As we start to wrap up 2015, it is time to reflect on all the good that was given to us in the past year and gahh damn… 2015 was one crazy year for the music world. Not only did legendary artists prove their talent even more so through their new releases, but we were all introduced to some underdogs that none of us were ready for… Having to choose my top selection of 2015’s best albums, I knew I had a variety to select from. I was having to choose from the best of the best, but I feel I narrowed it down to some pretty dope projects that have made their mark in the past year…so let’s see if you agree.
Here are MY top albums from 2015…
Lana Del Rey- Honeymoon
To kick off the list, one album I have to include as one of my 2015 favorites is Honeymoon by my girl Lana Del Rey. Ever since Lana dropped her album Born To Die, I hopped on the Lana bandwagon and have yet to get off. Hearing she was dropping and LP, I got so stoked. Along with my excitement, I can’t lie, there was apart of me that was at ease. Her soft musical style is so unique in today’s music generation, I was hoping this album would not sound the same as her previous ones because some tracks can sometimes sound very similar to others. But after hearing her first single off of the album, “High By The Beach,” I was reassured of why her sound was so appealing. With still having that slow and jazzy Lana vibe to the album, she brought some new elements to it that had me playing the album on loop. Every girl needs a breakup album to get the feels with, and this one did it for me…So thank you Lana.
My top tracks from the album are “High By The Beach”, “Art Deco”, & “Music To Watch Boys To.”
Disclosure- Caracal
Along with having a favorite breakup album of the year I also have a favorite dance album of the year which is Disclosure’s Caracal. The duo made their comeback with this LP and it is composed of all bangers. Many songs off of this project were ones that you would consistently hear on the radio along with other that would not be able to leave your head…but all with good reason. The two linked up with some of today’s top artists to capture some vocals to add onto their production ( The Weeknd, Sam Smith, Lorde, and Miguel to name a few..) I could never call an album perfect, but god damn this one is pretty close to it.
Some of my favorite tracks from the album are “Magnets”, “Omen”, & “Good Intentions.”
Kehlani- You Should Be Here
Kehlani is one artist I went into the 2015 year with not having a single clue on who she was, and I cannot be any happier that I came across her music this past year. And like I said before… she is definitely an underdog in the music world that many artists need to watch out for. I was introduced to her work when I first heard her track with Chicagoan of the year, Chance The Rapper, entitled “The Way”. Not only was that track one of my favorites of the year but her album, You Should Be Here, made my top list as well. Along with making her name known in the world with her latest mixtape, the Oakland songstress was even Grammy nominated for ‘The Best Urban Contemporary Album’. So with that being said, congrats Kehlani! I am looking forward to see what’s next for you.
My top picks from this mixtape are “The Way”, “Niggas”, & “Down For You.”
Justin Bieber- Purpose
With me being only 13 when Justin Bieber was introduced into fame, I consider myself apart of the “Bieber generation”, where every other teenage girl obtained what they called “Bieber Fever.” And as crazy as it sounds, I was never one of those girls. I never understood the obsession with his over rated pop sound, but I am not going to lie…after hearing this year’s album, I could now consider myself a “Belieber”. Justin Bieber’s latest album, Purpose, caught me so off guard. He grew so much as an artist and portrays it immensely through his most recent work. On this LP, he worked with top artists such as Ed Sheeran, Diplo, and Skrillex. The Biebs continuously killed the game this year by releasing hit after hit that you would hear everywhere you go. Some such as “Where Are Ü Now”, “What Do You Mean?” & my personal favorite.. “Sorry”.
Some of my top tracks from this album are “What Do You Mean?”, “Sorry”, & “Love Yourself.”
Miguel- Wildheart
Hit soul singer, Miguel, hit stardom when releasing his 2012 hit “Adorn”. Since then, I never really considered myself a huge Miguel fan due to the fact I was only familiar with a few singles that I would only hear on the radio. But coming into the new year I started hearing his name again when I would hear comparisons between the California native to one of my favorite artists.. Frank Ocean (still waiting on Frank’s album doe…). I would think there is no way Miguel can level up to Frank Ocean’s talent. But after taking a listen to his most recent project, Wildheart, my mind was instantly amazed to which the liking of both R&B singers became just as equal. The fresh and sensual sound he portrays through this intimate album shows Miguel’s notable artistry. I am happy to see recognition from many others, too, as Wildheart is nominated for ‘Best Urban Contemporary Album’ for this year’s Grammys.
My favorite songs on this album are “Coffee”, “Waves”, & “A Beautiful Exit”.
Drake- If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late
No one was ready for this one, especially since Drake dropped this one as a surprise project for his fans. But then again… it’s the 6 God, surprise or no surprise, Drake is going to hit us with a dope ass album. The Toronto native showed his consistent grind this year by even dropping a SECOND project, What A Time To Be Alive, with good friend Future. Though that album was just as raw, If You’re Reading This Its Too Late definitely topped the list for me. This album was released in the beginning of the year yet a number of the songs off the record could still get a crowd turnt to this very day. He offers listeners multiple sick beats along with verses that everyone chants as an anthem. He gives us “Know Yourself” that you will hear at about every party you go to, to “Jungle” that’ll get you Draking without even knowing. With that, Drizzy proves to the world of why he is one of the most influential musicians in our generation, so kudos to you 6 God… Keep on the grind.
As hard as it was to choose, my top tracks from this album are “Energy”, “Know Yourself”, “Legend”, and “Jungle.”
Towkio- .Wav Theory
I was first introduced to Towkio as he was an opener for a Vic Mensa show I attended last year. I instantly knew this artist was one that everyone needed to watch out for. Without even knowing any lyrics at the time, he had the whole crowd vibing along to each and everyone one of his songs. Since then, things only went up for the SaveMoney member. 2015 was an awesome year for Towkio as he finally received his own spotlight with his debut mixtape .Wav Theory. Towkio displayed his different sound in the rap game as the album had a soul and funk vibe to it that made it uniquely appealing. He also linked up with a fellow Chicagoans to make some some dope ass tracks for the album, such as Chance The Rapper, Vic Mensa, Joey Purp, and Donnie Trumpet. This is the only start for the rapper, so keep doing what you’re doing Towkio, and keep making Chicago proud.
Some of my favorite tracks from this mixtape are “Heaven Only Knows”, “God In Me”, “Free Your Mind” and “I know You”.
Major Lazer- Peace Is The Mission
Major Lazer has raised the bar for EDM music immensely in the past year. Many say that all electro music artists could all sound similar with their constant mashups and beat drops, but after taking a listen to the Major Lazer trio (Diplo, Jillionaire and Walshy Fire), you will witness how they’re changing the game. Major Lazer’s latest album, Peace Is The Mission, showed the insane talent these guys possess. This album contained a reggae vibe to it, but nonetheless will make you want to dance (I promise you on that). It features vocals from some very familiar names such as Ariana Grande, Wild Belle, Ellie Goulding, Travi$ Scott, and many more. I also was lucky enough to have seen these guys live this past October at Mad Decent Block Party. There, too, they blew my mind. Even though they do not have live instrumentals and vocals, their chemistry with the audience was just as amazing. Their energy was so intense and the whole crowd felt it. I am so happy Major Lazer is getting the recognition that they deserve, and I am looking forward to hear their work in the near future.
Some of my favorite tracks from this album are “Be Together”, “Lean On”, and “Too Original”.
Travi$ Scott- Rodeo
I’m not going to lie… I had to include this album pretty last minute because it was too hard to leave out. Travi$ Scott’s LP, Rodeo, was so highly anticipated in 2015 that I initially did not know what to expect. I would constantly hear “Antidote” at about every college party I attended and would hear this guy would get so turnt during performances that he even got arrested at Lolla (Click here to check it out, haha). So with that being said, I knew this album had to include something crazy, and I was right. Songs like “Maria I’m Drunk” and “Piss On Your Grave” were a few tracks this year that would not leave my head. Top artists like Justin Bieber, Kanye West, and Chief Keef were featured on the album, and for it being his debut LP, I think thats a pretty good start to his career. This album contains so much hype and it without a doubt is one of the dopest albums of 2015.
A few of my favorite songs from this album are “Antidote”, “Piss On Your Grave”, and “Maria I’m Drunk”. (ANDD if I have any DePaul students reading this, don’t forget to vote Travi$ Scott as this years FEST opener) 😉
A$AP Rocky- A.L.L.A.
As hard as it was to come up with my top albums of 2015, it was not hard choosing my personal favorite. A$AP Rocky’s A.L.L.A. went so hard that it definitely got the W for this year. A$AP Rocky, for me, has always been the epitome of “goals”. From his style to his swag and charisma, this guy has the whole package. This album just adds on to his dopeness as it has little to no flaw. He even had some talented ass artists to hop on the album to make it even better (Kanye West, SchoolBoy Q, Miguel, & Rod Stewart to name a few). His 2013 debut album, Long.Live.A$AP., built so much buzz to which everyone became familiar of the Harlem rapper. I knew it was going to be a hard album to follow, but gah damn Flacko sure did go above and beyond my expectations. From “L$D” to “Excuse Me”, A$AP offers so much with this project, yet still manages to keep a flow that’ll make you feel like you’re on a trip. With that being said, A.L.L.A., is my choice of 2015’s dopest album.
My favorite songs off of A.L.L.A. are “L$D”, “Excuse Me”, “Lord Pretty Flacko Jodye 2”, and “Dreams”.
