As with most years, looking back through the top releases of 2015 provides a sense of peace. Somewhere within the din of noise and mediocrity that is the musical landscape, these artists have risen above and, for the most part, actually received the attention and acclaim they deserved. It’s comforting to know that the state of creation, sharing and evaluating is alive and well.

In a small way, though, 2015 feels a bit different on the scale of albums. More often than usual (at least for me), I found myself completely engrossed in a full body of work, not just a single or couple of singles. 2015 was the year without filler, and it came from all directions. Father John Misty wrote a gorgeous love letter, Sufjan Stevens told the story of his mother and stepfather, Courtney Barnett talked about nothing and everything simultaneously and Tame Impala proved once again that they’re the absolute best at what they do. Jamie xx then spoke volumes with a mostly electronic album and Kendrick Lamar created something without comparison. Something that felt important. Something that will continue to matter on a grander scale as the years go by. The remaining mix is a healthy dose of male, female, band and duo, each crafting a piece of art that was memorable from beginning to end. Thanks to Modesta Zemgulyte for creating the beautiful artwork for this playlist.

25. Julien Baker – Sprained Ankle
24. Leon Bridges – Coming Home
23. Dilly Dally - Sore
22. Death Cap for Cutie - Kintsugi
21. TORRES - Sprinter
20. Miguel - Wildheart
19. Christine and the Queens - Christine And The Queens
18. Sleater-Kinney – No Cities to Love
17. Girlpool – Before The World Was Big
16. Ó – O.K.
15. Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Multi-Love
14. Shopping – Why Choose
13. Mitski – Bury Me At Makeout Creek
12. Colleen Green – I Want to Grow Up
11. Julia Holter – Have You In My Wilderness
10. Kurt Vile – b’lieve i’m goin down
9. Natalie Press – Natalie Press
8. Jamie XX – In Colour
7. Courtney Barnett – Sometimes I Sit and Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit
6. Father John Misty – I Love You, Honeybear
5. Sufjan Stevens – Carrie & Lowell
4. Bjork - Vulnicura
3. Tame Impala - Currents
2. Grimes – Art Angels
1. Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp A Butterfly