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Ten Albums Turning Ten: The Music That Defined 2015

It’s hard to believe that 2015 was an entire decade ago, but here we are taking a trip down memory lane. 2015 was a musical goldmine for my playlists, delivering chart-toppers we couldn’t get enough of and forgotten gems that deserve a second listen. Beyond individual songs, the albums this year were top-tier and deserve a dive back into ten years later. Let’s dive into the soundscape of 2015, revisiting the hit albums that defined the year's soundscape and uncovering some underrated ones you might’ve missed.


American Beauty/American Psycho - Fall Out Boy

Fall Out Boy is a standout band that dominated the radio in the 2010s. Catapulting onto the scene with their early single "Sugar We're Going Down" in 2005, their momentum didn't slow. The band is comprised of Andy Hurley on drums, Pete Wentz on bass, Joe Trohman on guitar and keys, and Patrick Stump, primarily recognized for his vocals. Formed in the suburbs of Chicago, this quartet has gone on to make its mark on the alternative rock scene. With a whopping eight studio albums, their discography is expansive and holds a lot of hidden gems and classic tunes for you to rediscover.



The album American Beauty/American Psycho is home to a lot of standout songs that are pivotal to the legacy of Fall Out Boy as a group. Their second studio album, Fall Out Boy released 4 singles predating the full album release: "Uma Thurman," "Centuries," "Immortals," and their title track "American Beauty/American Psycho." They later released the song "Irresistible" as a single, as well as after the album's official release. The project received a great reception from both critics and fans, and landed the group the number one spot on the US Billboard 200.


Song Recommendations:

  • "Uma Thurman"

  • "Centuries"

  • "American Beauty/American Psycho"

  • "Fourth of July"

  • "Novacane"


Purpose- Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber was arguably the standout solo male artist of the 2010s. A teenage heart throb, he initially rose to fame through YouTube, with the first video ever posted of him singing now grossing over 11 million views. Since then, Justin has released six studio albums, three remix albums, three compilation albums, two extended plays, 76 singles (including 22 as a featured artist), and 10 promotional singles. He has collaborated with all different kinds of artists, from Nicki Minaj to Skrillex, and is a true staple in the pop industry.



Released in 2015, Purpose is an informative album in demonstrating what kinds of genres were popular in the 2010s: combining Justin's classic pop vocals with the EDM and R&B genres that defined the mid-2010s. Tracks like “What Do You Mean?,” “Sorry,” and “Love Yourself” became instant radio staples. Not only was this album monumental for the public, peaking at number one on the Billboard top 200 charts, it was also special to Justin himself. On the Zach Sang Show, Justin said about the album: "For a while there I felt like I kind of lost my purpose, or felt like I lost my purpose, and I feel like I finally got my purpose back."


Song Recommendations:

  • "Love Yourself"

  • "Company"

  • "What Do You Mean?"

  • "Sorry"

  • "Where Are Ü Now"


Made in the A.M. - One Direction

Where Justin Bieber excelled as the solo pop boy of the 2010s, it is indisputable that the biggest band of that time was One Direction. Initially comprised of Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, and Louis Tomlinson, this British band was formed on the popular show The X Factor in 2010. They released five studio albums and a total of seventeen singles, including two charity singles. They went into an indefinite hiatus in 2016, and with the recent news of the death of Liam Payne, there is a low likelihood they will ever reunite musically again.



Made in the A.M. was One Direction's first project without Zayn Malik, and would go on to be their final project. Released in November of 2015, the album had three preceding singles, "Drag Me Down," "Perfect," and 'History" that excited fans for the looming album release. "History" stands out in particular, as the reflective lyricism in the single was accompanied by a tear-jerking music video detailing the band's journey from their formation to where they stood during the recording of Made in the A.M.. This album not only culminated One Direction's run as a band, but also defined the pop music soundtrack of 2015.


Song Recommendations:

  • "Temporary Fix"

  • "Walking in the Wind"

  • "History"

  • "If I Could Fly"

  • "Love You Goodbye"


Depression Cherry - Beach House

Beach House is an indie trio comprised of Victoria Legrand, Alex Scally, and James Barone. Formed in Baltimore in 2004, Beach House creates songs that make you feel like you're in a movie. They incorporate shoegaze, a genre characterized by dream-like soundscapes and heavy use of echo and reverb, into traditional indie and pop sounds to create a refreshingly new sonic experience for their listeners. Their expansive discography features eight studio albums, and their unique sonic palette has influenced many current artists.



Depression Cherry is the band's 4th studio album, perfectly nestled in the middle of their discography. There are three singles from the album: "Sparks," "PPP," and "Beyond Love." This album is also home to the band's most popular track "Space Song," which has amassed over one billion streams on Spotify, making it one of only few songs to achieve that impressive accolade. Compared to much of their other work, this album leans slightly more upbeat, but it still stays true to their dreamy, atmospheric sound.


Song Recommendations:

  • "Space Song"

  • "PPP"

  • "Blue Bird"

  • "Days of Candy"

  • "Levitation"


Currents - Tame Impala

Tame Impala's popularity has continued to grow ever since they stepped on the scene in 2007. Spearheaded by Kevin Parker independently, Tame Impala is his independent psychedelic rock project, and he is responsible for this music genre's rapid rise to popularity in recent years. With big-name collaborators like Travis Scott and SZA, Parker blends his unique sonic concepts with the mainstream pop and rap genres. When he is touring, Parker is accompanied by Dominic Simper, Jay Watson, Cam Avery, and Julien Barbagallo.



Some may argue the popularity of this album is still at an all-time high, which is fascinating considering that Currents was released 10 years ago. As Tame Impala’s third studio release, his sound had refined enough by this point to produce some of the strongest songs in his catalog. Songs like "The Less I Know the Better" and "New Person, Same Old Mistakes" trended on YouTube and TikTok in recent years, cementing the album as ahead of its time sonically. Its lasting relevance is a testament to Kevin Parker’s ability to blend introspective lyrics with immersive, genre-blurring production.


Song Recommendations:

  • "The Less I Know the Better"

  • "New Person, Same Old Mistakes"

  • "Let It Happen"

  • "Nangs"

  • "Disciples"



Beauty Behind the Madness - The Weeknd


Abel Tesfaye, known professionally as The Weeknd, is a multifaceted artist who has made a major impact on the music industry and beyond. While he’s best known for his atmospheric and emotionally charged R&B sound, he's also ventured into acting, most notably starring in The Idol. In addition to performing, he’s heavily involved in the writing and production of his music. His list of accolades is impressive, including four Grammy Awards, 20 Billboard Music Awards, 22 Juno Awards, six American Music Awards, and nominations for both an Academy Award and a Primetime Emmy. Beyond the numbers, his ability to evolve with each project and push creative boundaries has solidified him as one of the most influential artists of this generation.



While The Weeknd is now a name that is synonymous with R&B nightlife music, back in 2015, he was just starting. Beauty Behind the Madness was only his second studio album, and in the ten years after that, he would go on to more than double that number as well as feature with some of the biggest artists of the 2010s and 2020s. 10 years after this album's release, The Weeknd has just released his final album under this artistic pseudonym, titled Hurry Up Tomorrow.



Song Recommendations:

  • "Dark Times"

  • "Tell Your Friends"

  • "In The Night"

  • "Angel"

  • "Real Life"


Blurryface - Twenty One Pilots

Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun make up the iconic alternative rock duo that is Twenty One Pilots. Formed in 2009 in Ohio, the duo was initially a quartet, comprising of Joseph, Dun, and two other members by the name of Nick Thomas and Chris Salih, who shortly made their departure only two years after the formation of the band. Now, with over 15 years of experience in the industry, both in making music and touring under their belt, Twenty One Pilots is the first name many think of when they think of alternative music.


When many people think of Twenty One Pilots, they think of the album Blurryface. "Tear in My Heart" was one of the band's first songs to experience a lot of radio success, while songs like "Heavydirtysoul" and "Polarize" hold a special space in the heart of the fandom. The album, which solidified the duo’s place in mainstream alternative music, remains a defining era for both the band and their listeners. Fans are eagerly hoping for a 10th anniversary edition of the album featuring remixes and remastered versions of these cult classics, as a way to celebrate its lasting impact.


Song Recommendations:

  • "Heavydirtysoul"

  • "Tear In My Heart"

  • "Polarize"

  • "Fairly Local"

  • "The Judge"


True Colors - Zedd

Zedd is widely considered one of the pioneering forces behind the EDM and house music explosion of the 2000s and beyond. Born Anton Zaslavski in Germany, he quickly rose to international fame and became a staple in mainstream American music. His breakout hit "Clarity" not only topped charts but also earned him a Grammy Award, solidifying his place in pop and electronic music history. With three studio albums and 38 singles to his name, Zedd continues to push boundaries. Most recently, Coachella set drew massive crowds and got high praise, proving that over a decade into his career, he’s still at the top of his game.



True Colors was a collaborative album that brought together some of the biggest artists of the 2010s, along with rising stars who would later make a major impact on the music scene. Troye Sivan, Selena Gomez, and Kesha all had standout moments on the album, creating a seamless blend of early 2000s and 2010s favorites with a glimpse into the future of pop. Though the album features only 11 tracks, each one is sonically polished and thoughtfully produced, proving that True Colors is all about quality over quantity.


Song Recommendations:

  • "I Want You To Know" ft. Selena Gomez

  • "Beautiful Now"

  • "Daisy"

  • "Bumble Bee"

  • "Papercut" ft. Troye Sivan

Blue Neighborhood (Deluxe) - Troye Sivan


While many now recognize Troye Sivan for his signature house-pop sound and his electrifying Sweat tour with Charli XCX, his musical journey began in the indie scene. Before that, he was a breakout YouTuber starting in 2007, collaborating with major creators of the late 2000s and early 2010s like Connor Franta and Tyler Oakley. From those early internet days to releasing intimate indie tracks, Troye steadily evolved into a global pop icon. Now, he is one of the most highly regarded pop and house artists of the 2020s.



Blue Neighbourhood was Troye Sivan’s debut album and serves as a beautiful snapshot of his early sound and artistry. While his style has since evolved dramatically, this project laid the foundation for his rise in the music world. The album’s indie-pop vibe suited him perfectly at the time, showcasing his emotional depth and lyrical vulnerability. The song"YOUTH" was personally a 2015 defining song for me, landing in my top-most-played tracks of the year. Another fan-favorite, "for him.," stood out not only for its heartfelt lyrics but also because it was the only track titled in all lowercase, adding a subtle but memorable touch to the song.


Song Recommendations:

  • "YOUTH"

  • "BITE"

  • "BLUE"

  • "FOOLS"

  • "for him."


Wiped Out! - The Neighbourhood

The Neighbourhood has long been a spearhead of the indie rock scene. Formed in Los Angeles in 2011, the band originally included frontman Jesse Rutherford, guitarists Jeremy Freedman and Zach Abels, bassist Mikey Margott, and drummer Brandon Fried. Sammis was later replaced by Bryan Sammis in 2022. With four studio albums and several EPs under their belt, The Neighbourhood has left a lasting mark on alternative music.



Wiped Out! is The Neighbourhood’s second studio album, released in 2015. The band approached the album as a cohesive project, with Jesse Rutherford explaining that “every song has a reason to be on there.” The result is a moody, narrative-like album that flows intentionally from track to track. One of its most iconic songs, “Daddy Issues,” became a standout hit, resonating deeply with fans and continuing to trend years after its release.

Song Recommendations:

  • "Daddy Issues"

  • "Baby Came Home 2/ Valentines"

  • "Cry Baby"

  • "Greetings from Califournia"

  • "Ferrari"


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