HERE’S A LITTLE RECAP OF MY FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2015
To answer your question:
Yes, I am fully aware that I’m about a year late on creating this list, but I just started this site and I couldn’t miss the opportunity to go back and share some of my favorite, most played-to-the-bone albums from last year – most of which I still listen to on a daily basis.
TAME IMPALA – CURRENTS – Released July 17, 2015
Currents liner notes:
“All vocals and instruments performed by Kevin Parker.”
“All songs written, produced, recorded, and mixed by Kevin Parker.”
I have nothing else to say about that. In case you thought Tame Impala was just another band – NOPE. Kevin Parker is a literal genius and this album was no less amazing than the previous two. This trailer sold me on it 100% and I played this album to DEATH on a daily basis last year.
From this album, I worked my way backwards (no pun intended) through the discography and have been a listener ever since.
Currents dropped 2 weeks before my first time ever seeing them live, which was at Lollapalooza that year. I’ve been lucky enough to catch Tame Impala in both a large arena show (front row) vs an outdoor festival setting – and both times were spot-on, EPIC performances. This album was literally the soundtrack to one of my favorite summers here in Chicago, and getting to hear “Let It Happen” at sunset against the skyline was one of my most memorable concert moments.
EMPRESS OF – ME – Released September, 11 2015
On 2015’s Me, Lorely Rodriguez aka Empress Of really touches on every subject that plagues the mind of an impressionable woman who’s finding herself through a series of unfortunate life events. This album really breaks down the struggle of means to be a young woman in her daily life – from insecurities to friendships, to being cat-called and being completely done with it.
Don’t take me by the hand and walk me through with pity
If I was a man, would you still do the same?
I’m fending for myself when you still call me pretty
Let me walk away
Although inspired by some of the best artists and musicians of the 90’s, this girl has truly created a sound all her own and her listeners are really responding.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b91IEU-LXuo
I got to catch her live before Pitchfork this year actually, after listening to her album all through last winter – about to burst at the seams with a new found womanhood. Her set was full of energy and honesty, and her non-stop euphoric state just made everyone in the room’s night 100x better.
Here’s a couple of my favorite songs from her album, including an exclusive cassette-only track!
And please: never forget that she used my photo in her Instagram post – never, EVER forget:
Lorely – please keep being you & always being nice to your fans – we love you!
DISCLOSURE – CARACAL – Released September, 25 2015
I’m not one to be crazy about collaborations and features, but these two do it so well and so consistently that I knew Caracal would be a smash. The reason these collabs work so well is because they’re for the right reasons and not to just have some big name on the track.
Although Caracal has got some huge artists, they also put a lot of up-and-coming (now-known) artists on the map with this record (Nao, Kwabs, Brendan Reilly, etc). But the ones I did know of – I feel like this album let me hear them each in a different light or in a style of music I’d not heard or expected from them.
And in case you think these guys are up on stage doing a bunch of nothing, this amazing Red Bull Music Academy video shows that it takes a huge amount of muscle memory, timing, and precision to pull off these shows without a hitch. Prepare to have your mind blown – I love these two!!
Some standout moments for me:
- “Superego” ft. Nao, who is now HUGE! She’s been all over the scene lately for her work, but my first time hearing of her was when they played this at their Navy Pier show. They always manage to introduce me to more and more amazing artists and this song really showcases what a unique voice she has – LOVE IT.
- ” Good Intentions” ft. Miguel – Super soothing and relaxing and just overall a really chill track coming from Disclosure. Love the change.
Here’s a few of my jams from Caracal!
KEEP READING!
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