The Best of 2015

December 23 2015 // RoboDJ // CJLO

Releases We Loved

There is a new and exciting year ahead of us, but we here at CJLO 1690AM want to take this chance to reminisce about the wonderful music, film, events, and FUN that 2015 bestowed upon us. The folks at the "little station that does!" give you their top picks of the year, and the lists reflect the amazing radio that broadcasts on CJLO every day, as well as the eclectic tastes of our DJs, volunteers, and staff!

And while you're here, have a look at our on-air schedule for more information on our programming, or click on a DJ's show page, all hyperlinked for your convenience below (because we care, man).

Be sure to check out our TOP 100 to see what charted at CJLO in 2015.

All the best to you and yours in 2016!

Yours truly,

CJLO 1690AM in Montreal

Philliam is the host of Turn On The Darkness every Tuesday from 2 to 3 PM.

MUSIC/ALBUMS

Steven Wilson - Hand. Cannot. Erase. - 'Honourable Mention' (Listen to this FOREVER) This album was released earlier in 2015. I picked it up by random at HMV, but I knew who Steven Wilson was, it really changed my life of progressive music forever, as one of the most ground breaking albums I've listened to in progressive rock/metal.

Between the Buried and Me - Coma Ecliptic - 'Honourable Mention' (Instant Classic) This was one of those rare gems of 2015, I was so skeptical about this album. It had me worried about the direction it was going in, but when the whole entire record came out, it blew me away. I was very happy to see some of the songs live when I saw them, when I interviewed Dan Briggs for the show. It was quite killer.

Soilwork - The Ride Majestic - (The most hard hitting album of 2015) This album really took me by surprised, that it wasn't going to be a double disc record unlike The Living Infinite. It was still a good record overall, having elements and more crazy things Soilwork had thrown at us.

Ghost - Meliora - 'Honourable mention' (Unexpected return) It's Ghost, you can never go wrong with Ghost. When I first heard "Cirice", I knew that this album was going to be an instant hit. Overall this album was really something, and it shows that Ghost is maturing more in their music.

Bring Me the Horizon - That's the Spirit - (Mixed bag) Even though I had mixed feelings about this record when it was first released, I gave it a couple more tries and it grew on me. It's a hit and miss record.

SHOWS

An Evening with Steven Wilson - Hand. Cannot. Erase Tour - A very intimate evening with Steven Wilson, being front row enjoying the entirety of "Hand. Cannot. Erase.", and ending with the melancholy "Raven Refused to Sing" made me cry so much, how beautiful this concert was, hands down one of my all time favourite experiences at a concert.

Soilwork + Soulfly @ Corona Theatre - I would wanna thank Andrew for this awesome birthday present. I had a good time at Soilwork, that was in fact seeing them for the first time. I was going through a breakup at the time, and Soilwork really helped me out going through that seeing them live, absolutely amazing performance and super tight.

Mellevon - March 2015 @ Piranha Bar - I always love seeing Mellevon live, as they are an up and coming band, who I think can really make it to the big leagues, because of how they execute everything with stage presence, interaction and loads of energy on stage. I feel like these guys can one day play Heavy Montreal.

Heavy Montreal - This three-day weekend was jam packed with a lot of bands, I loved the weekend so much. I was tired by the end of the weekend by just being outside and enjoying loud and heavy music... Was good this year, would totally go again next year for interviews and helping out with CJLO.

Godflesh @ Le National (POP Montreal) - Godflesh was incredible, whilst helping out CJLO!

FILM

Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Hunger Games: Mocking Jay Part 2
The Night Before

FAVOURITE SHOW(S) AT CJLO: Burnt Offerings, BVST, The Noisy Loft, Grade A Explosives, Je Suis TBA, and Ashes to Ashes

BEST CJLO MOMENTS: The Metal Overnight for the funding drive and record fair

Joana Cumo is the host of Je Suis TBA every Monday from 9 to 10 PM.

ALBUMS

Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly
Afrikan Science & Aybee - Sketches of Space
Kamasi Washington - The Epic

MIXTAPES

Leikeli47 - Leikeli47
Erykah Badu - But You Caint Use My Phone
$uicideboy$ - Now the Moon's Rising

EPs

Toastdawg - Brazivilain Vol II: Revisté
Gato Preto - Barulho Remixes EP Part 1
Homeboy Sandman & Aesop Rock - Lice

SINGLES

M.I.A, "Broader than a Border"
Jamie xx, "I Know There's Gonna Be (Good Times)"
Travi$ Scott, "Maria I'm Drunk"

BEST DESIGN+AUDIO+VIDEO PROJECTS

Riot (Le1f)
M3LL155X (FKA TWIGS)
Numéro Mad Max #7 (RockyRama Magazine)

BEST FESITVALS IN MTL

Under Pressure International Graffiti Festival
Fantasia Film Festival
OUMF Festival of Emerging Art

BEST COMBOS

Pizza & Kombucha
Chili Powder & Mango
Rhum & Maple Sirup

I'm probably forgetting a bunch of stuff. If you feel you did a great job this year, you're satisfied with what you've put out in the world, well consider your project in my Best of list.

DJ Jeneva is the host of The Sound You Need every Tuesday from 5 to 6 PM. She also manages the CJLO Audio-Visual team.

TOP ALBUMS

Seoul - I Become a Shade – "Stay with Us"
Alessia Cara - Four Pink Walls EP - "Know It All"
Tender - Armour - "Melt"
G-Eazy - When It's Dark Out - "Of All Things"
Royal Canoe - Today We're Believers – "Exodus of the Year"

FAVOURITE SHOWS: G-Eazy, Royal Canoe
BEST FILM: Straight Outta Compton
BEST FILM SCORE: Hans Zimmer – Chappie
BEST PERFORMANCE: O'Shea Jackson Jr. in Straight Outta Compton
MEMORABLE CONTROVERSIAL NEWS STORY: Bill Cosby
WORST MOMENT IN POLITICS: Donald Trump for Presidency

FAVOURITE SHOW(S) AT CJLO: Je Suis TBA

BEST CJLO MOMENTS: CJLO FUNdrive month

Simon Howell is a CJLO alumnus and the former host of Sucker Blues and co-host of Sound on Sight. He frequently calls in to Hooked On Sonics as the Major Label Misadventures Correspondent.

ALBUMS

Hop Along - Painted Shut
Vince Staples - Summertime '06
Susanne Sundfør - Ten Love Songs
Natalie Prass - Natalie Prass
Horrendous - Anareta
Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly
Protomartyr - The Agent Intellect
Jeff Rosenstock - We Cool
Bell Witch - Four Phantoms
The Mountain Goats - Beat the Champ
Lana Del Rey - Honeymoon
The Amazing - Picture You
Julia Holter - Have You In My Wilderness
Angel Haze - Back to the Woods
Beach Slang - The Things We Do To Find People Who Feel Like Us
Jazmine Sullivan - Reality Show
Mew - +/-
Ghost - Meliora
Jay Rock - 90059
The Wonder Years - No Closer to Heaven
Julien Baker - Sprained Ankle
Dawn Richard - Blackheart
Low - Ones and Sixes
Failure - The Heart is a Monster
Vhol - Deeper Than Sky
Trials - This Ruined World
Title Fight - Hyperview
Royal Headache - High
Speedy Ortiz - Foil Deer
Daniel Romano - If I've Only One Time Askin'

ASSORTED FAVE TRAX

Turnover, "Diazepam"
Infinity Broke, "River Mirror"
Brandon Flowers, "I Can Change"
Dead Sara, "Something Good"
Wolf Alice, "Bros"
Chvrches, "Clearest Blue"
Baroness, "Chlorine and Wine"
Oddisee, "That's Love"
Girl Band, "Paul"
Miguel (featuring Kurupt), "NWA"
Death Grips, "On GP"
Belle and Sebastian. "The Cat with the Cream"
Destroyer, "Forces from Above"
Jaga Jazzist, "Oban" (Todd Terje Remix)
Napalm Death, "Hierarchies"
Graveyard, "The Apple and the Tree"
Hot Chip, "Need You Now"
Refused, "Servants of Death"
Future, "The Percocet and Stripper Joint"
Carly Rae Jepsen, "Gimmie Love"
Jim O'Rourke, "Hotel Blue"
METZ, "Spit You Out"
U.S. Girls, "Window Shades"
Tricot, "Break"
The Unthanks, "Died For Love"
Viet Cong, "Bunker Buster"
Titus Andronicus, "Lonely Boy"
Meek Mill, "Monster"

DJ So-So is an honorary CJLO family member and the former host of The Kids Are So-So, ex-news director, and ex-CJLO Magazine editor.

AN ASSORTMENT OF RECORDS I LIKED IN 2015

(in no particular order except for #1)

Frank Turner - Positive Songs for Negative People
Cayetana - Nervous Like Me (released in 2014)
Frank Carter & the Rattlesnakes - Blossom
Jeff Rosenstock - We Cool?
The World Is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die - Harmlessness
Against Me! - 23 Live Sex Acts
No Weather Talks - Undoing Defeat
Great Cynics - I Feel Weird
Meat Wave - Delusion Moon
Waxahatchee - Ivy Trip
Torche - Restarter
Spraynard - Mable
Laura Stevenson - Cocksure
William Elliott Whitmore - Radium Death

FAVOURITE SHOW(S) AT CJLO: Hooked on Sonics <3

BEST CJLO MOMENTS: Omar, Josh, Abby, and Nick's Car Ride of Shame

The K-Man hosts Beyond That Graveyard! III every Friday from 9 PM to Midnight. He also hosts a little show called My Private He.B.G.B.s.

BEST METAL ALBUMS OF 2015

Slayer - Repentless
Ironaut - Ironaut
High on Fire - Luminiferous
Venomous Maximus - Firewalker
Kadavar - Berlin
Graveyard - Innocence and Decadence
Kylesa - Exhausting Fire
Elder - Lore
Lamb of God - Vll: Sturm Und Drang
The Sword - High Country
Venom - From the Very Depths
The Atomic Bitchwax - Gravitron
Torche - Restarter
Clutch - Psychic Warfare
Killing Joke - Pylon
Battlecross - Rise to Power
Acid King - Middle of Nowhere, Center of Everything
Saxon - Battering Ram
Windhand - Grief's Eternal Flower
Goatsnake - Black Age Blues

FAVOURITE SHOW(S) AT CJLO: Yeti Dreams, The Go-Go Radio Magic Show, New Media and Politics 2.0

Calvin Cashen is a CJLO volunteer and all-around great guy.

TOP 15 ALBUMS OF 2015

Viet Cong - Viet Cong
Tame Impala - Currents
Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly
Father John Misty - I Love You, Honeybear
Courtney Barnett - Sometimes I Sit and Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit
Panda Bear - Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper
Neon Indian - VEGA INTL. Night School
Beach House - Depression Cherry
Majical Cloudz - Are You Alone?
Waxahatchee - Ivy Tripp
Lower Dens - Escape from Evil
Tobias Jesso Jr. - Goon
Grimes - Art Angles
SOPHIE - PRODUCT
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Multi-Love

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Kurt Vile - b'lieve i'm goin down...
Arca - Mutant
Sheer Mag - II
Titus Andronicus - The Most Lamentable Tragedy
Deafheaven - New Bermuda

TOP 50 SONGS OF 2015

Tame Impala, "Let It Happen"
Kendrick Lamar, "King Kunta"
Sufjan Stevens, "Should Have Known Better"
Grimes, "REALiTi (Demo)"
Viet Cong, "Silhouettes"
Drake, "Hotline Bling"
Soko, "Lovetrap" featuring Ariel Pink
Deafheaven, "Brought to the Water"
Beach House, "Sparks"
Titus Andronicus, "Dimed Out"
Majical Cloudz, "Downtown"
Carly Rae Jepsen, "Run Away with Me"
Grimes, "Kill V. Maim"
Tame Impala, "The Less I Know the Better"
Panda Bear, "Tropic of Cancer"
Twerps, "I Don't Mind"
Jamie xx, "I Know There's Gonna Be (Good Times)" featuring Yung Thug
Kendrick Lamar, "Wesley's Theory" featuring George Clinton and Thundercat
HEALTH, "STONEFIST"
Sleater-Kinney, "A New Wave"
Kendrick Lamar, "The Blacker the Berry"
Courtney Barnett, "Pedestrian at Best"
Diiv, "Under the Sun"
SOPHIE, "VYZEE"
Kurt Vile, "Pretty Pimpin"
Neon Indian, "C'est La Vie (say the casualties!)"
Tame Impala, "The Moment"
Sheer Mag, "Button Up"
Courtney Barnett, "Depreston"
Tobias Jesso Jr., "Hollywood"
Ought, "Beautiful Blue Sky"
Kanye West, "All Day"
Jamie xx, "Gosh"
Tame Impala, "Eventually"
Thundercat, "Them Changes" featuring Flying Lotus and Kamasi Washington
Savages, "The Answer"
Hudson Mohawke, "Ryderz"
Lower Dens, "To Die In L.A."
Julia Holter, "Feel You"
Archy Marshall, "The Sea Liner MK 1"
Unknown Mortal Orchestra, "Multi-Love"
Natalie Prass, "My Baby Don't Understand Me"
Waxahatchee, "Poison"
Animal Collective, "FloriDada"
Vince Staples, "Norf Norf"
Hop Along, "The Knock"
Makthaverskan, "Witness"
Death Grips, "On GP"
NAO, "Inhale Exhale"
Arca, "En"

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Westkust, "Swirl"
Blood Orange, "Sandra's Smile"
Bully, "I Remember"
Father John Misty, "The Night Josh Tillman Came to Our Apt."
Death Grips, "Black Quarterback"

FAVOURITE SHOW(S) AT CJLO: Dirty Work

BEST CJLO MOMENTS: FUNdrive 2015

Julie Matson is the host of Beyond the Black Rainbow every Monday from 4 to 5 PM.

TOP ALBUMS OF THE YEAR

Oneohtrix Point Never - Garden of Delete
Le Matos - Chronicles of the Wasteland/Turbo Kid OST
Colin Stetson and Sarah Neufeld - Never were the way she was
Insect Ark - Portal/Well
Northumbria - Helluland
Black Mountain - Black Mountain (10th Anniversary Edition)
Scene Noir - Waves
Gates - Palace of Mirrors
YlangYlang - No Exist (Feel Special)
Princess Century - Progress

HONOURABLE MENTION: MEOW THE JEWELS by Run The Jewels... C'mon RUN THE JEWELS + CATS!!!!!! My life is complete with this album.

Remi Caron-Liss is the host of At the Movies (with Iconic Sounds) every Tuesday from 8 to 9 AM. He also manages our equipment.

REMI'S UNCONVENTIONAL TOP 3 LIST IN MUSIC

3. Coldplay - A Head Full of Dreams -- A far comparison to the dark tones of last years release, Ghost Stories, Coldplay has come back with an upbeat pop album that is reminiscent of 2011's Mylo Xyloto. Lead singer Chris Martin explores themes of nature (birds), outer space and letting go. You can call this Marin's upbeat breakup or conscious uncoupling album, which is a nice b-side to the dark and dreariness of Ghost Stories. Sonically I enjoyed this album, even though the songs lyrically are not Martin's pièce de résistance. You will find ballads and some existential crisis, where Marin floats off into space. Combine this with with an impressive list of collaborations that include "Queen" Beyonce Knowles, Noel Gallagher, Gwyneth Paltrow, even spoken word from President Obama. Not Coldplay's best album, maybe most accessible, but it satisfies the Coldplay fan in me that this band is still around making music.

Songs:
The Down Beat Ballad: "Everglow"
Up Beat Tempo: "Up & Up"
Soulful: "Kaleidoscope"

2. Ryan Adams - 1989 -- Many people might argue with me that this album is a copy of a copy. Lyrically yes, but sonically no, and this is why I like Ryan Adams cover of 1989 a little bit more than Taylor Swift's original album. Swift used the synths, her guitar, and her voice for the combined pop effect. Adams takes his guitar and can transform the song into ether a hard rock ballad or a soft acoustic set. His voice ranges and rings out though his emotions, this I feel is on another level to Swift. The song that does that for me is his cover of "This Love". There is a wail out in pain from a possible heartbreak, but breaks into an endearing voice when Adams states "This love came back to me". I am still waiting to hear his cover of "Wonderland", one of Swift's additional songs to 1989. But for now I will let this album stand as it is sonically, lyrically, and lastly emotionally.

Songs:
The Rock Ballad: "Style"
The Acoustic Ballad: "This Love"

1. Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly -- What makes an album an album? A collection of songs that might or might not have any flow or meaning together. Then there is the king of poetic justice, Kendrick Lamar. His album, To Pimp a Butterfly, truly defines what an album and an interpersonal concept album is supposed to be. Sonically, Lamar brings his spoken poetics, sharp rap verses, drum stomping beats, jazz, and soul. There are so many layers to unpack, so let me try to unpack them. First, there is a interpersonal poem that Lamar recites on repetition, and reveals one or two stanzas as an interlude between tracks. Secondly, the songs deal with a wide range of topics such as coping with fame, American History, the state of race in America, and an homage to the old school rap game that comes full circle at the end of the album. Thirdly, I won't reveal, as it was a surprise to me, how the album ends and comes full circle. What this means is this is truly an album that you have to make the time to sit down and listen to in full to get the benefits of Lamar's concept album. Still, my friend can be blasting whatever track from the album as he turns on the car and I might not get the full album experience, but it is still an enjoyable one. When you listen to the album as a whole interpersonal concept album, there is so much you can unpack, learn, or appreciate the poetic justice nature of Kendrick Lamar that 2015 needed.

Songs:
That Drum Stomping Beat: "King Kunta"
The Soul Rising Beat: "I"

TOP 3 MUSIC VIDEOS

The Weeknd, "The Hills" directed by Grant Singer
Skrillex and Diplo with Justin Bieber, "Where Are Ü Now" directed by Jack Ü
Kendrick Lamar, "Alright" directed by Colin Tilley

THE YEAR OF HOTLINE BLING

You can't escape it this was the year of the crazy sensation known as "Hotline Bling". Here are my top three parodies.

TOP 3 2016 ALBUM RELEASE PREDICTIONS

Frank Ocean - Untitled
Yeezus - The Rise of the Modern Day Family Man
The Van Cats - Covers of Radiohead

CJLO TALK SHOWS THAT ARE MELLOW IN NATURE: New Media and Politics 2.0, Cinema Smackdown, Don't Mess This Up, Jacob

THREE CJLO MUSIC SHOWS THAT ARE GROOVY SONICALLY: Hiway 1, Je Suis TBA, and The Go-Go Radio Magic Show

BEST CJLO MOMENTS: CJLO shows that celebrated milestones, Will Butler @ POP Montreal, the FUNdrive 2015 and 24-hour marathon

Gordon "Gee" Weekes is the host of Anatomy of Caribbean Music every Saturday from 8 to 10 PM, and he also brings you the World Beat News every Tuesday from Noon to 1 PM.

TOP ALBUMS

Exco Levi - Country Man
Rocky Dawuni - Branches of the Same Tree
Nii Okai Robertson - Da Onyame Ase (Thank God)
Duane Stephenson - Dangerously Roots: Journey from August Town

FAVOURITE TRACKS

Mikey Dangerous, "Everything a Raise"
Mikey Dangerous, "Africa the Beautiful"
Exco Levi, "Life in the factory"
Rude, "Magic!"
Jade Faith Douglas, "Here's My Number"
Nii Okai Robertson, "Hypocrites"
Rocky Dawuni, "Children of Abraham"
Duane Stephenson, "Nah Play"

SHOWS

Montreal International Reggae Festival
Los Van Van
Nuits d'Afrique
Youssou N'Dour
Rocky Dawuni

FAVOURITE SHOW(S) AT CJLO: Beat the World

BEST CJLO MOMENTS: Live radio shows at the Caribbean Curry House

Angelica is the host of BVST every Wednesday from 7 to 9 PM. She is also CJLO's Art Director and a regular CJLO Magazine contributor.

MY TOP TEN MUSICAL MOMENTS OF 2015

This year had a lot of very good releases, but my top ten is mostly all about experiences. This was a year of incredible memories and performances, and there were times when I could barely believe that this was real life.

1. Guess who touched half of Mötley Crüe? My 8th row floor seats all the way on the end worked out a charm, as Mick, Tommy, and Vince were ushered right by me, and I got the chance to high five Vince Neil and touch Tommy Lee's sweaty bicep. Later, I snuck by security to another part of the floor and Nikki Sixx tossed me a pick. Will this actually be their farewell tour? They said that when I last saw them in 2005, but if this is it, then I have a story to tell the grandchildren I'll never have!

2. I finally saw Alice Cooper, and it was amazing. Alice Cooper and his phenomenal band opened up for Mötley Crüe, but you wouldn't be wrong to think that he was doing a headlining set. The infamous guillotine and electric chair made an appearance, Alice burst giant balloons with the tip of a sword, and all kinds of things burst, floated and fell throughout his set, but above all it was magical to hear the songs I know so well performed live.

3. Iggy Pop played Heavy Montreal, and I danced 15 feet away from him. To this day, writing these words gives me goosebumps. That I shared oxygen with a rock 'n' roll legend is miraculous enough, and practically moved me to tears, but his set was so dense with the many gems from his long career that it was nearly unbelievable. He delivered hit after hit, and it was a moment that I'll never forget.

4. & 5. I went to see Santa Cruz for a laugh and a good time, and left a devoted fan. Hair metal is an acquired taste, and the hair metal revival scene is an even more difficult pill to swallow, one that even I have trouble getting into (and I LOVE hair metal). Finnish revivalists Santa Cruz manage to blend traditional hair metal with modern elements like the occasional blast beat, and their performance at Corona, as the first opener on a lackluster bill, was enough to make a believer out of me. They get two moments here, because their self titled record is also my hands down favourite release of 2015, and that merits its own mention. It's definitely not for everyone, but if you "get" it, I promise you will love it.

6. Getting a big box of goodies from the Chainsaw Hookers. My favourite Aussie blood rockers released their latest record We Want Your Blood, and contributing to their crowdfunding campaign last year meant that I was surprised with a box of great stuff this year, including the vinyl, CDs (along with a couple of extras that we gave away on CJLO), a tshirt and a print!

7. Long live Motörhead. It's not a Motörhead show until you're covered in beer and get in a fight, and this time was no different. I've been lucky enough to see Motörhead more times than I can count, and while I've taken a break from seeing them over the past few years, rumours of Lemmy's ill health convinced me that I would regret it if I didn't see them again. It was intense, as usual, but the maelstrom of being right near the stage at a Motörhead show is an experience unlike any other.

8. Stoner/sludge/doom metal rules supreme! Early in the year, Yob tore down Foufounes (supporting Enslaved... read my review here). A few weeks later, Electric Wizard graced Montreal with one of their rare appearances. Kylesa visited us in September with a fantastic set which reminded me of just how much I love them, and Uncle Acid honoured us with another visit in November. One year after their first visit to the city, they've never sounded stronger, and 2015's The Night Creeper was also a fantastic addition to their catalog. This was an incredible year for fans of this genre.

9. Heavy Montreal was pure magic. Three days of amazing bands across all genres? Check. Fun with friends under the sun? Check. Getting the royal treatment beyond my wildest expectations? DJing all my favourite metal tracks for fans in the VIP section? Accidentally spending a whole day watching bands from an ultra VIP loge? Check, check and check. Oh yeah, how about seeing Pig Destroyer's first ever Montreal show? Or watching Neurosis as the sun sank slowly into night? Hearing Warrant do "Cherry Pie" and Extreme perform "More Than Words"? Having CJLO interview Dig It Up and Sandveiss backstage after their sets deep in the forest? Or rocking out to Lamb of God with all my friends? I will never forget how much fun I had over these three days.

10. Thor takes over the Fantasia Film Festival. Remember Canadian '80s heavy metal legend Thor? If not, you need to track down the new documentary I Am Thor and catch up. The film had its Quebec premiere at Fantasia, and Thor as well as his guitarist Steve Price were in attendance. After the film, what would have normally been a standard Q&A was transformed into an ad hoc rock show, with Thor strutting his stuff for the appreciative audience. It was a special moment, definitely one for the books.

2015 was a stellar year for musical experiences. I couldn't ask for anything more... but if 2016 wants to kick ass too, I'm not going to say no. Here's to a happy, healthy new year filled with music!

Danny Payne is the co-host of The Commonwealth Conundrum every Tuesday from 6 to 7 PM.

ALBUMS

CTZNSHP - All Things to the Sea
Public Service Broadcasting - The Race For Space
Eddie Paul - Panda-Monium
The Bohicas - The Making Of
Blossoms - Blown Rose EP
UUBBUURRUU - Swamp Ritual EP
Les Marinellis - Ile de Rêve
FANS - Born Into EP
Habitats - Diamond Days EP
Wolf Alice - My Love Is Cool

TRACKS

CTZNSHP, "New Brave"
Public Service Broadcasting, "Go"
Eddie Paul, "The Warning Song"
The Bohicas, "The Making Of"
Blossoms, "Cut Me and I'll Bleed"
UUBBUURRUU, "Cosmic Cannibalism"
The Wave Pictures, "Pea Green Coat" (it was late 2014, but I'm taking it!)
Wolf Alice, "Giant Peach"
Lusts, "Temptation"
Stuck On Planet Earth, "We'd Kill the World"
Wish, "Retro Grade"
Wizaard, "Mountain of the Underground"
Les Marinellis, "Quand Elle Marche"
Telegram, "Aeons"
FANS, "Born Into"
The Muscadettes, "I'm in Love"

GIGS

Hot Chip @ Osheaga
Jaga Jazzist @ Club Soda
The Fleshtones @ Festival du Musique Emergente en Abitibi-Temiscamangue (the whole festival was a highlight of the year)
Eddie Paul @ TRH Bar / M for Montreal
Public Service Broadcasting @ O Patro Vys
Wizaard @ Barfly / POP Montreal
No Aloha @ The Fringe Tent
The OBGMs @ Osheaga

FAVOURITE SHOW(S) AT CJLO: The Go Go Radio Magic Show, The Groove Master's Hour, and Champions of the Local Scene

BEST CJLO MOMENTS: Big Shiny Tunes 2!

DJ Spacepirate is the host of Burnt Offerings every Sunday from 6 to 8 PM.

Salutations from the musty yesteryear of 2015 A.D., thou cherubs adrift in time, thou stout internauts of tomorrow. Now is the hour that I dispense from my ivory tower astute ramblings on the meagre struggles of the peasantry, and remark on what delightful patterns they trace hopelessly in the mud. 'Twas a year like several other, most notable I think for the belated appearance of my first pubic hair, which made this the year I finally stopped ending every episode with Manowar. Oh yes, also some metal albums were released. They were mostly rubbish, but here are a few I continued listening to even after their ephemeral moment in the spotlight was sublimated into the cloying mists of infinity.

Distoriam - Chapter I: Vinlanders
Favourite thing about this album: there's a boat on the cover.
Favourite track I guess: "Duel of a Hundred Lights"

Kataklysm - Of Ghosts and Gods
Favourite thing about this album: it did not send me spiralling deeper into self-loathing.
Favourite track I guess: "Marching Through Graveyards"

Fuck the Facts - Desire Will Rot
Favourite thing about this album: it's short.
Favourite track I guess: "Shadows Collide"

Titans Eve - Chasing the Devil
Favourite thing about this album: I found a dollar on the ground while listening to it.
Favourite track I guess: "Chasing the Devil"

Finally, I bequeath the status of "honourably mentioned" upon the following albums simply because I could remember they exist:

Délétère - Les heures de la peste
Dopethrone - Hochelaga
Ascendia - The Lion and the Jester
Cancer Bats - Searching for Zero

In conclusion: life is terrible, nobody actually listened to the new Maiden album, I've forgotten what Devin Townsend's scrota taste like. 2016 I've got a lot riding on you.

FAVOURITE SHOW(S) AT CJLO: Sublime State of Doom

BEST CJLO MOMENTS: Funding drive overnight metal broadcast marathon of doom

Andrew WIXQ is CJLO's Program Director, Metal Music Director, and the host of Grade A Explosives every Sunday from 4 to 6 PM.

ALBUMS

10. The Prodigy - The Day is My Enemy -- Straight up, this isn't the best Prodigy album. That being said, every time I put in a Prodigy album I know exactly what I'm going to get and I know I'll enjoy it, and this record is no exception.

9. Raised Fist - From the North -- From all the way back at the beginning of the year this record is Raised Fist at their finest. Raw, aggressive, and yet super catchy, this record didn't stick with me all year, but is something that I know I'll be able to throw on for anyone and have them like it.

8. Lamb of God - VII: Strum and Drang -- I've gone back and forth with Lamb of God over the years, especially since they decided a couple of albums ago that they wanted to be the next Pantera so they turned the dumb all the way up to 11. This album though is really solid and even though it isn't the smartest thing in the world, it's a cohesive aggressive album that shows off some of the best writing they've done in quite some time.

7. Intornaut - The Direction of Last Things -- Bands with prog elements can sometimes get lost in their own wankery, but luckily, Intronaut has managed to avoid falling into that trap and has been consistently releasing good albums over their career. They are one of the most overlooked bands in metal, which is a shame since no band has run quite the gamut that they have. If you like metal, I challenge you to not find something that you like on this.

6. Coal Chamber - Rivals -- For me, Dark Days was a shining example how "Nu-metal" could actually be heavy, catchy, and direct even if it still was kind of dumb. Then Coal Chamber broke up and after reading stories of the making of that album and the fact that the band couldn't even be in the same room while recording it, I thought I'd never hear another. So, when I heard they were getting back together, I was a bit skeptical, but after listening to the album, I now know my worries were misplaced. This picks up right where the last one 13 years prior left off.

5. An Autumn For Crippled Children - Long Goodbye -- Deafheaven is the poster child for "post black metal", but so many other bands do it so much better than they ever could. Take An Autumn for Crippled Children from the Netherlands. They put out an atmospheric and foreboding album that holds all the spirit of black metal and incorporates new elements.

4. GosT - Behemoth -- In a year that saw John Carpenter release his "lost soundtracks", this weird synthy record from maybe some black metal guy (?) is a great release that captures the heaviness of metal and the fun of all the electro that you might like. If you want, you can check out the album on Bandcamp and maybe download it for free dollars. Not saying... just saying.

3. Chainsaw Hookers - We Want Your Blood -- Australia's finest offering of speed rock from Perth produce a punchy album based on classic horror movies. Though they soon will be stopping touring, I still hold out hope that they'll pump out more records for us to enjoy.

2. So Hideous - Laurestine -- No one was more shocked than me when a "post black metal" album made my top 10 but the beauty of Last Poem/First Light was so apparent to me, and should be to anyone that has ears, that I couldn't wait to hear what the follow up would be. It turns out it took everything that made Last Poem/First Light the stellar album it is and magnified it. More instruments for the orchestra, more complex arrangements, an entire concept for you to follow; this album is a work of pure genius and heart and if you haven't gotten to sit down and delve into it, you are doing yourself a great disservice.

1. Shining - International Blackjazz Rebels -- Complete madman Jorgen Munkeby puts out his follow up to One One One, which is a blatant homage of Nine Inch Nails while still incorporating the "black jazz" the band is known for. I defy you to find anything in the previous sentence that is bad.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Seagrave - Stabwound
Monster Magnet - Cobras and Fire
Kataklysm - Of Ghosts and Gods
Ttwwrrss - II
Rusted - Restless Gypsies
Metalian - Metal, Fire & Ice
Ghost - Meliora
The Motorleague - Holding Patterns
Squarepusher - Damogen Furies
Antibody - Scream Qveen

Two sisters, Krystal Christine and Camille, co-host The Trend every Tuesday from 9 to 10 PM.

TOP ALBUMS

Nicki Minaj – The Pinkprint
A$AP Ferg - Ferg Forever (Mixtape)

HONOURABLE MENTION

Justin Bieber and The Weeknd. They assisted Drake in putting Toronto back on the map internationally.

FAVOURITE TRACKS

Major Lazer & DJ Snake, "Lean On" featuring MØ
Jack Ü, "Where Are You Now" featuring Justin Bieber

FAVOURITE SHOWS

Nicki Minaj - The Pinkprint Tour
Jack Ü, A$AP Ferg, Kiesza - The Full Flex Express Tour

FAVOURITE SHOW(S) AT CJLO: World Beat News with Gordon Weekes

BEST CJLO MOMENTS: The FUNdrive and covering Osheaga!

DJ Thinkbox hosts The Machine Stops every Friday from 9 to 10 AM.

TOP ALBUMS

Mandragora - La Españolita
Nayan - The Keyboard Warrior
Pettra - Middle Eastern
Photophobia - Beneath the Tides of Wisdom Spins the Undertow of Love

LOCAL RELEASES

Zentrix - Equilibrium
Kloud Nin9 - Rising Luminosity

COMPILATIONS

Pappedelic: A Little Drop of Sunshine
Lupuna
My final place on the top album list goes to all the work of the producers that I haven't had the chance to hear in 2015. Keep doing what you do. This spot is for you!

FAVOURITE TRACKS

Yogi, "Burial" featuring Pusha T - Skrillex and Trollphace remix
Nocturnal, "Amplewatts" - Tunnel Vision EP
Hyperphysical, "Blackbird" – Australiacs (VA)
Pettra, "Machine Man" – Grain of Sand
Var!ant, "Beetledoof" – Pappadelic: A Little Drop of Sunshine
Boogey the Beat, "Anishinaabekwe"

REMIXES

Melanie Martinez, "Carousel" SNBRN remix/li>
Apashe, "I'm a Dragon" - Jaycen D'Amor remix
Dreaddean, "Yajamahe" - Open Tribe remix
Oh Wonder, "All We Do" - Summer was Fun remix

FAVOURITE SHOWS

Will Sparks @ IleSoniq
1200 Micrograms @ Durocher
Eekkoo @ AIM Festival
AIM Festival - The Multi-Culti Stage

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Albums:

Sacred Sound System - Me, The Sun, and All I Know
Dislocations - Dislocated Mountain
Kazuki - Black Triangles (Selected Operations)
Various Artists - Australiacs

Songs: Will Sparks & Deorro, "Haters" featuring IEZ

Remixes:

Rage Against the Machine, "Sleep Now In the Fire" - Black Tiger Sex Machine remix
Destiny's Child, "Independent Woman" mash up with Enya, "Only Time" - Kill Them with Colour remix

Events: Jack Ü - Full Flex Express Tour

FAVOURITE SHOW(S) AT CJLO: Shibuya Crossing, Nozin' Around, and Democracy Now

BEST CJLO MOMENTS: My 10-hour broadcast. That was crazy.

DJ Fredy is the host of Hiway 1 every Monday from 7 to 9 PM.

TOP ALBUMS 2015

Courtney Barnett - Sometimes I Sit and Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit
Sleater-Kinney - No Cities To Love
Father John Misty - I Love You, Honeybear
Sufjan Stevens - Carrie & Lowell
Florence + The Machine - How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
Jessica Pratt - On Your Own Love Again
Kamasi Washington - The Epic
Tobias Jesso Jr. - Goon
Kurt Vile - b'lieve i'm goin down...
Yukon Blonde - On Blonde
Chilly Gonzales - Chambers

HONOURABLE MENTIONS 2015

Viet Cong - Viet Cong
Matthew E. White - Fresh Blood
Giant Sand - Heartbreak Pass
Wilco - Star Wars
Petite Noir - The King of Anxiety EP

FAVOURITE TRACKS

Courtney Barnett, "Elevator Operator"
Courtney Barnett, "Pedestrian At Best"
Sleater-Kinney, "Price Tag"
Father John Misty, "Chateau Lobby #4 (in C for Two Virgins)"
Tobias Jesso Jr., "How Could You Babe"
Tobias Jesso Jr., "Without You"
Eero Koivistoinen Quartet, "Hati Hati"
Sufjan Stevens, "Drawn to the Blood"
Matthew E. White, "Take Care My Baby"
Florence + The Machine, "What Kind of Man"
Fresh Snow, "King Twink Rides Again"
Jessica Pratt, "Jacquelyn In The Background"
Fraser A. Gorman, "Big Old World"

FAVOURITE SHOWS/CONCERTS

CJLO The Oven Launch Party: Saxsyndrum + Michael Cota + Fleece @ Cagibi
Tame Impala @ Metropolis
Chili Gonzales @ Outremont Theater
Charles Bradley @ Metropolis during the Jazz Fest
Sam Simmons @ Montreal Improv during Just For Laughs
Wilco @ Metropolis

BEST CJLO MOMENTS: The relaunch of The Oven, and Caravandals live in studio on Hiway 1

Kelly Belfo is CJLO's World Music Director and the co-host of Beat The World every Saturday from Noon to 2 PM.

TOP WORLD MUSIC

Engone Endong - #Okeng
Afrikelektro - Afrikelektro
Fantasma - Free Love
Mbongwana Star - From Kinshasa
Souljazz Orchestra - Resistance
Ajoyo - Ajoyo
Batida - Dois
Very Best - Makes a King
Kaisha Lee - I Heart Reggae
Lura - Heranca
Dengue Fever - The Deepest Lake
Owiny Sigoma Band - Nyanza
Kamasi Washington - The Epic

SONGS

Engone Endong, "Demo-cree-cy"
Jah Cure, "Life We Live"
Bomba Estereo, "Fiesta"
Wesli, "Mon Konpè"
A Tribe Called Red, "Suplex", featuring Northern Voice
Fantasma, "Higher Power"

SHOWS

Big Shiny Tunes 2 Live @ CJLO FUNdrive, Montreal, Que
The Flaming Lips @ Levitation, Austin, Texas
Earth @ Levitation, Austin, Texas
MC Yogi & DJ Drez @ Wanderlust, Squaw Valley, California
Iceland Airwaves Showcase @ CMJ, NYC, NY
Boukman Eksperyans @ Festival Aquin, Haiti
RAM @ Hotel Oloffson, PAP, Haiti
Every Bloodshot Bill show

BEST MOMENT: The birth of my niece, Nora-Ella on March 9, 2015

REGRETS: None! ...well maybe there is one regret, not getting in to the Kamasi Washington @ CMJ show BEFORE it sold out!

Katie Seline is the Community Representative at the CSBC, former CJLO station manager, former CJLO program director, and was the host of Wrong Side of the Bed.

10 FAVE ALBUMS OF 2015

Health - Death Magic
Built to Spill - Untethered Moon
Alabama Shakes - Sound & Color
Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly
The Things We Do to Find the People Who Feel Like Us - Beach Slang
Best Coast - California Nights
Chvrches - Every Open Eye
Beach House - Depression Cherry, Thank Your Lucky Stars
The Mynabirds - Lovers Know
Purity Ring - Another Eternity

BEST CJLO MOMENTS: Marrying a certain CJLO Music Director. Big Shiny Tunes 2 concert and subsequent '90s Dance Party :)

The Frog is the host of Sewer Spewer every Wednesday from 1 to 2 PM.

TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2015

Tau Cross - Tau Cross
King Parrot - Dead Set
Napalm Death - Apex Predator Easy Meat
Cattle Decapitation - The Anthropocene Extinction
Fuck the Facts - Desire Will Rot
Mad Trapper - Dead Living
Poison Idea - Confuse and Conquer
Refused - Freedom
Leftover Crack - Constructs of the State
FIDLAR - Too

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Teenage Time Killer - Greatest Hits Vol. 1
Extreme Noise Terror - Extreme Noise Terror
Enabler - Fail to Feel Safe
Mutoid Man - Bleeder
Cancer Bats - Searching For Zero

FAVOURITE SHOW(S) AT CJLO: Sublime State of Doom, and The Noisy Loft

Rebekah Glendinning is the co-host of Behind the Counter every Monday at 11 AM to Noon.

TOP ALBUMS 2015

Basic Nature - Circles and Lines
Jason Scherk - Catalogue: 1-12
Freak Heat Waves - Bonnie's State of Mind
TOPS - Picture You Staring

FAVOURITE SHOW(S) AT CJLO: The Belldog

BEST CJLO MOMENTS: Big Shiny Tunes 2

Idle Matt is the host of Radio Fun every Thursday from 8 to 9 PM.

FAVOURITE ALBUMS OF 2015

Big Dick - Disappointment
Sleater-Kinney - No Cities to Love
Grimes - Art Angels
Sufjan Stevens - Carrie & Lowell
Torche - Restarter
Faith No More - Sol Invictus
The Adam Brown - Sometimes I Try
Viet Cong - Viet Cong
METZ - II
Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Kylesa - Exhausting Fire
Deafheaven - New Bermuda
Dilly Dally - Sore
Killing Joke - Pylon
The Chemical Brothers - Born in the Echoes

FAVOURITE TRACKS OF THE YEAR

Big Dick, "Another Minute" and "God's Teeth"
Sleater-Kinney, "A New Wave" and "Hey Darling"
Grimes, "Belly and the Beat"
Coliseum, "We Are The Water"
Refused, "Elektra"
Chemical Brothers, "Go"
Faith No More, "Motherfucker"
CHURCHES, "Every Open Eye"
Danzig, "Devil's Angels"
Failure, "A.M. Amnesia"

FAVOURITE CONCERTS

Primus @ Metropolis, July 27
Mastodon + Barishi @ Higher Ground (Burlington, VT), November 8
Faith No More + Refused @ Ricoh Coliseum (Toronto, ON), August 11
Torche + Nothing + Wrong @ Bar Le "Ritz" PDB, March 26
Heavy Montreal @ Parc Jean-Drapeau, August 7-9

2014 RELEASE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON LAST YEARS LIST: Cloud Nothings - Here and Nowhere Else

MOST DISAPPOINTING

Refused - Freedom
Coliseum - Anxiety's Kiss

Both albums had great lead-off singles, but failed to deliver on their promise.

ALBUM I WANTED TO HATE, BUT I SURPRISINGLY LIKED: Slayer - Repentless

FAVOURITE SHOW(S) AT CJLO: (The diplomatic answer) I like them all equally!

BEST CJLO MOMENTS: Exceeding our goal during the funding drive, and the Fugazi "Instrument" screening

Sonja Hanson is the co-host of Behind the Counter every Monday at 11 AM to Noon.

BEST OF 2015 ~CANCON~

Partli Cloudi - Watermelon Cauliflower, song: "Perrible"
New Fries - Fresh Face Forward, song: "Plexiglass" (not from 2015 technically, but close enough)
Blanka - Yusada, song: "Maxim" featuring Emma Warren
Jonathan Scherk - Catalogue 1-12, song: "3"
Suuns and Jerusalem in My Heart - Suuns and Jerusalem in My Heart, song: "2amoutu 17tirakan"

FAVOURITE SHOW(S) AT CJLO: The Belldog

BEST CJLO MOMENTS: Big Shiny Tunes 2

Alex is the host of Ashes to Ashes every Tuesday at 1 to 2 PM.

TOP 20 FAVOURITE ALBUMS

Braids - Deep In the Iris
Brandon Flowers - The Desired Effect
Chvrches - Every Open Eye
Coldplay - A Head Full of Dreams
Colleen Green - I Want to Grow Up
Courtney Barnett - Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit
CTZNSHP - All Things to the Sea
Dutch Uncles - O Shudder
East India Youth - Culture of Volume
Georgia - Georgia
Gwenno - Y Dydd Olaf
Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly
Little Boots - Working Girl
Metric - Pagans In Vegas
Miguel - Wildheart
No Joy - More Faithful
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - Chasing Yesterday
Rob Thomas - The Great Unknown
Sleater-Kinney - No Cities to Love
U.S. Girls - Half Free

TOP 15 FAVOURITE NON-2015 ALBUMS

AC/DC - Back In Black (1980)
Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill (1995)
The B-52's - Cosmic Thing (1989)
The Bangles - All Over the Place (1984)
Black Uhuru - Red (1981)
Crash Vegas - Red Earth (1989)
Elastica - Elastica (1995)
Fleetwood Mac - Rumours (1977)
Lizzy Mercier Descloux - Mambo Nassau (1981)
Lucinda Williams - Lucinda Williams (1988)
Madonna - Madonna (1983)
Martha & The Muffins - Danseparc (1983)
Michel Rivard - Sauvage (1983)
Motörhead - Ace of Spades (1980)
Sleater-Kinney - Dig Me Out (1997)

TOP 20 FAVOURITE SINGLES

Ariane Moffatt, "Miami"
Big Grams, "Fell In the Sun"
Brandon Flowers, "Can't Deny My Love"
Chvrches, "Leave a Trace"
Blur, "Go Out"
Doe, "Avalanche"
Kanye West, "All Day" featuring Theophilus London, Allan Kingdom, and Paul McCartney
Kendrick Lamar, "Alright"
Marie-Pierre Arthur, "Rien à faire"
Metric, "The Shade"
Missy Elliott, "WTF (Where They From)" featuring Pharrell Williams
Neon Indian, "Slumlord"
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, "Lock All the Doors"
Pure Bathing Culture, "Pray for Rain"
Roman à Clef, "Abandonware (Josh and Jer)"
Snoop Dogg, "Peaches N Cream" featuring Charlie Wilson
Tamaryn, "Cranekiss"
Title Fight, "Chlorine"
TOPS, "Anything"
YG, "Twist My Fingaz"

FAVOURITE SHOW(S) AT CJLO: Nozin' Around

BEST CJLO MOMENTS: DJing for Head & Hands' SERVE Volleyball Tournament

Mike Bresciani is a CJLO alumnus and former host of The Lonesome Strangers.

NEW ALBUMS I ENJOYED IN 2015

A Place to Bury Strangers - Transfixiation
Beach Slang - The Things We Do to Find People Like Us
Bill Fay - Who is the Sender?
Courtney Barnett - Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Think
Dan Bern - Hoody
Deafheaven - Bermuda
Jason Isbell - Something More than Free
Joanna Gruesome - Peanut Butter
Joel Plaskett - Park Avenue Sobriety Test
Kurt Vile - b'lieve i'm goin down...
Mountain Goats - Beat the Champ
Richard Hawley - Hollow Meadows
Ringo Deathstarr - Pure Moods
Seoul - I Become a Shade
Swervedriver - I Wasn't Born to Lose You
Westkust - Last Forever

REISSUES I SPENT MY MONEY ON

Lilys - Eccsame The Photon Band
Eels - Dreamworks Years Vinyl Boxset
Chavez - Gone Glimmering / Ride The Fader
The Magnetic Fields - 69 Love Songs
Eric's Trip - Love Tara
Red House Painters - Rollercoaster

SHOWS THAT WERE PRETTY GOOD

Joel Plaskett @ Corona Theater
By Divine Right + Michael Feuerstack @ Rialto Hall
Dan Bern @ Hurley's
Built to Spill @ Club Soda
A Place to Bury Strangers @ Sala Rossa

Julian McKenzie is the co-host and producer of The Starting Rotation every Thursday from 11 AM to 1 PM.

TOP 10 ALBUMS

Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly
Tame Impala - Currents
Drake - If You're Reading This It's Too Late
Ty Dolla $ign - Free TC
Travis Scott - Rodeo
Jay Rock - 90059
Bryson Tiller - T R A P S O U L
Pusha T - Darkest Before Dawn
Courtney Barnett - Sometimes I Sit and Think and Sometimes I Just Sit
Future - DS2

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Run the Jewels - Meow the Jewels 2
Drake & Future - What a Time to Be Alive
The Weeknd - Beauty Before the Madness
The Social Experiment - SURF
Freddie Gibbs - Shadow of a Doubt

FAVOURITE TRACKS

Pusha T, "Untouchable"
Kanye West, "All Day" featuring Theophilus London, Allan Kingdom, & Paul McCartney
The Weeknd, "Tell Your Friends"
Run The Jewels, "Meowrly" featuring BOOTS
Bryson Tiller, "Sorry Not Sorry"
Jay Rock, "Vice City" featuring Black Hippy
Drake, "Back to Back"
Tame Impala, "'Cause I'm a Man"
Ty Dolla $ign, "Solid" featuring Babyface
Courtney Barnett, "Pedestrian at Best"
Future, "March Madness"
Travis Scott, "Antidote"
Stormzy, "Shut Up"
Skepta, "Shutdown"
Jeremih, "Planes" featuring J. Cole
Kendrick Lamar, "Mortal Man"
CJ Flemings, "That Girl"
Big Dreams, "Nun Changed"
Tory Lanez, "Say It"
Thundercat, "Them Changes"

FAVOURITE CONCERT: Yasiin Bey, but he didn't rap all that much. Did a lot of stand-up comedy though! NEXT BEST ONES: the DJ Quik/Mannie Fresh show I went to at Le Belmont and seeing Tyler, The Creator and Toro Y Moi at Osheaga. Wild.

FAVOURITE SHOW(S) AT CJLO: Vibe$tation, Fatal Attraction, and Jonny & Cupcakes (shows at CJLO are just like candy, you can't just consume one)

BEST CJLO MOMENTS: Winning CJLO Diego Award Best On-Air Team in 2015, and having TSN 690's Mitch Melnick come in-studio for two episodes

Mnjivr hosts Autobeat twice a week! Tune in on Sunday from 11 PM to Midnight, then again on Monday at Midnight to 1 AM.

ALBUMS

Romare - Projections -- First discovered Romare back in 2013 when I bought his "Love songs: Part One EP". A four track 12-inch filled with afro-funk and jazz influences that hit a cord. Two years later, Projections, his first full length album hits that same cord and more. Romare skilfully crafted an album full of different genres that seamlessly blend into one and other from a nicely arranged Nina Simone samples in Nina's Charm to the House tinged Rainbow. Stand out tracks on the album: "Rainbow", "Jimmy Laments", and "Nina's Charm".
L'Orange and Kool Keith - Time, Astonishing! -- Kool Keith, enough said! Well, not exactly... Beat maker, L'Orange managed to produce solid beats that mesh well with Keith's own distinctive style. A solidly produced album with a good lineup of guests that had their own to each track.
Kode 9 - Nothing
Jamie XX - In Colour
Linkwood - Expressions
Ghostface Killah and Adrian Younge - Twelve Reasons to Die II
Oneohtrix point Never - Garden of Delete
Jam City - Dream a Garden
Ata Kak - Obaa Sima
Talib Kweli and 9th Wonder - Indie 500
Lapalux - Lustmore
Beat Spacek - Mordern Streets

EPs

Jack J - Thisrtin
Project Pablo - I want to Believe
Zap Francis - Zap Francis
Midland - Double Feature
Moonstarr - Mount Real
Special Request - Modern Warfare EP
Billon - Dive In
Mall Grab - Elegy
Pittsburgh Track Authority - Your Situation
Andres - Belivin

FAVOURITE MONTREAL ARTISTS

Project Pablo - I Want to Believe
Unlog Compilations
Basssilus C - Brain Damage
Kodok - Artificial Taste
Engone Endong - #OKENG

BEST CJLO MOMENTS: Big Shiny Tunes 2 party

DJ Zakary Slax is the host of Slax Trax every Tuesday from 4 to 5 PM.

TOP 2-5 RELEASES OF 2OI5

In reverse alphabetical

Wild Raccoon - Mount Break
Un Blonde - Tenet
Towanda - Black Sheep
Tav Falco - Command Performance
Surveillance - Man 7"
Soupcans - Soft Party
The Sonics - This is the Sonics
The Pink Noise - Decay
New Fries / Old & Weird - Split 7"
Moon Hag - Terrify
Mono No Aware - tour tape
The Lonely Parade - Splenda Thief
LOC-NAR - Hotter Water
Kappa Chow - tour tape
HSY - Bask
Hag Face - R.I.P.
Grump - North End Generic
Gashrat - Downz
Drainolith - Hysteria
Downtown Boys - Full Communism
Crosss - LO
Cheap Wig - Agoness
The Beverleys - Brutal
Best Fiends - Best Fiends
Babysitter - Babysitter

J-Nice is the co-host of The Limelight every Saturday from 6 to 8 PM. When he's not dreaming on the radio show, Jay devotes his time reading "cat in the hat" to the homeless people and occasionally re-shelving some vault CDs.

ALBUMS

Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly
Ghostface Killah & BADBADNOTGOOD - Sour Soul
Samantha Montolla - Made Her

FAVOURITE TRACKS

Kendrick Lamar, "These Walls" featuring Bilal, Anna Wise, & Thundercat
Ghostface Killah & BADBADNOTGOOD, "Ray Gun" featuring MF Doom
The Foreign Exchange, "Better" (2014)

FAVOURITE FILMS

Avenger Age of Ultron
Mission Impossible: Rogue Agent
Jurassic World
Ex Machina
Inside Out

TOP MOMENTS IN SPORTS: Koby Bryant will be retiring from NBA

BEST PLAYERS

Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors) is killing it
Lebron James cannot be stopped :)
PK Subban talking it in all in stride (classy guy)

FASHION: Got some great friends doing some good, in Toronto on the fashion tip.

TOP POLITICAL STORIES OF 2015

Trudeau's the Man, and he has nice hair
Will Trump Win? Sounds like he's saying what people really think sometimes

FAVOURITE SHOW(S) AT CJLO: I love the Saturday lineup, but I also enjoy a little Hooked on Sonics and Phantastiq Cypha

BEST CJLO MOMENTS: Any time we had DJs or musical guests come through the show to hang out with us are great moments for me

Michael Sallot is CJLO's Station Manager.

MY FAVOURITE ALBUMS OF THE YEAR

Jamie xx - In Colour
Neon Indian - VEGA.INTL Night School
Tame Impala - Currents
Hot Chip - Why Make Sense?
Princess Century - Progress
Look Vibrant - Only Qualms
The Go! Team - The Scene Between
Destroyer - Poison Season
Protomartyr - The Agent Intellect
Rustie - EVENIFUDONTBELIEVE
Four Tet - Morning/Evening
CTZNSHP - All Things to the Sea
Young Guv - Ripe 4 Love
DJ Koze - DJ-Kicks
HEALTH - Death Magic
Renny Wilson - Punk Explosion/Extension
Le Matos - Chronicles of the Wasteland/Turbo Kid OST
Hudson Mohawke - Lantern
METZ - II
John Carpenter - Lost Themes
Floating Points - Elaenia
Moon King - Secret Life
Max Richter - From Sleep
!!! - As If
No Aloha - No Problemo

FAVOURITE SONGS OF THE YEAR

Tame Impala, "Let It Happen"
Grimes, "REALiTi (demo)"
Jamie XX, "Gosh"
Hudson Mohawke, "Ryderz"
Tamaryn, "Softcore"

FAVOURITE SHOW(S) AT CJLO: They're like my children! I love them all equally, BUT if I had to choose just one, I'd say lately I'm really digging one of our newer shows, "Audio Penpals". I look forward to it every Friday afternoon from 4 to 5 PM, perfect start to the weekend!

BEST CJLO MOMENTS: When Orin (host of The Noisy Loft, Sundays 8-9 pm) and his band, In The Name of Havoc, kicked off our final Funding Drive event — a show featuring 17 local bands covering all 17 songs from the ultimate '90s compilation Big Shiny Tunes Vol. 2. From the moment they launched into their awesome metal cover of "Breathe" by The Prodigy, I knew we were in for a truly special treat of a night.

DJ Lady Oracle is the co-host of The Limelight every Saturday from 6 to 8 PM.

TOP 10 ALBUMS

Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly
Jonathan Emile - Lover Fighter Document
Wayne Tennant - Life in a Minor Key
Drake - If You're Reading This Now It's Too Late
Miguel - Wildheart
SPZRKT & Sango - Hours Spent Loving You
Erykah Badu - But You Caint Use My Phone
FKA Twigs - M3LL155X
Dr. Dre - Compton
Beach House - Depression Cherry

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Soulection - Love is King compilation
A Tribe Called Quest - People's Instinctive Travels and the Path of Rhythm

TOP 10 TRACKS ON THE LIMELIGHT

Cee & SVNTY6, "maliiaRodrigues"
Ara Lune, "Make It Right"
Mat Preach Slater, "Let It Go" featuring Meryem Saci
Fab Piard, "Color Season"
L'Orange & Jeremiah Jae, "Ignore the Man to the Right" featuring Homeboy Sandman
Daye Jack, "Easy"
Lilly Singh & Humble The Poet, "ivivi"
Oddissee, "That's Love"
K-OS, "Crucify"
Gangrene, "Reversals" featuring Sean Price and Havoc

FAVOURITE SHOW(S) AT CJLO: More Fyah

BEST CJLO MOMENTS: 2015 Diego Awards

Tess McCrea is the co-host of Cinema Smackdown every Tuesday from 7 to 8 PM.

BEST MOVIES OF 2015

5. The Martian - Visually stunning and unexpectedly funny, this movie pairs beautiful visuals with a level of exuberance that was honestly unexpected. Matt Damon's performance here may be his best yet.

4. Creed - This is the Rocky sequel we've all been waiting for. Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone carry this well-crafted film that at times dips into the formulaic, but never dwells too long.

3. It Follows - Intimate and unique, this small horror film calls back to genre classics of the '70s and '80s, while simultaneously subverting them. The creeping dread and tension that carries the film feels almost Hitchcockian, and stays with the viewer even after the lights go up, making this (perhaps deceptively) simple film much more effective than others in the genre with far bigger budgets and flashier special effects. The characters at times feel somewhat flat, but that only contributes to the film's creepy, surreal mood.

2. Ex Machina - If you like your Sci-Fi thought-provoking and stunningly rendered, this is the film for you. The film's dark humour and piano-wire tension may come as no surprise to fans of Alex Gardland's screenwriting in movies like 28 Days Later (2002) and Never Let Me Go (2010). Even fans, however, may not expect the film's breathtaking visuals, realness (although it's technically Sci-Fi, it's shockingly easy to imagine that the events depicted are taking place today, somewhere out there), and nuanced social commentary, which manages to engage several ponderous topics while avoiding becoming heavy-handed. It feels like a masterful Philip K. Dick adaptation, although it has no real connection to the author. The performances in the film are flawless, particularly Oscar Isaac's portrayal of Nathan. The film expertly toys with clichés and tropes of the genre (and movies in general), before finally, brilliantly turning them on their heads.

1. Mad Max: Fury Road - I was cautiously optimistic about this movie going in. George Miller took my cautious optimism, shattered it into a million pieces, and reassembled it into a rictus of awe. Some may say the film lacks plotting, but in my mind the astonishing depth and breadth of the world building that lends heft to every scene and moment more than makes up for the lack. Miller takes the simplest of stories and turns out a masterpiece — every frame is a gorgeously imagined piece of feverish art. The characters are as well-drawn as they are awesome, and the subtle messages underlying the mind-blowing action may even make you think (although they certainly won't force you to).

HONOURABLE MENTION: Kingsman: The Secret Service - Great action, unexpectedly fun.

DISCLAIMER: I have not yet seen Carol, Beasts of No Nation, or The Look of Silence.

FAVOURITE SHOW(S) AT CJLO: Hooked on Sonics and At the Movies

Sean Z hosts The Sublime State of Doom every Monday from 8 to 9 PM.

BEST ALBUMS

Revenge - Behold.Total.Rejection
Various Artists - Doomed & Stoned in Canada
Napalm Death - Apex Predator: Easy Meat
Night Demon - Curse of the Damned
Perdition Temple - The Tempter's Victorious
Gruesome - Savage Land
KEN Mode - Success
Antibody - Space Qveen
Fuck The Facts - Desire Will Rot
Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats - The Night Creeper

BEST SHOWS

Godflesh @ Le National
Heavy Montreal
Obscene Extreme
Fidlar @ Fairmount Theatre

BEST CJLO MOMENTS: The heavy metal overnight broadcast during FUNdrive, by far. It was so much fun.

Oncle Ian is the co-host of The Go-Go Radio Magic Show every Friday from 6 to 8 PM.

ONCLE IAN'S 2015 ALBUMS

Warm Soda - Symbolic Dream
Kelley Stoltz - In Triangle Time
Seth Pettersen - Sweet Reaper
Jim O'Rourke - Simple Songs
Loose Pistons - Bronze Plated Moon
The Adam Brown - Sometimes I Try
Les Marinellis - Ile De Rêve
Mikal Cronin - MCIII
Wilco - Star Wars
The Memories - Home Style
The Minus 5 - Dungeon Golds
Michael Rault - Michael Rault
Part Time - Virgo's Maze
Milk Lines - Ceramic
Leon Bridges - Coming Home
Froth - Bleak
Damaged Bug - Cold Hot Plumbs
Michael Stasis - RIP III
Deerhunter - Fading Frontier
Peter Buck - Warzone Earth

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Wand - 100 Days
The Mantles - At Odds End
Dead Ghosts - Love & Death & All The Rest
Coco Rosie - Heartache City
Viet Cong - Viet Cong
New Order - Music Complete
Diane Coffee - Everybody's a Good Dog
The Smoking Trees - TST
Dungen Alla - Sak
La Luz - Weirdo Shrine

SINGLES, EPs, REISSUES

Red Mass - Fire Baptize 9
Red Mass - White Knights/Animal
Birds of Paradise - Love Is Confusion
Birds of Paradise - Syrup/Sweet Spot
Auks - Auks EP
Together Pangea - The Phage
Brian Jonestown Massacre - Mini Album Thingy Wingy
Kelley Stoltz - 4 New Cuts
UUBBUURRUU - Swamp Ritual
Allah-Las - Lagniappe Sessions
Operators - Ecstasy In My House

BEST LIVE SHOWS

Red Mass + Les Marinellis @ L'Esco, December 31, 2014 / January 1, 2015
Chocolat + Choses Sauvages @ Divan Orange, January 6
Loose Pistons + Choses Sauvages + Rust Eden @ Divan Orange, May 21
The Adam Brown + The Gt's + Lunar Exile @ Salon Sweet William, September 12
Mikal Cronin + Calvin Love + The Cairo Gang + Les Marinellis @ Theatre Fairmount, September 17
Built to Spill + Cross + Clark & The Himselfs @ Club Soda, September 19
Wilco + William Tyler @ Metropolis, September 21

Stephanie Dee is CJLO's Magazine Editor and the host of Yeti Dreams every Tuesday from 8 to 9 PM. She also participates in having fun.

NEW RELEASES

The Adam Brown - Sometimes I Try
Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly
Failure - The Heart is a Monster
No Aloha - No Problemo
Les Marinellis - Ile de Rêve
Parkay Quarts - Content Nausea
Mikal Cronin - MCIII
FUZZ - II
Peach Kelli Pop - Peach Kelli Pop
Connie Converse - How Sad How Lovely (vinyl release)

OLD RECORDS AND WHERE I GOT 'EM

Scientist - Scientist Rids the World of the Evil Curse of the Vampires (reissue, Beatnick)
The Koala - The Koala (og press, Cheap Thrills)
Dr. John The Night Tripper - GRIS-Gris (og press, Salon de disques in October)
Ramones - Rocket to Russia (og Canadian press, POP Montreal record fair in September)
Magnetic Fields - 69 Love Songs (Merge reissue, preordered direct)
Lothar and the Hand People - Presenting... (Phonopolis)
Les Miserables - No Tyme Records comp (POP Montreal record fair)
Roy Wood's Wizzard (Aux 33 Tours)
Nomeansno - Wrong (og press, End of an Ear in Austin freaking Texas)
Eric's Trip - Love Tara (Sub Pop reissue on white vinyl, Discogs)
Happy Flowers - Oof (Aux 33 Tours)
Morlocks - Emerge (Aux 33 Tours)
Isaac Hayes - Black Moses (gatefold, Death of Vinyl)
Red House Painters - Rollercoaster (reissue, Cheap Thrills)
Cameo - Word Up (Friperie Renaissance on Mont-Royal)
The Kids - The Kids (Phonopolis)

YOUR NEW FAVOURITE ROCK 'N' ROLL ALBUM: Hound - Out of Space -- Streaming right here: WeAreHound

FAVOURITE SHOW(S) AT CJLO: I sure do listen to a lot of Radio Fun, and Shibuya Crossing is my new hazy Sunday morning ritual.

BEST CJLO MOMENTS: Definitely the Big Shiny Tunes 2 concert at Bar Le "RITZ" PDB. The last event of CJLO's FUNdrive! It was weird digging up '90s music from the nether regions of my dusty old CD collection, but I had a blast deejaying the music of my youth for y'all. Another great moment: after the bands played, the place turned into one big dance party! I also got kissed on the lips by two different dudes that night, that was odd lol.

Omar Sonics is the Head Music Director at CJLO and he hosts Hooked On Sonics every Thursday from 6 to 8 PM whilst drinking lots of sodee.

TOP 30 FAVOURITE ALBUMS OF 2015

Failure - The Heart is a Monster
Soft Moon - Deeper
Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly
No Joy - More Faithful
Title Fight - Hyperview
Beach House - Depression Cherry / Thank Your Lucky Stars
Sleater-Kinney - No Cities to Love
MewithoutYou - Pale Horses
Waxahatchee - Ivy Tripp
Doomtree - All Hands
METZ - II
Alex G - Beach Music
Beach Slang - The Things We Do to Find People Who Feel Like Us
Andrew Sisk - Arcticalia
Locrian - Infinite Dissolution
Disappears - Irreal
No Aloha - No Problemo
Beliefs - Leaper
Ought - Sun Coming Down
Kurt Vile - b'lieve i'm goin down...
Bully - Feels Like
Sufjan Stevens - Carrie & Lowell
Deafheaven - New Bermuda
A$AP Rocky - At Long Last A$AP
Built to Spill - Untethered Moon
Desaparecidos - Payola
Dr Dre - Compton
Wavves x Cloud Nothings - No Life for Me
Battles - La Di Da Di
Coliseum - Anxiety's Kiss

TOP 15 HIDDEN GEMS

Iris - Haunt Me EP
Wild Moth - Inhibitor
Colour Wheel - Losing Streak
Keep Shelly in Athens - Now I'm Ready
Lust - Lust
Ringo Deathstarr - Pure Mood
Swervedriver - I Wasn't Born to Lose You
Colleen Green - I Want to Grow Up
Kindling - Galaxies EP
Traces - Traces EP
Girl Band - Holding Hands with Jamie
Benoit Pioulard - Sonnet
Deradoorian - The Expanding Flower Planet
Nailbiter - Formats
Tamaryn - Cranekiss

HONORABLE MENTION MISCELLANEOUS TRACKS

Alessia Cara, "Here"
Best Coast, "In My Eyes"
Braids, "Taste"
CHVRCHES, "Leave a Trace"
Class Actress, "GFE"
Courtney Barnett, "Pedestrian at Best"
Day Wave, "Drag"
Deerhunter, "Breaker"
Earl Sweatshirt, "Grief"
HEALTH, "New Coke"
Helio Sequence, "Upward Mobility"
Hop Along, "The Knock"
Icky Blossoms, "Phantasmagoria"
Little Boots, "Working Girl"
Missy Elliott, "WTF" (featuring Pharrell)
Pure Bathing Culture, "Pray for Rain"
Reversing Falls, "Are You There?"
Silversun Pickups, "Nightlight"
Speedy Ortiz, "Raising the Skate"
Tallest Man on Earth, "Dark Bird is Home"

TOP 10 LIVE SHOWS

Failure + Hum @ Royale 8/15/15 (Boston MA)
Faith No More @ Parc Jean Drapeau 8/15/15 (Heavy Montreal - Montreal QC)
José González @ Theatre Corona 4/12/15 (Montreal QC)
Knapsack @ Katacombes 5/17/15 (Pouzza Fest - Montreal QC)
Bionic @ Sala Rosa 9/17/15 (POP Montreal - Montreal QC)
Envy @ Club Soda 11/2/15 (Montreal QC)
Coliseum @ Opera House 6/20/15 (NXNE - Toronto ON)
Godflesh @ Le National 9/18/15 (POP Montreal - Montreal QC)
No Aloha @ L'Esco 9/17/15 (POP Montreal - Montreal QC)
Ought @ Ukranian Federation 9/17/15 (POP Montreal - Montreal QC)

TOP 10 MOST ANTICIPATED ALBUMS OF 2016

Autolux - Pussy's Dead
Chromatics - Dear Tommy
Jesu/Sun Kil Moon - Jesu/Sun Kil Moon
M83 - TBA
Spiritualized - TBA
Reversing Falls - Reversing Falls 2
Jesus and Mary Chain - TBA
Run the Jewels - Run the Jewels 3
Lucinda Williams - The Ghosts of Highway 20
Thrice - TBA

TOP 5 CJLO HI-FIVERS

Denis Arsenault // Host of "Dirty Work" & CSBC Board Member
(tie) Christina Bell // CJLO Volunteer Coordinator & Saturn De Los Angeles // Host of "Shibuya Crossing"
Joana Cuomo // CJLO On Rotation Coordinator
Julie Matson // Host of "Beyond the Black Rainbow" & CSBC Board Member
Andrew Wieler // Host of "Grade A Explosives" & CJLO Program Director

TOP 5 FRUITS OF 2015

Pineapple
Watermelon
Gala Apple
Red Seedless Grapes
Banana

BONUS! SONG THAT BROUGHT ME THE MOST JOY IN 2015: "Hmmmoooohmygod" I wish I was kidding but the "Why You Always Lyin'" meme was stuck in my head for weeks and would constantly have me cracking up. I highly recommend the extended full song version, it's magique. This might as well be my resignation letter...

FAVOURITE SHOW(S) AT CJLO: Yeti Dreams, Charts & Crafts

BEST CJLO MOMENTS: Nicholas Cage Screening Night & CJLO Promotions Director Ellen Smallwood takin' Fund Drive to the hoop

S. De Los Angeles is a kid who fell from outer space and discovered the magic of radio to become the host of Shibuya Crossing every Sunday from 9 to 11 AM. SATYYY occasionally fills in for Champions of the Local Scene, helps with the News (and recently Community Calendar) every week, and frequently writes reviews for the CJLO Magazine.

TOP 10 MOVERS AND SHAKERS IN JAPANESE MUSIC - THE 2015 EDITION

Now has never been a better time to discover music both from Japan and overseas artists who look up to Japanese pop culture for inspiration. This has also been the year where Japanese musicians have been gradually getting both of the attention and curiosity of the public for their work - from the underground and into the global stage. And if there's anything to take away from this list, it's that Japanese music at large continues to bridge communities together for their sound.

If 2015 might have just been the appetizer, who knows what 2016 may have in store? We hope it will be a scrumptious feast for our ears. This list is absolutely not definitive as it is subjective, and based on trends observed over the past 12 months + end of 2014.

10. Yokai Watch: Revenge of the Monsters

While this isn't music related - this notorious video game franchise made a pop culture splash (and a long lasting impression to sleepless parents) at the tail-end of its hype early this year. Why? The anime series' catchy opening theme song that will either make you gleefully sing or cringe in misery. And if you're not in the mood for cute things, you can always channel your inner rage with some "Tokyo Ghoul", or "Attack on Titan" to keep you happy.

9. Idolmaster + Love Live: Fiction meets life. Life Meets fiction

While on the topic of anime - anything Idol-related was the hype: young ladies who dress up to sing in unison to the delight of many, or one. From a series inspired by a simulation game that takes you into the world of an ambitious talent agency, to a plot line where school girls resort to song and dance to save their school from closing down, you can be assured that instant happiness (or gratification?) is just a sweet and sappy pop song away.

8. Redefining (and satirizing) Girl Power

And no, it's not just Babymetal. Railing after the success of Kyary Pamyu Pamyu's royal ascent to Kawaii-ness, an array of girl groups have gained both the cheer and jeer from the online public. While we have one group that happily pokes fun at Japan's ageing population (KBG 84), and another group emerges with a non-Japanese beard-loving hipster looking member on the front line (LADYBABY), you might wonder if we've come a long way since Morning Musume?

7. From global to local - Japanese talent galore

But that aside, there's some kick-ass female-fronted indie rock groups out there who visited Canada, such as Tricot and ATLANTIS AIRPORT. Rock legends like MONO and Melt Banana. Pop stars FLOW and Angela. Visual Kei rockers Umbrella and UCHUSENTAI NOIZ, Metalheads Dir en Grey. Stage performers Yanomi Shoshinz and Baron. And of course, Steve Tanaka (Next Music from Tokyo)'s passionate search for the next great Japanese indie music talent.

6. Outreach and preach - Japanese music overseas

But the journey doesn't end on our shores, as more Japanese music acts from indie and major labels have been flying overseas to play for dedicated fans longing to see them for ages in places beyond the usual Anime convention space. The list is endless but some come to mind include SuG, SCANDAL, Steve Aoki, and KAMIJO. And yet not all adventures bring a happy ending, as Shota (R.I.P.), the other half of ADAMS, unexpectedly passed away hours after performing on stage.

5. Harnessing the Japanese creative spirit

From the likes of talented folks such as Shawn Wasabi, Kero Kero Bonito, Crestillion, ENDIGO; to our own Your favourite Enemies, Red Handed Denial, and Nika Cantabile, and so much more, there's one unifying thing they have in common - it's the creative vibe and inspiration they've blended in from various elements of Japanese culture, and in turn, create it into their own masterpiece. The magic never ends and we're just getting started.

4. Pushing the boundaries of Enka

Back at home in Japan, Enka, is known as Japanese folk traditional music which usually had been long sung by a more older demographic, is summoning an all new roster of younger diverse voices to help bring it into the new generation. From game-changers such as the black Japanese-American singer Jero, to the former metal core Visual rock icon Tsukasa of D'ESPAIRS RAY, both artists have stayed true to the music's roots of cherishing the past, and moving forward into the future with hope.

3. The Vocaloid Phenomenon continues

Indeed, Hatsune Miku is everywhere. Online, in concert halls, and once on late light TV. And even if you try to run away from her, her impact still reigns supreme in other forms, sounds, shapes, and sizes. It's not only her music we're talking about since after all she is the fictional representation of this music-making software called Vocaloid. There's a ton of fan-made work that's made through this software and all other customized variants that exist out there. It even helped launch the career of then internet-based now major record-label pop rock star Piko.

2. K-Pop's reign on the Japanese music charts

And no, we're not talking about PSY's successful follow up track to Gangnam Style, although it's indeed pretty chic, catchy and fun. A trend that had started in the early part of this decade, Korean pop groups such as EXO, Big Bang, B1A4, and more have been releasing Japanese versions of their own Korean releases in a short span of time. And it definitely sounds as catchy or sometimes even better than the original. While some folks out there may not be a fan of the genre for various reasons (especially with alleged stories of how agencies treat their music talents), it's still quite important and groundbreaking to see this and even experience the music in context, socially and politically.

But really, at the end of the day, it's the music - and how we feel about it - that matters, and so far it seems that it makes folks happy, and that can be seen week by week on both the Japanese, South Korean, and even some Southeast Asian music charts. The impact of a good melody, or even message that a song can bring, goes beyond borders and brings communities together, just like this year's number one mover and shaker:

1. The meteoric rise of ONE OK ROCK

And as we call in the shots now, the band known by their initials as OOR has gotta be one of Japanese music's many successful stories on record. Listening to their albums is one thing, experiencing one of their live concerts is another.

After several successful (and some sold out) shows in Toronto, New York, and Los Angeles this year, OOR is a testament and proof that music knows no boundaries, and that it can truly touch and change people's lives - especially with just the right blend of contemporary rock and roll, melody, voice, and a unbeatable amount of enthusiasm to boot. Their success has opened the doors for other bands to follow suit such as Coldrain and many more alternative rock bands into the fray.

On a personal note, after getting the chance to see this band play live with a couple of friends four years ago at a posh live house in downtown Singapore and now seeing photos of them on Instagram today instantly fill up huge concerts halls and stadiums, I've been very lucky to have seen these kids grow, and I'm stoked to see what this band - and also Japanese music at large - has in store for all of us in 2016.

FAVOURITE SHOW(S) AT CJLO: CAN'T choose just one, but many. It's a massive toss-up between the following: Je Suis TBA, The Machine Stops, BVST, Yeti Dreams, Fatal Attraction, Fukubukuro, Sublime State of Doom, Colours That Can't Be Seen, Grade A Explosives, and The Vibe Room.

BEST CJLO MOMENTS: Everything Summer/Fall 2015, from Fringe Fest, to Fantasia, to FUNDrive, to Fukubukuro - and everything in between.

Ellen Smallwood is CJLO's Director of Promotions, Fundraising, and Sponsorship.

TOP 12 MOMENTS OF 2015, WITH LOVE FROM THE PROMO & FUNDRAISING DEPARTMENT

In chronological (ish) order!

1. The Oven - Seeing The Oven Studio at CJLO transform under Production Director Patrick McDowall's expert guidance was a great introduction to CJLO as Promo Director newbie in the early months of 2015. Seeing volunteers rip up carpet, paint walls, lay down flooring and install soundproofing put the DIY in CJLO, once again! This all came to a beautiful head in our spring magazine issue, put together by Magazine Editor Stephanie Dee and Art Director Angelica C's talented team of artists, designers, writers and illustrators, including Patricia Petit-Liang and Saturn De Los Angeles, with some CJLO folklore by Omar Sonics and Patrick McDowall! We celebrated our Oven Studio re-Launch April 2 at Le Cagibi, with live performances by Michael Cota, Saxsyndrum and Fleece. It was an evening of Montreal music that reminded us why we do what we do! We also had a special Open House at the station that featured a beautiful performance by Caro Diaro that ended up on our latest Baked in the Oven comp, Check it out!

2. Hip Hop Week - It was super-exciting to be a media partner for the first ever edition of Hip Hop Week Montreal in March. Seeing CJLO alum MF Gold in conversation with Jean Grae and our promo team getting to meet the lady herself (post lecture at Concordia's campus) was a definite highlight!

3. Rock Camp for Girls - CJLO celebrated what Boston deemed Annual Riot Grrrl Day April 9th with a very special collaboration with Femmes Fatales: a fundraiser show for Rock Camp for Girls Montreal. Toronto's Hervana came to town and local femme powerhouse Heathers opened, with Montreal's beloved Nancy Pants. We kicked it all off with a very tasty live broadcast of Hooked on Sonics and Dirty Work at Café Kahwa (still thinking about those lattes and delicious couscous). The tunes were raw; and no matter how hard the rain poured, you couldn't drown out the Riot Grrrl realness at Club Lambi that night!

4. Montreal Fringe Fest - Co-presenting CJLO Fringe Tunes at Parc des Ameriques as part of the Montreal Fringe Festival in June was amazing! It was a beautiful summer day and we did The Commonwealth Conundrum and The Go-Go Radio Magic Show live from the beer tent, watching Towanda, No Aloha, Heathers, Kurvi Tasch, Archery Guild, and Fragile Feet as the sun set. We had a great crew and were able to announce our On Rotation Multi-Genre Artist Residency Program for the first time (courtesy of CFRC's Radiometres program). Stay tuned for these freshly baked audio goods in 2016 and learn more about the program here.

5. Caribbean Curry House - The Caribbean Curry House is a Montreal institution! The fact that I live on the other side of town means I don't eat there enough, so perhaps that is a new year's resolution? MORE CURRY HOUSE ROTI in 2016!! But it is not just the food that makes this place stand-out, it is the people who run it and their generosity. CJLO has benefited from this many a time, and in 2015 Emrith, Savi, and Rose Promesse (and their team) threw a delicious fundraising BBQ in early September—with all proceeds going to college radio: CJLO & CKUT. The food was top-notch, our Saturday line-up broadcast live, and there was a good old-fashioned neighbourhood party afterwards. Thanks again to The Caribbean Curry House for being such a great friend to CJLO this year!

6. A glossy CJLO FUNdrive Magazine! - Seeing the FUNdrive magazine and website come to life last September was a lot epic and a little surreal. Seeing the chicken scratches from the office whiteboard translate to bright and glossy design was truly rad! Thanks to the hard work and artistic talents of Saturn De Los Angeles, Angelica Calcagnile, and Joana Cumo. We had solid branding, a map, a calendar, and a complete guide to our FUNdrive—both online and in print—in our biggest magazine run to date! We were everywhere in September - CSU Orientation, POP Montreal... FUNdrive = BOOM.

7. #CJLOGoesPOP! - CJLO was all over POP Montreal this year! We co-presented Braids, Godflesh, Will Butler, Royal Canoe, parts of the symposium were live broadcast, and we deejayed the Record Fair! On a personal note, the best was seeing Babes in Toyland at The Rialto and shedding some "tears of whoah" with Towanda's Rosie G! WE WERE SEEING BABES! Did I mention that we got signed posters and took Kat B from Babes over to CJLO's Pop DJ night at Nouveau Palais after? Yes. CHEERS BABES!

8. "I am not a demon. I am a lizard, a shark, a heat-seeking panther." - Realizing that our FUNdrive's spirit animal was Nicolas Cage, courtesy of the amazing FUNdrive metre made by Patricia (from Fatal Attraction) was hilariously inspirational. For those who have not had the privilege of seeing this visual splendour, it is basically a collage of Nic Cage faces in various degrees of surprise and scandal. Movies range from our first $500 mark (ringing in as Wicker Man) to the $10,000 mark as National Treasure! Since we surpassed our FUNdrive goals (raising approximately $11,000), we broke the meter! Recently, we celebrated with a Volunteer Appreciation Party at Patisserie Bela Vista- screening Face Off, Con Air, and celebrating the hard work of our amazing volunteers with a good ol' fashioned pizza party! CLASSIC.

9. Bluegrass 'n' Bingo - Putting on an event at Montreal's legendary Wheel Club, Bluegrass 'n' Bingo was an absolute highlight that can only truly be captured as the passion of the bingo and the realness of the bluegrass. Why are these things not always together? Well, they will make a reappearance in Spring 2016, so get those dabbers ready! Kudos to L'il Andy, Moonshine Garage, and Pointer's Crossing who brought the licks, and to Miss Julie Paquet, bingo hostess extraordinaire—best bingo jokes in town! We had the BEST crowd, including many CJLOians and The Adam Brown himself! There is a red-carpet pic of yours truly and Mlle Julie P in our CMA outfits floating around somewhere... (and don't forget, the amazing Jamaican food by Mango Bay—again, why aren't these things always together?)

10. UNLOG Showcase - Getting acquainted with the music label UNLOG this year has been a highlight for me at CJLO. Attending their showcase at Le Bleury Bar was one of my favourite FUNdrive events. The curation by Mourad B (formerly of CJLO's Stroll Around the Groove) was phenomenal. The night featured some of Montreal's best live electronic artists, not to mention best vibes! Solid live sets resonated from Engone Endong, Culturalex, Tehu, with DJ sets in between by Famelik and DJ Noyl. Looking forward to hearing UNLOG sounds in 2016.

11. Big Shiny Tunes 2 - Pulling off the Big Shiny Tunes 2 show & FUNdrive Closing Party at Bar Le Ritz PDB and seeing 17 Montreal bands reinterpret Canada's third best-selling album of all time (in order, old school style) was a major coup! It was an epic night, with everyone representing, from In The Name of Havoc's feverish rendition of Prodigy's "Breathe", to Jilted X's bombshell performance art closer of Stone Temple Pilot's "Lady Picture Show"! Special shout-outs to the mind-boggling list of artists that participated—we were lucky to work with all of you and a thousand thank yous! Big Shiny Tunes 3?

12. CMJ Music Marathon - Getting to experience the shenanigans of CMJ Music Marathon in New York was pretty much the after party for FUNdrive as it was so soon after and things didn't skip a beat! As my first year at CJLO, it was an awesome opportunity to get to hang out with CJLOians, attend workshops and see kick-ass music! Taking the night-bus down with Beyond the Black Rainbow's Julie M and Volunteer Co-ordinator Christina B was a perfect start to the madness, which included taking in Program Director Andrew WIXQ's talk at College day, attending a panel on sexism in the music industry with Perfect Pussy's Meredith Graves and realizing that CJLO's karaoke roster has a lot of depth.

Finally, we started a new show on CJLO recently called Audio Penpals! It is a collaboration with The Centre for the Arts in Human Development at Concordia and features four of the Centre's graduates- DJ Claudia Rocks, DJ Julie Perry, DJ Gundam Seed Destiny (AKA Peter Y) and DJ Peter! The Centre facilitates creative therapy programs to help build creative and expressive skills for participants with developmental disabilities. I knew that Audio Penpals was going to be an amazing show, (with content, music and events selected by our team of hosts as they fine-tune their radio skills), however, I did not anticipate the level of enthusiasm and heart that they would come in with every week! This was evident on our first full episode (airing November 27), when the crew came in, with lots of gusto and conviction, ready to take on Donald Trump regarding his prejudice towards a disabled reporter! It was a heartfelt, real-talk moment- 100% community radio! CJLO staff and crew were very moved as our hosts talked about what it was like when someone makes fun of you for being disabled, not to mention how this scoundrel is unfit to lead anyone… I second and triple that motion! A few tears were brushed aside in the DJ booth that day, and I can't wait to see where Audio Penpals goes in 2016!

Love and enthusiasm from your friendly Promo and Fundraising Team! xx

Lucy Marshall-Kiparissis is CJLO's Campus Outreach Coordinator and the host of The Belldog every Thursday from 9 to 10 PM.

Chelsea Wolfe - Abyss
Benoit Pouilard - Sonnet
Colin Stetson and Sarah Neufeld - Never Were the Way She Was
Deerhunter - Fading Frontier
Doldrums - The Air-Conditioned Nightmare
Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress
Faith Healer - Cosmic Troubles
Jerusalem In My Heart - If He Dies, If If If If If If
Bonus: Suuns and Jerusalem In My Heart - Suuns and Jerusalem In My Heart
No Aloha - No Problemo
No Joy - More Faithful
White Poppy - Natural Phenomena

Gachary is a studio engineer at CJLO and the host of Impossible Music every Sunday from 1 to 2 PM.

TOP ALBUMS OF 2015

The Cradle - Drink the Water
Palm - Trading Basics
Arthur Russell - Corn
Big Neck Police - Sleight of Time
Mick Jenkins - Wave[s]
Joanna Newsom - Divers

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Teen Cult - Teen Cult
Cal Fish - What's Jood?
Drake - If You're Reading This It's Too Late
Bryson Tiller - T R A P S O U L

FAVOURITE SHOW: Guerilla Toss' Bernie Sanders Benefit Show

FAVOURITE SHOW(S) AT CJLO: Satty on the radio (Shibuya Crossing), Patrick McDowall (Into the Coven), Andrew Wieler (Grade A Explosives), Marshall Vaillancourt (Fear of Music)

BEST CJLO MOMENTS: Big Shiny Tunes 2

Paul Lafond is the Good Day for Airplay Correspondent on CJLO's Hooked on Sonics!

TOP 5

Failure - The Heart is a Monster
Beliefs - Leaper
Sufjan Stevens - Carrie & Lowell
Girl Band - Holding Hands with Jamie
METZ - II

I mean common. Of course Failure was gonna be #1 on my list. An amazing addition to their discography. Haven't lost a step even after almost 20 years of being apart.

FAVOURTIE TRACKS

Girl Band, "Pears For Lunch"
Beliefs, "Tidal Wave"
Father John Misty, "Chateau Lobby #4 (In C for Two Virgins)"
Drake, "Legend"
Sufjan Stevens, "Fourth of July"
Daye Jack, "Easy"
Low, "Lies"

"Pears For Lunch" is my 2015 jam. I've lost count how many times I've heard this rockin' anthem.

FAVOURITE CONCERT: Failure @ Brooklyn Bowl on October 14, CMJ Music Marathon. Second time seeing them. First time seeing the new album performed live. Hanging out with my CJLO peeps. Good night all around.

-- Banner by Saturn De Los Angeles, banner photo by Stephanie Dee. We are all one!

The Best of 2015

Releases We Loved

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