My best/worst singles/albums of 2015 (add yours too)

[Chic 20,830]

This list was largely chosen on the quality of the song in question and what it meant to me at the time I first listened to it.

10. Meghan Trainor - Dear Future Husband

Last year I made a best songs list and this was on it, but seeing as it was officially released as a single in 2015 it deserves a mention. This is a wonderful 50's throwback song that's cheerful, playful and well-written. I think it is hands down, the best out of Meghan's songs, and I remember everyone hoping it would be the next single back when the Title EP had been released. Although it was more of a jam for me back in 2014, this song earns a place as number 10 for being so catchy, enjoyable and relevant to a certain period of my life.

9. Azealia Banks - Ice Princess

Again, this was on my 2014 mini-list of best songs, yet it was released as a single in 2015. This is one of Azealia's best songs, incorporating pop and trap flawlessly with a wintry, frigid finish. It's smooth, polished and different for her; it was kind of a shock to begin with, along with the rest of her album (seeing as Azealia's full eclectic potential hadn't been shown to that level prior to BWET), and when I first listened to it I knew it had replayability in its uniqueness. It's one of Azealia's catchier pop songs. Some highlights of this track including the increasing speed of her rapping as she approaches the chorus, and the pop sound of the chorus itself. Although the instrumental and chorus were sampled, it was executed wonderfully and deserves a spot on this list.

8. Lana Del Rey - High By The Beach

This was one of my favorite songs of the summer, despite me actually detesting it at first. I'm not sure if the version I heard originally (the leak) was lacking sound-wise and didn't do the song justice, but I just couldn't listen to it at first. I originally thought the song was flat, had no chorus, wasn't catchy...but the more I listened to it, the more I enjoyed it. The trap beats are striking, her monotone vocals are expressive in their own right, and the song has a hypnotic vibe that's reflected in the constant pace of the music video. It showed off a new side of Lana, going somewhat back to her hip-hop roots with a flair of typical electronica nuances (particularly the vocal cutting in the beginning, which again add to the hypnotic vibe). Rather than being a somber break-up song, it's rather domineering and powerful. Overall, this song is very well mixed and shows a fresh side of Lana that had been forgotten in the surf rock lull of Ultraviolence.

7. Giorgio Moroder ft. Kylie Minogue - Right Here, Right Now

This was the second song released in 2015 that I absolutely adored. The moment I heard it, it was a hit for me. I know Giorgio Moroder's album, Deja Vu, got a lot of flak, but to me this is true, catchy modern electronic-disco fusion. The song changes pace rather extremely from section to section, turning from an increasingly busy verse to a beautifully sung pre-chorus over ephemeral, smoother synths. The song then blasts out into an ad-libbed chorus alternating with Kylie singing the title and a catchy guitar chord accompanying her in the background. Though electronic, there is an organic heart to this song pulsing through the guitar and Kylie's vocal talent - seriously, she can hit those chorus notes spot on live, which is impressive. Upon first hearing it, calling it one of my favorite songs of all time wouldn't have been impossible. Now, however, the novelty of the song has melted off and revealed a still solid, still catchy and still listenable modern disco track that I still listen to.

6. Carly Rae Jepsen - All That

Though technically a promo single, this is on my list because of its quality. I hardly paid Carly any attention before this. Call Me Maybe was a guilty pleasure song after its initial wave of public obsession, yet still wasn't that great to me. Her lead single to Emotion was catchy, but it wasn't impressive. Her music prior to this track was more of a "listen to once every two months" kind of deal. All That changed that for me. This song is a true 80's throwback masterpiece. It showcased a more mature side to Carly, as well as one with more substance and replayable quality. The song boasts beautiful vocals gliding over a deliciously produced instrumental that's sprinkled with nostalgic synths. Released in the late Winter/early Spring, this connected to me on a deep level and defined a part of my life. It really meshes with the season it was released in, which adds to my initial enjoyment of the song. All That is original. While the lyrics aren't necessarily amazing, they portray an important and relatable emotion and type of love, and that's what's important in this type of song. I also feel that All That is the perfect length; it allows the stellar chorus to play enough to let the listener feel fulfilled without overpowering them and causing them to get sick of it. The song tells a story through its length and is not only unique for Carly, but to modern music. This was the prelude to an incredible album that solidified her as a talented yet underrated modern pop star and a musical tour de force of perfectly polished pop and 80's rebirth.

5. Melanie Martinez - Pity Party

Originally, I didn't much like this song. It was similar, for me at least, to Primadonna by Marina and the Diamonds - not sonically, but because the first time listening to their respective songs went similarly. I had heard of both artists beforehand and knew that this was the most marketable pop introduction to their respective music, but never broke the ice on their discographies. I felt at the time that I should enjoy Pity Party, because I am quite the fan of pop music and everyone was fawning over Melanie, but it took a couple of listens before I came to truly appreciate the song for its catchiness and trueness to her artistry. Unlike Marina,, her album had not yet been released when I first listened to the track. Pity Party inspired me to listen to and buy Cry Baby, which is one of my favorite albums of 2015 (possibly even my favorite). This song is an alternative pop, brutally honest representation of feelings many people are too ashamed to express. It's brilliantly adapted from an iconic line in the Lesley Gore classic hit, "It's My Party". It's a well produced song that adds to the story of Melanie's storybook character, Cry Baby, and shows the potential of the then 19-year old artist with only a minor hit that served to accompany the promotion of American Horror Story: Freakshow. Pity Party is one of the best songs of 2015 and deserves a place at number five.

4. Taylor Swift - Style

Released as an album track on Taylor Swift's 2014 release, 1989, Style is one of modern pop's greatest songs. From the moment I first heard the 80's influence of the fading intro, I knew this song was something special. It is classic, it is clean, and it is memorable. This song, more than any other, impounded the fact of Taylor's dominance over the pop scene. The professional and intelligent production of Max Martin layered with Taylor's clear and sharp vocals is the best accompaniment possible to the well-written lyrics. Not only is it self referencing to her distinctive style (the bright red lips she's known for), but it also thrusts her further away from her earlier marketed innocence with lines such as "in my tight little skirt". While the line may not seem so risqué, it pulls her a little bit away from her prior image in a way that's smooth in its transition. This comes after the self referencing of the satirical hit Blank Space, might I add. The song is incredible through and through; Style doesn't let down from its quality in any section of the song, with each aspect perfectly coming together in the end for a neatly polished product that finally instilled the fact of Taylor's new genre and her talent of singing it. I will even dare to say it is one of the best pop songs of all time.

3. Alessia Cara - Here

This is the part where my personal bias and nostalgia overrides what I think are songs that stand the test of time. Alessia Cara's "Here" is such an immensely enjoyable track with an original message stated in an original way. The instrumental is partly sampled, and her style of singing is both unconventional and catchy. Many people find this song irritating due to her nearly non-stop vocals, but I personally believe it adds charm to the track. The lyrics, first of all, are some of the best of the year, detailing a full story that works to portray the message in a dollhouse sort of perspective. It's almost as if the listener is looking into the little, isolated world of this lackluster party that Alessia is dragging herself through, all while expressing herself through the sung sentiments of her disinterest. This song has personality by the ton, showing a completely fair and relatable opinion through her clever narrative that gives insight into her world and viewpoint. She flawlessly sings every well-timed line over the electronic R&B yet bluesy production, the lyrics beautifully crafted one after the other to create a steady stream of quality writing. This song helped inspire me to finish writing a lyrical album I had delayed for some time, and I derived influence from the clever style of the song to translate to my own original music. Interestingly enough, I first listened to this song not relating to it (as I had never been to a party!) but now that I've had some experience in this area, I totally gel with the feelings expressed in this song.

2. JoJo - Save My Soul

One of my favorite genres of music is pop-R&B fusion. This song represents that perfectly. Entirely underrated and unknown, this track serves as 1/3 of JoJo's comeback EP released in the summer of last year. This song is nostalgic and fresh at the same time. It's incredibly produced, catchy as hell and bestows the listener with a treat of sonic originality. There isn't much to say about this song except: listen to it for yourself. It's a great song. It can seriously get you dancing, which is an important feature to a pop song for me. Unfortunately, not many people know of it, but I sort of like that it's a hidden little gem from an artist that's struggled so hard to put her amazing music out. Definitely check this out, because there's a reason it's my second favorite song of 2015.

1. Maroon 5 - Sugar

Alright, first thing's first - this is going to be one of my wedding songs. Upon hearing this, I identified it with the most important man in my life who asked me out nearly a year ago today. Sugar by Maroon 5 is one of the most gorgeous summer songs I have ever heard in my life. It is full of love, spirit and vibrancy. I'll admit, I'm not the biggest fan of pop music sung by males (it just doesn't appeal to me usually), but this song takes the cake for songs with those specifications. It isn't only nostalgia driven either; this is a quality song that I'm going to be listening to years down the line. I don't always listen to it, but that helps preserve its quality without me getting sick of it. At the time of its release, it got compared to songs by Katy Perry such as Birthday and Last Friday Night; originally I preferred both sonically, but Sugar blows past them on every level. What makes this song so great to me is difficult to put a finger on, but it means quite a bit to me and is one of the best songs I've ever heard. This is my number one favorite song of 2015.

Honorable Mentions:

Adele - Hello

Self explanatory. It's too sad to listen to most days, but an absolute classic in every sense of the word.

Hilary Duff - Sparks

Memorable, at least to me, pop song. Nostalgic.

Marina and the Diamonds - Immortal

First song of 2015 I liked! Lost its replay value, but still great.

FKA twigs - Glass and Patron

A truly amazing song that's even better on the EP than it was as a standalone song.

[RileyMint 564]

Sorry but this list became invalid when you put Demi in the top 10

BUT I'll forgive you because you stan for Brandon Flowers who I love and adore. 

[Kacey Elizabeth 900]

Oh my... Why are Confident and its singles so high on these lists?  AND NOT 'PRETTY GIRLS' BEING ON THE BEST SINGLES LIST!  I agree with pretty much everything else, though. 

[Harry 26,836]

Interesting amounts of POC in each list

[SamJ 8,008]

Best Singles of 2015 imo

1.Want To Want Me Jason Derulo

2.Cool For The Summer Demi Lovato

3.Black Magic Little Mix

4.Shut Up and Dance Walk The Moon

5.Sugar Maroon 5

6.Confident Demi Lovato

7.Five More Hours Chris Brown

8.Pretty Girls Britney Spears

9.See You Again Wiz Khalifa Charlie Puth

10.One Last Time Ariana Grandé

11.Used To Love You Gwen Stefani

12.King Years and Years

13.Love Me Like You Little Mix

14.Jealous Nick Jonas

15.Style Taylor Swift

16.Poison Rita Ora

17.Bad Blood Taylor Swift

18.I Really Like You Carly

19.Like I Can Sam Smith

20.Trouble Iggy Jennifer Hudson

[KyliesChild 16,907]

5 minutes ago, Harry said:

Interesting amounts of POC in each list

I was just thinking that too! You can't deny that TPAB is one of the best (if not THE best) album of 2015.

[Supersonic 49,376]

Best of 2015:

10. Snakeships feat. Tinashe & Chance The Rapper - All My Friends
9. Grimes - Flesh WIthout Blood
8. Conchita Wurst - Where Have All The Good Men Gone?
7. Melanie Martinez - Pity Party
6. Marina & The Diamonds - Immortal
5. Adele - Hello
4. f(x) - 4 Walls
3. Girls' Generation - Lion Heart
2. Red Velvet - Dumb Dumb
1. Lady Gaga - Til It Happens To You

Worst of 2015:

10. Meghan Trainor - Dear Future Husband
9. Ellie Goulding - Love Me Like You Do
8. The Weeknd - The Hills
7. Major Lazer - Leon On
6. Maroon 5 - Animals
5. Justin Bieber - Sorry
4. Justin Bieber - What Do You Mean?
3. Robin Schulz - Sugar
2. Felix Jaehn - Ain't Nobody (Loves Me Better)
1. OMI - Cheerleader

[SamJ 8,008]

2 minutes ago, amenvodka said:

Best of 2015:

10. Snakeships feat. Tinashe & Chance The Rapper - All My Friends
9. Grimes - Flesh WIthout Blood
8. Conchita Wurst - Where Have All The Good Men Gone?
7. Melanie Martinez - Pity Party
6. Marina & The Diamonds - Immortal
5. Adele - Hello
4. f(x) - 4 Walls
3. Girls' Generation - Lion Heart
2. Red Velvet - Dumb Dumb
1. Lady Gaga - Til It Happens To You

Worst of 2015:

10. Meghan Trainor - Dear Future Husband
9. Ellie Goulding - Love Me Like You Do
8. The Weeknd - The Hills
7. Major Lazer - Leon On
6. Maroon 5 - Animals
5. Justin Bieber - Sorry
4. Justin Bieber - What Do You Mean?
3. Robin Schulz - Sugar
2. Felix Jaehn - Ain't Nobody (Loves Me Better)
1. OMI - Cheerleader

I thought animals was 2014 and all my friends is now this year

[Harry 26,836]

5 minutes ago, BuyTIHTY said:

I was just thinking that too! You can't deny that TPAB is one of the best (if not THE best) album of 2015.

Two black people (one of them a member of predominantly white Little Mix) in the best albums top ten VS six black people in the worst albums top ten.

One black person in the best singles top ten VS seven black people & two Asians in the worst singles top ten.

Very interesting considering the author of these lists.

[SamJ 8,008]

4 minutes ago, amenvodka said:

Best of 2015:

10. Snakeships feat. Tinashe & Chance The Rapper - All My Friends
9. Grimes - Flesh WIthout Blood
8. Conchita Wurst - Where Have All The Good Men Gone?
7. Melanie Martinez - Pity Party
6. Marina & The Diamonds - Immortal
5. Adele - Hello
4. f(x) - 4 Walls
3. Girls' Generation - Lion Heart
2. Red Velvet - Dumb Dumb
1. Lady Gaga - Til It Happens To You

Worst of 2015:

10. Meghan Trainor - Dear Future Husband
9. Ellie Goulding - Love Me Like You Do
8. The Weeknd - The Hills
7. Major Lazer - Leon On
6. Maroon 5 - Animals
5. Justin Bieber - Sorry
4. Justin Bieber - What Do You Mean?
3. Robin Schulz - Sugar
2. Felix Jaehn - Ain't Nobody (Loves Me Better)
1. OMI - Cheerleader

I agree with ur top 5 on the worst list completely cheerleader is just utter garbage

[aquariumlust 115]

Roisin Murphy on your worst singles and albums? No. 

[Impostor 4,114]

my favorite songs of 2015 are:

Let it happen - Tame impala

Realiti - Grimes

How deep is your love - Calvin harris

Delilah - Florence and the machine

Can't feel my face - The Weeknd

Froot - Marina and the diamonds

Bitch better have my money - Rihanna

Moaning lisa smile - Wolf alice

[Supersonic 49,376]

Honorable mentions for the best of 2015:

Rihanna - Bitch Better Have My Money
Mamamoo & eSNA - AHH OOP!
Alaska Thunderf*ck - This Is My Hair
Miss Fame - Rubber Doll
Madonna - Rebel Heart
Troye Sivan - WILD
 

[SamJ 8,008]

10 minutes ago, Naomi Smalls said:

my favorite songs of 2015 are:

Let it happen - Tame impala

Realiti - Grimes

How deep is your love - Calvin harris

Delilah - Florence and the machine

Can't feel my face - The Weeknd

Froot - Marina and the diamonds

Bitch better have my money - Rihanna

Moaning lisa smile - Wolf alice

BBHMM and Cant Feel My Face are pretty awesome tbh I forgot to include them on my list

[Runway 27,876]

Best 

Good For You

Same Old Love

Hands To Myself

Til It Happens To You

Love Me Like You Do

Something In the Way You Move

Can't Feel My Face

Worth It

Style

Sparks

High By the Beach

Run Away with Me

Your Type

 

 

Worst

FourFiveSeconds

What Do You Mean

Sorry

Thinking Out Loud

On My Mind

Confident

Earned It  

See You Again  

Trap Queen  

Bad Blood