2015 was quite the rollercoaster for me. I graduated high school, had the best summer I could’ve dreamed of, experienced my first “real” relationships (and my fair share of heartbreak…), moved to my favorite city in the world, and made incredible memories with my stellar friends. If there is one thing about 2015 that I will remember, however, it was the music. This year was full of discovering new favorites (thanks to Spotify Premium for being my new best friend) and immersing myself completely in them. If I could make a list of every single album that I made a huge impression on me over the past 12 months, we’d be here for a while. I lost myself in the magical melodies of Led Zeppelin, let the lyrics of Van Morrison lace my dreams, and fell madly in love with everything the Beatles have ever written. However, if I listed these records, I couldn’t really call this my “2015 favorites,” could I?
Here are 10 of the albums that made this year as spectacular as it was:
Anyone who’s spent more than 5 minutes with me knows I’m still slightly bitter (and by slightly bitter, I mean DISTRAUGHT) by the break up of the Civil Wars. Joy Williams is a personal musical influence, and the news that my favorite band would never be playing together again was enough to break a girl’s heart into a million pieces. A little glimmer of hope came when I heard Joy Williams was to release a new solo album this year, and I was just as hopeful when she released the first single, “Woman (Oh Mama).” 11 tracks of pure emotion, Venus did not disappoint. Williams reminded us all that she is capable of producing her heart-wrenching vocals without the help of her former bandmate, John Paul White, and that she isn’t going to let us forget about her. Accompanied by an aesthetically pleasing live show, this album let Williams out of her box, and she shocked the world with explosive pop music that doesn’t lack her signature touch of vulnerable melodies and poignant lyrics.
Favorite track: “Welcome Home”
2) Alabama Shakes - Sound and Color
I’d ignored the requests of my friends to listen to Alabama Shakes for quite some time, as I was less than intrigued by the one song I’d heard, “Hold On” (which I’m kicking myself for not liking the first time around). However, on a winter road trip to the city, whoever had AUX cord privileges selected “Gimme All Your Love,” and since then, there hasn’t been a day that I haven’t daydreamed about front woman Brittany Howard’s voice. At the top of my “Concert Bucket List,” Alabama Shakes has crept up onto my favorites list this year, surprisingly. I like to say their music is like southern comfort food for the ears, but that’s just me.
Favorite track: “Miss You” (but maybe that’s just because I drive a Honda Accord)
3) Troye Sivan - Blue Neighbourhood
I didn’t plan on liking Troye Sivan’s music, either. In fact, I didn’t take it seriously for a long time. The young indie kids copy and pasted his dramatic lyrics onto blurry pictures of sunsets and cigarettes, and that’s never been my thing. Until it was. I specifically remember waking up in the middle of the night for whatever reason, and stumbling across the album. I rolled my eyes at the lyrics, “‘Cause when you look like that, I never ever wanted to be so bad.” Okay, Troye. We get it. Then I listened again and I really did get it. This album incorporates angsty teen lyrics with deep themes and emotions into sweet, melodic pop songs, which is something I can get with. Sivan’s rich, raspy voice makes his music even more intriguing, and his carefree stage presence has me anxiously awaiting a Cincinnati tour date so I can get a taste of Blue Neighbourhood in person.
4) Chris Stapleton - Traveller
I used to be “that guy” and say “I like any kind of music, except country.” In a world full of Florida Georgia Lines and Luke Bryans, country music never appealed to me. However, I recently sat my best friend down, grabbed her by the shoulders, and came out to her as a new country music fan. This was the morning after the CMA’s where Chris Stapleton performed a mind-blowing rendition of hit song “Tennessee Whiskey” with Justin Timberlake. I immediately checked out Stapleton’s newest album, and was instantly awe-stuck. Stapleton’s voice is what modern country music needs, and his songwriting on Traveller is reminiscent of classic, soulful country, and that is something I can get behind. His. Voice. Is. So. Incredible. I can’t physically articulate how his voice makes me feel. Like coffee on a cold morning, or something. Or like Tennessee Whiskey. Whatever you prefer.
Favorite track: “Whiskey and You”
Surprise! An EP made my list! I couldn’t help myself from adding this to my favorites because it made such a huge impression on me over the year. “Dollar Bill” is the perfect combination of a killer pop masterpiece and a fun, alternative rock song. Just because the EP screams “pop” doesn’t mean it lacks lyrical depth, made very obvious by the penultimate track, “Violet.” The riffs on South are nothing less than magical, and the last track, “The Halocline” tugs on the heart strings in a way that makes you beg for more. I got the chance to see Hippo Campus with a small crowd, and was pleasantly surprised that their live sound was just as impressive as their studio recordings. Hippo Campus is the next “it” band in alternative music, in my opinion, and I’m beyond excited for a full length album in the future.
Favorite track: “The Halocline”
I know, I know. Just hear me out. This album is not good. The lyrics aren’t well written (Okay, “I can feel the bass line in the bed lining” isn’t TOO terrible). The steel guitar over the drum machines makes me borderline uncomfortable throughout the entirety of the album. However, I’ve never had more fun rolling down the windows and screaming the lyrics to anything. Sam Hunt has something new, to say the least. The idea is… interesting, I guess. To combine country, pop, and rap is at the least innovative, and I give Sam Hunt all due respect. Shoutout to my lovely roommate for making me fall in love with something I’d never even go near before. I’m not exactly sure who I’ve become, but everyone has their guilty pleasures. Mine just happens to be a man with a shaved eyebrow who sings songs about his girl that drives a white maxima with a sticker on the back. *swoon*
Favorite track: “Make You Miss Me”
I am so pro-Børns, it’s unreal. His voice is nothing less than electric on every single track, and I give him major props for the complexity of his lyrics. Also pulling ahead with my favorite album cover of the year, this man has it all. With tracks like “Electric Love” and “Overnight Sensation,” Dopamine is the perfectly sweet and dreamy pop I didn’t know I was craving. And side note, have you seen him?! Be still, my heart.
Favorite track: “Dug My Heart”
8) Gary Clark Jr.- The Story of Sonny Boy Slim
It’s no secret that Mr. Gary Clark Jr. is my favorite modern musician. Theres something about his style, his whole being, that makes me beyond excited when he’s singing or playing absolutely anything at all. This was my most anticipated album of 2015, as Blak and Blu would be in my top 5 favorite albums ever. I must say that at first, I was less than impressed with Clark’s sophomore album. I thought it lacked excitement, as the dirty, bluesy solos I’d become so accustomed to were nowhere to be found. The more I listened, however, I realized I was hugely mistaken. The Story of Sonny Boy Slim, although a slightly silly sounding title, was exactly what I wanted. Exuding some serious Prince vibes, this album will forever be one I can jam to at anytime. The diversity of the album is pleasing, and Clark’s vocals shine through as they always have.
I can hardly contain my excitement about this album. I’m honestly not quite sure what to say about it as a whole, because it is simply so magical that any words I ever wrote to describe it could never do it justice. Miguel’s creativity is astounding on Wildheart, and even that is an understatement. The racy lyrics and album cover are to be expected from Miguel, but the wonder goes beyond that. Dripping with dissonant melodies and harmonies and dreamy guitars, Wildheart is a killer piece of art.
Favorite tracks: “leaves” and “the valley”
10) Catfish and the Bottlemen- The Balcony
I put this one last one purpose. I’ve never been more drawn to a band’s sound than I am Catfish and the Bottlemen. Every last song on this album screams with perfection, and the emotional attachment I have to every word and melody is ridiculous. Lead singer, Van McCann’s, voice is soaking with angst in all of the tracks. My favorite thing about Catfish is that their songs tell stories with two sides; the album is full of “I said”s and “She said”s that make for a dynamic listening experience. “Hourglass,” rings with nostalgia, and although it’s heartbreaking to listen to, I put myself through two minutes and eighteen seconds of it because it feels so right. Needless to say, this was hands down my favorite album of the year, and I can barely contain my excitement for what Catfish has in store for the future.
Favorite track: “Fallout”
