A comebacking music jaggernaut. A new sound from a pop star brat. A band that finally got their well deserved popularity. New artists emerged. And a newly crowned American Idol. – 2015 is such a wonderful year for the music industry.
An girl power empowerment, two anthemic life song, some sweet pop tunes and of course, a couple of ode to heartbreaks and pain. We also saw songs that won the hearts of the nation but failed to make it on my list.
Now with no further adieu, here is a subjective list of the 20 Songs Of 2015. I tried to come up the most competent list. Such a good year of really great-LSS inducing songs.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Alessia Cara – Here; Selena Gomez (ft. ASAP Rocky) – Good For You; Andy Grammer – Honey, I’m Good; Major Lazer & DJ Snake – Lean On; OMI – Cheerleader; Fetty Wap – Trap Queen; Rihanna, Kanye West & Paul McCartney – Fourfiveseconds; Tove Lo – Talking Body; Shawn Mendes – Stitches
20. NOBODY LOVE
Tori Kelly
– An outstanding pop tunes that showcased the dynamics that Tori Kelly has mastered over the years. From failing an American Journey to covering songs uploaded on her youtube account, Tori Kelly has come a long way. Her biggest single to date, an uptempo track that is bouncey, enthusiastic and simple.
19. HOLD BACK THE RIVER
James Bay
– One of the newest breed of promising artist of 2015, James Bay exploded in charts and the music industry with a riveting single Hold back the river. The single starts with an acoustic sound allowing us to listen on James’ lovely tone before the band kicks in and created a more textured still maintaining that juvenile vibe the track explored that works perfectly!
18. WHERE ARE Ü NOW
Skrillex & Diplo (ft. Justin Bieber)
– The understated quality of vocal performance from Justin Bieber in this track is nothing but an astonishing treat. The dance beat matched the underproduced electro-pop music that I personally enjoyed, putting Justin’s vocals front and center – and I am not complaining.
17. FIGHT SONG
Rachel Platten
– I believe the song. I sang with it. I breathe with it. I was inspired by it. Fight Song is an anthemic cry of empowerment. And with Rachel’s solid vocals matched by a uplifting beat, the track is just the perfect battle cry for something literally & figuratively you want to fight for.
16. COOL FOR THE SUMMER
Demi Lovato
– A departure from her usual pop tunes, Demi explored a more in depth of her music style and I love how she didn’t went over the top (Sorry Miley). Her lead single, Cool for the summer, may have explored some bi-curiousity status but the song itself is slick, beat friendly and a sexy summer jam!
15. BEAUTIFUL LIFE
Nick Fradiani
– Color me blind and screw the nay-sayers but despite the dwindling down of American Idol popularity, I can’t help but feel and see some high hopes of this year’s winner. His coronation single may did fairly in terms of reception but the anthemic life song is a celebration! It was powerful but not over. It was simple and with Nick’s vocals giving us with so much demand and gusto, he was able to pull an anthemic track that boasts some beats and fist pumps.
14. WHAT DO YOU MEAN
Justin Bieber
– A little bit repetitive? Sure. But there is no denying that there is something refreshing kn this Justin track that is adorable at its best. It is boasting a simple production backing up Justin’s vocals that sounded in paricular good. The dance track isn’t as if you will bang yourself on the dancefloor, it works perfectly in its simplest forms.
13. EARNED IT
The Weeknd
– Sexy, thumping and slick. It sure did capture the perfect 50 Shades of Grey soundtrack and this earned The Weeknd the attention that they deserved. Earned it nurtures an unassuming sexiness that is not offensive yet you translates well!
12. DRAG ME DOWN
One Direction
– Departing from their bubble gum pop sound, the now 4 piece band and soon to be on a hiatus status, One Direction delivered a new sound that is probably inspired by Maroon 5. The zig and zag of the track still sounds radio friendly. And the boys giving us a more gritty sound on a beat driven track like Drag me down.
11. HOTLINE BLING
Drake
– Excuse Drake’s attempt to dance but Hotline Bling is such a tune. It sounded honest with no sense of trying hard to impress. The rhythm is lying on its simplicity and the track is easy to listen.
10. WANT TO WANT ME
Jason Derulo
– I must say, this is probably Jason’s best single to date. A more inspired Michael Jackson driven track, Want to want me enjoys an upbeat rhythm that is not too much on the ears and a beat that is fun, enthisuastic and not limiting.
9. CAN’T FEEL MY FACE
The Weeknd
– Another Michael Jackson inspired track, The Weeknd goes all pop with their debut single for their new album. Can’t feel my face starts with a verse that subtlely demands attention and when the chorus hits in, the track produces a LSS-induced effect.
8. BAD BLOOD
Taylor Swift (ft. Kendrick Lamar)
– For the record, I really really think this was miles better than the original single on Taylor’s 1989 album. The remix added color as we hear Kendrick’s impressive rap verses balancing the song. It makes more sense now and even if the whole track seems to be repetitive, I digress. It was a wonderful combination.
7. SORRY
Justin Bieber
– I never really thought he could top What do you mean but when he released Sorry prior to the album release? I am done. I seriously enjoyed every bit of Sorry. The verses sound slick. The chorus sounds sexy without trying. And oooh, it boasts a rhythm that is easy.
6. HELLO
Adele
– The music jaggernaut is back and once again Adele broke records. Her debut single Hello may not have the same hook like that of her past singles, but it was still a powerful pop ballad. Hello translates well in a production that allows us to feel Adele and her voice whole heartedly.
5. SHUT UP AND DANCE
Walk The Moon
– Shut up and dance will definitely make you dance along. The breakdown in the bridge is just solid but the overall production of this track is just riveting and enthusiastic.
4. WORTH IT
Fifth Harmony (ft. Kid Ink)
– After the bubblegum pop Miss Movin On, the urban beat Bo$$ and their first top 40 hit, Sledgehammer – Fifth Harmony finally found their biggest hit on their belt. With the slick beat, horn driven, R&B empowered track, Worth it is a solid from the girls giving us a glimpse of their individual vocal stylings and power. Not to mention, Wortg it speaks strongly with girl empowerment, self assured driven by a catchy rhythm that is a winning combination. Oh, Kid Ink was a nice touch too.
3. LOVE ME LIKE YOU DO
Ellie Goulding
– Everything just explodes to gorgeousness after the line “What are you waiting for?” because Ellie has such power behind her quirky, lovely voice. But more so the impressive vocal dynamics from Ellie, Love me like you do is such a solid soundtrack driven by an infectious rhythm and catchy verses.
2. SUGAR
Maroon 5
– Classic and literally sweet! This is a single from Maroon 5 that showed a different yet not surprising side from the band. Sugar is all sorts of sweet echoing more and more on Adam’s underrated vocals from his slick falsettos and sexy verses. Adam has a natural ability to transcends such thing into charismatic hit! Sugar is the best bet of solid, simple yet sweet cravings.
1. SEE YOU AGAIN
Wiz Khalifa (ft. Charlie Puth)
– Emotional! There’s power to this trackthat simply hits home. See you again had the perfect combination of Wiz’s solid rap verses and Charlie Puth’s emotional vocal showing during chorus. The song is just exuding with so much natural emotions and brought Charlie Puth in the map of music industry! Who didn’t got affected of this song? It was so genuine and emotionally attached! Great stuff.
Of random paper notes; 