Like many other's I view music as one of the best ways to remember different times in our lives. Possibly the easiest way to get me to recall a certain period of time, is to remind me of a hit single or hot band during that same period. I associate entire decades with different styles of music and their influence on not only popular culture, but my own everyday life. This post is a dedication to the music of 2015 and the impact it will leave on the future. Here's to an amazing year.
Albums of the year
One Direction - Made In The A.M
Their fist album since the unexpected -not really- departure of our lord and savior Zayn Malik, One Direction had a lot to prove to the skeptics with their debut record as a quartet. Best known for his range, it was argued that under the absence 'best vocalist' that One Direction would ultimately crumble as artists. They showed y'all. Surprising the nay-sayers, each of the remaining boys were more than able to step up to the plate, contributing what I believe to be their strongest vocal performances yet, forming an outstanding album. With a very much apparent 70-80s rock/pop influence, the album presents appeal to nearly every music lover. Both sonically and lyrically, this stands as my favorite 1d album to date and one of the few albums I can say I enjoy whole-heartily, from track to track. Put it on in the car, or scream it in the shower, it doesn't really matter, because no matter who or where you are, this album is just too good. Louis shows so much progress as a vocalist in Love You Goodbye, and after hearing the poetic genius that is Olivia, I've lost parts of my soul I didn't know existed to Harry Edwards Styles. Bottom line this album is just an easy listen, across the board. Stream at your own risk.
Fav tracks: Olivia, I want To Write You A Song, A.M, Wolves, End Of The Day
Drake - If You're Reading This It's Too Late
I couldn't be more proud to call Drake a Canadian. With an effortless charisma and talent that only he possesses, he surprised us with this mixtape seemingly out of nowhere-for some of us in the middle of the night- appropriately entitled If You're Reading This It's Too Late. 17 tracks with features from Wayne, PND and Travis $cott, this album was just a taste of all the new tracks he'd give us this year. With a heavy presence of electronic instruments and sounds, Drake delivers a much less emotional album this time around, as oppose to his last record. With tracks like 6 God and Legend, he presented not only an original sound but a strong influence culturally, pushing his roots more than ever before with the tagline 'Toronto vs Everybody". Bottom line, hip-hop is meant to empower, and this album makes me feel untouchable every time. I can yell out any line at any given time and it feels fucking amazing. Just let it happen.
Fav Tracks: Energy, Know Yourself, Legend, 10 Bands
Florence + The Machine - How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
The auditory embodiment of etherealism, Florence + The Machine never fail to deliver an original but all the while romantic sound. Lead by Florence Welch - who I believe to be the human rendering of mother nature- and her crazy powerful voice, they once again blew me away with their May release of, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful. Their creative way of genre-bending, - mixing together folk, indie and rock- once again had me on my toes, with a more evident rock sound than ever. A healthy balance of whimsy and rebellion, the record is exactly what I picture myself blaring on a road trip. The lyrics are care-free and the bass is roaring in an era of music where artists have gotten lazy. I love the narrative the listener is taken on, and the vulnerability in each track. They really put forth their most personal album to date on this one and I absolutely love it. This one's for the wanderlust.
Fav Tracks: Ship To Wreck, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful, St. Jude, What Kind of Man
Ones To Watch
Ella Eyre
Thank god for BBC. I first heard Ella Eyre's outstanding voice- all the soul of Adele with the swagger of a British Rihanna- in a bcc live lounge, belting out Sam Sparrow's funk crossover classic - Black & Gold. Ella's rich voice mixed with the subtle nods to deep house, makes her by far one of my favourite artists to listen to when I'm unwinding. Her UK success is testament to the public's love for a timeless voice. With the release for her 2015 Ep, Feline, she's had me wrapped around her finger more than ever. If you like English artists like Rudamental, Disclosure, Amy Whinehouse or Sam Smith, give her a listen, as I can 100% see her making huge moves in 2016. She hasn't had an overwhelming amount of success overseas, but she has just the sound that I think will cross over tons of markets making her one of the biggest artists to watch in the new year.
Twenty One Pilots
Twenty One Pilots is easily, without hesitation, the most unique artist to watch. The band is a duo from Columbus Ohio, consisting of Tyler Joseph - lead vocal and Josh Dun - Drums. Their sound is unlike anything else that I'm familiar with, an edgy alt-punk-rap mashup with killer production value. The boys released their fourth album, Blurryface, this year, to a loyal following and the proof is in the pudding - these two only get better. Both lyrically and vocally strong, the album reminds me of a great mix of 90s rap and today's super popular house. Their sound is fun and inventive and will leave you in just the best mood. Having discovered their music about two years back, I've watched the band's popularity expand year by year, and with such an amazing album and a tour coming up, I can only imagine the great things headed for them in 2016
Troye Sivan
I couldn't me more excited to talk about him. Troye is originally a Youtuber - a very very successful one at that-, and made his debut as a professional musician this year. At first I wasn't keen on listening to his stuff at all, seeing as I've despised every other 'Youtube singer' s attempt at a single or album since forever. But when this guy does something, he just does it right. This year he released his debut album, Blue Neighbourhood and I am absolutely in love with it. If you're at all keen on bands like The 1975 or Coldplay, please do yourself a favour and tune into this Aussie's stuff. Only 20 years old with a great reception from his peers - Taylor swift and Sam Smith both confessed they were fans- and a huge following, I can't see how he could be stopped. I want Troye Sivan to take over the word this year.
So that's my year end wrap up!! I hope you enjoyed that little chat, music means a lot to me and I couldn't resist sitting down and telling you guys about my favs of the 2015. Share with me your favourites on my social media (always linked on the blog) and be sure to subscribe through email for updates on my newest posts. Thanks Dolls, happy happy new year xx
Twenty One Pilots
Twenty One Pilots is easily, without hesitation, the most unique artist to watch. The band is a duo from Columbus Ohio, consisting of Tyler Joseph - lead vocal and Josh Dun - Drums. Their sound is unlike anything else that I'm familiar with, an edgy alt-punk-rap mashup with killer production value. The boys released their fourth album, Blurryface, this year, to a loyal following and the proof is in the pudding - these two only get better. Both lyrically and vocally strong, the album reminds me of a great mix of 90s rap and today's super popular house. Their sound is fun and inventive and will leave you in just the best mood. Having discovered their music about two years back, I've watched the band's popularity expand year by year, and with such an amazing album and a tour coming up, I can only imagine the great things headed for them in 2016
Troye Sivan
I couldn't me more excited to talk about him. Troye is originally a Youtuber - a very very successful one at that-, and made his debut as a professional musician this year. At first I wasn't keen on listening to his stuff at all, seeing as I've despised every other 'Youtube singer' s attempt at a single or album since forever. But when this guy does something, he just does it right. This year he released his debut album, Blue Neighbourhood and I am absolutely in love with it. If you're at all keen on bands like The 1975 or Coldplay, please do yourself a favour and tune into this Aussie's stuff. Only 20 years old with a great reception from his peers - Taylor swift and Sam Smith both confessed they were fans- and a huge following, I can't see how he could be stopped. I want Troye Sivan to take over the word this year.
So that's my year end wrap up!! I hope you enjoyed that little chat, music means a lot to me and I couldn't resist sitting down and telling you guys about my favs of the 2015. Share with me your favourites on my social media (always linked on the blog) and be sure to subscribe through email for updates on my newest posts. Thanks Dolls, happy happy new year xx
XO, Nomadic Romantic
- 5:38 PM
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