My Top Albums

2015–2016


  1. Badlands Halsey
    Badlands

    Badlands is my top album by far because not only is Halsey giving a refreshing new sound to Pop, but she touches on subjects throughout the album that a good part of our generation can relate to. Even though there are many things she sings about that are still taboo for mainstream Pop music, her debut album was well received. Her lyrics range from talking about her mental health issues and bisexuality to legal marijuana. The entire album is strong from start to finish.

    Favorite Song:
    Control
    Release Date:
    August 28, 2015
    Label:
    Astralwerks
    Genres:
    Indie Pop, Electropop
  2. Anti Rihanna
    Anti

    Probably one of, if not her best album to date, Anti is another great listen all the way through. It's a slower pace than many of her previous albums, with more edgy tracks than dance anthems. If you like good beats and a strong bass, this will be the one for you. By the end of the album there are more ballads showing off her vocals, so there is a good range with all of the songs.

    Favorite Song:
    Same Ol’ Mistakes
    Release Date:
    January 28th, 2016
    Label:
    Westbury Road Entertainment
    Genre:
    Contemporary R&B
  3. Caracal Disclosure
    Caracal

    Being an electronic duo, you will (not surprisingly) find a lot of collaborations on this album with artists ranging from The Weeknd to Sam Smith and Lorde. The range between the songs themselves is fairly narrow with some being more focused on vocals than others, but pretty much every song is a something you'll find yourself nodding along to. If you like electronic/House music then you'll enjoy it but if that's not your thing, you might want to pass on this one.

    Favorite Song:
    Superego feat. Nao
    Release Date:
    September 25, 2015
    Label:
    Capitol Records
    Genres:
    House, Contemporary R&B
  4. Lemonade Beyoncé
    Lemonade

    If you like music that has the common theme of "fuck you, I don't need you" to it and don't mind some spoken word mixed in, then this is your album. This entire album is basically all about empowerment and I doubt you would be able to make it through without feeling a little more fierce and ready to take on the world. Plus there's a video for every song that's basically a cinematic masterpiece. So definitely check this out.

    Favorite Song:
    Formation
    Release Date:
    April 23, 2016
    Label:
    Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia Records
    Genres:
    Pop, Alternative R&B
  5. Storyteller Carrie Underwood
    Storyteller

    Though not necessarily a concept album, as the title suggests, Storyteller is highly narrative with each track serving somewhat like a chapter in a story. Just not necessarily the same story. As expected, her vocals are strong and commanding in each track showing off her range and signature sound. Many of the songs are about your typical woman scorn as well as love ballads in general, but there are also a few on the more comical side with unexpected narratives. A great album for any Country lover, with at least a few tracks that could appeal to you even if you're not that into Country music.

    Favorite Song:
    Smoke Break
    Release Date:
    October 23, 2015
    Label:
    Arista Nashville
    Genre:
    Country
  6. Joanne Lady Gaga
    Joanne

    Similar to the style of ARTPOP, Lady Gaga's newest is something I could (and have) listened to on repeat for days. There's of course some fun dance songs, but she slows it down for the deep cuts and title track. There's even a surprisingly awesome collaboration with Florence + the Machine's Florence Welch. But as one would guess she keeps her running theme of songs about love, sexuality, and embracing who you are.

    Favorite Song:
    Perfect Illusion
    Release Date:
    October 21, 2016
    Label:
    KIDinaKORNER/Interscope Records
    Genres:
    Dance-pop, Soft Rock
  7. Yellowcard Yellowcard
    Yellowcard

    For me personally, this is a very bittersweet album. Being the last of the band's studio albums, the songs definitely are their way of saying farewell. Though it is not my favorite from them, it is more sentimental than any of the others. It's very slowed down and is more about saying what every fan needs to hear, a goodbye from a band that has been around over 20 years.

    Favorite Song:
    Savior’s Robes
    Release Date:
    September 30, 2016
    Label:
    Hopeless Records
    Genre:
    Pop Punk
  8. Smoke + Mirrors (Deluxe) Imagine Dragons
    Smoke + Mirrors (Deluxe)

    This album is really just more of the funky rock/pop that made Imagine Dragons so popular a few years back. The songs are all awesome and have just enough angst mixed into the fun. Personally I'm a bigger fan of the rock heavy songs but they are all a good listen.

    Favorite Song:
    I’m So Sorry
    Release Date:
    February 17, 2015
    Label:
    KIDinaKORNER/Interscope Records
    Genres:
    Rock, Pop
  9. Delirium Ellie Goulding
    Delirium

    This is definitely one of those albums when no matter how much you try, you can't help but getting the songs stuck in your head. Every song is extremely catchy and fun to listen to. The only complaint I could have is that there isn't as much variety as there could be, but if you want an album that's pretty much all upbeat songs, then this is great.

    Favorite Song:
    Codes
    Release Date:
    November 6, 2015
    Label:
    Polydor Records
    Genres:
    Alternative/Indie, Pop
  10. True Sadness The Avett Brothers
    True Sadness

    This album, just like the ones they've made before, is a really good mix of blues, folk, rock, and bluegrass. There are a lot of songs to jam to and a couple ballads to break them up. There is a bit of an electronic vibe to the album which is certainly new for them, and kind of refreshing that they are expanding their style. It has their signature sound with a little extra.

    Favorite Song:
    Ain’t No Man
    Release Date:
    June 24, 2016
    Label:
    American Recordings/Republic Records
    Genre:
    Americana
  11. The Phosphorescent Blues Punch Brothers
    The Phosphorescent Blues

    If you are a fan of bluegrass, Punch Brothers are probably already on your radar. This album starts off with a ten minute song which is absolutely beautiful and showcases the mastery mandolin playing of Chris Thile. The album probably won't be appealing to those who aren't a fan of bluegrass and folk, but for those who do, it will become a favorite.

    Favorite Song:
    Julep
    Release Date:
    January 27, 2015
    Label:
    Nonesuch Records
    Genre:
    Progressive Bluegrass
  12. iii Miike Snow
    iii

    This is definitely a good album for background music to whatever you're working on as well as something to blast while driving to work. It is super upbeat, but there isn't much variety because of that. I wouldn't recommend listening to it too much, since you could easily get bored of it. It is still a good one to keep coming back to from time to time though.

    Favorite Song:
    Genghis Khan
    Release Date:
    March 4, 2016
    Label:
    Downtown/Atlantic
    Genres:
    Indie pop, Electropop
  13. Ripcord Keith Urban
    Ripcord

    Country fans are probably the only ones who will have any interest in this album, but for those who are, you'll probably enjoy it. It has all the typical subject matter for a Country album, great guitar solos, and a variety of types of songs. It's one of those albums that makes you really want to blast it while driving down some backroads.

    Favorite Song:
    The Fighter feat. Carrie Underwood
    Release Date:
    May 6, 2016
    Label:
    Capitol Records Nashville
    Genre:
    Country
  14. Petals Elephant Revival
    Petals

    Petals is a very slow and mellow album, and as the album title suggests, it has a feeling of delicacy to it. Elephant Revival is known for their unconventional instruments that they use, such as a washboard, and the "haunting, ambient" vocals of Bonnie Paine. It is an album centered around human emotion and it is beautiful to listen and relax to.

    Favorite Song:
    Raindrops
    Release Date:
    April 1, 2016
    Label:
    ITZ EVOLVING RECORDS
    Genre:
    Folk
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