haze”, “Heavenly”, “Your Sweetness”, “Pure”, “Absolution, Worth Requited”.

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14. Iration - Hotting Up (Reggae Rock)

Oh man where to start. Iration is a Hawaiian native reggae rock band hailing from Santa Barbra California. They are the sound of summer sunshine and beach water influenced by such famous reggae and rock acts as Bob Marley, Ziggy Marley, 311, UB40, Matisyahu, The Expendables and Sublime. Iration recently hit big in the mainstream with their recent hits “Turn Around” and “Automatic”. While Iration just hit big they have actually been around for a few years in 2007 releasing their first record and in 2010 their second and my personal favorite record of theirs titled Time Bomb. From tracks like “Time Bomb”, “Let Me Inside” and “Turn Around” to “Get Back to Me”, “Wait and See”, and “Falling” Time Bomb is simply a perfect record. Irations first record is decent. Very Bob Marley influenced but with electronic synths and very high end reverberating guitar solos, however with the removal of the electronics, the band delivers an amazing blend of tropical beach bass grooving vibes and hard rocking reverb soaked reggae influenced guitars on their second release.The production is on point with crisp and clear drum tones. Definitely the best record from the band and a great starting point for any new comers. Their third record however proved to be quite a disappointment with the bands shift away from the board walk reggae sound back to a more electronically tinged rock sound with the title track “Automatic”, “Uptown”and “Back Around” being the only decent songs from that record.

Their fourth record here had me very skeptical and guarded but am very pleased they went back to the formula that produced the bands second record Time Bomb. It has that surf-rock reggae sound that delivers such beachy summertime songs you have to wear sandals and board shorts or bikini to fully enjoy the records aesthetic. We hear a return of the hard hitting groovy bass lines and soulful melodies and reverb soaked crisp guitars with a production that sounds as though the band is performing live on the boardwalk. Hotting Up reeks of sun tan lotion, giving off enough summer heat in its production to keep you warm in winter. It is a fun short little record that is an easy listen from beginning to end. If you like bands like The Expendables, Ziggy Marley, Stephen Marley, Slightly Stoopid, Rebelution, Tribal Seeds, Dirty Heads, Passafire, Pepper, The Green, or Tomorrows Bad Seeds, you’ll love this album. My favorite tracks are “Reelin”, “Stay Awake”, “Lost and Found”, and “Hotting Up”.

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13. City and Colour - If I Should Go Before You (Alternative Rock)

City and Colour is an Alt rock project fronted by Canadian singer Dallas Green of Alexisonfire fame. I first came across City and Colour when i picked up his Live cd dvd back in 2011. His performance was intimate, nostalgic, organic, passionate, spine shivering and inspirational. His live work proved to be even better than his studio work. His record to follow, Little Hell, was absolutely amazing and captured much of the same emotions he delivered on his Live record, while having a much more romantic aura and was made my number 1 in my top 10 favorite records in 2012. His next record, his last record, to be released The Hurry and the Harm unfortunately proved to be a disappointment to me with its alt-country inspired vibe. I found the records dry production to be stale, boring and nothing to be of standard to Little Hell or his live performance that I loved so much. Going into his new record If I should Go Before You, I was very worried id get a similar feeling.

Right away at first listen with the 9 minute opener “Woman” I knew I wasnt getting anything Little Hell or anything previous, but I heard something new and something blue! This record to me is split in two with a majority of the first half consisting of a gloomy blues rock inspired sound with its wailing, reverberating wah guitar effects as well as piano in a sound almost too Hozier to not be compared and the second half of the record consisting of an indie roots Counting Crows inspired sound with the use of organ and lap steel guitar. The album has a very haunting moody atmosphere right off the bat with Dallas Greens vocals and electric guitar being soaked in reverb. This record unlike his back catalog is much more sonically and lyrically somber and melancholic with even exploring themes like death and love loss. His recognizable breathy and dreamy falsetto proves to be versatile when going from delivering romantic love songs to dark somber break up tunes. Compared to Hurry and the Harm the album I disliked this record takes much more liberties and explores much more of the sonic space in its production. Despite its electric sound, its blusey mellowness still gives off a warming campfire feel on a cold woodsy night.

If I Should Go Before You is an elegant, emotional, delicate and unique record from City and Colour with its balance of despair and tenderness. This release from the band really has me getting back into them again and excited to hear what follows. If you like artists like You+Me, Hozier, Iron and Wine, Raising the Fawn, Attack in Black, William Fitzsimmons, Bon Iver, The Both, Justin Nozuka, James Vincent McMorrow, Rocky Votolato, or Damien Rice you will love this album. My favorite tracks are “Woman”, “Northern Blues”, “Mizzy C”, “Killing Time”, and “Wasted Love”.

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12. Defeater - Abandoned (Hardcore Punk)

The hardcore band from Boston has released yet another 1940s post-WWII concept record, this time following the struggles of the catholic priest that was introduced on their debut record Travels. The records overall theme is, well, abandonment. The record really expresses abandonment by a God that this priest once had faith in but as sin, addiction loss and loneliness began to consume him the priest in the story begins to sink deeper in depression and in his own self inflicted drug and alcohol abuse appearing to confess his sins, emoting regrets and pleading for forgiveness to a God he no longer has faith in.

This record capitalizes on everything I love about this band. Its punishing, unforgiving and utterly bitter. Id say this record is their heaviest and angriest record and most complex in their catalog. The drums a specific instrument to mention on the record. They are crisp hard hitting and get very technical on most the tracks, specifically on two of my favorite tracks “Spared in Hell” and “Divination” with the rumbling bass and melodically haunting and eerie guitar riffs complimenting the atmosphere of the songs. Many people compare similarities to their last record Letters Home, a record that made my 2013 favorites list, saying its exactly the same. I think those people aren’t listening to this record close enough. There is a major improvement in not just musicianship but in lyrical development. This record was definitely one of if not my favorite hardcore release of 2015. If you like bands like More Than Life, Touche Amore, The Cold Harbour, La Dispute, Counterparts, Have Heart, Gallows, Worthwhile, Capsize, Bane, Hundredth, Miles Away, Comeback Kid, Landscapes, Verse, or Modern life is War you will love this album. My favorite tracks are “Unanswered”, “December 1943″, “Spared in Hell”, “Divination”, and “Atonement”.

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11. Mewithoutyou - Pale Horses (Post-Hardcore)

Mewithoutyou are a post-hardcore band from Philadelphia that first came out in the early 2000s producing this array of post-hardcore, indie rock and emocore. Unfortunately Mewithoutyou is another band that have gotten past me unnoticed until this year when they released their sixth religiously conceptual record Pale Horses. The album delivers with many complex levels of intensities and emotions that i havent heard on any record this year.

Singer Aaron Weiss has an intricate way of writing with his very passionately and poetic style of singing similar to that of Jordan Dreyer of La Dispute meets Paul Banks of Interpol. Pale Horses conceptually chronicles the book of Revelation from the Bible, and the seven seals which bring about the four horsemen of the apocalypse. Otherwise the beginning of the end. If you know the book of revelation you know the book itself uses many metaphors and very descriptive imagery so the subject expressed in his own complex poetically tragic way with his own use of metaphors is quite overwhelming to say the least. Lyrically Weiss takes us on a decent into chaos with the numerous cataclysmic events that take place such as natural disasters, famine, and murder.

Musically Pale Horses is going back to the bands original style varying in tempos and intensity within each song, starting in a very indie emo soft and atmospheric way often ending abrasively and aggressively. not much soloing or melodic choruses but rather the focus here is much more on rhythm and groove with the bass and drums under most of the spotlight. Weiss vocals are in them itself an instrument on the record. Going from quiet, timid and distant to unforgiving, loud and reckless. I absolutely loved this record from its emotionally passionate and heavy instrumentation and delivery to the lyrical concept and themes of faith, truth, misery, death, and doubt surrounding the apocalypse. If you like bands like As Cities Burn, Listener, Cursive, La Dispute, Manchester Orchestra, Death Cab for Cutie, Foxing, Interpol, Touche Amore, The World is a Beautiful Place, or Pianos Become the Teeth you will love this album. My favorite songs are “D-Minor”, “Watermelon Ascot”, “Red Cow”, and “Mexican War Streets”.

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10. Sweet Jesus - You Destroy Yourself (Hardcore Punk)

Probably the closest thing to a Have Heart reunion, Sweet Jesus are a New England hardcore punk band who have released their debut LP and for such an underground hardcore record the production is crisp and on point. The album captures a very raw live sound which tells you this is a pure hardcore punk band, offering you no bullshit. What you hear is what you get with Sweet Jesus. Unfortunately because of this production recording style the vocals lay a bit under the band and become a bit unclear when shit kicks in heavy and loud. Though many of the songs only reaching a minute or two, something characteristic to hardcore bands, the band takes a lot of creative liberty with the diverse and dynamic parts in each song even within the short periods, stepping outside the box of a typical hardcore punk band. Its fast and ruthless on songs like “Time for Grace” and “Bedsick” while other times a heavy pounding midtempo approach is taken with songs like “Sorry Things” and the title track of the album, which plays a slower moody Fugazi inspired rhythm behind a track of President Richard Nixon presenting a speech about seeking the positivity in life’s bleek and sad situations, stating that you will never know the magnificence of being on the highest mountain until youve been in the deepest valley, metaphorically speaking on appreciating the positive moments in life after being through the negative ones. Then songs like “Same Man and “Even Breathing” remind me a lot of singer Pat Flynn’s old band Have Heart, with its heavy focus on its primal rhythm section and contain chanting group vocals, while the fast hammer on pull off guitar notes in “Stonefaced” remind me of early Gallows. Undoubtedly though, Sweet Jesus really capture the essence of DC Hardcore, leading a DCxHC revival into a new generation of hardcore fans with this record. With an early post-hardcore and emotive hardcore influence in the rhythm section and guitars as well as in the emotional lyricism, this record sounds like an inspired mix of Praise, Soul Control and Have Heart.

Pat Flynn’s lyrical talents have always been one of my favorites in hardcore. Lyrically we get a sense of self evolving proclamation from vocalist Pat Flynn with an emphasis on freeing ones self from the slavery of religion calling out its thievery and manipulation. Hes descriptive and very layered and sometimes so ambiguous and metaphorical you dont always quite know what he is conveying with many times referencing “son” and “sun” in relation to a bitter relationship between father and son and his role in the universe. Overall though Pat Flynn seems to bare a lot of grief on this record with feelings of heartbreak, depression, anger and disappointment. You Destroy Yourself is 20 minutes of pure raw unadulterated hardcore punk that throws back to late 80s hardcore and early 90s post-hardcore. I feel it is too honest of a record to not be apart of my top 25 records of 2015. Its good to hear anything with Pat Flynns involvement, now if we can just get Have Heart to reunite… Though this record maybe the closest we get to a Have Heart reunion.. Anyway, I think Sweet Jesus is definitely a band with a talented group of passionate and true hardcore musicians that if not heading a revival movement with this record then maybe creating a new movement all on its own will be something to look forward to, but knowing Pat Flynn’s track record this will probably be the first and last record we hear from Sweet Jesus. If you like bands like Have Heart, Clear, Wolf Whistle, Verse, Fiddlehead, Dropdead, Bane, Free, Gallows, Praise, Give, Fury, xRepentancex, Violent Sons, Death Injection, Pure Disgust, Soul Control, Fucking Invincible, Swiz, Jesuseater, or Stick Together you’ll love this album.

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9. The Story So Far - The Story So Far (Pop Punk)

The Story So Far are a pop punk outfit from Northern California who are fairly new to the music scene releasing their third, self titled record that ultimately proves to be their best and most anthemic record to date. Their pop punk formula is almost too Warped Tour inspired to not be noted. Its angsty, youthful and almost brings back the skate punk scene but in a new refreshing way with the alternative guitar licks and varying rhythms. The band’s sound seems very influenced by Bad Religion, NOFX, Green Day, The Matches and The Offspring while lyrically its very emotive, reflective and negative similar to the Get Up Kids, Lagwagon, and Saves the Day.

When I first listened to this record I asked myself, am I listening to a pop punk record with songs like “Smile” and “How You Are”, classic melodic hardcore with songs like “Distaste” and “Mock”, or emo with songs like “Phantom” and “Solo”. The Story So Far does a great job of finding a way to fit well in either of these genres that any fan of either genre would accept and enjoy this record. Its very diverse, catchy and anthemic. Its enough to get a crowd surfing fists pumping! Parker Cannon is very emotionally conflicting and bitter over a break up, dealing with betrayal, blame, and seeking revenge. The very contradicting aspect on this record is the very upbeat anthemic compositions behind such dismay and sadness. The formula through out the entire record feels pretty cut and paste for the most part, but you cant help but bob your head to each track and feel a bit of excitement when you hear a stand out guitar part or cool drum fill that seems to change up when compared to the last song that used the same formula. In fact the drums take much of the spotlight on this record, from the first track alone you can already tell this record has some fantastic drumming. With rim clicking, rim shots and very intricate and fast pace drum fills and beats. Parker’s very more melodic and edgier as well as more powerful than before. Similar to Tim McIlrath of Rise Against, Parker’s vocals are much less falsetto when compared to their previous releases.

The Story So Far has released their best record to date here. Track to track its a great record that makes you want to get back into Warped Tour again. It had a very nostalgic appeal to me which may have been due to the fact I was in a pop punk band very similar to this one at one time. I feel for the pop punk scene they are a breath of fresh air and for this generations Warped Tour scene they are at the top of being headliners and the current face for the festival. For a genre I really dont find myself liking much I feel The Story So Far is doing the genre justice and leading a pop punk isnt dead campaign in a very insuppressible way into the future. If you like bands like Lagwagon, Saves the Day, Such Gold, Knuckle Puck, Real Friends, Rise Against, State Champs, The Wonder Years, Handguns, Set Your Goals, New Found Glory, Four Year Strong or Front Porch Step you will love this record.

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8. The Wonder Years - No Closer to Heaven (Emocore)

The Wonder Years are a Philadelphia pop punk band. They are a band that create a mix of pop punk, melodic hardcore and emo coined as the Suburban Blues influenced by bands like Jimmy Eat World, Motion City Soundtrack, The Get Up Kids, Taking Back Sunday and Four Year Strong. Sort of like an emo pop punk band that has grown up and matured. They have unfortunately slipped past me over the past decade including 4 absolutely amazing records, but luckily their fifth record caught my attention. I absolutely love the emotion and energy this band delivers on this album. The album has that nostalgic affect with its emphasis on emo music that most modern pop punk and emo bands have on me. This band is just one among many emo revival bands Ive really been getting heavy into, bands like Hotelier, Balance and Composure, Pianos Become the Teeth, You Blew It!, and The Story So Far. Each track on this album is very anthemic and very melodically driven. Another plus on this record is the guest appearance of Jason Butler of letlive. on the track “Stained Glass Ceilings”

Lyrically the album is very poetic and emotive. Ambiguously singing of about loss and heartache and openly admits his lacking in any religious faith or believing in Heaven. From the albums lyricism it definitely feels the singer has lost or broke up with someone whom he loved very much but didnt share a religious belief with. What I love about lead singer Dan “Soupy” Campbell is the influence he draws from such great authors like Ernest Hemingway, someone who also incorporated similar themes of love, loss, classism, racism, inequality, American politics, drugs, death and abuse. Musically, I love the climatically building song structures, which really match well with the emotional intensity and themes of the record over all. The twinkling guitars and pounding rhythm section that explode as Campbell goes into melodic yells that reach the levels of Jonny Craig.

No Closer to Heaven is an album soaked with so much sadness, anger, frustration, regret, longing that even a raincoat wont keep you dry from it. Its a brilliant, complex, beautiful and ambitious record that stands above the rest of their back catalog in terms of maturity and emotive and sonic evolution. I believe The Wonder Years are a leading figure in both the Warped Tour pop punk and emocore circles and this record is a good example of why. If you like bands like Hotelier, letlive., You Blew It!, Motion City Soundtrack, Young and Heartless, Knuckle Puck, Transit, Man Overboard, Modern Baseball, Sorority Noise, Major League, Taking Back Sunday, Have Mercy, The Swellers, Set Your Goals, The Get Up Kids or The Early November, you will love this album. My favorite songs are “Cardinals”, “A Song for Patsy Cline”, “I Dont Like Who I was Then”, “Cigarettes and Saints”, “Stained Glass Ceilings”, and “Slow Dancing with San Andreas”

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7. Purity Ring - Another Eternity (Synthpop)

The next two records on the list are very similar and were just as tough to separate them as it was to just choose one to make the list. Purity Ring are a Synthpop duo from Canada who debuted only a few years back and have already made a name for themselves as a major influence in the modern electronica scene and are only just now releasing their sophomore record titled Another Eternity. Since their debut release Purity Ring have been taking the pop genre to new levels of originality and contagiousness. They seem to be taking a lot of influence from such synthpop acts as Bjork and Madona. Purity Ring might just be not just the best synthpop act of this decade but also the best pop artist of this generation. They are a band that pop artists and pop media really need to focus more on. They have a formula that should set an example for the pop genre during a time where such shallow artists like Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus are getting all of the spotlight.

Another Eternity delivers just as elegantly and as sharp of a sound as their first release, but just with much less of a moody atmosphere in exchange for a more sugary layer and clarity. The album has a very delicate and tenderness sound to it with Megan James’ innocently sweet and melodic vocals. Its ominously dark while glittery bright at the same time with a heavy bass rumbling surrounding every song. Its harpsichord sounding samples, drum machine, piano and very pretty synth keys make up the records beautiful sound. It has a large synthetic sound but is very simplistic and beautiful. Its a sound that will definitely translate well in a live setting. Lyrically the album explores much more personal emotions and feelings than their first record with many dualities and while the cliche poppy break-up songs are there, they are presented in unique ways through metaphors with personifying comparisons to the human body.

Overall Purity Rings new album is sexy, dangerous, sweet, tender, violent and contagious. Definitely the best synthpop record of the year even next to CHVRCHES new record. If you like bands like Braids, Bjork, CHVRCHES, ODESZA, Pretty Lights, Grimes, Passion Pit, Phantogram, Sleigh Bells, MO, The Knife, Ghost Loft, Broods, or Banks you will love this album. My favorite tracks are “Heartsigh”, “Bodyache”, “Repetition”, “Begin Again”, “Dust Hymn”, and “Flood on the Floor”.

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6. CHVRCHES - Every Open Eye (Synthpop)

CHVRCHES are a Scottish electronica synthpop act whom released their very ambitious and anthemic debut record The Bones of What You Believe in 2013 and have now released their sophomore record Every Open Eye and right off the bat this record kills it. The album cover really represents the records sound. Its pretty, lively, fresh and blooming. Despite CHVRCHES music sounding like a Forever 21 or H&M soundtrack, their very 80s electropop, dance pop and new wave influenced music is both contagious and energetic and something I find myself almost shamefully returning to. In comparison to their first record Every Open Eye is much simpler and more upbeat sonically and lyrically. This record is much more pop driven with catchy hook after catchy hook. CHVRCHES really prove with this record that they are an indie band that can deliver this anthemic and catchy of a record and still not sell out to the mainstream.

Lyrically CHVRCHES, on this record, state the direction they took with Every Open Eye with them proclaiming their focus of what makes them so great and expound on it and make it 100%. They focus on their anthemic pop structure and memorable and beautifully melodic choruses backed by powerful beats, 80s Depeche Mode inspired synths, keyboards and drum tracks. Singer Lauren Mayberry also touches on her position as a female face for the band and the sexism that still exists in todays modern world, while also touching on some of her precious relationships in her personal life. At times on the record she’s confessive and begging for a restart and other times ending things and never looking back while incorporating many great descriptive metaphors and imagery.

CHVRCHES have definitely released a very pretty, glamorously produced, consistent catchy and contagious record here and are proving they stand up with some of today’s more recent indie synthpops most influential acts with possibly making a 1 up on all of them with this release. If you like artists like Purity Ring, Broods, Naked and Famous, Sky Ferreira, Phantogram, Lorde, Grimes, The Knife, Passion Pit, La Roux, Icona Pop, ODESZA, MS MR or HAIM you will love this album. My favorite songs are “Never Ending Circles”, “Leave A Trace”, “Keep You On My Side”, “Make Them Gold”, “Empty Threat”, “Down Side of Me”, “Playing Dead” and “Bow Down”.

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5. The Decemberists - What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World (Indie Folk)

The Decemberists are a folk rock group based out of Portland Oregon who have been making a mix of alternative rock, indie rock and folk rock inspired music for nearly two decades now and have released their new record What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World, which reflects on the duality of the many tragedies of this world like the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting while also possessing beautiful moments of love. The album is contemplative, ponderous conflicting and autobiographical, invoking historical events and themes from around the world. The musical attributes here are what shine the most on this record. Colin Meloy‘s poetic melodies are contagious and lovely with his Michael Stipe meets Phil Ochs influenced vocal delivery.

Musically the album ranges from up tempo pop songs to more relaxed simplistic but lush ballads. A wide range of acoustic instrumentation is used something of always loved about folk music including banjo, fiddle, brass horns, piano, acoustic guitar, accordion, organ, upright bass, and Americana style harmonica solos. Its a whimsical album that is almost cute and dainty in its presentation feeling almost like a mid west folk rock record from the 1950s. It is much more straight forward than their more expansive epic back catalog, but I think its an easy listen and full of very cheery and beautiful tracks. My favorite songs from the album are “The Singer Addresses His Audience”, “Cavalry Captain”, “Make You Better”, “Till The Water Is All Gone”, “Anti-Summersong”, and “A Beginning Song”. If you like artists like Tarkio, Andrew Bird, The New Pornographers, Death Cab for Cutie, R.E.M., The Shins, and Iron & Wine then you will love this album!

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4. Lord Huron - Strange Trails (Indie Folk)

Lord Huron is an LA based indie folk band that have released their new sophomore record Strange Trails. The record has a brilliance to it with just the opening track, “Love Like Ghosts”, my favorite on the record, mixing indie folk, and indie rock with a bit of roots incorporating an array of instruments and drawing inspiration from what sounds like 80s roots and pop artist Bruce Springsteen in songs like “Meet Me In the Woods” with its musical arrangement similar to Springsteen’s “Im on Fire” and “The Night We Met” both similar to Springsteen mid tempo ballad formula with lead singer Ben Schneider’s similar shaky lower tone vocals. Some songs are very poppy and upbeat though with almost a 50’s rockabilly sound with songs like “Until the Night Turns” and “Fool for Love” which starts off slow but builds into a hand clapping bouncy pop song and contains vocals that, at times, bring to mind Elvis Presley. Both songs contain uptempo acoustic chugs. The next track “The World Ender” has an eerie almost spaghetti western psychobilly sound to it with a haunting upright bass line that would fit well at any Halloween party during the month of October.

The thing I love about this album is it feels like it has seasons. Lord Huron does a fantastic job of creating, through the emotions and structures of the compositions and nature inspired imagery in the lyricism, a shifting though different atmospheres to the record like the Earth shifts through seasons as it makes its revolution around the sun, anticipating its impending explosion. The record brings a feeling of stale, blistery, wind chill and humid rain, to new life and love blossoming with things heating up and growing to only begin decaying and dying and eventually become buried under icy snow like a December Christmas pine tree. He explores darker themes, repressed fears and emotions, feeling almost like a long journey with camping, camp fires and story telling of the rarity of true love, the darkness within the wilderness, embracing the worlds end with content and happiness, and smitten feelings of a hopeless romantic. I loved the entire aura of the album. Its calming and therapeutic with a very organic feel and plenty of emotions to connect with. If you like artists like Bruce Springsteen, Gregory Alan Isakov, The Head and the Heart, Ivan and Alyosha, Fleet Foxes, Ben Howard, Houndmouth, The Tallest Man on Earth, Mumford and Sons, Father John Misty, My Morning Jacket, or Band of Horses you will love this album. My favorite tracks are “Love like Ghosts”, “Hurricane”, “Fool for Love”, “The World Ender”, “Meet Me In The Woods”, “Cursed”, “Way Out There” and “The Night We Met”.

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3. Foxing - Dealer (Indie Rock)

Two fantastic indie rock bands put out albums inspired by emo and post-rock, one from The World is a Beautiful Place and the other from St Louis band Foxing. I have chosen Foxing’s second record Dealer to review as I feel it was just slightly a better record despite their similar styles. Foxing’s second record, when compared to their first, is a bigger step towards an emo inspired sound reminiscent of bands like American Football and Brand New, while also incorporating elements of post-rock with their crescendos and lengthy instrumental parts, taking time to create an emotional atmosphere on the record similar to Explosions in the Sky. Much like their emo inspired contemporaries though they posses much more restraint.

I love the climactic structures on this record starting off with soft reverberating and twinkling guitar arpeggios slowly escalating to exploding drums. Even when the tracks on the album reach their climax a tenderness still remains in the vocal delivery. The frantic tremolo picking on the guitar parts and sporadic drum fills really draw out the intensity, dynamics and emotion on the record. Piano takes a major spotlight on this record which also draw much of the albums emotion, while at other times the band manages to incorporate trumpet and violin. Lyrically we get themes of change, adaptation and moving on. It seems like the band is not just lyrically, but sonically sending a message that change can be inevitable and coping with that change and moving on is necessary. They express this as a routine expectation in life. Things grow and die they are built and then change in time. The lyrics are blue print emo with very self reflecting and admitting contemplatives with desperation to keep love alive.

Dealer is a beautifully and blissfully intricate record that proves to be a big improvement from their anthemic debut record. It takes its time to pull out emotion from every aspect. The album is just as easy to get through as a short silent indie film and really brings the feel of winter to my ears. It starts and finishes without you even realizing over 30 min went by. Its definitely the best emo influenced record of the year. If you like bands like Brand New, American Football, Prawn, Somos, Hotelier, The World Is A Beautiful Place, Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate), Have Mercy, Dowsing, Dads, Tiny Moving Parts, Dikembe, The Wonder Years, or Snowing you will love this album. My favorite tracks are “Weave”, “Magdelene”, “Night Channels”, “Indicia”, “Redwoods”, and “Glass Coughs”.

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2. Drake - If You’re Reading This Its Too Late (Rap)

Well I never thought id be writing this review but ironically I can honestly say Drakes new album ranks up there with being my favorite record of 2015. Another ecstatically positive review of a Drake record may not come as a surprise to some but coming from a non drake fan like myself the fact there is any sort of positive review coming from me regarding a Drake record like this whopping 17 track album is definitely a review that is honest and meaningful.

So I dont think I really need to give much background for Drake but for anyone under a very large rock Drake is a Canadian rapper, singer and ex actor and is the largest and most successful artists under Lil Wayne’s Young Money/Cash Money label. He is one of if not the only artist in the mainstream who is just as successful and talented of a singer as he is a rapper. He mixes a bit of R&B with an east coast style emotional rap like The Weekend meets Kanye West. When Drake first began performing in 2009 I absolutely loved his songs “Best I Ever Had” and “Fear” taken from the album So Far Gone. He seemed like a r&b hip hop artist who was very humble with a different style and unique lyricism, however after the success of the albums Thank Me Later and Take Care he began to take on the image of an arrogant and egotistical pop star. His success and fame just climbed from that point and while some of his singles like “Over”, “Headlines”, “Take Care”, “HYFR”, and “The Motto” were songs I could actually say were pretty decent, they were definitely over played through the media and over rated by press and really the only listenable songs on their respectable records.

Drakes third record Nothing Was The Same released and was still very produced and R&B, performing a new age pop rap which was overly produced with lots of unappealing vocal pitching in songs like “Hold On Were Going Home” and “Worst Behavior”, but the flow and rap verses were definitely making much more of a presence, and being delivered in much more moody way, unfortunately though it seemed the better tracks or at least my favorite tracks like “Tuscan Leather”, “Wu-Tang Forever”, “Own It”, “From Time”, “305 to My City” and “The Motion” never got air time due to their lack of pop appeal. Dont get me wrong though the other singles from this record like “Started from the Bottom” and “The Language” were much better than his previous singles and was over all much better quality in production and lyrical development.

This new record took all the best elements specifically the moody aggressiveness in Nothing Was the Same and expounded on them. 80% of this record is focused on rap flow and lyrical development. Id consider it Drake’s first true and pure hip hop record with only a bit of soul and r&b. Some parts of this record bring me back to what I love so much about his early tracks on So Far Gone. Lyrically Drake emotes quite a bit of feelings regarding Young Money in what seems to be foreshadowing some sort of split from the label and or his rap mate Lil Wayne while also taking stabs at fellow hip hop artists Tyga and Kendrick Lamar. Lyrically Drake also seems to be gloating, which is nothing new but with the production and style of this record when compared to his previous work it seems to make much more sense and tends to come off much more confident and independent with real legit bragging rights than it does arrogant. Again we get topics here regarding his love life struggles and reflecting quite a bit back on his upbringing of acceptance both back where he was raised and now in the lime light of the pop rap music industry dealing with haters and critics alike. The biggest shift with this record is his charismatic energy and determined and aggressive flow. Production wise it is much more minimalist when compared to his last record.

I listened to this drake record expecting some pop driven r&b with some hip hop verses but got the complete opposite, hearing a side of drake we only got a little piece of on his last effort and a new side that showcases a more mature aggressive and confident drake. It definitely feels like Drake is breaking out and cutting ties to become a much more independent artist to prove he is jack of all trades in the music business. This album really caught me off guard, really surprising me and frankly found it to be up there with my top 5 favorite records of 2015. The album has me excited to hear how Drake takes his next approach. If you like artists like Birdman, Lil Wayne, PartyNextDoor, Trey Songz, Meek Mill, Ty Dolla $ign, Rick Ross, The Weekend, A$AP Rocky, Big Sean, Future, Kendrick Lamar, G-Eazy and J Cole you will love this album. My favorite tracks are “Legend”, ““Energy”, “10 Bands”, “Know Yourself”, “No Tellin”, “6 God”, “Preach”, “6 Man”, “You & The 6″, “Jungle” and “6PM in New York”

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1. Of Monsters and Men - Beneath the Skin (Indie Folk)

Of Monsters and Men are a pretty unique indie rock band based out of Iceland that I discovered in 2012 when they released their debut record My Head is an Animal which made my top 10 albums list of that year! Here we are again with their second album and once again I am blown away and completely floored with their delivery and production. In a lot of ways I like this record even more than their debut release!

When compared to their last record this album explores a lot more space and has more of an ambiance musically with its echoing guitars soaked in reverb. The first record had a much more woodsier folk rock sound where this new record has a much more climactic and impending epicness to it with plenty of eerie piano use with a bit of brass and strings thrown in with plenty of expected acoustic instrumentation. The album really has the feel of winter and is very rhythmically driven much like Mumford and Sons first two records. Drums and piano definitely take the spotlight on this album. Lyrically we get a very similar delivery with fine uses of similes, motifs, personification and figuratively referencing nature in many of the tracks comparing human nature to animalistic nature. with the bands organically presented harmonizing melodies they sing of such natural and earthly elements like human anatomy, oceans, ice, storms, lakes, rivers, mountains, hills and themes such as isolation, self acceptance, loss of identity and heart break. The band really knows how to reach your heart and pull emotions out of you involuntarily and this record is a great example of that.

While i feel the band played it safe with this new album I feel there is a slight evolution of maturity taking place with a little experimenting. They kept the building blocks of their first record while adding some things here and there. Its definitely a beautifully rhythmic and melodically perfect record and probably my favorite record of 2015 at the moment. This is still a band I want to see live very bad and this new record just reassures me how enjoyable they will be live. If you like bands like Mumford and Sons, Vance Joy, X Ambassadors, The Head and The Heart, The Lumineers, Slow Club, Daughter, Ivan & Alyosha, Ed Sheeren, Imagine Dragons or Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros you will love this album. My favorite tracks are “Crystals”, “Human”, “Hunger”, “Wolves Without Teeth”, “Empire”, “Organs”, “I of the Storm” and “We Sink”.

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25 Mentionable Songs:

Rabbits Foot - Turbowolf

Little Wanderer - Death Cab for Cutie

Cant Wait - CHON

From Eden - Hozier

Homage - Alien Ant Farm

Lord Knows - Meek Mill

Bridges - Broods

Let Me Inside - Iration

Lean On - MØ

The Wolf - Mumford and Sons