Not that anyone asked. Based on albums I actually listened to and really got into that were released in 2015 (which sadly excludes albums I got really into that were released before 2015, and albums from 2015 I'll catch up to later. shucks!) A choice quote of a YouTube comment for each. Not reeeally in any order.
Tame Impala - Currents (psychedelic rock)
If you haven't listened to this, do it. It's delicious. It breaks my heart a little but it's delicious. Fuzzy like Tame Impala is, but I couldn't really get into them before, and this one is just poppy enough, with clearer tunes and upbeats.
"some taste of golden and ancient collective sound memories and future perspection..adorable!"
Pond - Man It Feels Like Space Again (psychedelic rock)
Not going to lie, I found Pond through similar artists for Tame Impala. It's more rockish and less electronic than Currents, a bit more sprawling/lazy with less modern pop aesthetic. Is this what classic rock is like? I don't listen to classic rock. Not to make it sound less cool but this is also my top work-focus album of 2015. Nerve softeners. Head grooves.
"God this song is powerful... Don't know about you guys, but I felt like when I heard Pink Floyd for the first time of my life..."
Clarence Clarity - No Now (experimental r&b)
It's weird and a little gross. I didn't know what was going on. But suddenly it became irreplaceable; I had thirsts unquenchable by any other music. Everything else felt lame and tryhard in comparison. It's cheesy and unsettling. Synthetic in the realest way.
"J U S T I N V A P O R L A K E"
Open Mike Eagle - A Special Episode EP (hip hop)
His thoughts and words and matter of fact delivery are real enjoyable. There are serious parts, geeky parts, funny parts. I got a little obsessed with this and actually had to stop listening to it for a bit because I was getting depressed from it. Anyway, I don't understand anyone that says there's no good hip hop coming out.
"More gold per square bar than yr average goddamn this is dope."
Sophie - PRODUCT (electronic)
All the sounds! Everything he makes is fun. He's produced songs for other artists this year too, like for Le1f and Charli XCX and Madonna. He put this out just a bit ago maybe to get on people's year end lists. Well deserved. Songs like "Hard" and "VYZEE" were soundtracks of parts of this year to get me to bubble up to get receptive to fun and the good parts of life and not be forever stuck in a spiral of anxiety. Sometimes things are meaningless and it's wonderful.
"When you gotta fart but make a jam also"
FKA Twigs - M3LL155X EP (experimental r&b)
Twigs is a genius. I still can't put a finger on why I'm so addicted to her music. Is it her effortlessly silky voice? Her otherworldly, intimidating, challenging, and overall classy sensuality? The stark weirdness of the actual music contrasting with the lovely sounds it constructs from? It's got a bite but it's a treat for the ears and the soul.
"In Time cured my acne"
Honorable mentions:
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Multi-Love (psychedelic rock)
Polyamory and Portland, lol. It's also a really solid album after a few listens.
"this song has magic powders :) i fuckin love it" -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEtDVy55shI
Milo - So the Flies Don't Come (hip hop)
Similar fondness for this as I've got for Open Mike Eagle. Good words.
"all lifes matter" -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWvcZeUEP3o
LA Priest - Inji (experimental pop)
Came across this when I was looking up what happened with the band Late of the Pier, who made a great album in 2008 and disappeared. LA Priest is their frontman's solo project, and it's way more downbeat and electronic, but it's got some funky dancey parts too. I was listening to a lot of Clarence Clarity when I found this but it went together nice. Just another UK dude making weird music to shape the sound of our decade.
"im in love with this funky ass jam, and this dude can dance in my desert whenever he wants." -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJPjSaOcVwg
Mac DeMarco, Disclosure, Seinabo Sey, and Angel Haze released new albums too. I listened to them. I liked them.
