***** *****
pharrell 75. "Gust of Wind (feat. Daft Punk)"
The entire 'G I R L' era wasn't cutting it but this tune right here did it for me! I loved "Get Lucky", Pharrell's a great artist but recently some of his best work has been backed by Daft Punk.
***** *****
tune-yards 74. "wait for a minute"
By far her most straightforward pop song and more sultry offering than all of her work. But it still has it's little kooky moments in the production.
***** *****
elliphant 73. "Revolusion"
The female version equivalent to "Turn Down For What".
***** *****
rae sremmurd x nicki minaj 72. "No Flex Zone"
This Mississippi hip-hop duo sound like they're still in junior high and honestly nobody cares about what they're saying, we just want to turn up. Production from Mike Will Made-It does just that and Nicki hopping on the remix makes it even better - better than her own singles released this year.
***** *****
skin town 71. "Midnight Lover"
I've been a strong listener of Skin Town in the beginning of the year so the late release of "Midnight Lover" came just in time for me to add to the list. The Kelis-esque vocals, The-Dream like melody and punchy synths resulted in a sexy R&B jam.
***** *****
jungle 70. "Time"
"Busy Earnin'" was also great and although a lot of their music is rather samey but still great, "Time" was more hard-hitting in my opinion.
***** *****
sky ferreira 69. "boys"
"Boys" is a very grunge, guitar-pop love song. One of the many standouts from "Night Time, My Time".
***** *****
taylor swift 68. "Out of The Woods"
Don't care what anyone says, this is a total Beyoncé rip-off of "XO" and it's a good one at that. As repetitive the chorus is it's just so anthemic along with the chants and production.
***** *****
lykke li 67. "No Rest For The Wicked"
"No Rest" has few instruments in its production as possible during the verses, just a piano melody which really puts her vocals front and center. Then we get that tambourine and heavy bass and chorus that kicks in and it becomes one of the standouts on the downbeat album.
***** *****
broods 66. "Never Gonna Change"
This filled in for the lack of Lorde this year.Something about this heartbreak song seems so trippy, it's well produced and sounds like a hit. It was a good follow-up to "Bridges" and sparked my interest in their [lackluster] debut.
Boys, Never Gonna Change and Out of the Woods. I don't hear the XO comparison, too.
I'm just starting to appreciate Lykke's songs.
Quote:
Originally posted by lovesong
Great stuff here, haven't heard No Flex Zone or that TuneYards song but everything else I like.
Out Of The Woods sounding like XO??? I've never heard that.
I was exaggerating but the two just share the same atmosphere/vibe to me. The first time I heard "Out of the Woods", "XO" came to mind. All in good way of course.
***** *****
chvrches 65. "Dead Air"
Chvrches released their cut off the Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1 soundtrack. It's everything I needed, another dose of the chiming synth-pop and Lauren's sweet voice. Looking forward to their next release.
***** *****
ariel pink 64. "Put Your Number In My Phone"
Since formulating the list "Black Balerina" has now surpassed this early single but this still gets the job done. I love his humorous songs but he’s often at his best when he shows off his sentimental side. Still has that campy feel to it though.
***** *****
mark ronson 63. "Uptown Funk (feat. Bruno Mars)"
It was the video that got me addicted to this future #1 smash. This kind of music is what Bruno does best; stay away from the Prince/MJ impressions, ballads and slow burners because 'funk' is what you do best.
***** *****
the new p*rnagraphers 62. "Brill Bruisers"
"Brill Bruisers" is the first single and self-title track that is as melodically bright and cheerful as the band’s earlier work that I remember listening to. It's really catchy and carefree.
***** *****
banks 61. "Beggin For Thread"
Her most pop-orientated, something different for a change. I would not mind if she went in this direction for her next album but there's at least one more r&b jam she has left that's superior, so stay tuned.
***** *****
sharon van etten 60. "Your Love Is Killing Me"
There's literally not enough jonny smiles for this woman's voice. I feel bad for only listening to one song of hers and sleeping on her album.
***** *****
perfume genius 59. "Queen"
I wasn't familiar with his work prior to this but I'm glad this was a late bloomer. "Queen" is very tense and triumphant. There's just something about the pauses, the chorus and the drones on this track - Woo!
***** *****
ariana grande 58. "Problem (feat. Iggy Azalea)"
"Problem" has a recipe of all the annoying trends in pop music of today. I mean the whispers and saxophone again, really? This time around it's actually bearable and good. This is also one pop track that doesn't have an unnecessary rap feature. Not that it needed any saving, but Iggy did a decent job here.