KCRW'S BEST OF 2015

DJ PICKS: TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2015

The Arcs - Yours, Dreamily
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Multi-Love
Beirut - No No No
Jamie xx - In Colour
Disclosure - Caracal
Deerhunter - Fading Frontier
ODESZA - In Return
Alabama Shakes - Sound + Color
St Germain - St Germain
Tame Impala - Currents
Jason Bentley
  • The Arcs Yours, Dreamily (Nonesuch)
  • Unknown Mortal Orchestra Multi-Love (Jajaguwar)
  • Beirut No No No (4AD)
  • Jamie xx In Colour (Young Turks)
  • Disclosure Caracal (Capitol)
  • Deerhunter Fading Frontier (4AD)
  • ODESZA In Return (Counter)
  • Alabama Shakes Sound & Color (ATO)
  • St Germain St Germain (Nonesuch)
  • Tame Impala Currents (Interscope)
Thundercat - The Beyond / Where The Giants Roam
Leon Bridges - Coming Home
Courtney Barnett - Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit
Fabiano Do Nasciemento - Danca Dos Tempos
Korey Dane - Youngblood
The Decemberists - What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World
The Amazing - Picture You
Boxed In - Boxed In
Lianne La Havas - Blood
John Tejada - Signs Under Test
Anne Litt
  • Thundercat The Beyond / Where The Giants Roam (Brainfeeder)
  • Leon Bridges Coming Home (Columbia)
  • Courtney Barnett Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit
  • Fabiano Do Nasciemento Danca Dos Tempos (Now Again)
  • Korey Dane Youngblood (Innovative Leisure)
  • The Decemberists What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World (Capitol)
  • The Amazing Picture You (PTKF)
  • Boxed In Boxed In (Nettwerk)
  • Lianne La Havas Blood (Nonesuch)
  • John Tejada Signs Under Test (Kompakt)
Alabama Shakes - sound + color
Andy Shauf - the bearer of bad news
Miguel - wildheart
Melody Gardot - the currency of man
Raury - all we need
The Arcs - yours, dreamily
Bob Moses - days gone by
Jamie xx - in colour
Peaches - rub
Kamasi Washington - the epic
Chris Douridas
  • Alabama Shakes Sound & Color (ATO Records)
  • Andy Shauf The Bearer of Bad News (Tender Loving Empire)
  • Miguel Wildheart (RCA Records)
  • Melody Gardot The Currency of Man (The Artist's Cut) (Decca)
  • Raury All We Need (Columbia Records)
  • The Arcs Yours, Dreamily (Nonesuch)
  • Bob Moses Days Gone By (Domino)
  • Jamie xx In Colour (Young Turks)
  • Peaches Rub (inGrooves)
  • Kamasi Washington The Epic (Brainfeeder)
St Germain - St. Germain
Various artists - Lost In Mali
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats - Night Music
Ludovico Einaudi - Elements
Jason Vieaux - Play
Razia Said - Akory
Les Ambassadeurs - Les Ambassadeurs du Motel de Bamako
Lorraine Feather - Flirting With Disaster
Bassekou Kouyaté & Ngoni Ba - Ba Power
Roberto Fonseca and Fatoumata Diawara - At Home
Tom Schnabel
  • St Germain St. Germain (Nonesuch)
  • Various artists Lost In Mali (Riverboat)
  • Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
  • Ludovico Einaudi Elements (Ponderosa)
  • Jason Vieaux Play (Azica)
  • Razia Said Akory (Wakeup Music)
  • Les Ambassadeurs Les Ambassadeurs du Motel de Bamako
  • Lorraine Feather Flirting With Disaster (Jazzed Media)
  • Bassekou Kouyaté & Ngoni Ba Ba Power (Glitterbeat)
  • Roberto Fonseca and Fatoumata Diawara At Home (World Village)
Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly
Alabama Shakes - Sound & Color
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Multi-Love
Disclosure - Caracal
Hiatus Kaiyote - Choose Your Weapon
Quantic - A New Constellation
Seven Davis Jr - Universes
St Germain - St Germain
Kamasi Washington - The Epic
The Internet - Ego Death
Garth Trinidad
  • Kendrick Lamar To Pimp a Butterfly (Top Dawg)
  • Alabama Shakes Sound & Color (ATO)
  • Unknown Mortal Orchestra Multi-Love (Jagjaguwar)
  • Disclosure Caracal (Capitol)
  • Hiatus Kaiyote Choose Your Weapon (Sony)
  • Quantic A New Constellation (Tru Thoughts)
  • Seven Davis Jr Universes (Ninja Tune)
  • St Germain St Germain (Nonesuch)
  • Kamasi Washington The Epic (Brainfeeder)
  • The Internet Ego Death (Odd Future)
Jamie xx - In Colour
Tame Impala - Currents
Shamir - Ratchet
Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars - Uptown Special
BØRNS - Dopamine
Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly
Boxed In - Boxed In
Alison Wonderland - Run
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats - Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Ghost Culture - Ghost Culture
Travis Holcombe
  • Jamie xx In Colour (Young Turks)
  • Tame Impala Currents (Interscope)
  • Shamir Ratchet (XL)
  • Mark Ronson Uptown Special (RCA)
  • BØRNS Dopamine (Interscope)
  • Kendrick Lamar To Pimp a Butterfly (Top Dawg)
  • Boxed In Boxed In (Nettwerk)
  • Alison Wonderland Run (Astralwerks)
  • Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
  • Ghost Culture Ghost Culture (Phantasy Sound)
Alabama Shakes - Sound & Color
Tame Impala - Currents
Disclosure - Caracal
Natalia Lafourcade - Hasta La Raiz
Jamie xx - In Colour
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Multi-Love
The Chemical Brothers - Born in the Echoes
Leon Bridges - Coming Home
Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly
Buscabulla - Kitsune: Buscabulla
Raul Campos
  • Alabama Shakes Sound & Color (ATO)
  • Tame Impala Currents (Modular/Interscope)
  • Disclosure Caracal (Capitol)
  • Natalia Lafourcade Hasta La Raiz (Sony)
  • Jamie xx In Colour (XL)
  • Unknown Mortal Orchestra Multi-Love (JagJaguwar)
  • The Chemical Brothers Born in the Echoes (Astralwerks)
  • Leon Bridges Coming Home (Columbia)
  • Kendrick Lamar To Pimp a Butterfly (Top Dawg)
  • Buscabulla Kitsune: Buscabulla (Kitsune)
Leon Bridges - Coming Home
Wolf Alice - My Love Is Cool
John Tejada - Signs Under Test
Shamir - Ratchet
Korey Dane - Youngblood
Rhiannon Giddens - Tomorrow Is My Turn
Hermitude - Dark Night Sweet Light
Pale Honey - Pale Honey
Until The Ribbon Breaks - A Lesson Unlearnt
Disclosure - Caracal
Liza Richardson
  • Leon Bridges Coming Home (Columbia)
  • Wolf Alice My Love Is Cool (RCA)
  • John Tejada Signs Under Test (Kompakt)
  • Shamir Ratchet (XL)
  • Korey Dane Youngblood (Innovative Leisure)
  • Rhiannon Giddens Tomorrow Is My Turn (Nonesuch)
  • Hermitude Dark Night Sweet Light (Nettwerk)
  • Pale Honey Pale Honey (Instant)
  • Until The Ribbon Breaks A Lesson Unlearnt (Kobalt)
  • Disclosure Caracal (Island)
Jose Padilla - So Many Colours
Daniele Baldelli - Cosmic Drag
Cfcf - The Colours of Life
L.A. Takedown - LA Takedown
Ghost Culture - Ghost Culture
Khruangbin - The Universe Smiles Upon You
Ruf Dug - Island
Gonno - Remember The Life Is Beautiful
Larry Gus - I Need New Eyes
Gwenno - Y Dydd Olaf
Mario Cotto
  • Jose Padilla So Many Colours (International Feel)
  • Daniele Baldelli Cosmic Drag (Endless Flight)
  • Cfcf The Colours of Life (1080p)
  • L.A. Takedown LA Takedown (Ribbon)
  • Ghost Culture Ghost Culture (Phantasy)
  • Khruangbin The Universe Smiles Upon You (Late Night Tales)
  • Ruf Dug Island (Music For Dreams)
  • Gonno Remember The Life Is Beautiful (Endless Flight)
  • Larry Gus I Need New Eyes (DFA)
  • Gwenno Y Dydd Olaf (Heavenly)
Courtney Barnett - Sometimes I Sit And Think, Sometimes I Just Sit
Kurt Vile - b'lieve i'm goin down...
Christine and the Queens - Christine and The Queens
Leon Bridges - Coming Home
Jeff Lynne's E L O - Alone In The Universe
Martin Courtney - Many Moons
Ryan Adams - 1989
Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin - Lost Time
Bob Dylan - The Bootleg Series, Vol 12: The Cutting Edge 1965-1966
Bruce Springsteen - The Ties That Bind: The River Collection
Gary Calamar
  • Courtney Barnett Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit
  • Kurt Vile b'lieve i'm goin down... (Matador)
  • Christine and the Queens Christine and The Queens (Atlantic)
  • Leon Bridges Coming Home (Columbia)
  • Jeff Lynne's E L O Alone In The Universe (Columbia)
  • Martin Courtney Many Moons (Domino)
  • Ryan Adams 1989 (PaxAmericana)
  • Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin Lost Time (Yep Rock)
  • Bob Dylan The Bootleg Series, Vol 12: The Cutting Edge 1965-1966
  • Bruce Springsteen The Ties That Bind: The River Collection (Columbia)
Father John Misty - I Love You, Honeybear
Alabama Shakes - Sound & Color
Sufjan Stevens - Carrie & Lowell
Courtney Barnett - Sometimes I Sit And Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit
Beach House - Depression Cherry
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Multi-Love
Toro Y Moi - What For?
C Duncan - Architect
Deerhunter - Fading Frontier
Ryley Walker - Primrose Green
Dan Wilcox
  • Father John Misty I Love You, Honeybear (Sub Pop)
  • Alabama Shakes Sound & Color (ATO)
  • Sufjan Stevens Carrie & Lowell (Asthmatic Kitty)
  • Courtney Barnett Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit
  • Beach House Depression Cherry (Sub Pop)
  • Unknown Mortal Orchestra Multi-Love (Jagjaguwar)
  • Toro Y Moi What For? (Carpark)
  • C Duncan Architect (Fat Cat)
  • Deerhunter Fading Frontier (4AD)
  • Ryley Walker Primrose Green (Dead Oceans)
Diane Coffee - Everybody's a Good Dog
Protomartyr - The Agent Intellect
Courtney Barnett - Sometimes I Sit and Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit
Boxed In - Boxed In
Andy Shauf - The Bearer of Bad News
Public Service Broadcasting - The Race for Space
Mac Demarco - Another One
The Wave Pictures - Great Big Flamingo Burning Moon
Dutch Uncles - O Shudder
Kelley Stoltz - In Triangle Time
Eric J. Lawrence
  • Diane Coffee Everybody's a Good Dog (Western Vinyl)
  • Protomartyr The Agent Intellect (Hardly Art)
  • Courtney Barnett Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit
  • Boxed In Boxed In (Nettwerk)
  • Andy Shauf The Bearer of Bad News (Tender Loving Empire)
  • Public Service Broadcasting The Race for Space (Test Card)
  • Mac Demarco Another One (Captured Tracks)
  • The Wave Pictures Great Big Flamingo Burning Moon (Moshi Moshi)
  • Dutch Uncles O Shudder (Memphis Industries)
  • Kelley Stoltz In Triangle Time (Castle Face)
D'Angelo and The Vanguard - Black Messiah
Eska - Eska
Sound In Color - Sound In Color
Makaya Mccraven - In The Moment
Young Fathers - White Men Are Black Men Too
Joey Bada$$ - B4.DA.$$
Mocky - Key Change
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Multi Love
Hiatus Kaiyote - Choose Your Weapon
Jono McCleery - Pagodes
Anthony Valadez
  • D'Angelo and The Vanguard Black Messiah
  • Eska Eska
  • Alabama Shakes Sound In Color
  • Makaya Mccraven In The Moment
  • Young Fathers White Men Are Black Men Too
  • Joey Bada$$ B4.DA.$$
  • Mocky Key Change
  • Unknown Mortal Orchestra Multi Love
  • Hiatus Kaiyote Choose Your Weapon
  • Jono McCleery Pagodes
Disclosure - Caracal
Jamie xx - In Colour
Rudimental - We the Generation
Alabama Shakes - Sound & Color
Kamasi Washington - The Epic
James Bay - Chaos and the Calm
BØRNS - Dopamine
Boxed In - Boxed In
Leon Bridges - Coming Home
Liane La Havas - Blood
Jason Kramer
  • Disclosure Caracal
  • Jamie xx In Colour
  • Rudimental We the Generation
  • Alabama Shakes Sound & Color
  • Kamasi Washington The Epic
  • James Bay Chaos and the Calm
  • BØRNS Dopamine
  • Boxed In Boxed In
  • Leon Bridges Coming Home
  • Liane La Havas Blood
Eska - Eska
Kamasi Washington - The Epic
Alabama Shakes - Sound & Color
The Visitors Attak - The Visitor EP
Son Little - Son Little
Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly
Dexter Story - Wondem
Khruangbin - The Universe Smiles Upon You
Chassol - Big Sun
St Germain - St. Germain
Jeremy Sole
  • Eska Eska (Naim)
  • Kamasi Washington The Epic (Brainfeeder)
  • Alabama Shakes Sound & Color (ATO)
  • Kadhja Bonet The Visitor EP (self release)
  • Son Little Son Little (Anti/Epitaph)
  • Kendrick Lamar To Pimp a Butterfly (Top Dawg)
  • Dexter Story Wondem (Soundway)
  • Khruangbin The Universe Smiles Upon You (Late Night Tales)
  • Chassol Big Sun (Tricatel)
  • St Germain St. Germain (Primary Society)
Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly
Various artists - Spiritual Jazz 6: Vocals
Kamasi Washington - The Epic
St Germain - St. Germain
The Internet - Ego Death
Hiatus Kaiyote - Choose Your Weapon
Romare - Projections
Fat Freddy ' s Drop - Bays
LA Priest - Inji
Various artists - Linear Labs: Los Angeles
Aaron Byrd
  • Kendrick Lamar To Pimp a Butterfly (Top Dawg)
  • Various artists Spiritual Jazz 6: Vocals (Jazzman)
  • Kamasi Washington The Epic (Brainfeeder)
  • St Germain St. Germain (Primary Society)
  • The Internet Ego Death (Odd Future)
  • Hiatus Kaiyote Choose Your Weapon (Flying Buddha)
  • Romare Projections (Ninja Tune)
  • Fat Freddy's Drop Bays (The Drop)
  • LA Priest Inji (Domino Recording)
  • Various artists Linear Labs: Los Angeles (Linear Labs)
Archy Marshall - New places 2 drown
Matthew E. White - Fresh Blood
Alabama Shakes - Sound and Color
Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly
Golden Rules - Golden Ticket
Chassol - Big Sun
Floating Points - Elaenia
Romare - Projections
Mathieu Schreyer
  • Archy Marshall A New Place 2 Drown (True Panther Sounds)
  • Matthew E. White Fresh Blood (Domino)
  • Alabama Shakes Sound & Color (ATO records)
  • Kendrick Lamar To Pimp a Butterfly (Top Dawg)
  • LA Priest Inji (Domino)
  • Golden Rules Golden Ticket (Lex Records)
  • The Polyversal Souls Invisible Joy (Philophon)
  • Chassol Big Sun (Tricatel)
  • Floating Points Elaenia (Luaka Bop)
  • Romare Projections (Ninja Tune)
RYAN TRUESDELL Presents Gil Evans Project: Lines of Color
Lennie Tristano - Chicago April 1951
Sal Mosca - The Talk of the Town
George Garzone - Crescent
Cécile McLorin Salvant - For One to Love
Hot Club of the Americas - Hot Club of the Americas
Sinne Eeg & Thomas Fonnesbæk - Sinne Eeg & Thomas Fonnesbaek
LORRAINE FEATHER - Flirting With Disaster
Erroll Garner - The Complete Concert By the Sea
Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet - Intercambio
Bo Leibowitz
  • RYAN TRUESDELL Presents Gil Evans Project: Lines of Color
  • Lennie Tristano Chicago April 1951
  • Sal Mosca The Talk of the Town
  • George Garzone Crescent - Crescent
  • Cécile McLorin Salvant For One to Love
  • Hot Club of the Americas Hot Club of the Americas
  • Sinne Eeg & Thomas Fonnesbæk Sinne Eeg & Thomas Fonnesbaek
  • LORRAINE FEATHER Flirting With Disaster
  • Erroll Garner The Complete Concert By the Sea
  • Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet Intercambio
Alabama Shakes - Sound & Color
Tame Impala - Currents
Courtney Barnett - Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit
Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly
Kurt Vile - b'lieve i'm goin down...
Leon Bridges - Coming Home
Crazy P - Walk Dance Talk Sing
Disclosure - Caracal
Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars - Uptown Special
GospelbeacH - Pacific Surf Line
Valida
  • Alabama Shakes Sound & Color (ATO)
  • Tame Impala Currents (Modular)
  • Courtney Barnett Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit
  • Kendrick Lamar To Pimp a Butterfly (Top Dawg)
  • Kurt Vile b'lieve i'm goin down... (Matador)
  • Leon Bridges Coming Home (Columbia)
  • Crazy P Walk Dance Talk Sing (Walk Don't Walk)
  • Disclosure Caracal (Island)
  • Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars Uptown Special (Sony Music)
  • GospelbeacH Pacific Surf Line (Alive Naturalsound)
Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly
Various artists - The Hamilton Original Broadway Cast Recording
D'Angelo and The Vanguard - Black Messiah
Daniel.T. - Tetrachromat
Alice Cohen - Into the Grey Salons
Pale Blue - The Past We Leave Behind
Tame Impala - Currents
Belle And Sebastian - Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance
Gwenno - Y Dydd Olaf
Marion Hodges
  • Kendrick Lamar To Pimp a Butterfly (Top Dawg)
  • Various artists The Hamilton Original Broadway Cast Recording (Atlantic)
  • D'Angelo and The Vanguard Black Messiah (RCA)
  • Daniel.T. Tetrachromat (Young Adults)
  • Alice Cohen Into the Grey Salons (Olde English Spelling Bee)
  • Pale Blue The Past We Leave Behind (Captured Tracks/2MR)
  • Tame Impala Currents (Interscope)
  • Belle And Sebastian Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance (Matador)
  • Gwenno Y Dydd Olaf (Heavenly)
  • Donnie Trumpet & the Social Experiment Surf (iTunes)
Boxed In - Boxed In
Car Seat Headrest - Teens Of Style
Houndmouth - Little Neon Limelight
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Multi-Love
Bc Camplight - How To Die In The North
Kamasi Washington - The Epic
Leon Bridges - Coming Home
Deerhunter - Fading Frontier
Courtney Barnett - Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit
Jr Thomas & The Volcanos - Beware
Chris Muckley
  • Boxed In Boxed In (Nettwerk)
  • Car Seat Headrest Teens Of Style (Matador)
  • Houndmouth Little Neon Limelight (Rough Trade)
  • Unknown Mortal Orchestra Multi-Love (Jagjaguwar)
  • Bc Camplight How To Die In The North (Bella Union)
  • Kamasi Washington The Epic (Brainfeeder)
  • Leon Bridges Coming Home (Columbia)
  • Deerhunter Fading Frontier (4AD)
  • Courtney Barnett Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit
  • Jr Thomas & The Volcanos Beware (Truth & Soul)
Boxed In - Boxed In
Courtney Barnett - Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit
Jamie xx - In Colour
The Chemical Brothers - Born in the Echoes
Disclosure - Caracal
Mbongwana Star - From Kinshasa
Sufjan Stevens - Carrie & Lowell
Dam-Funk - Invite the light
LA Priest - Inji
Childbirth - Women's rights
Karene Daniel
  • Boxed In Boxed In
  • Courtney Barnett Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit
  • Jamie xx In Colour
  • The Chemical Brothers Born in the Echoes
  • Disclosure Caracal
  • Mbongwana Star From Kinshasa
  • Sufjan Stevens Carrie & Lowell
  • Dam-Funk Invite the Light
  • LA Priest Inji
  • Childbirth Women's Rights
Seth Avett & Jessica Lea Mayfield - Sing Elliott Smith
Vetiver - Complete Strangers
Courtney Barnett - Sometimes I Just Sit and Think, Sometimes I Just Think
Father John Misty - I Love You, Honeybear
Andy Shauf - The Bearer of Bad News
Kurt Vile - b'lieve i'm goin down...
Pokey Lafarge - Something In The Water
Willis Earl Beal - Noctunes
Melody Gardot - Currency of Man
Dexter Story - Wondem
Ariana Morgenstern
  • Seth Avett & Jessica Lea Mayfield Sing Elliott Smith
  • Vetiver Complete Strangers
  • Courtney Barnett Sometimes I Sit and Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit
  • Father John Misty I Love You, Honeybear
  • Andy Shauf The Bearer of Bad News
  • Kurt Vile b'lieve i'm goin down...
  • Pokey Lafarge Something In The Water
  • Willis Earl Beal Noctunes
  • Melody Gardot Currency of Man
  • Dexter Story Wondem