Okay, We're Done: Okayplayer's Best Albums Of 2015...The Debate Starts Now!
Yup. It might be a little premature to say we're done just yet. But it is just possible that the Best Albums of 2015 have already been released by the year's mid-point. At the very least, a strong showing of top-album contenders has already taken the field and made their MVP moves before the half-time act has had a chance for their wardrobe to malfunction; a bench deeper than the Republican primary! Which is why we've decided to start our New Year's Eve celebration in June and begin the best-album debate now. Yes, we will continue to update this list as new projects are dropped (some essential jawns we know are in the pipeline are listed at bottom) but there already a good 16 albums to come out in the first two quarters of this year that are going to be in the running for everybody's Top 10, including a few true classics, contenders for album-of-the-decade. So it might be best to start with just what exactly was in the water this year.
Late last year, after the world buckled with disgust over the acquittal of the officers responsible for the deaths of Michael Brown & Eric Garner, Questlove put out a call to musicians far and wide, demanding that someone, somewhere finally revive the movement’s most powerful tool: anthems of protest and unrest. We may yet look back and recall that tweet as a watershed moment in the evolution of pop music. Whether by reaction to the suddenly well-publicized slayings of our nation's black youth or to what was something of an off year in 2014, this cycle of 365 days has offered more to enrich hip-hop and r&b as we hear them in its first six months than all of last year’s contributions combined--with the possible exception of D’Angelo's 14-years-in-the-making comeback piece Black Messiah, which we will contend is the record that sounded the avalanche of musical magic this year. Black Messiah would be an immediate call to arms, but also arguably the sonic catalyst for records like Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly, Hiatus Kaiyote’s Choose Your Weapon, Donnie Trumpet, Chance The Rapper & The Social Experiment’s Surf.
But even with all of the socially-sharp commentary and elevation of the musical game, 2015 hasn’t been driven by those sentiments alone. There’s been plenty of genuinely stellar releases that have arrived this year, some as introductions, others as continuations of an already strong legacy, that have managed to do right by listeners without taking themselves too seriously. Take for instance A$AP Rocky’s At.Long. Last. A$AP or Action Bronson’s major label debut Mr. Wonderful or Snoop Dogg & Pharrell’s Bush; all party records that stand alone and choose specifically to remain outside of a political context, while still managing to be as earworm-y as anything the last few years have seen or heard. And that’s ok. But it’s certainly made things difficult for us in the year-end superlative conversation. So this year, we’re recruiting your ears to decide which record was the year’s best. We’ve narrowed it down a bit, but there’s certainly a hearty debate to be had, that we’ve tried to hash out in our own camp, but the sheer magnitude of 2015’s top-shelf releases have us at a loss, not even counting how prospective submissions from Frank Ocean, Kanye West and potentially both Nas & Drake will change (or end) the conversation. So without further ado, these are this year’s hottest records…so far. Now get to listening, y'all.
1. Joey Bada$$ - B4.DA.$$
For a Brooklyn-bred MC, geography alone can be daunting. I mean think about it. Biggie, Jeru, Mos, Talib, Big Dady Kane, damn near half of Wu-Tang (who young Joey claims early reverence for) and virtually every golden era luminary under the sun all hale from this sprawled sanctuary of artistic idealism or one of its neighboring boroughs. Even with a fire that bright and that bold already burning in his hometown, Badmon has managed to not only hold his own amongst the myriad predecessors, but add another flame to the procession. His full-length debut is so full of nostalgic recall and so precise with its vision for the game, that it'd compute so much more cleanly had an embattled veteran put it forth as his latest of many hard-fought outings on wax. But Joey, the latest titanic beat bomber to emerge from Bed-Stuy, pulls it off with such jarring ease and effortless swagger that one question precisely where, or more pressingly when (given his age of only 20) he could have honed such mastery of voice and delivery, as tactful and dynamic as anyone out. With such plentiful dust & groove appeal on its soulmatic production (helmed by legends like J Dilla, DJ Premier, Statik Selektah and even a credit from the mighty Roots crew) it's easy to write the record off as a novel throwback, but I contend that it may be one of the single greatest tributes to Brooklyn's mile-long bloodline of hip-hop greatness and points to a future that is somehow even brighter.
2. Snoop Dogg & Pharrell - Bush
Uncle Snoop and Skateboard P make good on a promise they made long ago with Bush. In the beautiful days, the two were a magnetic musical force, crafting supremely funky music, soaked in vintage boogie bits, that were ageless in their ability to take the sizzling strut of the early '80s and fit it with the textures of the time. Bush, while condemned by some for trying too hard to lacquer its cuts with retro sheen, is a massive success in its ability to capture the magic of some of their most memorable studio cuts and--while unable to truly expound on it--synthesized a remarkable tribute to funk's past and even wrangled a few legends to get in on the party. Any lover of Snoop's R&G LP, will feel right at home with this one, boasting a super-smooth Kendrick Lamar spot to cap off the affair on the album's brightest moment (which in itself gives the record enough cache to garner a few extra spins.)
3. Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment - Surf
With Surf, you get levels. Within the personnel listing alone, you find a brilliant blend of homies and acquaintances, top-drawer talent and aspiring underlings, word-weavers and studio rats, all working under the rich musical patchwork of The Social Experiment umbrella. Donnie Trumpet & Chance The Rapper, while knee deep in the album's expansive landscape, are somehow also in the very air of the record. Chano proves mastery of his now full-bloom delivery (somewhere between the linguistic dexterity of a slam poet and the swagger of your neighborhood's corner cypher) while Donnie shows the seasoned compositional chops of a new-aged Quincy Jones, updating the gospel and r&b canon like few before him. And while CTR garners much of the spotlight (deservedly at that) everything about Surf, right down to who the album is credited to, suggests success by committee. And it was well worth the wait.
4. Drake - If You're Reading This It's Too Late
I suppose we can credit Drake with the year's very first major surprise release. And I'm sure you all know exactly where you were when you heard the drop of "Know Yourself" for the first time, as to this day, even five months removed, people still lose their damn minds when the woes come out to play. But that track is just a sliver of a remarkably cohesive record, whose self-awareness was even more staggering than its sales and whose appeal bled out into even longtime Aubrey-haters' rotation. For conversion rates alone, If You're Reading This It's Too Late earns its share of critical adoration and your consideration for the year-end list.
![Surprise! A$AP Rocky Dropped 'A.L.L.A' Well Ahead Of Schedule [LP Stream]](https://www.okayplayer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/asap-rocky-a-l-l-a-lp-stream.jpg)
5. A$AP Rocky - At.Long.Last.A$AP
Though we've only had a few weeks to sit with Pretty Flacko's latest outing, its presence is more than felt. Dabbling in slow-burning dream-pop and psychedelia at large, At.Long.Last.A$AP marks a transformative moment in the Harlemites development not only as an MC, but a purveyor of musical excellence, stretching far beyond the ridged road of rap and into that sweet, grey spot of commercially viable hip-pop. Classic rock roots are embraced, drugs are taken and a torrent of broad, but focused music pours out, making ALLA a deceptively conceptual treat for the seasoned head and rap-game futurist alike.
6. Kamasi Washington - The Epic
Los Angeles-bred-and-based saxophonist Kamasi Washington’s Brainfeeder debut should make it on the list just for sheer scale, if nothing else. Aptly titled The Epic, Washington’s latest features a sprawling sonic landscape that takes audiences through 172-minutes of music over three discs (all inspired by a recurring dream that the saxophonist had) joined by a 32-piece orchestra, a 20-person choir and a 10-piece band that features bass gawd and Brainfeeder label-mate, Thundercat, a common and cosmic thread in this year's historic musical output.
“I swear it was like a movie,” Washington recalled during an interview with Revive. “I couldn’t wait to go to sleep for that whole week.” - DanMichael Reyes of Revive
7. Mark Ronson - Uptown Special
When Uptown Special dropped at the bottom of January anchored by the inimitable success of its Gap Band/The Time-channelling lead single, we were all still well within the grasp of the Black Messiah frenzy. And even if its Mystikal-assisted follow-up managed to keep the blue-eyed funk alive, many of us were probably still binging on D'Angelo's comeback piece before we gave the record a chance, which flew it through many radars, despite being easily, even with the litany of contenders that proceeded it, one of the best records of the year. Put aside the album's clear-cut hits, and you're still left with one of the cleanest expositions of '80s funk & boogie this side of Stevie Wonder's In Square Circle--and its funk was so diligent and understated that it claimed Mr. Wonderlove himself for a few of the record's more brilliant moments. Seriously, parts one and two of "Crack In The Pearl" are worth ritual rotation alone.
8. Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp A Butterfly
King Kendrick. Nuff said (although we'll be saying quite a bit more about this one tomorrow...).
9. Action Bronson - Mr. Wonderful
Long before Mr. Wonderful came to us, we were well aware of his name and brimming charisma. Bam Bam's major label debut is the type that redefines public perception, morphs an internet sensation into a full-blown New York rap god, and doing so without ever taking himself too seriously. And isn't it only right that a man so animated would drop a record that's basically the rap-game equivalent of Wacky Racers? We say yes, and look forward to whatever musical zaniness the Queens bomber has in store for years to come.
10. Earl Sweatshirt - I Don’t Like Shit, I Don’t Go Outside
It's safe to say, that with his major label debut on Doris, Earl Sweatshirt became one of the hottest commodities in rap's new wave. But the follow-up. though butchered in its roll-out plan, maybe the record that defines his still fledgling career. Wholly produced by Earl, IDLSIDGO is an even more intimate affair, finding Earl distancing himself from his Odd Future lineage over a record as radically unique in its composition as Earl's cadence is with in itself. The album's lead-off "Huey" finds a deeply confessional Sweatshirt rocking over a beat that feels like his own twisted take on The Simpsons theme, even mimicking that iconic opening credit. Only in Earl's world, dark clouds loom instead of the cottony, cartoonish pillows and not even the communion of family will help put to rest just how shitty the world can make you feel.
11. Ghostface Killah & BADBADNOTGOOD - Sour Soul
Ghostface Killah, king of the collabo, employed what may be his best judgement yet as to what kind of producer provides the zig to his zag when he linked with the Canadian punk-funkers BADBADNOTGOOD for their Sour Soul LP. The deeply cinematic soul of the unlikely, but all-too-fitting pairing proved to be preferable, concocting a backdrop comprised youthful, jazz-flecked sounds and a swing-heavy back beat that gave the almighty GFK plenty of space to move. Though the wordplay wasn't quite up to par with more notorious showings from the Shaolin assassin, the chemistry here is undeniable and the instrumentals are worth their weight alone.
12. Van Hunt - The Fun Rises, The Fun Sets
I remember the first time I heard Van Hunt's self-titled record, where sweat-soaked cuts like "Seconds Of Pleasure" and "Highlights" oozed into the great funk & soul canon with a seductive sound and Sly-like rasp. His latest effort, while not as groundbreaking as his debut, harks back to a tried and true formula for the Dayton-born do-it-all. Intricately crafted sex music that, while overshadowed by the more muscular and equally anticipated Black Messiah, deserves the shine not just for being one of the best outings from the man, but for being one of the year's most unexpectedly delectable offerings, perfectly tuned for those "nighttime is the right time" moments.
13. Raekwon- Fly International Luxurious Art
Raekwon's latest record may be the most hyped one on this list. It took years to get this thing off the ground. But make no mistake, FILA--while certainly not his most ambitious record--is a living, breathing testament to how The Chef, like fine wine, simply gets flyer and more luxurious with age. It's a brooding dose of vintage Rae on what could be considered one of the year's biggest sleepers, laying cooled-out in the brush as all of these young bloods take over the terrain. Crazy to think that anything from one of Wu-Tang's sharpest tongues could be considered a sleeper, but that's precisely what makes FILA such a deceptively dope record. Just when you let your guard down, a king resurfaces to challenge his disciples. And puts up a damn good fight at that.
14. Tyler, The Creator - Cherry Bomb
When Cherry Bomb was announced as the latest defiantly independent record from Odd Future's fugitive figurehead, the world was probably bracing itself for more dark-leaning lullabies and love songs. But I'll argue that not only is it one of the the year's best, but perhaps the single best body of work that Tyler The Creator has ever produced. Cherry Bomb is the type of dense, rich, psychotic musical output that doesn’t just prove that its creator might have some deep-seeded daddy issues. It shows growth, both as a songwriter and rule-erasing MC who's earned a spot amongst hip-hop’s elite. It finds Tyler living out music-nerd dreams with Roy Ayers, Leon Ware, Dam-Funk, Pharrell, Kanye West&Lil Wayne all along for the ride, which in itself is as strong a roster of collaborators we've heard on any record this year. And even without the sideshow of A-listers at Tyler's beck and call, Cherry Bomb has legs for days, just in its composition and spastic production, helmed by Tyler himself. All of which proves, yet again, that even your parents favorite cockroach-chomping musical delinquent can become the change he wants to see in the world. And damn, what a beautiful one that is.
15. Hiatus Kaiyote - Choose Your Weapon
For all its instrumental density, Hiatus Kaiyote's brilliant second record Choose Your Weapon is best summed up by one of its most fleeting lyrical quirks. Some seconds into the lush soul ballad "Laputa" in the midst of a semi-conscious haze, lead vocalist Nai Palm croons out "Miyazaki frontier." That grasp at Hayao Miyazaki, one of animated cinema's most revered auteurs, paints the perfect miniature of Choose Your Weapon--a strange and lovely world of longing, fear and hope where surprises rush up to meet you from all sides. From that "Shaolin Monk Montherfunk" hairpin turn into tribal funk to the giddy sunset race of "Molasses," the Australian future-prog-R&B quartet make good on the promise of their much-beloved debut release, and set the bar even higher for their next move. - Scott Heins
16. Ibeyi - Self-Titled
20-year-old twin sisters Naomi & Lisa-Kaindé Díaz dropped their debut album as Ibeyi earlier this year. Their self-titled LP, produced by XL label head Richard Russell, is heavily indebted to the Parisian-born twins’ Afro-Cuban heritage (they’re the daughters of famed Cuban percussionist Anga Díaz). The 13-track album expands on Ibeyi’s blend of santería themes, cajón & batá percussion, downtempo hip-hop elements and electronic sounds. The sisters’ songs also include elegies to their deceased family members (“Think Of You” is about their father, “Yanira” their late older sister) and run through a host of references to Yoruban orisha spirits (“Eleggua” and “Oya”). - Killakam of Okayafrica
17. Alabama Shakes - Sound & Color
With their sophomore record, the Bama-born five-piece landed like a thunderclap, teasing just what was in store on searing late-night programs and their hottest ticket-in-the land live show. We would find out on April 21st that what we were treated was just the tip of a mountain-wide sound that went far beyond the delta or the mystical musical swamps of Muscle Shoals. Color & Sound is a brilliant exposition of blues, country funk, soul and rock, all anchored by grooves that dig into the foundation of the r&b cannon and are uprooted by the devastating howl of leading lady Brittany Howard. Whatever’s in the water down there, we want some.
18. Young Fathers - White Men Are Black Men Too
White Men Are Black Men Too is the follow-up to Young Fathers' Mercury Prize-winning album from last year. The 12-song full-length, which was written and recorded on the road throughout their 2014 tour, furthers bandmembers ‘G’ Hastings, Alloysious Massaquoi and Kayus Bankole‘s blend of alluring melodies, heavy beats, rhymes, and experimental textures. Speaking about the album’s provocative title, Massaquoi wrote in a previous press statement, “We came at it from a different angle, a positive angle. it’s got issues of race and so what? Why should alarm bells start ringing, even though in general conversations race, politics, sex and religion are always the subject matter? Why should it be discussed behind closed doors and never confronted head on? How do we help tackle one of the biggest hinderances in people’s lives and the world… by not putting the question forward and not letting people debate positively or negatively about the statement?” - Killakam of Okayafrica
19. Tuxedo - Self-Titled
I remember the infancy of Tuxedo, when the masses (myself included) couldn't quite place their fingers on where or when boogie blessings dawned from. But when the duo was revealed to be none other than Mayer Hawthorne & Jake Uno, all of the pieces managed to fall into place; how such a cheese & corn-less homage to the lighthearted, top-down synthesizer funk of the early '80s came to be. Truth is, it doesn't really matter. Hawthorne & Uno have crafted such an insanely infectious party record that all you can do is pour yourself a glass of cabernet, slip on some silk-clad house shoes and get swept up in their sophisticated strut.
Still To Go...
Pete RockPetestrumentals II (6/23)
Emily KingThe Switch (6/26)
MiguelWildheart (6/30)
BilalIn Another Life (6/30)
Ghostface Killah & Adrian Younge - Twelve Reasons To Die II(7/10)
Tame ImpalaCurrents (7/18)
De La SoulAnd The Anonymous Nobody (September 2015)
Frank OceanBoys Don’t Cry (??)
Kanye WestSo Help Me God (SWISH) (??)
