1. This is Acting - Sia
While everyone seems to be reviving from the Taylor Swift craze, Sia has risen to fame causing another craze. This album reveals that Sia is finally ready for a little more publicity. She has been hidden behind her writings, but her newest album has put her at the forefront of the music scene. She doesn't care if she sings off-key and she loves cheap thrills. What more could you ask of from an artist. Overall, this is the most well-rounded pop album I've heard in a while!
Favorite Track: "Bird Set Free"
2. This Unruly Mess I've Made - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
I don't listen to a lot of rap, but as someone who spent time growing up in Seattle and Spokane I cannot put Macklemore & Ryan Lewis's new cd aside. A lot of it is socially relevant, but broken up by insanely random lyrics.
Favorite Track: "Brad Pitt's Cousin"
3. California - Blink-182
Blink-182 surprised the world with this new album, which is fantastic! They haven't been this good since Enema of the State. At this point, I can't decide if I like California or Enema more.
Favorite Track: "San Diego"
4. Lukas Graham - Lukas Graham
Ah yessss, Lukas Graham killed it this year with an album drop full of fables and heart-wrenching songs. While listening to this album, I felt like I got some insight into how the artist grew up. Childhood stories provide nostalgia to one's own upbringing, pulling me into the music itself.
Favorite Track: "Happy Home"
5. Revolution Radio - Green Day
Honestly before Revolution Radio came out, I had a grudge against Green Day. They felt like a band that strived too much to be angsty. Yet, the best parts of the new album are the angsty and raw tunes. Billy Joe Armstrong clearly struggled to produce the new project, and it was worth the wait.
Favorite Track: "Still Breathing"
6. Simple Forms - The Naked and Famous
Struggle seems to be providing the best music this year. After the near-breakup of The Naked and Famous, they decided to create their most well-rounded album yet. Striving off of the synthesized soundscapes, the two singers in the band seem to share the microphone to create a band of equality.
Favorite Track: "Laid Low"
7. Signs of Light - The Head and The Heart
Considering that my favorite band in the past half-decade has been Mumford & Sons, it is not surprising that I love The Head and The Heart. Folk music will always be a big part of the Pacific Northwest and The Head and The Heart have perfected smooth folk-rock with Signs of Light.
Favorite Track: "All We Ever Knew"
8. Wild World - Bastille
This album isn't quite as good as Bad Blood, but it sure is close! Ranging from indie pop to indie rock to soft rock, this band that claims they became famous through a tv appearance on a sports show proves that they deserves the fame.
Favorite Track: "Lethargy"
9. Starboy - The Weeknd
The Weeknd is the classiest hip-hop artist around, producing music worthy nightclubs and smooth lounges. His appearance at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was the definition of gentleman-like.
Favorite Track: "Starboy"
10. Braver Than We Are - Meat Loaf
No matter what his voice becomes, I will always love Meat Loaf's music. Plus, Jim Steinman's compositions are once again pure genius. As long as the two keep on collabing, I will keep on listening.
Favorite Track: "Going All The Way Is Just The Start (A Song in 6 Movements)"
Honorable Mentions:
I Had A Dream That You Were Mine - Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam
Hey Marseilles - Hey Marseilles
Integrity Blues - Jimmy Eat World
Folk Hop N' Roll - Judah & the Lion
Where'd Your Weekend Go? - The Mowgli's
XX - O.A.R.
The Getaway - The Red Hot Chili Peppers
Matter - St. Lucia
Hope - The Strumbellas
Weezer (The White Album) - Weezer
Home of the Strange - Young the Giant
While everyone seems to be reviving from the Taylor Swift craze, Sia has risen to fame causing another craze. This album reveals that Sia is finally ready for a little more publicity. She has been hidden behind her writings, but her newest album has put her at the forefront of the music scene. She doesn't care if she sings off-key and she loves cheap thrills. What more could you ask of from an artist. Overall, this is the most well-rounded pop album I've heard in a while!
Favorite Track: "Bird Set Free"
2. This Unruly Mess I've Made - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
I don't listen to a lot of rap, but as someone who spent time growing up in Seattle and Spokane I cannot put Macklemore & Ryan Lewis's new cd aside. A lot of it is socially relevant, but broken up by insanely random lyrics.
Favorite Track: "Brad Pitt's Cousin"
3. California - Blink-182
Blink-182 surprised the world with this new album, which is fantastic! They haven't been this good since Enema of the State. At this point, I can't decide if I like California or Enema more.
Favorite Track: "San Diego"
4. Lukas Graham - Lukas Graham
Ah yessss, Lukas Graham killed it this year with an album drop full of fables and heart-wrenching songs. While listening to this album, I felt like I got some insight into how the artist grew up. Childhood stories provide nostalgia to one's own upbringing, pulling me into the music itself.
Favorite Track: "Happy Home"
5. Revolution Radio - Green Day
Honestly before Revolution Radio came out, I had a grudge against Green Day. They felt like a band that strived too much to be angsty. Yet, the best parts of the new album are the angsty and raw tunes. Billy Joe Armstrong clearly struggled to produce the new project, and it was worth the wait.
Favorite Track: "Still Breathing"
6. Simple Forms - The Naked and Famous
Struggle seems to be providing the best music this year. After the near-breakup of The Naked and Famous, they decided to create their most well-rounded album yet. Striving off of the synthesized soundscapes, the two singers in the band seem to share the microphone to create a band of equality.
Favorite Track: "Laid Low"
7. Signs of Light - The Head and The Heart
Considering that my favorite band in the past half-decade has been Mumford & Sons, it is not surprising that I love The Head and The Heart. Folk music will always be a big part of the Pacific Northwest and The Head and The Heart have perfected smooth folk-rock with Signs of Light.
Favorite Track: "All We Ever Knew"
8. Wild World - Bastille
This album isn't quite as good as Bad Blood, but it sure is close! Ranging from indie pop to indie rock to soft rock, this band that claims they became famous through a tv appearance on a sports show proves that they deserves the fame.
Favorite Track: "Lethargy"
9. Starboy - The Weeknd
The Weeknd is the classiest hip-hop artist around, producing music worthy nightclubs and smooth lounges. His appearance at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was the definition of gentleman-like.
Favorite Track: "Starboy"
10. Braver Than We Are - Meat Loaf
No matter what his voice becomes, I will always love Meat Loaf's music. Plus, Jim Steinman's compositions are once again pure genius. As long as the two keep on collabing, I will keep on listening.
Favorite Track: "Going All The Way Is Just The Start (A Song in 6 Movements)"
Honorable Mentions:
I Had A Dream That You Were Mine - Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam
Hey Marseilles - Hey Marseilles
Integrity Blues - Jimmy Eat World
Folk Hop N' Roll - Judah & the Lion
Where'd Your Weekend Go? - The Mowgli's
XX - O.A.R.
The Getaway - The Red Hot Chili Peppers
Matter - St. Lucia
Hope - The Strumbellas
Weezer (The White Album) - Weezer
Home of the Strange - Young the Giant
