Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 17,223
|

17) Sucker – Charli XCX

#17
Charli XCX’s much anticipated sophomore album is a hidden pop gem of 2014. I must admit, after hearing the live versions of many of the songs, and listening to Gold Coins and London Queen, my hype died down. Luckily, after the album streamed it slayed me and shot straight up into the top 20 of my albums from this year. I’ll definitely be buying when it’s out in the UK.
Her punk-pop sounds is far more commercially accessible than True Romance, but that doesn’t make it any less quality or thought provoking. The immaturity in Charli’s songwriting is all too deliberate, but shouldn’t be mistaken for mocking the punk scene of the 90s and early 00s – she’s simply paying homage to an era she grew up on.
Standouts: Boom Clap, Break The Rules, Doing It, Famous, London Queen
18) Souled Out – Jhené Aiko

#18
The debut LP from Jhené Aiko is an atmospheric journey with uplifting RnB vocals and swirling beats that immerse you in a progression of the sound we all fell in love with on Sail Out last year.
Though I definitely prefer Sail Out as a body of work, this is still an incredibly well thought-out piece of work, and I can only hope that in the new year it garners more attention because it definitely deserves it. The Wading video shows how much potential this project has for stunning visuals.
Standouts: To Love & Die (feat. Cocaine 80s), Spotless Mind, It’s Cool, The Pressure
19) St. Vincent – St. Vincent

#19
Being my first and only exposure to St. Vincent , this album came right out of left field and really surprised and impressed me.
From the muffled opening synths of Rattlesnake, to the lively horns on Digital Witness, and beautiful, psychedelic percussion and synthesized strings on I Prefer Your Love, this alternative rock album is a beautiful, cohesive piece of work that went mostly under-the-radar this year. Luckily, it reached the upper end of many year-end lists (including this one) and has brought her a new audience.
Standouts: Digital Witness, I Prefer Your Love, Birth In Reverse
20) Glorious – Foxes

#20
Foxes first album has been a long time in the making. From her first EP, to the release and pseudo-promotion/success of Youth, and Clarity smashing, we’ve been waiting a long time for this album.
And despite the demos, leaks, delays and array of other issues surrounding the release and production of this album, it really is quite something. It’s not perfect, but it shows so much potential and has many songs that I would classify as pop/alternative masterpieces. She’s currently working on her second album, and if Glorious is anything to go by, it’ll be amazing.
Standouts: Youth, Let Go for Tonight, White Coats, Clarity (Live), Glorious, Night Owls Early Birds
|
|
|
|