1
ARTS & CULTURE
KANSAN.COM
JARRET ROGERS
@JarretRogers
+
Before you start reading this list, please understand one thing: I don't know what the best songs of the year are. I have no way of being able to calculate this, and neither do you. All I can do is tell you what caught my ear.
I probably left some stuff out that should be on this list, but that happens. I really enjoyed all these songs this year, and I hope that if you didn't hear them earlier, you'll take a listen.
So with that said, here are my 10 favorite songs of 2015 in no particular order.
"TRUE AFFECTION"
"MR NOAH" by Panda Bear
"DEPRESTON"
by Father John Misty
by Courtney Barnett
"JUMP OFF THE ROOF" by Vince Staples featuring Snoh Aalegra
"I KNOW THERE'S GONNA BE GOOD TIMES" by Jamie XX featuring Young Thug and Poncaan
"FLESH WITHOUT
"ELECTRIC LOVE" by BORNS
"WOOL" by Earl Sweatshirt featuring Vince Staples
Rogers: Here are the top 10 albums of 2015
JARRET ROGERS
@JaretRogers
With the year and semester coming to an end, it's time to look back at all of the great albums released this year. Here are 10 of my favorites:
"Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper" by Panda Bear
— Panda Bear, also known as Noah Lennox, takes a second for himself on this record. In his band, Animal Collective, he isn't the main voice, and he clearly needed to say some things.
Throughout the 13 songs on the record, Lennox brings you into his world, where he's thankful for even the ability to think and where he ponders his own fears and insecurities. Both his musical aptitude and his ability to have his voice be heard are things we should all be thankful for in 2015. Few do this music thing better than Noah Lennox.
"Summertime '06" by Vince Staples — In a video with Noisey in 2014, Earl Sweatshirt said Vince Staples didn't need much time to make great music. In 2015, Staples proved him right by putting out a 20-song double record that comes in at under an hour.
Staples doesn't need much time, and Staples doesn't want much time. When it comes to Staples's music, the best strategy is to sit down and listen like your life depends on it. If you don't, you might miss something, and his music is too good and too important for us not to heed the words he spits all the way to the final mic drop.
"Every Open Eye" by Chvrches — There are some bands most bands, really — that might not shift the narrative around music or provide a fresh listening experience, but that's not all that makes a record great.
Chvrches "Every Open Eye," doesn't push forward into a new universe for the band or their electronic-pop genre, but what it does is provide a moment of refreshment. It's refreshing to step away from albums that make you think about the culture that surrounds you and just listen to great music. Lead singer Lauren Mayberry shines vocally, and the production surrounds her exquisitely to make one of the most enjoyable records of 2015.
"I Love You, Honeybear" by Father John Misty — Joshua Tillman is one of the best songwriters and composers we have in music today. His work rebels against the norm of what is considered a love ballad. This is the greatest talent of Tillman. His ability to take commonly talked about subject matters and frame them in a new
light is rarely seen.
Tillman makes records that are uniquely his. They're sure of themselves, and not lacking in ambition and personal touch. Some people might get it; others might not. Tillman doesn't seem to mind those who don't.
"EMOTION" by Carly Rae Jepsen - If Taylor Swift is the pop star who writes about the past, Carly Rae Jepsen is the pop star who writes about imagining the future.
From the beginning, Jepsen bursts out the lyrics. "Run away with me," drawing an image of the future she wants with the person she loves. Jepsen made the best pure pop album of 2015 and didn't care how many people were listening in the process.
"In Colour" by Jamie XX — Going solo can be disastrous for some and a breakthrough for others. For Jamie XX, his first solo album was the latter.
As the producer of beats behind Romy and Oliver of the XX, Jamie stands in the back and is often never heard from. On "In Colour" jamie is front and center. Romy and Oliver are featured on three great songs, but they don't separate themselves from the pack, making this a complete album that is perfectly paced and masterfully crafted.
"The Things We Do To Find People Like Us" by Beach Slang — Echoing vibes from the '90s, Beach Slang just wants to rock out. They have no优尔盾材质 behind their music, and they make music that feels nostalgic for a time when those vibes were present amongst all of music.
Beach Slang doesn't care about anything other than making great
Beach Slang doesn't care about anything other than making great music — and they make great music.
"To Pimp a Butterfly" by Kendrick Lamar - Kendrick Lamar made the album we need in 2015. He gave us the album that, in 2015, was most culturally relevant and shifted the narrative the most.
Fox News said after a performances of Lamar's that his words would incite violence. And if we needed any other representation, artistically speaking, of where we stand as a country, I'm not sure what it is.
"Art Angels" by Grimes — Grimes is the anti-pop-star who makes beautiful songs meant for head-banging and rage while also composing some of the most smooth dance songs out right now.
The contrasting styles keep listeners on their toes, and on the B-side the album brings things down a notch, but Grimes doesn't lose touch with what makes her music so special. Everything feels smooth and meditated, as the album has been in the works for the better part of three years. "Art Angels" is an album that was worth the wait.
"Ego Death" by The Internet — Some albums don't get what they deserve, and it seemed like the Internet's record "Ego Death" was headed that way until a recent Grammy nomination, a welcome nod for any artist.
Ego Death fuses together beats and production that feel fitting both for this smooth combination of hip-hop and jazz and for a Tyler, the Creator album. The album has sounds fitting for a horror movie and a piano bar. "Ego Death" is an ambitious, exciting album for a group that is just getting started.
Edited by Amber Vandegrift
CITY OF LAWRENCE
The Park & Rec. dept. is looking for Fitness instructors to teach adults. Background in fitness instruction, exp with or strong desire to work with adults & excellent communication skills needed.
AFA, ACE, or related certification. CPR/First Aid certified. We are accepting applications for our winter session. $10/hr and up. Apply thru 1/15/16. To Apply go to: www.LawrenceKs.org/labs EOE/M/F/D
785-864-4358
CITY OF LAWRENCE
The Park & Rec. dept. is looking for a Gymnastic Instructor to teach children. Background in gymnastics, exp with or strong desire to work with youth & excellent communication skills needed. Classes are offered 7 days a week in the morning, afternoon & evenings. We are accepting applications for our current session & for the winter. CPR/First Aid certified preferred. $8.5/hr and up. Apply thr 1/15:16. To Apply Go to: www.LawrenceKS.org/jobs EDC ME/G
JOBS
CITY OF LAWRENCE
CLASSIFIEDS@KANSAN.COM
HAWKCHALK.COM
3 Bedroom Apartment behind Hillcrest $850 + utilities. Call 785-423-6763
Consider yourself a developer for iOS or Android? We might be looking for you. Seeking coders, engineers, technologists, etc. that can develop native iOS and Android mobile apps. If you're one of those rare individuals that can demonstrate brilliance in your mobile app development ability, please send your resume, c.v. or other credentials to topshellfiles@gmail.com
JOBS
University Press of Kansas seeks a student hourly Assistant Shipping Specialist to join their team. For more info & to apply, please visit https://employment.ku.edu/student/4757br. KU is an EO/AAE. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, national origin, disability, genetic information or protected Veteran status.
HOUSING
HOUSING
3 Bedroom. Wood floors, Appliances, Basement, Call 785-766-7518 for more details.
West Lawrence Duplex for Rent
3 BR, 2.5 Bath, All Appliances,
Walk-in Closet, Gas Fireplace,
Fenced Yard, Easy access to K-10
& I-70. Available Jan. 1, 2016. Call
Barbara at 785-917-9874.
LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO LIVE?