All of me is just amazing. I agree with what you said about DWUW, Gaga's first era was great but now it seems like she's only giving quality music once in a while. It's still a great song tho.
Sweater Weather I Wanna Get Better is an ANTHEM.
Mr. Probz - Waves (Robin Schulz Radio Edit) alexanderao's rating: 7.6/10
I don't usually tend to like European house music, but I really got into Waves this late summer and fall. The song is super chill, and the guitar is great. Probz's vocals are a bit raspy and heavy and add an interesting rough element to the song. The drum beat doesn't just feel inserted to speed the song up. Although the lyrics are vague and forgettable, the beat easily makes up for them. I also like the bridge, especially the instrumental section. All in all, a really nice chill house-pop track.
The normally serious Lamar took a more lighthearted approach to this poppier single, and it worked. The chorus is supremely catchy and the retro effects add an upbeat vibe to the song. This song is really fun, and Kendrick's fairly short verses are fleeting but cool. The piano and guitar go together really well in the instrumental. I'm not as big of a fan of the beat switch in the middle of the song; although Lamar's rapping gets better the beat gets much worse. Nevertheless, every time I listen to this song I feel like I should be in a convertible on a hot summer day.
Naughty Boy f/Sam Smith - La La La alexanderao's rating: 7.5/10
This song intrigued me in early spring 2014. The Indian vocal sample is the most out of left field one in pop this year. Producer Naughty Boy creates a slightly mysterious, slightly tense instrumental that I really like. Smith, in the song that first caught the attention of Americans (even if it didn't become a big hit), delivers a commanding vocal performance in the verses. The prechorus is addicting, and although the chorus is ruined by the sample it is still good. It's too bad this jam couldn't crack the mainstream.
Jason Derulo f/Snoop Dogg - Wiggle alexanderao's rating: 2.1/10
I still remember listening to this abomination of a party track and posting in the iTunes discussion thread about how horrendous it was. Every time I hear this track I recall that moment in vivid detail. The lyrics are laughably bad and frankly disgusting ("I just wanna strip you, dip you, flip you, bubble-bathe you") and that horrible whistling breakdown doesn't help either. The line directly preceding the chorus removes any potential catchiness from the song. I get that the song is not supposed to sound smart, but there's a right way to do it and a wrong way to do it. This is the wrong way.
Yaaaaay! Waves! that song is amazing, one of my favorites released in 2013 (but the remix, of course )
And I love "La La La" too! but that's a 2013 song for me, it was actually my #5 last year
Drake f/2 Chainz & Big Sean - All Me alexanderao's rating: 7.8/10
I love the beat in this song. It's ominous yet easy to bop to. 2 Chainz' semi-serious rap kicks off the action, and it is surprisingly good with one of the better references to a luxury brand of 2014 ("Gi-ven-CHY! N*gga god bless ya!"). Drake's hook is extremely catchy and right up his alley. I love how Big Sean just flat-out interrupts the second chorus. He and Drake both slay their verses; the lyrics are punny and witty, and their flow is really good. This was a really fun rap track to bop to early this year.
American Authors - Best Day Of My Life alexanderao's rating: 7.6/10
From the perky banjo intro at the very beginning, this song makes me feel happy and cheerful. Lead singer Zac Barnett's distorted vocals are inspiring, but they're distorted. However, I don't have as much of an issue with these distorted vocals as I usually do. The chorus is uplifting, authentic, and innocent. The booming drums are a nice contrast to the light piano, and overall the instrumental is really pleasant. The bridge is nice, but ultimately forgettable. The song, though, is a great ode to just letting go and having fun.
Rich Homie Quan f/Problem - Walk Thru alexanderao's rating: 7.9/10
One day this summer I was browsing the Urban radio charts on a whim and noticed this song in the top 5. I like Rich Homie Quan's features, I thought, so why don't I check this out? Great decision on my part. This song fuses R&B, pop-rap, and pop elements to create a fully enjoyable bop. Quan's unique voice makes for a great chorus, and that instrumental is fire. This is a classic "I have money" anthem, and it doesn't disappoint in terms of replay value. Rapper Problem delivers an unremarkable guest verse, but the verse doesn't make the song any worse. Quan could have stuck in an unnecessary bridge, but he didn't, and I commend him for that. This is an excellent summer bop.