2015: The Year In Music

2015 – The Charlie Hebdo Offices are attacked in Paris, killing twelve people. Jeremy Clarkson punches a Top Gear producer and is fired. David Cameron’s Conservatives win the UK General Election, no longer needing a coalition with the Lib Dems. Sepp Blatter resigns from FIFA. Facebook passes a billion users. VW recalls 482,000 diesel cars after an emissions scandal. NASA finds flowing water on Mars. A year of ups and downs … so let’s see if the music is one big up!

I’ll be looking at the popular and highest-rated songs / albums of the year, giving my opinions on their musicality and longevity as well as an overall verdict for the year as a whole.

Before we begin, you can check out some of my related blog posts below:

Billboard Top 10 (Popular) Singles

Source: Wikipedia

10 – The Hills (The Weeknd)

I remember when “The Hills” hit the charts, I thought to myself – “This is one of the darkest hits I’ve ever heard”.

It’s self-depreciating and painfully real. That sub-bass in the chorus hits like an earthquake.

9 – Earned It (The Weeknd)

Another The Weeknd hit, this time from the “Fifty Shades Of Grey” soundtrack. I haven’t seen the film but I’m sure it fits well (that’s what she said).

Not one of my favourite The Weeknd songs, but “Earned It” is sensual and oddly classy.

8 – Watch Me (Silento)

Oh. It’s the Whip and Nae-Nae song.

In hindsight, this had no right to be a hit. It has no substance other than the comedic angle.

7 – Blank Space (Taylor Swift)

One of the better Taylor Swift songs.

“Blank Space” is yet another Swift song about heartache and loathing. It’s her niche and she does it well here, to be fair.

6 – Shut Up and Dance (Walk the Moon)

I remember “Shut Up and Dance” being horribly cheesy. It’s still cliché, but it’s quite fun in fairness.

5 – Sugar (Maroon 5)

The best part about “Sugar” is the music video where Maroon 5 crash loads of weddings. The song itself, however, is forgettable.

4 – Trap Queen (Fetty Wap)

I think “Trap Queen” ushered in a new age of Trap Rap songs. It’s fine.

3 – See You Again (Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth)

Charlie Puth’s first hit. It’s heavily associated with Paul Walker’s death these days. It’s quite soppy and cheesy.

2 – Thinking Out Loud (Ed Sheeran)

One of my favourite Ed Sheeran songs for sure.

Sheeran sings from a place of true love, and his vocals later on in the song are fantastic.

1 – Uptown Funk (Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars)

I remember the day “Uptown Funk” released – everyone was stunned that good music could still play on radios.

Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars are two artists who never miss, so their collaboration was bound to be a slam dunk. Those trumpets in the chorus and the low vocals in the verse are so catchy.

FAVOURITE – “Uptown Funk” (Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars)

LEAST FAVOURITE – “Watch Me” (Silento)

Top-Rated Songs

Source: http://www.besteveralbums.com

10 – “These Walls” (Kendrick Lamar feat. Bilal, Anna Wise and Thundercat)

Spoiler alert – you’re about to see a whole load of Kendrick Lamar, Tame Impala and Sufjan Stevens songs in a row. They’re the only three artists with songs in this highest-rated top ten.

Like “Wesley’s Theory”, “These Walls” is another Thundercat jam. It’s super smooth and sensual, with an old-school kind of vibe.

9 – The Less I Know The Better (Tame Impala)

Even if you’re not a Tame Impala fan, you’ve still probably heard “The Less I Know The Better”. It’s a monumental track in its own right – definitely one of the songs of the decade.

The bassline immediately sucks you in, and the nerdy lyrics are sad yet weirdly relateable. As a loser, I can respect songs about losers made for losers. Does that make sense?

8 – Should Have Known Better (Sufjan Stevens)

The second song on “Carrie & Lowell”, and it’s just as enchanting as the opener.

There’s a tinge of sadness or melancholy hidden within “Should Have Known Better” that I adore.

7 – Wesley’s Theory (Kendrick Lamar feat. George Clinton and Thundercat)

This might be a hot take … but I think “Wesley’s Theory” is the best song on “To Pimp A Butterfly”.

It’s such a fantastic opener, and it has some of the best, most layered production I’ve ever heard.

6 – How Much A Dollar Cost (Kendrick Lamar feat. James Fauntleroy and Ronald Isley)

Even though “To Pimp A Butterfly” is full of surprises, I was still taken aback by the sudden swing of “How Much A Dollar Cost”.

This is smooth Jazz with a sturdy backbone. It works far better than it has any right to.

5 – Death with Dignity (Sufjan Stevens)

“Death With Dignity” is an absolutely gorgeous song to open “Carrie & Lowell”.

The arrangement is almost dream-like. An immature songwriter could’ve made it too loud or overly dramatic, but Stevens is wise enough to keep it mellow and reserved.

4 – Let It Happen (Tame Impala)

My favourite Tame Impala song.

It’s such a grandiose way to start “Currents”. It’s haunting and entrancing, and the drop after the bridge is euphoric.

3 – King Kunta (Kendrick Lamar)

“King Kunta” is probably the most commercial song on “To Pimp A Butterfly” (other than maybe “Alright”).

It’s got a powerful bassline, and Kendrick’s flow is as slick as ever.

2 – Fourth of July (Sufjan Stevens)

Haunting. Absolutely haunting. And yet “Fourth of July” is so beautiful.

It tells such a sad tale, and those subtle bass synth swells almost made me choke up.

1 – The Blacker The Berry (Kendrick Lamar)

In an album full of hard-hitting songs, “The Blacker The Berry” still comes barrelling in like a freight train.

Kendrick holds nothing back – both the lyrics and the production are an all-out assault.

BEST SONG OF 2015 – “Let It Happen” (Tame Impala)

This was a rough choice. All ten songs could’ve been the outright best.

Top-Rated Albums

Source: http://www.besteveralbums.com

5 – Art Angels (Grimes)

Wow. That was an odd album.

I’m not too familiar with Grimes’ work, but “Art Angels” seems to be a fusion of many Pop genres – from Alternative to Rock to Club to … Chinese? Weirdly, I can see where some recent artists draw their influences.

4 – I Love You, Honeybear (Father John Misty)

For as melodic and entrancing as Father John Misty’s sound is, I’m surprised by how vulgar some of the songs are.

“I Love You, Honeybear” is like a Fleet Foxes album but with more expansive and experimental songwriting – which makes sense given that Father John Misty used to be a part of that band.

3 – Currents (Tame Impala)

Lots of people call “Currents” Tame Impala’s best album. I’m more of a “Lonerism” guy myself, but this album is definitely a close second – and another roaring success from Kevin Parker.

“Let It Happen” is my favourite Tame Impala song. “The Less I Know The Better” is everyone else’s favourite Tame Impala song. Basically, the individual tracks on this album are exceptional.

2 – Carrie & Lowell (Sufjan Stevens)

In many ways, “Carrie & Lowell” is a better album than “Illinois” – something I didn’t think Sufjan Stevens was capable of.

This is more focused and a touch more personal. “Death with Dignity” and “Fourth of July” are stunning.

1 – To Pimp A Butterfly (Kendrick Lamar)

There have been some phenomenal albums this year, but there was only ever going to be one winner – “To Pimp A Butterfly” is one of the most important and impressive albums of the millenium.

“Wesley’s Theory”, “Alright”, “King Kunta”, “How Much A Dollar Cost”, “The Blacker The Berry” and “These Walls” are all incredible Rap songs that would be the stand-outs on lesser albums. There’s no weak track on the album – and the social messages are as relevant as ever.

BEST ALBUM OF 2015 – “To Pimp A Butterfly” (Kendrick Lamar)

Final Thoughts

2015 was definitely a big step up from 2014. The high-rated stuff was dominated by three albums, but I can’t complain when the overall quality is better.

Overall Grade: B+

Aaaaand that’s my list! You can check out some of my latest blog posts below: