My top five albums of 2015

This list is a compilation of my five favorite albums from this year. I am an avid music lover, I have spent countless hours over my life listening to the various sounds of musicians. I love all kinds of music and like to branch out into new genres. This list is from my point of view and does not mean it will include your favorites. It follows what I feel like are the best, rather than what were the most successful this year. These albums fit my requirements as some of the best albums of the year.` Enjoy!

5.We Cool? - Jeff Rosenstock

Jeff Rosenstock of Bomb the Music Industry’s second solo album “We Cool?” brings a lot of things to the table. Rosenstock reflects on his life in a strange way. He talks about how he’s tired of discussing the future and wants to live now because truthfully he just doesn’t know what he wants to do with it. Like on the song Nausea where he says “I got so tired of discussing my future, I started avoiding the people I love.” Jeff wants to be involved in the life of those he loves, but with touring and all of his aspirations as a travelling musician can cause problems doing so. He also brings a lot of darker tones to the album, like on the song Darkness Records he says “toss your newborn baby, he deserves a better chance.” while attempting to explain how some people just don’t deserve to raise children, he expresses it in a rather strange way. Overall, this album is definitely one of my personal favorites of the year and is definitely worth the near 40 minute time if you like punk and pop punk genres of music.

4. Cherry Bomb - Tyler the Creator

Tyler the Creator, most known for his offensive lyrics and multiple personalities named Dr.TC, Tron Cat, Wolf, Samuel, Ace and Tyler. Tyler’s fourth studio album “Cherry Bomb” at first came off as something I wasn’t sure about. Tyler switched up his music quite a bit. He went from a depressed teenager who couldn’t wrap his head around why his dad never wanted to be in his life to someone who is quite the opposite. He’s not depressed, he’s working with popular recording artists ScHoolboy Q, Pharrell Williams, Kanye West (Smuckers) and even world famous vibraphone player and vocalist Roy Ayers (Find Your Wings). On this album T focuses more on his ability to produce music he wants, rather than appealing to the masses. For anyone who has listened to Tyler the Creator, they might think it's a bit strange. However the album is definitely something I suggest to anyone who is attempting to find a hip hop artist who hasn’t attempted the mainstream to gain traction in a growing musical world.

3. If You’re Reading this it’s Too Late- Drake

Drake or whom is now known as “The 6 God” dropped a surprise album February 13th of this year. After almost no hints being given at all, a new Drake album appeared on the iTunes store. Quickly after the release Hip-hop heads went to their blogs and social media outlets to let everyone know how good the surprise had been. This album was absolutely incredible. It was like Drake had perfected his craft. He opened up a whole new world for himself. He used very minimalistic beats with perfected bass mixing to show the world what how far Rap music has come. IYRTITL also shows Drake’s need for features (he doesn’t). Drake’s album has only three features on four tracks out of sixteen songs. Three fourths of this albums is just Drake by himself slaying said beats by himself. If you are looking for the best rap heavy album of the year, it’s definitely this one.

2.Sound & Color - Alabama Shakes

The Alabama Shakes “Sound and Color” is somewhat a rule breaker. Most bands have their biggest and best album in the beginning and then absolutely fail miserably when their sophomore album is released. The Alabama Shakes were actually quite the opposite. Sound and Color is one of my personal favorites from 2015 because it is the sound I have been waiting for them to make. A very modern sounding band with the bluesy vocals of lead singer Brittany Howard. Howard vocally cannot be matched on this album and has one of the BEST voices in music today. The songs almost remind of one of 2013’s best, AM by Arctic Monkeys. The guitar of on songs like “Don’t Wanna Fight” and “Future People” show the true instrumental power of a band like the Alabama Shakes. If you like Alternative/Blues Rock this album is for you.

1. To Pimp a Butterfly - Kendrick Lamar

There is always going to be dispute as to who is the best at something whether it be music, sports or anything. However with the release of this album, Kendrick Lamar solidified his place in music today. Kendrick’s powerful voice strikes down many things including stopping of racism and self love in the African American community. Kendrick Lamar had worked on this album for a long, long time perfecting it. At one point when he was asked about a new album he said “Only my little brother has a copy of the album. He tells me what is good and bad and I correct it.” The album is honest, fearful and unapologetic. Lamar also addresses his feelings towards money management in the black community. About the opening track, Wesley’s theory, Lamar said the song was really about Wesley Snipes, who was arrested for Tax Evasion. “no one teaches poor black males how to manage money or celebrity, so if they do achieve success, the powers that be can take it from right under them.” Lamar deserves every bit of critical acclaim he has received for this album. If you’re looking for more conceptual hip hop or music with a strong theme in its body, check out TPAB.

This list summarizes how i feel about music this year. Although albums like “We Cool?” or “Sound and Color” or even “Cherry Bomb” may not be the highest selling albums, but they fit my criteria to be the best albums of this year thus far. Other albums like “To Pimp a Butterfly” or “If You’re Reading this it’s Too Late” have the critical acclaim and overall feeling that deserve their placement on this list. These were my top five albums of 2015 thus far.