Music is a subjective art form, subject to the fickle whims of listeners who don’t know what they want to hear until they hear it. That’s what makes end-of-year lists so hard – everyone has an opinion they think is right. But music isn’t black and white. So, instead of compiling a substantive “Top 20 Songs of 2015” list, we decided to just keep it simple. Spectrum staff members submitted their favorite few songs from the past year. Among the in-office frontrunners are Drake and Future, Bryson Tiller, Ellie Goulding and, of course, good ol’ Justin Bieber. Check out the staff picks below.
Tom Dinki – Editor in Chief
Drake, “Hotline Bling” – Hotline Bling
Drake, “Know Yourself” – If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late
Fetty Wap, “Trap Queen” – Fetty Wap
Alyssa McClure – Managing Editor
Adele, “Hello” – 25
Ellie Goulding, “Love Me Like You Do” – Delirium
JoJo, “Say Love” – III
Marianas Trench, “Wildfire” – Astoria
The Weeknd, “Tell Your Friends” – Beauty Behind the Madness
Kayla Menes – Copy Editor
The 1975, “Love Me” – I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It
Disclosure ft. Lion Babe, “Hourglass” – Caracal
Miguel, “Waves” – Wildheart
Rihanna, “BBHMM” – Anti
Renée Staples – Copy Editor
Adele, “Hello” – 25
Bring Me The Horizon, “Run” – That’s The Spirit
Kendrick Lamar, “Alright” – To Pimp A Butterfly
Missy Elliott, “WTF (Where They From)” – (Untitled)
Gabriela Julia – Senior News Editor
“Sorry” – Justin Bieber - Purpose
“Exchange” – Bryson Tiller – T R A P S O U L
“Runnin’” – Kehlani - You Should Be Here
“One Man Can Change the World” – Big Sean – Dark Sky Paradise
Ashley Viola – News Editor
The Vaccines, “Dream Lover” – English Graffiti
Ellie Goulding, “Love Me Like You Do” – Delirium
Marina & The Diamonds, “Immortal” – FROOT
Marlee Tuskes – News Editor
Drake and Future, “Jumpman” – What A Time To Be Alive
The Chainsmokers, “Roses” – Bouquet EP
Halsey, “Colors” – BADLANDS
Justin Bieber, “Where Are Ü Now” – Purpose
Taylor Swift, “Bad Blood” – 1989
Tori Roseman – Senior Features Editor
Big Sean, “All Your Fault” – Dark Sky Paradise
Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment, “Slip Slide” – Surf
Justin Bieber, “What Do You Mean” – Purpose
Panic! At The Disco, “Emperor’s New Clothes” – Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die!
Dani Guglielmo – Features Editor
Avicii, “Can’t Catch Me” – Stories
The Chainsmokers, “Roses” – Bouquet EP
Imagine Dragons, “Shots (Broiler Remix)” – Shots EP
Justin Bieber, “Sorry” – Purpose
Justin Bieber, “What Do You Mean” – Purpose
Brian Windschitl – Senior Arts Editor
D.R.A.M., “CHA CHA” – #1EpicEP
Grimes, “Realiti” – Art Angels
Jamie xx, “Loud Places” – In Colour
Tame Impala, “Let It Happen” – Currents
Unknown Mortal Orchestra, “The World Is Crowded” – Multi-Love
Kenneth Kashif Thomas – Arts Editor
D.R.A.M., “Gotta Go” – #1EpicEP
Future, “March Madness” – DS2
Villa, “January” – Vertical
Post Malone, “Too Young” – Too Young
Tomas Olivier – Asst. Arts Editor
Bring Me The Horizon, “True Friends” – That’s The Spirit
Drake, “Legend” – If You’re Reading This Its Too Late
Miguel, “Destinado A Morir” – Wildheart
Jordan Grossman – Co-Senior Sports Editor
Calvin Harris ft. Disciples, “How Deep Is Your Love” – How Deep Is Your Love
Drake, “Energy” – If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late
X Ambassadors, “Renegades” – VHS
Quentin Haynes – Co-Senior Sports Editor
Future, “March Madness” – DS2
Travi$ Scott, “90210” – Rodeo
Bryson Tiller, “Overtime” – T R A P S O U L
Kendrick Lamar, “Alright” – To Pimp A Butterfly
Kainan Guo – Co-Senior Photo Editor
Maroon 5, “Sugar” – V
Rihanna ft. Kanye West & Paul McCartney, “FourFiveSeconds” – Anti
Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth, “See You Again” – Furious 7: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Yusong Shi – Co-Senior Photo Editor
Drake, “Hotline Bling” – Hotline Bling
Drake, “Back to Back” – “Back to Back”
Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk” – Uptown Special
Sam Smith, “Writing’s On the Wall” – Spectre (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Angela Barca – Photo Editor
Bryson Tiller, “Right My Wrongs” – T R A P S O U L
Drake and Future, “Change Locations” – What A Time To Be Alive
Sam Smith ft. John Legend, “Lay Me Down” – In The Lonely Hour
Tekno, “Duro” – Duro
Kenny Cruzer – Creative Director
Disclosure, “Magnets” – Caracal
Halsey, “Drive” – BADLANDS
Lana Del Rey, “High By The Beach” – Honeymoon
Purity Ring, “Begin Again” – another eternity
Pierce Strudler – Asst. Creative Director
Adele, “Hello” – 25
Rihanna, “B*tch Better Have My Money” – Anti
Selena Gomez, “Good For You” – Revival
email: arts@ubspectrum.com
