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As a tradition, I cash in my coins for an iTunes gift card and spend the last week of every year looking through various  top music lists for new (to me) music. I’m still listening through a lot of the music, especially some of the full albums I purchased, but here is a quick and dirty list of a few stand-out songs from 2015. (Warning: some songs are NSFW)

6. “Soubour” by Songhoy Blues

Until the lyrics come in, this song rings out like a blues-rock anthem. When the vocals come in, everything changes as the seamless melding of the band’s traditional Mali roots and lyrics fuse together with the blues. The history of blues is rife with the infusion of African influences. Here the influence goes the other direction. And this wasn’t the only African song to make it onto “best of” charts in the US this year. I’m hoping this is a sign of increased diversity to come to our radios in the states.

5. “Pedestrian at Best” by Courtney Barnett

This song rings out with that sort of speech-song that I relate with Sheryl Crow or a band like The Killers (and further back to The Talking Heads). Usually, these kinds of ambiguously pitched vocals hold little appeal to the trained singer in me. Here, her control over inflection and intonation combined with the hypnotic rambling rhapsody of her lyrics pulls my along against the punchy music from the band beneath it.

4. “Killing Strangers” by Marilyn Manson

Again, another song outside of my usually comfort zone. I’m not a huge Marilyn Manson fan. I am a huge fan of blues, though, and this song is a fantastic pared down blues-style riff song. I think Manson’s growling voice fits perfectly, and the amount of restraint musically and vocally shows an artist who no longer needs to show off or prove anything. As far as I’m concerned, Manson can just drop the mic after this.

3. “What You Don’t Do” by Lianne La Havas

I’m a sucker for neo-R&B, a style that has been hovering on the outskirts of the mainstream pop-world for what seems like ages. Lianne La Havas came pretty close to breaking through with this song which saw major radio play. I love how close it sticks in structure and harmony to a traditional Motown shuffle while using just enough electronic sounds and processing to make it feel almost futuristic.

2. “S.O.B.” by Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats

The same vain as neo-soul, but a slightly different branch. This is less Motown, and more a mash-up between Ray Charles and Sam Cooke with maybe just a tinge of James Brown and a twist of country thrown in. Go ahead. Take a listen. Tap your feet, or just give into it and dance about the room.

1. “Whiskey and You” by Chris Stapleton

Chris Stapleton delivers one of the most sensitive, vulnerable and artistic vocals I have heard in years. A whiskey tenor with a powerhouse voice, he pulls back with such restraint, accompanied just by his guitar. It is such a risky, bold, and naked performance. It’s easy to sound good with a full band…to bury the vocal inconsistencies in a wash of drums, guitar, reverb, and autotuning. But what Stapleton does here is not only incredibly difficult, it’s near perfect.

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Recently, a study was published in the Frontiers of Human Neuroscience that used functional MRI to determine how music impacted the emotional centers of the brain for the purpose of music therapy. You can read a summary of the research here or, for the more scientifically minded, here is a link to the actual research. In the study, they used Happy, Sad, and Fearful music, and talk about strategies that people use music to help them with their emotions. I know that I do this all the time.

I’ve got a happy playlist to pick me up on a bad day. So I figured I’d share ten of my favorite happy songs that aren’t Pharrell’s “Happy.” My list skews towards my musical interests, so feel free to add your happiness hits in the comments!

  1. “Ode to Joy” 4th movement of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.I had the great joy of singing this in high school with the National Symphony Orchestra and a cacophony of singers. To be in the midst of hundreds of musicians in a state of such sonic exuberance is unequalled. 
  2. Rodeo, 4th movement, Aaron Copeland“Beef. It’s what’s for dinner.” But before that, it was the fourth movement of a Martha Graham choreographed ballet. The orchestra dances around it’s western themes, and Copeland is always a master orchestrator. Put it on, clear your living room floor, and gallop your imaginary horse all about. Guaranteed to make you smile.
  3. “Calico Train (remix)” by Steve MartinA little more mellow and restrained than our classical offerings, Steve Martin turns in a great performance with an amazing band. There’s something that feels so warm and nostalgic about this song, like being wrapped in a blanket, sitting by the fire with good friends, and maybe a beer and a banjo.
  4. Bobby McFerrin and YoYo Ma “Hush Little Baby”This album was one of those weird crossover collaborations, but it produced brilliant results. The joy of both musicians is palpable on this tune, and the interplay between them as McFerrin mimics the cello, and the cello gives it right back is fantastic. Bonus points for bringing back memories of the childhood rocking chair.
  5. Buddy Rich “Bugle Call Rag”I swear I don’t have an Americana fetish. This just happens to be one of the most jamming big band tunes. The band is ripping it out at over 250 beats per minute, the horn section is incredibly tight with a great blend, and a drum solo that can’t be beat.
  6. “Joy” by Georgia Mass ChoirWhether you are a believer or not, this song has an energy about it. In contrast to the “Bugle Call Rag,” it’s the slowest song on the list, but every word is an exclamation. I love the styling, too…the unified slides and bends that lift each note as it lifts your spirits.
  7. “Happy” by c2cThis song keeps the gospel revival going, but with secular lyrics. I’m guessing that this is the least known song on this list, and it’s unfortunate because the layering and texture of the samples is fantastic and infectious. This is one “Happy” you’ll get stuck in your head, and still be smiling.
  8. Robert Randolph and the Family Band “Ain’t Nothing Wrong With That”Here’s a song with a message: Everyone is welcome at this party. Part of it’s success comes from the deep rhythmic pocket of the band, and the slick production with a heavy pounding bass line that rips through you, daring you to try to sit still.
  9. Koko Taylor “Wang Dang Doodle”This is another party song, and once again, everyone is welcome. Except this time, she’s calling out some of the darker corners of the earth…drug addicts and criminals of all sorts. When they talk about dirty blues, this is what they mean. But even better, the band sets up a great riff, and just keeps the groove going until you are lost in it. Add Koko Taylor’s powerful voice on top, and you’ll be wanting to hang out with all her seedy characters, too.
  10. “Tonight Tonight” by Hot Chelle Rae
    I must confess this as a bit of a guilty pleasure. Sometimes, you want a great work of art. Sometimes, you just want something to get the job done. There’s nothing particularly innovative or amazing about this. It just hits all the right notes.