Here’s one last look back before we set our sights on the year ahead. 
If you want to find one place for all those 2015 music lists, Largehearted Boy aggregated a bunch of year-enders. So did That Eric Alper.
In case you missed it, here’s my top 20 albums and my full top 40 of 2015. I also weighed in on punk and garage albums from last year as well as reissues and compilations.
There were many notable releases in 2015 — far more than my top 40 would suggest. So here are some of the other good things I listened to this past year.
Short takes
I really like the EP from Expert Alterations, which has a cool early ’80s alternative sound.
Super Transporterreum from Menace Beach was pretty good, as was the band’s debut full-length from January, Ratworld.
Ty Segall made a great four-song EP, Mr. Face, at the beginning of the year. The title track, in particular, is killer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBj2zPROIHk
Sharon Van Etten released a strong short album, I Don’t Want to Let You Down.
On the fringe
I mentioned in a previous post that Oneohtrix Point Never and Wolf Eyes brought fringe a little closer to the mainstream with interesting releases. Oneohtrix Point Never’s Garden of Delete and Wolf Eyes’ I Am a Problem: Mind In Pieces are worth checking out.
Ben Chasny, who performs as Six Organs of Admittance, made an interesting pair of albums, Hexadic and Hexadic II. Hexadic is a challenging, abrasive guitar assault, while II is a more tranquil acoustic follow up. Both are worth a listen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fi5Y6IJHgSY
I initially overlooked Anna von Hausswolff’s intense album, The Miraculous. Bad oversight on my part. I’ve been listening to it a lot lately.
Calexico returns!
Calexico makes great music and has been doing so for two decades. The band’s latest, Edge of the Sun, was overlooked.
Shoegazing
I recommend the new release, Mythologies, from Cheatahs.
Psych!
There never seems to be a shortage of good psych rock. Give a listen to the latest album, Shadow of the Sun, from Moon Duo.
Also, grab Wand’s 1000 Days and Crocodiles‘ Boys.
For a unique blend of ’60s styles (psychedelia, folk, acoustic, the works), check out Jacco Gardner’s Hypnophobia and Ryley Walker’s Primrose Green.
Synth-pop ’80s heaven
I dig Horizons, the latest album from Painted Palms.
Also, check out Lower Dens’ Escape From Evil for more cool synth pop. Then grab Jack Names’ Weird Moons.
Remember the ’90s?
Mourn’s self-titled debut, Joanna Gruesome’s Peanut Butter and Bully’s Feels Like all reminded me of some of the better sounds from the ’90s.
And if you really love the ’90s, you have to hear No Cities to Love, the reunion album from Sleater-Kinney.
Dive in
Finally, I really like Joanna Newsom’s Divers.
All the Young Punks 