Albums of 2015

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1. 1
   25Adele

   25

   Adele · 2015 · Pop

   A blockbuster of soaring soul-pop, home to 'Hello'. Polished and enormous. A commercial peak.

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2. 2
   PurpleBaroness

   Purple

   Baroness · 2015 · Metal

   A bright, melodic comeback after a near-fatal crash. Heavy and acclaimed. A triumphant return.

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3. 3
   EmotionCarly Rae Jepsen

   Emotion

   Carly Rae Jepsen · 2015 · Pop

   A critically adored synth-pop gem of euphoric, 80s-tinged hooks. Bright and beloved. A cult favourite.

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4. 4
   TravellerChris Stapleton

   Traveller

   Chris Stapleton · 2015 · Country & Americana

   A soulful, gravel-voiced album that revived outlaw spirit for the mainstream. Warm and assured. A modern country breakthrough.

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5. 5
   Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just SitCourtney Barnett

   Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit

   Courtney Barnett · 2015 · Alternative & Indie

   A witty, deadpan indie-rock debut of sharp observation. Charming and acclaimed. A breakthrough.

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6. 6
   New BermudaDeafheaven

   New Bermuda

   Deafheaven · 2015 · Metal

   A heavier, dynamic follow-up to Sunbather. Bold and acclaimed. A high point.

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7. 7
   CaracalDisclosure

   Caracal

   Disclosure · 2015 · Electronic

   A polished, guest-laden follow-up to Settle. Smooth and big. A commercial high.

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8. 8
   I Love You, HoneybearFather John Misty

   I Love You, Honeybear

   Father John Misty · 2015 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

   A lush, sardonic and surprisingly sincere song-cycle about love and modern life. Witty and beautifully arranged. His breakthrough.

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9. 9
   ElaeniaFloating Points

   Elaenia

   Floating Points · 2015 · Electronic

   A lush, jazz-and-electronics debut of organic beauty. Inventive and acclaimed. A breakthrough.

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10. 10
    DS2Future

    DS2

    Future · 2015 · Hip-Hop

    A bleak, hypnotic trap peak of codeine-soaked atmosphere. Influential and beloved. A genre landmark.

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11. 11
    MelioraGhost

    Meliora

    Ghost · 2015 · Metal

    A theatrical, melodic peak of occult hard rock, home to 'Cirice'. Catchy and acclaimed. Their breakthrough.

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12. 12
    Choose Your WeaponHiatus Kaiyote

    Choose Your Weapon

    Hiatus Kaiyote · 2015 · Soul & R&B

    A dense, virtuosic future-soul peak. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.

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13. 13
    In ColourJamie xx

    In Colour

    Jamie xx · 2015 · Electronic

    A warm, nostalgic solo record drawing on UK rave history, melodic and emotional. 'Loud Places' is a highlight. A beautiful dance album.

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14. 14
    Sprained AnkleJulien Baker

    Sprained Ankle

    Julien Baker · 2015 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A spare, devastating solo debut of voice and guitar. Intimate and acclaimed. A striking arrival.

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15. 15
    PurposeJustin Bieber

    Purpose

    Justin Bieber · 2015 · Pop

    A sleek, EDM-and-R&B pop reinvention, home to 'Sorry'. Polished and huge. His commercial peak.

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16. 16
    The EpicKamasi Washington

    The Epic

    Kamasi Washington · 2015 · Jazz

    A nearly three-hour debut of widescreen spiritual jazz with choir and strings. Ambitious and immersive. A landmark of the modern jazz revival.

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17. 17
    To Pimp a ButterflyKendrick Lamar

    To Pimp a Butterfly

    Kendrick Lamar · 2015 · Hip-Hop

    An ambitious fusion of hip-hop, jazz, funk and spoken word, wrestling with race, fame and self-worth. Challenging on first listen and richer with every return. Widely considered a landmark of the 2010s.

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18. 18
    HoneymoonLana Del Rey

    Honeymoon

    Lana Del Rey · 2015 · Pop

    A languid, cinematic peak of slow-burn beauty. Lush and acclaimed. A high point.

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19. 19
    Coming HomeLeon Bridges

    Coming Home

    Leon Bridges · 2015 · Soul & R&B

    A warm, retro-soul debut of vintage craft. Smooth and beloved. A breakthrough.

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20. 20
    WildheartMiguel

    Wildheart

    Miguel · 2015 · Soul & R&B

    A sensual, rock-tinged R&B peak. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.

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21. 21
    Carrie & LowellSufjan Stevens

    Carrie & Lowell

    Sufjan Stevens · 2015 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A hushed, devastating meditation on his late mother, stripped back to whispered vocals and fingerpicked guitar. Almost unbearably intimate. A modern folk masterpiece.

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22. 22
    CurrentsTame Impala

    Currents

    Tame Impala · 2015 · Alternative & Indie

    The pivot from psych-rock to glossy synth-pop, introspective and danceable. 'Let It Happen' anchors it. A crossover triumph.

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23. 23
    Ego DeathThe Internet

    Ego Death

    The Internet · 2015 · Soul & R&B

    A smooth, live-band neo-soul peak of effortless groove. Cool and acclaimed. Their breakthrough.

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24. 24
    Beauty Behind the MadnessThe Weeknd

    Beauty Behind the Madness

    The Weeknd · 2015 · Soul & R&B

    A glossy pop-R&B blockbuster, home to 'Can't Feel My Face'. Polished and huge. His mainstream breakthrough.

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25. 25
    RodeoTravis Scott

    Rodeo

    Travis Scott · 2015 · Hip-Hop

    A dark, psychedelic trap debut of immersive production. Atmospheric and beloved. A breakthrough.

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26. 26
    Summertime '06Vince Staples

    Summertime '06

    Vince Staples · 2015 · Hip-Hop

    A stark, cinematic double-album debut. Sharp and acclaimed. A breakthrough.

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