It’s always interesting looking back at the year in music, and 2015 was a big one. The year brought a huge domination of rap and hip-hop artists, the most notable being Kendrick Lamar’s “To Pimp a Butterfly,” which got him 11 Grammy nominations. This was also the year of sunny, easy-going tropical EDM, led by Norwegian DJ Kygo. This was so big that even artists as big as Justin Bieber incorporated it into their music, which to most people’s surprise, we all liked. But what was the best song of the year or album or artist? Now of course those questions are highly subjective, but I’ll give you a quick rundown of my favorite music of 2015. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find a new artist to enjoy in 2016.
It was difficult to choose one artist that was my favorite from 2015, but if I had to choose Years and Years has to be the one. This British electronic pop group blew up with their catchy hooks and energetic dance beats. They also released their first full-length album, “Communion,” which gave even more moving, upbeat tracks as well as some calming, slow songs. That album was always playing in my car on sunny summer drives and it still holds up today.
For top album, I’m caught between two powerhouse record: Grimes’ “Art Angels” and newcomer Empress Of’s debut album “Me.” Starting with Grimes, she changed up her sound this year and I was so impressed. Rather than a sort of ambient, mysterious style Grimes is so good at, she creates one of the most dynamic pop albums ever made, with some of the strongest production of any album this past year. Songs off “Art Angels” to note include “Flesh Without Blood,” which is one of the greatest “screw you” songs ever made, and “California,” an ode to knowing your own vision as an artist. Also check out “Kill V. Maim” and “Venus Fly.”
“Flesh Without Blood” Video
Empress Of has had a slow build into the music scene. I was lucky enough to see her open for one of my favorite artists, Kimbra, back in February of last year. To be honest, I was not impressed when I first heard her but this album changed my mind completely. This album tells a story and is deeply personal, which can be heard in the hard-hitting “Kitty Kat” and the chant-like song “Icon.” The top track on the album has to be “Standard,” which has an amazing hook and commentary on the greed of America. This album was a huge highlight from my 2015.
There were also a lot of new artists this year that I became obsessed with. One artist, Tink, has been hailed as a new Aaliyah and created some modern, yet throwback, hip hop with “Million” being her best track of
2015. There was also Eryn Allen Kane, a powerhouse voice that created an even more powerful EP. Her first single, “Piano Song,” overflows with soul and fills your ears with sweet, sweet music which is characteristic of all of her songs.
I could keep writing for hours about this, as so many artists were amazing this past year. Some honorable mentions are Gallant, Nao, Lianne La Havas, FKA Twigs, Troye Sivan, Mura Masa, Grace Mitchell and Snakehips. Also, I’m really looking forward to finally getting that Rihanna album she’s been teasing us with for the past year and hopefully the new Frank Ocean album, but we’ll have to wait and see.
