B R I T I S H
# 1 0 JESSIE J - 'WHO YOU ARE'
Jessie wasn't a 'discovery' for me this year, but she still managed to earn her place in my overall british albums from 2010/2011. Creating a debut pop album that borrows many influences - most stemming from jazz and R&B - Jessie managed to create one of the most interesting british albums of these past years. Despite the common opinion on ATRL that Jessie is "boring" and "basic" (some members going as far as to call her and Katy clone... despite harnessing 10x the talent and musical variety), on a closer listen, Jessie's artistic vision turns out to be an interesting one. I love her fusion of genres and influences; it's not something you hear everyday from the pop girls.
And we didn't even mention her outstanding voice!
Also, I really look up to her message. I have a tremendous amount of respect for those people who stand up to bullying, since I have gone through traumatic bullying myself. Some people may find the "love yourself" message cliche and insincere, but these artists are helping people everyday and I think that's incredible.
Very nice! I still haven't gotten round to listening to it fully but the singles tell me it's a solid, truthful album.
There are some really honest songs on the album, and the emotion in some of the tracks is outstanding. Jessie has also said that album #2 will be even more raw and honest, so I can't wait for that!
I just can't bring myself to care about Jessie, but I can understand why many others would. Her voice has a distinct quality to it that makes it special.
Also, I really look up to her message. I have a tremendous amount of respect for those people who stand up to bullying, since I have gone through traumatic bullying myself. Some people may find the "love yourself" message cliche and insincere, but these artists are helping people everyday and I think that's incredible.
M U S I C V I D E O S
# 2 0 BIRDS OF TOKYO - "THIS FIRE"
I remember seeing this video on TV a couple of weeks ago, and I was captivated. Essentially, it's a bunch of beauty shots for me (a lot of these videos will be, to be honest) but there's something so relaxing about fire. Also, the song is awesome, which makes the video so much better.
# 1 9 RIHANNA - "WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN"
Rihanna's only entry in this particular category, "Where Have You Been" video was one of the only highlights of the entire Talk That Talk era. Unfortunately the only good video of the era had to be given to one of the most boring and overrated songs in Rihanna's discography, but hey, at least Rihanna had a good video during the era.
Rihanna looks beautiful, and this video features Rihanna dancing more than she ever has in a video (post-Good Girl Gone Bad era), which ended up garnering praise and comparisons to the likes of Britney's "Slave" and Gaga's movements. Well done, RiRi.
Can't say I know #20, but I like your placing for WHYB. I'm glad you're not acting like it's one of the best music videos ever like the rest of the Navy.
A L B U M S
# 2 5 BAT FOR LASHES - 'THE HAUNTED MAN'
The lead single, "Laura", was the track that introduced me to Natasha Khan (BFL's real name), and I couldn't be more thankful. The Haunted Man is a very interesting and rewarding listening experience, with Khan finely balancing flawless vocals with an alternative, focused artistic vision which isn't "weird for the sake of being weird". I can only imagine this album growing on me even more over time.
# 2 4 ELLE VARNER - 'PERFECTLY IMPERFECT'
After having heard great things about Elle for a while, I recently gave her album a listen for myself. Her soulful, gritty voice automatically captures you and abducts you to another place, although it's one that you don't want to leave. The production of the album is amazing, and as many have dubbed her, the album is "true R&B"... simply meaning it keeps in touch with R&B/Soul's roots more so than today's contemporary R&B acts. Elle Varner is an act to watch out for, that's for sure.
Hope you check out mine too
