The Best Electronic Music of 2015
Looking for the best electronic music of 2015? Look no further! This blog has the latest and greatest tunes for you to enjoy.
Best Overall Albums
It’s been a great year for electronic music. We’ve seen a resurgence in techno, the popularity of house music continue to grow, and experimental artists pushing the boundaries of what electronic music can be. There have been so many great albums released this year, it was hard to narrow it down to just a few. But here are our picks for the best overall albums of 2015.
Jamie xx – In Colour
In Colour is the debut studio album by English record producer and DJ Jamie xx, released on 29 May 2015 by Young Turks. The album debuted at number three on the UK Albums Chart and at number seven on the Billboard 200 in the United States, and was nominated for the Mercury Prize. It also peaked at number one on Billboard’s Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart.
Caribou – Our Love
Caribou – Our Love is the best overall album of 2015. It’s an intimate and complex work that weaves together elements of house, techno, downtempo, and IDM into something wholly unique. The album is also a deeply personal one for Caribou mastermind Dan Snaith, as it was inspired by the birth of his first child. This commitment to emotion and experimentation makes Caribou – Our Love a truly special album and our pick for the best of 2015.
Flume – Skin
Flume’s Skin is one of the best albums of the year. It’s a complex and beautiful piece of work, and it’s sure to stand the test of time.
Best Singles
Disclosure – “Omen” ft. Sam Smith
On the surface, Omen is a typical Disclosure track: a shuffling, four-on-the-floor rhythm, layers of airy melodies, and Sam Smith’s inimitable voice. But it’s also a bold step forward for the English duo, who have become increasingly experimental as they’ve honed their sound. “Omen” is both an ode to classic house and a sign of things to come: Disclosure are restless innovators, and they’re just getting started.
The Weeknd – “The Hills”
The Weeknd’s “The Hills” was one of the best singles of 2015. The song was a commercial success, peaking at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for six consecutive weeks. The song’s dark and eerie production, coupled with The Weeknd’s haunting vocals, made for a truly unique and memorable listening experience.
Grimes – “Kill V. Maim”
kill v. maim is a song recorded by Canadian musician Grimes for her fourth studio album, Art Angels. It was released on November 6, 2015, as the album’s fourth single. The song was written by Grimes and produced by her and HANA. It is a dark pop and electropop song with synths, drums, and “mouth clicks” influenced by industrial music. Lyrically, it is about turning Dracula into a itsy-bitsy spider.
“Kill V. Maim” received positive reviews from contemporary music critics upon Art Angels’ release. Some praised its industrial influences and praised its message, while others found it too harsh-sounding in comparison to the rest of the album. The song charted in Canada and Belgium, reaching number 33 on the Canadian Hot 100 and number 15 on the Flemish Ultratop 50 chart.
Best Remixes
Mura Masa – “Lovesick” ft. A$AP Rocky
“Lovesick” is a song by English electronic music producer Mura Masa, featuring vocals from American rapper A$AP Rocky. It was released as a single on 1 February 2017. The song peaked at number 23 on the UK Singles Chart.
Ta-ku – “Down For You” ft. Wafia
From the soulful, anthemic single “Down For You” to the club-ready banger “Meet In The Middle,” Ta-ku’s remixes for Wafia’s (XXYYXX, Crystal Castles) solo EP, II, are some of his best work to date. Staying true to the emotional rawness of the original tracks, Ta-ku has crafted two beautifully atmospheric remixes that showcase his unique production style and versatility as an artist.
Hudson Mohawke – “Very First Breath” ft. Irfane
Hudson Mohawke’s “Very First Breath” is, without a doubt, one of the best electronic songs of 2015. The track, which features Irfane, is a beautiful and moving electronic anthem that is sure to get your blood pumping. The production on the track is top-notch, and Mohawke’s signature sound is on full display. If you’re a fan of electronic music, or simply looking for a great song to add to your collection, “Very First Breath” is a must-have.
Best New Artists
Mura Masa
Mura Masa is a 22-year-old producer and songwriter from Guernsey in the Channel Islands. His music often features elements of R&B, hip-hop, and trap, but he also incorporates elements of pop, soul, and electronic music. He has released two EPs and numerous singles, and his song “Lovesick” was featured in an advert for Apple’s iPhone 7.
Louis the Child
If you’re a fan of electronic music, then you’re probably already familiar with Louis the Child. For those who aren’t, Louis the Child is an American DJ duo that has been making waves in the music industry with their unique style of production.
The duo, which consists of Robby Hauldren and Freddy Kennett, met while attending college in Chicago. After starting to produce music together, they quickly realized that they had a natural talent for creating catchy and danceable tunes.
In 2015, Louis the Child released their debut EP, “Love Is Alive,” which featured the lead single “It’s Strange.” The song became an instant hit, garnering millions of plays on Spotify and SoundCloud.
Since then, Louis the Child has gone on to play major festivals like Coachella and Lollapalooza, and they’ve collaborated with some of the biggest names in electronic music, including Skrillex and Calvin Harris.
There’s no doubt that Louis the Child is one of the best new artists in electronic music. If you haven’t checked them out yet, be sure to do so – you won’t be disappointed!
Wafia
Wafia is a Syrian-Australian singer and songwriter who is making some of the best music of her generation. Her voice is sweet and lilting, with a touch of an accent that gives her songs an exotic flavor. Her music is a blend of R&B, pop, and electronic, with hints of hip-hop and Arabic influences. Wafia’s lyrics are often personal and introspective, exploring themes of love, heartbreak, and identity.
Wafia first came to prominence in 2015 with her song “Bodies,” which was featured on the popular television show Pretty Little Liars. Since then, she has released a series of well-received singles, including “Heartbeat,” “I’m Good,” and “83 Days.” In 2016, Wafia won an Australian Music Prize for her debut EP IXVI.
If you’re looking for some amazing new music to check out, make sure to give Wafia a listen. You won’t be disappointed.
Best Music Videos
The best music videos of 2015 were a mix of visually stunning, narrative-driven, and simply bizarre. This year, we saw videos that made us laugh, cry, and think, and ones that we just couldn’t stop watching.
Jamie xx – “Gosh”
Jamie xx’s “Gosh” is one of the best music videos of 2015. The video is a spectacular display of scale, from the vast open plains to the teeming metropolis. It’s a beautifully shot video that captures the grandeur of both nature and humanity.
The Weeknd – “The Hills”
There’s something a bit sinister and foreboding about The Weeknd’s “The Hills.” Maybe it’s the distorted, demonic vocal samples that open the song. Maybe it’s the black-and-white footage of Abel Tesfaye driving through Los Angeles at night, his face half-hidden in shadows. Or maybe it’s the fact that, despite all its glossy production values, “The Hills” feels like a song about addiction, desperation, and self-destruction. Whatever the case may be, “The Hills” is one of the most visually arresting and thematically complex music videos of 2015.
Grimes – “Kill V. Maim”
Grimes is known for making weird, wonderful videos to accompany her even weirder, more wonderful music. “Kill V. Maim” is no exception — it’s a glorious, campy blast of ’80s-inspired neon color and post-apocalyptic fashion, with a healthy dose of anime sauce thrown in for good measure. Equal parts violent and stylish, it’s the perfect visual accompaniment to one of the catchiest tracks off of Grimes’ excellent new album “Art Angels.”
