RISE REVIVE

10. MEMPHIS MAY FIRE - THIS LIGHT I HOLD

To me, MMF lost their touch when Matty got more influence. Sleepwalking was their last album I gave a lot of spins and I couldn’t find reasons to actually like their new stuff. Until the TLIH single came out. For the first time in years, MMF have finally let out their groovy southern rock roots more than shown since Sleepwalking, showing in tracks as ‘Carry On’, ‘The Antidote’ and the title track.

9. BADXCHANNELS - WHYDFML (Ep)

Dramatic music cued when Craig Owens announced his departure from Chiodos, but who could’ve expected his new solo EP to be this good, maybe even overshadowing Chiodos’ album? Taking a lot of inspiration from acts such as The Weeknd, this EP just makes you wanting more. His voice suits this R&B project wonderfully and his direct, non-metaphoric lyrics blend in well. And then there’s the guest vocals by Tyler Carter…

8. NORMANDIE - INGUZ

Like BMTH, this Swedish band abandoned their metal roots to go for a rock sound. And boy, did it work out well! It still lacks a bit of identity, but the professional musicianship and mix makes up for a lot. Philip Strand’s raspy vocals makes sure the hairs in the back of your neck will stand up at the choruses. Can’t wait to see what this band will come up with for their second album.

7. ZAYN - MIND OF MINE

Yes, Zayn Malik. Definitely making a jump from the One Direction material, this is the perfect album to make love to. The album is pushed forward mostly by Zayn’s singing abilities, but that’s no problem with a voice as soothing as his. Heard PillowTalk? It’s poppier than most of the album. Enough said.

6. CASEY - LOVE IS NOT ENOUGH

If you’re feeling sad and want to cry, Casey is the go-to band. Just listen to the lyrics and how they are delivered. Even instrumentally, this album haunts you. This might’ve ended up higher if they would’ve made use of the singer’s clean vocals more often. The louder tracks seem a bit more forced and bland. If they can implement more tracks like ‘Darling’ and ‘Haze’ on their next album it would be the perfect album.

5. I SEE STARS - TREEHOUSE

Treehouse is the perfect example for how EDM and post hardcore should be combined. Opener ‘Calm Snow’ sets the tone with a dancy opening before ending with a loud, albeit a bit generic, breakdown. In itself, the post hardcore and the EDM passages are bland, but they’re mixed in such a way that the album becomes a fun adventure. Before you know it, the album reaches its end. And check out this music video, holy crap!

4. DANCE GAVIN DANCE - MOTHERSHIP

I admit, I have never been a huge DGD fan. I like their music but I could never sit through an entire album. I feel like the band have never experimented with such a poppy sound, yet retaining the mad experimental sound they’ve always had. It’s a change that has worked out for the better. Jon Mess and Tilian Pearson deliver a perfect balance between screams, cleans and unexplainable lyrics. Brilliant.

3. CROWN THE EMPIRE - RETROGRADE

Becoming a recurring theme in this list is change. Crown the Empire for example have dropped the theatrical sound and image for this one and it’s noticeable from the first note. A lot more effort has been put in musicianship and personal growth. The potential has finally come out and it makes for a perfect album.

2. BAD OMENS - BAD OMENS

After shocking the scene with the ‘Shadow Moses’-like ‘Glass Houses’, people have mocked Bad Omens for being a second Bring Me The Horizon. And while the resemblance is indeed uncanny, their album shows this band can go places. And admit it, everyone’s been secretly waiting for Sempiternal 2.0, which is basically what you get with half the album. The other half shows more of an own sound for the band, which might even be better. ‘The Fountain’ can be hailed for the most clever way of incorporating movie quotes into the lyrics.

1. TOO CLOSE TO TOUCH - HAVEN’T BEEN MYSELF

After starting off my list of 2015 with ‘Nerve Endings’, this band has made huge steps and is quickly becoming one of the best and biggest bands of the post hardcore scene. Keaton Pierce’s vocals are unlike any other and display a huge amount of emotion throughout, which makes for a rollercoaster of an album. I’m going to leave you with the closing track ‘Eiley’, which displays the full range of their sound and will leave you closing off 2016 sobbing.