After a year that has left me wanting more in some aspects, and satisfied my appetite in others, I decided to give this idea another try after my failed attempt last year.
This year I will be counting down:
1. Top 70 songs of 2015 (A maximum of 2 songs per artist)
2. Top 12 albums of 2015
3. Top 40 movies of 2015
4. Top 8 TV seasons of 2015
Whether it be music's most mainstream artists, Hollywood's most commercial movies, or more left-field entries in any of the categories, prepare yourselves for a multi-cultural countdown containing songs, movies, series and albums you may or may not have heard of. The title lends itself to the morbid pattern I noticed in my favorite releases this year.
Honorable mentions:
Froot - Marina and The Diamonds
Have Me You My Wilderness - Julia Holter
12. Communion - Years & Years
I didn't pay attention to them at first, then I saw their album on apple music and decided to give it a listen and I wasn't disappointed. While a bit forgettable, it's a solid album with really enthralling melodies.
Grade: 7/10
Highlight: Eyes Shut
11. Wiped Out! - The Neighborhood
I came across RIP 2 My Youth on my AM suggestions as well. I listened to it because of my past infatuation with Sweater Weather and it was just as good. The subsequent singles did not disappoint me either. The overall overall though, while not bad at all, lacks the little edge that made the singles so great. It's a shame.
Grade: 7/10
Highlight: The Beach
10. Badlands - Halsey
Badlands is Halsey’s debut album. At first glance, Halsey’s material is not completely original. Whether the inspiration could be pinpointed or not, one is more than likely to get a déjà vu feeling when listening to her album coupled with her imagery. That being said, even though what she has to say is not completely her own, she has a clear vision of what she wants to say and how she wants to do it.
Reminiscent of Lana Del Rey’s Born To Die, Badlands is liminal in its genre. It manages to encapsulate complex layered instrumentals with catchy pop-friendly melodies. The Lana Del Rey inspiration certainly does not stop at the similarity in genres. The resemblance is strongly reorchestrated through Halsey’s songwriting, largely based on dreamy lyrics and Americana/Old Culture references.
Grade: 7/10
Highlight: Drive
9. Rodeo - Travis Scott
I originally listened to this album because I wanted to get into more hip hop music this year, and because many of my friends, and Rihanna loved it. His voice surprised me a lot, I was not expecting that. His has a great flow and great productions to accompany it.
Grade: 7/10
Highlight: Flying High
8. Blue Neighborhood - Troye Sivan
Troye came out (no pun intended) with his debut album this year after 2 promising EP and boy am I glad he did! After having seen his charming sense of humor on YT, it was pleasant to see that it was complemented by a great voice and talent. His music fits well with the contemporary movement of troubled youth and tortured whimsical souls, and it's not necessarily a bad thing.
Grade: 7.5/10
Highlight: Heaven (ft. Betty Who)
7. Kiddo - Tove Styrke
When I first listened to it, I hated her. Probably because her name was juxtaposed with the great Tove Lo and she's hard to live up to. But after listening to it more, I fell in love with it. She knows how to have fun without making her music trivial and she knows how to be taken seriously w/o being pretentious.
Grade: 7.5/10
Highlight: Ego
6. How Does It Feel? - MS MR
This is a really consistent album. The songs don't really stand out that much from each other but that's okat because they are all great. Their music really reminds me of Supertramp or Abba.
Grade: 7.5/10
Highlight: Painted
5. English Graffiti - The Vaccines
I honestly don't have much to say about the album except that it's really good. It has its dreamy moments (Dream Lover being quite a literal example), its FourFiveSeconds moments (English Graffiti). You just have to check it out for yourselves.
Grade: 8.10
4. Vulnicura - Bjork
I imagine myself cruising on a long highway in LA at 2 AM with Black Lake blasting from my car and the city lights are flashing in front of me. It is truly an experience. Bjork brought her trademark electronic beats with this album, and she's doing it better than ever. Miles more accessible than Biophilia, Bjork presents quality and quantity as a 3 minute track feels like a short interlude. With her intricate and unique lyricism, Bjork brings something new and fresh to the table and i wholeheartedly respect her for that.
3. Roses - Coeur De Pirate
After we got Indila last year, Coeur De Pirate released her own 'Mini World' Roses. Now, I know that Beatrice has been making music for way longer, but she hasn't really shone for me until this year. I don't know if it's her electronic beats, her voice, her sexiness or her captivating visuals, but everything about her just works. I also admire the way she perceives relationships. She is very passively asking the person torturing her to just leave her alone or at least gather his thoughts about where he wants to go and what he wants to achieve with her.
2. The Great Cybernetic Depression - Princess Chelsea
This album takes place 10 years in the future where technology has even further taken over our lives. In this album, Chelsea is mourning how technology has destroyed interpersonal relationships. In pieces like 'We Are Strangers', Chelsea screams "I would kill technology just to know you well, we are not designed to be a picture of ourselves". Chelsea's soothing voice, the heavy drums and the somber lyrics makes me think of a goth Enya, somehow. That's not a bad thing at all. A lot of Enya's new age sound is emerging in this great masterpiece of an album.
1. Honeymoon - Lana Del Rey
Honeymoon is Lana Del Rey’s third full-length LP and fourth album overall. The album is released only a year after Del Rey released her somber, alternative-rock, Dan Auerbach produced album Ultraviolence. Lana chose a more simplistic approach with this album. After Born To Die’s underhanded optimism, Ultraviolence’s heart-wrenching despair, comes Honeymoon’s refreshing nonchalance. It feels like the tension in her previous albums has culminated to its apogee with Ultraviolence, and Lana has been left in a state of plateaued emotions on this record. Much like an actual honeymoon, this album seems to be the natural step forward from her previous efforts.
The album opens with the hauntingly cinematic title track. “We both know that it’s not fashionable to love me”, Lana self-deprecatingly asserts. She carries the track with her sulky vocals and her dreamy lyrics. There is a striking change of pace between the verses and the bridge which brings life to the last minute of the track. Lana continues her contemplative narrative with the cheeky, almost creepy and voyeuristic ‘Music To Watch Boys To’. ‘Terrence Loves You’ is the track that is most reminiscent of her previous studio album. Heavily referencing David Bowie’s lyrics, Lana’s voice shines on the jazzy track, especially in the ethereal bridge that manages to tie the whole song together.
The next three tracks on the album, Freak, High By The Beach and Art Deco, represent a more aggressive side of the album. All three feature what Del Rey likes to refer to as “Muddy Trap” beats. The thumping beats give a more imperative tone to these songs. In High By The Beach, Lana uncharacteristically deglamorizes fame and all the things that come with it. She just wants to get high by the beach. Freak clearly revisits and improves upon the title track of her debut album Born To Die. In both tracks, Lana summons her male protagonists and asks him to go with her on a spontaneous adventure. Art Deco continues the trend of somewhat uptempo sound with its FKA Twigs-inspired beats.
The only interlude in this album, Burnt Norton, cuts the album in half. The interlude sees Lana reciting a poem by Eliot accompanied by atmospheric eerie sounds. Inundated with metaphysical concepts, the poem perfectly suits Lana’s quizzical character.
The second half of the album reveals itself to be just as engrossing as the first. The macabre ‘The Blackest Day’ seems to encapsulate all the phases of grief one could go through. Lana continues to show her love for older artists, citing Billie Holliday in this case. That enhances the Old Hollywood glamour she is trying to appropriate for herself, and successfully so. The second half of the album offers even more enjoyable choruses with the choruses of Swan Song and Salvatore coming to mind. Finally, Del Rey ‘clotures’ this overflow of sentiments by covering Nina Simone’s ‘Don’t let me be misunderstood’. The title is very well explanatory of Lana Del Rey’s message.
Overall, Honeymoon does a neat job at portraying Lana for who she really is, or who she really wants to seem like. Genuine or not, Lana’s character has been thoroughly discussed all over the place, which adds to her mysterious vibes. The only complaint I could have about this album is that the production is not as sharp as that of Ultraviolence.
Score: 9.4/10
Honorable mentions:
Automatic - Zhu vs AlunaGeorge
Soap - Melanie Martinez
Powerful - Major Lazer (ft. Ellie Goulding and Tarrus Riley)
What Went Down - Foals
This Summer - Maroon 5
Top 70:
70. Figure 8 - FKA Twigs: I remember hearing this song for the first time when she performed it live, and she was very energetic. It also helped that the song knocks.
69. Dance Like We're Making Love - Ciara: Now, I'm far from being a fan of hers so this says a lot.
68. Ambition - Søren Juul: This song is very relaxing and it has a soothing effect it it. similar to Lana's Bel air.
67. Flying High - Travis Scott: One of the many standouts on his album. I love his flow.
66. Hymn For The Weekend - Coldplay: A good song. It reminds me of another one, but I can't put my finger on it. I thought it sampled it.
65. Dead Inside - Muse: This song was spammed on the radio here, and in retrospect, I guess that was a good thing. I like the lyrics.
64. Lucette Stranded On The Island - Julia Holter: In my opinion, that's the best song on her album, It has a very atmospheric feel to it.
63. Hotline Bling - Drake: One of the few Drake songs I like. It is different but generic at the same time, which is what makes the song for me.
62. 1977 - Years & Years: This bonus track does not get enough love. It is one of the standout tracks on their album. It reminds me of Sia's Eye Of The Needle.
61. Weight Of Love - The Black Keys: This song makes me miss 2014 and its brilliant Ultraviolence.
60. Be Real (ft. Dej Loaf) - Kid Ink: The ultimate jam. I really get all hyped up when I listen to this song.
59. Post To Be (ft. Jhene Aiko) - Omarion: if you don't like this, you gotta eat the booty like groceries. Nuff said.
58. Dream Lover - The Vaccines: Excellent tune. Their whole album has really impressed me, They have manages to make their album accessible and left-field simultaneously.
57. Show Me Love (ft. Kimberly Anne) - Sam Feldt: Kimberly tweeted me.
56. Writing's On The Wall - Sam Smith: You won't get it until you hear in the theater.
55. Rolling Stone - Hurts: So much better than Some Kind Of sonic HELL (their first single)
54. Yoga - Janelle Monae: I really use(d) this song for workout.
53. How Deep Is Your Love? - Calvin Harris & The Disciples: I don't care how overplayed this was. It KNOCKS.
52. Dr. Pepper - CL: Very underrated and more original than her follow up single.
51. Cool For The Summer - Demi Lovato: At first, I hated the song, it's grown on me since. It doesn't translate well on radio airwaves though.
50. Ghost Town - Adam Lambert: Oddly enough, the dance breakdown works very well as a chorus.
49. Fight Song - Rachel Platten: I hated this song at first, But there's something about how Rachel takes her song so seriously that's so compelling (and adorable).
48. Me & My Girls - Selegend Gomez: I was so taken aback hen I heard this song. Selena really is on fire.
47. Gasoline - Halsey: Very underrated gem; Are you insane like me? Been in pain like me?
46. Talk Me Dow - Troye Sivan: A very soothing song. It works well as a lead single as it encapsulates the sound of his album well enough.
45. Stressed Out - 21 pilots: My name's rihannafan and I care what you think. So please comment below.
44. Carry On - Coeur De Pirate: Oh Beatrice. You hot ****ing piece of ass.
43. Various Storms and Saints - Florence and Thee Machine: Who knew Florence could flourish just as well without her deafening beats?
42. Wait For Life - Emile Haynie (ft. Lana Del Rey): I can't let her in, but I can't keep her out.
41. Painted - MS MR: It's the song that got me into the duo.
40. English Graffiti - The Vaccines: Such an easy too listen to song. It reminds me a lot of Rihanna's FFS in many ways.
39. Eyes Shut - Years & Years: Great vocals, great melody and great lyrics.
38, Ghosttown - Madonna: I tried so hard to convince my friend to put it as her first dance sing at her wedding but she said no
37. Magnets (ft. Lorde) - Disclosure: I'm not a big fan of Disclosure but Lorde makes them bearable.
36. Sometimes I feel So Deserted - The Chemical Brothers: This song is just pure electronic fire
35. Alive - Sia: Just when we thought she couldn't get any bolder than Chandelier
34. Used To Love You - Gwen Stefani: We still love you Gwen
33. Wolfpack (ft. Banks) - TALA: What an amazing, vitriolic and encouraging song
32. The Beach - the Neighborhood: TN's dreamy melodies at their best
31. No Sleep - Janet Jackson: I didn't like this at first ut it grew on me a lot
30. Stonemilker - Bjork: Bjork's special convoluted lyricism and her sporadic vocal delivery really shine on this track.
29. Scream - Grimes: I have no idea what she's saying but I'm listening.
28. Le Chrome Et Le Coton - Jerome Echenoz: I bet no one knows this but you have to hear it. Whether it be the American or French version.
27. Love Me Like You Do - Ellie: The ethereal production and the touching lyrics are great.
26. Wildest Dreams - Taytay: I have nothing without youuu.
25. Prisoner - The Weeknd & Lana: The creepy lyrics and Lana's signature monologues make the song.
24. Borderline - Tove Styrke: The festive song celebrating emancipation knocks.
23. Adeles and Duffies - Elle King: The title says it all, doesn't it?
22. St. Jude - Florence + TM: Striking calmness and melody.
21. Immortal - Marina: The lyrics really stand out on this track.
Top songs:
20. Fools - Troye Sivan: I love the aggressiveness of the lyrics plus the video is heartbreaking.
19. Better - Banks: I can love you better than sheeee
18. High By The Beach: Is this song aggressive? Does it simply convey Lana's listlessness? Is it a **** you to her boyfriend or the media? or a boyfriend that worked in the media? Who knows, but I'm BOPPING.
17. Drive - Halsey: Yes, Halsey. I want to drive to. Slay me with your escapist anthem.
16. Do You Remember - Jarryd James: This song is perfect if you want to ask someone if he or she remembers the way he or she made you feel.
15. Lean On - Major Lazer and the girl that isn't lorde: Bop de chez bop.
14. Towards The Sun - Rihanna: Why do your faves make songs on their albums sound less mature than a song on a kids' album? Why? Why?
13. The Hills - The Weeknd: I only **** with this when it's past 5.
12. Run Away With Me - Stacy White: Another perfect escapist anthem. POOR TEENAGE DREAM AND STYLE.
11. El Perdon - Enrique & Nicki Minaj: I'm not with you, you're not with me and I don't like the way it feels.
10. We're So Lost - Princess Chelsea: A perfect illustrative title. We're so lost, aren't we? Chelsea seems to think so. In a world where we are lost in our morals, and where morals are lost. In a world where relationships keep getting more and more digitized, where people have to get used to bombings, to daily scares, to malfeasance etc. Our civilization is so lost.
9. RIP To My Youth The Neighborhood: With their grim lyrics, their rap-singing style, and their charming melodies, The Neighborhood have captivated me since day one and they haven't disappointed with this single. This song sees the lead singer saying how he cannot withstand the burden of life, and that he has lost too much for his life to matter.
8. I'm A Ruin - Marina and The Diamonds: Yes, Marina. Finally, we have a song that givs us the other perspective. I'm not the victim, you are, and I hate putting you through this. There should be more songs like this and Unfaithful.
7. Ego - Tove Styrke: No one should be arrogant because no one can back it up. Shut that rooster down tove.
6. Bitch Better Have My Money - Rihanna: Rihanna, Rihanna, Rihanna, everytime I think that you've reached your creative peak, you prove me wrong. This song carries a great concept that was executed especially well by Rihanna. Her rough delivery suitss the mood of the song perfectly. She also directed the amazing video. There's nothing she can't do.
5. Good For You - Selena Gomez: If you don't like this song, you're ugly.
4. Crier Tout Bas - Coeur De Pirate: Great vocals production, video and lyrics.
3. Terrence Loves You - Lana Del Rey: That bridge, that ****ing bridge. You feel like your soul is being elevated as Lana hits those high notes. The David Bowie reference works exquisitely as well.
2. Rewind - Kelela: This is what FKA Twigs would sound like if her music was a tad better
1. Black Lake - Bjork: Seriously, go to the city, drive at night, look at the city lights, blast this song. You will only get it then.
