#100. Jess Glynne - "Hold My Hand" from 'I Cry When I Laugh' Genre: Dance-Pop, House
Contemporary R&B, Pop Soul, UK Funky Country: UK - Label: Island
"Please tell me that you've got me and you're never gonna leave"
I must admit this song is like an average version of Katy B. Jess Glynne is overall, an average version of Katy B. But it's still a catchy, well-written dance-pop song, with a really nice production and a great vocal performance by Jess herself. Just wish the album was as good as this, "Real Love", "Rather Be" and "Don't Be So...".
#99. Miguel - "Coffee" from 'Wildheart' Genre: Alternative R&B
Synthpop, Neo-Soul Country: USA - Label: RCA
"I wish I could paint our love, these moments and vibrant hues"
Again, I reaaaaally wish I cared about Miguel's latest album, because, it is a good album. This is probably one of the best songs in it, love how detailed the production is, while being soft, it never gets actually boring, and the lyrics are kinda... sexy?, but at the same time, are really poetic, so there's that too.
#50. Years & Years - 'Communion' Genre: Electropop, Synthpop, Dance-Pop
House, Alternative R&B Country: UK - Label: RCA Highlights: "Foundation", "Real", "Shine", "Worship", "Gold"
A really nice collection of well-written, well-produced Electropop anthems. Clearly meant for the radio, but still has a Hot Chip-ish? vibe that makes it slightly different. The ballads are kinda meh, but overall it's still pretty interesting.
BEST MOMENTS:
When Olly starts... shouting? in "Foundation"
The "loveiwillletyougoloveiwillletyougo" hook on "Real"
#98. Abra - "Roses" from 'ROSE' Genre: Alternative R&B, Synthpop
UK Bass, Electropop Country: USA - Label: Awful
"I’m young and i’ll waste you away..."
Abra calls herself the "Darkwave Duchess" and while she has little in common with, say, Zola Jesus or Chelsea Wolfe... her music is quite dark (and lo-fi as well). Even though it is very upbeat, the lyrics on this song feel quite... violent? Either way, great song, and I really hope she blows up, at least Grimes-style.
#97. Låpsley - "Hurt Me" Genre: Alternative R&B, Downtempo
Ambient Pop, UK Bass, Pop Soul Country: UK - Label: XL
"Gotta let my mind find another space, 'cause I heard these scars never go away..."
This is probably Låpsley's first obvious try at a big, timeless pop song, as opposed to the experimentation from her earlier releases. It's cool though! The vocals and the production in it are amazing, which is kinda expected from her - kinda sounds like Jessie Ware, but that's always a good thing, in my opinion.
This is, at a sonic level, a big improvement on Blanck Mass’ debut album - this is more focused, the instrumentation is really thick, really detailed and dense. It’s possible that we might not get a F*** Buttons album this year (or even the next one), but at least, this album (and Andrew Hung’s ‘Rave Cave’ EP) will make the waiting a little less… hard, I guess. Also, look at that album cover… what part of the body is that even?
BEST MOMENTS:
The synth-driven madness that is the ending of "Loam"
The first minute of "Dead Format"... which kinda shocks you.
The crescendo on "Cruel Sport"
When the melody kicks in on "Detritus", reminds me of my fav FB track, "Flight of the Feathered Serpent".
#96. Carly Rae Jepsen - "I Really Like You" from 'E•MO•TION' Genre: Dance-Pop, Synthpop
Teen Pop, Electropop Country: Canada - Label: Interscope
"It's like everything you say is a sweet revelation, all I wanna do is get into your head..."
First, I think that this song is the worst on the album. Probably would have been even better if it wasn't in it at all. "Gimmie Love" should have been the lead single, because it is more representative of the album's vibe as a whole. But! I'm glad that this put Carly back on the map again, even if it's an obvious attempt at having another big hit as "Call Me Maybe" (although this was pretty big). Still, it's a great song, by the way. And, don't worry! There's more Carly to come.
#95. Lana Del Rey - "High By the Beach" Genre: Art Pop, Synthpop
Trap, Trip Hop, Dream Pop, Alternative R&B Country: USA - Label: Interscope
"I'll do it on my own, don't need your money, money, to get me what I want..."
I got tired fast of this song actually... but I can't deny the fact that this is different and even weird for Lana, and that's something I admire, she never sounded more confident in a Pop song, and the line I quoted above is quite empowering, probably the most she's ever done. And I want to see more of that.
#48. 2814 - '新しい日の誕生' Genre: Vaporwave, Ambient
Downtempo, Progressive Electronic Country: UK (I think?) - Label: Dream Catalogue/Not Not Fun Highlights: “Huīfù" ,“Shinjitsu No Koi”,“Hiai”,“Tōku No Aikō-Ka”
Perhaps some of the tracks carry on for way longer than they should. But, it’s nice to see that there are Vaporwave releases that doesn’t feel like, you know, your typical “ironic” take on chopped-and-screwed 80’s pop songs, and modern capitalism (which is the basis of the genre’s aesthetic), or pointless memes (see – the constant, almost appropiating usage of japanese vocabulary). But it rather feels like an actual, conceptual body of work. That’s the reason why I feel like that genre still has some life in it.
BEST MOMENTS:
When the melody kicks in on "Huīfù".
When the... chopped-and-screwed beat? begins on "Shinjuku Gōruden-Gai"