2015 deserves a complete deep dive for anyone who remotely enjoys music. Its music can be described by only one word: monumental. From Rap to Jazz to Country to Pop, every genre of music shone all year, showing off the best of each genre’s artists.
Albums like DS2 by Future, Traveller by Chris Stapleton, Art Angels by Grimes, Compton by Dr. Dre, Vulnicura by Björk – and so many more – are almost drowned out by how cramped the year is with stellar albums and amazing hit songs.
To Pimp A Butterfly is a magnum opus of not only Kendrick Lamar’s catalog, but for sound design as a whole. Songs like “Alright” have served purposes larger than the album itself during the BLM movement in the mid-late 2000’s. Songs like “Wesley’s Theory,” “u,” and “How Much a Dollar Cost” show off why Kendrick remains such a captivating musician. Each song details unique emotions and different sides to the global phenomenon.
Tame Impala is an elusive artist, only claiming ownership to four albums scattered through the period from 2010 to 2020. But, as the saying goes, “quality over quantity.” This is evident in his album from 2015, Currents. Smash hits like “The Less I Know the Better” and “New Person, Same Old Mistakes” headline the psych-rock inspired banger.
If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late shows off why Drake has become such a massive artist. Songs like “10 Bands” show off the braggadocious capabilities of his writing, which contrasts beautifully with the laid-back R&B flows of “Jungle” and “Wednesday Night Interlude.” On this album, Drake truly shows why he was one of, if not the, most popular artists of the 2010’s.
From the mind of Los Angeles Saxophonist Kamasi Washington springs forth the entrancing soundscape of The Epic. Classic jazz meets new and dynamic twists on songs like “The Rhythm Changes.” Kamasi’s skills on his instrument are not to be outclassed, however, as songs like “Change of the Guard” highlight his playing capabilities with astonishing flourishes and solos.
Abel Tesfaye, better known as The Weeknd, has never been an artist afraid of experimentation with his own sound. This is especially apparent in Beauty Behind the Madness on songs like “The Hills,” with its thick and heavy instrumentation. Other songs, such as “Can’t Feel My Face,” find Tesfaye yet again rooting himself with a more mainstream modern R&B sound.
Since late February of 2015, Hamilton has stuck with everyone’s minds like adhesive. Not only is every single lyric purposeful in the grander scope of the musical, but each of its songs are packed with historical context and masterful lyricism from Lin-Manuel Miranda and fellow writers.
One of the most stellar things about 2015 is how broad 2015’s catalog is. No one album is ever remotely similar to the next one, no matter if they are put out by the same record label or not. Any person who respects their eardrums needs to delve into the hypnotic albums and songs of 2015. From sad songs to energetic anthems, 2015 has aged like fine wine.
Listen to the playlist here.
