We invited artists, labels and publicists to tell us which records or artists they’ve personally enjoyed over the last twelve months. Hotel Books‘ picks below. Hotel Books latest album, Run Wild, Young Beauty, is out now via InVogue Records.
“Over the last couple weeks, a few of us sat down and put together our end of the year list, but it ended up being fifteen albums instead of ten. A few of these records technically came out in 2014, but they are part of this year’s Grammy rotation because they came out after the end of the year lists last year. Hopefully you all find some cool new records from our list. These are in somewhat of a random order.” – Cam Smith
J. Cole – 2014 Forest Hills Drive
“This is an album I got into way too late. Melodically, this album broke up what I thought was a very mundane year for radio rap. Other than a couple exceptions, I think Cole was one of the few rap artists who had enough buzz to write a safe, hit-machine album but instead he took a creative approach and constructed an album filled with themes, concepts and ideals that I feel mainstream rap has been lacking lately.”
Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp a Butterfly
“The new Kendrick album caught me off guard in the best way possible. I remember blasting this album during a very boring drive between Arizona and New Mexico. This album was probably the most unique and creative roller coaster I’ve ever been on. This album is thought-provoking, emotionally-compelling and beautiful.”
Jeff Rosenstock – We Cool?
“When Bomb the Music Industry announced their break-up, I was very confused since I had always viewed BtMI as Jeff Rosenstock and friends. I assumed this news meant Jeff was done touring, but to my surprise, he instead released a solid, catchy, heart-pumping solo album that has surpassed any of this past material.”
Drake – If You’re Reading This, It’s Too Late
“2015 was Drake’s year with top singles and two mixtapes, but this particular release showed him embrace being a singer as well as a rapper. The only thing it lacks is “Back to Back” which may have been the best single of the year.”
mewithoutYou – Pale Horses
“This is a band I have been listening to since I was in junior high. After a couple albums that definitely startled the line between weird and chaotic, mwY returned with an album that perfectly combines every era of their beautiful catalogue, while still offering new ideas.”
Bring Me The Horizon – That’s the Spirit
“2015 was the year I first heard this band. I’ve known about them for almost a decade, but never took the time to check them out. When they released “Drown” in 2014, I was immediately sucked into the BMTH vortex and jumped onto the bandwagon just in time for a beautifully accessible album.”
Hawthorne Heights – Hurt
“Team Ohio released a new EP that made me think of their seminal releases ‘The Silence in Black & White’ and ‘If Only You Were Lonely’. Recruiting the same producer we used for our latest release, they took a raw, grassroots approach to releasing an intense and catchy sing-along album.”
Taylor Swift – 1989
“This is a last year pick that is finally seasoned enough for the Grammy nominations it deserves. Simple pop, no twang, no filler tracks. Solid driving tunes.”
Bad Luck – Noise in Your Head
“We had the privilege of touring with Bad Luck this year on their EP release tour and their liver performance and studio release both blew my mind. Snotty punk rock mixed with New York pop-rock and catchy hooks filled with intelligent ideas. As far as I know, his is the most intelligent band in rock right now.”
Modest Mouse – Strangers to Ourselves
“Modest Mouse will always be my favorite band. After eight years of waiting, Modest Mouse released an album that did for me what no other Modest Mouse release has done; this album made me favor the singles over the deep cuts. Brock and crew took the obvious desire of the world to write more catchy hooks like “Float On” but they kept it fresh, new and creative as ever.”
Loma Prieta – Self Portrait
“This album is the most vicious approach to dream pop that I have ever heard. Ever since their Raein split, I knew LP had some new approaches in mind for their cathartic sound. This album is, in my opinion, their most cohesive release to date.”
Deafheaven – New Bermuda
“After the release of Sunbather, Deafheaven became the “Black Metal Awareness Program” and bandwagoners got to taste a new sound that had, as far as I know, not had radio play before. Their follow-up, “New Bermuda,” is emotionally driven and could have been a better follow up to a very talked about release.”
Desaparecidos – Payola
“Conor Oberst and gang return to a new politically-charged punk album filled with information more so than music, but in a creative and clever way. Being a band that has released one of the greatest albums of all time (IMO), I was very disappointed in this album on first listen, but it grew on me and now I play it quite often.”
Björk – Vulnicura
“Beautifully weird and comfortably uncomforable. Bjork’s finest piece of art in a long while, this is a unique take on Bjork’s old school trailblazing style with some modern pop sensibility peppered into this song, adding something unique into her catalogue.”
Flying Lotus – You’re Dead!
“Flying Lotus has always been a pro at bringing the best out of Kendrick Lamar. This jazzy record has some amazing features, mind-bending melodies and intense grooves that you can lock into while still being caught off guard with new ideas.”
Caspian – Dust and Disquiet
“One of my favorite bands to write lyrics to, Caspian has always been a beautiful example of modern post-rock. At first, I saw this album as a great record to play while I’m working, but it’s also a great journey to sit and soak in during down time.”