Top 50 of 2015: Part 4
Ben Folds &; yMusic (Photo courtesy of Webster Media)
19. So Stressed – The Unlawful Trade of Greco-Roman Art
The only thing unlawful about this album is how aggressive it is. Although that’s a good thing. Post-hardcore trio So Stressed release their tension through their debut record The Unlawful Trade of Greco-Roman Art in the form of mathematical time signatures, erratic percussion, and coarse, punk vocals. Just pick a song, and prepare to have your mind and ears blown (in that order).
18. BADBADNOTGOOD & Ghostface Killah – Sour Soul
Putting together instrumental jazz with hip-hop is an amazing idea. For decades, hip-hop has been sampling jazz, soul, and funk artists to export their lyrical flow overtop, but when an actual jazz act is a rapper’s supporting band, it’s pretty special. And when that rapper is legendary Wu-Tang member Ghostface Killah: yes please!
17. Ben Folds – So There
Piano pop: check. Adulthood angst: check. Now that we’ve figured out we have a Ben Folds album at hand, we can sit back and enjoy the quirky lyricism and storytelling like in the lead single “Phone in the Pool”. Oh, and don’t forget the three-part “Concerto for Piano” that he composed to tie it all together.
16. Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp A Butterfly
As Kendrick Lamar slowly takes over the hip-hop world, I sat here and tried my best to decide where this album fit on the list. Lamar is one of the best live performers, and his organic delivery is easily transferred to the record. Undeniably, To Pimp A Butterfly is a progressive hip-hop album…for the most part. The more I listen to it, the more I realize it’s not the radio hits that make this album fantastic – of course, “King Kunta”, “Alright”, and “i” are great tracks – but the B-roll that has to be listened to as an entirety. Tracks like “For Free? (Interlude)”, “These Walls”, and “u” are what really make To Pimp A Butterfly.
15. Jamie XX – In Colour
Best known for making up half of the xx, Jamie XX has kicked off his electronic solo career with his debut full-length In Colour. Foreshadowed by tracks such as “Girls” and “Gosh”, the new record puts Jamie Smith on the map as a prolific electronic producer. Traces of The xx find their way onto the album, but there is still a remaining individuality that Smith produces to give a fresh experience to the genre.
14. Braids – Deep In the Iris
Montreal-based trio Braids have out done themselves with their third album Deep In the Iris. Moving away from their early styles of organic indie rock, Braids embraced the growing strength of electronic influences and double their dose of artistic choices for stunning tracks like “Taste” and the empowering single “Miniskirt”.
13. And So I Watch You From Afar – Heirs
Math-rock: one of the most underrated genres; filled with quick, technical bursts of skill, energy, and energy, Irish four-piece And So I Watch You From Afar released their fourth album this year. Heirs is an astonishing piece of work, and with so much going on all at once, the degree of complexity just makes it even more impressive. The band’s chanting chorus style is a dramatic, almost post-rock variation of vocal responsibilities, giving it a certain anthemic, punk feel. Prepare to be blown away.
12. Purity Ring – Another Eternity
Since their debut release Shrines, Canadian trip-hop duo Purity Ring have been dominating the minimalist, futuristic electronic scene. Now, with their follow-up Another Eternity, the duo’s compelling and eargasmic style has officially been trumped. Producer Corin Roddick composes gripping, deep trap-like momentum for the angelic vocals of Megan James. “Push Pull”, “Bodyache”, “Heartsigh”….take your pick.
11. Mumford & Sons – Wilder Mind
The music world seemed to be worried that folk-rock-pop outfit Mumford & Sons were “plugging in” and pulling a “Bob Dylan”. Wilder Mind was the band’s third album release, but the first time they had relied on electric guitars and amplified performances. Amongst the change, the traditional emotion and storytelling behind their songs remained the same, which explains why this album was just as powerful as their first two. In fact, I believe it was a strong step forward – “The Wolf” and “Ditmas” prove their capability.
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