So many brilliant songs have been released this year, here’s my top 25 tracks, along with a Spotify playlist at the end so you can listen to them all!
25. I Wanna Get Lost With You – Stereophonics
24. Trip Switch – Nothing But Thieves
23. Emily – San Fermin
22. Magnets – Disclosure feat. Lorde
21. Beat Of My Drum – Powers
20. Gunga Din – The Libertines
19. Peanut Butter Jelly – Galantis
18. Hurt Me – Låpsley
17. Alive – Sia
16. Wings – Hurts
15. Adventure of A Lifetime – Coldplay
14. Let It All Go – Rhodes & Birdy
13. Believe – Mumford and Sons
12. Lean On – Major Lazer, MØ and DJ Snake
11. Let It Go – James Bay
10. Run Away With Me – Carly Rae Jepsen
This is the pop song of 2015, surprisingly to say the least. I must confess, I’m not a huge Carly Rae Jepsen fan, but I’ve been trying to ‘broaden my horizons’ in my music interests because limiting yourself to a specific genre to define your character is boring (but that’s a topic for another time, but I also briefly wrote about it here). ‘Run Away With Me’ excels in it’s nostalgic pop sound, relying on the ‘heat of the moment’ and a complete outburst of joy and love to formulate a fun, free-feeling song.
9. Weathered – Jack Garratt
Brit Awards’ 2016 Critics’ Choice winner Jack Garratt has had a brilliant year. I first heard Weathered on Clara Amfo’s show on BBC Radio One and fell in love. It’s unique sound and nostalgic feel is one I hadn’t heard a lot of lately, so this song really is special. Garratt’s unique creation process is also one to look into, it’s very interesting.
Brit Awards’ 2016 Critics’ Choice winner Jack Garratt has had a brilliant year. I first heard Weathered on Clara Amfo’s show on BBC Radio One and fell in love. It’s unique sound and nostalgic feel is one I hadn’t heard a lot of lately, so this song really is special. Garratt’s unique creation process is also one to look into, it’s very interesting.
8. Regret – Everything Everything
Everything Everything have been one of my favourites for 2015, I love the feel of their music. True ‘vibes’ as all the cool people would say. Admittedly, when I first came across Everything Everything’s music in 2014 I was more than confused, overwhelmed by their sound, but they grew on me and I quickly became infatuated with their sound.
7. The Hills – The Weeknd
How could I not have had The Weeknd on this? While I do struggle with the vocals at times (not that they’re bad, just perhaps a bit too screechy at times for my taste, hence the lack of Justin Bieber), The Hills is intense, sultry and confident in the best possible way. Besides, how bizarre is that hair?
6. Someone New – Hozier
Don’t be fooled by the sound of this song, the story is actually quite sad and honest. Hozier’s a genius, and his album is most definitely worth a glance, this song being a mere glimpse of the album’s musical integrity and strength. Someone New is easy to reflect on, even if, like myself, you struggle to relate to the message. It gives you something to think about, which music is all about.
5. Mountain At My Gates – Foals
Foals’ return was so so very exciting and the music was better than ever, slightly experimental and slightly more powerfully rhythmic than before in the best possible way known to man. The constant moving beat makes easily draws your attention and makes you listen to the song and the story behind it. Great song.
4. Blue – Marina and the Diamonds
‘Blue’ is jam-packed with fun, nostalgic, electro-pop sounds infused with the whole ‘I know we’ve broken up but I really miss you’ vibes going on in this song. Marina’s ‘Blue’ is charming and reminiscent of olden times in the best of ways. Marina’s an expert at contrasting sound with lyrics (which is a theme in this list) and she perfects it with this song.
3. Hello – Adele
I know, I know, it’s kind of blasphemy to not have Adele at the top, and while I’m a huge fan of this song and her latest album ’25’, I feel that hype overwhelms quality with this track. Of course, it is a fantastic song, and her raw vocals and the lyrics are superb, hence why it’s ranked so highly, however I do feel as if the hype and excitement over Adele’s return was slightly overbearing at times. Nevertheless, this is a brilliant song.
2. Ship To Wreck – Florence + the Machine
There’s a reason why this song is nominated for a Grammy, it’s because it’s just so darn good. Florence’s killer vocals shine in this upbeat and fluid song which entrances you from the first listen. The raw emotion heard can be tremendously moving if you’re not too busy shimmying away to the track, indicating a slight sophistication which is refreshing and unique to the ear.
There’s a reason why this song is nominated for a Grammy, it’s because it’s just so darn good. Florence’s killer vocals shine in this upbeat and fluid song which entrances you from the first listen. The raw emotion heard can be tremendously moving if you’re not too busy shimmying away to the track, indicating a slight sophistication which is refreshing and unique to the ear.
1. King – Years & Years
When deciding on my best song of 2015, I took some time to think about the song that had the biggest impact on my life. I remember discovering Years & Years’ ‘King’ while browsing Buzzfeed in Sixth Form, I came across an article about the music video so I decided to take a watch. I became obsessed. I specifically remember walking home from town one day in January and I had Years & Years playing on repeat for the entire walk. I’m still as obsessed as I was when this came out, and actually, this song has perhaps formed a few friendships for me which is why it’s special. The song itself is superbly produced, the chorus is catchy as hell and the verses flow easily to connect the entire song. This will remain one of my favourite songs for a long, long time.
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That’s all for now. Tomorrow will be ‘Best of 2015: Films’ so be sure to check back for that!
Bye!
totallyculture 