Teen Vogue's Official Ranking of the Best Albums of 2015
1/12It’s amazing when an album wins you over and you replay it repeatedly, to the point where it becomes the soundtrack to your life. In the future when you hear those songs, they’ll be associated with that period of your life. So, which albums will forever be associated with your 2015? These were plenty to choose from, but here were the absolute must-listen-to albums of the year.
2/12"25" by Adele
Leave it to Adele to make it in just under the wire. The album was somewhat of a late entry, but “Hello” and its partner songs were immediate hits. Since many people had been hoping for new material since 21 was released in 2011, the bar was rather high...but this didn’t disappoint!
3/12"Smoke + Mirrors" by Imagine Dragons
Few albums are as fantastic to listen to from start to finish — without skipping a single track — as this one is. “I Bet My Life,” “Gold,” and “Shots” are just the most popular of many true gems on this album.
4/12"Blurryface" by twenty one pilots
Did you sleep on this band this year? Shame on you. Every track is truly phenomenal, but listen for their big hits, including “Stressed Out,” “Fairly Local,” “Tear In My Heart,” “Lane Boy,” and “Ride.”
5/12"Made in the A.M." by One Direction
What can be said about our boys' fifth album? Between "Drag Me Down," "Walking In the Wind," and so many other tracks that highlighted 1D's love of rock music, this was the album that proved just how much the band has grown up. It may have been their last gift to the fans before they went on hiatus, but if we can sum it up in one word, it's this: perfect.
6/12"What a Time to Be Alive" by Drake and Future
This mixtape was a tag team effort from two of the most popular current musicians, and it delivered a number on debut, and tracks like “Jumpman,” “Diamonds Dancing,” and “Live from the Gutter.”
7/12"If You're Reading This It's Too Late" by Drake
It was #1 on US, UK, and Canadian charts for a reason. As for the big songs from the album? “Preach” and “Energy” were both popular singles — and Drake solidified another catchphrase when he said he was running through the 6ix with his WOEs. (You know how that goes.)
8/12"Handwritten" by Shawn Mendes
Shawn is the youngest artist since Bieber to have a No. 1 album on the Billboard 200, and for good reason. From the widely known “Stitches,” to tracks like “Never Be Alone,” this album feels like the beginning of a long, spectacular career.
9/12"Piece by Piece" by Kelly Clarkson
You’ve probably heard “Heartbeat Song,” “Invincible,” and “Piece by Piece,” but the album has plenty more great tracks, including “Run Run Run,” which features John Legend.
10/12"Dark Sky Paradise" by Big Sean
From “Blessings” to “IDFWU” to “Paradise” and “One Man Can Change the World,” it was certainly a good year for Big Sean. This album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, and got major support from all of Sean's collaborators, including Kanye West and Drizzy himself.
11/12"Purpose" by Justin Bieber
“What Do You Mean?” and “Sorry” were both instant, massive hits, but don’t get it twisted, there’s plenty more on the album that will make you an instant Belieber. And if you somehow overcome the urge to text your ex every lyric of "Love Yourself," there's always the dance music videos Justin released along with the album for a full interactive experience.
