Pat yourself on the back. You've survived half of the year — with help from music that motivated or moved you. As we enter 2015's final six months, we're taking a look back at the standout new songs everybody should hear... preferably on repeat.

In no particular order, here are our 15 favorite songs of 2015 (so far), as chosen by six of Mashable's music buffs. Disagree? Tell us your top choices in the comments.

Kanye West featuring Paul McCartney — ‘Only One’

Brian Anthony Hernandez: The polarizing Kanye West rang in 2015 with a tearjerker, unleashing "Only One" on the first day of the year. Told from the perspective of his late mother, who died in 2007, the song unfolds as a beyond-the-grave message from her to Kanye and his daughter, North, a.k.a. "Nori." Donda West never met North; she was born nearly six years after Donda's tragic death. "Only One" is a lyrical gem punctuated by Paul McCartney's delicate piano accompaniment. And to make the lyrics even more powerful, Kanye listed his mother as one of the song's co-writers. Chills. Read more...

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