’15 Top 5 Albums

Now that we’ve got you all gathered around the glowing hearth of the Internet—all snuggled up in your studded leather jackets, flanel shirts and anoraks—it’s time to share a list of our favorite releases from the year. You can check out some of the best tunes we heard over the course of 2015, from lovely local long-players to national sensations. We’ve even arranged them for you in a series of genre-specific lists, so you can get the scoop on whatever taste strikes your fancy.

Whether you’re on a strict diet of “Organic Free Range Local Albums,” are planning some intergalactic shenanigans in 2016, or just can’t come to terms with the fact that it’s not 1973 anymore, there’s something here for fans of all stripes. If you’re looking for something to warm up your holiday season, there’s plenty here to keep the cold at bay—or, in the case of our black metal picks, to soundtrack your wild revel in winter’s frigid embrace. So spike your eggnog, settle into a dark corner, and feast your eyes on the wonders ahead.

Obviously, we can’t list every amazing release from this year (2015 was practically bursting with quality albums), but if you feel like we missed something excellent, sound off in the comments!

If you’d like to keep an eye on our favorite tunes—past, present and future—make sure to follow our Twitter page @SLUGMag and check out the #SLUGPlaylist. We’re always posting rad new music that’s playing in SLUG HQ, so make sure to take a listen with us!