Primavera Sound was the best festival that I went to this year and this next collective's performance was one of the most memorable of the weekend. In at lucky number 7 is The Internet with Hive Mind.

One of my biggest upsets this festival season was not being able to attend this year's Afropunk - the line up was phenomenal, and after going last year, although there were things to improve on, I knew that this year would never disappoint. Luckily I had eyes and ears on the inside and so here's a recap and review of Day One written by Black Girl Ready To Rumble...  

It was the crowd’s energy that first called to me. Walking in halfway through the set of a band I had never heard of, it became immediately clear that this was a band I needed to get to know. The Heavy: a British rock band from Bath took to the Green Stage and had the crowd completely in their thrall. Within seconds of joining the energized crowds, I and my companions were dancing like long-term fans even singing along at parts. Kelvin Swaby, the lead vocalist of the band has a stage presence of a true rock star – voice like silk and the ability to make his audience feel like part of the band. The band worked so well together, clearly feeding off each other’s energy so that as an audience member you were compelled to believe in their message. At moments, Swaby had the crowd screaming like wolves during their set of “How You Like Me Now”. This was a well-oiled machine that managed to feel authentic, raw and not overly rehearsed. 

The album that's probably jumped about on the list the most, in at seven here's Kaytranada's 99.9%. It's crazy to think that this time last year, the only thing I really knew about Kaytranada is that he produced The Internet's song "Girl" and now his album is taking up the majority of my most played list this year.

Essentially, my entire summer was sponsored by Kaytranada. Almost every single flight, car journey, heck even tram journey I took after this album was released, featured at least one song from it. I actually remember the day that I listened to this album for the first time - I was sitting in the office trying to get on with some kind of work and I know my colleagues must've been annoyed because my foot was tapping for damn near every single song! The instant hits for me were "Vivid Dreams" and "Bullets". The instrumental on Vivid just comes through so hard, I was close to flailing my arms in the office on first listen and as soon as I heard Yukimi's voice on "Bullets" I was sold (and obviously that first drum fill was pretty convincing too).

Since the release of this album nobody has been able to stop Kaytranada - he. is. EVERYWHERE. Some of my favourite albums this year include features from him, production credits from him, wherever there is good music, there's usually some help from Kaytranada there. He has one of the most unique production sounds around at the moment - as soon as I hear one of his beats, I know that it's him. As well as being a huge plus for him this may become a bit of a vice - nobody really wants one of their songs to sound like it would go better on somebody else's album. However, let's not count him out, as good as he is now, he hasn't hit the glass ceiling yet - the next few years for him will be interesting for sure.

After catching his set at Sonar Festival earlier this year, although great, I could see room for improvement there. The only reason I say this is because, Kaytranada is one of the most talented producers around at the moment and he still has mounds of potential - more is indeed possible! I look forward to the sophomore.

Finally, here's a quick clue about what the rest of the days of Christmas might look like - this album is the only debut album to make the list! I guess that says enough.

After listening back through my list of the top 10 albums of 2015 on Christmas Eve, I honestly just thought "There's no way that these are the best things to have come out in 2015!" So I went back and did my research - listened to heaps more records that I hadn't already heard this year (lots of new discoveries coming your way), went to see a few bands live that released records this year, and re-listened to the list I had settled on before. FINALLY - I think I have my final 10...


10. Hiatus Kaiyote - Choose Your Weapon
I didn't actually expect this album to make the top 10. When I first heard about Hiatus Kaiyote, everyone was raving about them. At least 10 people told me that I should check them out. So when I actually got round to listening to them I was expecting a lot more than what they gave. It wasn't until I saw them live late last year and properly listened to the album that I realised what people had been saying all along. Super funky record and super talented band. Give them a gander.
 
9. Foals - What Went Down 
I've gone back and forth about putting this album on the list. Especially after my review of it here, but the more I think about it, the more I realise that it is a good album, I just wanted more. Again, after seeing it played live late last year, I can see how strong each of the songs are. Although this didn't make it as high up my list as Holy Fire did when it dropped in 2013, Foals continue to produce material that draws me in.

8. Lianne La Havas - Blood
It took me a lot longer than I'd expected to fully get into this album. Lianne's debut will always be one of my all time favourite albums and so I've been anticipating this follow up for the longest time! So when I first listened to the album, I had a few clear standouts ("Midnight" is still my favourite on the album), but nothing really stuck to me the way that I was expecting. It wasn't until maybe the fourth listen that the penny dropped and I realised just how much of a musical masterpiece this album is. I still prefer numero uno but my oh my, Lianne is one hundred percent somebody not to overlook.

7. Disclosure - Caracal
It's normally hard to top a debut of Disclosure's calibre but their sophomore album, Caracal might just have done it. It's pretty hit-laden and featuring the likes of Gregory Porter, Nao, Lion Babe, Kwabs and more, it was practically fool proof from the get-go. We already know that a team up with Sam Smith is a tried and tested winning combo and they've got him on the record again on quite a different type of song, but generating just as big of a reaction. Big album, both live and on record.

6. Neck Deep - Life's Not Out To Get You 
Speaking of second albums topping debuts, Neck Deep have easily cleared the bar that their first album set. Not just song quality-wise but production, lyrics and instruments (just to name a few things) have really knocked it out of the park on this one. If you'd have spoken to me at the beginning of 2015 I would've said without hesitation that I was looking forward to The Story So Far's new record more than Neck Deep's... well, one has made the list and the other hasn't. I enjoyed every song on this album and I can happily say I'm looking forward to album number three.
 
5. Ghostpoet - Shedding Skin 
I actually almost forgot that this came out this year. Since it was released, I've listened to it so much that it feels almost like a classic. Ghostpoet has really mastered being able to connect with the listener through his music on the most ordinary things that you could imagine. Like I said in my track-by-track here, this record just feels like a continuation of everything that he's already put out and as simple as it is, it adds such an essential layer to his body of work. Quality album.

4. Florence + The Machine - How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
If you read my review of this record earlier this year here, I'm sure you had no doubt that this would make it onto my list somewhere. I definitely didn't expect it to fall out of the top three ranking. However, after seeing them perform live here in Australia, although musically spectacular, I realised that it just doesn't resonate with me as much as their first two records. Still a very enjoyable record with multiple shining moments, but it just got pipped at the post.

3. The Internet - Ego Death 
I wasn't really expecting this album to get so high up the list. I listened through The Internet's Purple Naked Ladies in 2011 and to be honest, I wasn't the slightest bit impressed. So when my friend asked me to have a listen to their single "Girl (feat. KAYTRANADA)" earlier this year, I wasn't expecting much at all - they completely blew me away! Although the average song on this record is about 5 mins long, they were all ingrained in my head after first listen. I can't even count the amount of times that I woke up with one of their songs stuck in my head. Huge transformation, and 100% for the better.

2. Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp A Butterfly 
Now, this record would've been my number one choice had it not been so tough to listen to, beginning to end. After maybe the second listen, I don't think I've listened to it all the way through since. Each track is fantastically crafted, lyrically genius, and I'd listen to them individually, but my oh my is it hard to listen to in one go. It's definitely a concentration piece. I feel like every time I come back to it, I learn something new. Kendrick is a phenomenal story teller, and although considerably different from Good Kid... it tells a completely different chapter in Kendrick's life. Full of big tracks, both provocative and commercial - well deserving of the number 2 spot.

1. Bring Me The Horizon - That's The Spirit
Well, well, well... when I first heard this record, there is no way that you could've got me to believe that it would make it's way to the top of my albums of the year list. I shamefully admit that I was among the skeptics after first listen - not sure whether I was impressed or not. I still think that Sempiternal is a better record in comparison but there isn't one track on this album that I would skip listening through it. Beginning to end, back to front, this is a diverse, layered and just lyrically brilliant album. Oli has truly honed in his talent for song-writing and both live and in studio BMTH excel. They may have taken a risk with this album and no doubt lost some fans in the process but they've smashed it again and I expect nothing less than upwards from here on out.

FINALLY, a list that I am 100% content with. 2015 was a humongous year for music and somehow I think 2016 might just be bigger. Here are some shout outs for honourable mention...

• Tame Impala - Currents
• Drake - If You're Reading This, It's Too Late
• Everything Everything - Get To Heaven
• Justin Bieber - Purpose
• Young Fathers - White Men Are Black Men Too 
• The Maccabees - Marks To Prove It 
• Don Broco - Automatic 
• The Story So Far - The Story So Far 
• Jamie xx - In Colour
  
• mewithoutYou - Pale Horses
• Thee Oh Sees - Mutilator Defeated At Last

It's safe to say that I've missed a few things since working in Australia so now that I have Cup Day off, I thought it'd be the perfect time to catch up on a few things...


NARCS NEW SINGLE "BLUE BAGS"
It's been a while since I heard anything from the Leeds boys but I'm glad to have them back - now all that's left is a debut album! Until then, I'll jam to this new tune here. It feels like every time I hear something new from NARCS it sounds completely different from the last. This wasn't at all what I'd expected when I saw that they released a new track and sadly I don't think it's better than what I'd imagined. Nonetheless, I'll keep listening out for something I love.


DJ SNAKE NEW SINGLE "MIDDLE (FEAT. BIPOLAR SUNSHINE)"
DJ Snake is really chucking out radio bangers left, right and centre. In most places around the world, summer's coming to an end and this is a perfect song for that end of summer/beginning of autumn feeling. It's been a long while since I heard anything from Bipolar Sunshine too so it's interesting to have him back in a featuring role. Sampha might have suited this feature better but still a strong track here.


JAKE ISAAC NEW MUSIC VIDEO "HOME"
If I'm honest, I haven't really been following Jake Isaac intently this year but thank God I caught this track. What an absolute banger! I must say, Jake Isaac might be a little bit underrated. I don't hear his name uttered enough. Good track here - I'd say that it's time for me to start doing some research.


THE INTERNET NEW MUSIC VIDEO "GET AWAY"
I've been actively listening to The Internet's latest record since it was released in June earlier this year. This isn't even the best song on the record in my opinion and it's still made it's way to my top played list. Great album opener and although this video is more short than sweet, I still feel as great watching it as I do listening to the song. Check out the video here.


THE STONE ROSES ANNOUNCE 2016 TOUR DATES
After rumors year after year of Oasis reforming we have another old school juggernaut coming together for a couple of UK shows next year. Tickets to see The Stone Roses go on sale on the 6th of November and I can guarantee that these are going to fly. Grab one if you can because these going to be shows to remember!


KINS NEW SINGLE "MOST DEFINITELY"
Another band that I'm really waiting for a debut album from. Although, I am worried that as with Kins' EP, it'll get a little hard to listen to all the way through. Either way, it's the songs that make the record and this song is great. Kins have really come into their own now and the production on this song is awesome.


MØ NEW SINGLE "KAMIKAZE"
MØ seems to love a good Diplo collaboration. After their jam "XXX 88" in 2013, it's nice to hear them come together again, this time for something a little more different. I personally prefer "XXX 88" but I can see this track here being played heaps in the summer or just whenever the sun's out. I just love that MØ's finally getting the hype I said she deserved.


TONIGHT ALIVE NEW MUSIC VIDEO "HUMAN INTERACTION"
It's no secret how much I love Tonight Alive, so when I heard that they were releasing a new single you can say that I was a little bit excited. After two albums I thought I would've had TA somewhat pegged by now but this single actually caught me a little off guard. No doubt that this is a bit different from what they've done in the past, but I love it!! This track has been stuck in my head since I heard it and Jenna's vocals sound as strong as ever. Super stoked for the new record out on the 4th of March.


DRONES NEW SINGLE "FROM BIRTH TO GRAVE"
I heard about Drones on Punktastic a while back but haven't really been following them since then. When I saw this tweet about a new music video from them I thought I might as well check it out. Good choice. I love stumbling on a good track. I feel like they've still got some honing to do but they're solid. Have a listen to the pop punk tune here.


FOALS COVER FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE'S "WHAT KIND OF MAN"
The first thing I thought of when I saw that Foals were covering this track was "What Went Down". I think I was a bit too excited, because when they started off I was brought back down to earth. I didn't like the synths in the beginning, sounding very CHVRCHES-esque. However, when the guitars came in it picked up, and again when they mashed it up with "What Went Down". In the end though, it just wasn't enough for me - I think I just wanted more from that cover. Have a listen here.


KITE BASE NEW SINGLE "MIRACLE WAVES"
So... Savages' Ayşe Hassan and Blindness' Kendra Frost have formed a band. If you're not already as stoked as I was when I heard this, you probably need to go listen to both bands. After, you've done that and we're on the same page, have a listen here to what it sounds like when super talented bassists come together. Kite Base, my interest is piqued.


SAM SMITH NEW SINGLE "DROWNING SHADOWS"
Apparently this is Sam's "saddest song ever". All I could think during the first couple of minutes is how much it sounded like an old Whitney song that I couldn't quite put my finger on. It's going to grate on me until I figure out that track it sounds like but aside from that very good track. Although I agree that it's more of a bonus track than one for the main album; I'll definitely be listening to this one a few more times.