Ranking: 41
Released: 11/25/2014
Last.fm Plays: 14
Location: USA
*****
*****
So Beyonce has now fully embraced her inner trap rat. I mean, it's cool. I just wish she'd do more singing over the trap beats. It's kinda hard to do because the flow of trap doesn't really allow for it, but she could do it! I believe in u, Bey. My main love of this song comes from the quote in the header. It was not until I googled the lyrics that I even realized she was saying, "Wave your hands side to side". I thought it was just some sort of rap gibberish. It's actually a really cool way of phrasing a pretty generic party lyric. Also, you gotta LOL @ the "Don't you DROP that ALCOHAWL!" Looking forward to Bey pushing the boundaries of hip-hop in 2015 <3
Ranking: 40
Released: 09/30/2014
Last.fm Plays: 8
Location: USA
*****
*****
Les Sins is a side project of Toro y Moi. "Why" features vocals from Nate Salman, who I had never heard of before this song. One thing I love about this song is the mixture of old & new. There have been plenty of songs in the past year that have duplicated the sound of the 70s without really offering anything new ("Birthday", "Treasure", "Love Never Felt So Good"). I prefer songs that take an old sound and put a new twist on it for the current times. In a way, this song reminds me a bit of Daft Punk, because Les Sins puts a new twist on funky 70s disco music.
"somebody better let me know my name, before i give myself away"
sohn
artifice
Ranking: 39
Released: 02/13/2014
Last.fm Plays: 8
Location: Austria
*****
*****
Sohn reminds me a lot of Ellie Goulding - British singer-songwriter that makes cool synthy music, but is so terribly boring and somewhat soulless. Synth-pop doesn't have to be cold & emotionless. I digress, though. "Artifice" is a pretty cool track that can be fun to sing along to. I'm not really sure about the lyrical content; I won't bother analyzing it. I haven't given his album a real chance, but maybe I'll get around to it sometime soon.
"i'm so fancy, you already know, i'm in the fast lane, from l.a. to tokyo"
iggy azalea
fancy
Ranking: 38
Released: 02/17/2014
Last.fm Plays: 21
Location: Australia
*****
*****
Apparently Iggy Azalea has become public enemy #1 on ATRL over the last week (for what, I'm not sure), but that won't keep me from recognizing the Song of the Summer, 2014. The true standout is Charli's chorus and verse, obviously. It makes me so proud to see the little underground girl make her way to the top. But Iggy also does great in her role. She delivers the verses with a swaggerific attitude, and the puns & such are cute. Ultimate #whitegirl bop.
Ranking: 37
Released: 02/16/2014
Last.fm Plays: 12
Location: UK
*****
*****
Ultimately, Sam Smith is the biggest disappointment of 2014. I don't understand how someone can go from "Latch" to "Stay With Me" and "I'm Not the Only One". Those songs are the definition of Grammy-pandering, and they don't feel honest. In "Money on My Mind", Sam talks about his journey through the industry, and how he's all about the love of music, not money (not sure how genuine that is, either, but oh well). I picked this song for my countdown because I feel it's one of the only sonically interesting things to come from Sam's album. The breakbeat works really well, and the hook is risky in that it can be jarring on first listen, but is ultimately very catchy. Hopefully Sam takes more musical risks in his next project, because that voice is too good to go to waste on the bland singles he's been releasing.
"and if i burn down the city, would you put out the flame?"
hercules & love affair
do you feel the same?
Ranking: 36
Released: 04/14/2014
Last.fm Plays: 11
Location: USA
*****
*****
"Do You Feel the Same?" is a shout-out to the glory days of '90s house. There's a big, soulful voice in front of a big-ass beat. It's dance music that makes you feel so happy and dancey, yet it has this dark and fearful tone about it. Such a nice conflict of emotions that makes things interesting. I'm so glad that there are artists who make music reminiscent of '90s house, because that music truly was magical.
"head in the clouds, got no weight on my shoulders"
ariana grande
problem
Ranking: 35
Released: 04/28/2014
Last.fm Plays: 25
Location: USA
*****
*****
The best song this year not to hit #1. Such a shame. This is the mega-career-defining-hit for Ariana. It turned her from a kid show wanna-be to an actual A-list singer. This song is just SO quality in every way. The verses are rapid-fire and clever; the build-up to the chorus is breathtaking; and then the non-chorus is so unexpected and amazing. It's not the traditionally-structured pop banger we're used to. The saxophone instrumental is so well-done, and we've seen this year how a song can be completely ruined by a bad sax (looking at u, Cheryl). Favorite part: "Every time you touch may, and say you love maaaay." And Iggy sells her part well, too, I guess.
"then she handed me a bottle of water with tequila, i already know she's a keeper"
ed sheeran
sing
Ranking: 34
Released: 04/07/2014
Last.fm Plays: 10
Location: England
*****
*****
Wow! What a transformation for Ed Sheeran. I can't believe this is the same guy who sang "The A Team". Back in the Summer, I had been hearing this song on the radio for about a month before I wondered, "Who is this guy?" It sounded like a new Justin Timberlake or something. I finally googled some of the lyrics and Ed Sheeran popped up in the results. "Hmmm, must be the wrong song", I thought. But sure enough, it was him. The song is so catchy, and Pharrell doesn't disappoint for once.
***** The Bones of What You Believe was one of my favorite albums of 2013, so I was incredibly excited when I learned that Chvrches would be featured on the Mockingjay, Part 1 Soundtrack. It's always a bit of a treat when a band releases new music in a non-album release year. The song is a pretty straight-forward Chvrches song, but even their straight-forward stuff is light year's ahead of most artists. The lyrics really capture the essence of the Hunger Games series (I still haven't seen the new one, ugh!). Looking forward to Chvrches SO MUCH in 2015!
Ranking: 32
Released: 09/22/2014
Last.fm Plays: 13
Location: USA
*****
*****
I find Azealia Banks to be so appalling and off-putting, and I was so happy that all of her releases since 212 had ****ing sucked (let's be honest). She finally put out another good song (after three years) with "Chasing Time". I think I might prefer her singing over her rapping. It's refreshing to hear a female rapper who has an actual singing voice and doesn't sound like she's struggling to hit every note. It's good that she can be her own hook girl, because I don't see any pop girls working with her after all of her vile rants and antics.
*****
Like Cheryl earlier in the countdown, Calvin Harris is one of my weaknesses/guilty pleasures. "Sweet Nothing" was one of my top songs of 2012, and I loved pretty much every single on 18 Months. He's also produced quite a few of my favorite dance-pop jams over the years for other artists. However, I will admit that his new album is absolute JUNK. Maybe his spell on me his wearing off a little. But "Summer".... how can you not love it? Calvin is such an interesting songwriter & singer because his verses never really make sense, yet they always come together for a story. It's perplexing. And his vocal delivery is always so aloof. It's like he's not aware that he's making high-energy, fun dance music. Lovely & odd combination. I need to embrace "Summer" for all it is, because it may be his last good song for a while.
Fancy and Problem are great! Money On My Mind is the only song I like from Sam Smith (as a solo artist)
Oh yes and Summer!
His best song since "Feel so Close" Calvin Harris doesn't need **** collaborations, his voice is enough and agree with you, "Motion" is bad... but "18 Months" isn't any better I want another "Ready For The Weekend"
for 7/11 
I love that song, is really catchy 
Calvin Harris doesn't need **** collaborations, his voice is enough 
I want another "Ready For The Weekend"