Joey Daniewicz’s Top 5 Mid-Year Albums

1. Chance the Rapper – Coloring Book

Not just the gospel rap masterpiece Kanye was trying for, Coloring Book‘s love for God might be central, but it’s the softer tracks, the gentle “Summer Friends” and the sultry “Juke Jam” that fill in the gaps.

2. Beyoncé – Lemonade

Though not flawless, it slays, cutting through the bullshit and condensing its fury in a way that her superior self-titled really could have used.

3. Parquet Courts – Human Performance

Parquet Courts are a very good band, but they’ve yet to really put out something that felt like an achievement. This comes close.

4. Rihanna  – ANTI

After breaking from her album-a-year schedule, she’s come back with her best long-player yet, and not by a little.

5. Kendrick Lamar – untitled. unmastered.

Even his trash is treasure.

Joey’s Top 5 Songs of 2015 (So Far)

1. Kanye West (feat. Chance the Rapper, The-Dream, Kelly Price and Kirk Franklin) – “Ultralight Beam”
2. Beyoncé – “Formation”
3. G.L.O.S.S. – “Give Violence a Chance”
4. Radiohead – “True Love Waits”
5. Beyoncé (feat. Jack White) – “Don’t Hurt Yourself”