The top albums of 2015 (so far)

2015 has seen music heavyweights in every genre from hip-hop to indie come out with insane new projects that push boundaries and exceed expectations. Here are the best five albums of 2015 so far:

5. Earl Sweatshirt — I Don’t Like Shit, I Don’t Go Outside

One of the greatest artists to come from apparently, defunct rap collective Odd Future, Earl Sweatshirt uses dark, monotone verses to breathe life into old-school beats. Sweatshirt’s latest release I Don’t Like Shit, I Don’t Go Outside, maintains the cryptic flow and down-tempo beats that define his style. This album earns its way onto this list not with its verses or its instrumentals, but with what it represents. Earl Sweatshirt is the next huge name in hip-hop, demonstrating a mastery of the dark moods and introspective nature of modern alternative hip-hop. Be on the lookout for more from Earl Sweatshirt — if he keeps going at this rate, he’ll expand leagues beyond his humble Odd Future beginnings.

4. Action Bronson — Mr. Wonderful

Action Bronson wears many hats: Queens rapper, chef, TV host, street philosopher. With his latest studio release, Mr. Wonderful, he seems to fulfill all of those roles simultaneously. Rapping about everything from food, to girls, to other rappers, Action Bronson kills it in his signature “don’t give a fuck” style. Featuring guest verses from Chance The Rapper and Party Supplies, Mr. Wonderful is a star-studded affair, marking a hilariously awesome point in modern hip-hop where an album can be produced just for the hell of it. While far from perfect, Mr. Wonderful represents an important cog in the modern machine of hip-hop, one that refuses to take itself seriously, and instead pokes fun at the confines modern rappers find themselves forced into. Action Bronson is a breath of fresh air in a time inundated with over-serious music.

3. Sufjan Stevens — Carrie and Lowell

Sufjan Stevens has consistently represented the ideal form music can take through his career. His wistful strings support his barely whispering vocals as he weaves gut-wrenchingly emotional tales. Carrie and Lowell takes on an autobiographical tone, taking the listener on a journey through the story of Sufjan’s mother, who was diagnosed bipolar and schizophrenic. This album stands as a testament to the personal nature of songwriting, and the beauty that can be derived from expressing ones most personal experiences. Carrie and Lowell artfully takes musical prose to a new and exciting level, one never before seen in Sufjan’s work.

2. Viet Cong — Viet Cong

Viet Cong’s first studio release Viet Cong destroyed all expectations, roaring to the forefront of Canadian music favour. The Calgarian post-punk quarter utilizes vaguely psychedelic instrumentation to create a trance-like listening experience while filling the listener’s mind with powerful and intricate lyrics. Viet Cong represents the quintessentially effortless musical power that is so highly sought after by musicians everywhere. At first listen, Viet Cong sounds like a slightly above-average post-punk experiment, but after a few times through the short seven-track album, the listener can release the sonic ingenuity held within the wailing guitars and hypnotizing lyrics. Viet Cong’s self-titled release stands as a victory of Canadian music, proving that perfection is possible within the confines of an under-appreciated genre such as post-punk.

1. Kendrick Lamar — To Pimp A Butterfly

Bar none, To Pimp A Butterfly is the most important hip-hop album to drop since Yeezus. Not only is it obviously the best album of 2015, it could very well be the best album of the decade. Perfectly representing the socially aware, self-loathing direction of modern hip-hop, Kendrick Lamar has created a flawless masterpiece with To Pimp A Butterfly. From the diss-ridden “Hood Politics” to the oddly funky “King Kunta,” Kendrick demonstrates his ingenuity while still showcasing his Compton roots. Nothing released this year can even come close to touching To Pimp A Butterfly in terms of production value, instrumentals, verses, or social relevance. Kendrick Lamar is the king, and no one will be taking his crown in 2015.