Each year, we get at least a dozen people together to vote on their top albums of the year, then we tabulate the votes and rank them accordingly. We’re going to put them all on this page, because I’m sick of having to click through a million pages to read these lists. Here are our Top albums of 2015.
The Pusha T album will be included in the 2016 list as we didn’t have time to evaluate it before the print deadline.
- King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard – Paper Mache Dream Balloon
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard’s second album this year, Paper Mache Dream Balloon, is also their sixth album in three years.
It’s all-acoustic, which is out of character for the band, but it really lets the melodies and songwriting outshine the psychedelic sounds. It’s still trippy enough though, promise. –Zac Fallon
- Bob Moses – Days Gone By
Not to be confused with the jazz drummer or the New York based city planner of the same name, Bob Moses is in fact a duo, Jimmy Vallance and Tom Howie. They went to high school together in Vancouver but are, like so many current indie bands, based in Brooklyn. The long term of their friendship is evident in how smoothly they come together for their debut LP, Days Gone By. The album is downtempo and hypnotic and reminds me readily of the recent great albums from Darkside and one of Blank’s favorites from last year, Jungle. They are still a relatively smaller name but have been building since the September release of Days, so they are just a few Best Of list mentions and an expected festival tour next year away from becoming a much larger force on the music scene. –Chris Lewis
- Florence & the Machine – How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
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I am honestly surprised by where this album ended up on this list. Florence Welch and company have built up a large following with their two previous studio albums, and this album appeared to be the one that would launch her into the stratosphere. Welch is a powerful performer in multiple ways from her huge voice to her high energy performances to increasingly large crowds. With each successive album, she is getting better and “How Big” looks to have the potential to be the first stop as she enters the prime of her musical career. -CL
- Neon Indian – Vega Intl. Night School
Alan Palomo, the man behind Neon Indian, is back with a new release four years in the making. He states: “I don’t miss a beat” on the albums second track, “Annie” and for the most part, he’s telling the truth with this release. Some tracks are pretty straightforward pop and others take on more challenging forms of electronica. It’s great to have Neon Indian back and if you’re a fan of moving around a bit, don’t miss this show if it comes to your town or festival. –Rusty Odom
- Songhoy Blues – Music in Exile
I’ll admit that I hadn’t heard of Songhoy Blues a year ago. But when they were added to the 2015 Bonnaroo Lineup I immediately became a fan. After seeing the bluesy performance in person, and upon hearing Music in Exile for the first time in early 2015, I was hooked. A group of refugees from Mali who were forced to move in order to pursue their musical passions, Songhoy Blues play music that is as important culturally as it is danceable. -RO
- Windhand – Grief’s Eternal Flower
I’m not much of a heavy rock fan, but I thoroughly enjoyed Windhand’s 2015 release. The Jack Endino produced album is not all dark all the time, but it’s heavy enough to win over fans of more traditional metal. Perhaps it’s a gateway for me to explore further into the genre. “Two Urns” is what originally hooked me, as it reminds me of something you’d hear from Black Mountain, one of my favorite bands.
- Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Multi Love
As fun as any record of the year, Multi Love helped introduce the more causal music appreciator to Unknown Mortal Orhestra.
The title track is infectious and puts an exclamation point on lead singer Ruban Nielson’s pipes. His vocal range is a highlight throughout, though the rest of the band gets plenty of shine. Neilson cleverly sneaks in meaning to these dancy tracks, making it a fun ride for nearly every kind of music fan. And “The World is Crowded” is one of the best songs of 2015.
- Khraungbin – The Universe Smiles Upon You
This is by far my favorite 60’s-inspired-Thai-funk-band from Texas. I mean, it’s not even close. The three piece consists of Laura Lee (bass), Donald Johnson (drums) and Mark Speer (guitar). I’ve called bands “Tarentino-Rock” before, but since I see that The Guardian has used similar nomenclature in regards to this band I’ll go in a different direction. Right out of the gate, it’s smooth as silk. Think the Beastie Boys instrumental albums but with the occasional dreamy vocals, ala Blue Foundation. Some tracks are forever boozy and some are forcefully lively but they all flow together and tell a story without saying much in terms of dialogue. Had we found out about this album earlier, I’m certain it would be higher on the list as it has been the record I’ve listened to most in the past month. -RO
- Fuzz – II
A similar statement was probably printed in my entry regarding Manipulator, his solo album from 2014, but nobody is making better rock music than Ty Segall right now. Much like the previously mentioned King Gizzard, Segall is a prolific musician. He seems to constantly have some release on the horizon. Fuzz is one of Segall’s multiple side projects. The setup for the band becomes interesting in that Segall, Charles Moothart (Ty Segall) and Chad Ubovich (The Meatbodies) all play guitar for their primary projects, For Fuzz, Segall gets behind the drum kit, Moothart takes the lead on guitar and Ubovich takes care of the bass. Together, they make albums which have unbeatable riffs that you could easily convince others comes from a release straight from 1974. Given that he does not slow down, expect me to be writing about Segall’s next release this same time next year. -CL
- Natalie Prass – S/T
Natalie Prass’ debut album owes a lot of its success to the arrangements of Matthew E. White. It would have been easy to take these beautiful songs and make a boring album, but the orchestration keeps you engaged. Not to sell Prass short, she has a beautiful voice and laid the foundation for a fantastic album. -ZF
- Floating Points – Elaenia
Sam Shepherd’s debut album as Floating Points is experimental electronic music at its finest. Sprightly bass and percussion intertwine to buoy icy yet bubbly synth melodies throughout its 43 minutes. Although the instrumentation is sparse in many spots, a distinct devotion to detail is evident in the patiently unfolding tracks, revealing true craftsmanship from its creator.
-Matt Rankin
- Ryley Walker – Primrose Green
After discovering Walker at BIG BIG BIG EARS last year, I was excited to hear more. I enjoyed his performance at the Knoxville fest so much that I bought a tape of a Neil Young concert from Germany at his show (I don’t know why he was selling tapes of other people’s shows, but I like Neil Young and it’s none of my business).
Although the show was one of the more rocking ones of the weekend, Primrose Green is a slower, more melodic kind. It sounds like a cabin in the mountains and it’s perfect for a relaxing day around the house (or at a cabin in the mountains). -RO
- Viet Cong – Viet Cong
Unfortunately, Calgary band Viet Cong made some of their first national headlines as promoters began to cancel their scheduled shows due to objections over concerns in regards to the band’s name. Long story short, the band finished out the tour cycle for their self-titled February release and stated that they would be working on a new name while they prepare to begin writing their next release. Thankfully, the controversy did not cause people to shy away from this LP as it is an excellent post-punk release. They also bring an excellent live show to pair with it. As I wrote in the Blank News report on Shaky Knees 2015, their show is a powerful endeavor. In the months leading up to it, I heard again and again how great they were live and how Death was an especially amazing track live. Despite my skepticism that it would live up to the hype, that show (Death especially) was in hindsight easily the best show of the weekend for me, and I cannot wait to see what they come up with next under whatever moniker they go with from now on. -CL
- Everything Everything – Get to Heaven
This is a band that I discovered on some hipster message board. I would thank those hipsters, but they don’t know how to take compliments, so I’ll focus more on the album. If you’re a fan of TV on the Radio or any sort of Damon Albarn project I believe you will like this very groovy release, too. High pitch vocals meet harsh guitar drops and the crowd goes wild. Oh, and thanks, hipster message board! -RO
Carly Rae Jepsen – E•mo•tion
Tom Hanks dancing and singing in the video for the lead single, “I Really Like You,” really sums up the vibe for Carly Rae Jepsen’s E•MO•TION. It’s a pretty great collection of pop songs that just make you feel good. -ZF
- Health – Death Magic
Every once in a while, there are bands that totally escape your notice until suddenly they jump out of nowhere with a song or album that you refuse to stop listening to. Health’s Death Magic is one of those albums for me. Before the month even started, I had a leaked copy of Abyss by Chelsea Wolfe (which everyone should listen to) that I was 100% ready to call the best release of August. Suddenly, my friend Marc starts getting very hyped about Death Magic telling me how it will be one of my favorites albums of the year. Given the trust I have in his opinion and the fervor with which he recommended it, I gave it a shot. Wow. I don’t think I took it off repeat for a few days after that. It’s a mix of guitars, electronics, bass and electropop vocals that never fails to hit me right in the music feels which is why Death Magic is my personal favorite album of 2015 which is especially impressive considering how great this year has been for music and that they were not on my radar at all at the beginning of the year. – CL
- Guy Marshall – Depression Blues
Guy Marshall’s Depression Blues was five years in the making and it shows. From the exuberant “Cowboy Ballad” (the oldest song here) to the longing “Mountain of Fog,” (one of the newest) there is not a wasted word or an inelegant phrase in lead songwriter Adam McNulty’s ten tales of, well, what exactly? What makes Guy Marshall such a fascinating band is that the songs, which perfectly straddle the line between modern energetic folk and the older, more elegiac form, are so non-linear, both in the storytelling and in the construction. No verse-chorus-verse here and if you are looking for resolutions and answers to your questions, you’d best look elsewhere. McNulty, like many of the best songwriters, is more concerned with asking a beautiful question and turning a beautiful phrase than providing satisfaction.
While the record doesn’t quite convey the energy and spontaneity of their live shows, it showcases the songs and the crystalline harmonies of McNulty and wife Sarrenna perfectly. Eric Griffin’s guitar playing is dynamic and blends perfectly with Jonathan Keeny’s excellent steel work and the youthful rhythm section of Zach Gilleran and Travis Bigwood provide a propulsiveness that takes the songs to another level. Listen to the bands entrance on “Cowboy Ballad” after a solo verse by McNulty and try not to smile as the song builds. “Master” showcases Sarrenna and reminds us that Guy Marshall is lucky enough to have not one but two distinctive and unique vocalists. “Jordan” bears a distinct gospel influence with its call-and-response verses and “English Girl” delights with its plaintive vocal and intriguing lyric. Placing a local band this high up my list was not a decision made lightly. Give this album a listen, no matter where you call home, and I don’t think you will disagree. The below video features an unreleased track. -Bill Foster
- John Moreland – High on Tulsa Heat
John Moreland just turned 30, but his soul and songs are of a well traveled 80 year old. If folkie Springsteen was from Oklahoma…. Marnold
- Scarface – Deeply Rooted
I know everyone loved Kendrick Lamar’s album this year, and “King Kunta” is my song of the year, but I found myself enjoying much more of Scarface’s Deeply Rooted. My favorite five-song stretch of 2015 starts with the third track on Deeply Rooted and though it stays exceptional for those tracks, the heat really carries through the rest of the album. If you’re a fan of old school hip-hop, you’re going to love this vet’s first album since 2008. -RO
- Björk – Vulnicura
An epic and harrowing dissection of the dissolution of her marriage to artist Matthew Barney, the hauntingly beautiful ninth studio album from the Icelandic virtuoso is an emotional maelstrom. Its lyrics heartbreakingly and chronologically detail the breakup, while icy production courtesy of Arca and the Haxan Cloak supplement the bleakness. Musically, however, the orchestral swells and digitized beats work in perfect synchronicity, most closely resembling the glacial perfection of Homogenic. Although it is of course unfortunate that it took such hardship for Björk to replicate past success, Vulnicura unquestionably stands as her best statement since 2001’s Vespertine. -Matt Rankin
- Titus Andronicus – The Most Lamentable Tragedy
I love Merge Records. The North Carolina label houses acts like Arcade Fire, Caribou, Neutral Milk Hotel and Titus Andronicus. This album is a total rocker at points but also features a cover of a Daniel Johnston song. While TA features a sound that is not for everyone, I think everyone could find something they like in this album. Start with the second track if you’re not into big buildups. -RO
- Waxahatchee – Ivy Tripp
With past lo-fi releases, Katie Crutchfield established herself as a DIY queen. But with her more polished third release with Waxahatchee, she has crafted an astonishingly unique hook-laden and approachable brand of indie pop. Lyrically solid and musically indebted to the best kind of ‘90s alternative rock, Ivy Tripp vacillates organically from stoic drones (“Breathless”) to stoner rockers (“<”) to wistful ballads (“Summer of Love”). Closer “Bonfire” capitalizes on all these seemingly disparate styles, culminating in a dynamic, bass-driven denouement.
– Matt Rankin
- Bottle Rockets – South Broadway Athletic Club
Blue collar roots rockers from St. Louis, The Bottle Rockets release their finest effort in their 20+ year history. These are songs the average person can relate to, from working on the assembly line hating your job (Building Chryslers), to anticipation of the upcoming weekend (Big Fat Nuthin’), to dread of the weekend ending (Monday Every Time I Turn Around), or still being in love after all these years (XOYOU). The song about loving your dog (Dog) is the real kicker here, though it’s just a simple song about what a dog can teach you about life. -Marnold
- Panda Bear – Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper
Listening to Panda Bear ab-so-lutely requires a preconception. The thing about artists like that, whether it’s the Butthole Surfers, Tobacco, or say, Panda Bear’s other band Animal Collective…you have to give them credit. While most artists comfortably revel in the pop and comfortable patterns, these guys push into uncharted territory, a la Lewis and Clark. “Boys Latin” may very well be my favorite song of 2015. Back to preconception though – this is an album that you need to give your time to; do not skip tracks, but listen straight through. Like quarters to a jukebox, you have to give to receive this music. Although unlike the jukebox, this music won’t transport you to the past, but to the future. -Patrick Gipson
- Deerhunter – Fading Frontier
Over the course of the last decade, Deerhunter has perhaps grown and matured both personally and musically more than any of their counter parts. Each album has seen more structure and stronger lyrical content than its predecessor. While 2013’s Monomania gave us a poppy garage sound, “Fading Fronteir” gives us the strongest song writing from Deerhunter to date. Case in point “Living My Life” tells a complete story, with a clear message rather than fragments of songs as we’ve seen in the past. “Snakeskin” is a jangling number that shows off the classic experimental side albeit on a softer and deeper level. Guitarist Locket Pundt’s trademark reverb drenched guitar is evident in “Fading Frontier” as is songwriting which we’ve seen more of on each release. While you may not know what you’ll get for a Bradford Cox sound bite or live show, it’s becoming more and more evident that you will get a top not release every 2 to 3 years and we’re just fine with that. -JF
- Leon Bridges – Coming Home
Retro classic smooth soul music ala’ Sam Cooke. So retro that they used ’60’s equipment when recording this record, so it sounds like it was made in Muscle Shoals in 1964. He talks the talk and walks the walk. – Marnold
- Oneohtrix Point Never – Garden of Delete
Perhaps the best modern-day ambassador for experimental-yet-accessible electronic music, Daniel Lopatin’s seventh proper album is a gem. Though the music bears no tangible influence from the latest tour on which he embarked with Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden, there is a more conventional structure to individual tracks. A definitive darkness, interspersed with moments of playfulness, is also perceivable; the moody record as a whole is a different and welcome departure from what has preceded it. Given the quality of his past releases, what potentially could be perceived as a slight is actually a high compliment. – MR
- Donnie Trumpet & the Social Experiment – Surf
Complaining is easy. From the long history of complaining British travel writers, to the blues, to sitcoms based on insults, it’s easy to find something to write about by complaining but positivity is hard and that’s what makes Surf by Donnie Trumpet and the Social Experiment such a delight. Considering that Surf is, for all intents and purposes, the follow-up to Chance the Rapper’s ground-breaking Acid Jazz and that Surf features guest spots from KYLE, J. Cole, Big Sean, Erykah Badu, Busta Rhymes, and Migos’ Quavo, this free release was surprisingly under the radar. Nonetheless, its pop-soul-jazz mix makes a perfect soundtrack for anything from a Sunday brunch to a mellow Friday at the club.
Donnie Trumpet is Nico Segal who takes the lead here playing horn and charting all the arrangements for the rest of Chance’s touring band, Social Experiment. The music is somewhat cluttered, but always with a bouncy, upbeat feel complimented by intriguing, optimistic lyrics. Some of it veers towards happy instrumentals and some of it would fit on a Chance solo record but all of it is intriguing. Check out “Wanna Be Cool,” the year’s most unlikely anti-consumerism pop piece or the star turn by Chance on “Sunday Candy” or the paired instrumentals “Nothing Came to Me” and “Something Came to Me.” It’s rare to find a kitchen with this many cooks in it that still produces something this simple and fun. -BF
- Alabama Shakes – Sound & Color
Everyone seems skeptical about sophomore albums, especially following an album such as Boys & Girls. It comes after great anticipation and goes under intense critique, which is what made the release of Sound & Color seem so refreshing. The opening title track is beautiful and strange. Soothing, yet exciting, and is a perfect reflection of the mixed range of music to follow. “Don’t Wanna Fight” and “Gimme All Your Love” remind us just how powerful and passionate Brittany Howard’s vocals are, and she continues to grow stronger with her lyrics.
“Future People” shows off the band’s impressive control of changing tempos and highlights their growing diversity, while “Shoegaze” should have easily been this year’s “Hold On”. From beginning to end, Alabama Shakes bring their unique style to multiple genres. The versatility of Howard’s voice is incredible, as she transitions from soul, to rock and roll, to blues with ease. From the innovate rhythms and terrific variety, to the passionate songwriting and performance from Howard, Alabama Shakes reminds that music is truly special, and is easily taken for granted. Like sound and color. –Matt Miller
- Lupe Fiasco – Tiestso & Youth
Widely known as one of hip-hop’s most impressive lyricists, Lupe Fiasco’s fifth album, Tetsuo & Youth, is perhaps the strongest and most focused body of work since his 2006 breakthrough debut album, Food & Liquor. Tetsuo & Youth begins with the light breeze of “Summer” before diving headlong into the 1,337-word epic “Mural” that leaves the listener gasping for air as Lupe effortlessly weaves in and out of an 8-minute verse laden with metaphors and double entendres with no hook or chorus in sight to distract from his verbal barrage. Throughout the album Lupe touches on a variety of social topics such as the prison industrial complex and racial profiling on “Prisoner 1 & 2” and the difficulties of life in the ghetto on “Deliver” and “Madonna (And Other Mothers In the Hood)”. As arguably the king of conscious hip-hop, Lupe provides intelligent, eloquent rhymes that breathe fresh air into the perception of these complex discussions. Lupe Fiasco has proven over the course of his career that he is practically in a league of his own, and with Tetsuo & Youth he has firmly cemented his place amongst the titans of hip-hop. -Mathan Gore
- Kurt Vile – b’lieve i’m going down…
A model of consistency since his days as a member of the War on Drugs, Vile nevertheless modified his approach with his latest record, opting more than ever before for his first instrument of choice, the banjo, and keyboards. Both lend a more bluesy character to the album. But that’s not to say that his excellent guitar work doesn’t seep to the forefront; “Wheelhouse” delivers on several levels, the finger-picked melody carrying the emotional weight of the track, one of the best Vile has ever penned. -MR
- Joanna Newsom – Divers
Rife with literary allusions and historical references, Newsom’s first album in five years is appropriately academic. But it’s also equally human, relying on lyrical turns of phrase that cut to the bone. Ultimately, though, the message is one of love. Appropriating different personalities to convey the missive, the artist evocatively and passionately sings of devotion from the perspective of different figures. It’s possible that an artist previously has so impeccably encompassed in song the state of marital bliss, but it’s unlikely that such perceptiveness will be replicated anytime soon. -MR
- Chris Stapleton – Traveler
Chris Stapleton exploded this year. His album Traveler spent several weeks at number one following his stampede through the CMA’s. After the show stopping, double performance with Justin Timberlake (“Tennessee Whiskey” and “Drink You Away”) and 3 awards (Male Vocalist of the Year, New Artist of the Year and Album of the Year), Stapleton quickly gained the notoriety he so well deserved. One week earlier, Traveller’s sales were only at 96,000. In the coming weeks, it jumped to over 437,500 sold. Commercially, this is spectacular, however the heart of the album lays in the long commute from Arizona to Nashville to drive a newly purchased jeep home and digest the death of his father. Traveler is 14 tracks that showcase the raw talent of a true artist and define the deepest part of a man.
-Jordan Knight
- Sufjan Stevens – Carrie & Lowell
Following the passing of his mostly estranged mother, Sufjan Stevens turns away from his trade-mark whimsy and creates an emotional hurricane of grief and yearning for what could have been. Bare guitar and piano lines flourish among secretly grandiose ambiance while letting Sufjan’s lyrics blossom. Carrie & Lowell finds an artist already garnished in accomplishments grieving his way into his best one yet in the quiet solitude of his own bedroom, and it’s truly a special moment in music. –Andy Vinson
- My Morning Jacket – The Waterfall
It may be difficult for BLANK favorites My Morning Jacket to ever exceed the quality and popularity of previous albums, but The Waterfall comes very close. The band combines the cohesiveness of At Dawn and the diversity of Z, to produce an album distinctly different than any before. For an album of a romantic and spiritual nature, James’ lyrics are levelheaded and pragmatic. James expresses the negativity and wear of the path he’s taken multiple times, in songs such as “Thin Line” and the McCartney-esque “Get the Point”. The opening track, “Believe (Nobody Knows), is a very strong opener, “Compound Fracture” displays the band’s true diversity. and “Only Memories Remain” appropriately closes the album’s overall theme of reflection and triumph. James shows that he is accepting of where he and the band have come. They may be a bit older, and a bit broken, but continue to bring hope among the living. -MM
- Jamie XX – In Colour
At the end of every year, one album makes the consensus Top Ten lists that seems….well, effortless. As a Brooklyn resident, this was the Summer of Jamie XX. In Colour was to the Summer of 2015 what Disclosure’s Settle was in ’13. It was the album everyone played when others came over. It was an unwritten code. The great thing about In Colour is it doesn’t take a preconception to listen – we all found it cool and soothing. And in the New York Summer, sometimes that’s what you need the most. It’s a long ride or wait, it’s an album to work to, it’s an album to hang to. –PG
- Tame Impala – Currents
Following a string of slow building success, Australia’s Tame Impala follow up their the psychedelic stoner jams of Lonerism with a synth heavy exploration into the flow of life in the wake of a break-up. Their most complete work to date, Currents features the band’s versatility, swapping their hazy rock sensibility for a new set of Korg’s, while carefully avoiding falling into the 80’s nostalgia pit-hole. By the end of the set, Currents rides a supreme meta wave jumbling the singer’s thoughts on relationships with his musical success, and just like his failed relationship, everything continues to move on up. -ZF
- Courtney Barnett – Sometimes I Sit and Think…Sometimes I just Sit
Courtney Barnett followed up her hyped double EP “A Sea of Split Peas” with a breakthrough smash debut full length. While she introduced us to her deadpan lyrical style and blistering guitar playing on her previous EP’s, it wasn’t until “Sometimes I Sit…” that her songwriting became complete. While angsty and melancholy at times, Barnett doesn’t reinvent the wheel on this record, sticking to the tried and true method of cranking out traditional ballads with flurries of grungy guitar goodness. Hard charging tracks such as “Depression” and “Elevator Operator” are punchy numbers with clever lyrics, while “Pedestrian At Best” shows off her aforementioned angst with a perfectly timed hook. Courtney Barnett had a hell of a year and her live performance is second to none, as evident by her Bonnaroo performance this past June. There are no frills or trickery or this album, what you get is pure unadulterated honest rock, proving less is more. -JF
- Father John Misty – I Love you, Honeybear
This was my favorite album and I’m mad it didn’t win. The end.
Just kiddin. There are a lot of people who vote on this list each year, so it’s not just what I like just cause I run this rag. However, I told them all to put this album on their list (OR ELSE) and everyone that knows me well probably knows that I tend to get stuck on an album or two each year. The reason why “I Love You, Honeybear” became that album for me in 2015 is simple.
It is honest. In fact, it’s one of the most honest records I’ve ever heard. Josh Tillman, former drummer of the Fleet Foxes, got out from behind the drumkit a few years ago (seemingly for good) and released “Fear Fun” as Father John Misty. I like that album, but it wasn’t until this sophomore release that I truly got it. The album hits on everything from relationships to sub-prime loans and it does it all with an admirable dose of jest. It’s a folk album in parts but there are ventures intro electronica and in the case of the best track on the album and live show-stopper (The Ideal Husband), good ole fashioned rock and roll.
This persona (Father John Misty) is somewhat of a shtick, but I’ve enjoyed every step of the ride. The vulnerability of this album is what makes his constant jabbing of the music industry, or the venue he’s at on a given night or even the crowd so acceptable to me. If you’re willing to make fun of yourself you can make fun of others without dire consequences.
He already has his next album recorded and I can’t wait to hear it.
- Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp a Butterfly
In To Pimp a Butterfly, Kendrick Lamar drew from the well of George Clinton and Andre 3000, applying their greatest lessons and pimping them in a way that was uniquely Kendrick. R&B, Jazz, Funk, Hip-Hop and even Slam Poetry are all represented, re-packaged and exported straight from Compton with the same care that Dr. Dre had when sampling and drawing from his idols, be it Donny Hathaway or Bill Withers.
There’s no debating it – the new Hip-Hop bar is Kendrick Lamar. The lyrics, the style and the delivery are so present, it makes most contemporary hip-hop sound like a play on the past. While Drake, J Cole and Kanye pump out the hip-hop meat and potatoes, Lamar is the mint that refreshes you after a full-serving of his contemporaries. To Pimp a Butterfly is easily Lamar’s (and 2015’s) most complete album. -Patrick Gipson
