My Favorite Albums of 2015
The weeks leading to the New Year kept me pretty busy, so I didn’t have time to do my unofficial Best of the Year posts. Now I finally have time. Rather than calling my posts “The Best ____ of 2015,” I’m gonna go with “My Favorite ____ of 2015,” because I haven’t listened to nearly enough music to be able to call something the best.
For one reason or another, these 12 albums resonated with me. They’re not my favorites because they’re the best music. Usually, it’s their lyrics that stuck with me, or a certain feeling or tone. Or even the style. Whatever the case is, here’s my favorite 12 albums of 2015:
Nate Ruess – “Grand Romantic”
Sure I’m bummed there hasn’t been a new “fun.” album out in a while, but to cover that void is lead singer Nate Ruess’ debut solo album. The album still has the same style and signature voice as the band, though I would it has a less joyous tone.
Standout tracks: “Nothing Without Love,” “Grand Romantic,” “It Only Gets Much Worse”
Standout lyric: “All your love may fade away, all you’ll become may all go to waste. So I can’t stand to hear you say it hurts, when it only gets much worse. It only gets much worse.” – It Only Gets Much Worse
Ryan Adams – “1989″
I love Taylor Swift’s “1989,” so I was interested in hearing a new version of the album. It’s safe to say it’s very indie, but it’s still a great album and nice tribute to the original work. The more simplistic nature of Ryan Adams’ cover of “1989″ makes you appreciate Swift’s lyrics even more.
Standout tracks: “Welcome to New York,” “Out of the Woods,” “All You Had to Do Was Stay,” “Wildest Dreams,” “How You Get the Girl”
AWOLNATION – “Run”
Their new album isn’t as catchy as their previous one, but their haunting and atmospheric tone stayed with me. It’s hard for me to describe this band’s style because it’s so… odd. But I like it.
Standout tracks: “Run,” “Jailbreak,” “Woman Woman”
Standout lyric: “I am a human being capable of doing terrible things.” – Run
One Direction – Made in the A.M.
1D’s final album before their indefinite hiatus continues their foray into the more rock and mature-sounding style. I personally like it a lot more than “Four,” and it’s a more fun album overall.
Standout tracks: “Perfect,” “History,” “Temporary Fix,” “A.M.”
Standout lyric: “Won’t you stay till the A.M.? All my favorite conversations, always made in the A.M.” – A.M.
Imagine Dragons – “Smoke + Mirrors”
Initially I felt disappointed at Imagine Dragons’ second album, but I’ve grown to appreciate it. I still do think their debut album “Night Visions” is superior, though; it’s a shorter album that felt more cohesive. “Smoke + Mirrors” still features great music, but the album feels extremely bloated, and it didn’t help that I had the deluxe edition. The majority of the songs I repeatedly listen to is from the first half of the album, so unfortunately the rest is pretty forgettable.
Standout tracks: “Smoke and Mirrors,” “I Bet My Life,” “Polaroid,” “It Comes Back to You”
Standout lyric: “Love is a polaroid – better in picture, but never can fill the void.” – Polaroid
Shawn Mendes – “Handwritten (Revisited)”
I got into Shawn Mendes’ music pretty late, but man I’m addicted to his song “Stitches.” It’s flawless! His music is pretty mature as well as catchy, which is impressive considering his age.
Standout tracks: “Life of the Party,” “Stitches,” “Never Be Alone,” “Something Big”
Standout lyric: “Take a piece of my heart and make it all your own, so when we are apart, you’ll never be alone.” – Never Be Alone
The Vamps – “Wake Up”
A younger alternative to One Direction, The Vamps are just as fun and catchy, though their music feels more immature than the former. The Vamps’ debut album was memorable for me, featuring several catchy and fun songs. Their follow-up is just as catchy and fun, and that’s all I need (what I could’ve done without is Silento being a featured artist).
Standout tracks: “Wake Up,” “Rest Your Love,” “Volcano (ft. Silento),” “Be With You”
Standout lyric: “Lay your troubles on my shoulders, put your worries in my pocket, rest your love on me awhile.” – Rest Your Love
A Great Big World – “When the Morning Comes”
This band is downright fun. Their music is beautiful and pure. It’s full of optimism and love. Their second album isn’t as quirky as their debut (there’s no equivalent to “Everyone is Gay”, but they’ve grown more confident and strong with their unique sound.
Standout tracks: “All I Want is Love,” “Kaleidoscope,” “Hold Each Other,” “Oasis,” “The Future’s Right in Front of Me,” “When the Morning Comes”
Standout lyric: “Something happens when I hold him. He keeps my heart from getting broken when the days get short and the nights get a little bit frozen.” – Hold Each Other
Troye Sivan – “Blue Neighbourhood”
Probably my favorite album on this list, I’d never heard of Troye Sivan until my best friend posted a song by him on Tumblr, but when I did hear him, I was instantly hooked. I can’t really describe it, but I love his style of music. His voice is honest and vulnerable, the instrumentals set a chilling and atmospheric tone, and his lyrics – his greatest strength – are memorable and mature. I also recommend watching his “Blue Neighborhood” music video trilogy, featuring his first three singles.
Standout tracks: “Wild,” “Fools,” “Talk Me Down,” “Cool,” “Youth,” “Lost Boy,” “for him. (feat. Allday),” “Blue (ft. Alex Hope)”
Standout lyrics:
“You make my heart shake, bend and break, but I can’t turn away and it’s driving me wild.” – Wild
“You don’t have to say ‘I love you’ to say ‘I love you.’” – for him. (ft. Allday)
“As a smile fell from your face, I fell with it.” – Lost Boy
Hilary Duff – “Breathe In. Breathe Out.”
Her first album in eight years didn’t disappoint! It’s too early to tell if any of her new music will stand the test of time like “Come Clean,” “Beat of My Heart,” or “Wake Up,” but it’s fun and catchy nonetheless. It’s great to have Hilary Duff back.
Standout tracks: “Sparks,” “One in a Million,” “Breathe In. Breathe Out.,” “Tattoo,” “Night Like This (ft. Kendall Schmidt),” “Belong”
Standout lyric: “I made a top ten list of all the things I miss, your lying eyes and lips, they didn’t make it. And when I’m cold at night I know that I’ll survive. Until I feel alright, I’m gonna fake it.” – Breathe In. Breathe Out.
Carly Rae Jepsen – “Emotion”
Who would’ve thought Carly Rae Jepsen would release one of the best pop albums of the year? Well that’s what happened and there’s no regreats. The entire album is a breezy and fun tribute to 80s pop.
Standout tracks: “Run Away With Me,” “I Really Like You,” “Your Type”
Standout lyric: “Baby, take me to the feeling. I’ll be your sinner in secret when the lights go out.” – Run Away With Me
Adele – “25″
There’s not much I can write that many people don’t already know. Adele is back and she’s just as good, maybe even better than before. Instead of a breakup album (like “21″), “25″ is an album full of experience and growth. There’s maturity. She calls it a “make-up album.”
Standout tracks: “Hello,” “Send My Love (To Your New Lover),” “When We Were Young,” “Remedy,” “What Under the Bridge,” “Million Years Ago,”
Standout lyrics:
“But if by chance you’re here alone, can I have a moment before I go? Cause I’ve been by myself all night long, hoping you’re someone I used to know.” – When We Were Young
“I know I’m not the only one who regrets the things they’ve done. Sometimes I just feel it’s only me who never became who they thought they’d be.” – Million Years Ago
“When the pain cuts you deep, when the night keeps you from sleeping, just look and you will see that I will be your remedy.” – Remedy
