Of course ATRL would go down as I'm about to post, ugh.
But we're back, so let's go!
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T O P 4 0
# 3 0IGGY AZALEA - "WORK"
The apparent lead single for Australian rapper Iggy Azalea's debut album, "Work" is a brilliant multilayered track which details her journey from Australia to America and the struggle she went through trying to make a name for herself.
Set over glossy trap beats, "Work" acts as both a track with substance and also a track to get derrieres bouncing, long before the act of 'twerking' became "cool" in the mainstream. Laced with a catchy hook (no money, no family... sixteen in the middle of Miami) and even a couple of good punch lines (valley girls giving blowjobs for Louboutins... what you call that? Head over heels?), it's hard to resist the magic that is "Work". Iggy has released a few songs since but nothing has been able to touch this perfection.
Right, this cosmic duet between Active Child and Ellie Goulding is nothing less than an experience. Just an album track on Active Child's Rapor EP, both artists brought the absolute best out of each and made something truly incredible.
Backed my a luscious bed of strings, glacial synths, and the occasional pounding drum paired with the gorgeous falsettos of both Active Child and Ellie, there is nothing wrong with this track. Lose yourself as you imagine being in a scene from the hit movie Gravity, just floating through space with nothing but "Silhouette" playing. The song is oddly inspirational, and quite emotional... well, to me. This song moved me in a big way.
# 2 8NEON HITCH - "PINK FIELDS"
Another song that moved me this year, we have "Pink Fields" by british singer Neon Hitch. A significant departure from the Ke$ha-esque tracks that put her on the pop map, "Pink Fields" is a great step in the right direction as she ditches the glossy synths and four to the floor rhythms for something a little more raw.
Find new ways to kill pain, shiny things go deeper. If I go much further, Amy [Winehouse] soon I'll see ya. Neon vulnerably sings in one of the most striking moments of the song (Neon was Amy's roommate, in case you didn't know). The chorus is beautiful, simply made up from stretched out "yeah"s to create a dreamy ode to Neon's 'happy place'. Much like the aforementioned "Silhouette", this song had a big effect on me throughout the year.
# 2 7BANGTAN BOYS (BTS) - "THE RISE OF BANGTAN"
An album track from hip-hop boy band Bangtan Boys' EP O!RUL8,2?, "The Rise of Bangtan" is a track full of braggadocio as the guys announce their arrival on the k-pop scene.
With a mixture of rapping and singing from the group (although much more weighted towards the former), "Rise" is a fun song designed to create energy and has one of the best pre-choruses of the year - a clear contrast to the hip-hop/rap stylings of the verses and eventual chorus. At the risk of sounding like Britney, this track is just super cool and fun.
# 2 630 SECONDS TO MARS - "UP IN THE AIR"
Continuing their musical journey, 30 Seconds to Mars released "Up in the Air", the lead single to their new album Love Lust Faith + Dreams.
There is a lot going on in this track; electronics, guitar layering, drums, piano, vocal tweaking... it's a lot to take in. However, after breaking it down, there really is a lot of treasure to discover here. For such a big song, it "Air" oddly has significant replay value - throughout the year I found myself with the song on repeat for extended periods of time and not get sick it. Lyrically, I think it's all up to the listener. It's up for interpretation, and despite some love lyrics, there are lines that could relate to a myriad of other scenarios (a thousand times I've played this game...). But the one thing that matters is that this song is a tune, as is the rest of their album.
Holy hell at 30STM ranking so high in your list, I knew you were obsessed with Up in the Air when I finally made you listen to it but I had no idea you loved it so much. Glad to see Azelea out.
Holy hell at 30STM ranking so high in your list, I knew you were obsessed with Up in the Air when I finally made you listen to it but I had no idea you loved it so much. Glad to see Azelea out.
Oh look, an Ellie feature.
My obsession was low-key but it was definitely there.
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I have my updates ready for today but I want to be on the next page.
Also, after today, we're halfway through the list! Maybe tomorrow I'll have to do something special... maybe I'll shine some light on a handful of albums that are great but just missed the mark for my list or something.
