Top Albums and Singles for 2015

I usually scoff at people who claim that they like "all kinds of music."  How is that possible?  There are simply too many genres and sub-genres imaginable.  More specifically, there is so much music outside the confines of Clear Channel radio stations for most Americans to make such a bold statement.

Have I captured "all kinds of music" on my top albums listicle this year?  Not exactly. I've included an eclectic mix, but certainly not "all kinds."  With so much music being released each year, I could have overlooked a musical genius lurking about somewhere.

Who decides which musicians are relevant these days?  I'd like to think that in the Internet age, we, mere digital consumers, have more of an influence than we may realize.  Let's swap our favorites and introduce one another more kinds of music.

Top 5 Albums of 2015

1.  Sound & Color - Alabama Shakes

2.  I Love You Honeybear - Father John Misty

3.  Currents - Tame Impala

4.  Yours Dreamily - The Arcs

5.  Goon - Tobias Jesso Jr.

Top 40 Singles of 2015

1. Snakeskin - Deerhunter

2.  Easy Way Out - Other Lives

3.  A Heart Like Hers - Mac Demarco

4.  PPP - Beach House

5.  Huararche Lights - Hot Chip

6. Reality in Motion - Tame Impala

7. Chateau Lobby #4 - Father John Misty

8. Gimme All Your Love  - Alabama Shakes

9.  Green and Gold - Lianne La Havas

10.  Everyday - Diane Coffee

11.  Young and Dumb - The Bird and the Bee

12.  Northern Highway - Martin Courtney (Real Estate)

13.  False Hope - Laura Marling

14.  An Illustration of Loneliness - Courtney Barrett

15.  California Nights - Best Coast

16.  Tomato Can - The Arcs

17.  Little Ballerina - Emile Haynie ft. Rufus Wainwright

18.  Lonesome Street - Blur

19.  To Die in L.A. - Lower Dens

20.  Silent Ivy Hotel - El Vy

21.  You're Wasting Out - Andy Shauf

22.  What Part of Me - Low

23.  Big Decisions  - My Morning Jacket

24.  Taste the Ceiling - Wilco

25.  Falling From the Sky - Calexico

26.  Went to War  - Amason

27.  Lisa Sawyer - Leon Bridges

28.  Apollyon of Blue Room  - Of Montreal

29.  Eugene - Sufjan Stevens

30.  Empty Me Out - Liz Vice

31.  Hot Coals - Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Fields

32.  Tropic of Cancer - Panda Bear

33.  Teenage Talk - St. Vincent

34.  Leaving L.A. - Tobias Jesse Jr.

35.  Yes Man - Ben Folds

36.  I - Kendrick Lamar

37.  Uptown Funk - Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars

38.  No No No - Beirut  

39.  Black Star - David Bowie
40.  Busy Earnin' - Jungle

Who have I left out?  What are your top albums (or singles) of 2015?  

See also: Top Albums and Singles of 2014

Music Discovery Mondays - Summer Edition

I can't think of a better time to create the perfect mix tape than in the summertime as you cruise the sunshine-blazed freeways.  Let me help you conjure the perfect summer mix with the latest singles before they blow up.


1.  Unstoppable - Lianne La Havas

Lianne La Havas embodies a spirit and voice that beautifully contradicts itself.  One minute she exudes glowing confidence, and the next, her voice emits a tender vulnerability.  Either way, her new sophomore album, Blood, due on July 31st is a tour de force that is truly indeed 'unstoppable.'






2.  Tomato Can - The Arcs

Dan Auerbach knows how to keep his hands full.  When he's not recording and touring as half of The Black Keys, he's producing albums for other highly regarded artists (*ahem* Dr. John) and generating dozens of other creative side projects.

Auerbach's latest musical venture includes his latest band The Arcs, comprised of his closest musical collaborators and pals.  Check out their Spaghetti Western-inspired fable of a doomed boxer.





3.  Love Isn't Anybody's Fault - BC Camplight

Brian Christinzio, also known as B.C. Camplight, has steadily released three critically acclaimed power pop albums in his newfound homeland via England.  Be sure to harken his latest infectiously somber single, "Love Isn't Anybody's Fault."




See also:

Music Discovery Mondays - Record Store Day Afterthought

Music Discovery Mondays - Lady Tunesmith Chapter

Music Discovery Mondays

Music Discovery Mondays - First Edition