We reached the end of 2015, girls and boys. And as always this is the perfect time to look back on the big releases of the year, the records that will remain also years from now. The staff of NOTHING BUT HOPE AND PASSION sat down to discuss the albums of 2015, resulting in this decent list of records you really need to listen before the year ends. Without further ado – these are our Top 30 albums of 2015.
30. Panda Bear – ‘Panda Bear Meets The Grim Reaper’
An intricately woven web of eclectic electronica dusted over with rubbings of pop sensibility, ‘Panda Bear Meets The Grim Reaper’ is Noah Lennox’s masterpiece.
29. Public Service Broadcasting – ‘The Race For Space’
An ambitious concept record with an entertaining and unique approach. The British duo is one of the most interesting musical acts around at the moment… Time for them to think in bigger dimensions.
28. Drenge – ‘Undertow’
A great follow up record that breaks the mould of bands not being able to live up to their debut, their sound takes a detour yet stays within the realms of ‘Drenge’.
27. Modest Mouse – ‘Strangers To Ourselves’
Eight long years have come to an end and to everyone who hoped for an oldschool MODEST MOUSE record: ‘Strangers To Ourselves’ is not. It’s grown up and more mellow but if you come to terms with that, it is actually a nice listen.
26. Calexico -‘Edge Of The Sun’
‘Edge Of The Sun’ is a big party in the desert heat with many friends, a great composite work and probably their best album to date.
25. Joanna Newsom – ‘Divers’
Everything but ordinary: On ‘Divers’ JOANNA NEWSOM once again plays with your expectations to deliver another challenging and deeply fascinating piece of art pop.
24. Kurt Vile – ‘b’lieve i’m going down’
A record that sounds 70’s with a strong folk attitude, the lyrics of Kurt Vile are deep and, most of all, true.
23. Sleaford Mods – ‘Key Markets’
Fuck Culture, Love Sleaford Mods! These two are riding the moment – Key Markets simultaneously sounds like ‘just the next Sleaford Mods’ and like a carefully balanced match of content and style.
22. José González – ‘Vestiges & Claws’
Despite some lack of variety the third JOSÉ GONZÁLEZ solo album is a decent and calm record, great to while a bleak Sunday away.
21. Ghostpoet – ‘Shedding Skin’
Obaro Ejimiwe’s third album moves forward sonically while still retaining the traits that made his name. ‘Shedding Skin’ is a successful mixture of Ejimiwe’s intense lyrics and blurred sonic textures.
20. Björk – ‘Vulnicura’
BJÖRK refuses to articulate clear causes and conclusions to her distress but, instead, holds our hand as we experience it through her music. Her new LP also exposes a real personal depth which makes the record truly brilliant.
19. Sizarr – ‘Nurture’
SIZARR’s second LP combines elements of their former, orchestral sound with new, more restrained tones which make them more appear like an instrumental band.
18. Julia Holter – ‘Have You In my Wilderness’
Have You In My Wilderness is warm and glowing in many ways without neglecting the dark senses that just put enough weight on the record to make it another ambitious step in Holter’s journey.
17. Howling – ‘Sacred Ground’
With their debut album the acoustic/techno duo manages it to create absorbing soundscapes which make you drift deeper and deeper into an abyssal trance which you wish to never end.
16. Beach House – ‘Depression Cherry’
‘Depresion Cherry’ is sitting in an equilibrium between the epic and the intimate. Even on their fifth album, BEACH HOUSE is still a band with ambitions for their sound.
15. Father John Misty – ‘I Love You, Honeybear’
A wonderfully delicate creation; a sweet and syrupy record with a complex and intelligent kick. Another gem from our favourite sonic pastor.
14. Lana Del Rey – ‘Honeymoon’
‘Honeymoon’ again is pure nostalgic joy. Die hard fans have found their newest piece of art, the rest of us has to decide whether it is an unique masterpiece or a replaceable item.
13. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – ‘Chasing Yesterday’
NOEL GALLAGHER’S HIGH FLYING BIRDS deliver big music on ‘Chasing Yesterday’ as they underline the main protagonist’s special position as one of pop music’s greatest characters of all-time.
12. SOAK -‘Before We Forgot How To Dream’
SOAK’s anticipated debut album shows both: Her excellent ear for fusing genres and the still existent limitations in her songwriting – there is potential for growth.
11. Blur – ‘The Magic Whip’
That’s how you deliver a proper comeback. BLUR combine past, present and future and deliver an album that makes us entirely forget the long road leading towards ‘The Magic Whip.’
10. Tame Impala -‘Currents’
Fans already besotted by TAME IMPALA will find nothing to disappoint them in this glittering release, but you may consider shielding your eyes at times.
09. Low – ‘Ones And Sixes’
May it be rooted in their spirituality, their close relationship or their outstanding songwriting – it doesn’t matter in the end. If LOW keep on doing what they’re doing, this world’s a better place.
08. Foals – ‘What Went Down’
FOALS’ fourth album is their most cohesive and most accessible one so far, adding a surprising uplifting note to their musical microcosm.
07. Courtney Barnett – ‘Sometimes I Sit And Think, Sometimes I Just Sit’
An absolute gem of a debut, showcasing everything we’ve come to love from Barnett already; clever lyrics sit hand in hand with jawdropping expanses of guitar and a wink of gentle humility.
06. Sufjan Stevens – ‘Carrie & Lowell’
A reduced masterpiece that combines the songwriter’s distinctive skills with emotional beauty.
05. Florence + The Machine – ‘How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful’
Our favourite red-haired fairy is back and with her machine she sounds edgier and more honest than ever before. Orchestral hymns and catchy songs? For sure, but this time sober and clean. No sleep needed!
04. Editors – ‘In Dream’
A hypnotic dance between pop and darkness, resulting in the most cohesive EDITORS album so far.
03. Wolf Alice – ‘My Love Is Cool’
On their debut WOLF ALICE prove that they can create mellow rock and pop music although they stick to their roots and don’t let anyone butt in.
02. Grimes – ‘Art Angels’
Sickly sweet at times but strangely addicting. The boundaries to a pop – manga style music have been crossed. One things sure, the album will leave an impression.
01. Jamie xx – ‘In Colour’
The long awaited debut by the acclaimed producer a total piece of art which takes you on a colourful journey through all shades of electronic dance music.
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