You know time is an abstract concept when you see your favorite albums age, and that too by a decade! A casual doomscroll turned into an existential crisis when I saw Tame Impala’s “Currents” turn 10 years old. Likewise, many internet favorites (especially the ones that defined Tumblr) are now hitting double digits, capturing the coming-of-age soundtrack for both millennials and Gen Z.
So, what makes 2015 so unforgettable?
It was an era where music thrived on rebellion, angst, hedonism, and the fervor of youth. A whirlwind of teenage emotions had a sound, thanks to the internet. That’s when we embraced terms like “emo,” “alt-pop,” “grunge,” and “indie-sleaze,” transforming music into visual aesthetics that proliferate mainstream media to this day.
Akin to injecting nostalgia into your veins, Rolling Stone India brings you bangers of the decade that are bound to be on your playlist. From global ragers to indie Indian classics, catch your favorites in the list below.
To Pimp A Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar
A narrative tale of Lamar’s life in Compton, the politically charged album is considered one of the finest works, lyrically so. With signature wordplay and West Coast hip-hop influences, TPAB highlighted Lamar’s penchant for storytelling. Be it “King Kunta” or “Alright,” the genre-hopping tracks explore identity, racial violence, survivor’s guilt, and dealing with the consequences of fame.
Summertime ’06 by Vince Staples
A lyrical marvel, Staples, with ace producer NO ID, created a sonic narrative of his adolescence in Long Beach, unraveling the paradoxical experiences of growing up in America. A beacon for young Black voices at the time, the then 21-year-old Staples’s anthology became a painful yet poignant exploration of youth through killer vocal delivery and somber instrumentals.
Currents by Tame Impala
With guitar riffs that can be recognized within earshot, and dissonant instrumentals that put you in a hallucinatory trance, Currents became a relic for songwriters, producers and instrumentalists alike. Sonically cynical, the psychedelic jams provide one with the comfort of romanticising their solitude. Hazy yet groovy, it’s inherently escapist, making you want to scream into the void and cry silently, simultaneously.
Badlands by Halsey
The holy grail of the Blue-haired, the brooding and the bisexual, Badlands is a Tumblr artefact for many. With an “Americana” tone that extends from “Colours” to “Walk TheLine”, the tracks are interlaced with R&B, angst and strikingly mellow. Pioneering dystopian aesthetics, the electro-pop record remains embedded in the memories of many.
Carrie & Lowell by Sufjan Stevens
This album pierces you with unexplained sadness. Each track peels layers of grief and death, making us confront the contorted counterparts of loss. Ethereal, dulcet and unsparingly sentimental, Carrie & Lowell lyrically explores the death of Stevens’ mother and his fragmented childhood memories of growing up in Oregon. Haunting yet poetic, it is a heavy listen, traversing through themes of mental illness, family, faith and substance abuse.
Blue Neighbourhood by Troye Sivan
Laden with soft-synth and summertime nostalgia, Sivan’s 16-track record is as euphoric as it is haunting. Centred around Queer identity, Blue Neighbourhood takes us on Sivan’s journey battling homophobia, with his childhood suburbs from Perth serving as the backdrop. Hedonistic and youthful, it is an autobiographical account of the unsaid aspects of adolescence via dreamy tracks.
The Most Beautiful Moment In Life Pt. 2 by BTS
A concoction of melancholy and adrenaline, this album has a soft spot in the hearts of ARMYs. Exploring themes of isolation, youth pressures and freedom, TMBMIL Pt 2mirrored adolescent problems through music. Listening to these tracks feel like meeting an old friend. Evocative and energising, it’s a silent companion, present through all seasons of life.
17Carat by Seventeen
The all-encompassing K-Pop unit’s debut mini album is bound to get Carats grooving all day long! A vibrant mix of Hip-hop and Dance Pop, these energetic tracks are like time machines to 3rd Gen K-Pop discography. Refreshing, both visually and auditorily, 17Carat is one of the examples of the 2010s K-pop, which changed the course of the music, business and culture-wise.
Aalas Ka Pedh by Local Train
This Indian Indie collective gave us gems like “Choo Loo” and “Aaoge Tum Kabhi”, which remain youth heartbreak anthems to this date. Going through the various stages of heartache- love, delusion, lamentation and pain, the poetic verses, coupled with familiar acoustic tunes, are perfect to revisit at any time of your life. The tracks grow on you, each tear-jerking listen at a time.
Climax by Peter Cat Recording Co.
The album that took the fans by surprise! With a striking artwork and signature serendipitous sound, this record was, in fact, not sold through CDs. If you want to indulge in Suryakant Sawhney’s lucid voice and transport yourself to simpler, transcendental times, this should be your go-to pick.