2015 was, musically, a very eventful year. My initial intention was to compile a list of what I deemed the top 5 albums of the year. However this quickly progressed to a much larger number, which I was eventually able to compress to my top 20.

1. Art Angels by Grimes
2. Wiped Out! by The Neighbourhood
3. Surf by Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment
4. Currents by Tame Impala
5. Carrie & Lowell by Sufjan Stevens
6. To Pimp  A Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar
7. Blurryface by Twenty One Pilots
8. Cry Baby by Melanie Martinez
9. Beauty Behind The Madness by the Weeknd
10. No Cities to Love by Sleater-Kinney
11. If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late by Drake
12. California Nights by Best Coast
13. Kala by Trevor Hall
14. Ratchet by Shamir
15. Cherry Bomb by Tyler, The Creator
16. Blue Neighbourhood by Troye Sivan
17. another eternity by Purity Ring
18. Kicker by Zella Day
19. Made in the A.M. by One Direction
20. The Shape of Brat Pop to Come by HOLY CHILD

*With the exception of the top 5 these are not necessarily ordered

Loosely, I would define Art Angels by Grimes, Wiped Out! by the Neighbourhood, Surf by Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment, Currents by Tame Impala, and Carrie & Lowell by Sufjan Stevens, as my top 5 albums of 2015.

Art Angels by Grimes

Genre/influences: dance, art pop, sythpop

Without a doubt, this has been my most played album of the year. While lacking none of the chaotic unconventionality and unique sound of her previous albums, Art Angels appears more polished and cohesive. The standouts of the album include, “Kill V. Maim,” “World Princess part II,” “Butterfly,” and the titular track, “Artangels.” “Kill V. Maim” through changing vocal inflictions, an increasing background tempo, the recognizable sound of a guitar, and melodic chanting, forms a more fast paced yet still dimensional and versatile song. “World Princess part II,” along with “Kill V. Maim” a definite contender for my favorite song of the album, is dynamic and danceable. However, there is something almost calming and otherworldly about the song. Additionally, when listening to the songs in the determined album order, the transition from “Life in the Vivid Dream” to “Butterfly” is especially notable.

Wiped Out! by The Neigbourhood

Genre/influences: indie rock, alternative rock

I’ll be the first to admit it, The Neighbourhood does very much have a vibe of “middle class white kid who thinks the world is out to get him.” However, this album was incredibly enjoyable and void of any weak songs. Determining the top tracks of this album is a difficult feat, but I would call out “Daddy issues,” “Greetings from Califournia,” and “R.I.P. 2 My Youth.” This the album you’ll want to listen to as you’re driving down the coast at night, feeling insignificant. Wiped Out! Is an album that washes over you, although the sound of each song differs, slower and faster, more soothing to chaotic, each song appears to draw influences from its predecessor. The background music which includes soft drums, a rhythm guitar, and chimes, gives each song a consistent element of softness and nostalgia. “Greetings From Califournia” begins peacefully, the familiar sounds of the beach transitioning slowly into a haunting voice, before the drum is more heavily utilizing, and the vocals change. The chorus of the song is slowed and sung by the initial voice, contrasting with the harsher drum beats of the rest of the song. “R.I.P 2 My Youth,” starts out similarly, a quieter and more relaxed sound giving way to more present drumming before launching into the lyrical portion of the song. This song serves as a strong close to the album.

Surf by Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment

Genre/influences: neo soul, jazz fusion, hip hop

Surf is a triumph. The work of trumpeter Nico Segal (Donnie Trumpet) blends flawlessly with vocal work from the contributing “The Social Experiment,” of which Chance the Rapper is Included, and the various other musical instruments utilized. This album is unclassifiable in terms of genre, jazz, soul, hip hop, and dance, all clear influencers. Due to the diverse sound of each individual composition, highlighting particular songs to pay attention too is tough. “Miracle,” “Slip Slide,” and “Windows” are notable, though. “Slip and Slide” begins with an upbeat drum piece reminiscent of a school marching band before melting into a more relaxed and sultry piece with lyrics.  This song comes in waves, the use of different instruments and artists’ vocals almost segmenting it. The vocal talent of B.o.B, BJ the Chicago Kid, Busta Rhymes, Janelle Monáe & Ady Suleiman are featured specifically in this dynamic masterpiece. Several purely instrumental songs are also integrated into the album including, “Nothing Came to Me” and “Something Came to Me.”

Currents by Tame Impala

Genre/influences: psychedelic rock, disco, sythpop, R&B

Currents appear as a slight departure from Tame Impala’s previous work. Although the band retains the same general sound and vibe, this particular album seems more heavily focused on the work of synthesizers, creating a more danceable energy. This album is thoroughly enjoyable and something that one can completely lose themselves in. Notable tracks include “Let It Happen,” which serves as a perfect start to the album, introducing the listener to the varied sound through layered lyrics and long instrumental sections. “Eventually,” “‘Cause I’m a Man,” “Reality in Motion,” and “New Person, Same Mistakes” are also standouts. “New Person, Same Mistakes” serves as the close to the album and is the second longest song of the album after “Let it Happen,” creating a nice effect, it feels as if the album has come full circle.

Carrie & Lowell by Sufjan Stevens

Genre/influences: indie folk

Sufjan never disappoints. Shying away from the discordant electronic influence of previous album, The Age Adz (which is also great, by the way) and some of his other projects, Stevens seems to focus more on his own soft vocals and a more acoustic background sound. Standouts of the album include “Death with Dignity,” “Drawn to the Blood,” “Should Have known Better,” and the titular track, “Carrie & Lowell.” All of the songs have an ethereal feel. While I did describe Grimes’ Art Angels similarly as being “otherworldly” in some components, the two albums are extremely different. Art Angels has the feel of crazy-looking-alien-women-taking-over-the-world-and-being-totally-badass while Carrie & Lowell and Stevens’ vocals embody the quietness of a magical world, sorceresses with long white hair, and fairy wings.  Several songs on this album including, “Should Have Known Better” mix the background sound of quiet guitar playing in such a way, that mirrored is the sounds of rain drops quietly falling. This serves to replicate the feeling of sitting quietly watching rain slide down the window, bittersweet yet hopeful.

This list is obviously completely subjective and many other remarkable albums were introduced in 2015.

Rose Flynn, a Junior editor of The Harborlight cites her top 5 albums of 2015 as:

1) Blue Neighbourhood by Troye Sivan

2) Cry Baby by Melanie Martinez

3) Sound & Color by Alabama Shakes

4) 25 by Adele

5)  Made in the A.M. by One Direction

Now here’s to 2016 being just as musically prolific.