The Christmas jumpers are gone, and with them the warmth of the festive season, the happiness in the eyes of your family and the god-awful December soundtrack that's been making your ears bleed for the past 30 days.
What's left? Well, apart from the hangover built from three weeks of wine-drinking and the protruding stomach built from three weeks of cheese, thankfully it's now time for the world to return to it's usual musical customs - we're finally free of Slade.
So, what better way to celebrate than to look back at the past year and pick out our favourite albums from the vast list of releases in 2015? Seeing as the JFC team are constantly disagreeing when picking out any sort of playlist, this should at least make for a varied read...
What's left? Well, apart from the hangover built from three weeks of wine-drinking and the protruding stomach built from three weeks of cheese, thankfully it's now time for the world to return to it's usual musical customs - we're finally free of Slade.
So, what better way to celebrate than to look back at the past year and pick out our favourite albums from the vast list of releases in 2015? Seeing as the JFC team are constantly disagreeing when picking out any sort of playlist, this should at least make for a varied read...
Stuart Kenny's Picks:
5. CHVRCHES – Every Open Eye
I was nervous pending the release of CHRVCHES second album. Could they top their hit-packed pop-perfection of a debut? They’ve at least run it close. Another LP with barely a bad track on it. It’s only a matter of time until the Scottish trio end up taking over the world.
4. Jamie XX – In Colour
Earlier this year, The Guardian compared Jamie XX to Sam Smith. On this particular occasion, The Guardian can fuck off. In Colour flows from hard-hitting club anthems to brewing instrumentals with a diversity far from Sam Smith’s reach. The production is refined perfection, oozing style, and the hip-hop endeavours are so damn good they leave you desperate for more.
5. CHVRCHES – Every Open Eye
I was nervous pending the release of CHRVCHES second album. Could they top their hit-packed pop-perfection of a debut? They’ve at least run it close. Another LP with barely a bad track on it. It’s only a matter of time until the Scottish trio end up taking over the world.
4. Jamie XX – In Colour
Earlier this year, The Guardian compared Jamie XX to Sam Smith. On this particular occasion, The Guardian can fuck off. In Colour flows from hard-hitting club anthems to brewing instrumentals with a diversity far from Sam Smith’s reach. The production is refined perfection, oozing style, and the hip-hop endeavours are so damn good they leave you desperate for more.
3. Maribou State – Portraits
Chicago pianos meet soft vocals, rhythmic synths and melodies more delicious than a pizza and a cry on a hangover. This is probably my most played record of the year – crackling perfection and musical purity in the backbeats with all the kick of Caribou or Bonobo in the loops.
2. Hudson Mohawke – Lantern
Lantern blends hip-hop and R&B with the hounding basslines that put Hud Mo on top of the world. Subtlety is not the strong suit of the Glasgow genius. The album is raw and unchained, with funky-as-hell synths, vocals and melodies, cultured and measured to form a mastery of madness, and executed to perfection.
1. Claptone – Charmer
Claptone’s debut LP is just as mysteriously seductive as the golden mask the Berlin DJ hides behind. The LP flows from funky pop to twisted fervour through pounding basslines and accessible vocals, not wasting a second of album space. I first heard the record some time ago now and haven’t stopped jogging on the spot ever since. Seriously. It’s getting hazardous. Someone please help.
Honourable mentions: Rustie, Major Lazer, Seth Troxler, Four Tet, Purity Ring, Julio Bashmore, Madeon, Bring Me The Horizon
Chicago pianos meet soft vocals, rhythmic synths and melodies more delicious than a pizza and a cry on a hangover. This is probably my most played record of the year – crackling perfection and musical purity in the backbeats with all the kick of Caribou or Bonobo in the loops.
2. Hudson Mohawke – Lantern
Lantern blends hip-hop and R&B with the hounding basslines that put Hud Mo on top of the world. Subtlety is not the strong suit of the Glasgow genius. The album is raw and unchained, with funky-as-hell synths, vocals and melodies, cultured and measured to form a mastery of madness, and executed to perfection.
1. Claptone – Charmer
Claptone’s debut LP is just as mysteriously seductive as the golden mask the Berlin DJ hides behind. The LP flows from funky pop to twisted fervour through pounding basslines and accessible vocals, not wasting a second of album space. I first heard the record some time ago now and haven’t stopped jogging on the spot ever since. Seriously. It’s getting hazardous. Someone please help.
Honourable mentions: Rustie, Major Lazer, Seth Troxler, Four Tet, Purity Ring, Julio Bashmore, Madeon, Bring Me The Horizon
Jonathan Falconer's Picks:
5. Protomartyr - The Agent Intellect
Post-punk being one of my favourite genres, it’s unusual that whenever I hear a band label themselves thus it elicits an eye-roll. However, rather than retreading the ‘sound a bit like Joy Division’ formula, Protomartyr prove their post-punk credentials through acerbic, lyrics; spacious music with jagged guitar; and singing performed with desperate abandon.
4. Oneohtrix Point Never - Garden of Delete
Electronic musician Daniel Lopatin’s previous album R Plus Seven crafted beauty through Philip Glass-influenced, crystalline compositions. In G.O.D, he takes a sledgehammer to them. The horrors of digitally-informed existence live through chaotic, metal and E.D.M. influenced blasts of disjointed data. Lopatin’s balance of beauty and terror are why I loved this album.
3. Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress
Post-rock titans GY!BE’s shortest LP to date, Asunder finally chronicles the 40-minute-plus live piece, appropriately titled Behemoth. This record presents something of a development from their previous album which moved away from the ‘found-sound’ of earlier records, to a more all-encompassing, monolithic, eastern-influenced sound.
2. Bjork - Vulnicura
Intended to document the real-life breakdown of her relationship, Vulnicura presents an interesting dilemma in that the confessional, personal and incredibly raw nature of the lyrics makes for a difficult listen, almost to the point of impossibility. I found the words frank honesty and the music’s relinquishing passion inspirationally pure.
1. Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly
Not only is this entire album beautifully and passionately crafted and performed, but through the departure from typical hip-hop instrumentation into a realm more influenced by jazz and funk, it fundamentally deconstructs the way we think about music in general.
5. Protomartyr - The Agent Intellect
Post-punk being one of my favourite genres, it’s unusual that whenever I hear a band label themselves thus it elicits an eye-roll. However, rather than retreading the ‘sound a bit like Joy Division’ formula, Protomartyr prove their post-punk credentials through acerbic, lyrics; spacious music with jagged guitar; and singing performed with desperate abandon.
4. Oneohtrix Point Never - Garden of Delete
Electronic musician Daniel Lopatin’s previous album R Plus Seven crafted beauty through Philip Glass-influenced, crystalline compositions. In G.O.D, he takes a sledgehammer to them. The horrors of digitally-informed existence live through chaotic, metal and E.D.M. influenced blasts of disjointed data. Lopatin’s balance of beauty and terror are why I loved this album.
3. Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress
Post-rock titans GY!BE’s shortest LP to date, Asunder finally chronicles the 40-minute-plus live piece, appropriately titled Behemoth. This record presents something of a development from their previous album which moved away from the ‘found-sound’ of earlier records, to a more all-encompassing, monolithic, eastern-influenced sound.
2. Bjork - Vulnicura
Intended to document the real-life breakdown of her relationship, Vulnicura presents an interesting dilemma in that the confessional, personal and incredibly raw nature of the lyrics makes for a difficult listen, almost to the point of impossibility. I found the words frank honesty and the music’s relinquishing passion inspirationally pure.
1. Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly
Not only is this entire album beautifully and passionately crafted and performed, but through the departure from typical hip-hop instrumentation into a realm more influenced by jazz and funk, it fundamentally deconstructs the way we think about music in general.
Fraser Bonar's Picks:
5. Tame Impala - Currents
The opening track hits with a heavy mixture of infectious rhythm and deeply soulful harmonies. It is admittedly the best track on this, the third album from Tame Impala, but the rest of the record nicely supports what has to be one of the best songs of the year.
4. Julia Holter - Have You in My Wilderness
Quirky, clever and individual. Holter's unique vocals are surrounded by simple yet powerful string and electronic arrangements. The lyrics are often wonderfully mysterious, hinting at heartbreak and love. Must listen tracks are: 'Feel You' and 'Silhouette' which both needed a couple of listens before I realised I was in love.
3. Ryan Adams - 1989
I hate cover albums in general. However, you can't really call a man who has recorded 15 solo albums in as many years lazy. He reveals the emotions which lie behind Taylor Swift's feel-good classics. This album, though not original, shows Adams' ability to create songs which grab you, and don't let go.
2. Laura Marling - Short Movie
I love this album so much that I warn you - I might not speak to you if you disagree. Marling is, as always, witty and captivating. The lyrics are arguably her best yet, whilst a harder, rocky edge is added to her usual acoustic/folk sound. This is simply beautiful melody after beautiful melody.
1. CHVRCHES - Every Open Eye
This is the first album in years that excited me from the very first notes. By the end of the opening track, 'Never Ending Circles', I had no doubt that this would be the best record of the year. It is an album of 11 singles. But it is 11 singles that make up one hell of a record.
5. Tame Impala - Currents
The opening track hits with a heavy mixture of infectious rhythm and deeply soulful harmonies. It is admittedly the best track on this, the third album from Tame Impala, but the rest of the record nicely supports what has to be one of the best songs of the year.
4. Julia Holter - Have You in My Wilderness
Quirky, clever and individual. Holter's unique vocals are surrounded by simple yet powerful string and electronic arrangements. The lyrics are often wonderfully mysterious, hinting at heartbreak and love. Must listen tracks are: 'Feel You' and 'Silhouette' which both needed a couple of listens before I realised I was in love.
3. Ryan Adams - 1989
I hate cover albums in general. However, you can't really call a man who has recorded 15 solo albums in as many years lazy. He reveals the emotions which lie behind Taylor Swift's feel-good classics. This album, though not original, shows Adams' ability to create songs which grab you, and don't let go.
2. Laura Marling - Short Movie
I love this album so much that I warn you - I might not speak to you if you disagree. Marling is, as always, witty and captivating. The lyrics are arguably her best yet, whilst a harder, rocky edge is added to her usual acoustic/folk sound. This is simply beautiful melody after beautiful melody.
1. CHVRCHES - Every Open Eye
This is the first album in years that excited me from the very first notes. By the end of the opening track, 'Never Ending Circles', I had no doubt that this would be the best record of the year. It is an album of 11 singles. But it is 11 singles that make up one hell of a record.
Grant Robertson's Picks:
5. Death Cab For Cutie - Kintsugi
Seattle indie kid's (well men now) new record Kintsugi (aka divorcing Deschanel) expectedly has its dark moments like excellent rocker, 'Black Sun'. The album's also surprisingly excels with fun indie pop tunes such as 'Ghosts of Beverly Drive', 'Only A Fool' and 'No Room In The Frame'.
4. FIDLAR - Too
For a band who write almost exclusively about arguing with girls and getting fucked up, FIDLAR's sophomore album is pretty diverse. The band attempt energetic melodic punk (West Coast), lazy country rock (Stupid Decisions) and bluesy moshers (Punks). They obliterate with each one.
3. The Front Bottoms – Back On Top
I've probably listened to Back On Top more than any of the other albums on this list. The reason for this is that it's so much fun. Though slicker than past releases, the entire album is a fantastic mix of weirdness and fun pop.
2. CHVRCHES – Every Open Eye
Synth-pop ‘Weegies CHVRCHES didn't have an easy job following up their 2013 breakthrough. Every Open Eye, however, didn't just meet incredibly high expectations, they were exceeded with an almost perfect pop album. The production's richer, the vocals are stronger and every song is an absolute cracker.
1. Silversun Pickups – Better Nature
While the Silversun Pickups have always had about one rocky number on each album, they really crank their amps for their fourth LP, Better Nature. The album's huge catchy choruses and massive riffs are all put through the always super-cool Pickups' filter to create their best release since their seminal 2006 debut.
Honourable Mentions: WAVVES – V, Metric – Pagans In Vegas
5. Death Cab For Cutie - Kintsugi
Seattle indie kid's (well men now) new record Kintsugi (aka divorcing Deschanel) expectedly has its dark moments like excellent rocker, 'Black Sun'. The album's also surprisingly excels with fun indie pop tunes such as 'Ghosts of Beverly Drive', 'Only A Fool' and 'No Room In The Frame'.
4. FIDLAR - Too
For a band who write almost exclusively about arguing with girls and getting fucked up, FIDLAR's sophomore album is pretty diverse. The band attempt energetic melodic punk (West Coast), lazy country rock (Stupid Decisions) and bluesy moshers (Punks). They obliterate with each one.
3. The Front Bottoms – Back On Top
I've probably listened to Back On Top more than any of the other albums on this list. The reason for this is that it's so much fun. Though slicker than past releases, the entire album is a fantastic mix of weirdness and fun pop.
2. CHVRCHES – Every Open Eye
Synth-pop ‘Weegies CHVRCHES didn't have an easy job following up their 2013 breakthrough. Every Open Eye, however, didn't just meet incredibly high expectations, they were exceeded with an almost perfect pop album. The production's richer, the vocals are stronger and every song is an absolute cracker.
1. Silversun Pickups – Better Nature
While the Silversun Pickups have always had about one rocky number on each album, they really crank their amps for their fourth LP, Better Nature. The album's huge catchy choruses and massive riffs are all put through the always super-cool Pickups' filter to create their best release since their seminal 2006 debut.
Honourable Mentions: WAVVES – V, Metric – Pagans In Vegas
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