Top 9 alternative albums of 2015
- Jamie Dunn
- Jan 20, 2016
- 4 min read
With 2015 already quite a bit behind us, it's worth taking one last look at the best albums of the previous year. 2015 had a many letdowns, but it also brought the alternative scene many phenomenal albums that will be listened to for many years to come. Here's a look at Fresh Penguins top 9 favourite albums (because 10 is too mainstream) from 2015.
9. Drones - Muse.
Although Muse is a phenomenal band, this album was actually quite a letdown. That being said, it was still a great listen but Muse expectations are just so insanely high that it is difficult to deliver. The album returns a little bit to classic Muse compared to their last two albums featuring typical roaring Matt Bellamy melodies, distorted guitar, and a parculier catchiness that doesn't usually match their genre of music. All in all a great album but don't expect it to reach the heights of Absolution.
Favourite two tracks: Psycho, and Dead Inside
8. Get to Heavan - Everything Everything
We at Fresh Penguins have become obsessed with this band and we simply cannot get enough. The album features everything you would not expect while still being catchy and well written. It is very difficult to explain this album but it featured loads of false setto, catchy chord progressions, and unique production. Definitely and album worth listening to.
Favourite two tracks: Spring / Sun / Winter / Dread, and Regret
7. Run - Awolnation
As far as pinpointing the pinnacle of alternative bands goes, one cannot look much further than Awolnation. Run is Awolnation's second studio album and is an electric alternative masterpiece. Although no song reaches the height of Sail from their first album, it is an extremely deep LP, keeping you listening from start to finish.
Favourite two tracks: Run, and Jailbreak
6. A Head Full of Dreams - Coldplay
Coldplay finished 2015 by releasing their 7th studio album A Head Full of Dreams. The release was highly anticipated and in my opinion is a complete letdown for Coldplays standards but similar to Muse's case this is still a quality album. The album is full of grand stadium songs compared to Ghost Stories. The album opens strong but very quickly fades into something ever so "ok". To put it bluntly, the album is recycled pop songs produced a la Coldplay mode. But we love that Coldplay sound so much which is good enough to give this album the number 6 spot.
Favourite two songs: Adventure of a lifetime, Hymn for the weekend
5. VHS - X Ambassadors
Bringing the album to light with a string full of radio hits and many collaborations including none other than Imagine Dragons. X Ambassadors broke the alternative with VHS. On the rockier side of alternative, X Ambassadors mix catchy melodies with rock produced similarly to Imagine Dragons. Although I completely adore their sound along with many others, the albums lacks diversity and gets extremely repetitive after some time. A really good album that could be great if it included something just a little different instead of a restless string of similarly sounding songs.
Favourite two songs: Renegades, Nervous
4. Beneath The Skin - Of Monster and Men
The pride of Iceland, Of Monster and Men hit the studio again to bring their sophomore album Beneath The Skin. The album is a change in tempo from the first album featuring less upbeat pop songs and more chill indie songs. While avoiding alienating their fans, they reinvented themselves succesfully which is what every band should aim for. The album features well blended melodies, extremely tasteful drumming, and a unique production that sounds completely true to themselves. A great listen to any sort of music fan and good enough to land slot number 4.
Favourite two songs: Hunger, Wolves Without Teeth
3. Wilder Mind - Mumford and Sons
After two extremely succesful folk albums, Mumford and Sons set out to change their image as a banjo strumming folk band (which we didn't mind by the way) to a real alternative band with a gift for songwriting. The album is simply phenomenal and not much bad can be said about. The album is a true stadium rock album and is written as well as any album classified as the same. The album is huge, emotional, and catchy. A must listen.
Favourite two songs: Believe, Snake Eyes
2. Smoke & Mirrors - Imagine Dragons
After becoming the worlds biggest band with Night Visions, Imagine Dragons set out in spring 2014 to create a second masterpiece that would continue their rise to fame. When we first got Smoke & Mirrors, fans had a general consensus that the album was just "ok" but it's the sort of album that continuously gets better until you cannot stop listening. S&M was a huge success with time and is even more diverse than Night Visions which if you had told me this would be the case two years ago, I never would have believed you. From intense heavy rock songs, to stadium folk, this album has it all while always staying true to Imagine Dragons.
Favourite two songs: I Bet My Life, and Gold
1. Blurryface - Twenty One Pilots
2015 was a great year for albums but none come close to matching Columbus 2-pieces Blurryface. Blurryface is the second Twenty One Pilots album released by punk label Fueled By Ramen and the album was a complete success. After several weeks sitting number on the Billboard top 100 and featuring the hit single Stressed Out, Twenty One Pilots reached the mainstream for the first time in their career. This is due partly to the amazing music they write and partly to the strength of their fanbase pegged the "Skeleton Clique" which has power unlike many other fanbases. But to continue with Blurryface, it is an album that soars high with pop anthems, reaches darkness lyrically, and is constantly changing. One second a ukulele pop song, the next a dubstep reggae rap song. The album is dynamic, catchy, and utterly brilliant. We at Fresh Penguins highly recommend you listen to Blurryface before your friend from school looks down on you for having never heard of Twenty One Pilots before.
Favourite two songs: The Judge, Goner
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