As we countdown to 2016, we have been reminiscing about all of the amazing albums that dropped in 2015. This list of the Top 20 Albums of 2015 has been compiled by our Music Supervision team, and includes their favorite albums of the year, spanning all genres. Counting down to number one…here are 10 – 6.
10. Adele – 25
This year saw the return of Adele with her album 25. Although you don’t need Kleenex for its entirety, there are definite moments when folks of lesser emotional fortitude will require copious amounts of tissues to dry the cascading tears that are wretched from their bleeding hearts when Adele affixes her laser-focus on their heartstrings. To say this album was highly anticipated would be the understatement of the year, as it debuted at number one in more than 25 markets and broke first-week sales records in multiple countries, including the United Kingdom and United States. Outside of the numbers game, the album is a straight-up gem.
Song: “Hello”
9. The Weeknd – Beauty Behind The Madness
Abel Tesfaye, better known as The Weeknd, mixes heavy beats with sultry vocals. His release this year spawned four singles including the extremely popular “Can’t Feel My Face” while another hit, “Earned It”, was featured as the lead single on the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack.
Song: “Can’t Feel My Face”
8. Tuxedo – Tuxedo
Tuxedo put out one of the slickest dance records in 2015, stringing together together twelve fantastic tracks that help the people cut loose and get down. Jake One provides a soundscape rich with synthesizers and memories of early disco while Mayer Hawthorne pours on the soulful lyrics.
Song: “Do It”
7). Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Multi-Love
The third and latest album from this project spearheaded by New Zealand ex-pat and Portland-based musician Ruban Nielson manages to tackle a complex subject matter and fuse it through a fresh, groovy spectrum for one of the year’s best psych-pop records. Exploring his recent foray into an open marriage that welcomed a third partner into their relationship, Nielson lyrically examines the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of opening your heart outside of traditional norms and layers his warm voice over fuzzy, funky compositions that showcase his impressive multi-instrumentalist skills.
Song: “Multi-Love”
6. Grimes – Art Angels
While working on the follow-up to her 2012 Juno Award-winning debut, Grimes didn’t like the sound or direction she was going in so she decided to just start over. She scrapped all her work to that point with the exception of one track, “REALiTi”, which was initially released as a single before eventually being included on her 2015 full-length Art Angels. The album mixes elements of electronic, hip-hop, pop and dark wave.
Song: “REALiTi”
