Another year is in the history books, along with its music, theater, art and film that will leave an impact on the world of pop culture, along with releases that will barely be remembered with any fondness or appreciation. But let’s not remember those! Instead, let us take a last peek back at the best of 2015’s fruitful offerings in all things A&E.

Albums

Grimes’ Art Angels

 The seemingly reclusive electronic producer Claire Boucher, known by her stage name as Grimes, came back onto the scene after a three year hiatus from her 2012 breakout album Visions with one of the most eclectic, syncopated, complex and overall scintillating albums in the past few years.

Describing the “Art Angels” as embodiments of her music, each song is a well-balanced yet completely experimental mix of almost every genre, painting a portrait of 3^rd wave feminism using hues of K-Pop, EDM, death metal, synthpop, and even medieval music.

In songs such as “Kill V. Maim,” she showcases the ethereal nature of her voice going raw, as well as her cynical lyricism, digressing with an almost mock-innocence that she’s “only human.” With the production values clearly based less on a budget and more on sheer talent, Grimes came bearing gifts this holiday season beyond the scope of what anyone could have imagined.

Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly

 The year 2015 was a hallmark year for socially conscious records, with Kendrick Lamar’s 3^rd studio album probably being the prime example of responses to Black Lives Matter and other similar movements.

With “poetic justice,” he exemplifies insightful approaches to a germane issue as well as the true angst of a community wronged by their own government, the former topic found in songs like “i,” and the latter found in songs such as “The Blacker the Berry.”

Aside from just being an album on race and ethnicity in America, it is also the tumultuous tale of the path to fame and the trials and tribulations faced once you reach the pinnacle of a seemingly corrupting business. In conjunction with the cinematic production that is both authentic as well as monstrous in its swaggeringly soulful music.

Not only did Kendrick Lamar deliver the album that fans want, but also the record the people need.

Bonus: D’Angelo’s Black Messiah

TV Shows

 Master of None (Netflix)

The brainchild of Parks and Recreations’ Aziz Ansari, the newest Netflix sit-dramedy is in the league of shows such as Girls in its realistic portrayal of millennial dilemmas. However, it succeeds beyond Girls with a more optimistic yet still authentic disposition, trading absolute cynicism for a sharp blend of satire and reality, and a more vibrant, diverse, and enjoyable cast of characters than the HBO New York centered project.

Aziz Ansari has long been acclaimed for his distinctive quality of humor and tone, and his new TV show is just asserts his intelligent and nonsensical approach to comedy.

Transparent (Amazon Prime)

Another show that must be streamed, Jill Solloway’s Transparent, is a true gem. The second season, all available on Amazon Prime for streaming, explored the deeper layers of humanity that lie within all of us through the Pfeffermans.

Making greater strides towards the goal of finding their true authentic selves, each family member, with outstanding performances from every actor/actress, is a beautiful embodiment of the struggle for true happiness.

Bonus: Marvel’s Jessica Jones (Netflix)

Movies

 Spotlight

A true tour-de-force, Tom McCarthy’s thrilling film about the Spotlight section of the Boston Globe’s investigation into allegations of pedophilia in the Boston Catholic Church is a gripping emotional rollercoaster that angers and galvanizes every audience member.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

How could one leave out the most exciting box office event of the year? The newest installment in the space-epic series breathed a new life into the series unseen in the prequel series, with an exciting new team of protagonists and a massively intense and fun start to the sequel trilogy.

Bonus: Carol by Todd Haynes