Over the past six months, there have been various albums released by artists in several genres that have caught our ears. They span countries, continents and experience. For this series of articles, some of the plasticmag staff have compiled their respective lists of ‘Top 5′ albums and listed them with their reasons as to why.
The second half of 2015 is littered with high-profile projected releases from the likes of Jamie xx, Tame Impala and Frank Ocean, so these lists are almost certainly going to change by the end of the year.
Part 2: Laura Dean – Reviews Editor
Laura’s list consists of the albums she’s enjoyed in rock music so far in 2015.
05. Peace – Happy People
Indie rock band Peace released their second studio album in February to follow up their 2013 début album In Love, which oozed with confidence and pop tunes. As the title suggests, the album follows in the footsteps of the first, with tracks such as “Money” and “Gen Strange” radiating positivity and enthusiasm. What I like most is how meaningful some of the lyrics are. “Perfect Skin” for example battles with feelings of insecurity; “I wish I had perfect skin, I wish I was tall and thin”. Ironically, the track “Happy People” appears to deal with unhappiness; “where did all the happy people go?”.
Recommended Tracks: “Someday”, “Perfect Skin” & “O You”
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04. The Maine – American Candy
American pop rock band, The Maine released their fifth studio album earlier this year, after teasing us with the catchy first single, “English Girls”. The album is full of strong, addictive pop songs and appears to see the boys rediscovering the old, easygoing sound that they strayed away from on their previous album Forever Halloween. While “24 Floors” is the only song without a positive vibe, the beautiful track is lyrically mind blowing as it approaches the issue of somebody being talked out of suicide in an incredibly sensitive and tasteful way. American Candy is a top album, it’s catchy, and somehow both thought provoking and carefree. I don’t personally think there’s a bad song on it.
Recommended Tracks: “24 Floors”, “(Un)Lost” & “Another Night On Mars”
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03. The Cribs – All My Sisters
The sixth studio album from the Wakefield sibling trio shows the band at their catchiest and cleverest yet and has become one of my favourite Cribs albums. It’s energetic, Ryan Jarman’s guitar melodies shine all the way through and new songs such as “An Ivory Hand”, “Different Angle” and “Burning For No-One” sound like old school Cribs tracks we’ve been familiar with for years. Perhaps the greatest moment is the epic seven minute finale; “Pink Snow”. It sees the boys step in to unknown territory, leaving us intrigued for the next album, as well as confirming to us that the Cribs are no strangers to career progression and have a lot more to give.
Recommended Tracks: “Pink Snow”, “Spring on Broadway” & “Different Angle”
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02. Modest Mouse – Strangers to Ourselves
I was ecstatic and full of hope in March when the first Modest Mouse album in 8 years was released after being devastated by them cancelling their 2013 tour. The first single, “Lampshades on Fire” reminded us instantly of the Modest Mouse sound we know and love, and tracks such as “Wicked Campaign” and “The Best Room” assured us that the album was well worth the wait. I love how unpredictable Modest Mouse are; they go from being bashful and quirky in the fairground-esque track “Sugar Boats”, to the beautiful melodic single “Coyotes”.
I don’t know another band that can be as discordant as Modest Mouse without being sloppy, it’s such a fresh sound. I hope it’s not another 8 years for the next album.
Recommended Tracks: “Be Brave”, “Ansel” & “Sugar Boats”
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01. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Chasing Yesterday
My favourite album of 2015 so far is Noel Gallagher’s second post Oasis solo record, Chasing Yesterday. Though I wasn’t initially a High Flying Birds fan, I was enticed by the catchy singles “In The Heat of the Moment” and “The Ballad of the Mighty I” (the second of which features sublime guitar work from Johnny Marr). Though Chasing Yesterday is mostly moody and mid-tempo, there are some incredible stand-out moments, such as the opening track “Riverman”, which Noel recently labelled to be one of the best songs he’s ever written and “The Girl With X-Ray Eyes” (which I’m absolutely in love with).
Recommended Tracks: “The Girl With X-Ray Eyes”, “The Dying Of The Light” & “The Ballad of the Mighty I”
