5. Stromae - Racine Carrée
Before this year, Belgian singer/rapper/producer Stromae was a one hit wonder with dubious talent. Now he is a huge and revered star. All thanks to his masterpiece
Racine Carrée, the most creative and surprising album of the year. Every track is strong and interesting. Singles "Papaoutai", "Formidable" and "Tous Les Mêmes" are amazing pop tunes, while tracks like "Quand C'est?" are haunting and painfully beautiful.
4. Miley Cyrus - Bangerz
It was a relatively disappointing year for music from the Anglosphere, but not all was lost. The enigmatic Miley Cyrus created the incredible
Bangerz, one of the best "pop girl" albums I have ever heard, if not the best. The first time I listened to it I wasn't convinced that the album tracks were anywhere near as good as "We Can't Stop", the mesmerizing lead single, but I quickly changed my mind as I listened to it more. Every track is brilliant. Aside from "Adore You", songs like "Drive", "FU", "Someone Else", "#GETITRIGHT" and "4x4" could all be hit singles. Truly a magnificent work.
3. Tarja - Colours In The Dark
Twelve years ago I became a huge Nightwish fan when "She Is My Sin" turned my existence upside down. I was always disappointed by the solo career of their former lead singer Tarja Turunen, who was fired from the band in 2005. But she redeemed herself this year with
Colours In The Dark, a brave, original and interesting album that doesn't try to be like the band that made her famous. Her one-of-a-kind operatic voice still sounds as amazing as ever, and we now have proof that she is a great artist, even without Nightwish.
2. Anouk - Sad Singalong Songs
Anouk has been the most popular Dutch female singer for over a decade, but I was never much of a fan other than a few songs here and there. With
Sad Singalong Songs she finally fulfilled her potential. The album has an accurate title, because these are all very dark, deep, moody songs, but with gorgeous melodies that stick. She competed in the Eurovision Song Contest with the album's weakest track, "Birds", and still did very well. Her voice is incredible, she deserves far more international success.
1. Baby K - Una Seria
My favorite album of the year is
Una Seria by Baby K, produced by Tiziano Ferro. He took this up-and-coming female hip hop artist under his wing to try and make her the first popular female rapper in Italy. Unfortunately even his power has limits, because most radio stations refused to play her songs. Still, that doesn't take away from the fact that this album is incredible and flawless. And it's definitely not all Tiziano's doing, Baby K is pretty awesome herself. You have to be to top this year-end list!
Stay tuned for the top 100 songs!
