We're more than half way through 2015 and I've accumulated some great music so far. From hiphop to electronica to funk there have been a bevy of album of the year candidates. I've been keeping an inventory of what's at the top of my list up to this point.
Disclaimer: I'm not a music expert nor a professional critic. This list is not going to include any sophisticated critiquing but simply my opinions on what I've enjoyed so far this year.
Here they are in no particular order.
Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly
I'm pretty sure anytime Kendrick Lamar releases a new album it's going to immediately skyrocket to the top of my Album of the Year list. To Pimp a Butterfly has a funky, jazzy feel and is honest and unapologetic. Just like good kid, m.A.A.d city the storytelling in To Pimp a Butterfly is enjoyable and eclectic.
Essential Tracks: Wesley's Theory (feat George Clinton and Thundercat), Institutionalized (feat Bilal, Anna Wise and Thundercat)
Purchase on iTunes
Listen on Apple Music
Purity Ring - Another Eternity
I really love this genre "future pop" that as far as I know got extremely popular a few years ago. I prefer to just refer to it as "electronic hop". The downtempo vibe of Another Eternity mixed with the hard trap beats and ethereal sound they are known for make this one of my favorites for 2015. Whether at the gym or in the office there are plenty of anthem style tracks which make this album perfect for anytime of the day.
Essential Tracks: Begin Again, Push Pull
Purchase on iTunes
Listen on Apple Music
Thundercat - The Beyond / Where the Giants Roam
My familiarity with Thundercat comes from his work he's done with Flying Lotus and Kendrick Lamar, most notably his production on Wesley's Theory off To Pimp a Butterfly. The Beyond/Where the Giants Roam is a six track EP that spouts a funky and airy vibe. The standout track is Them Changes which is co-produced with Flying Lotus and lays down a funky bassline with a fantastic Isley Brothers sample.
Essential Tracks: Them Changes, Lone Wolf and Cub
Purchase on iTunes
Listen on Apple Music
Tame Impala - Currents
I'm a newbie Tame Impala fan. I first heard them on the single Elephant which had some killer blues riffs. I immediately checked out Lonerism and became a fan. The interesting thing is Elephant stood out on it's own as the rest of the album did not have that same blues feel to it. I had not been following Tame Impala so Currents was a surprise to me when it appeared on Apple Music. I immediately dove in and experienced a sound much different from Lonersim. Perhaps it's a natural progression but Currents provides deep and heavy basslines and amazing synths. Put on a pair of quality noise canceling headphone and enjoy this one.
Essential Tracks: Eventually, 'Cause I'm a Man
Purchase on iTunes
Listen on Apple Music
A$AP Rocky - At.Long.Last.A$AP
When A$AP Rocky released his debut album Long.Live.A$AP I was in the camp of people who was extremely disappointed with the long awaited LP. Other than a few of the radio singles (Goldie, F!@#$* Problems) I felt the rest of the album was filler and didn't live up to my lofty expectations that were set by Rocky's amazing and quite frankly one of the best mix tapes of all time Live.Love.A$AP. He totally redeemed himself with At.Long.Last.A$AP. A.L.L.A is a much more expansive and experimental change from his previous two albums. The album flows quite well from track to track and features a handful of standout tracks and much less filler than the previous effort. This album has been in constant rotation since its release.
Essential Tracks: Electric Body (feat. Schoolboy Q), Everyday (feat. Rod Stewart, Miguel, and Mark Ronson), M'$ (feat. Lil Wayne)
Purchase on iTunes
Listen on Apple Music
Jamie XX - In Colour
Jamie XX caught my attention when I first heard his non In Colour single All Under One Roof Raving. It had a nostalgic UK breakbeat vibe to it that was hard not to rock out too. Lots of heavy bass, spaced out instrumentals and chopped up samples make this album great. One of the standout tracks, I Know There's Gonna Be (Good Times), was my runner up to track of the year.
Essential Tracks: I Know There's Gonna Be (Good Times)(feat. Young Thug and Popcaan), Sleep Sound
Purchase on iTunes
Listen on Apple Music
Vince Staples - Summertime 06
The more I listen to Summertime 06 the more it moves up closer to the top of my AOTY list. I'm typically skeptical about double disc albums (see Wu-Tang Clan) but Summertime 06 is a well balanced album that has great transition throughout with very minimal need for skipping tracks. I was impatiently waiting for this release after thoroughly enjoying Staples' debut EP Hell Can Wait. I think it's a pretty incredible debut that tops any of his previous work. Staples' lyrics are pretty ingenious and continuously amusing. Staples recently sat down with NPR's Microphone Check podcast and provided some great behind the scenes of his life and the making of his album.
Essential Tracks: Norf Norf, Lift Me Up
Purchase on iTunes
Listen on Apple Music
Ratatat - Magnifique
Ratatat's Magnifique is a fresh take on an old sound. It's tough to figure out what genre to put Ratatat into as they pretty much created their own over time. This album took a few listens to grow on me but is now part of my daily rotation. What I like about this new album is it reminds me of their first album the self-titled Ratatat. As an added bonus, Ratatat provided the production for Despot's recent single release, House of Bricks which was a finalist in my track of the year category.
Essential Tracks: Rome, Cream on Chrome
Purchase on iTunes
Listen on Apple Music
Crooked Colours - Another Way (GRMM Remix) (Song of the Year)
Every year there is that one song that I just cannot stop playing on repeat. More importantly this track NEVER gets old. Last year it was Arctic Monkeys - Arabella. I discovered GRMM's remix of Another Way on SiriusXM Chill and it immediately had me bobbing my head in the car. The track has a great summertime, tropical vibe to it with an irresistible vocal track. Can't forget the sick bass drop. Keep your eye on GRMM. His Soundcloud has some pretty fantastic remixes and original material.
Runners Up: Despot - House of Bricks, David Zowie - House Every Weekend, Vince Staples - Norf Norf, Alabama Shakes - Don't Wanna Fight, Beck - Dreams, ODESZA - Bloom
Purchase on iTunes
Listen on Apple Music
There are plenty of albums that didn't make the cut but were still quality listens such as Action Bronson's - Mr. Wonderful, Lupe Fiasco's - Tetsuo & Youth and Joey Bada$$'s - B4.DA.$$.
I'm curious what you've been enjoying. Leave it in the comments.
