2015 Music Roundup: 5 Records You Need to Hear Right Now

It's pretty hard to believe 2015 is more than halfway over. There have been countless releases ranging from big pop stars (Drake, Jason Derulo, Florence and the Machine) and LPs by artists who aren't dominating the Billboard Top 200.

Here are five under-the-radar-records released this year that you need to listen to immediately.

Twerps - "Range Anxiety"

The Australian band Twerps make music seem so easy. Their airy and jangle-pop sound is perfected on their third full-length album, "Rage Anxiety," which dropped in January. It's a result of catchy melodies and nappy rhythms, which are filtered through warm and fuzzy effects. "I Don't Mind" is a slow-build indie rock song that recalls the lo-fi days of the Velvet Underground, with singer Martin Frawley blending his voice with rock's greats: Lou Reed, Bob Dylan and even David Bowie. The dark and depressing song may take nearly four minutes to climax but it when it reaches its point, it boils over into a burst of indie rock.

Things are chipper on "Back to You" with the band using pan flute synths and shakers to change up the carefree but urgent tone on "Rage Anxiety." Though it's one of the happier cuts on the record, Frawley still sounds down in the dumps: "Somebody out there is doing better than me / They're kicking back, sipping on an ice tea / Don't mind me, I'm doing as I please / I'm hanging in the trees and singing out at the leaves / And it all keeps coming back to you," he sings.

Jam City - "Dream a Garden"

London electronic producer and DJ Jack Lantham, who makes music under the moniker Jam City, released his latest effort "Dream a Garden" in March, and it's his most successful full length to date. The 9-track album blends slick R&B production and funk, which Lantham strips back with lo-fi electronic experiments. Strange sound effects, like static, pop over a silky guitar lick. "A Walk Down Chapel" is eerie but seductively ethereal with Lantham's vocals buried and distorted in the mix -- a trend found throughout "Dream a Garden."

Lantham offers pop melodies on most songs, but undercuts the basic song structure with weird lo-fi tinges through production. On "Today" Lantham's voice is at its strongest and most confidant. While he coos, throbbing drums bounce in-and-out and what sounds like wailing guitars flow. "Damage" is another stellar standout with its thin production, grounded in pop roots.

With all of its distorted smoothness, "Dream a Garden" ends up being a fun pop and R&B record made for a dystopian future -- the kind of music the kids in 2515 will jam to.

Jamie xx - "In Colour"

Jamie Smith, or Jamie xx, is one third of the prolific band the xx, and his album "In Colour" is his first full-length solo effort. After years of releasing a steady stream of phenomenal singles and short EPs, the U.K. electronic producer's highly anticipated collection of new music is infectious and downright fun. Opener "Gosh" is a house-infused dance cut that shifts three times: from minimalistic thumps, to giant widescreen chants to a four-on-the-floor dance beat.

While Jamie provides a sparse, stripped back production for the xx's albums, utilizing space between large moments of sound, "In Colour" finds the musician letting his hair down and embracing dance music. On the tropical "Obvs," Jamie uses steel drums, while on "SeeSaw" and "The Rest is Noise" Jamie hones in on techno beats. Then there is the bonkers "I Know There's Gonna Be (Good Times)," featuring rappers Young Thug and Popcaan. It's the biggest radio-friendly song on the record and perhaps in all of the xx's discography. Young Thug and Popcaan shine as they freestyle over Jamie's twisted trap percussion and swirling sound effects.

Still, fans of the xx won't be disappointed -- Jamie enlists his two other band mates, Romy and Oliver Sim. Romy, who is featured on "SeeSaw," is a guiding light on the single "Loud Places," which is an xx song amplified to 11. It builds on Romy's beautiful, soft vocals with little production but bursts into handclaps, a heavy bass and a choir. Jamie finds that same success on "Stranger in a Room," featuring Sim.

Class Actress - "Movies"

Class Actress' "Movies" may be an EP, but it functions more like a mini album. The six-track piece is tightly cohesive effort, by the young New York-based synthpop singer, Elizabeth Vanessa Harper. Her '80s dance vibe is set from the opening track "More Than You" when a throbbing synth line pulsates over Harper's delicate voice. All six tracks are instantly catchy, especially the single "GFE," produced by chill-wave pioneer Neon Indian.

"The Limit" is an Olivia Newton-John-inspired jam and standout "High on Love" is fun dance cut that could have been featured in any Brat Pack film. Closing out "Movies" is the title track, which instantly conjures up images of Lana Del Rey. Here, Harper sounds almost identical to the songstress, comparing the tragedies in her life to those cinematic moments forever captured on film.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra - "Multi-Love"

New Zealand indie rocker Ruban Nielson's band Unknown Mortal Orchestra make a huge progression on their third record, "Multi-Love," elevating their lo-fi psychedelic sound to a slicker produced whacky funk. The title track is an earworm with a brilliant hook, which highlights Nielson's androgynous voice.

"Can't Keep Checking My Phone" is a brilliant track that may be UMO's best song to date -- handclaps and light percussion drive the song while a funky bass holds the song. Add in filtered guitar riffs, Nielson's unique voice, lyrics about the anxiousness one feels when waiting for a lover to reply back to a text, and you get a futuristic disco banger.

"Multi-Love" ends up being a cohesive LP and Nielson and co. never jump too far away from the sound that has solidified them as a popular blog band. But on their latest effort the band's new nine tracks are streamlined and are excellently produced, like the depressing "The World is Crowded." It's a slow-burner that thumps along with a steady drumbeat and wavy synths that feels like a modern day T. Rex jam.