jhené aiko, "The Worst"
You can blame Urban radio for this, it knocks when you're on the freeway. Her lyrical style has grown on me, I respect it because she's created her own niche. Unfortunately you won't find "The Worst" on her debut album because it is actually from her EP Sail Out' which was released in November of 2013. It's just one of those songs about a girl falling for a boy who did her wrong... You know, a typical song for the birds to sing to get them through a break-up until the next boyfriend / big song comes out and replaces it.
49.
sza, "Julia"
"Julia" is such an old song but I'm glad SZA put it on her debut EP and finally gave it the recognition it needed with a visual even though it isn't that great. This is the closest to upbeat you will get with SZA but it's still ethereal. "Julia" is a shimmering bright pop jam influenced by the 1980s.
48.
kendrick lamar, "i"
I'm going to be honest, for a first single I expected something more aggressive so I wasn't the biggest fan of this originally. "i" definitely grew on me and I appreciate it more. The song is a different sound for him but still similar to his past work lyrically, it's just more ambitious, empowering and cheerful. The Isley Brothers sample has aged so well because it sounds fresh and modern. Kendrick's expected to release his highly anticipated follow-up LP this year so I'm more than excited to check that out.
47.
kiesza, "Hideaway"
This is for my gays! Discovered this song on MTV earlier this year. Yes they actually play music videos on MTV, but that's if you're up at 3' o clock in the morning. This is so refreshing to hear some 90s dance inspired sung by a musician that can actually sang and dance.
46.
röyksopp x robyn, "Monument"
One of the best moments from the EP. The production on "Monument" is soothing and addictive. Only flaw here is that it is rather long, 9-minutes, so it lacked a little replay value but once I got into it again I'm HOOKED. The loops of Robyn's voice, the saxophone and synth sections send me to another planet.
active child, "Subtle (feat. Mikky Ekko)"
I'm like the only Active Child stan on this forum, haha. He almost topped my chart back in 2012 with "Hanging On" so this placement seems like a setback but I still loved this song. On "Subtle" Pat is joined by ("Stay") vocalist Mikky Ekko and the two unique and distinctive voices soar over a funky 1980s synth-pop produced track. This is a very different sound coming from Active Child who is use to creating more ethereal and dreamy work.
44.
tune-yards, "Water Fountain"
tUnE-yArDs has the ability to make you get up and move. "Water Fountain" is both catchy and caotic and her voice and chants always commands your attention. That just gets me so hype! I also want to point of the Busta Rhymes homage, that blew me.
43.
little dragon, "Klapp Klapp"
“Klapp Klapp” is the album highlight to Little Dragon’s mostly-downtempo album 'Nabuma Rubberband'. The lyrical content of the song is very dark but that's covered up by the songs synthesizers, dancefloor beats of bass thumps, kicks and handclaps. becoming one of the most high-energy and catchiest alternative pop singles of 2014.
42.
charli xcx, "Boom Clap"
I'll give you until the first chorus and if you're not hooked on “Boom Clap” then you need to seek help. The song is pop perfection and baby I don't lie. Poor Gwen.
41.
azealia banks, "Heavy Metal & Reflective"
Banks knows how to command any beat you throw at her and any beat she can find on the internet. It's just her spitting rapid-fire rhymes over a twerk-ready beat with almost video game-esque synths for no more than 2 minutes and 30 seconds straight. That alone makes "Heavy Metal and Reflective" one of the most interesting rap songs of the year. I love that it's damn near hookless but still catchy enough that I could hear it being played on the radio.
i's not a song I seek out to play but I really enjoy it when it comes on. that and Hideaway are really good
---------------
Water Fountain is one of my favorites from her. Boom Clap and HM&R are amazing of course but I'm happy you're recognizing Klapp Klapp. It's probably my 2nd or 3rd favorite from NR
I totally forgot Active Child released this year! Their EP was pretty good. Water Fountain and Boom Clap are of course great and Heavy Metal and Reflective is pretty good too.
You've got some other great tracks on your list too. I also forgot that Skin Town's album was from this year and not last year haha and Gust of Wind is a good track from Pharrell.
Skin Town's album was released in November of 2013 while I already had my lists done, they just finally released Midnight Lover's video in 2014 so I just said "Hey, why not?"
Skin Town was my #4 fave album last year. I think they're about to start/have just started recording their sophomore.
Grace was on twitter saying how she's glad the debut was a Bieber circa 2008 sound because now no one can call them sellouts but I'm like... I don't hear it.
I'll give you until the first chorus and if you're not hooked on “Boom Clap” then you need to seek help. The song is pop perfection and baby I don't lie. Poor Gwen.
schoolboy q, "Man of The Year"
"Man Of The Year" was SchoolBoy Q's debut into the mainstream world with this cocky-celebratory anthem before his album even dropped. Both the beat and the hook are so dope it is to the point where you don't even need the verses to be honest. He could live off the chorus alone.
39.
allie x, "Catch"
Another appearance of Allie X and not a Katy song in site. It's not shade, even she approves of Allie taking her place I mean she said so via twitter. I think I may like "Prime" more than this introductory track nowadays, but at the time this was what got me into her. "Catch" gives me what Chrvches would do if they made sugary pop music. I think at this point I feel like I got so bored and tired with our current pop girls that Allie became my go-to girl by default.
38.
tove lo, "Not On Drugs"
Wait, so she went from staying high all the time to keep you off her mind/to forget she's missing you to following up that she's not on drugs, she's just in love? What kind of musical genius? Give her a GRAMMY for this cohesive game changing writing! But in all seriousness... Very short-straightforward-catchy pop tune.There is just something about the build up of the pre-hook before the chorus and the outro that just hits and she's not even a powerhouse vocalist.
37.
lana del rey, "West Coast"
Sadly this is the only song from the 'Ultraviolence' era where I can actually say that I'm in love. "West Coast' has this atmospheric vibe and vintage sound. It's just easy on the ear and not boring like her other tracks. Her vocals sound so good here, whispery and breathy but beautiful.
36.
tinashe, "Bet (feat. Dev Hynes)"
While I do love 'Aquarius' the album, "Pretend" didn't click with me so I moved on to bigger and better things and that's "Bet". "Bet" was one of the very first songs to leak and restored my faith for the era after "2 On". It really showcases her mixtape sound proving that she an do both Urban-pop and PBR&B.
35.
phantogram, "Fall In Love"
The sultry synth-bass single "Fall In Love" by Phantogram samples a classic R&B song by Barbara Mason "Yes, I'm Ready" so that's where you hear the R&B influences aside from Sarah's ear-grabbing voice. It's such a great sample too, this is one of the freshest beats. If any rapper had good taste they would have done a remix to it because the hip-hop elements on here.