My Favourite Albums of the Year 2015
My Favourite Albums of the Year 2015
From California to the Faeroes Islands, Germany to Kentucky, right back to here in Vancouver, these are my favourite albums of the year.
Cayucas – Dancing at the Blue Lagoon (Secretly Canadian)
A rare California entry on my year-end list. Their sunny brand of quirky indie rock struck me in just the right way. Released to almost zero acclaim, this might be my pick-me-up album of the year.
Leon Bridges – Coming Home (Columbia)
Rarely does a debut album hit me as hard as this one did. Borrows heavily from the 50’s and 60’s American soul catalogue in lyrics and form, but hey, who cares when you have a voice as smooth as his.
Sufjan Stevens – Carrie and Lowell (Asthmatic Kitty)
Lauded seventh studio release from the now Brooklyn-based musician is one of his best. References his childhood memories of a mostly-absent mother and a mostly-present stepfather. Touching, solid, memorable.
Valley Maker – When I Was a Child (Brick Lane Records)
Seattle heart-wrenchers mix male-female harmonies, sparse guitar lines and poetic lyrics for an entrancing release.
Beirut – No No No (Pompeii Records)
Critically panned but, in my humble opinion, still well worth a listen for its brilliant instrumentations and clever lyrics despite being an even bigger step towards the radio-and-streaming-friendly centre
Daniel Martin Moore – Golden Age (Sub Pop)
Kentucky singer-songwriter reminds me of the similarly beautiful and melancholy Jesse Marchant with a slight Americana twist
Hayden – Hey Love (Arts & Crafts)
Hayden is like a cousin to me, a brother, an old friend. When he gets it right, as he usually does, his albums speak to me in a way that few others could. He’s older, wiser, and more of a lyricist here than ever but much of his simple boy-next-door songs remain the same as they did when I first listened to him so many lifetimes ago.
Villagers – Darling Arithmetic (Domino Recording Co.)
Ireland’s Villagers were once nominated for Mercury Prize but are, as so often s the case, still more or less unknown on North American shores. Largely the baby of leadman Conor O’Brien and in part a coming-out record, it features simpler songs than past albums but now more deeply personal and affective as a result.
Peter Broderick – Colours of the Night (Bella Union)
Once a member of Horse Feathers and Efterklang, two of my all-time favourites, Portland’s Broderick now spends much of his time in Europe adding his talent to many an album as a recording and touring musician. He recorded this release in Switzerland borrowing talent and inspiration from his musical brethren.
Nils Frahm – Solo (Erased Tapes)
German modern pianist released this album of solo tracks for free in the spring but the delicate music is rich beyond words.
Marius Ziska – Home (Stargazer Records)
Proof that there is great music everywhere, Ziska is a singer songwriter from the Faeroes Islands with great melodies and soaring vocals that remind me of, dare I say it, a young Chris Martin.
Honourable Mention:
Fort Frances – No One Needs to Know Our Name; Father John Misty – I Love You, Honeybear; Colin Stetson & Sara Neufeld – Never Were the Way She Was; Patrick Watson – Love Songs for Robots; Other Lives - Rituals; Simen Mitlid – While We Wait
My Favourite Albums of the Year 2015
My Favourite Albums of the Year 2015
From California to the Faeroes Islands, Germany to Kentucky, right back to here in Vancouver, these are my favourite albums of the year.
Cayucas – Dancing at the Blue Lagoon (Secretly Canadian)
A rare California entry on my year-end list. Their sunny brand of quirky indie rock struck me in just the right way. Released to almost zero acclaim, this might be my pick-me-up album of the year.
Leon Bridges – Coming Home (Columbia)
Rarely does a debut album hit me as hard as this one did. Borrows heavily from the 50’s and 60’s American soul catalogue in lyrics and form, but hey, who cares when you have a voice as smooth as his.
Sufjan Stevens – Carrie and Lowell (Asthmatic Kitty)
Lauded seventh studio release from the now Brooklyn-based musician is one of his best. References his childhood memories of a mostly-absent mother and a mostly-present stepfather. Touching, solid, memorable.
Valley Maker – When I Was a Child (Brick Lane Records)
Seattle heart-wrenchers mix male-female harmonies, sparse guitar lines and poetic lyrics for an entrancing release.
Beirut – No No No (Pompeii Records)
Critically panned but, in my humble opinion, still well worth a listen for its brilliant instrumentations and clever lyrics despite being an even bigger step towards the radio-and-streaming-friendly centre
Daniel Martin Moore – Golden Age (Sub Pop)
Kentucky singer-songwriter reminds me of the similarly beautiful and melancholy Jesse Marchant with a slight Americana twist
Hayden – Hey Love (Arts & Crafts)
Hayden is like a cousin to me, a brother, an old friend. When he gets it right, as he usually does, his albums speak to me in a way that few others could. He’s older, wiser, and more of a lyricist here than ever but much of his simple boy-next-door songs remain the same as they did when I first listened to him so many lifetimes ago.
Villagers – Darling Arithmetic (Domino Recording Co.)
Ireland’s Villagers were once nominated for Mercury Prize but are, as so often s the case, still more or less unknown on North American shores. Largely the baby of leadman Conor O’Brien and in part a coming-out record, it features simpler songs than past albums but now more deeply personal and affective as a result.
Peter Broderick – Colours of the Night (Bella Union)
Once a member of Horse Feathers and Efterklang, two of my all-time favourites, Portland’s Broderick now spends much of his time in Europe adding his talent to many an album as a recording and touring musician. He recorded this release in Switzerland borrowing talent and inspiration from his musical brethren.
Nils Frahm – Solo (Erased Tapes)
German modern pianist released this album of solo tracks for free in the spring but the delicate music is rich beyond words.
Marius Ziska – Home (Stargazer Records)
Proof that there is great music everywhere, Ziska is a singer songwriter from the Faeroes Islands with great melodies and soaring vocals that remind me of, dare I say it, a young Chris Martin.
Honourable Mention:
Fort Frances – No One Needs to Know Our Name; Father John Misty – I Love You, Honeybear; Colin Stetson & Sara Neufeld – Never Were the Way She Was; Patrick Watson – Love Songs for Robots; Other Lives - Rituals; Simen Mitlid – While We Wait