Editorials

12 Lists of Christmas: Albums

15 December 2015

By Lauren E. White

This year, b**p’s top ten albums of the year span a range of genres from hip-hop to country to mainstream pop – there’s something for everyone! In a year where artists are departing from the industry and some making their star-studded returns, it was a difficult job to narrow so many great albums down, but we’ve done it. So without further ado, here are the top ten albums of 2015…

10. Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp a Butterfly

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Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly was released in March this year and rocked the boat in the world of hip-hop. It was described as “conscious” and “soulful” due to its dark theme. To Pimp a Butterfly tackles a lot of social issues in the world to do with racism and discrimination (particularly in America) and so we think that it definitely deserves a place on our list.

9.  Maverick Sabre – Innerstanding

Maverick-Sabre-Innerstanding

Maverick Sabre’s Innerstanding follows his successful debut album Lonely Are the Brave with a gap of three years between the two. The inspiration for the album’s title comes from the self-understanding Sabre discovered after his first taste of success. The mixed-genre album he returned with in October was credited by critics, with the song Come Fly Away receiving the most critical acclaim.

8. Madonna – Rebel Heart

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Forever known as the Queen of Pop, Madonna’s Rebel Heart was her thirteenth record and one of the albums of 2015. Spawning a tune like Living for Love, the album was a creative and expressive return for the 57-year-old and dominated Twitter for days.

7. Kacey Musgraves – Pageant Material

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The fifth studio album from country music star Kacey Musgraves was nominated for Album of the Year at the Country Music Awards and debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 chart. Pageant Material features some of the best and most organic country music – especially with Good Ol’ Boys Club and the feminist inspiration behind it.

6. James Bay – Chaos in the Calm

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James Bay’s success with his debut album Chaos in the Calm was no surprise after he was awarded the Critics’ Choice award at the Brits at the beginning of the year. Chaos in the Calm spawned the massive single Hold Back the River that was on everyone’s Spotify playlist at one point. It has been a huge year for James Bay and he has earned his place on our list – here’s to more of his work next year!

5. Justin Bieber – Purpose

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The bad boy of pop music returned in November with his album Purpose and a hunger for a UK number one. While he didn’t achieve number one in the UK, Purpose dominated the iTunes charts and hijacked radios with the hit single What Do You Mean? – we’re Sorry for ever doubting you, Justin.

4. Little Mix – Get Weird

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Get Weird is the Little Mix girls’ third album and is undoubtedly their best. It produced smash-hits like Black Magic and Love Me Like You as well as containing beautiful little gems like Secret Love Song Part II. It peaked at number two in the UK charts after its release on 6th November and clearly deserves a place in b**p’s list this year – girl power!

3. Jess Glynne – I Cry When I Laugh

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New girl on the block Jess Glynne has had a fantastic year with her debut album I Cry When I Laugh reaching number one in the UK and also producing five number one singles – putting her on par with Cheryl Fernandez-Versini. Glynne has rightfully earned her place and we’re sure there’s no place she’d Rather Be.

2. One Direction – Made in the A.M.

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1D’s chart-topping Made in the A.M. has earned its place in the top three of our list this year simply due to the level of maturity and dedication in the album. Released on 13th November, it shot straight to number one and it’s important that we pay a tribute to the biggest boy band in the world’s music as they bow out on a high.

1. Adele – 25

25

Adele’s great comeback fittingly began with Hello which, of course, shot straight to number one. Then, on 20th November, we were blessed with the whole 25 record, which achieved number one in the UK and has since became the fastest million-selling album in British history.  In the ‘make-up record’, Adele is just as perfect as we’d remembered and she definitely deserves to be number one on our list this year. After all, it’s a tradition that Adele trumps everyone else, isn’t it?

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