As 2015 wraps up, it’s time to reflect on another incredible year in music. To do so, we’re counting down the top 100 songs of the year. In developing this list we weighed each track against the following criteria: overall song quality, impact and popularity, and support (blogs, charts, DJs, etc.). We’ve been counting down 20 tracks per day and today we bring you the top 20. If you dig our selections be sure to share. If you disagree with some of the picks let us know why in the comments below. Without further adieu we present our picks for the top 100 tracks of 2015.
20. Drake – Know Yourself
“Running through the 6ix with my woes!” Easily one of the biggest catch phrases of the year, Drake’s ‘Know Yourself’ from his IYRTITL album became the go-to performance song. The track features production from Boi-1da, Vinylz and Sky Sense, includes a beat switch and definite change in tone. ‘Know Yourself’ comes in at number 20, holding on to that spot – if only it was more radio friendly it would have been even bigger.
19. High Klassified – Okarina of Time
Laval, Montreal native High Klassified released his second offering on Fools Gold records recently. Entitled Kronostasis, the EP features 5 tracks that simultaneously pay homage to the trap gods while pushing the genre forward. HK’s creative sound design, gritty 808 bass lines and interesting interplay of rhythms are all on display throughout this EP. The first track, ‘Okarina of Time’ hints at HK’s love for video games and blends washed out reverb with hard-hitting kick and snares for a unique sound that is undeniably that of High Klassified. This young Canadian producer has quickly fostered a unique sound within the genre of trap music, and seems to be finding more room to experiment without compromising his roots at all. This track definitely deserves to be in the top 20, and we are looking forward to seeing what the future holds for High Klassified.
18. Flosstradamus x GTA x Lil Jon – Prison Riot
If DJs were looking for a track in their Serato guaranteed to get the crowd going insane ‘Prison Riot’ had them covered all year. Whether it was major festivals or basement clubs when this record dropped shit got out of control. In a year were turning up was peak priority, this record stood above them all as one of the most turnt recordings of 2015.
17. Valentino Khan – Deep Down Low
Valentino Khan is lauded for making some of the most high energy, blow your speakers, tunes out. The type of tracks that you don’t dance to, you just jump up and down as fast as possible. That’s not to say he’s one dimensional, the producer has messed with almost every subgenre of electronic music in the past 3 or 4 years. So what happens when he ventures into deep house? ‘Deep Down Low’ is the answer. A certified monster, the release combines looped vocals with heavy kicks for what could be a fairly typical track. But this is Valentino Khan after all, nothing he does is typical. This track feature deepest down lows you’ve ever experienced. This set clubs on fire, received support from every major DJ out and clocked a few million plays on SoundCloud. If you’re looking for a raw bass rattler you’ll be hard pressed to find anything that’ll top this.
16. Baauer x Fetty Wap x Dubbel Dutch – Promises
Coming out of the illustrious Songs From Scratch series, ‘Promises’ paired Baauer with Fetty Wap and Double Dutch. The recognizable synth is absolutely stunning and the gorgeous melody fits perfectly with Fetty Wap’s style. The track balances stunning and melodic sounds with a hard hitting trap influence. It’s Fetty Wap’s best work to date and helped to prove that he isn’t just another one hit wonder (something Baauer’s been doing ever since the viral success of ‘Harlem Shake’).
15. Big Wild – Aftergold
Big Wild has an incredible knack for creating music that takes you on a journey. Every one of his songs is an auditory expedition; a brief vacation from the ordinary. ‘Aftergold’ embodies this to the fullest extent. It’s a masterfully produced work that feels like that one unforgettable Summer. No matter what’s going on your life when you throw this on everything seems better. The sun starts shining, colours are more vibrant, your smile is just a little wider. This is the apex of what electronic can be.
14. Cashmere Cat & DJ Mustard – Ice Rink
Ever wonder it would sound like if one of the most inventive producers in the world connected with the hottest producer at the time? Well, we got to find out when Cashmere Cat linked up with DJ Mustard. ‘Ice Rink’ is a stunning work that pairs Cashmere Cat’s gorgeous futuristic soundscapes with a touch of Mustard’s west coast knock. They even slipped in Mustard’s signature sound byte cause why not? It’s proof that even the most unorthodox collaborations can result in something stellar and both producers deserve serious respect for trying something different.
13. Vince Staples – Norf Norf
Vince Staples got himself into a little bit of trouble earlier this year when he revealed to the Internet that his rap education didn’t include 90’s classics. He reasons that the music that mattered and shaped him was made in the early 2000s, when he was growing up. Of course, a backlash from over-sensitive Generation X-ers responded swiftly. How dare he spit such blasphemy! But Staples doesn’t mean to be provocative. He only means to tell it how it is.
Similarly, on Summertime ’06. Rather then glorify gangster life, Vince Staples raps as if his lyrics were unbiased observations from an insider. Killing and robbing are facts of life, not qualities worth praising. It’s cold and unemotional, but it works; Summertime ’06 is by far my favourite rap album of 2015 and ‘Norf Norf’ is a clear standout.
12. Drake – Hotline Bling
1-800-HOTLINEBLING! Drake owned the latter half of the summer with this joint. The pop tune from the Canadian became one of the biggest anthems of the year and in classic Drake fashion it went on to garner social media attention, remixes, parodies and various other read-alongs or recitals (see: Bryan Cranston reads ‘Hotline Bling’). Everyone loved this song – old or young, child or adult. Ninteen85’s production and Drake’s minimal lyrics made the perfect combo for something rad.
11. Party Thieves & ATLiens – Chîef
This wasn’t a trap anthem, this was the trap anthem of 2015. As soon as you heard those tribal vibes and dogs barking you knew things were about to get lit. This track got support from every major DJ in the game from Flosstradamus to Jack Ü and had everyone asking “what track is this!?”. A perfect blend of the classic trap sounds with just enough innovation made this one of the biggest records of the year. If you heard this live you know why it’s here.
10. Action Bronson – Baby Blue feat. Chance the Rapper
When Bronson isn’t telling you where to eat with his web series ‘Fuck That’s Delicious’ then he’s dropping pure gems on his mixtapes or albums. The debut album featured ‘Baby Blue’ as the single and it killed. Action Bronson carefully crafts a solid verse but Chance is the real star on this track. Chance the Rapper has an incredible verse that is not only hilarious but also very well written.
9. ASAP Rocky – Lord Jodeye
ASAP Rocky’s great 2015 run did not come without cost. Losing his friend and business partner ASAP Yams, Rocky’s A.L.L.A. album needed to be like his debut, but deliver on a larger scale. Since the debut ablum, Rocky’s popularity tripled and he quickly became the artist known for working the charts as well as the dope/dirty club basements bumping trap. ‘Lord Pretty Flacko Jodye Part 2’ is a song backed by a strong trap beat. The infectious synth melody coupled with deep 808’s creates a sound that is perfect for Rocky to rap to. Check it out below and see why it snagged the 9th spot.
8. Jamie xx – Gosh
Widely considered to be one of the best releases of the year, Jamie xx’s In Colour is a beautiful and interesting journey into the world of a very talented producer. Bringing practices of underground bass music into the limelight, this album manages to experiment successfully while continually remaining accessible. The first single from the album, ‘Gosh’, is a slowed down, drum and bass style track with much of the fast paced percussion stripped away. What is left is a deeply rhythmic journey that leads somewhere unknown, without taking the listener too far away from home. Albums and tracks like this are the product of talented producers who keep an ear to experimental, underground sounds and manage to utilize them in a way that makes them more palatable for the masses, in turn doing justice to all of the relatively unknown music that preceded it. Every now and then, a track comes along that unites lovers of ‘popular’ music with those who dig deep and don’t give away their approval very easily. ‘Gosh’ is one of those tracks that is recognizable as special and unique, regardless of the perspective of the listener, making it an easy decision to rate as one of the best tracks of the year.
7. ZHU X AlunaGeorge – Automatic
ZHU’s Genesis Series was one of the most highly anticipated releases of the year. The project saw him collaborating with some of the most talented artists out from Skrillex to Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and more. The strongest effort came first, when ZHU linked up with AlunaGeorge. A true match made in heaven, the song was deep, groovy and infinitely sexy. The production is perfection and the vocals from Aluna Francis and ZHU are intoxicating. Some questioned if ZHU’s hype would over shadow his skill but this proved once again ZHU is deserving of all the hype and more.
6. TroyBoi x Flosstradamus – Soundclash
This was the most anticipated banger of the year. After getting supported from a who’s who of DJs at the end of 2014, fans were clamouring for the official release. When it finally dropped in February it only got bigger. The song helped make TroyBoi a near household name and allowed his signature style to be heard by millions. Plus nothing went harder live in 2015.
5. Lido & Canblaster – Rush Hour
With ‘Rush Hour’ Lido & Canblaster proved why they are the most inventive and forward thinking producers in electronic music. This isn’t a club banger or a hit, it’s a masterful composition. It’s a work of art that demonstrates how far creativity can go. The evolution and movement within this song is nothing short of extraordinary. It’s complex, captivating and simply breathtaking. It may not have been the biggest track of the year, but it’s a masterpiece.
4. Kendrick Lamar – Alright
What a run for Kendrick Lamar. His sophomore album To Pimp a Butterfly drew a hard line between him and the rest of the game. The politically and socially conscious album addressed the trials and tribulations of Kendrick as an entertainer and as an African American living in the U.S. With all the terrible events between authorities and young black men, K Dot’s emotionally charged pick-me-up track tackled it all head on. Likely to induce a chant in protest to the fuckery African Americans have faced and continue to face, ‘Alright’ is an anthem – and one of the most important one’s of the year. Lead the people forward Kendrick.
3. Jack Ü – Where Are Ü Now feat Justin Bieber
Looking back, pairing the two biggest producers in electronic music with the biggest pop star in the world seems like a no brainer, but it was actually a bit of a gamble. If it was too poppy it could’ve easily damaged Diplo and Skrillex’s credibility, leaving them to be branded as sellouts. Meanwhile, if it was too far left Beiber’s fans would be alienated. Thankfully Jack Ü stayed true to their sound, creating something wild and weird that perfectly utilized Beiber’s vocals in more ways than one (they also made the drop from chopping and pitching his voice). The track helped to kick off Bieber’s career re-brand, making even the biggest pop haters borderline Beliebers. It also allowed for a production that had no business on the radio to become a mainstream smash. This one checks all the boxes: it was impactful and inventive, immensely popular and above all – a great fucking song.
2. Drake – Back to Back
When Meek Mill went on a full Twitter rant, we bet he didn’t see this coming. Soon after the release of his sophomore album, Meek Mill blasted Drake for not writing his own rhymes in front of the whole Twitterverse. Immediately the Internet declared a beef between the two rappers and the stage was set. Drake responded to the tweets with ‘Charged Up’ which addressed Meek in a sideways fashion. After waiting about 4 days for Meek to reply, Drizzy hit the Philly rapper again with a more direct approach. ‘Back to Back’ hit the Internet July 30th and caught fire (over 100 million SoundCloud plays to date). The Toronto rapper carefully jabbed Meek with clever and straight up disrespectful bars over a menacing, drum heavy beat courtesy of Dazx and 40. Easily the hardest track Drake has ever released, ‘Back to Back’ came correct with a handful of quotables and screwface worthy aggressiveness (see: your face in the mirror when he drops that Nicki bomb). Not only did the track break the Internet with hysterical meme’s but when Drake performed this track at the 6th Annual OVO Fest featuring what hip hop heads are calling the “OVO Screen” displaying said memes – the blow to Meek’s career turned into a crater. Whatever your thoughts are about Drake, it’s safe to say this one solidified his win. Oh and that Grammy nod? – institutional disrespect.
1. Major Lazer x DJ Snake – Lean On feat MØ
When this dropped we predicted it to be the song of the Summer. It turned out to be much bigger than that; this was hands down the record of the year. From nightclubs, to festivals, to soccer mom’s SUV’s, this song was inescapable. The fact that it clocked nearly a billion (901,366,241) YouTube plays is hard proof as to just how popular it was. For context that’s almost 3x more than ‘Where Are Ü Now’. In addition to being immensely popular it was simply a stellar track. It embodied the feeling of the Summer, was insanely catchy and the production was on point. It was easily the biggest record of the year and truly one of the best and that makes it the indisputable #1.
That concludes our list. If you missed the rest of the countdown be sure to check the links below. Look out for our Top 100 Songs of 2015 playlist tomorrow and don’t forget to drop your comments below!
Previous:
| 100-81 | 80-61 | 60-41 | 40-21 |
