Almost exactly halfway through 2015, it only makes sense to talk about our favorite songs of the year so far. With summer close in our windshields, hot, energetic outdoorsy vibes should grace our ears in the next several months. I would expect the same as the year comes to a close as well. 2015 has much left to squeeze out musically.
But with standout, new singer songwriters, strong cover albums and endlessly catchy college hits, the year has already brought a lot to talk about musically. With that, check out my 30 favorite songs of 2015 (in order).
**This list and Spotify playlist will both be updated at the year's end** https://open.spotify.com/user/1221238964/playlist/...
30. Destroyer - Dream Lover
With the commanding sax and linear vocals, this track has early Bruce Springsteen written all over it. The second successful Springsteen impression I've come across this year.
29. SOAK - Sea Creatures
With so much indie surf pop releasing these days, it's hard to believe this obvious summer beat did not already exist. But I'm glad it does now, and after my first listen, I immediately added this beachy tune to the canon.
28. Rubblebuckets - Carousel Ride
The verses sound like a white chick offering her interpretation of a 90's hard rap song... but it's not. And the chorus is a jam.
27. Matt and Kim - Hey Now
Possibly past their noisy, drum heavy prime, this duo still knows how to crank out an indie pop hit.
26. Tove Syrke - Borderline
There is a Indian/eastern music influence going on in popular dance music right now. You heard it here first. I hear this with the cadence on this track from this Swedish songwriter. Definitely a quirky song. It's the chorus though, about 40 seconds in, that draws you in and illicits that "I am obviously replaying this song" response. And I don't know, I feel like the imprisoned lyrical themes make this the perfect score for that super popular female prison show that I actually haven't seen.
25. Houndmouth - Sedona
The opening feel good, soulful tune on a record that is on track to be one of the top rock n roll records of the year.
24. Girlpool – Chinatown
This track feels like an overlooked opening act at an intimate, underground D.C. concert venue in 1997.
23. Life of Dillon – Overload
An obvious summer electro acoustic hit with an undeniable replayaibility with vocals that humorously remind me of Akon.
22. Purity Ring - Begin Again
Probably the most innovative electro pop group out there, Purity Ring has dropped a hook that matches anything put out by today's hottest DJ's.
21. Phoebe Ryan – Ignition Remix/Do You Like Drugs (Cover/Mashup)
I'm not the guy that's usually pumped about a new cover. But Ryan reinvents R. Kelly's cliché, frat anthem into a chill summer day vibe.
20. Tobias Jesso Jr. – Hollywood
Released in late 2014, this track may be the biggest standout on first listen of Jesso's Goon (2015).
19. Father John Misty – Nothing Good Ever Happens At the Goddamn Thirsty Crow
The often satirical lyrics and engaging narratives make this album different, but Misty's voice, for me, is what raises this album above and beyond the countless other folk singer-songwriters trying to make it big. This dude also has a serious problem with women.
18. The Decemberists – Lake Song
Not necessarily the strongest Decemberists album as a whole, yet this track's acoustic and piano complement works as well as any of their past efforts.
17. Death Cab For Cutie - Everything's A Ceiling
Can't recommend this album enough, it's Death Cab back in their prime. Here's a classic, dark Death Cab hook that fits well on their well acclaimed, sentimental, Transatlanticism. Gibbard's divorce with Zooey Deschanel left a scar that is bandaged with this LP's genius emotional scope.
16. Seth Avett and Jessica Lea Mayfield - Between the Bars
I guess 2015 has been a year for strong covers… Avett and Mayfield's effort here exposes the genius of Elliot Smith's melody and lyric that may have been somewhat overshadowed by his despondent tone.
15. The Tallest Man on Earth – Sagres
Reminiscent of a familiar Bruce Springsteen hook, (a lot of Bruce impressions this year, I know) this riff, from a usually raw, acoustic artist, may be his most atmospheric, well produced song yet.
14. Madeon (Ft. Passion Pit) – Pay No Mind
In terms of electronic, party jam potential, this song beats out anything on Passion Pit's Kindred, and it's in my top 3 for their strongest electric hooks.
13. Lord Huron – The Night We Met
An open letter to a girl Huron either no longer has the romance he had with when they fell in love or who he really screwed things up with.
12. BORNS – Electric Love
This song was technically released in late 2014, but this CATCHY AS HELL single has sealed BORNS as one of the breakout electronic pop artists of early 2015.
11. Kendrick Lemar - For Sale? (Interlude)
Lemar's jazz influence comes out most prominently on this track, with Destroyer-like sounds complimenting Lemar's lowkey rap verse.
10. Major Lazer - Lean On
Lazer's awkward, offbeat drop here sounds like a traditional hindu party on EDM steroids. A breath of fresh air in an industry cursed with repetitive, formulaic dance tracks.
9. Courtney Barnett - Pedestrian at Best
With a boisterous 90s garage guitar riff, this vivacious Barnett single screams her capability as a hard rocking story telle
8. Sufjan Stevens - No Shade in the Shadow of the Cross
Although not as religious lyrically as the title implies, Steven's melody about his relationship with his mother could have been written by Jesus himself.
7. Tobias Jesso Jr. - Just A Dream
Often compared to Randy Newman and Elvis Costello, Jesso Jr. feels out of his era with familiar feeling melodies and his 1970s-like piano ballads. Countering the often somber emotions felt on this LP's other tracks, the chorus's "but there's a thing called love too", carries the uplifting, hopeful message that Jesso seems to be desperately reminding himself of.
6. Passion Pit - Lifted Up (1985)
The record's party anthem track with undertones of Angelakos troubled mind. Not sure if I've ever heard such an effective use of dog barks in musical form. Brian Wilson would be proud.
5. Houndmouth - Gasoline
A captivating, Head and the Heart-like acoustic ballad on an important rock album. The perfect campfire song.
4. Kendrick Lamar - King Kunta
The catchy jam in the mix, with lyrics and a beat as clever and witty as any of the tracks on this album. This single's hook heightens it's pitch gradually throughout, each round of the chorus sounding like the song's ultimate peek. By the time you hear "the next pop", you're standing with Kunta on his funky throne, bobbing your head, staring down at his song's genius.
3. Best Coast - California Nights
A laid back beach tune, with an ode to California's special night vibes, performed in classic Best Coast fashion. This song almost sounds like it's summarizing all the feelings and Constantino wanted to say on "Crazy For You" (2010) after a few years of pot-induced reflection.
This song is everything Best Coast is about.
2. Courtney Barnett - Depreston
I've never been to Australia, let alone Preston, but with Barnett's easy-listening vocals accompanied by this Wilco's "One Sunday Morning"-esque guitar riff, she has brilliantly painted the dark desolation of this Aussie town.
1. Sufjan Stevens - Should Have Known Better
Album of the year? So far… VERY possible. This tune captures the simplicity, sadness, religious and family oriented themes that haunt this beautiful album. It's high key "nothing can be changed" bridge bluntly captures the truth Stevens sings around in metaphor and narrative through the rest of this record.
https://open.spotify.com/user/1221238964/playlist/...
Honorable Mentions:
Tame Impala: Let It Happen
Sufjan Stevens: Fourth of July
Courtney Barnett: Small Poppies
Alabama Shakes: Sound & Color
Kendrick Lamar: Wesley's Theory
Of Monsters & Men: I of the Storm
Death Cab For Cutie: You've Haunted Me All My Life
