What a year it’s been for new music around the world, and in Australia particularly. Our artists have dominated the charts and the critics’ reviews, not only locally but overseas, and you can’t help but think we’re in the midst of a great time for Aussie artistry.
As we look back on the 12 months past, we celebrate all that and more with our Top Ten Albums Of 2015 list, as voted by the BRAG’s extensive team of contributors. And who said the album was dead? Not on this evidence it ain’t.
10. Kurt Vile – B’lieve I’m Goin Down…
“B’lieve I’m Goin Down… is a more nocturnal and contemplative record than its predecessor, but what the two have in common is how absorbing the songs are. If this album is anything to go by, it’s quite possible that Vile isn’t done outdoing himself just yet.” – Michael Hartt
9. Royal Headache –High
“Royal Headache have worked their high-energy garage rock down to an art. Straight up, their second release High is a churning mass of noise, aggression and compassion – in short, everything punters loved in their debut and more.” – Jade Smith
8. Jamie xx –In Colour
“In Colour is an amazing album. This speckled musical jewel finds the sweet spot between Jamie Smith’s work as arguably the world’s coolest DJ and his day job as a member and producer of The xx.” – Dan Watt
7. Hiatus Kaiyote –Choose Your Weapon
“Hiatus Kaiyote have created a modern classic that sounds timeless and cutting-edge at the same time. The band have not only forged a completely unique sound, but they’ve mastered it.” - James Di Fabrizio
6. Sufjan Stevens –Carrie & Lowell
Seven albums in, and Sufjan Stevens is breaking hearts like never before. Drawing inspiration from the death of his mother, Carrie, the Detroit-born Stevens revisits some of the most defining moments of his childhood, and speaks to all of us in the process. It’s not easy listening, but it matters.
5. Gang Of Youths –The Positions
What we said then:
“Their debut album, The Positions, confirms the band as one of Australia’s most exciting and talented acts. It’s a powerful mix of drum-heavy rhythms, varied instrumentals and raw vocals from lead singer David Leaupepe.” – Chris Bright
What we say now:
Gang Of Youths’ early singles hinted at some big talent, but the sheer size of their sound and their stadium-ready melodies still emerged as a pleasant surprise. The Sydneysiders ruled the roost in the live environment this year, thanks largely to anthemic song after song on their debut LP, and the small stages won’t hold them for much longer.
READ our full review of The Positions here
4. Father John Misty –I Love You, Honeybear
What we said then:
“Josh Tillman is dead, and in his place we now have Father John Misty. I Love You, Honeybear is a High Fidelity-inspired realisation for a 30-something man about love and relationships. Since his last album, Tillman got married, and this album is a reflection of that – it’s a slightly surreal and dark look at love, wrapped up in beautiful baroque-pop productions.” – Spencer Scott
What we say now:
Some seven months after the release of his crowning second album, Father John Misty responded to Ryan Adams’ album-length cover of Taylor Swift’s 1989 by covering those recordings himself – and all in the style of Lou Reed. We’re still not sure which of his 2015 projects had a sharper sense of humour, but one thing’s for sure: the world’s a better place thanks to the Josh Tillman wit.
READ our full review of I Love You, Honeybear here
3. Kendrick Lamar –To Pimp A Butterfly
If hip hop is street poetry, then Kendrick is a modern-day James Joyce, and To Pimp A Butterfly is his Ulysses. Kendrick breaks through the limits of hip hop as though he was taking a morning stretch, flipping genres and vocal styles like a coin. For those who are turned off by excessive expletives, it should be said that you’ll mostly be covering your ears. But the things that Kendrick is rapping about are brutally serious, uncomfortably personal, and when they return as they always must to growing up in the bloody streets of Compton, the frustration is enraging. As such, the swearing isn’t inappropriate or overly vulgar. It’s just the only thing that can be said. – Daniel Prior
2.Courtney Barnett – Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit
What we said then:
“Barnett has an unrivalled ability to find those proverbial diamonds in the rough, scraping beneath the surface of the seemingly humdrum and inconsequential to reveal something far deeper and rich in character development.” – David James Young
What we say now:
Looking back, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly when Courtney Barnett went from the suburban poet drawling about Melbourne trams to a mouthpiece for the masses, seemingly appearing on every second festival lineup and television show. Perhaps Jimmy Fallon did it. Either way, she’s ours, and boy are we bloody lucky to have her.
READ our full review of Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit here
1. Tame Impala –Currents
What we said then:
“These are the times, people: some of the best Australian music is being made right here, right now. Well, in Fremantle, to be precise. Currents is the sound of Parker dropping his guard and embracing everything he loves about great pop music.” – Paul McBride
What we say now:
Can anyone remember the last shitty band that came out of Western Australia? Maybe it’s something in the water. Maybe it’s just the fact that by the time a band can afford to tour to the so-called cultural centres of the east coast, its members have earned their chops in small venues a thousand times over. But while it’d be unfair to say that Tame Impala have put Perth on the map internationally, they’re sure as hell leading the Aussie charge overseas. This is the kind of album that will influence a generation – and we can’t wait to hear what that will sound like.
READ our full review of Currents here
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And the honourable mentions go to…
(Because after a big year of music, not all the albums get the attention they deserve. Here are some other records we loved this year:)
Beach House – Depression Cherry
Blur – The Magic Whip
Bully – Feels Like
Chvrches – Every Open Eye
City Calm Down – In A Restless House
D’Angelo and The Vanguard – Black Messiah
Dawes – All Your Favourite Bands
Deafheaven – New Bermuda
Deerhunter – Fading Frontier
Dick Diver – Melbourne, Florida
Drake – If You’re Reading This It’s Already Too Late
Florence and The Machine – How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
Foley! – Ascot Vale
Four Tet – Mornings/Evenings
Girl Band – Holding Hands With Jamie
Kamasi Washington – The Epic
Loma Prieta – Self Portrait
Mark Ronson – Uptown Special
Natalie Prass – Natalie Prass
Rae Morris – Unguarded
Susanne Sundfør – Ten Love Songs
The Mountain Goats – Beat The Champ
The Paper Kites – Twelvefour
Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Multi-Love
Wavves – V
Young Fathers – White Men Are Black Men Too
