2015 was a good year for music. There wasn't much drama in the industry which is nice, and instead some artists returned to former glory with stellar releases, and new artists burst onto the scene. It's really hard to classify which genre of music had the greatest year, because the hits were so diverse. Overall, that equals an excellent year for the whole industry.
1. Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp-EO5I60KA
After a strong year in 2014, Sheeran followed it up with an even bigger 2015. Although technically Thinking Out Loud was released last year, it had a huge resurgence this year, as did Sheeran's album X. Due to more radio play, an international tour, and in a way the launch of his own record label, Sheeran thrust his name back into the spotlight.
2. Shut Up and Dance - Walk the Moon - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JCLY0Rlx6Q
So close to taking top spot this year. This song was the top one going into the summer, but gradually it slipped down the charts. Still, it's an amazing tune, one that would have claimed top spot if not for the year of Sheeran.
3. Robbers - The 1975 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjHgiSx0RNQ
My favourite discovery of 2015. I stumbled across this band on iTunes and have been in love with them ever since. Their sound is so unique, and the way they utilize their instruments to create a sound that is particular to them is extremely special, especially in today's music industry.
4. Chocolate - The 1975 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHk5SWVO4p8
The amazing thing about The 1975's sound is that it can adapt to slow songs and to fast songs. One of my most anticipated albums of 2016 is this band's new release. They've already stated that their sound has developed even more, with heavy influences from black R&B artists on this album.
5. Wasn't Expecting That - Jamie Lawson - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AydFkrm6UrU
Close to winning the top song of the year, but it got beat by mentor Ed Sheeran, and a few other surprising artists. Any other year, and I really do think that this song could have claimed top spot. It is a song right up my alley, an acoustic vibe structured around using the emotions of the listener.
6. Where Are U Now - Skrillex and Diplo feat. Justin Bieber - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nntGTK2Fhb0
I was debating on if I should bring another Bieber song on from his new album Purpose, such as Sorry or What Do You Mean, but when you think about it, this was the one that started this great year for Bieber. It showcased his new style before the release of his new album and spiked interested in what he was now doing.
7. Build Your Kingdom Here - Rend Collective - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbdJXKqVgtg
My top worship song of the year from my favourite worship band of the year. This upbeat song is all the rage with worship teams, because it provides a new sound that can really spice up a service, and inspire people. Its folk vibe and anthem chorus provide a great, new, unique worship song that will stay on the top of praise charts for many years to come.
8. This is Amazing Grace - Phil Wickham - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFRjr_x-yxU
A close race between this song and Build Your Kingdom Here for worship song of the year. Both are extremely upbeat, but this one seems to cater to newer Christians, or at least younger Christians more, because of the similarities with contemporary music. The electronic synth, the catchy tune, all of it sounds extremely close to a contemporary pop song.
9. Hello - Adele - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQHsXMglC9A
Perhaps the most anticipated release of 2015, Adele's new album didn't disappoint at all. She is definitely the female talent of this generation, with her soulful songs matched by her powerful vocals. This one is definitely the highlight from the album, and claims a spot on this top ten based upon sheer excitement generated by its release.
10. Love Yourself - Justin Bieber - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyEuk8j8imI
Another song that was just released, Bieber's album was slightly outshone by Adele's 25 release. Still, the album was a stake in the music industry from Bieber, with this song his new anthem. It shows the majority as an artist that he has achieved, the talent that he has always had, and the new sound that he is making his own.
Wednesday 30 December 2015
Sunday 27 December 2015
Top Ten Songs for December
Final month for 2015 songs! While I did include some more holiday songs, because I love them so much, I kept a few of my current favourite contemporary songs on the list as well. A lot of those favourites have a great chance of making it to my top ten list for the year!
1. You Will Never Run - Rend Collective - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONYUM3v35S4
The music video for this song is absolutely amazing. It shows a comedic side of the band, where they poke fun at the worship industry, a few worship artists, and themselves! Wearing panda suits to spice up their video, they start by saying Chris Tomlin won't have to do that. Making it even better, they end the joke by stating that Matt Redman would.
2. No Longer Slaves - Bethel Music - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8TkUMJtK5k
The dynamics of this song reminds me drastically of a Jesus Culture vibe. The song never ends, and relies upon repeating choruses. The choruses build and then fall, creating an enrapturing spirit of worship. Actually, it's also a fairly simple song to play, and duplicate to a certain degree.
3. Wasn't Expecting That - Jamie Lawson - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AydFkrm6UrU
I love the music video for this song. It perfectly encompasses the atmosphere and purpose behind this song. It's almost like this single is a story, a life story of love. It includes all the great parts of a relationship, and all the hard parts.
4. Love Yourself - Justin Bieber - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyEuk8j8imI
Justin Bieber's new album Purpose has slightly been overshadowed by Adele's new one 25. Still, it's another excellent record from Bieber, as he continues to churn out hits. I love this one particularly, as it shows off the emotional and vocal talent from Bieber. Of course, it helps that Ed Sheeran had a hand in the creation as well.
5. Silent Night - Casting Crowns - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FlKC2DQvo4
One of my favourite Christian Christmas albums of all times from one of the best Christian bands of all times, Peace on Earth is a typical Casting Crowns album with a holiday twist. This particular song is a great feature of lead singer Mark Hall's vocals. It relies upon a certain guitar sound that I always find difficult to mimic, a reverbed chorus kind of effect.
6. Baby It's Cold Outside - Idina Menzel feat. Michael Buble - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bbuBubZ1yE
I hadn't heard of Idina Menzel until the holiday track of 2013, Let it Go from Disney, rose to international fame. But, she's fairly talented, and this combination with Michael Buble produces a perfect track. The two have perfect jazz vocals, and utilizes those styles amazingly in this holiday single.
7. The More You Give (The More You'll Have) - Michael Buble - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1njMd3qjq0
Michael Buble has a monopoly on recent holiday releases, with his jazz vocals suiting the Christmas tunes perfectly. This one is his most recent, and is probably his best slightly upbeat song. Usually, Buble's jazz vocals seem to find a niche in slower holiday songs, but this one seems slightly different.
8. Miraculum - Lincoln Brewster - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxcD402wBrY
One of the greatest electric guitar holiday songs ever. Or even just one of the greatest electric guitar songs ever. It utilizes so many different styles of riffs and solos, in different speeds and combinations. The song is absolutely amazing, and almost near impossible to replicate perfectly.
9. Winter Snow - Audrey Assad - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pi25lohx7Kw
One thing that I've noticed that Chris Tomlin seems to really encourage from other worship artists is the use of every musical tool that is available, especially when it comes to instruments. He utilizes the organ, drums, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, all in featuring ways. This song is one that features the piano, with fairly simple work, but in a way that drives the song forward.
10. Sorry - Justin Bieber - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRh_vgS2dFE
I think Bieber really solidified his return to the music industry through his AMA performances, especially his Sorry song. Singing in the rain, focusing just on his vocals rather then his dance moves, was a stroke of ingenuity. This track shows that he is here to stay.
1. You Will Never Run - Rend Collective - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONYUM3v35S4
The music video for this song is absolutely amazing. It shows a comedic side of the band, where they poke fun at the worship industry, a few worship artists, and themselves! Wearing panda suits to spice up their video, they start by saying Chris Tomlin won't have to do that. Making it even better, they end the joke by stating that Matt Redman would.
2. No Longer Slaves - Bethel Music - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8TkUMJtK5k
The dynamics of this song reminds me drastically of a Jesus Culture vibe. The song never ends, and relies upon repeating choruses. The choruses build and then fall, creating an enrapturing spirit of worship. Actually, it's also a fairly simple song to play, and duplicate to a certain degree.
3. Wasn't Expecting That - Jamie Lawson - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AydFkrm6UrU
I love the music video for this song. It perfectly encompasses the atmosphere and purpose behind this song. It's almost like this single is a story, a life story of love. It includes all the great parts of a relationship, and all the hard parts.
4. Love Yourself - Justin Bieber - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyEuk8j8imI
Justin Bieber's new album Purpose has slightly been overshadowed by Adele's new one 25. Still, it's another excellent record from Bieber, as he continues to churn out hits. I love this one particularly, as it shows off the emotional and vocal talent from Bieber. Of course, it helps that Ed Sheeran had a hand in the creation as well.
5. Silent Night - Casting Crowns - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FlKC2DQvo4
One of my favourite Christian Christmas albums of all times from one of the best Christian bands of all times, Peace on Earth is a typical Casting Crowns album with a holiday twist. This particular song is a great feature of lead singer Mark Hall's vocals. It relies upon a certain guitar sound that I always find difficult to mimic, a reverbed chorus kind of effect.
6. Baby It's Cold Outside - Idina Menzel feat. Michael Buble - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bbuBubZ1yE
I hadn't heard of Idina Menzel until the holiday track of 2013, Let it Go from Disney, rose to international fame. But, she's fairly talented, and this combination with Michael Buble produces a perfect track. The two have perfect jazz vocals, and utilizes those styles amazingly in this holiday single.
7. The More You Give (The More You'll Have) - Michael Buble - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1njMd3qjq0
Michael Buble has a monopoly on recent holiday releases, with his jazz vocals suiting the Christmas tunes perfectly. This one is his most recent, and is probably his best slightly upbeat song. Usually, Buble's jazz vocals seem to find a niche in slower holiday songs, but this one seems slightly different.
8. Miraculum - Lincoln Brewster - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxcD402wBrY
One of the greatest electric guitar holiday songs ever. Or even just one of the greatest electric guitar songs ever. It utilizes so many different styles of riffs and solos, in different speeds and combinations. The song is absolutely amazing, and almost near impossible to replicate perfectly.
9. Winter Snow - Audrey Assad - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pi25lohx7Kw
One thing that I've noticed that Chris Tomlin seems to really encourage from other worship artists is the use of every musical tool that is available, especially when it comes to instruments. He utilizes the organ, drums, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, all in featuring ways. This song is one that features the piano, with fairly simple work, but in a way that drives the song forward.
10. Sorry - Justin Bieber - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRh_vgS2dFE
I think Bieber really solidified his return to the music industry through his AMA performances, especially his Sorry song. Singing in the rain, focusing just on his vocals rather then his dance moves, was a stroke of ingenuity. This track shows that he is here to stay.
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