Choosing the best albums of the year is nearly impossible; in fact, it might be just that. There’s just so much new, creative and groundbreaking music released locally, within Canada, and internationally. The vast majority of great new music goes largely unnoticed by the mainstream and music nerds alike. If anyone has ever told you music today just isn’t as good as it was “back in the day,” then they just aren’t looking hard enough. Hopefully this will make your search a little easier.
That being said, here’s a list of my seven favourite alternative albums of 2015, in no particular order. Your ears will appreciate it.
1. Tame Impala—Currents
Tame Impala returns with his third studio album, and by far his best yet. Australian musician, Kevin Parker, has really hit his stride with a perfectly polished and deep psychedelic-pop record. Moving away from guitar oriented psych-rock, Parker dives fully into the synthesizer on this work. It’s an album that will absolutely suck you in and make you wonder where the time has gone while you’ve been staring at a wall for the last hour.
2. Braids—Deep in the Iris
After some recent struggles, Canadian electro-pop/art rock band Braids reduced their lineup from five to three for this latest album, and it seems to have worked in their favour. This record has been short-listed for the 2015 Polaris Prize, and deserves the win (in my opinion). If you think this record is good, wait until you see their live show.
3. The Weather Station—Loyalty
Canadian folk singer-songwriter Tamara Lindeman has been performing as The Weather Station since 2006, and Loyalty is her most interesting work to date. Recorded with Afie Jurvanen of Bahamas, this down-to-earth, soft folk record is the only thing I can think of listening to on a rainy Sunday morning. It will warm you up inside better than a cup of your favourite tea.
4. Courtney Barnett—Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit
If you think rock and roll is dead, sit down and think again as Australian Courtney Barnett breathes new life into the 60+ year history of the genre. This album is rock and roll at it’s best. Loud, head-bangable and not trying to be anything more profound than it is, this might be one of the best debut albums in years.
5. Viet Cong—Viet Cong
Despite (or perhaps in spite) of the band name controversy that has caused protests outside of their shows, the Canadian post-punk group Viet Cong have continued touring their self-titled Polaris Prize-shortlisted album. Loud, powerful, and intricate compositions earned the band a massive world tour in 2015.
6. Hiatus Kaiyote—Choose Your Weapon
A third artist from down under makes my list for the year and this time it’s future-soul group Hiatus Kaiyote from Melbourne. If you’re looking for something new to try, this is it. Female lead Nai Palm’s vocals will make you fall out of your chair as you try to wrap your head around her vocal range and flow. Her backup musicians are all near-virtuosos at their instruments. The band combines elements of soul, jazz, rock and pop so seamlessly that I think this might be one of the most original sounds I’ve heard in a long time.
7. Father John Misty—I Love You, Honeybear
Eccentric indie musician Josh Tillman returns with his second studio album to prove that he’s become no less strange and only a better singer-songwriter. Described as a concept album about himself, Tillman’s lyrics are often ironic, occasionally sarcastic and always deserve a second listen as you slowly peel away the layers. The instrumentation and composition is no less intricate and will make you wonder why everyone isn’t making this kind of effort in the studio.