Wiggle is my jam! I love Animals too. Ghost is amazing, I really like Ella's voice. And that Fergie song is my favorite from this set! Not her best, but is really catchy
I was pleasantly surprised with how much I liked Echosmith's debut album. That being said, ironically, I hate Cool Kids. It's one of the weakest songs on the album, compared to 75% of the rest of the album ranging from good to great. This is one of the great album gems. It has a very uplifting soft pop-rock vibe. It reminds me of late summer afternoons I enjoyed in my childhood and teen years. If you want a song to make you feel good and be catchy at the same time, I recommend this one.
89 Ariana Grande - You Don't Know Me
Another bonus track gem from Ariana Grande's most recent album. While most of the songs on My Everything are about relationships, this is the one song that is not about anything to do with love. It's about the judgment that Ariana receives on a daily basis. In this song, she's telling everyone that they only see a small, sometimes false depiction of who she is in the media. Almost every celebrity has their "I'm still a human being" statement at some point: this is Ariana's. It's in typical flawless vocal fashion assisted by stellar and unique production.
88 Beyoncé - 7/11
BEYONCÉ was my favorite album of the past five years, so naturally I was very excited when a platinum edition of the album was announced. To my delight, the new tracks delivered on the repeat button! This song is like a drunker, more turnt up sibling of Drunk In Love. It relies on club chants, commands and repetition of every line. It has an odd structure, but this just makes it even better. While most artists doing this song would've made it annoying, Bey being the king she is made it sound urgent, exciting, and a worthy collection to her best era yet. The auto-tune on her vocals takes a couple listens to get used to, but it actually enhances the mood of what she was going for.
87 Duke Dumont - I Got U (featuring Jax Jones)
I'm shocked that this song hasn't been a hit in the US yet. Here's hoping it's one of those "smashes in the US like a year after it smashes Europe" situations again. It's an expertly maneuvered, euphoric dancepop song with stellar replay value. My personal favorite part is when the song repeats "clap your hands, y'all, it's alright", simply because it's a well produced and pre-climatic moment for the song. I always appreciate a good build up to a big chorus or breakdown. I Got U delivers big in the beat department, as well as in the hot female vocal department. Overall, a well-rounded song in every manner.
86 Lana Del Rey - Brooklyn Baby
The hipster song of the century! Lol, but the lyrics are seriously any hipster's dream. Besides that, I love the alternative/rock vibe that Lana went for on all of Ultraviolence. Her album was the most cohesive and well thought-out of anyone's I heard in 2014. Brooklyn Baby, along with another track coming up later in the countdown, best summarize and emphasize the strengths of her latest album. Listen to this and then a track from her first album, and you immediately release how bold her new album is. She took quite an artistic leap and sonic departure. I really respect her for taking such a risk and still delivering high quality.
85 Echosmith - Up to You
My favorite song on Echosmith's song was only a bonus track, but it's one of my favorite bonus tracks overall of 2014. Like March Into the Sun, it's a bright, euphoric, and poppy rock song. The chorus delivers on being both catchy and climatic, and I absolutely love the guitar line that plays in the background throughout the entire piece. This one makes me happy as soon as I listen to it, so it's held a special place on my playlists for that reason.
84 La Roux - Tropical Chancer
I bought La Roux's first album in 2010. I waited over 4 years for *her (no longer their) sophomore record, and was extremely surprised by the new direction. I can best describe Trouble In Paradise as very beachy, summery and 80s (think what Swift's Style was going for). I actually ended up really loving their new album, with this particular track being my favorite. It best captures that beachy and summery vibe of every other song on the album. Plus, the repeated lines in the chorus are ear candy ("I didn't know he was a tropical chancer"). If I were on the beach, soaking up the sun, I would instantly put this one on repeat.
83 Kid Ink - Body Language (featuring Usher & Tinashé)
I was obsessed with Kid Ink's song, Show Me (featuring Chris Brown) throughout the first six months of the year. This song tries to repeat the success of Show Me, and... it works, in my opinion. Kid Ink & Usher are both having a lot of fun here, with Usher especially adding a lot to the final product. Poor Tinashé is under utilized, though. She could've given the song that final punch that would've truly taken it to the next level. Of course, like Show Me, the production is flawlessly club ready. You may be surprised to know that this beat is by StarGate & not Muzzard on tha beat, ho!
82 Jason Derulo - Zipper
The chorus and concept of this one is a bit laughable at first. But, trust me, it's addictive. The production is slick, sexy and mysterious. And, like you'd expect from Jason Derulo nowadays, it's a total knock. Listen to this one when you work out. And if you don't get "up n down like a zippah, zippah, zippah, zippah" stuck in your head... well I don't know how you can't. However, my true favorite part of the song is the bridge after the second chorus because THE PRODUCTION.
81 Jhené Aiko - Spotless Mind
Jhené is the female version of Drake, which is a huge compliment. Her music so peaceful and ethereal. Her voice is gorgeously relaxed and emotional on every song she does, best complimented by soft and steady beats such as the one in this song. Yet another beach and summer friendly song (I see a trend happening with me this year lol). About halfway through, the track slows down for a bit before speeding back up, which I think is a really cool effect and gives the song that extra something.
Well, I said that I needed to see the pop that I missed out on, and you're definitely not disappointing in that regard. Of course, I HAVE heard "Tropical Chancer", and that song is great.
#Justice4MyEverythingDeluxe continues! This is the 2nd of the Target exclusive bonus tracks (the other one being Cadillac Song, which was also previously on the countdown). I first heard the snippet for this one in the very beginning of the year through Ariana's Instagram. I was immediately captivated to the upbeat R&B/pop sound within 15 seconds. This is yet another throwback gem, and a perfect fit for Ariana. It's the My Everything version of Lovin' It from Yours Truly, and in my opinion, it's even better. Either way, both get me to dance. The quality of her songs is just remarkable.
79 Nicki Minaj - Want Some More
I was not the biggest fan of Nicki's sophomore album, Roman Reloaded. I think she thrives when she does hip hop. Her sound becomes a bit faceless when she does pop music such as Starships, Pound the Alarm, Automatic, Va Va Voom, and etc. I was extremely satisfied with the quality of Nicki's rapping on The Pinkprint, her best album to date! Want Some More is a classic, Did It On 'Em style Onika. She spits for filth and leaves no one undragged. Her flow is on fire, with her intonation and punchlines constantly shifting to leave for an exciting, unpredictable track. The chorus is fittingly simple to not overshadow HER. And indeed, on The Pinkprint, it's all about Onika Maraj.
78 Big Sean - I Don't **** With You (featuring E-40)
I tried really, really hard to hate this song. But repeated exposure made this become one of my guilty pleasures of 2014. I press you to try not to chant the hook at least once in the next year. Either you won't, or your friends who all love and know the song will you get you to. I'm sure a lot of your friends will be playing this at their parties, especially if they're currently in college. I know I've already heard this a bunch at parties myself. The pleasure factor of this song comes from Sean's typically witty, quick-paced delivery that centers on punchlines. E-40 is also a nice addition with his SUPER FAST flow. Overall, I see why this song is currently smashing.
77 Jason Derulo - Bubblegum (featuring Tyga)
Speaking of guilty pleasures... can we talk about THE workout song of the year? Turn this one on while you're on the treadmill, and you'll be getting to work real fast. Bubblegum is the pinnacle of the Talk Dirty album track trinity. What I like about this one is that it never slows down. It's just constant energy. I tend to be most drawn to tracks that are upbeat, make me move, and lighten up my mood. This fits all of the criteria! The production is totally top notch, putting a nice bow on this twerk ribbon.
76 Chris Brown - Stereotype
I was disappointed by Chris Brown's Fortune album in 2012, so I was initially not looking forward to X at all. However, with each single and new album track, I was more and more drawn to his new album. What I found out is that X is actually an amazing album. So many of the album tracks are hidden gems that are some of the best songs Chris has done to date. Stereotype is one of them. I love the lyrics to this one, as I relate to the concept of someone becoming a negative stereotype as a relationship goes on, no longer being the individual that they used to be. To help make his point, Chris brings along a bumping beat, a strong hook (stereoTYPE, stereo-ere-TYPE) and some of the best vocals on the whole album.
75 Lady Antebellum - Bartender
In 2011, I was really into Lady A, having bought Own the Night and it becoming one of my favorite albums of 2011. However, 2013's Golden disappointed me. When I heard Bartender, I knew on first listen that Lady A had finally released another song that was high quality! It's a change of pace for them, as they typically like to do slow ballads. In contrast, this one is an uptempo caterer to pop and country. Like a lot of other tracks in my countdown, I'm most drawn to the pop candy chorus and its replay value. While I didn't end up liking the rest of 747, you can be sure Bartender is one of my favorite Lady A songs.
74 Rixton - We All Want the Same Thing
Most people only know about Rixton because of Me & My Broken Heart... and even then, most people still don't know Rixton. When I was checking for M&MBH, I also checked out the rest of their music. The one song that really stood out to me was We All the Want the Same Thing from their M&MBH EP. It's a smoothly crafted boyband pop offering, but easily one of my favorite boyband songs of the decade. I wish they had pursued this song being a hit instead of the lukewarm M&MBH, but that's just me. WAWtST had tons of potential on radios around the world. I can totally see why it would hypothetically catch on.
I was a huge fan of I Need Your Love from 18 Months, and I was happy to know Calvin and Ellie reunited again for his new album. Funnily, I didn't like this one at first and wrote it off as generic. However, because of Ellie's vocals, I now love the song. It's become a highlight of mine from Motion. It's quite different from I Need Your Love, so I think I was taken off guard at first. It's very much a grower song, as the chorus and breakdown are not immediately satisfying. While both are now easily listenable to me, what really won me over were Ellie's verses... especially the part where she harmonizes with herself during the 2nd verses ("now I'm holding on (now I'm holding on)". Overall, a nice addition to both of their discographies.
72 Sia - Chandelier
A lot of people might wonder why this one is so low for me. The answer would be the lyrical content (which is why I kind of question its song of the year nom, but that's just me). I'm not saying that the song isn't amazing... because the rest of the elements of the song make up for the lyrical content. The beat is dark and adds another emotional dimension to this song about being dependent on partying, and the shame that comes with it. Sia's vocals, however, are what really shine here. She sounds sad, angry, vulnerable, and most importantly, powerful. The chorus is climatic, explosive, and easily one of the most iconic musical moments of the 2014. I predict this song standing the test of the time, and being remembered for a while.
71 Ariana Grande - Only 1
This is the last possible bonus track from My Everything I can do, lol. But yes, this is indeed my favorite bonus track. It's such a sweet song with a simple, lovable message. Ariana, as usual, pulls off this R&B/Pop beat with grace and expertise. She's such a gifted vocalist.I absolutely love the notes she pulls off in this song, especially during the chorus ("be your only one"). I'm not sure why people give her voice a hard time when she's one of the best vocalists in the whole industry today. Give her a couple more years of practice and experience, and her voice will be nothing less than godly.