EOTY: Our Favorite Tracks
ACRN Staffers painstakingly selected their favorite songs of the year, just for you! You must feel so special.
Megan Fair, General Manager: “In Time” by FKA twigs
FKA twigs is a master at making smart, sleek pop music that lives and breathes on its own, and “In Time” is no exception. A perfect blend of catchy melody and creative production, its tension creates moments of suspense and longing. As the first chorus spirals away, from the misty, distant synths twigs’ voice emerges with a breathy, “The way you dismiss me will turn into missing me like I am yours,” prompting goosebumps and awe. Layers of synths and drum machines glimmer through the emotive vocals. “In Time” was a grossly underhyped nugget of pop majesty in 2015, and it’s one that will stick in my psyche for quite awhile.
Abbie Doyle, Editorial Director: “Joke” by Chastity Belt
There’s not much I love more than women, especially women who rock the hell out. The entirety of Chastity Belt’s Time to Go Home is quietly and wonderfully ferocious, but “Joke” really takes the cake. Its lyrics are deceptively simple and minimalistic, but there’s something to be said for the vast implications of those non-specific one-liners. The real meat of “Joke,” however, lies in its melodies and the killer instrumental breakdown that dominates the track. There is something so emotive, personal and bittersweet about this song that it transcends words. Really, the only thing I can say is you should listen to it. Once I started to, I was never able to stop.
Eli Shively, Reviews Editor: “You, In Weird Cities” by Jeff Rosenstock
Jeff Rosenstock (formerly of Bomb The Music Industry!) is no stranger to masking all-too-real emotions with pop punk exuberance. On “You, In Weird Cities,” the standout track from his excellent 2015 LP We Cool?, Rosenstock demonstrates a mastery of what makes the genre he’s remained loyal to for decades now so important--kicking the doldrums of heartbreak and regret, the feelings that make “getting high when no one is around” the highlight of one’s day, is a lot easier with a catchy hook to sing along to. Yeah, life sucks and people leave, but let’s get up and dance anyway.
Eli Schoop, Copy Editor: “Mutant Standard" by Oneohtrix Point Never
The genre of video games known as “bullet hell” is an apt analogue for Garden of Delete. “Mutant Standard” takes no prisoners and replicates the mania found in titles like Touhou and Ikaruga, forming an intoxicating climax to an iconic record. It's Lopatin at his finest, for the mad genius has been this unique or this personal in his music before. He combines the Sega Saturn-esque sound effects of R Plus Seven with muted patterns that are reminiscent of Haroumi Hosono and not only is it radically altered from any other electronic counterpart, it's just fucking thrilling.
Jon Fuchs, Copy Editor: “Grief” by Earl Sweatshirt
The moment I heard the first few seconds of “Grief” by Earl Sweatshirt, I immediately knew the song was a gem. The glitchy, evil beat on this song matches perfectly with the lyrics, which feature everything you want to hear in a rap song: subtle personal connections (“3-7-6 was a brothel”), humble bragging (“I don’t act hard, I’m a hard act to follow”), and personal ties to the theme of grief (“Thinking ‘bout my grandmamma, find a bottle / I’mma wallow when I lie in that”). “Grief” is a dark, demented song that is masterfully crafted and extremely catchy.
Skrillex and Diplo made an excellent EDM album, but the highlight is the understated ballad "Mind." Kai's pleading vocals drive this song, and the melancholy production communicates her pain and rejection immediately. Skrillex even sings briefly, turning this into a beautiful yet haunting duet. The song builds to a killer drop like the other Jack Ü songs, but that's not nearly as important as the vocals. On a collaboration between the two biggest EDM stars, the best song turned out to be a ballad.
Garrett Bower, Staff Writer: “Before the World Was Big” by Girlpool
Of the many wonderful artists to put out music this year, few managed to present their work in a way as simply brilliant as Girlpool’s debut album Before the World Was Big. The titular track sees Cleo Tucker and Harmony Tividad belting out musings on growing up and relationships with both places and people changing. Their warm, vibrant harmonies are sung over a simple little riff that builds in intricacy as the duo works themselves into a round, echoing the growing, dizzying complexities of finding a new self among the old.
Alainna Marincic, Contributor: “All That” by Carly Rae Jepsen
E•MO•TION, Carly Rae Jepsen’s third studio album, was one of 2015’s hidden gems; full of throwbacks to everything, from new wave to disco to bubblegum pop. The biggest standout is "All That," a song about being in a supportive, loving relationship. Written by Jepsen and Devonte Hynes, the brilliance behind Blood Orange, the song has the signature ‘80s melancholy and yearning that has worked so well for other pop singers like Sky Ferreira in “Everything is Embarrassing” and Solange in “Losing You.” Jepsen adds these sickeningly sweet and completely earnest vocals that just stab me through the heart with every verse.
Carly Preston, Contributor: “Moth” by Runaway Brother
“Moth” by Runaway Brother may not be the most creative song. It is not the greatest lyrically, and production is fair. However, this song definitely improved 2015. Frankly, it is pop punk at its best. The loud banging drums and catchy guitar riffs make me swoon, and instantly make me miss Cleveland shows. As soon as the guitar starts in I know I’m going to go hard no matter where I am or whom I am with. Truthfully, by the end of listening of this song I am a sweaty screaming mess, and I could not be happier.
Van Williams, Contributor: “Cutting My Fingers Off” by Turnover
From the opening howls of the first single from Turnover’s sophomore record, the listener can’t help but feel that this record is going to be something special. Greeted with a tale of a glossy New Year’s Evening with a partner, we travel through time, always dizzily through a story of lost love and regret. The lyrics dance the entire time, never faltering, taking the listener through all the motions of a failed attempt at love. The guitar sounds like a hazy summer evening, drenched in reverb and shimmering with clean tones. The drums echo throughout, while differentiating themselves at points to take the track to new heights. Austin Getz pours his smooth vocals over every melody, and as clean as they are, it never seems there is a lack of passion or sincerity. This is the only album I’ve ever preordered, and this song is why I did.
