15 for 15' — My Favorites from this Year
Criteria for the list is simply what I enjoyed the most. |
| 15 |  | Baroness
Purple
Favorite track: Try to Disappear — I waited til the very end to listen to Purple, and it'd probably be higher on the list with some more time. I'm a Thrice fanboy and this combination of a proficient rhythm section, sharp riffs, and belted vocals gives me cause for excitement. |
| 14 |  | Intronaut
The Direction of Last Things
Favorite track: Fast Worms — Sputnik said this was really good. I listened to it. It was really good. |
| 13 |  | The Ongoing Concept
Handmade
Favorite track: Trophy — I have a soft spot for this type of metalcore/hardcore/whatever you want to call it. Nothing this year stood out to me quite as much as Handmade, and two songs in particular ("Amends" and "Trophy") really grabbed my attention. |
| 12 |  | Meg Myers
Sorry
Favorite track: Sorry — Had to pick a pop album from this year, though it's the only one I can recall listening to. Sorry is catchy, it's fun, it has some really interesting moments. Title track has been stuck in my head for months now. Send help. |
| 11 |  | Kendrick Lamar
To Pimp a Butterfly
Favorite track: The Blacker the Berry — I'll admit that I don't understand this album. I'm not the audience, I'm not the subject matter, and I'm not even enough of an avid music listener to fully appreciate the production. Despite all of that, I'm glad I sat down and listened to this all the way through. It's probably the most important album from this year. |
| 10 |  | Native Tongue
Driftwood Head
Favorite track: Rorschach — It's unknown, it's short, and I enjoy it. Reminds me a bit of Gates' album from last year, Bloom and Breathe. Going to spend more time listening to this next year. |
| 9 |  | Deafheaven
New Bermuda
Favorite track: Luna — I've read that Deafheaven is black metal for people that don't like black metal. I don't like black metal and I enjoyed New Bermuda just as much as Sunbather. I guess they're right. |
| 8 |  | Red
Of Beauty and Rage
Favorite track: Of These Chains — I'd say this Red's best work. After two lackluster albums, they come back and deliver an album filled with, as aptly described by the title, beauty and rage. |
| 7 |  | Bring Me the Horizon
That's the Spirit
Favorite track: Doomed — Put aside what you think BMTH should and should not be. This is a nu metal album, one of the best since Meteora. The production is sublime. The lyrics are fairly cliche but it's nu metal. I wanted to hate this album and I simply couldn't. |
| 6 |  | Beach Slang
The Things We Do to Find People Who Feel
Favorite track: Young & Alive — Beach Slang thrives on distortion-drenched rock. The vocals remind me of Blue October and the music reminds me of standard 90's grunge. But it's fun to listen to and full of passion. |
| 5 |  | Arcane Roots
Heaven and Earth
Favorite track: If Nothing Breaks, Nothing Moves — It's technically an EP, but it's longer than some of the LPs on the list. The vocals are incredible and the music is pretty stunning. Listen to the "If Nothing Breaks, Nothing Moves." You'll see what I mean. |
| 4 |  | The Dear Hunter
Act IV: Rebirth in Reprise
Favorite track: A Night on the Town — Act IV's length discouraged me from getting into it right away, but it was definitely worth the listen. It's theatrical and colorful and a joy to hear. |
| 3 |  | The Sidekicks
Runners in the Nerved World
Favorite track: Summer Brings You Closer to Satan — I wrote a review about this album and my opinion hasn't changed. It's nothing special and I can't really recommend it... but I also can't stop listening to it. The vocal melodies and lyrics have kept me coming back all year long. |
| 2 |  | Chelsea Wolfe
Abyss
Favorite track: Carrion Flowers — Chelsea Wolfe gets damn dark here. Carrion Flowers is my favorite song of 2015, and this album would probably be at the top if I were more familiar with the second half. |
| 1 |  | Elvis Depressedly
New Alhambra
Favorite track: Rock N' Roll — This one really grew on me at the end of the year. It's quite short and musically melancholic, but it's so calming and easy to listen to. It stands at the top because I fell in love with it unlike I really did with any other album. |
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