You wanted it. Or not. Whatever. You saw the list of 100 songs. Now, here are some releases I really liked this year.

25. Attalus – Into the Sea: Fun fact – The former guitarist (bass player?) of this band, John Sierra friended me on Facebook four years ago and was one of the first people to follow this blog. With the release of this magnificent album, I feel like my relationship with Attalus has come full circle. It’s interesting to hear piano so prominently in this style of rock. Attalus I could see becoming a flagship band of Facedown Records within a few years.

24. Of Monsters and Men – Beneath the Skin: I was expecting folk rock, I got dark alt rock that is still undeniably OMAM. Seeing the band perform the majority of this album live was simultaneously an ethereal and heartwarming experience. The band’s humility comes through on the record.

23. Saintseneca – Such Things: This band is borderline legendary in the indie circles of Columbus as this point. Saintseneca continues their journey away from the bare songs, although I doubt Zac Little will ever abandon that style completely. Overall, I found this record to be much more lighthearted than Dark Arc, although I would consider it equally pensive and quirky.

22. The Lighthouse and the Whaler – Mont Royal: Following a fun performance on top of a Whole Foods at this year’s SXSW, I was ready to give this band a hard second look. I first heard this band’s music by way of my brother in law and although I wasn’t super impressed, I found it enjoyable. Few bands employ both a synth and a violin in their songs, and these songs will stick in your head for a long time.

21. Title Fight – Hyperview: For a while the only frame of reference I had for this band was a show I heard about that happened at Skate Naked, the home of Worst Kept Secret Fest (which we often sponsor). I knew scene kids went crazy for this band, but not much else. Then, they released the single “Chlorine” and scene kids complained about the band changing their sound, and shoegaze die-hards complained that the band wasn’t “gazey” enough. I like this record a lot. No complaints from me. And yeah, they’re awesome live.

20. Turnover – Peripheral Vision: My friends in the BravoArtist crowd talked up this album a crap-ton. For good reason. For awhile I was kinda “eh” on this album, but I could see the indie crowd eating up the new era of this band. Someone please move this band from pop punk tours onto alt-rock tours with Silversun Pickups and the like.

19. July Talk – July Talk: Fun, loud, blues rock with attitude. These guys and a girl slayed at SXSW.

18. Talkie – Hablas: I challenge you to find a record with more diversity than this one. Well, it’s a double album. This is the west coast’s version of The Worn Flints, Columbus people.

17. Timbre – Sun and Moon: A concept double album (that I resolved to review months ago and still haven’t completed because there’s just so much to comb through). This album is beautiful. For fans of Joanna Newsom for obvious reasons. Why the indie sphere hasn’t caught on to the Timbre train by now, I have no idea.

16. Tame Impala – Currents: Yeah yeah yeah, you’ve seen this record on lots of year end lists. I couldn’t get into the previous Tame Impala record, but I really dig this. Why? I suspect it has something to do with the synth-pop bent.

15. Julia Holter – Have You In My Wilderness: I didn’t check out this artist until I was bedridden with a nasty virus and I found this to be rather therapeutic. Gorgeous. I can’t wait to see Julia Holter perform at Rumba Cafe, one of my favorite venues, in February.

14. Falling Up – Falling Up: One of my all time favorites go out in proper fashion.

13. Other Lives – Rituals: Another gorgeous album from an artist that I really hadn’t given a proper chance before this year. I don’t know what to call this style, but “indie” or “alternative” would be a cop out.

12. NYVES – Anxiety: My fellow writer Ray likes this album because it reminds him of the 80s. I am not a child of the 80s, but I am enjoying this 80s revival stuff and dark pop emerging all of the sudden. Hear Ryan Clark like you’ve never heard him before.

11. Hidden Hospitals – Surface Tension: Why isn’t this band big? Someone tell me! Emo meets hook laden rock and roll. This album is full of great riffs, attitude, and huge choruses. For fans of Further Seems Forever and Foo Fighters. Yup, you read that right.

10. Come Wind – Move in Place: I expect big things from this band in the coming year. I spammed everyone I could find with their Kickstarter link for a reason. Their song “Rend Your Heart” is my most played song on my iTunes, and I suspect some songs from this debut full length will move up in my rankings similarly.

9. CHVRCHES – Eye For An Eye: People called this the perfect follow up to The Bones of What You Believe. Admittedly, this album doesn’t strike me quite the way the first one did, but I find the band’s consistency very impressive. These songs translate well live, too. It was fun seeing Lauren play drums on “Empty Threat.”

8. Author – Of Brighter Days: This album is loud, quiet, and emotive at all the appropriate moments. One of the true dark horses of 2015.

7. Purity Ring – Another Eternity: Similarly to CHVRCHES, Purity Ring followed up a brilliant debut that didn’t recreate the feelings I had initially. That’s okay though, because, also like CHVRHCES, Another Eternity has some huge melodies. Bigger than last time – which might have been thought questionable last year.

6. Valise – Young Bloomer: I discovered this band at a Copeland concert and immediately fell in love. I booked them in a pizza pub, and a couple of months later my friend brought them to a coffee shop. Their merch guy describes them as a math rock version of Death Cab for Cutie. Speaking of which…

5. Death Cab For Cutie – Kintsugi: I honestly didn’t listen to this album a ton this year, but Kintsugi proves that Death Cab are still on top of their game. A nice farewell album for Chris Walla. At the end of the day, I just felt like this album needed to be in my top five.

4. Twenty One Pilots – Blurryface: Me being in Columbus and not mentioning this album is questionable at best. But, this concept record takes things one step beyond Vessel in a very fun, quirky way. I’m so happy for these guys.

3. Sufjan Stevens – Carrie and Lowell: This album didn’t make me cry, but I can see why has that effect on people.

2. Until the Ribbon Breaks – A Lesson Unlearnt: This is unquestionably THE dark horse record of the year. Some of these songs are a few years old, but A Lesson Unlearnt is a near perfect conglomeration of R&B, hip hop, and alt rock from a Welsh trio. Relocated to LA, I hope to see much more of this band around these parts. Plus, they traded guest appearances on an album with Run the Jewels, so that’s tight.

1. MUTEMATH – Vitals: If you know me at all, this shouldn’t surprise you. If you think the band has lost their way or gone too pop, whatever. I enjoy it. Shrug.

Favorite EPs

• Troy Petty – Departure
• Kingfishers – All Well Or Nothing
• Many Rooms – Hollow Body
• Wave and Rome – Across the Map
• Playing to Vapors – A Glitch In A Void
• Owel – Every Good Boy
• Tigerwine – Lull
• Borrowed Spirit – Overgrown
• Vesperteen – Vesperteen
• Polyenso – EP 1