Top 20 Albums of 2015

   We may have never gotten those long anticipated new solo albums from Gwen Stefani or Fergie, but 2015 did bring Adele, Adam Lambert, Hilary Duff, Janet Jackson, Leona Lewis and Madonna back into the spotlight with pristine new efforts. Before we countdown to a new year, cry over all the broken resolutions and celebrate with our favorite drunken companions, let us honor the best albums released in the glorious year that was 2015. With this memorable year almost behind us, we highlight the good, while we forget about the bad. Whether it was legendary icons returning to the stage, eccentric pop singer releasing better than expected projects, or gems that went by unnoticed, here are my top 20 albums (EPs not eligible) of the year!



#20. Rebel Heart by Madonna

   Rebel Heart faced many problems during its creation. While Madonna has struggled to find her footing over the past decade, it appeared she had returned to proper form on her 13th studio album. When she wasn't trying to play the role of an aggressive hip-hop wannabe, she shined bright for the same reasons she grew to prominence in the 80s. The artist needed to understand that she does not need loud, chaotic production to sell albums. On the album, the ballads were the crowning moments. The album's production is always intriguing, vocals came off strong and forceful and most of the songwriting was pure gold. The artist claims she was ready to pick up her crown, put it back on her head... she did!







#19. Conchita by Conchita Wurst

   Conchita was an anticipated album that could have gone one of two ways: a collection of sophisticated pop tracks or a pile of gimmicky and cliched throwaways. Luckily, the 12-track effort went down the former path as Austrian queen Conchita Wurst put her gorgeous vocal talent to good use. With a solid blend of pop, dance and opera, the artist's inspiring way with words created powerful, impressive and soaring numbers that brought a smile to every listener's face. Isn't that what pop music should do? Create a smile? Wurst may use the persona of "the bearded lady" to stand out from the crowd, but she really doesn't need it. Her beautiful performances across the album did all the talking in 2015.







#18. Chapter One by Ella Henderson

   Chapter One was one of the most polished, confident and enjoyable debut albums to come around in a very long time. The album is what pop music should sound like. The genre needs some soul. Ella Henderson could have immediately been written off as just another reality competition contestant, but the collection of tracks found on the debut project are all capable of becoming timeless classics. Whether it be a tender ballad or an upbeat pop number, the artist was able to take the material and turn it into something quite magical. Track after track, the production was solid and on point, Henderson's vocal performances were captivating and the songwriting held merit and became the foundation of a flourishing music career.







#17. Chaos and the Calm by James Bay

   Chaos and the Calm was a polished, cohesive and impressive collection of tracks from James Bay. While the title may have been a little misleading, people didn't get the distinction between "chaos" and "calm" on the surface, it did shed light on the important relationship between Bay's touching songwriting and the full band production. With his attention-grabbing vocals always in the spotlight, the artist expressed a range of emotions: love, heartache, hopefulness, fear, disappointment, just to still feel incomplete by the journey's end. Being compared to the likes of Adele and Sam Smith was a daunting accomplishment, however, Bay did not falter on his debut and one will never understand why the effort received many mediocre reviews.







#16. FROOT by Marina and the Diamonds

   FROOT was the album we had all been waiting for from Marina and the Diamonds, her strongest full body of work to date. While her debut album showcased her commendable indie roots, Electra Heart knocked her back a few steps with its generic pop sound. The lead single was a glittery introduction to the rest of the album's material, but listeners found it refreshing to learn it was not the best representation of the album's many mid-tempo ballads. Marina never faltered with her vocal performances on the album, as she effortlessly glided through material of love, life and even her own horny tendencies. Marina plucked the strongest qualities of her two previous personas and found a sound she can finally call her own.







#15. All-American Boy by Steve Grand

   All-American Boy was a long time in the making. While plans for Steve Grand's debut album were initially announced back in February 2014, a few setbacks caused the album to be released more than a full year later. However, with intimate songwriting and strong vocal performances throughout the effort, all the time was worth the wait. Grand created an album, a majority of it written and produced on his own, that crossed many boundaries. The album was not only a country experiment, pop, dance and rock elements were used to Grand's advantage, expanding his broad range that much more. His honest storytelling was honest and vivid, the reason he found a devoted audience in the first place.







#14. No Good by Ivy Levan

   No Good was a well-constructed, effective debut album that gave a complete sense of Ivy Levan. The self-proclaimed "swamp hop" songstress featured a unique sound as the album glided over thumping, fierce dance beats with jazz/soul inspiration where her bold and daring personality dominated. However, just when you think you'd gotten the full sense of Levan, she surprised with tender ballads of heartbreak that highlighted the vulnerable, more accessible side to the usually tough exterior. The artist's vocal performances were consistent and controlled, while her songwriting allowed listeners to peek deeper into her life. Despite layered in misfortune and pain, the album painted a bright, promising picture for Levan.







#13. Taxidermy by Sharon Needles

   Taxidermy was a nice improvement from its over-the-top predecessor and showcased artistic growth from Sharon Needles, a reality show competitor who throws immense passion and conviction into her demonic form of art. That passion was evident a second time around as the drag entertainer stuck to a relatable theme throughout the effort, filled to the brim with engaging, infectious beats from the pop, rock, EDM and dubstep genres. Needles may not be the most vocally talented Drag Race contestant to dive into music, but she used her androgynous delivery to bring her inspirations to life. Needles sounded confident, in her comfort zone, as she searched for tortured souls to take back with her to the underworld.






#12. Beauty Marked by Miss Fame

   Beauty Marked was a solid effort from a Drag Race contestant. Miss Fame was not edited on the reality show as having much of a personality, but surprised everyone as she showcased every angle of it on her debut dance album. In fact, the effort should not only be lumped into the "dance" genre because it contains so much more. The vocal performances throughout the track list may have sounded alike, there was not much going on to change up the delivery, but the personal songwriting painted a beautiful, glittery picture of fame, glamour and couture. The cohesiveness and charm of the album was unexpected, and that had to be the most impressive aspect of all. Adore, Sharon and RuPaul... make some room.







#11. 25 by Adele

   25 was a good, strong and meaningful album, not doubt about it, but was it deserving of two million sales in its first week? Not quite. Many publications seemed to have prematurely reviewed the album, falling back on the artist's image, not on the music itself. Adele is a powerful, convincing vocalist, she's able to convey not only what she is feeling, but what everyone who listens to her records feel as well. While her last blockbuster focused on the drama, tears and break-ups, her third studio album found the artist maturing, willing to take responsibility for her actions, while looking forward to what life still has in store for her. The album is reflective, it's personal and sad, but it seemed too perfectly structured without the needed wow factor.






#10. Confident by Demi Lovato

   Confident was another eclectic, fearless mix bag from Demi Lovato, further highlighting her ability to excel outside her comfort zone. Whether surrounded by trap, pop or soul inspirations, the artist refused to let her impressive vocal performances get drowned out by the production noise. Lovato stretched her vocals out to their limits on every track, not a bad quality, and seemed to have finally found who she really is as a pop artist, shedding light on her struggles with family, depression, drug usage and body image. She was at home on the touching, powerful ballads, and even found ways to surprise on the album's more upbeat offerings, showing her critics that her contagious energy and personality cannot be contained.






#9. I Am by Leona Lewis

   I Am was a strong, inspiring comeback that represented the new, proclaimed version of Leona Lewis. Most of the album played out as heartfelt and honest pages ripped straight out of a tucked away diary, words that the artist finally gained enough courage to share. Throughout the album, the vulnerable songwriting carried a bulk of the weight, delivered to the best of Lewis' vocal abilities. With the exception of one track, and that track is still flawless, the album stuck to a particular topic and remained cohesive and focused throughout. There may not have been enough trends packed into the effort, but with exquisite vocal performances and sincere meaning behind each song, who needs all the glitz and glitter?







#8. Piece By Piece by Kelly Clarkson

   Piece By Piece definitely divided music critics and fans. People seemed to have been misled by the uptempo opening track, but the seventh studio album from Kelly Clarkson was really a collection of mid-tempo ballads and experimental pop moments that did more to showcase the artist's powerful vocals, one of the stronger voices of our generation, than it did to achieve similar chart success that she experienced in the past. It sounded like this was the album Clarkson truly wanted to make. We can't fault an artist for that. People may have used words such as "boring" or " not cohesive", however, all the pieces came together to create another solid full body of work for an artist who has never really fit a certain mold.







#7. Made In The A.M. by One Direction

   Made In The A.M. was a tremendous, enjoyable, well-executed, diverse yet still somehow cohesive send off for One Direction. The departure of Malik may have created a shift in harmony, but the band used rock influences from decades past to sound like a complete entity. The album showcased a mature approach to bubblegum pop-sounding, upbeat anthems and heartfelt ballads. The group seemed to be more confident in their ability to write an effective, radio-ready effort and showcased great growth in creativity and vocal abilities. The band sounded like many others throughout the 13-track album, but they were still able to show why they are one of the best-selling bands for good reason, before they say their final goodbye.






#6. The Desired Effect by Brandon Flowers

   The Desired Effect was not ashamed to have itself labeled as a commercial pop/rock release borrowing heavily from the 80s era. Synths, piano and guitar supported the always on-point vocals of Brandon Flowers, a man who has made some questionable statements about his own music in the past. However, when Flowers stated that every track on the album could be a successful single, he wasn't playing around. With only a slight fumble or two, the Las Vegas native found a way to make captivating, meaningful pop music that deserves to be blasting on every radio station. Whether he is singing of his own rise to the top or from a stalker POV, Flowers' sophomore solo effort proved you should never count the artist out.







#5. Delirium by Ellie Goulding

   Delirium was a complex and layered mix of organized, moody chaos from a indie-pop artist striving to be a powerful star. Ellie Goulding has always stood out from the crowd, thanks to her sensual vocal talents and the ability to make people feel something with her music. As she calls on producers who have helped everyone construct dominating, radio-ready singles, some of the artist's special spark may have vanished, in exchange for thumping beats, but in the end, she came out of the ordeal stronger and with a better overall sense of herself as an artist. The tracks are carried to high levels thanks to mature storytelling and infectious beats that allow Goulding to reflect on her personal and professional past, in order to take a step forward to a brighter future.






#4. Breathe In. Breathe Out. by Hilary Duff

   Breathe In. Breathe Out. was a very long time coming, to the point where it appeared that a fifth album from Hilary Duff would never materialize. Thankfully, the former teen queen crafted an enjoyable album with current pop heavyweights that relabeled her as a successful comeback queen. While it did not live up to the instantly iconic pop status of Dignity (nothing ever will), the project effortlessly showed Duff's impeccable ear for current radio trends, catchy radio-friendly hooks and her vastly improved vocal abilities. The singer never sounded more confident or at ease. Sure, the songwriting may come off as cheesy at times, but pop music is supposed to enlighten, inspire and form a connection. Duff succeeds in this area.







#3. E•MO•TION by Carly Rae Jepsen

   E•MO•TION is easily one of the most exciting, complex and enjoyable offerings of 2015, and definitely takes the crown for most innovative pop record. Jepsen has been counted out ever since she found massive success in 2012, but the determined artist seemed to have focused on the complete package for her third studio album. The hardwork and innovation was noticeable as the listener was transported to the 80s decade with pulsating synths, hard-hitting drums and sultry vocal performances throughout the effort. Never does the album overstay its welcome, never does it sound outdated or forced. Jepsen, and her talented team of producers made a cohesive effort that sent most critics into a frenzy.







#2. The Original High by Adam Lambert

   The Original High came with uncertainty. After departing from his previous record label, Adam Lambert stuck to his guns and put his all into a cohesive album that continued to show the many layers of the artist's persona and creative abilities. Max Martin and Shellback could have forced Lambert into a generic pop box, but luckily the three worked together to create a solid effort that highlighted the chameleon-like vocal styling of the American Idol runner up and intriguing production set ups that kept listeners on their toes throughout. While the album may not be as thrilling or exciting as his previous efforts, the new release allowed fans to take a peak into the artist's darker, not always theatrical, personal life.







#1. Communion by Years & Years

 Communion was an impressive collection of tracks that stayed true to the refreshing pop sound of Years & Years, that also showed critics and naysayers that they were capable of much more. While most of the tracks dug their roots deep into the 80s snythpop genre, there were moments of 90s R&B brilliance sprinkled throughout the album. Though topics of love, heartbreak and uncertainty have been touched on many times before, the project was able to find new, exciting ways of telling the already told stories. The tracks all worked, even the ones that didn't pack a strong punch, thanks to the soothing vocal styling of Alexander, who proved the craze and acclaim were well deserved when the last song came to an end.