Top 10 Best Songs of 2015

#10 Adele - Hello (6/10)

I'm a man that would usually hate Adele's frankly underwhelming work, but in her return to the industry I have to admit that her first attempt is actually something special. I've never felt that any of her previous work deserved the ridiculous praise the press gave it, but with 'Hello' I found there was a genuine sense of emotion and passion in the song that was absent from atrocious songs like 'Rolling in the Deep'. The old cliches are still lying around admittedly, but as a meaningful song this is by far and away the best Adele has conjured up. I'm not sure I would describe the result as 'epic', as that would be overselling a song that's only of a decent quality, but to say this is a pleasant surprise would be more appropriate in a song that doesn't really push the boundaries or strive for artistic perfection. Instead Adele's voice is given to us in manageable chunks that compliment the lone piano in the background. As a concept that's not exactly suicidal when considering the raw power that Adele's voice can produce, so it was nice to see the piano and her voice come together to produce one eerie atmosphere that contrasts the dramatic crescendos that appear in this song.

'Hello' is actually a rather depressing number that reflect the banality of everyday life. It's one of those numbers that will make you regret every decision in your life, resonating within the listener like powerful art should. The six months of work that went into just writing this song are evident, and this number feels like a mammoth job oozing with quality and intrinsic value. No, it's not radically different from her previous work, but unlike the others this isn't bland, pretentious, or a song that solely focuses on the voice of one woman even if it does love to show off a bit. This is a song that suits Adele down to the ground, yet never becoming annoying or overstaying its welcome like every pop song seems to these days. I like how there's no shots of tits or asses to appeal to a common denominator, instead just relying on pure vocal talent to get popularity; and that's admirable. I still think Adele is an overrated individual, and for five years of solid work this song is still far from being perfect, just better than everything that came before it.


#9 OMI - Cheerleader (6/10)

Undeniably the song that was the king of pop mediocrity in 2015. In short this was the only 'banger' released this year that didn't properly piss me off, and although that's not the same view with everyone, this in my mind was a thoroughly enjoyable little number. I'll cede that the level of autotuning is horrendous, the lyrics are far from good, the production sounds a bit messy in places, and remixing old material is a petty way to fame. Overlook those niggles however and you have a decent tune for the masses. I especially love how somebody actually got a decent tune out of a saxophone, as nobody has successfully complimented a pop song with a saxophone for years. The sax in this has a catchy melody and makes you feel good, not trying to become the centre of attention every five seconds.

I hate to say this but for once a DJ got his dirty hands on older material and didn't actually ruin the whole thing. He didn't make the whole song a vanity project for himself, and actually had the basic human decency to compliment the original artist's work. The finished product is actually one that contradicts that positive clubbing vibe the song sells, and actually contains a rather dark undertone. It's an almost touching number of a man who can't find an ideal lover in life, making this one of the more modest hits of the year. I like that about a song I hear five million times in every single club; innocent charm is far more attractive to my ears than pointless bass drops. OMI himself isn't exactly the most charismatic individual, and I'm sure he's quite irritating in person, but as a face to one of the biggest hits of the summer he seemed like a genuinely decent man. This is a song that took seven years to make it big, but I'm glad it did, as for once there was a summer anthem that was actually bearable.


#8 Queensryche - Guardian (6/10)

Let's begin by saying that I'm not a fan of Queensryche. I can't recall them ever producing any material of note since the mid 80's; that was until the album 'Condition Human' dropped this year, which isn't a bad listen at all. 'Guardian' is the best song from that said album, and just like the band you would be easily mistaken for thinking the song was released in the late 80's metal scene. Queensryche themselves have had somewhat of a reshuffle lately, and although this drastic change has been met with heavy criticism I actually quite like the new sound. Lead singer Todd La Torre is the biggest change, or impostor depending on your point of view, but he's a breath of fresh air that whilst not instantly becoming a legendary metal frontman, is a man that can do his job to a decent standard and nothing more. I find him too alike Bruce Dickinson, and as such I don't see Queensryche standing out in the metal industry anytime soon, but for this song the vocals work perfectly fine.

However I was pleased to find that this reinvigoration of the band has the ability to produce songs with decent hooks and decent production value. All of this is perfectly acceptable for a band that don't appear to be showing their age, still coming out with some powerful anthems that have all the trimmings of a hardcore metal band. The two lead guitars in this one actually produce a nice harmony, and couple that with the ferocious drumming, passion to make great music, and howling lyrics, and the basis is there for a quality metal song. The band still have a surprising amount of chemistry together and the best part is that they feel like they have the desire to keep going. The fact is that I'm still going to criticise the band for simply mimicking musical styles of a bygone era, and yes I'll also criticise this risk free venture, however what I won't criticise is the technical quality that this song possesses from a band I wouldn't expect to still be adequately polished.


#7 The Struts - Could Have Been Me (7/10)

I'm not sure what I like about The Struts. It's probably that their sound reminds me of a time when pleasant music was in abundance, or maybe it's just the lead singer looks a bit like Mark Bolan. He also sounds a little like Freddie Mercury, and I promise you I'm not just saying that because of his long black hair. Either way they've come up with a tidy number here. That's a surprising thing to say as the band hail from Derby, which is not only a shithole up north, but also not exactly a hotbed for music, so it's nice to see such a charismatic band appear from such an unlikely source. I'm not suggesting for one moment that The Struts can compete with classic bands like Queen, but you can't help but draw similarities with this song that focuses on repetition and the talent of the lead singer to get sales. With The Struts you do get that indie vibe as well, which isn't something I like, but then I find all that being overpowered by this classic noise that used to dominate rock. That alone is enough to sexually excite me. 'Could Have Been Me' however is a surprisingly complex track that throws up a few cheeky riffs to change the pace in unexpected places, but at its core is still a simple song that just sounds fantastic when compared to the majority of rock music these days. In some ways it's a fresh approach by incorporating a sound that died out decades ago; and I like that.


#6 Lana Del Ray - Music to Watch Boys To (7/10)

Lana Del Ray was a much improved artist this year despite still not finding that original form that made her hit the big time. This isn't an opinion I share with a lot of people who enjoy Lana's music, but despite the mediocrity of her latest album there was still the inclusion of meritable material such as the one here. I love it when artists decide to go for a more arty approach to pop music, and although this song is slowly paced it's never dull or melodramatic; more a thing of mysterious beauty. 'Music to Watch Boys To' has an air of psychedelia set to the overwhelming presence of the noir films of old, and this mixture works together extremely effectively. Couple this strong theme with some excellent production and you have a song that's great to listen to. I love the underplayed beat, and I love the hint of flute that caresses the melody every now and then. It's a discreet melody used to create an obtuse and unusual sound, but it complements Lana's voice really well, and certainly far better than her often weak vocal performances in previous albums. This time however they're strangely orgasmic to listen to, reminding me of casual phone sex rather than a sophisticated piece of art, but that's such a nicer thing to listen to than the barrage of dreariness that engulfed music this year. As a result this song stood out for me, even if the finished results aren't exactly flawless.


#5 Faith No More - Superhero (7/10)

'Faith No More' have become somewhat obsolete in the overly expanding world of rock, or that was until their 2015 album that turned out to be one of the more intense and unique records released throughout the year. Suddenly the eighteen year absence of the band from any popularity was gone, and this reinvigorated band ended up producing good songs like the one above. 'Superhero' is a song my teenage self would be very fond of. It's full of rage and anger, powerful riffs, and breakneck drumming that screams heavy metal to even the most untrained of ears. As a nineties child this was right up my street, giving me instant flashbacks to the times of proper music for people having an existential crisis. As a song this is just unpredictable, chaotic and all over the place, but that's the whole point. It never stops with the intensity, and it just feels like listening to classic metal all the way through.

Twenty years seem like nothing to the band 'Faith No More', but that's not to say this is a carbon copy of their previous work, and actually this new album develops their sounds into new territory. The standout element for me was the inclusion of the piano. I don't know who decided to add that into such a vicious metal song, but as a juxtaposition it works brilliantly. I just felt it was such a welcome reprieve from the rest of the savagery, and when the layering of the song works to the same effect as being hit by a sledgehammer I found that this was a song that knew when to take a break from just pure and intense metal. I still wish there was a greater emphasis on that lead guitar, and some of the segments weirded me out and alienated me slightly, but there's only a few rough edges on a band that have proven just how adaptable they are with age. I'll admit that this isn't a song for everyone, but for angry teenagers this is something special.


#4 Rat Boy - Sign On (7/10)

Ratboy is actually from my hometown of Chelmsford, but I promise the reason this song places so highly on this year's list is because it's a surprisingly good song. I didn't want to like it as I'd rather Chelmsford maintains its shit reputation for the benefit of my jokes, but once I started seeing the music video set outside such famous landmarks as my local pub I gave in and started enjoying it. This was a genuine sleeper hit that took me by surprise, saying more about living in Chelmsford than anyone has since Charles Dickens called it the most pointless spot on the planet. Of course this is a total contrast of style from the more sophisticated works of Dickens, as he never appealed to the teenage underbelly with his unapologetic attitude and basic view on life. At its core 'Sign On' is an instantly relatable song to the majority of teenagers, and I like how this rebellious excursion is accompanied by a fusion of indie riffs and hip hop beats. The opening riff in particular is pretty tasty, as is the whole production if truth be told. I like how for once a song aimed at a younger demographic isn't unbearably tedious or lacking any real quality. It may be crass and simplistic, but I think that works just fine. Ratboy may come off as a bit of a dick, but I like his musical style even if it doesn't get an asslicking from the media.


#3 Breaking Benjamin - Defeated (8/10)

I don't say this very often, but for once a band that I enjoyed throughout my angry and depressing phase in life have actually made a fucking great comeback. If anything Breaking Benjamin's latest album is even stronger than their original material, and whilst there aren't any brilliant classics like 'Diary of Jane' lying around, there's still some great material. Here is one of those songs; it's got great lyrics, great pacing, the same old intensity you always got from the old band, and the unmistakable sound of the chemistry from years playing together. To some that might make the results sound too much like a generic hard rock song, but I have to say that once you peel the layers away the song isn't so much a piece that lacks a fresh and dynamic approach, and is actually a stylish and complex rock ballad that pleases both old and new listeners of the band. Some of the riffing in this song is the best I've heard in years, and they perfectly fit that heavy yet melodic nature to this heavy hitting anthem. The vocals also reflect this, and although they do feel a little synthetic in places, they do convey a raw emotion that carries the song nicely.

However what I love most about this song is the sense that the only reason it was released is because of a passionate band. The polished lyrics sound like they originate from a meaningful place, and there's a feeling of emotion that surrounds the whole stellar sound, sounding like a dedication to both the industry and fans, which is something I can fucking respect. Unlike many bands Breaking Benjamin have not lost their style or tenacity over the years, and despite a long hiatus they've proved here that they can play as well, if not better than in their original stint. Yes, this may sound too familiar for many, but I wouldn't say that was a cutting criticism when the results sound this good. It says a lot about the band when their latest album got to the top of the Billboard album charts despite the band's six year absence. That's quite an achievement, but deserved considering the quality of music on offer.


#2 Iron Maiden - Empire of the Clouds (8/10)

'Empire of the Clouds' was the swansong to Iron Maiden's most recent album 'The Book of Souls'. The whole song clocks in at a huge eighteen minutes long, making this epic the longest song Iron Maiden have ever recorded. This song is just a monumental achievement that shows what can be done by a truly gifted band. I understand that the lengthy running time won't be great for every music fan, but I implore everyone to just give this one single listen. Yes that might be more of a commitment than usual, but like a three hour film this song can achieve far greater results than shorter counterparts. The song is so long that it actually tells a very detailed narrative of the R101 air crash, which actually makes for a rather interesting anecdote, and in the hands of Iron Maiden becomes a very meaningful subject that makes this song instantly stand out from the masses of superficial rubbish that 2015 liked to throw up. This song is a lesson in pacing. It's a slow, methodical number that builds tension and anticipation for some huge crescendos that instantly send chills down your spine. For a song trying to portray terror and chaos this is a slow burner that actually makes the tragedy into a thing of beauty. It's such a welcome change from the endless club loving releases this year, feeling like a fucking full blown symphony in comparison, that even taking the lyrics away from would still tell a captivating story. The lyrics only serve to expand on the already rich experience, allowing the listener to fully relate to the story like a grand opera would.

The existence of this song seems barely believable when you consider that frontman Bruce Dickinson was only given the all clear from throat cancer halfway through the year, so how the fuck he managed to produce this kind of performance is a testament to just what a legend this guy is to the music industry. His vocals are as crisp as ever, complimenting the huge buildups and delivering where necessary. You can physically hear the passion this man has over the narrative, which is always a positive, but then almost expected on a number that was his sole creation, and as such it must have been a joy to watch this ambitious project come to life. This isn't just a song blown out of proportion, it's a work of art that contains some extraordinary lyrics that take the listener on a similar journey to that of a novel. This sets the scene perfectly, giving us graphic descriptions to tell one epic tale, transcending itself into far more than any standard lengthy song. The zeppelin crash is drawn out in front of your very eyes throughout the eighteen minute duration, and it's a story that becomes fascinating with every listen. Even Iron Maiden have only managed to create a song this powerful a handful of times before, so to see them still making music like this despite their physical drawbacks is just fantastic.


#1 Tame Impala - Let it Happen (9/10)

There was no doubt in my mind that even after just the one listen this was by far the best song 2015 had to offer. This may just be the best song of the last five years, giving music a sense of style that I haven't heard in ages. Tame Impala classify themselves as psychedelic rockers, which is a genre I love, and the results reflect an eclectic number that never becomes too weird or obtuse for modern audiences. Sure, there's the odd indie shtick thrown in to ruin what could have been a masterpiece, but I suppose that adds to the originality of a song that really stood out for me this year. I just love how one segment drifts into the next in almost effortless ways. Each melody is a quaint LSD inspired trip, creating an existential experience that still never alienates or mocks the listener. As a song it covers themes that haven't been explored properly since the late sixties, and only serves to expand on such a historically important genre.

Every element of this song is thrown together with such style. The synth at the beginning sets up the song perfectly, the slow drum beat and stellar production help add to the atmosphere, and some of the riffs are almost sexual to listen to. This is a song that never feels pretentious or unwelcome, and is actually something as pleasant and easy to get lost in as a wet dream. Despite being penned by an Australian band this is a song that contains a lot of sophistication, and although I find that sometimes leads to the song becoming a bit too clever for its own good at times, I think that overall this is a song layered really well. As an ethereal experience this was the best 2015 had to offer, giving me goosebumps just on the first listen; and that's not an achievement that many songs have accomplished in the last few years.