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.
Quote:
Originally posted by Jack!
You of all people know I'm no Rihanna fan, but Where Have You Been is for sure her best video!
Thanks Jack(s)...
...time to post these songs and then I'm done for today.
S O N G S
# 1 0 0 NO DOUBT - "SETTLE DOWN"
What a perfect way to start off the countdown! After an extremely long hiatus from the pop world, No Doubt finally made their return with this amazing single. With the loose reggae/ska influences, mixed with light rock, the song is the perfect mixture of genres. A catchy chorus, and Gwen Stefani sounds as amazing as ever. Brilliant.
# 9 9 MADONNA - "GANG BANG"
When I first saw the title, I immediately expected the worst from the Queen of Pop. But to my surprise, this track ended up being one of the few tolerable moments on MDNA, a poor excuse for an album considering the legacy of the popstar who made it. But anyway, the song's dark, icy synths, mixed with a surprisingly good dubstep break (includes machine guns, bullet shells, and a divorcee hellbent on revenge)... it wouldn't be a stretch to call this track genius.
# 9 8 FRANK OCEAN - "THINKIN BOUT YOU"
Frank's only entry in this entire countdown, this track in particular is beautiful. His emotion transcends lyrics and vocals, to even infiltrate the track's production (which strings and astonishingly high vocals make a heavenly outcome). It doesn't matter how you're feeling, this track will end up ripping your heart out.
# 9 7 IGGY AZALEA F/ T.I. - "MURDA BIZNESS"
This track just slays, honestly. The production is awesome, despite being so simple. Iggy and T.I. actually make a good team. All these things thrown together just make the track really fun to listen to, and rapping along to the chorus is much more amusing and entertaining than it sounds.
# 9 6 P!NK F/ NATE RUESS - "JUST GIVE ME A REASON"
Ever since the first listen, the highlight of this song has been King Ruess' opening lines. His voice is just so... ugh. Heavenly. I like how the entire song sounds very fun.-esque, despite being P!nk's. P!nk sounds really nice when paired with Nate, and I hope they collaborate again in the future!
# 9 5 ALUNAGEORGE - "YOUR DRUMS, YOUR LOVE"
Putting an alternative, new spin on R&B and electronic music, AlunaGeorge managed to create this masterpiece. Aluna sounds amazing on this track, and the chorus does nothing but grow on you. It's definitely the standout in the song. The verses are creepy, mellow, and George's production really shines.
# 9 4 RYE RYE - "BOOM BOOM"
Talk about infectious. 2012's answer to "Super Bass" (because "Va Va Voom" is NOT the business), this song is built from retro video game synths and samples the ridiculously catchy "Boom Boom, Boom Boom" by The Vengaboys. Aimed towards the dance floor, but has enough individuality to really standout amongst the rest of the hip-hop/dance songs released this year. Well done, Rye Rye. This song is epic.
# 9 3 G-DRAGON - "CRAYON"
The first of a couple of K-Pop entries (relax, that horrid song on your mind will not be getting anywhere near this countdown), this song defies the boundaries of hip-hop and dance, fusing them together in an extremely unique way. G-Dragon, the leader of BIG BANG, utilises hip-hop verses and lets the chorus explode into a dance frenzy before bringing it right back to the urban hip-hop verses again. The best part? The fact that this song isn't actually about the waxy coloured pencil. Get your cray on!
# 9 2 NELLY FURTADO - "BIG HOOPS (BIGGER THE BETTER)"
Nelly made her much anticipated (it was anticipated on ATRL, at least) comeback earlier in the year with this awesome song. Not conforming to the current dance trends, Nelly puts a modern twist on the urban pop that she slayed with back in '06. It didn't exactly work out for her on a commercial scale, but at least she has her artistic/musically integrity intact.
# 9 1 ANGEL HAZE - "NEW YORK"
ATRL, get into Angel Haze. Quickly. She should be as hyped up as Azealia Banks right now. Even Azealia has said that. In this track, Angel viciously spits over a simple - although very weird - beat which causes killer results. Some may view the track as a standard "I'm better than you" rap track, but the unique production and extra intense lyricism make this anything but "standard". This won't be the last we see of Angel Haze in this countdown.
I used to like Jessie J, but her voice began to grate on me after a while.
Love Bat For Lashes, she should be alot higher!
I only listened to Natasha's album like a couple of days ago, so it is doing pretty well to already be in the Top 25 of the entire year.
I know I will love it even more over the next few months.
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.
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.
JJH would be proud it listed but depressed it wasn't #1.