From now until Dec. 30, music editor Gabe Vodicka will reveal his top 10 (non-local) albums of 2015, and news editor Blake Aued (along with his 17-month-old daughter, Iris) will review each selection in response.

8. Jim O'Rourke: Simple Songs

Gabe: The title is Simple Songs, but the tunes are anything but. Ever a master of melody and nuance—a pop genius in spite of his avant-garde leanings—O'Rourke, husky-voiced and bitter-hearted as always, delivered his finest singer-songwriter record since Insignificance.

Blake: Are you sure this isn't Cat Stevens? Not at all what I expected from the guy who produced Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and played with Sonic Youth. I like it, though.

Iris: Totally oblivious. Just handed me a book. Two milks out of four.