2015 Albums of the Year

Tier 1

This group consists of albums that have a case for album of the year in my mind. I debated with myself quite a bit which album deserved that title, and despite some reservation about going with the “safe” choice of To Pimp a Butterfly, Kendrick’s third studio album really is that good.

1. Kendrick Lamar- To Pimp A Butterfly

2. Vince Staples- Summertime ‘06

3. Miguel- Wildheart

4. Future- Beast Mode

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

6. Freddie Gibbs- Shadow Of A Doubt

7. The Internet- Ego Death

Tier 2

My second tier is another group of very good albums that just didn’t do quite enough for me to be considered elite. Each of these albums has been in heavy rotation for me at least once this year, and DS2 might be my most listened to album of the year. Pusha T’s prelude to his upcoming King Push was the hardest to rank in this group, as it was released within the last two weeks of 2015 and I have not had sufficient time to really assess its replayability.

8. Future- DS2

9. Jeremih- Late Nights

10. Thundercat- The Beyond/Where the Giants Roam

11. Jamie XX- In Colour

12. Shamir- Ratchet

13. Drake- If You’re Reading This, It’s Too Late

14. Ty Dolla $ign- Free TC

15. Mac Miller- GO:OD AM

16. Pusha T- King Push: Darkest Before the Dawn

17. Erykah Badu- But You Caint Use My Phone

Tier 3

With the exception of maybe Compton, this tier is dominated by albums that are incredibly fun to listen to. They may not have the gravity of some of the higher albums, but from the lush pop tones of E*MO*TION to the infectiously bopping Sicko Mobb, these albums sometimes feel like sonic MDMA. Kodak Black’s Heart of the Projects deserves particular mention, as the 18 year old has a very distinct sound and displays elite potential on it.

18. Dr. Dre- Compton

19. Carly Rae Jepsen- E*MO*TION

20. Hudson Mohawke- Lantern

21. Sicko Mobb- Super Saiyan Vol. 2

22. Ilovemakonnen- I Love Makonnen 2

23. Kodak Black- Heart of the Projects

24. Future- 56 Nights

25. Young Thug- Barter 6

Tier 4

While I found all of these albums good enough to make my top 40, each of these have some pretty limiting flaws. For the most part, they’re all very solid albums, but not ones that I come back to often or find particularly memorable. That said, there are some gems in here. Vessey’s Martin Lucid Dream is a really fascinating project, and Ball Like I’m Kobe further displayed Lil Herb’s fantastic rapping talent.

26. Lupe Fiasco- Tetsuo And Youth

27. Tame Impala- Currents

28. Curren$y- Canal Street Confidential

29. Big Boi and Phantogram- Big Grams

30. Rustie- EVENIFYOUDONTBELIEVE

31. Denmark Vessey- Martin Lucid Dream

32. Future and Drake- What A Time To Be Alive

33. Lil Herb- Ball Like I’m Kobe

34. A$AP Rocky- At Long Last A$AP

35. The Social Experiment- Surf

36. Fetty Wap- Fetty Wap

37. Rae Stremmurd- Sremmlife

38. Panda Bear- Panda Bear Meets The Grim Reaper

39. Action Bronson- Mr Wonderful

40. The Weeknd- Beauty Behind The Madness

40. The Weeknd- Beauty Behind the Madness