conscious observers

Well, I did it. I finally finished this list BEFORE 2016! A little planning goes a long way. The ranking came pretty easily to me this year. As great as 2015 was, across all genres, the album that brought me the most joy stood far above the rest, in terms of plays counts. And that’s all these lists are, really; an attempt to quantify how much joy each album brought me over the course of the year. So here are my choices, in relative order of joy received, and one short note about the grief inflicted on myself and many others by Frank Ocean’s complete absence.  

Spotify Playlist: 2015                                                          Youtube Playlist: 2015

1. Tame Impala- Currents- Kevin Parker trades in most of his woozy Beatles guitar hero stomp for synth laden musings of love and loneliness. I love every minute of this album. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQL363-O_yw   

2. Lower Dens- Escape From Evil-  Pitchfork said it best, so I’ll leave this one to them: “Having watched Baltimore buds Beach House and Future Islands dramatically increase their festival-billing font size in recent years, Lower Dens hit the bullseye between the former’s wistful melodicism and the latter’s synth pumped propulsion.” -Pitchfork. Agreed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2iSVHh_Wn8

3. Kendrick Lamar- To Pimp A Butterfly- We all know who Kendrick is. It’s so nice to have a mainstream artist that actually makes inspired, thought provoking music. With biting and honest commentary on modern urban life, this is probably the most relevant and important American album of 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRK7PVJFbS8

4. Courtney Barnett- Sometimes I Sit and Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit- Aussie guitar goddess returns with more bright, catchy guitars and smart, cynical, witty lyrics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-TDyc83g3o

5. Joanna Newsom- Divers- It’s like she ran an algorithm of all the best parts of her earlier albums, then condensed it into this neat little package. Don’t worry, there’s still an ornate bow tying it all together. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keke7BGzJPI

6. Ken Mode- Success- Loud, heady hardcore with a metallic aftertaste, this album will drown out and/or smother anything on this list. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeMAWgNskv0

7. Floating Points- Elaenia- Classic, moving electronic music. If that sounds good to you, you need this album.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ntcVE3AQsg

8. Thundercat- The Beyond/ Where The Giants Roam- Stephen Bruner is the guy that brought a lot of the funk to Kendrick and Flying Lotus’ latest albums. He also played bass for Suicidal Tendencies. But Giants has a blissed out vibe. And in serious contention for funkiest track of 2015 is Cat’s “Them Changes”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNCd_ERZvZM

9. Public Service Broadcasting- The Race For Space- An album about the race for space, featuring clips of 60’s news broadcasts and Houston control center dialogue, Race For Space is wild, fun ride. It takes you through the whole wide range of emotions associated with the space race while driving electronic and percussive instrumentals keep the pace moving full speed ahead. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHIo6qwJarI

10. The Royal Jesters- English  Oldies- Reissue of the greatest recordings from the doo wop kings of San Antonio. The Jesters never reached mainstream success, but this album sits comfortably with the very best of its time. If you like Leon Bridges, give this album a listen.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzYak7Avx_4

11. Four Tet- Morning / Evening- This LP has just two songs. Inspired by, and incorporating Indian ragas, Kieran Hebden has composed two meditative, kinetic soundtracks for your day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x3lIW4M7ik  

12. Oneohtrix Point Never- Garden of Delete- This album definitely won’t make you blissful. Unless unpredictable electronic noise palettes are your thing. This one actually has a few more song like pieces, but I’ll you decide on that. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=td-e4i2BL_Q

13. Earl Sweatshirt- I Don’t Like Shit, I Don’t Go Outside- Sweatshirt’s second LP still shows immense promise. He is clearly a young genius. I hope the demons don’t get to him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ5Mu2gs-M8

14. Freddie Gibbs- Shadow Of A Doubt- “Dope game hard. Rap game easy than a motherfucker”. Gangsta Gibbs returns with more gangsta shit that you actually believe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-d3uArV8izQ

15. Action Bronson- Mr. Wonderful- Everybody’s favorite Ghostface soundalike (except Ghostface) really is rapping at a higher level than just about anybody out there. There are more than a few classic style hip hop joints on this one; “Terry”  and “Easy Rider” were some of my favorite tracks of the year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58RSC7HO9aU

16. Drake- If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late- Drizzy keeps improving in my mind. He killed it this year, “Hotline Bling” dance aside. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bl7yo8IVE5I

17. Hot Chip- Why Make Sense?- You can always count on Hot Chip for some solid dance bangers. Songs like “Need You Now” and “Huarache Lights” prove they’re still up for bringing them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfH5LmhvQQk

18. Ought- Sun Coming Down- Talking Heads/Television’s love child: said it before, I’ll say it again. These guys play intelligent, quirky, artsy, noisy music. And everyone one of those knobs is turned up a bit on this album. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SLIHY7B4hw

19. Beirut- No No No- Zach Condon’s latest album is paired down a bit musically, but it’s still full of soul, and such a crowd pleaser. It’s hard to argue with the solid songwriting and musicianship Condon is known for. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSyMyqrrXGs

20. Panda Bear- Panda Bear Meets The Grim Reaper- Panda bear doesn’t pair his music down too often. This album is dense, but Trevor Noah’s beachy sweet voice keeps the human element strong. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmXIIL2tmR8

21. Archy Marshall- A New Place 2 Drown- Archy (aka King Krule, Aka Zoo Kid, Aka a lot of other aliases) has teamed up with his brother to make a book of art, a film, and this album, all released concurrently. The album’s great. Can’t wait to get my hands on the rest. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaJ3VWtZWM8

22. Jamie xx- In Colour- I love the first half of this album a lot more than the second, but then “Hold Tight” comes on and I be quiet. But when it’s off, I be talkin’ again. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWEYPo2JQws

23. Royal Headache- High- These Aussies are still cranking out soulful hard rock, and I can’t say no. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-CTP_ZpkF4

24. Aphex Twin- Computer Controlled Music pt2 EP- Electronic music pioneer tests his skill at what sounds like programmed robots playing acoustic instruments. The result sounds a bit like Medeski Martin & Wood’s Tonic. https://vimeo.com/118036687

25. Purity Ring- Another Eternity- Purity Ring>Chvrches https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPh51zP0UhA

A badass song deserves a bad ass video. This is Definitely one of the best songs of the year. 

This dude recorded a whole album at an Apple store in SOHO...fucking awesome. 

Looking for something creepy to do with your Friday the 13th in Austin, TX? Download the Detour app and follow the footsteps of America’s first serial killer through the heart of downtown Austin. Using geo-location, this app will take you “deep into an unsolved mystery, with a maverick journalist as your guide. You'll get the smell of 1885 in your nostrils, the sound of murder ballads in your ears, and—if you're in the mood—the taste of tequila on your tongue. You'll see traces of that pivotal year everywhere, and along the way you'll encounter stolen hats, secret labyrinths, and one of the best views in town (at one of the most unlikely locations).”

Sounds pretty cool to me. They also have tours of the Bay Area, if you happen to be out there. 

I’ve really been enjoying this podcast, produced by Dan Kaufman. It uses a blend of reporting, interviewing, monologues, and samples from movies and music to help tackle some of life’s biggest questions. Check it out: