15. G-Eazy – These Things Happen
Highlights:
Tumblr Girls,
Remember You, Shoot Me Down
This is the debut album from G-Eazy, and it’s a solid effort from him. He’s not amazing lyrically like some of the other rappers but what he plays to his strengths are his hooks and his production. I enjoy songs like ‘Tumblr Girls,’ and the midtempo crooner, ‘Remember You.’ The classy hook from Black Bear, and the guitar gives this song an umph. Other songs like ‘Just Believe,’ and ‘Shoot Me Down,’ are personal highlights for me on this album.
14. Eminem - Marshall Mathers LP 2
Highlights:
Rap God,
Stronger than I Was,
Love Game
I feel like Eminem, and these other old school rappers are starting to lose there touch lately. This album is by far one of his weakest in his discography. I think Eminem’s lyrical game is starting to get old. A highlight on this album is Rap God where he has an insane flow and still proves to me that he can be that lyrical beast when he wants to. It’s just for some reason throughout this album I feel like it’s not showing that. Eminem is one of the best ever, don’t get me wrong. This album is just subpar from him yet still one of the better albums in 2014.
13. Beyonce – Beyonce
Highlights:
Drunk In Love,
Partition,
Flawless
So Beyonce surprised the fans by releasing this album in the end of 2013 but I still count it towards one of the best releases of 2014 because singles like Partition, and F Flawless were released In 2014. This album gained a lot of hype and is getting a lot of critical acclaim but my problem with this album that the 2nd half of this album is stronger than the 1st half of the album. Which is a shame because the 2nd half is really strong whereas the 1st half for me just doesn’t live up to the hype. As a whole I enjoy songs like Drunk In Love, Patrition, and Flawless.
12. Linkin Park – The Hunting Party
Highlights:
Keys to the Kingdom,
All for Nothing,
War
Linkin Park is probably my favorite band ever. Let’s just get that out of the way. However with that in mind I have to be not biased and say that this album is in the middle of the pack for releases. I don’t get the people who say they need to go back to their old sound? I feel like that sound was great and still has a fresh sound to it till this day but if a band needs to evolve, so be it. Linkin Park has changed as a band from the time I discovered them and fall in love with. The Hunting Party is a prime example of that. I have never heard a Linkin Park album like this one.
It’s quite a different sound for them. They completely changed their sound and I applaud them for that. If you are a fan of rock music than you have to appreciate Linkin Park’s effort on bringing back rock to mainstream music. Songs like Rebellion, War, All or Nothing reminds me of the Punk/Rock era. Chester Bennignton’s vocals are stronger than ever if that’s even possible. Mike Shinoda’s rapping flow is still amongst the best out there. I’d recommend to give this a listen.
11. BANKS – Goddess
Highlights: Stick, Only We Know, Under the Table
Ah, BANKS, how I love her. So I discovered BANKS sometime late last year and her debut album came out this year. For me, BANKS is one of the most promising young artists to come out in a long time. The way this albums sounds for a debut is very promising in that regard. The instrumentals are impressive, and the vocals from BANKS are one of the best from a female I’ve heard this year. Songs like You Should Know, and Under the Table highlights her powerful yet haunting vocals. The song Stick is probably one of my favorite pop songs in a long time because of the production and the way she showcases her voice is sexy but classy and it allows you to fall in love with her in an instant. Overall this album should probably be ranked higher but for a new artist, it’s certainly one of my favorites from this year and I can’t wait for more music from BANKS as I am anticipating her new music in 2015.