An overwhelming collection of incredible music dropped during the 2014-2015 school year, and it is very likely, and understandable, that you didn’t have the time to go through it all. This compilation is bound to spurn some great musicians, but I hope it’ll be enough to help you find at least a few artists you can really vibe with.
Listed are a few songs to help you to get your feet wet. They are not necessarily the best, nor my favorite, tracks on the album.
35. Theophilus London - Vibes!
Vibes! isn’t quite changing the game, but it was executive produced by Kanye West, and is a whole lot of energetic fun.
Start with: “Can’t Stop (feat. Kanye West),” “Do Girls”
34. Mick Jenkins - The Water[s]
Mick Jenkins is one of many members of the Chance-led army of up-and-coming Chicago rappers, but none have a voice quite as deep, production quite as crisp, and infatuation with water quite as strong as he does.
Start with: “Comfortable (feat. No Name Gypsy),” “Jazz”
33. Rich Homie Quan - Summer Sampler
Rich Gang broke up, but on Summer Sampler, RHQ shows us that he’s doing just fine without Young Thug. His voice doesn’t quite exude Thug’s high-pitched eccentricity, but his ad-libbing and delivery are almost as on-point.
Start with: “Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh),” “I Swear”
32. Donnie Trumpet and the Social Experiment - Surf
The album, released for free on iTunes, is frequently cheesy, but often enough the Social Experiment manages to render the corniness endearing. Chance is massive, and he plays a large role on Surf, yet Donnie Trumpet and his buddies never let the rapper steer the album away from their vision. It’s soulful and uplifting, and there are tons of nice features for you to discover on here as well.
Start with: “Miracle,” “Sunday Candy”
31. A$AP Rocky - At.Long.Last.A$AP
Rocky’s desire to innovate here is far from subtle, and his contrived efforts tired me out after a few listens, but the album is certainly worth checking out. It’s filled with massive features, but the ambition never seems to drown Rocky out — it always feels like his own album. My favorite moment is the great sample switch-up midway through the Kanye produced “Jukebox Joints.”
Start with: “M’$ (feat. Lil Wayne),” “Everyday (feat. Rod Stewart, Miguel, Mark Ronson)”
30. Nosaj Thing - Fated
One of the most relaxing and enjoyable albums of the year. You’ll play it in the background and the 33 minutes of that characteristic Nosaj Thing deflating synth will end a lot faster than you’d like.
Start with: “Don’t Mind Me (feat. Whoarei),” “Cold Stares (feat. Chance The Rapper & Maceo Haymes)”
29. Travi$ Scott - Days Before Rodeo
When Travi$ Scott is not doling out random acts of kindness to strangers, he makes some pretty tastefully rambunctious bangers. The 23 year-old rapper/producer is already one of hip-hop’s most prominent collaborators (he produced Rihanna’s “Bitch Better Have My Money”).
Start with: “Mamacita (feat. Young Thug, Rich Homie Quan),” “Don’t Play (feat. The 1975, Big Sean)
28. Jazmine Sullivan - Reality Show
Pardon the blasphemy, but the urgency in Jazmine Sullivan’s voice reminds me of Ms. Lauryn Hill. She’s a talented young R&B artist who has been around for a surprisingly long time, but her music is not quite as popular as I would expect it to be; Reality Show is fire.
Start with: “Let it Burn,” “Forever Don’t Last”
27. Azealia Banks - Broke With Expensive Taste
Azealia Banks is a great singer and rapper, and Broke With Expensive Taste is consequently a very strong debut album that unfortunately, maybe due to the artist’s constant thirst for unnecessary beef, went more unnoticed than it should have. Look out for her nasty verse midway through “Luxury.”
Start with: “Luxury,” “Ice Princess”
26. Teyana Taylor - VII
A great R&B album that is heavily influenced by the genre’s past, but is also highly representative of where the genre currently stands, and the direction towards which it is headed.
Start with: “Request,” “Do Not Disturb (feat. Chris Brown)”
25. Petite Noir - The King of Anxiety
Your typical Petite Noir song starts off with an eccentrically produced, drum and string-based pattern, and gradually escalates into an equally unorthodox, but far more layered and bustling piece. He’s got a rangy voice that can sound like the celestial narrator of an apocalypse video game, but can also hit those high notes.
Start with: “Come Inside,” “Chess”
24. Ibeyi - Ibeyi
Lisa-Kaindé and Naomi Diaz, the daughters of Anga Diaz from the Buena Vista Social Club, are French twins of Cuban and Nigerian descent, and every part of their insanely diverse cultural background manifests itself in their music. They fuse these traditional global sounds with experimental electronic ones, and never does the combination sound remotely disharmonious.
Start with: “Think of You,” “River”
23. Spoon - They Want My Soul
They Want My Soul is an expertly mastered modern rock album that you’ll immediately have a blast with. Spoon has been around for a while, but never does this album feel outdated.
Start with: “Do You,” “Inside Out”
22. Drake - If You’re Reading This, It’s Too Late
Drake tries so hard. He still dresses like the cool kids did in 6th grade, he injects a blatantly artificial dose of slang into his vernacular when with the right crowd (and conversely sounds like Carlton Banks when he’s on SNL or talking to Jimmy Fallon), he tweets things like this and this, and he charges us 13 bucks for a mixtape. Despite all of these valid reasons to hate on Drake, those who most fervently do so dismiss him because he is “soft,” because they’ve listened to two songs and decided that his producers alone brought him to the top. What they fail to recognize is that, after Kanye, Drake is the most influential figure in the last decade of hip-hop; he perfected the modern R&B and rap blend over atmospheric instrumentals style that so many new artists emulated to get to where they are. Everything Drake touches becomes a massive, iconic hit, and his latest mixtape is no exception. Since the release of If You’re Reading This, It’s Too Late, there is no phrase I have said more frequently than “I WAS RUNNIN THROUGH THA 6 WITH MY WOES!”
Start with: “Legend,” “Know Yourself,” “Jungle”
21. Mr. Twin Sister - Mr. Twin Sister
A funky, dreamy, and delicate album with a Sade-esque soul and whatever-Björk-is feel to it. I love the funky bass-lines and the wild drum patterns, and the vocals are especially incredible. While their polished production quality, and the sample they contributed to Good Kid, m.A.A.d City, would suggest otherwise, Mr. Twin Sister is unjustly unknown (my friend emailed the lead singer with a question and received a response within hours). Please check them out.
Start with: “Blush,” “In The House of Yes”
20. Lower Dens - Escape from Evil
Lower Dens reminds me of a more 80s-influenced, less psychedelic alter ego to fellow Baltimore crooners Beach House. Like Victoria Legrand, Jana Hunter’s voice carries so much weight, and is perfect for a soaring chorus.
Start with: “To Die in LA,” “Ondine”
19. Tinashe - Aquarius and Amethyst
Aquarius, Tinashe’s debut full-length LP, is a forward-thinking, immediately gratifying work, a declaration of the hegemony she threatens to impose on-2 (I tried) modern R&B. She followed the album up with a free mixtape, Amethyst, a more refined and innovative set of songs she put together with a great team of young producers (including Ryan Hemsworth and DJ Dahi. Download here) that further steers the genre towards her vision, but that I warn you are unlikely to blast on a Friday night.
Start with: “2 On (feat. Schoolboy Q),” “Bet (feat. Devonte Hynes)” from Aquarius
“Something to Feel,” “Wanderer” from Amethyst
18. Shamir - Ratchet
Having difficulty classifying an artist by a particular genre is encouraging. I really can’t tell you what Shamir is; within one song, you will hear club synths, country guitar, orchestral trumpets, and a whole lot of cowbell, and his androgynous voice adds so much to the eclectic fun.
Start with: “On the Regular,” “Demon”
17. Father John Misty - I Love You, Honeybear
Father John Misty’s music elicits in me some kind of a sonic uncanny valley effect. In many ways, his songs fit the orthodox singer/songwriter or indie rock mold; his voice is great, he rarely goes beyond traditional instrumentation, and the melodies are wholesome and catchy. It feels confining and inaccurate, however, to label him as even the best version of an already established type of act. Beyond his bizarrely literal, often highly sexual lyrics, a lot is unusual about Father John Misty.
Start with: “Strange Encounter,” “Chateau Lobby #4 (In C For Two Virgins)”
16. Young Thug - Barter 6
Young Thug initially wanted to name the album “Tha Carter VI” as a tribute to his idol/nemesis Lil Wayne, but to avoid the lawsuits he settled for the wonderfully trollful “Barter 6.” Every track feels like a psychotic braggadocious freestyle over some grimy instrumentals, and I can’t get enough of that. Every line is so close to making sense, and that’s just enough to get you both that fire emoji sensation and a confused but appreciatory chuckle.
15. Arca - Xen
I often feel that overly prolific artists spread themselves far too thin, giving us half-assed music far too frequently. Arca is not your typical prolific artist; he contributed to Kanye’s Yeezus, was a main producer on FKA Twigs’ LP1, produced Björk’s Vulnicura in it’s entirety, and came out with the stellar Xen, all in the last 2 years. He is the most inventive producer we currently have, and everyone is starting to take notice, so check out his debut solo LP.
Start with: “Lonely Thugg,” “Slit Thru”
14. Vince Staples - Hell Can Wait
Before the release of Hell Can Wait, you could find Vince Staples’ instantly recognizable voice dropping hostile flames as a guest for some of hip-hop’s biggest names. On this EP, Vince comfortably finds his own identity, and nothing you’ve heard sounds like it. He gives us a challenging and insightful record to slowly digest while waiting for his debut full-length LP, Summertime ’06.
Start with: “Hands Up,” “Limos (feat. Teyana Taylor)”
13. Run The Jewels - Run the Jewels 2
Killer Mike and El-P are under-appreciated, angry rap vets with a miraculous amount of energy. The production is fresh and unapologetically abrasive, and the two MCs’ merciless flow will have you desperately looking for some dirt to get off of your shoulder.
Start with: “All My Life,” “Oh My Darling Don’t Cry”
12. Caribou - Our Love
Our Love slowly builds, but we never get bored. The focus is certainly on Caribou’s warm synth-based production, but the subtle vocals are masterfully integrated into each track. You’ll feel good with this unassuming album playing in the background while doing pretty much anything.
Start with: “Can’t Do Without You,” “Silver”
11. Tobias Jesso Jr. - Goon
Tobias Jesso Jr. is an eerily prototypical singer/songwriter; the goofy hair, the child-like face that looks corrupted enough to tell you he’s done some drugs, the “that guy is for sure not good at sports” body-type. His music is nostalgic, but while listening I can’t pinpoint what it is exactly I am longing for. He came out of the blue this year, but his familiar sound and warm songwriting makes him easy to quickly get comfortable with.
Start with: “How Could You Babe,” “The Wait”
10. Nao - February 15
Some nice AlunaGeorge + Jai Paul (an elusive, but incredible artist who I believe worked on this EP) vibes up in here, with irresistible hooks and futuristic drums and synths on every track. Not all that much is known about Nao yet, but both of her EPs are on Spotify, and you really ought to check her out before she inevitably explodes.
Start with: “Inhale Exhale,” “Apple Cherry”
9. Earl Sweatshirt - I Don’t Like Sh*t, I Don’t Go Outside
I, maybe sadistically, have a soft spot for music that artists made while at their absolute lowest point. IDLS, IDGO is not more sonically innovative than Doris, but the latest album nonetheless marks growth for Earl, and he has told us how proud he is of that. He self-produced all but one track, and the end result is a cohesive and intricately poetic expression of the rapper’s beyond-his-years jadedness and age-appropriate fadedness. The album comes from a dark place, and will likely be difficult to dig if it isn’t one of those contemplative late nights.
Start with: “Mantra,” “Inside”
8. Björk - Vulnicura
It’s heartwarming when an older, established artist is open to collaborating with new-age innovators. The dynamic sonic backdrop that Björk teamed up with Arca to create combined with singer’s intensely expressive and unusual voice results in a deeply personal and beautiful piece. Quickly get past the way she rolls her Rs, and stop being scared of the wild album art, because this will be a worthwhile musical experience for you.
7. Flying Lotus - You’re Dead!
You’re Dead! was built by some of Kendrick’s most trusted Butterfly Pimpers; legendary producer Flying Lotus teamed up with bouncy bass virtuoso Thundercat (check out “Oh Sheit It’s X” for some fun), and sax god Kamasi Washington on this joint. The album is heavily jazz influenced (Herbie Hancock is all over it), but as FlyLo does on every album, he still manages to enter uncharted musical territory.
Start with: “Never Catch Me (feat. Kendrick Lamar),” “Coronus, the Terminator”
6. Perfume Genius - Too Bright
Too Bright is a poignant account of Mike Hadreas’ suffering, and a declaration of triumph over the adversity. He was viciously bullied and beat up in high school for being openly gay, struggled through Crohn’s disease, and unjustly took years to achieve some musical success, but he remains confidently resilient ; on “Queen,” for example, he sings, “No family is safe when I sashay” – so badass. The album is his intricate and eclectic – “Queen” and “Grid” are exuberant and layered, while “I’m a Mother” will haunt your dreams if you listen to it too late at night – but Perfume Genius’ characteristic footprint is steadily conserved through the album’s versatility. Too Bright is vulnerable, comforting, and brief – perfect for heartbreak.
Start with: “Queen,” “All Along”
5. Sufjan Stevens - Carrie and Lowell
Sufjan Stevens is an inventive and prolific musician, and I haven’t given him the respect he definitely deserves. This is the first of his albums I’ve entirely listened to, so I’m far from qualified to speak on where Carrie and Lowell ranks in his discography, but I’ve spent enough time with it to recognize its brilliance. The album’s instrumentation is very minimalist, consisting primarily of drum-less, pristine string arrangements, over which the shaken and nostalgic lyricism drains us, thoroughly conveying the weight that Sufjan’s torturous heartache carries.
Start with: “Should Have Known Better,” “Eugene”
4. Jamie xx - In Colour
I’ve always felt underwhelmed by The xx. Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim’s singing never fails to bore the hell out of me, but Jamie xx’s production is consistently intriguing. In Colour gives us an expanded look into that unique xx sound without the often painfully bland vocals, and Jamie had a blast with the freedom of heading his own project. His xx buddies are featured on here, but only in three total songs, and even then their presence is luckily far less domineering than in the group’s other albums. The album plays wonderfully beginning to end, displaying Jamie’s unmatched sampling and chopping abilities, but if you’re looking for a summer-fun banger, start with the Young Thug and Popcaan featuring “I Know There’s Gonna Be (Good Times).”
Start with: “I Know There’s Gonna Be (Good Times) (ft. Young Thug & Popcaan),” “Loud Places (ft. Romy)”
3. FKA Twigs - LP1
You haven’t heard anything quite like FKA Twigs. The sonic textures she and her team of producers from the future have created are overwhelmingly rich, dark, and laced with off-kilter Arca drum patterns, and it is clear that they were specifically crafted to continuously interact with her equally impressive voice. LP1 is like a blend of James Blake, pre-2013 Weeknd, and Stanley Kubrick’s psychosis — the most gratifying and stank-face inducing music of the year. (Your girl is also about to marry Edward Cullen.)
Start with: “Two Weeks,” “Pendulum,” “Kicks”
2. D’Angelo - Black Messiah
D’Angelo dropped Voodoo, what I believe to be one of the greatest albums of ever, in 2000. Aside from some potato-camera quality live song snippets that made their way onto YouTube, we didn’t get a damn thing for 14 excruciating years. Luckily what we got in the end was Black Messiah, a masterpiece that sounds like it fully required the eternity that went into crafting it. D’Angelo’s music is not always easy to listen to, and the rough, but timely, subject-matter and sound on his latest LP makes that an especially relevant challenge for listeners. Sharing his stuff with my friends has yielded surprisingly disappointing returns, but please try harder than they did, because you’ll experience fresh waves of appreciation for this album for years to come.
Start with: “Really Love,” “Sugah Daddy”
1. Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly
Kendrick assembled a star-studded team of producers and collaborators to help him build his Compton narrative on the great Good Kid, m.A.A.d. City. On his latest album, the rapper is the clear ringleader; Kendrick directs and maxes out his talented TPAB posse to give us a perfect, colossal, and more cohesive work. The production is transcendently meticulous, with what seems like album’s-worth of dedicated effort going into each dynamic instrumental, and Kendrick’s versatility, both thematic and vocal, is straight up overwhelming. With Earl, Chance, Drake, Vince Staples, and Kendrick leading the charge, the future is in excellent hands, and To Pimp a Butterfly is the game-changer that’ll get the ball rolling. (read a more in-depth review, a great think-piece)
Start with: “Institutionalized,” “King Kunta,” “Alright”
Intriguing albums that are sure to be great, but that I have not quite given the time they deserve (check ‘em out): Kamasi Washington’s The Epic, Aphex Twin’s Syro, Future’s 56 Nights, Iceage’s Plowing Into The Field of Love, RATKING’s 700 Fill, Alabama Shakes’ Sound and Color, Courtney Barnett’s Sometimes I Sit and Think, Sometimes I Just Sit, Holly Herndon’s Platforms.
('17, Human Biology/Creative Writing) is from Palo Alto and listens to a lot of Kanye.