The Essential Tracks: Holy Grail, Tom Ford, ****withmeyouknowigotit, Oceans, Beach Is Better
Despite a few amazing standouts, "Magna Carta..." is bogged down pretty bad by boring filler. Some of the songs on here though, are some of the best hip hop songs released this year, so I knew I had to include this. Hell "Beach Is Better" is probably my favorite song on the album and it's only a minute long. "Tom Ford" is another standout and it really the epitome of a classic hip hop song. "****withmeyouknowigotit" is another great track, where Rick Ross is the real winner over its sinister beat. Jay Z is a great rapper but nothing lyric-wise really makes an impact here. He still got that flow tho. I just find myself SNOOZING during some portions of the album, like from tracks 6-11, yikes. My recommendation for this album would be to buy it's six or seven stand-outs and leave the rest be. Also while I was listening back on the album for my write up I noticed that both this album and Bey's new album have songs called "Heaven" and "Blue", pretty interesting lol.
Justin slayed the world with this song but I can only use the radio edit not that long mess. "Mirrors" is catchy and although I've never heard his first album it's apparently a throwback to that. I don't usually like Timbaland productions but this one is pretty good. I think the chorus is the real star of the show however, perfectly sing-a-long-able and relatable. I just got over it real fast.
#39
All Gold Everything - Trinidad James
This was my bop for a good month or two let me tell you. The beat is hawt and he sounds so fierce when he raps, loves it. He may look like a bat in the face but his voice omg >>>>> I can't I'm hot and bothered. But anyway lord I love this rap ANTHEM!
#38
Problem - Natalia Kills
When I first heard this song I was like Oh Natalia girl you can keep that. BUT, it eventually grew on me and I really like it now. The best part is the "I want ur name, hanging from my chain" part when the bass kicks in and the rock influence is cute. Not really much else to say about this other than that it is a nice little jam.
#37
I Like It - Sevyn Streeter
Well one day I was bored as **** so I turned 106 & Park on and this is what I got "I Like It" is a cute little number by this girl with a horrible name. It just KNOCKS! and is catchy beyond belief. Also the video is hot as hell. The best part is the pre-chorus and chorus. I just like the vibe and bouncy nature of the song I can always get my two step on when it's bopping at my parties. Loves it.
#36
Still Into You - Paramore
"Still Into You" is a song that really almost became one of my faves of the year but somewhere I just got bored of it I guess. It's still an immensely catchy song and just a really great pop song. I'm also really glad that it ended up being a success for them, but it should have been bigger.
The Essential Tracks: Nuclear Seasons, Cloud Aura, What I Like, Black Roses, You're the One
Miss XCX's debut album definitely attracted my attention last spring. I really dig the electro-hop feel the album has going on, but a lot of songs just weren't executed right for me. A lot of the songs have cool productions ("Grins", "How Can I", "Lock You Up") but are just bland everywhere else. The standouts of the album are the excellent "What I Like" and "Black Roses", which have amazing productions and are also catchy pop songs with great melodies. "Cloud Aura" is great but Brooke Candy is the real star of the show. The other songs just fall somewhere in between ("Take My Hand", "Set Me Free (Feel My Pain)", "So Far Away") and aren't bad but aren't great either. Overall, I am a bit disappointed with the album but she definitely laid some solid ground for herself and I'm anxious to see where she will go with future albums.
I'm pretty sure I first heard this song like 3 years ago at this point but it's still an ANTHEM! An anthem that would have smashed under the right circumstances but hey. The instrumental is fire, and the chorus is huge. I really wanted this to be Cher's breakout hit and it should have been omg "With Ur Love" is a pop classic, I just had to rank it low because I was pretty much over it by the time they asses got around to releasing it in the US.
#34
Royals - Lorde
Oh Hey look another smash that came out of nowhere. I don't LOVE "Royals" but it's undeniably a great song. It's one of those songs that is cool for the first 30 listens but then after that everyone else is catching on and it's just like eh whatever. That barely-there instrumental is a nice change of pace and she sounds amazing. The writing is probably the best part of the song though especially coming from a 16 year old. slay it sis.
#33
American Girl - Bonnie McKee
"American Girl" has probably my favorite hook/chorus of any song released this year. I'm just such a sucker for a pure pop song like this. It's fun and fit in right with the summer, but maybe just a summer or two too late. Sadly miss Bonnie tanked to tha pits but hey there is always next time. Right?
#32
C'mon - Ke$ha
Well "c'mon" is a cute little thang but I knew it would flop from the minute I heard it. It's pretty boring and probably one of the most generic songs released this year by a big artist. The hook is also pretty lackluster. Really all it has going for it is that it's Ke$ha and she's the **** and her writing is always great even in this song. Werk
#31
Heart Attack - Demi Lovato
I just recently found out that everyone on this forum hates this song and Demi? Lol whatever I think it's pretty good. Sure, some of the lyrics are questionable ("Won't wash my hair/make em bounce like a basketball" ) but the chorus! It's sweeping and makes up for any lyrical blunders. Overall "Heart Attack" is a great song and was exactly what I was wanting and expecting from Ms. Lovato.