It’s not a secret that 2015 has been sonically sensational. Not only have we gotten to design for some incredible musicians, but we have discovered new music that will be on repeat for a long time. We’ve seen comeback albums from bands of the past, breakthrough hits new artists and ear candy from the industry’s major players. And although we may never be able to spell the word Weeknd correctly again, we at ST8MNT aren’t big fans of vowels anyway.

Critically acclaimed albums, explosive music videos, smash hits and face-melting concerts—2015 had it all. Below are lists of our favorite songs, albums and musical events of the year (in no particular order). Each member of the ST8MNT team contributed one item to each of the three lists.

Songs of the Year

A Alright by Kendrick Lamar
B Ragged Wood by Fleet Foxes
C Don’t Wanna Fight by Alabama Shakes
D Tennessee Whiskey (cover) by Chris Stapleton
E Back of the Car by RAC feat Nate Henricks
F Leaving Los Feliz by Mark Ronson feat Kevin Parker
G Shock Me by Baroness
H Know Yourself by Drake
I Wherever is Your Heart by Brandi Carlisle
J Norf Norf by Vince Staples
K The Metal East by Lightning Bolt

Albums of the Year

A Currents by Tame Impala
B Angus and Julia Stone by Angus and Julia Stone
C Beauty Behind the Madness by The Weeknd
D Black Messiah by D’Angelo and The Vanguard
E Vitals by Mutemath
F Sometimes I Sit and Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit by Courtney Barnett
G Meliora by Ghost B.C.
H TrapAvelli Tre by 2 Chainz
I Beauty Behind the Madness by The Weeknd
J Sour Soul by Ghostface Killah & BadBadNotGood
K Fantasy Empire by Lightning Bolt

Music Events of the Year

A 2015 Forecastle @ Waterfront Park – Louisville, KY
B Grace Potter and the Nocturnals @ Ascend Amphitheater – Nashville, TN
C Walk the Moon @ The Ryman – Nashville TN
D Justin Timberlake @ MGM Grand Garden Arena – Las Vegas, NV
E Emery @ Outland Ballroom – Springfield, MO
F Ty Segall @ The Corner Hotel – Melbourne, AUS
G Taylor Swift @ Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN
H Taylor Swift @ Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN
I Taylor Swift @ Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN
J DeathFromAbove1979 @ Third Man Records’ Blue Room – Nashville, TN
K Fuzz @ Mercy Lounge – Nashville, TN

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