5. Lady Gaga - Joanne
It seems like the better Lady Gaga's music becomes, the more her star fades. While her subpar debut
The Fame was one of the biggest albums of the modern era, her latest masterpiece
Joanne isn't doing so well. It's a shame, because this album doesn't have one mediocre track. Everything is amazing, a fantastic collection held together by three incredible ballads.
4. Kris Allen - Letting You In
It's been many years now since Kris Allen won American Idol, and even though his career quickly faded into oblivion, I am still a staunch supporter and big fan. This year's
Letting You In is his best album since his debut. There's just something about his take on generic pop rock that fascinates me. His catchy melodies and gorgeous voice are a winning combination, resulting in wonderful songs like "Feeling This Way", "Love Will Find You" and the beautiful title track.
3. Rihanna - ANTI
Last year it seemed like Rihanna's reign was over. The random singles didn't stick and the album was nowhere in sight. Fortunately she erased all doubt when she finally dropped
ANTI, her best album yet (and she has three other amazing ones). It's her first record that feels like a coherent experience, despite the incredible variety on display. From the awesome "Consideration" to the timeless "Kiss It Better" and "Love On The Brain", to the harrowing "Higher" and the badass "Woo", everything here is the Anglosphere at its best.
2. Utada Hikaru - Fantôme
When Utada finally announced her long-awaited return, I was excited but also apprehensive. She'd been gone for many years, she got married, became a mother. Would she still have the magic that made her the greatest female artist of all time? The stunning two comeback singles, "Hanataba wo Kimi ni" and "Manatsu no Tooriame" proved that yes, she still has it. And when
Fantôme was released, I had to come to an even more incredible conclusion: Utada is better than ever. There is no way around it. This magical album is the greatest of her career, and the greatest ever by a female artist. Both an ode to her mentally ill mother who took her own life a few years ago, and a celebration of the circle of life,
Fantôme represents the beauty of humanity, the beauty of our existence, and the epitome of musical creation.
1. Tiziano Ferro - Il Mestiere Della Vita
While I absolutely love every single track Tiziano has ever released (with the exception of the awkward gospel in "Soul-dier"), after Utada's reawakening I wasn't convinced he could once again snatch the title of best album of the year. But predictably, he did. While lead single "Potremmo Ritornare" was standard balladry that was both fantastic in its execution and disappointing in its lack of vitality and innovation,
Il Mestiere Della Vita represents both a step back to his R&B beginnings and a step forward to a more modern and international sound. As is common with Tiziano's albums, the more I listen to each song, the more I love them. The highlight is "Il Conforto", an electronic ballad and duet with rock singer Carmen Consoli. Their unique voices meld together in such a stunning way that it is hard to believe. Tiziano's voice is also stunningly perfect on "La Tua Vita Intera", a dauntless battle cry. But then there's also room for songs like "Lento / Veloce", already my favorite summer hit of all time, and "Ora Perdona", which takes early 00s R&B to a completely new level. In short, the album is another filler-free masterpiece, comfortably up there with his other three.