Best of 2015: Song of the Year

The best thing about a new year is new music. Whether the band just released an album or hasn’t in a few years, it always seems like Christmas all year around. To see bands grow and try out new music styles, or even feature a new vocalist, is something worth appreciating. Here’s the top ten songs that made 2015 the best!

10. Dance Gavin Dance – “We Own The Night”

“Kicking off Instant Gratification in style, the shimmering clean guitars and beautiful vocal tones of Tilian Pearson give way to a trademark Dance Gavin Dance assault of spiralling leads, mile-a-minute drums and abrasive Jon Mess screams. Over the course of three and a half minutes it continually twists and turns, bringing out its best hook only at its conclusion. It’s this willingness to explore their own abilities and do things in a way that doesn’t seem immediately apparent that has made DGD so revered and undeniably one of the bands of 2015.” -Michael Bird

9. The Plot In You – “My Old Ways”

“The Plot In You surprised their fans when they first released “My Old Ways,” which would later be on their latest album Happiness In Destruction. Instead of such angry and morbid lyrics, the band switched it up and produced more meaningful and powerful music. Dealing with substance abuse, and overcoming it, vocalist Landon Tewers expressed himself freely within this track.” -Alex Lizette

8. Ice Nine Kills – “Communion Of The Cursed”

“Surely one of the year’s most ambitious singles is this audio horror movie based off ‘The Exorcist’ that doubles as INK’s most brutal moment yet. The combination of a repeating and increasingly chilling chorus with fast, dizzying death metal riffage and ear-splitting screams make this track a new kind of scary. If you watched the music video for this track you likely had to change your underpants halfway through.” -Matthew Powers

7. All Time Low – “Kids In The Dark”

“All Time Low is best known for their catchy lyrics and upbeat music that makes you want to get up and dance. Especially with this track in particular. “Kids In The Dark” starts off with a fast-paced tempo that only builds as it progresses. It gives off a feeling of youth, recklessness, and a sense of freedom and unity. All the kids who feel like total outcasts, with no sense of belonging, can definitely listen to this song and start feeling like a part of something.” -Alex Lizette

6. Veil Of Maya – “Mikasa”

“Veil of Maya’s long and surely difficult process for their now-celebrated fifth record “Matriarch” was punctuated by the release of this divisive single. Some loved it, some weren’t so quick to love it, but none could deny just how infectious the melodically unique metal track is. A combination of blistering riffs and a memorably soaring chorus hailed the entrance of new vocalist Lukas Magyar, a star vocal pupil who more than showed he could step into big shoes by being the successor to longtime vocalist Brandon Butler. His new style provided a breath of fresh air and added much-needed diversity to the band’s sound and ‘Mikasa’ has easily become a fan-favorite live anthem.” -Matthew Powers

5. Bring Me The Horizon – “Happy Song”

“When we first heard “Happy Song” it was shockingly melodic; we now recognise it as the heaviest moment on That’s the Spirit, a necessary bridge between the bruising metalcore of old and the radio-friendly Bring Me the Horizon of 2015. Featuring one of the best intros of 2015 as its cheerleader hook gives way to a thunderous alt-metal riff, “Happy Song” never once falters in its momentum or its commitment to marrying cynicism with euphoric melody in a manner that’s more easily comparable to Oasis than any heavy band. This willingness to lean on influences outside the “scene” is one feature that distinguishes BMTH from their peers, and makes them sound so vital.” -Michael Bird

4. Bring Me The Horizon – “Throne”

“Yes, yes, it sounds quite a lot like Linkin Park, but who could have predicted that the band who wrote “Fuck” could five years later have penned such a massive mainstream rock banger? The impossibly huge synth chorus only hits as hard as it does because the verses are so well constructed, Oli Sykes’ melodic vocals punctuated by the still excellent drumming of Matt Nicholls. Its lyrics are a defiant call to arms; its production levels are absolutely top-drawer; this is Bring Me the Horizon at their best. On a stunning album made up almost exclusively of massive arena-ready rock songs, “Throne” is the biggest of the lot.” -Michael Bird

3 .Pierce The Veil – “The Divine Zero”

“The fact that Pierce The Veil hasn’t put out anything since summer of 2012, them releasing this track certainly won their fans over. But that shouldn’t be the only reason. “The Divine Zero” is fresh. It’s obvious to hear all the different sounds Pierce The Veil is trying out. And like with any of their other music, it’s something you can jam out too! It gives the fans something to be excited for.” -Alex Lizette

2. Twenty One Pilots – “Stressed Out”

“Built on a lackadaisical beat driven by the always strong drumming of Josh Dun, “Stressed Out” is a wonderfully laid-back synthesis of spacey synth textures, mournful piano and a yearning chorus that bemoans the loss of youth. Tyler Joseph’s vocal performance is as idiosyncratic as ever, particularly in the climactic unveiling of his ‘Blurryface’ persona. That such an unusual track could be a massive radio hit speaks volumes for how well crafted it is. In three minutes and 22 seconds it encapsulates the sound of the album, a not inconsiderable balance of pop and reckless abandon.” -Michael Bird

1. Asking Alexandria – “I Won’t Give In”

“Perhaps it’s the expressive post-rock nature of the track or it’s the anthemic call of the title that crowds happily shouted back all Summer long, but no matter which way you spin it ‘I Won’t Give In’ is a 2015 hit. Undoubtedly a reflection of the struggles the band have faced within for the past few years and a statement of defiance against being a part of a toxic relationship with someone you know who is damaging themselves but love all the same, the song is a window into what nearly destroyed Asking Alexandria. In the same way it’s a banner raised and waved high that signifies the return of the band. The song alone has sparked much excitement for the band’s next chapter and that’s a powerful accomplishment for one standalone single. Asking Alexandria are stronger than ever and this song has been a major factor in proving so.” -Matthew Powers