The 10 Best Albums of 2015

1. Chvrches – Every Open Eye

I had a feeling Chvrches could do a pop album and remain a bona fide electronic band, but I had no idea they could do it this brilliantly. It’s still unmistakably Chvrches but catchier, more melodic, vocally superior and bolder than their debut. BTW, they’re from Glasgow, but I’m not biased!

2. Waxahatchee – Ivy Tripp

A very close second to Chvrches, Waxahatchee’s third album is much more accomplished than the first two, but without losing any of the indie charm.

3. Thomas Kercheval – We Were Here

Every genre of rock imaginable (classic, folk, alternative, to name a few) all performed and produced by multi talented, multi instrumentalist Tom Kercheval. And proceeds go to charity, so buy it people!

4. Courtney Barnett – Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit

Not the world’s best guitarist or vocalist, but her style suits her songwriting perfectly. This isn’t your usual singer/songwriter stuff though, it’s proper rock n’ roll.

5. Titus Andronicus – The Most Lamentable Tragedy

Normally a 90 minute album described as a ‘rock opera’ would have me reaching for the eject button, but this is tremendous. More of a punk/folk/rock opera though.

https://play.spotify.com/track/7M4SEotnv7t6ZqIKLH5dh0

6. The Orb – Moon Building 2703 AD

After the relative disappointment of The Orb’s last album, this was a real surprise return to form. There’s only 4 tracks but as you would expect from The Orb, the tracks average about 13 minutes each!

7.Aaron Weight – Flying Machine

An album full of great melodies. For a relative unknown it’s impressive that it features a duet with Laura Cantrell, and equally impressive that Shaun Williamson appears in the video for Proper Chronic Lonely.

8. Public Service Broadcasting – The Race For Space

‘Concept album’ is another term that would make me reach for the eject button. Not this time though as Public Service Broadcasting bring us this brilliantly atmospheric album about the 60s and 70s space travel heyday.

9. Iron Maiden – The Book of Souls

Another 90 minute album on the list and this one is epic. The best Iron Maiden album for many years.

10. Best Girl Athlete – Carve Every Word

I’m always wary of the ‘next big thing’ tag and when I first heard these songs in acoustic form I was a bit underwhelmed. But when I heard the fully produced album I realised what all the fuss was about.