2015 In Music

Whether it's a streaming service, a radio, or a music player, we live in an age where any kind of music is available to anyone. With so many choices, narrowing down a few favorites can be challenging. From what I was able to catch, here are a few of my personal top picks from 2015.


Songs:

"Her Mercy", by Glen Hansard
This quote by Hansard sums up why this song, and so many of his, can feel so powerful. “Some of the best songs I’ve ever heard operate within the vernacular of prayer." With lyrics like "When you're ready for her mercy / And you're worthy / It will come", this song soars and crashes and is so alive. (more about the full album below)


"Atlantis", by Seafret
 In the music video for this song, a small boy is picked up and carried away from a terrible accident. When he opens his eyes, he is in a dream world, carried by a friendly white beast along a stony coastline. Like the video, the song is filled with sorrow and hope. Singing, "I can't save you / My Atlantis, we fall / We built this town on shaky ground", one might think the song would be a downer, yet the power with which the words are sung and the strength of the melody builds and grows with unmistakable hope and resilience. I don't know how many times I've listened to this song, but each time I feel so alive. "Seafret" is a newer band who just released their first full-length album, and I look forward to hearing more from them.


"She Used To Be Mine", by Sara Bareilles
Beautifully Bareilles mourns: "She's imperfect but she tries / She is good but she lies / She is hard on herself / She is broken and won't ask for help". Slowly however, her voice rises to insist that the life inside her is "Growing stronger each day / 'Til it finally reminds her / To fight just a little / To bring back the fire in her eyes / That's been gone, but used to be mine". Every note is a lovely exercise in confession and optimism.  (more about the full album below)

"7 Years", by Lucas Graham
 Beginning simply with "Once I was seven years old", this song swings easily from lighthearted to reflective. The Danish band is new to the States, yet is gaining notice for this first single.


Albums:


"Didn't He Ramble", by Glen Hansard
If you've seen the movie "Once", you know it starts with a man on a street, playing an old guitar and singing his heart out to an invisible audience, hoping for passersby to tip him some change. (Likely, the following hit Broadway musical also starts the same way). Of course an audience does materialize in the form of another musician, Marketa Irglova, and from there, a musical collaboration is born. Though the partnership of Hansard and Irglova created incredible harmonies, it was that first song, blooming up from a lonely street corner, so unapologetically bold, which made me love Hansard and his music. Secretly, after being a little disappointed by his and Irglova's follow-up album, I wondered if he'd have anything such as good. "Didn't He Ramble" is everything. From the thoughtful opening track "Grace Beneath The Pines" to the upbeat "Winning Streak", and my favorite - "Her Mercy" - Hansard sings with absolute honesty. When his voice rises to a bellow, it is clear that he has put everything into his music. The lyrics, melody, and certainly his performance, contain something perfectly true; a man using every bit of his talents and passion to share his music with anyone who wants to pause and listen.


"Coming Home", by Leon Bridges
With smooth and bluesy songs which are highly reminiscent of Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Holiday, Bridges sounds as though he could have stepped out of another era, seamlessly and appropriately entering a world where vinyl is once again popular and sounds better than ever.


"What's Inside: Songs From Waitress" by Sara Bareilles
Bareilles wrote the album as a musical version of the sweet and funny movie "Waitress". The Broadway production will debut soon, with this collection of songs being Bareilles's personal interpretation. They all fit together well, with "She Used To Be Mine" being a standout beauty.


"Wilder Mind", by Mumford and Sons
Taking a departure from their usual banjos and folk sound in favor of a slightly more rock music direction, Mumford continues to deliver with strong lyrics, vocals, and a complete sound. It's an album I can put on at any time and enjoy, either as background music or to dive into the lyrics.


"What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World", by The Decemberists
For years, this band has consistently produced music with a strong signature sound and meaningful lyrics, and this one is no different. The upbeat "Cavalry Captain" is my favorite.


"Strange Trails", by Lord Huron
This album - recommended by my youngest sister - has grown on me more and more. Folksy goodness.


Other 2015 albums I've enjoyed:

"Heart Beats" EP by JOHNNYSWIM
"Carrie and Lowel", by Sufjan Stevens
"How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful", by Florence + The Machine
"Kintsugi", by Death Cab For Cutie
"Every Eye Open", by CHVRCHES
"A Head Full Of Dreams", by Coldplay
"25", by Adele
"Stages", by Josh Groban
"5 AM", by Amber Run
"Oh Wonder", by Oh Wonder
"Running With The Wolves" EP by AURORA
"Something Rotten!",  an original Broadway musical
"The Man From U.N.C.L.E." soundtrack
"Far From The Madding Crowd" soundtrack
"The Martian" soundtrack, by Harry Gregson-Williams
 "Room" soundtrack, by Stephen Rennicks