Rozwell Kid - Too Shabby

Ok, I'm late to this party (which took place in 2014, to be exact), but the first time I heard this record, I became an instant fan. Rozwell Kid sounds like Weezer, if Weezer suddenly decided to get rid of everything you've ever hated about them. With thick-as-fuck distorted guitars buzzing through intricate but hummable riffage and the sort of drumming that takes a close listen to really appreciate, Too Shabby is a serious rock record that never takes itself too seriously. The melodies and hooks are so gorgeous and huge you barely realize they're singing about eating hummus, wearing a shitty Halloween costume, or bein' creeped out. This record is so good it just seeps into your consciousness. You’ll find yourselves unable to stop whistling these gnarly licks or singing some absurd line to yourself. I myself have spent the last few weeks adding, “…at least we have sick jackets!” to every conversation. -- Alex Meylink

Undead Apes - Pick Your King

My pick is a pretty standard pop punk EP from Australia that was released way back in the world weary days of 2013. While this band, Undead Apes, seems to stick to a familiar formula, their songs are still incredibly catchy and woefully endearing. Because of the band's Aussie origins, this EP probably flew under the radar for many North American fans that can appreciate these fast, melody injected tracks. So, do yourself a favor and donate your next eight minutes to Pick Your King. While not the most prolific group, Undead Apes did release a song last year, so do yourself a favor and be on the lookout for future activity as well. -- Keenan Novi

Homosuperior - The Mall Madness Demo

Every year, usually about 30 seconds after I finish my year-end list, something that I missed pops up on my radar and invalidates the entire thing. In 2015 that something was Homosuperior's Mall Madness Demo. The five songs on the D.C. band's first release run the gamut from sloppy garage punk to speedy, thrashy hardcore, stopping often at all points in between. If that's not enough, the lyrics to the demo's title track pretty much chronicle the teenage experiences of just about anyone who grew up hanging out at shopping malls in the '90s, which is something I find sadly relatable. -- Adam Eisenberg

You Know Who - You Know Who

You Know Who is a punk band from Palm Desert, CA. The power trio is made up of members of The Dwarves, Mondo Generator and Excel. They’ve been around for more than five years, but just released their self-titled debut. It’s a record that I started listening to for the sole purpose of reviewing it, but I continue to listen to because I enjoy it. You Know Who plays fast, heavy, punk/hardcore with an undeniable stoner-metal influence. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to hear this until the end of the year. If I had heard it earlier, I almost certainly would have had to make room for it on my year end best of list. Check it out. -- Tom Crandle

Yellowman - "Why You Bad So"

What with all the deaths of prominent musicians lately, it underscores the fact that we need to pay tribute to the champs while they are still around to appreciate it. For me, one of the greatest living performers is Yellowman. Born as an albino in Jamaica (which was a HUGE stigma there at the time) and abandoned by his mother at a young age, Yellowman took that "shortcoming" and turned it into his selling point, naming himself after the very thing which caused him to endure ridicule. The Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt album, in addition to being a staple for hip hop sampling, finds King Yellow at the height of his power, flipping between whimsical, solemn, slack, and gangster attitudes within a line or two. Plus, that unique tenor! Closing track "Why You Bad So" finds Yellowman name checking his producer Henry "Junjo" Lawes to the bounciest beat this side of… well… ever. -- John Gentile