Somewhat alone among her peers, Adele survived the steamrolling era that was 21 with dignity intact. Few artists have ever been tasked with following up on a juggernaut of that scale, but there is enough history to teach us that it doesn't necessarily breed inspiration. It proved to be the case with the first offering from 25, and it was only the singer's immense voice and sheer presence that let her get away with playing it so safe. But scepticism aside, Hello was a barefaced belter that instantly joined the roll-call of Adele classics.
#35 in 2014: Down On My Luck | Vic Mensa
#35 in 2013: Need U (100%) | Duke Dumont feat. A*M*E
#35 in 2012: Lazuli | Beach House
#35 in 2011: Go Outside | Cults
#35 in 2010: Make My Heart | Toni Braxton
Come Find Me Emile Haynie feat. Lykke Li & Romy Madley Croft We Fall
Flirting with intense theatrics and fluffy melodies, this year saw the revered Emile Haynie defect from a half-decade of producing artists like Kanye West, Lana Del Rey and Bruno Mars for a studio release of his own, the wide-ranging (and quietly brilliant) We Fall. A proud and undying respect for the "great heartbreak album" was easily detectable, reaching its apogee with the agonisingly delicate Come Find Me. Both Lykke Li and Romy know a thing or two about torch songs and as such they were obvious choices to infuse the song's mere handful of lyrics with turmoil and tune, elevating things to a shiver-down-the-spine level whilst remaining careful not to oversell it. And all in under three minutes.
#34 in 2014: Two Weeks | FKA twigs
#34 in 2013: Acapella | Karmin
#34 in 2012: Give Me Love | Ed Sheeran
#34 in 2011: In the Dark | Dev
#34 in 2010: Airplanes | B.o.B feat. Hayley Williams
Nothing Left Kygo feat. Will Heard Nothing Left - Single
Over the course of just a few singles, Norwegian DJ Kygo has carved himself a niche as the face of tropical house music. The concept of marrying elegant harmonies to rolling mid-tempo beats has served him well, even if it's already starting to feel a bit samey. Bucking the trend of the producer's small catalogue, Nothing Left ditched the familiar tones of his three biggest hits and injected some emotion, strengthened by soul singer Will Heard and his command of the introspective. It was nothing new for a dance act, but its eerie lullaby effect made for a gem of slowly unfolding delights.
#33 in 2014: My Offence | Hercules & Love Affair feat. Krystle Warren
#33 in 2013: Given the Chance | The Kite String Tangle
#33 in 2012: Feel the Love | Rudimental feat. John Newman
#33 in 2011: Beautiful People | Chris Brown feat. Benny Benassi
#33 in 2010: Impossible | Shontelle
Daffodils Mark Ronson feat. Kevin Parker Uptown Special
When you bear in mind that his 2003 debut was a rap-heavy jumble of disco samples and largely forgettable tunes, Mark Ronson has undergone a tremendous evolution as a solo artist. The shuffling hippy rock of Daffodils was restrained in comparison to the astronomical Uptown Funk, built from clean lines, breezy vocals and a subtle rhythmic framework. The spellbinding greatness of Kevin Parker's voice helped to re-create the sound of psychedelic pop's golden age, while Ronson's mastery of production made certain the whole thing flowed with a relaxed, celestial air. The sound of both artists hitting their stride.
#32 in 2014: Rather Be | Clean Bandit feat. Jess Glynne
#32 in 2013: Feels Like | Peking Duk
#32 in 2012: Big Hoops (Bigger the Better) | Nelly Furtado
#32 in 2011: So Gone (What My Mind Says) | Jill Scott feat. Paul Wall
#32 in 2010: Talking Like I'm Falling Down Stairs | Sparkadia
New Americana Halsey Badlands
It's funny how Lana Del Rey's much-maligned take on baroque pop has now acquired a favourable, almost nostalgic glow. It certainly enchanted Halsey, whose New Americana immediately brought to mind the superstar's alluring National Anthem. Aided by producer Lido's electronic ornamentation and vigorous percussion, the New Jerseyan's voice was the unifying thread, from the tremulous melody of the bridge to the pulsating wall-of-sound chorus. Her harsh emotionalism and raw, understated delivery cut through like an icy wind.
#31 in 2014: 2 On | Tinashe feat. Schoolboy Q
#31 in 2013: Radioactive | Imagine Dragons
#31 in 2012: Bom Bom | Sam and the Womp
#31 in 2011: Invisible | Skylar Grey
#31 in 2010: Katy On a Mission | Katy B
