Cultured Vultures’ Best Albums of 2015

Robert Salusbury

 

Jamie XX – In Colour

Composed over a five year period, Jamie xx’s debut album is by far one of the finest releases of the year. Each track hits its mark to perfection and provides a vibrant and unique experience, packing mellow and soulful tracks such as Sleep Sound alongside crowd pleasers such as Good Times. A wide ranging soundscape combined with brilliantly infectious rhythms provides a truly awe-inspiring album that re-defines the emotional core of electronic music. The collaborative tracks are equally as satisfying, with Young Thug, Popcaan and former member of the xx Romy all fitting into Jamie xx’s signature style with ease. Raw emotion and rampant raves go hand in hand on In Colour, resulting in one of the freshest and inspired compositions in years.

 

Galantis – Pharmacy

Pharmacy is the culmination of the mainstream EDM scene, packed with upbeat party tunes that boast impressive vocals and catchy melodies to keep the energy going all night long. Standout tracks Runaway, Peanut Butter Jelly and In My Head have been on repeat for several months now but be careful not to overlook the rest of the album. Galantis’ masterful production is matched by few and is showcased best within Pharmacy. A refreshing take on the increasingly stale progressive house scene, providing one of the surprise hits of 2015.

 

Yellow Claw – Blood for Mercy

By far one of the most ambitious releases of the year, Dutch trap trio Yellow Claw polished their well-honed sound to create 16 truly unique and incredibly addictive tracks that had surprises around every corner, with a wealth of brilliant guest talent including Ty Dolla Sign, Pusha T, DJ Mustard and Flux Pavilion. Every tune is on point, whether it be a firestarting festival beat or a more mellow mover, and polished production guarantees a heavy hitting dose of bass everytime.

 

Major Lazer – Peace is the Mission

Major Lazer’s biggest year saw a return to their Jamaican roots with Peace is the Mission, providing heavy bass tunes with a creative reggae infusion. Global hits such as Lean On and Night Riders sit alongside guaranteed firestarters such as Roll the Bass, with the dynamic combination of Diplo, Jillionaire and Walshy Fire ensuring that there is something for everyone within Peace is the Mission. The vocal work is top notch too, with Ellie Goulding, Ariana Grande and MO all impressing. Travis Scott, 2 Chainz and Pusha T all make appearances too, delivering a burst of hip hop.

 

Madeon – Adventure

Madeon’s one of a kind style makes certain that Adventure delivers. An album of epic proportions, starry synths and thundering bassy kicks are enough to blow away even the most sceptical of listeners. Tracks reach indescribable levels, with the combination of sounds often overwhelming in their impact. Every track manages to feel fresh while remaining reminiscent of the French producer’s sound.

Nate Tower

 

Failure – The Heart is a Monster

When waiting almost 20 years to hear the follow-up to a classic album, it’s best to temper expectations. In the case of Failure’s The Heart is a Monster, nothing needed to be tempered. This is another space rock masterpiece by one of the most influential albeit underappreciated bands of the 90s. While the album builds off Fantastic Planet–even beginning with “Segue 4,” the next in the sequence from Fantastic Planet–it stands on its own as a 21st century masterpiece. This album doesn’t just channel where they’ve been. This is an exploration of new planets.

 

Marilyn Manson – The Pale Emperor

It’s hard to imagine Marilyn Manson as relevant in 2015. After all, how long can shock rock really be shocking? Fortunately, Manson isn’t trying to shock on this record. He’s doing so much more. This album is David Bowie high on heavy metal. It blasts out of the gates and hits heavy throughout, with more anger, edge, and maturity than anything Manson’s ever released. It’s not a return to form. It’s the start of something new.

 

Sufjan Stevens – Carrie & Lowell

Hearing that Sufjan Stevens was going back to his folk roots for his latest album wasn’t exactly exciting news. After all, the electronic and experimental nature of 2010’s Age of Adz was where Sufjan had really found his mark as a musician. Did he really backpedal in the half decade since that album? Carrie & Lowell is a quiet affair, but musically and lyrically it manages to say more than all of Sufjan’s previous work combined. He masterfully blends beauty and heartbreak with songs that are complex and richly layered. This is the essential Sufjan album.

 

mewithoutYou – Pale Horses

When it comes to underground rock, no one does it better or with more consistency than mewithoutYou. But consistency can also be boring, so it’s good to see a band like mewithoutYou venture into new territory every time. Pale Horses takes all the best things about mewithoutYou and blends them throughout a full album. It’s part poetry, part rock and roll, and all brilliant. Culminating in the epic “Rainbow Signs,” this is surely mewithoutYou’s best album to date.

 

Faith No More – Sol Invictus

Most rock and roll reunion albums feel like cash grabs, but Sol Invictus comes across as a genuine affair. Faith No More’s first album in almost two decades isn’t recycled hash or a rush to earn a few bucks. This is one of the most innovative bands of the 90s returning with more innovation. It’s certainly not a safe album, but nothing this band has ever done has been safe. Mike Patton once again proves himself as one of the best and most eccentric vocalists in rock music. It’s a worthy addition to the band’s incredible catalog.