ALBUMS OF 2015

12 months, countless albums and endless deliberating, but only 10 of this year's releases can earn the title of Album Of The Year.
After much consideration and a few last minute entries it's finally here- our Albums Of 2015

Pinkshinyultrablast// Everything Else Matters

Despite being born out of a post-Ride/ post-MBV universe the Russian quintet seem surprisingly free from the shackles imposed by their shoegazing forefathers.

Building on layers of feedback-drenched guitars with shimmering synths and dreamy vocals they create a sound that's less gazing down at your shoes and more staring up at the stratosphere. 

Jessica Pratt// On Your Own Love Again

Recorded over 2 years at home in LA and San Francisco, there's a certain nostalgic charm to the 27 year old's ethereal folk that's reminiscent of Nick Drake and Joni Mitchell, tape hiss included.  

Steve Reich// Music For 18 Musicians: Ensemble Signal

Ensemble Signal is a minimalist masterpiece compromising of 14 similar-sounding tracks that seep seamlessly into one another.

Built around crescendos and decrescendos, often of single notes, the instruments rise and set like the sun, the sound of a city waking up.

Diat// Positive Energy

Despite their debut album being entitled Positive Energy Diat are not a happy bunch, yet the Berlin-based band manage to turn their depression into a raucous post-punk racket that's impossible to not compare to Joy Division. 

Ought// Sun Coming Down

On their 2014 debut Montreal punks Ought marked themselves out as ones to watch, and it's the anxiety to live up to this billing which fuels the angsty alt-rock of it's follow up, whilst still maintaining comparisons to their post-punk counterparts The Fall. 

V/A// Cease & Desist: DIY! (Classics From The Post Punk Era 1978-1982)

Compiling cult classics from 1978-82 Cease & Desist is a masterclass in doing it yourself.

From Break The Ice At Parties jazz-funk mash up, to the electro-pop of Private Plane, it's this year's most ingenious and entertaining release that will make assembling an IKEA flatpack look like fun.

Protmartyr// The Agent Intellect

2014's second album Under The Colour Of Official Right cropped up on many of last year's end of year polls, and the Detroit punks look set to do the same with this year's third effort.

Boasting angular post-punk, underpinning frontman Joe Casey's Mark E Smith-esque drawl it's as bleak and abrasive as we've come to expect.

Four Tet// Morning/ Evening

Kieran Hebden's eighth album is an album of journeys. From the literal journey of making chappatis with his grandma to making music in an East London club, to the metaphorical journey that transports the listener from the earth to it's celestial peak, told through the producer's brand of expansive and atmospheric synths.

Institute// Catharsis

 

If albums were named after how they made you feel then Austin punks Institute wouldn't be far wrong with Catharsis. It's frenzied guitars and tub-thumping drums providing the listener with pure punk release.

Jim O' Rourke// Simple Songs

Simple Songs is Jim O' Rourke's first pop album since 2001, yet it's clear he's not lost his knack for a melody whilst he's been away. A melting pot of classic pop elements and more hooks than a butchers kitchen, all backed by the Chicago producers trademark dark humour and wit. 

Many of the albums on this list are available from The Music Exchange, show your support for your local record store and buy independently