Albums of 2015
The records from 2015 that made our lists.
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125Adele
25
A blockbuster of soaring soul-pop, home to 'Hello'. Polished and enormous. A commercial peak.
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2PurpleBaroness
Purple
A bright, melodic comeback after a near-fatal crash. Heavy and acclaimed. A triumphant return.
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3EmotionCarly Rae Jepsen
Emotion
A critically adored synth-pop gem of euphoric, 80s-tinged hooks. Bright and beloved. A cult favourite.
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4TravellerChris Stapleton
Traveller
A soulful, gravel-voiced album that revived outlaw spirit for the mainstream. Warm and assured. A modern country breakthrough.
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5Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just SitCourtney Barnett
Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit
A witty, deadpan indie-rock debut of sharp observation. Charming and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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6New BermudaDeafheaven
New Bermuda
A heavier, dynamic follow-up to Sunbather. Bold and acclaimed. A high point.
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7CaracalDisclosure
Caracal
A polished, guest-laden follow-up to Settle. Smooth and big. A commercial high.
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8I Love You, HoneybearFather John Misty
I Love You, Honeybear
A lush, sardonic and surprisingly sincere song-cycle about love and modern life. Witty and beautifully arranged. His breakthrough.
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9ElaeniaFloating Points
Elaenia
A lush, jazz-and-electronics debut of organic beauty. Inventive and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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10DS2Future
DS2
A bleak, hypnotic trap peak of codeine-soaked atmosphere. Influential and beloved. A genre landmark.
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11MelioraGhost
Meliora
A theatrical, melodic peak of occult hard rock, home to 'Cirice'. Catchy and acclaimed. Their breakthrough.
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12Choose Your WeaponHiatus Kaiyote
Choose Your Weapon
A dense, virtuosic future-soul peak. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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13In ColourJamie xx
In Colour
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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14Sprained AnkleJulien Baker
Sprained Ankle
A spare, devastating solo debut of voice and guitar. Intimate and acclaimed. A striking arrival.
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15PurposeJustin Bieber
Purpose
A sleek, EDM-and-R&B pop reinvention, home to 'Sorry'. Polished and huge. His commercial peak.
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16The EpicKamasi Washington
The Epic
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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17To Pimp a ButterflyKendrick Lamar
To Pimp a Butterfly
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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18HoneymoonLana Del Rey
Honeymoon
A languid, cinematic peak of slow-burn beauty. Lush and acclaimed. A high point.
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19Coming HomeLeon Bridges
Coming Home
A warm, retro-soul debut of vintage craft. Smooth and beloved. A breakthrough.
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20WildheartMiguel
Wildheart
A sensual, rock-tinged R&B peak. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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21Carrie & LowellSufjan Stevens
Carrie & Lowell
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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22CurrentsTame Impala
Currents
The pivot from psych-rock to glossy synth-pop, introspective and danceable. 'Let It Happen' anchors it. A crossover triumph.
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23Ego DeathThe Internet
Ego Death
A smooth, live-band neo-soul peak of effortless groove. Cool and acclaimed. Their breakthrough.
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24Beauty Behind the MadnessThe Weeknd
Beauty Behind the Madness
A glossy pop-R&B blockbuster, home to 'Can't Feel My Face'. Polished and huge. His mainstream breakthrough.
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25RodeoTravis Scott
Rodeo
A dark, psychedelic trap debut of immersive production. Atmospheric and beloved. A breakthrough.
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26Summertime '06Vince Staples
Summertime '06
A stark, cinematic double-album debut. Sharp and acclaimed. A breakthrough.