By Daily Iowan Arts Staff
Every year, we all vow to make it the #BestYearEver. Regardless of whether 2015 meets that mark, there is plenty to be remembered about the past 12 months. Here’s what the Daily Iowan Arts staff experienced this year.
ALBUMS
We didn’t get albums from Kanye West or Frank Ocean, but I dare say it didn’t matter, as 2015 was so good we were in legitimate danger of oversaturation.
Father John Misty, I Love You, Honeybear
Leaving Fleet Foxes was the best decision Joshua Tillman has ever made. Since his departure from the acclaimed neo-folk outfit, he got married and released the year’s best album. Honeybear is an extended and thoughtful love letter microcosmic of what true affection means in 2015. It is cleverly tongue-in-cheek, uniquely patriotic, and wholeheartedly beautiful.
Nicolas Jaar, Nymphs II/III/IV
Though technically not an album, this series of EPs from Brown University graduate and boy-wonder Nicolas Jaar form a collection more cohesive and better produced than any full-length album this year. Fusing aspects of ambient music with his characteristic minimal techno, Jaar crafts a 40-minute masterpiece that will blow you away.
Kendrick Lamar, To Pimp a Butterfly
Regardless of politics, you can see where President Obama was coming from when he announced his favorite song of the year was off Lamar’s most recent LP. Butterfly is both a chilling commentary on today’s race relations in America and a brutally honest, self-effacing journal entry from one of rap music’s most complex and conflicted minds.
Grimes, Art Angels
Grimes pushes the boundaries of pop music to their breaking points in this stunning 14-track collection that finds the artist functioning in her freest and most creative state.
Jamie xx [cq], In Colour
In Colour reveals to the world a Jamie xx finally free from the restrictive marginality of his former band, the xx. Creating in a style that is uniquely his own, Jamie xx combines island sounds with traditional house music to perfection.
— by Girindra Selleck
UNDERRATED ALBUMS
By now you’ve extinguished your fill of Hotline Bling and developed a twitch every time someone even breathes the word Hello. To help, here are albums you should have given a listen to instead.
Sufjan Stevens, Carrie & Lowell
Grab a tissue. This album is 40-plus minutes of quiet acoustics, seamless harmonies, and lyrics detailing grief, abuse, and hope. Inspired by his mother’s death, it’s Stevens’ most poignant and haunting album yet. Highlight: “Should Have Known Better”
Joanna Newsom, Divers
Lovely and complicated, Newsom delivers poetry. You can either try to unravel the chords of her signature harpsichord or just sit back and revel in their dance. Highlight: “Anecdote”
Sleater-Kinney, No Cities to Love
When the queens of feminist punk release a new album, you don’t question. You bow, grab some headphones, and listen to this raw, urgent, but most importantly, empowering album. Highlight: “Surface Envy”
Death Grips, Jenny Death
I’ll call them experimental post-punk, but Death Grips is a difficult band to categorize, and all the more exciting because of that.Jenny Death is part two of its Powers that B release channeling its unbridled aggression with singer MC Ride back at the helm. Highlight: “Inanimate Sensation”
Thundercat, The Beyond/Where the Giants Roam
No one is doing neo-soul better than Thundercat. This mini-album is on the heels of recent buzz as one of To Pimp a Butterfly’s collaborators. His signature, delicate touch on the electric bass and airy vocals continue to mesmerize. Highlight: “Them changes”
— by Tessa Solomon
SONGS
There often exist one or two songs on an album that alone hold more substance than entire projects. This year, we saw many such songs emerge from one of the strongest musical offerings in nearly a decade.
“Slumlord,” Neon Indian
This anthemic, layered masterpiece from Neon Indian’s excellent Vega Intl Night School, complete with a beautiful chorus, pounding synthesizers, and a breathtaking outro, is a song you can’t help but dance to when it blasts over the speakers.
“Hotline Bling,” Drake
Drake did lots of Drake things in 2015, including collaborating with the world’s hottest artist on a surprise-release mix tape and fueling rumors about a relationship with the world’s greatest athlete, but everything paled in comparison with the release of this song and its accompanying music video. As if to outdo himself, Drake’s best song might not even end up on his highly anticipated next album, slated to be released early next year.
“Pedestrian at Best,” Courtney Barnett
In a year dictated by electronic music and hip-hop, these four minutes of gritty garage rock act as a refreshing and needed escape. Barnett’s lyrics and the undeniable chorus are merely a bonus.
“I Know There’s Gonna Be (Good Times),” Jamie xx featuring Young Thug and Popcaan, “Gosh” – Jamie xx
Almost any song on In Colour could make this list, but these two are where Jamie best demonstrates his abilities as a producer. Crafting euphoric soundscapes both with Young Thug and Popcaan and on his own, Jamie xx cements himself as the new authority on electronic music.
“In The Night,” the Weeknd
Abel Tesfaye’s unlikely ascension to pop icon is best epitomized by this eerily upbeat tale of a young girl with few options who finds herself falling into the sex trade. Tesfaye infiltrates and exposes the seedy underbelly of a genre typified by its glamorous choruses and vapid lyrics and, in doing so, creates the year’s best pop song.
— by Girindra Selleck
MUSIC VIDEOS
Sometimes having a great song isn’t enough; in 2015, people want videos.
“Alright,” Kendrick Lamar
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This video is cinematically beautiful. Shot completely in black and white, “All Right” discusses heavy but relevant themes of violence and discrimination. Lamar stands on a lamppost above the city for much of the video and stands above the rest on this list for best video of the year.
“Bitch Better Have My Money,” Rihanna
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Whoa. That’s pretty much all you can say after seeing this one. It’s twisted, scary, bizarrely sexy, and definitely not OK for children’s eyes. Rihanna may have missed her calling as a stone-cold killer.
“Love yourself,” Justin Bieber
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It is physically painful for all us anti-Beliebers when he puts out something good. And it disappoints me to say this video is delightfully simple. There are no crazy stunts or special features, just powerful storytelling. There is no arguing, it’s a good video.
“Sugar,” Maroon 5
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Maroon 5 hit everyone right in the feels earlier this year with its smash hit “Sugar.” The video chronicles the band crashing weddings all over Los Angeles and giving surprise performances for newlyweds. How do I sign up for that?
“Hotline Bling,” Drake
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I’m unsure whether this is a music video or simply a gold mine for gifs and memes. Regardless, Drake created quite the phenomena with a sick beat and his epic dad-dancing. The colors are pretty, too.
— by Jasmine Putney
FILMS
This year marked the beginning of a new era for filmmakers, both in Hollywood and in the arthouses. This new wave comes complete with an updated status quo and a crop of films whose subject matters might initially be somewhat less accessible but, in the long run, are certainly no less mesmerizing.
Mad Max: Fury Road
Furiosa. Furiosa. Furiosa. The year’s best character steals the show in the year’s best movie, receiving added support from the mind of depraved genius George Miller and Tom Hardy’s minimalist turn as the film’s namesake.
Spotlight
One of the year’s tensest, most riveting releases also boasts the best ensemble cast. If it was up to me, Ruffalo and Keaton would both take home hardware for best supporting actor in Feb.
The Assassin
Hsiao-Hsien Hou’s tour de force is, without debate, the most beautiful film of the year. With every shot more captivating than the last, Hou’s camerawork will keep you glued to your seat throughout this masterpiece of filmmaking.
Room
Both the most brutal and the most heartwarming story of the year. Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay star in this adaptation of Emma Donoghue’s novel. This one takes some guts to sit through, but it proves worth it in the end.
Steve Jobs
Aaron Sorkin, Danny Boyle, and Michael Fassbender partner for this chronicle of our era’s most influential creative thinker and deliver on all fronts. Fassbender’s performance is the best of the year, and Sorkin’s script is, as usual, impeccable.
— by Girindra Selleck
BOOKS
It was a captivating year for books, memoirs, thrillers, horror, and everything in between.
Girl on a Train, Paula Hawkins
Girl on a Train is a fascinating read that explores an unreliable narrator, Rachel. It splits the viewpoints among three women but follows Rachel the most. In the vein of Gone Girl, it holds an exhilarating twist at the end. This book will keep you antsy and nervous but has a happy ending.
Why Not Me, Mindy Kaling
Known for her roles in “The Office” and “The Mindy Project,” Kaling released Why Not Me on Sept. 15, exploring her journey through work, love, and friendships. She even discusses work after “Office.” A lot of actors write memoirs these days, but I’d say Kaling tops the list as one of the best.
Life and Death: Twilight Reimagined, Stephanie Meyer
I have to be honest, I’m not a huge Twilight fan. With the 10-year anniversary, Meyer released a new version but swapped the genders. What used to be Bella and Edward is now Beau and Edythe. I’m sure this made many fans happy, but I didn’t really understand the point of the remake; there was nothing very original.
Delicious Foods, James Hannaham
This book has three main characters: Darlene, son Eddie, and drugs. Darlene’s drug addiction actually has another name, Scott, which adds a certain unusualness to the story. After her husband’s death, Darlene turns to drugs for consolidation and abandons her son, then later tries to make amends. This book was heart-wrenching, brutal, and dejecting, but fascinating.
Binary Star, Sarah Gerard
Binary Star is another book that makes readers think as the protagonist faces hardships with anorexia and an alcoholic boyfriend. As one of the first books published in 2015, it certainly delivered. This book helps in understanding the inner works of anorexia. It was beautiful and painful at the same time.
— by Gracey Murphy
VIDEO GAMES
Fallout 4
I knew Fallout 4 and Metal Gear Solid were going to be No. 1 and No. 2, but deciding which would win the top spot was difficult. In the end, Fallout won, perhaps because it’s simply fresher in my mind, but it was a close race.
Metal Gear Solid
Sorry, Metal Gear Solid, Fallout 4 just edged you out.
Halo 5
Halo 5 and Black Ops III both fumbled their stories pretty much equally, but Halo modernized the series with new mechanics, most of which worked out pretty well.
— by Jordan Ryder
PODCASTS
For many, podcasts seem intimidating because there’s so much content to get caught up on. Luckily, if you can spare an hour, you can start listening to these podcasts, which are either in their first season or nonsequential.
Tanis
From the Pacific Northwest Stories, Tanis follows the story of Nic Silver as he searches for the mythical Tanis, a place that has no permanent physical origin but still is firmly rooted in musings of the greats of literature.
Black Tapes Podcast
Also from Pacific Northwest Stories, it follows Alex Reagan as she searches for the truth behind paranormal occurrences alongside the enigmatic rationalist Dr. Richard Strand. Reagan can be compared to Fox Mulder, sometimes a bit too eager to chalk up occurrences to the paranormal, while Strand is without a doubt the Scully of the duo.
Limetown
Lena Haddock searches for the truth behind a disappearance that occurred 10 years ago, when more than 300 people disappeared from a small town in Tennessee. No one has heard from them since. Until now.
Lore
Author Aaron Mahnke explores the people, places, and things of our darkest nightmares. During the course of 20 minutes, Mahnke will show you that sometimes the truth of our history is actually far more terrifying than fiction could ever be.
Judge John Hodgman
Is a hotdog a sandwich? Can someone be too good at Mortal Kombat? How many times can you text a friend before you cross the line into harassment? Comedian John Hodgman and Jessie Thorn tackle these issues and more in a “fake Internet court.”
— by Claire Dietz
THEATER
Theater can be overshadowed by television and film, but there was plenty to be proud of on stage in 2015.
The Tony Awards
Kristin Chenoweth and Alan Cumming co-hosted the 69th-annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall. Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime\ took home the award for Best Play, as well as four others. Best Musical was a toss-up between Fun Home and American in Paris, but ultimately Fun Home dominated, taking home Best Musical and four other awards.
Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda
The hottest ticket since Jan. 20 has been for Hamilton, a new musical revolutionizing American theater. Hamilton, which tells the story of first Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, mixes rap and hip-hop music to create a new sound for theater.
Hand to God, Robert Askins
Perhaps the most shocking new play of the season revolves around a small *Bible* school classroom in the Texas.Hand to God follows an awkward teenager, Jason, who creates a puppet for his Bible school, only for the puppet to get possessed by the devil. This shocking and hilarious new play had critics and audiences unsure whether to laugh or be scared.
— by Devyn Young
TELEVISION
“Jane the Virgin”
This fall the whole first season was put on Netflix, though it premièred on the CW in 2014. Jane, a virgin, accidentally gets inseminated at a checkup doctor’s appointment. The father? Rafael, who owns the hotel at which Jane works and with whom she shared a passionate kiss five years back. Plus, Jane is engaged to a detective working on a drug case involving the hotel. And Jane’s long-lost father turns out to be the star of her favorite telenovela. Watching it yet?
“Empire”
Buzz has surrounded this musical drama/soap opera since its release in January. CEO of a record label with a past gets sick and has to decide which of his sons will take over his business. In one big moment, to portray the complex familial relationships, son Jamal publicly announces he’s gay with a remixed version of his father’s song. The show’s soundtrack was No. 1 on the *Billboard 200* chart. Shot partially in Chicago, the show used young people from the area as extras, so look around and see if you can spy anyone you know.
— by Grace Pateras
YOUTUBE VIDEOS
“Doris & Mary-Anne Are Breaking Out of Prison”
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“Doris & Mary-Ann” is a set of 10 short videos, most lasting around 30 seconds. Each video spends its time trying to tell a single joke. The creator’s comedic timing is on point, and the biggest laugh often comes out of each video’s abrupt ending.
“Hey Ash, Whatcha’ Playin?: SJW”
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A series headed by siblings Ash and Anthony Burch, it tackles significant games and events in video-game culture. This particular episode, “SJW” focuses on the Gamer’s Gate issue from earlier in the year. While the video doesn’t give a lot of context, it’s easy to watch it, pick up on the surface issues, and still find it funny.
“A Proper Revenge Fantasy”
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A College Humor parodying of “Downton Abby,” this video shows an upset butler fantasizing about what he’d want to do to the family he serves. It’s fun to see how with a single actor and some editing tricks, the video goes from resembling an upset child’s fantasy to evoking thoughts of Quinton Tarantino.
“The 8 Spiders You Eat in Your Sleep”
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This is sort of an odd video that parodies Internet lists. Each entry escalates the idea of eating spiders while asleep, each more unbelievable than the last. Then, once you think you have the formula down, the end of the video adds another twist that some might say falls a bit flat and comes out of nowhere but is funny all the same.
“Pixel Cops”
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A year after Rocket Jump’s series “Video Game High School” wrapped-up, “Pixel Cops” more than anything shows that Rocket Jump can still deliver laughs. The video was released to coincide with the film *Pixels*; despite this video’s three-minute running time, it’s likely to get more laughs than the feature-length film.
— by Isaac Hamlet
POP CULTURE
This year was rough for celebrities and their quasi-famous counterparts, staying rife with gossip for pop culture’s dedicated followers. Scrolling through Twitter was an endless treat, as 2015 spared no one.
Rachel Dolezal exposed
Dolezal, a hairdresser, artist, and rights activist from Washington, sparked controversy this summer after her parents outed the former NAACP chapter president as a white woman. They spoke to the press after Dolezal reported being the victim of hate crimes. Dolezal maintains she is “transracial” and identifies as black. She soon lost her positions on a police ombudsperson board and teaching Africana studies as an adjunct instructor.
Zayn leaves One Direction
Zayn Malik stunned One Direction’s teen fans everywhere when he left the boy band for some alone time and to make music more in tune with his tastes. Things got weird on Twitter after Malik’s newfound BFF Naughty Boy came into the picture. Harry Style’s tweet after the announcement, “All the love as always. H,” was the most retweeted of 2015, with nearly 750,000 clicks.
Iggy Azalea’s downfall
The backlash was swift not long after Azalea stood at the top of the charts. A feud in late 2014 with Azealia Banks mutated into a flurry of uncovered racist tweets from the past, a flop single with Britney Spears, and a cancelled arena tour after Nick Jonas and Tinashe fled the scene. According to her career’s autopsy report, it was all over once Spears shaded Azalea on Twitter.
Justin Bieber also exposed
Though he peed in a bucket, criticized Bill Clinton, and rubbed elbows with the legal system in 2014, Bieber’s comeback game this year was something to be proud of. After letting it all hang out at an island resort, not-safe-for-work photos of Bieber ended up online, drawing attention before his album release. Bieber’s dad Jeremy chimed in on Twitter, calling himself a “#prouddaddy.” Bieber called it a “dad thing.”
— by Chris Higgins
MOST IMPORTANT MOMENTS
Every year there are moments that capture the attention of the country or, on occasion, the whole world. This year was no exception.
The attack on Paris
On Nov. 13, a series of attacks took place across a section of Paris, killing at least 130 people. As the city mourned in the wake of Europe’s worst terrorist attack in more than a decade, countries across the globe offered support.
University of Missouri president steps down
After many reported accounts of racial discrimination at the University of Missouri-Columbia, including a swastika drawn in feces, students called for the resignation of the President Tim Wolfe. African-American members of the football team refused to play or practice until Wolfe stepped down, and one student began a hunger strike. On Nov. 9, he renounced his title, and the Missouri system chancellor soon followed.
Viola Davis Wins
Though it surprised no one, Viola Davis became the first African-American to win an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. She was honored for her role in “How to Get Away with Murder.” You go, Viola.
Brian Williams Loses
In February, “NBC Nightly News” anchor Brian Williams admitted to misrepresenting events he had covered during the 2003 Iraq War. Williams was suspended from his position, and NBC issued an apology on his behalf. Williams returned to MSNBC in September as a breaking news anchor.
Bruce becomes Caitlyn
After a revealing interview with Diane Sawyer on April 24, former Olympian Bruce Jenner discussed his struggles with gender identity. Nearly a month later, he underwent extensive surgery and became Caitlyn Jenner. Regardless of your opinion about the massive amounts of publicity that ensued after the change, Jenner was able to bring to light the stance of transgender equality in America.
— by Jasmine Putney
BIGGEST IOWA MOMENTS
People tend to think their university is the best. Who’s to say we’re wrong? Iowa had a lot going for it this year.
Rose Bowl
Hawkeye football completed its most dominant season in several years, going undefeated in the regular season, peaking at No.3 in the AP Poll and securing a spot in the Big Ten Championship game. Despite a heartbreaking last-second loss to Michigan State, the Hawkeyes silenced naysayers and earned a spot in “The Granddaddy of Them All” for the first time since 1991.
Dance Marathon breaks fundraising record
Dance Marathon 21 participants raised a record amount of money — a staggering slightly more than $2 million — “For the Kids.” More than 2,500 people attended the Big Event in the IMU to show their support for the patients at UI Children’s Hospital.
Koehn’s 57-yard field goal
The atmosphere at Kinnick Stadium was electric for the first night game of the 2015 season, with the Hawkeyes engaged in a nail-biting battle with Pittsburgh. When a late Panther touchdown threatened to push the game into overtime, Hawkeye kicker Marshall Koehn sent a red-hot kick soaring straight through the uprights from 57 yards out, giving Iowa the walk-off win.
Got freshmen?
This fall, Iowa welcomed the largest incoming class in university history. The class of 2019 boasts 5,241 students, 575 more than the previous class, representing all 99 counties in Iowa, all 50 states, and 26 countries.
CHVRCHES
Scottish synth-pop trio and rising stars CHVRCHES made a pit stop in Iowa City on its North American tour to shake the Pentacrest for the 2015 Homecoming concert. The free show drew a huge crowd and left people pumped up for the next day’s football showdown against Illinois.
— by Adam Buhck
Listen to all the year’s best music on one playlist at https://open.spotify.com/user/j_flair/playlist/6MFWZt8ed4HWDoAvoPgMPd.
There’s plenty to keep you entertained during holiday travels.
