Garbage: Empty (2016)

Garbage's first album in four years is a dark affair. The themes are a reaction to the current pop scene which is shiny, happy, and sucky. The video makes me dizzy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSa_hbutFt0   

Red Hot Chili Peppers: Dark Necessities (2016)

"Dark Necessities" is the 30th RHCP song to reach the Billboard charts. Danger Mouse produced the album marking the first time in 25 years that Rick Rubin did not produce a RHCP album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ_Tw0w3lLA

Nathaniel Rateliff and the Nightsweats: SOB (2016)

The song is about alcohol addiction. Although it seems to take a lighthearted poke at it, there is some real horror behind the jocularity.

http://www.westword.com/music/nathaniel-rateliff-on-the-sobering-story-behind-sob-7105811

David Bowie: Blackstar (2015)

Originally, "Blackstar" was supposed to run over 11 minutes, but iTunes refused to release anything over 10. So, Bowie cut it down to just under 10 minutes. The music video is an amazing homage to Bowie's career.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kszLwBaC4Sw

Chris Cornell: Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart (2015)

"Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart" was the lead single off Chris Cornell's album Higher Truth.  Eric Roberts appears in the video as a prisoner doomed to hang.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhJ9IwYc5NU

In the Valley Below: Peaches (2013)

Creepiest video ever.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4zbFEHZbOU

Jason Isbel: 24 Frames (2015)

This is a great example of songwriting and imagery. They don't write them like this anymore.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtgPeNKpnyw

David Bowie: Lazarus (2016)

David Bowie is suffering from terminal cancer when he filmed this video. Like Johnny Cash's "Hurt", "Lazarus" is a goodbye to fans. At the same time, this song explains the dying process to the audience. Bowie's composure at the end of life is simply amazing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-JqH1M4Ya8

Mumford and Sons: Ditmas (2015)

The song is named after Ditmas Park in Brooklyn. The video features a Cossack and his horse. I don't think anyone has ever considered using Cossacks in videos before.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOBPiOdyGEM

Cold War Kids: First (2015)

One of the strongest songs in Cold War Kids catalog. Makes one want to clap along and say amen!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZzJ78FWjl8

Cage the Elephant: Come a Little Closer (2013)

A sunrise inspired Matthew Schultz to write "Come A Little Closer." Basically, he wanted to know what everyone around him was feeling and what they brought to the world and immediate surroundings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVYup3Qwh8Q

Milky Chance: Stolen Dance (2015)

German Band Milky Chance released their first album with "Stolen Dance" on it in 2013. The song finally made its way to America and broke in 2015. The upbeat song is accompanied by a video in which the singer appears rather bored.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iX-QaNzd-0Y

Vance Joy: Mess is Mine (2015)

Australian artist Vance Joy crossed the ocean and found success in 2015. The song has steadily received increased airplay as the year wore on. The video for the song is a bit of a trip with a polar bear doubling as a cabbie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1C816p-KTNk

David Gilmour: Today (2015)

"Today" is the second single off David Gilmour's solo album Rattle That Lock.  And I thought he was done. Good to hear new stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYXrQPidJkw

David Gilmour: Rattle That Lock (2015)

"Rattle That Lock" is the title track to David Gilmour's fourth solo album. The video depicts Lucifer's fall from grace and journey to corrupt Earth. It was inspired by Paradise Lost.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1v7hXEQhsQ

Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars: Uptown Funk (2015)

"Uptown Funk" harkens back to the 70s and 80s. It sounds very much like mid-80s Prince or even Funkadelic with a little James Brown thrown in. This might be the song of the year for 2015.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPf0YbXqDm0

X Ambassadors: Renegades (2015)

The song has been used in Jeep Renegade commercials. Apparently, it was written to be used in the ad campaign. It celebrates American originals and rogues that don't follow the rules.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1u-niluB8HI

Muse: Mercy (2015)

Muse released the concept album Drones. The song "Mercy" is about dark forces overcoming the protagonist.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yj8Xpdx60Ws

U2: Every Breaking Wave (2015)

U2 left "Every Breaking Wave" off 2009's No Line on the Horizon.  The song probably would have been a major hit in 2009. In 2015, it performed respectably.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYVEik7Lvc4

Keith Richards: Trouble (2015)

In 2015, Keith Richards released his first album in 23 years. The lead single was a solid bluesy number.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_btCZWi1jkg