By Josh Cabrita, Peak Associate Worst Songs of 2015 By Zainah Merani, Peak Associate Movies of 2015 debut is perhaps the year’s most hidden 10. About Elly gem. This film about a teenage couple who 10. “"Dear Future Husband"” — Meghan Trainor Asghar Farhadi’s social critique of sexism have to deal with a surprise pregnancy, The lyrics are atrocious and a kick in the face to in contemporary Iran is a slice of life that- made me shed my first, second, third, and women everywhere. plays like a Hitchcockian mystery. Boast final tear at this year’s Toronto International ing naturalistic performances from the Film Festival. 9. “"I Might Go Lesbian"” — Manika featuring Tyga ensemble cast, and an unobtrusive visual Just the song title alone is enough to make you style from Farhadi, About Elly is a raw 4. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl cringe, let alone the song. thriller of mundane conversations with No film delighted me more this year than incredibly tense drama. Alfonso Gomez-Rejon’s coming-of-age 8. “"I Really Like You"” — Carly Rae Jepsen Layout by Christy Lum story about a self-centered cinephile who This track is really, really, really terrible. 9. Phoenix breaks out of his shell when his mother Buried in an artificial pastiche and a world forces him to befriend the girl in his class- 7. “"Truffle Butter" — Nicki Minaj featuring of false faces, Nelly Lenz returns home from with terminal cancer. With kinetic camera- Drake and Lil’ Wayne Top 10 hip-hop a concentration camp with disfigurations work, a hilarious screenplay, and two ex Ugh. It’s just so gross. In a banner year — in an equally disfigured Germany. As cellent performances from Thomas Mann for rap, these LPs an allegory of German society after WWII, and Olivia Cooke, this Sundance darling 6. “"Bitch, I’m Madonna"” — Madonna featur- albums of 2015 Phoenix is one of the year’s most dense and is emotional and funny, gut-busting, and ing Nicki Minaj stood out thought-provoking films. heart-wrenching. Seriously Madonna, you’re better than this.

8. Anomalisa 3. The End Of The Tour 5. “"Daddy"” — PSY Charlie Kaufman’s first film in seven years James Ponsoldt’s post-modern bromance Man, I love me a good PSY track, but since Infinite Jest au- is one of the most stylistically inventive is a multi-faceted biopic on “Hangover” with Snoop Dogg, his tracks have animated films of recent memory, and thor David Foster Wallace, which includes simply fallen. By Max Hill, Editor-in-Chief also one of the most poignant, complex, excellent work from Jesse Eisenberg as a and thoughtful. This film, which features Rolling Stone interviewer and Jason Segel as 4. “"Best Friends" — Sophia Grace puppets and no human actors, ironically, 5. Future – DS2 the enigmatic writer. Although this 12-year-old is already more suc- 10. Big Sean – Dark Sky Paradise - NEW TV provides some of the most devastatingly cessful than me, YouTube has tried to save the Future had a great 2015. He released three mix human moments of any film in 2015. Big Sean will never be mistaken for a socially tapes, a split LP with Drake, and continued to 2. Louder Than Bombs remainder of her dignity by disabling comments. DS2 is the conscious rapper, or even a particularly Joachim Trier’s English-language debut is- define and perfect the trap subgenre. - smart one. But when it comes to bangers, best album he’s ever made; it’s brash and con SHOWS OF 7. The Tribe - a story of grief told from many perspec 3. “"Dooo It!"” — Miley Cyrus Not a single word is spoken in this Ukrai he’s a tough one to beat. Dark Sky Paradise- fident, and toes the line between the rapper’s tives and angles. It’s a powerful yet quiet- THE MUSIC VIDEO. MUCH DISCOMFORT. By Courtney Miller, nian drama about a crime ring in a hearing is his most consistent album to date, balanc cheeky bravado and his softer side. film that builds subjectivity through me- ing plenty of dumb fun with some surprising 2015 Peak Associate impaired boarding school, and although ticulous editing and voiceover, culminat 2. “"Hurricane"” — Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em gravitas. And be honest: was there any song Third Side of this wordless film may sound gimmicky, its 4. Lil Ugly Mane – ing into an honest domestic drama that- IS THIS EVEN A REAL SONG?! in 2015 as gleefully replayable as “Blessings”? the Tape 10. FRESH OFF THE BOAT (ABC) three sons will inherit his music empire. With narrative experimentation and gruesome does precisely the opposite of its Holly finale will leave you speechless. 90059 This album from Lil Ugly Mane feels more like A short and sweet comedy centring on an the fortune up for grabs, the family soon be- wood counterparts. 1. “"Kick The Dust Up"” — Luke Bryan 9. JAY ROCK – a conceptual art piece than anything, a jumble immigrant Chinese family and their struggles comes divided and chaos ensues. Is this a country song? What is he even singing It must be tough being in Black Hippy — the - of the rapper’s abandoned musical projects that associated with fitting into a white culture. It 6. Ex Machina - 1. Son of Saul about? hip-hop supergroup tends to be overshad includes everything from death metal to techno. combats Chinese stereotypes with humour 4. SUPERGIRL (CBS) It was a good year for Alicia Vikander, Dom I could hardly walk, speak or function owed by its key member, Kendrick Lamar. Third Side of the Tape isn’t At two hours long, and individuality and is quite entertaining. You’ve heard about her cousin, Kal. Now hnall Gleeson, and Oscar Isaac, but their after watching Laszlo Nemes’ Holocaust Thankfully, Jay Rock’s sophomore LP is more - an easy listen, but it’s one of the year’s most it’s time to meet Kara (Melissa Benoist), best work was in this sci-fi chamber piece drama, which follows a man who tries than strong enough to stand on its own, refin rewarding. 9. MASTER OF NONE (NETFLIX) who lives the same sort of mundane life about the inception of sentient artificial to give a dead boy a Jewish burial inside ing the rapper’s sober style while introducing Ex Machina is a film tightly The show follows Dev, a thirtysomething as Superman — working for a media intelligence. Auschwitz-Birkenau. For the entire film, alter ego Lance Skiiiwalker. 3. Drake – If You’re Reading This - guy in New York, as he tries to navigate all mogul and using glasses as a disguise wound, where every thrill is linked to a the camera is nearly fettered to our pro It’s Too Late - SO THE FLIES DON’T COME If You’re Reading aspects of life, like having kids, male privi- — but Supergirl has an originality and larger discourse about free will and deter- tagonist’s shoulder, avoiding exploitation 8. MILO – Here’s an unpopular opinion: - lege, family, and the like in lighthearted yet a story that is all her own. Her support minism, and an exploration of what attri by leaving the atrocities outside or at the Like most of Milo’s work, this album isn’t This It’s Too Late is the best album of Drake’s ca Son of Saul is a har- introspective ways. If you’re looking to fill team offers a diverse response to prob- butes make us human. edges of the frame. for everyone: it’s esoteric, complex, and reer. Light on mopey R&B and heavy on boastful, - - rowing tour-de-force that may come to more than a little weird. But if you’re look quotable lyrics, Drake quietly reinvented him the gaping hole left by Parks and Recreation, lems she faces, such as gender inequal- So the be considered one of the most important ing for something a little different, self as a harsher, more direct rapper with this Aziz Ansari’s new show may be what you’ve ity and living in another’s shadow, while 5. Keeper - is Milo’s best work yet, a With no distribution and hardly any re films ever made on its subject. Flies Don’t Come mixtape. In the year of the Meek Mill beef and been waiting for. maintaining a refreshing sense of light- views, Guillaume Senez’s feature-length smooth, soulful LP by a rapper in a league a thousand “Hotline Bling” memes, this album ness and optimism. of his own. was still Drake’s biggest accomplishment. 8. SENSE8 (NETFLIX) I Don’t Like At first glance, this incredibly diverse 3. iZOMBIE (THE CW) 7. Earl Sweatshirt – 2. Vince Staples – Summertime ‘06 cast would be interesting just because of ‘Liv’ (Rose McIver) dashes her dreams of Summertime ‘06 Shit I Don’t Go Outside Had Vince Staples released how they contribute to greater represen- being a heart surgeon to become a medi- New Beers of 2015 The Odd Future By Courtney Miller, Peak Associate Man, Earl, are you okay? tation on TV. But what makes the show cal examiner after she becomes a zombie. By Courtney Miller, Peak Associate - in any other year but 2015, he may have found- album has never been among the most opti- himself at the centre of the hip-hop conversa special is that the main characters are She help to solve crimes by eating mur- 10. BLACK ANGEL – STEAMWORKS 6. Killer Cucumber – Steamworks medal for German style pilsners for this amazingly mistic rappers, but this one is almost oppres- tion. But this was Kendrick’s year, and Staples’ all emotionally and mentally connected, der victims’ brains and then sharing their If you like ‘em black and bitter, this Steamworks IPA A blonde ale from Steamworks, this beer is crisp and refreshing beer. The flavour profile is ac- sively bleak. Continuing the serious, mini outstanding double album flew under the radar. both figuratively and literally. memories. If you like your TV slightly is definitely for you. It’s hugely hoppy and floral, crisp, refreshing, and extra bitter if you chill it centuated with spicy and floral notes and just a dab malistic tone of his debut Doris, Earl’s latest may be the That’s a shame — Summertime ‘06 weird, funny, and with a dollop of crime- with tropical fruit and spices, and the caramel malt thoroughly before enjoying. The combination of lemongrass to round out the beer’s light body. is a sharp, laser-focused effort from an MC - most exciting debut LP from a rapper since Ken 7. MR. ROBOT (SHOWCASE) fighting, this is your jam. balances the bitter just enough to give it a delight- of the light beer flavour with the heavy cucum- wise beyond his years. drick’s own. Elliot Alderson (Rami Malek) is a paranoid, ful finish. ber tones and just a hint of maltiness makes for 2. The Stoic – Deschutes Brewery BARTER 6 socially awkward, and often depressed com- 2. MARVEL’S JESSICA JONES a surprisingly good fusion of flavours. Originally released in 2011, Oregon’s Deschutes 6. YOUNG THUG – 1. Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp a puter tech and hacker who takes issue with (NETFLIX) 9. Bourbon Barrel-Aged Arrogant Bastard – Brewery revamped this beer for a 2015 redux. It’s a Few rappers are as divisive as Young Thug: you Butterfly society and capitalism. He’s recruited into A well-woven web of mystery and intrigue Stone Brewing 5. Liliko’i Kepolo – Avery Brewing lovely Belgian quad with a whiskey and pomegran- either love him or you hate him. Much of this Were you expecting anything else? So much has - an anarchist hacktivist group to take down E that revolves around ex-superhero and A variation on a Stone Brewing core beer, this Although this white ale sounds like it should ate nose, matured in an oak barrel that adds a little is due to how he challenges the genre’s con been written about Kendrick Lamar’s genre- Corp in order to erase the world’s debt. P.I. Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter) and her American strong ale is boldly hoppy. The oak barrel be from Hawaii, Avery Brewing in Colorado smokiness to the finish of the rich, malty mouth ventions — wearing dresses, referring to other- bending masterpiece already that anything I mind-controlling nemesis Kilgrave (David flavour is a perfect balance to the caramel malt and has harnessed the flavours of its passionfruit feel. male rappers as “baes,” and rapping with a ca could add here would be extraneous. Suffice it to Tennant). This noir-toned detective series brazen hoppiness. The name alone is enough to namesake into a remarkably refreshing, com- dence that’s all his own. Barter 6 won’t convert say that, in a ruthlessly competitive year for hip- 6. DAREDEVIL (NETFLIX) - Lawyer by day, vigilante by night, Daredevil is brilliantly acted and written, with its nu- make you want a pint! plex beer. The powerful tropical infusion works any non-believers, but for fans of Young Thug’s hop, To Pimp a Butterfly stood head and shoul 1. Sunday Morning – Weyerbacher unique style, it’s the best example yet of his ders above the rest. follows the blind Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) anced explorations of darker themes such well with the witbier base, producing an earthy The dense roasty flavour coupled with the bour- seemingly limitless potential. as he fights demons both internal and ex- as rape, assault, and PTSD. 8. Deceit – Funkwerks, Inc. and acidic light brew. bon core of Weyerbacher’s stout plays nicely with ternal with the help from his partner-in-law, A Belgian style golden ale from Funkwerks, Inc. the subtle vanilla and spice notes from the oak. Foggy, and their first-client-turned-associate, 1. AGENT CARTER (ABC) that uses pilsner malts for a smooth body. It has 3. Oktoberfest – Odell Brewing Company Combined with a leisurely finish of espresso and Karen Page. It’s a humorous, action-packed, A well-written series about a badass woman, a high ABV, 8.5 per cent, but is easy to drink and This Märzen style lager from Odell Brewing unsweetened chocolate, the end product is both and all-around fun time. Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) manages to refreshing with its tart citrus. Company is a clean and classic brew of bal- intoxicating and invigorating. subvert the 1940s patriarchy through extort- anced sweet and herbal notes. It feels like 5. EMPIRE (FOX) ing assumptions made about women. Add 7. Golem Dybbuk – Browar Gontyniec autumn in your mouth and finishes with the Rags-to-riches gangster-turned-hip-hop- in some sass, some humour, and the old Browar Gontyniec in Poland produces an amaz- onset of winter (read: crisp floral tones). legend Lucious gets his death sentence in the comforting good vs. evil storyline and, you ing rye porter matured in oak sherry barrels. The form of ALS and must decide which of his get Marvel’s Agent Carter. addition of cocoa husks and salt flakes give it an 3. Pivo – Firestone Walker Brewing Company almost chocolate chip cookie kind of flavour. Firestone Walker Brewing Company won a gold