We’ve reached the end of 2015 and as you’ve seen over this last month there have numerous best of and worst of lists and everything in between. The “listpocalypse” as many dub it is finally ending and we can start focusing on new music really soon. But before we look forward to the new music of 2016, we want to look back one last time on the music of country and Americana in 2015. These are the albums we consider the absolute must listen albums of 2015 if you’re a fan of country and Americana. We should point out that this year’s essential albums list is different in that last year’s list was all albums that we ranked 8/10 or better. This year’s essential list only contains albums (and a few EPs) ranked 9/10 or better.
Originally we wanted to just have it narrowed down to 25 albums, but then it grew to 30 and then 35 before eventually 40. We wanted to make sure we go all of the great music on the list! Keep in mind if we didn’t put an album on this list it’s not because we’re haters or we’re attacking your favorite artist. Do not turn the comments section into “Well you didn’t put (insert name) on the list and you didn’t put this on the list, so I hate it.” Instead put together your own list in the comments if you want, as this is more constructive and creates more interesting conversation.
Now that I’ve gotten all of the ground rules out of the way, let’s get to the music. These are what we consider the 36 most essential country and Americana albums of 2015.
The Best of the Best
Jason Isbell – Something More Than Free
The Awesome Ones
Tami Neilson – Don’t Be Afraid
Houndmouth – Little Neon Limelight
Wade Bowen & Randy Rogers – Hold My Beer, Vol. 1
Turnpike Troubadours – Turnpike Troubadours
Blackberry Smoke – Holding All The Roses
Pretty Damn Great
Whitney Rose – Heartbreaker of the Year
Eric Church – Mr. Misunderstood
Kacey Musgraves – Pageant Material
Brandi Carlile – The Firewatcher’s Daughter
The Malpass Brothers – The Malpass Brothers
Rick Elliot – West of the Rockies EP
The Lone Bellow – Then Came The Morning
“I Don’t Need Your Rockin’ Chair”
Dwight Yoakam – Second Hand Heart
George Strait – Cold Beer Conversation
Alan Jackson – Angels & Alcohol
James McMurtry – Complicated Game
Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard – Django & Jimmie
Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell – The Traveling Kind
A Little Bit of Everything
John Moreland – High On Tulsa Heat
Corb Lund – Things That Can’t Be Undone
Lindi Ortega – Faded Gloryville
Jon Pardi – The B-Sides, 2011-2014 EP
Jamie Lin Wilson – Holidays & Wedding Rings
Justin Townes Earle – Absent Fathers
