"long way down, changed my mind about us, you should find someone new"
kindness
this is not about us
Ranking: 30
Released: 09/03/2014
Last.fm Plays: 9
Location: UK
*****
*****
You can tell that this guy is Dev Hynes's roommate. Their melodies have so many similarities, especially in this song. Maybe this comparison is a little cliche, but I'm reminded so much of George Michael when I listen to Kindness. The clarity and smoothness of their voices just radiate so much. When I first heard this song, something about it seemed so familiar. Then it finally hit me that there's a sample; it's the same sample from the outro of "Work It" by Missy Elliott. A google & wikipedia search later, I found "Take Me to Mardi Gras". Such a good track to sample!
*****
Big, big, BIG song, this one. Such a statement as a debut single from a new artist. The song, the video, the performances. It gave me so much hope for her album. LOL. But I digress. What I love about Kiesza is that her voice is very theatrical and dramatic, which can be so off-putting (theatre kids!), but she's able to make it work on a house beat. Lea Michele could learn a thing or two from her! Kiesza's got the big voice, but she doesn't try to kill you with it. Man, this girl sang her ass off for this song! Gotta love it.
"treat her better, boy, if having her at your side's something you enjoy"
mac demarco
treat her better
Ranking: 28
Released: 04/01/2014
Last.fm Plays: 7
Location: USA
*****
*****
I really enjoy Mac DeMarco's brand of cute indie folksy-pop. So melodic & pretty, with lovely instrumentation. My favorite song from his new album is "Treat Her Better". Men really can be such assholes to women. It's almost like some of them think women are nothing more than sexual property. It's so weird. I know I'm generalizing, but it's so gross. Mac doesn't want chivalry to die, so he's singing this to any bros that may be listening. I love the message so much. All wrapped up in a cute, simple song.
"i'll just sit right here and sing that good, old-school s*** to ya"
mariah carey
dedicated
Ranking: 27
Released: 05/23/2014
Last.fm Plays: 19
Location: USA
*****
*****
"But that's your NOSTALGIA though!" This is the ultimate song of MIAMTEC. I feel this is the most-focused & well-written song on the album. Mariah just wanted to give a shout-out to all the people in hip-hop who inspired her on the way up. I don't really catch all the references because hip-hop was not my raisin', but I can still appreciate her efforts & I feel the love vibes she's sending. She's like damn near a member of the Wu-Tang Clan!
Ranking: 26
Released: 06/23/2014
Last.fm Plays: 13
Location: USA
*****
*****
Umph. My baby daddy. This is sorta love-making music a little. At least the beat is. I love the different segments of this song. The intro is kinda rock and jarring. Then it goes into this slow jam for the largest segment. And then the outro is this crazy falsetto surreal moment. The repetition of "Come on, be my precious, my precious love" is so captivating. A certain someone on ATRL made fun of this dude because apparently white guys can't make R&B music, but I think it's bull! This dude is legit! It's great PBR&B.
"when the drink be too strong, when the tree be way too strong"
tinashe
2 on
Ranking: 25
Released: 01/21/2014
Last.fm Plays: 13
Location: USA
*****
*****
Mustard on the beat! This song really came on strong for me at the end of the year. I think I had it at #38, but in the last two weeks, I decided that it had to be in the Top 25. Tinashe has so much promise and is creating a lot of buzz for the struggling R&B world. I love how this young woman, in the very early stages of her career, has the audacity to make a song with her own catchphrase, and had a goal of making it the new buzzword for the youth. Like, WTF is the phrase '2 on'. But now it's caught on because of Tinashe's swag and dope song. Gone, girl!
"so go ahead, go ahead, love me deep until you can't"
lykke li
love me like i'm not made of stone
Ranking: 24
Released: 03/04/2014
Last.fm Plays: 20
Location: Sweden
*****
*****
Lykke Li has really been singing my heart lately. I've been kinda depressed about not having a relationship and being lonely, and her I Never Learn album is helping me through it, as she wrote it after a really bad break-up. While "Gunshot" is the literal centerpiece of the album and the song getting the year-end praise, the next song, "Love Me Like I'm Not Made of Stone", is the real heart of the whole project. The emotional rawness & vulnerability is almost too much to handle from one song. She's so beautiful in exposing her sadness. The last chorus, which she barely gets through, missing words throughout, is really the kicker. She just wants to be loved despite the cold exterior. Open up the warmth with your love.
"i'm the one 'for a good time: call', phone's blowin' up, ringin' my door bell"
sia
chandelier
Ranking: 23
Released: 03/17/2014
Last.fm Plays: 21
Location: Australia
*****
*****
Probably the most fun I've had while singing a song in a long time. Man, sometimes it's just fun to scream at the top of your lungs. Reminds me of "What's Up" by 4 Non Blondes or "Free Fallin" by Tom Petty. I'm so glad Sia saved a good song for herself for once, and didn't give this to some random pop gworl. They couldn't do it justice like her. A running theme throughout my countdown so far has been contrasts. I love that the lyrics are obviously that of a very depressed individual with substance abuse issues, but the track is a big, ole party banger. You shouldn't have fun while singing this, but you can't help it.
"come on now, we love you and that's really all there is to fear"
a sunny day in glasgow
oh, i'm a wrecker
Ranking: 22
Released: 06/24/2014
Last.fm Plays: 28
Location: USA
*****
*****
Now for my favorite band of 2014. A Sunny Day in Glasgow was such a revelation for me this year. This music is so pretty in its unprettyness. At first, it's just a bunch of noise, but dig underneath and hear the most beautiful melodies & instrumentation of the year. I can't really understand many of the words, but they just aren't important here. "Come get your wrecker, come get the wrecker!" Dunno what it means, but I sure am sanging it loudly in my Mazda 3. Jam!
*****
Poor MŲ, the big joke of ATRL in 2014 after that tragic SNL performance. It was LDR-level madness, but she doesn't have near as many "fans" as LDR, so she doesn't get a pass for it on here. It's what everyone will remember her for, when they should know her for THIS SONG. This is the most interesting thing on her album, give or take a "Pilgrim". The 80s love affair tribute is just so good. I get a good Tina Turner strolling down the street vibe from this. These nordic gals are just TOO good at the pop music stuff. Mmm!
*****
Certainly one of the most interesting songs to hit pop radio this year. The sound is so haunting and somewhat scary, but there's so much beauty in the melody. Hozier's voice is so smooth in the verses, and he sure can shout in that chorus. This isn't the first song to use the sex-as-religion metaphor ("Like a Prayer", classic; "Locked Out of Heaven", contemporary), but Hozier makes it work because of the vivid imagery in his songwriting. Something about his delivery feels spiritual and sacred, but the subject matter is quite the opposite. This song could become a classic.
"i'm the one 'for a good time: call', phone's blowin' up, ringin' my door bell"
sia
chandelier
Ranking: 23
Released: 03/17/2014
Last.fm Plays: 21
Location: Australia
*****
*****
Probably the most fun I've had while singing a song in a long time. Man, sometimes it's just fun to scream at the top of your lungs. Reminds me of "What's Up" by 4 Non Blondes or "Free Fallin" by Tom Petty. I'm so glad Sia saved a good song for herself for once, and didn't give this to some random pop gworl. They couldn't do it justice like her. A running theme throughout my countdown so far has been contrasts. I love that the lyrics are obviously that of a very depressed individual with substance abuse issues, but the track is a big, ole party banger. You shouldn't have fun while singing this, but you can't help it.
Yess, that first line I also scream this song all the time, especially in shower. My folks ain't liking it, but who cares. One of the best songs this year.
Ranking: 19
Released: 02/28/2014
Last.fm Plays: 20
Location: England
*****
*****
"My Love" is the debut single from English producer Route 94, aka Rowan Jones, aka Dream. I first heard of him when looking over the credits for Katy B's new album. Originally, he was credited as Dream, but then became Route 94 at some point. Stage names, so confusing; so fickle! The track features vocals from the lovely Jess Glynne, who is going to have a solo breakthrough in 2015, hopefully. However, Glynne's vocals are somewhat distorted and lowered, creating a really unique sound over that heavy bassline of the deep house production. I mean, it's no secret that Britain has been leading the way for dance music over the last several years, but it still continues to amaze me how much great dance this tiny island puts out!
Yaass, all these british #1's this year, route 94 was just amazing, I never really was into music like that but this year was absolutely filled with it (my love, right here, I got you, waves...) I'm a huge fan of it right now..
"regret the words i've bitten more than the ones i ever said"
st. vincent
regret
Ranking: 18
Released: 02/24/2014
Last.fm Plays: 32
Location: USA
*****
*****
Sometimes I feel kinda lame when my favorite track from an artist isn't the one that gets all the acclaim on the year-end lists. Maybe that's a little petty or superficial or pretentious, or all of the above. "Regret" is my absolute favorite song from St. Vincent, but I seriously considered picking another song from the album because this one didn't show up on any critics list. Lame, I know. But then I just remembered the header quote. "Regret the words I've bitten more than the ones I ever said." Such a brilliant quote, and a great one to live your life by. Always speak your mind if you feel strongly about something. You'll regret it if you don't.
"sometimes i'll show you what you want, sometimes i'll show you nothing at all"
porches
forgive
Ranking: 17
Released: 10/13/2014
Last.fm Plays: 13
Location: USA
*****
*****
This song definitely surprised me when I put it in the Top 20. Some songs just sneak up on you and surprise you. I honestly know nothing about Porches, except the guy is the boyfriend of Greta Kline, who is an oddball singer and the daughter of some famous actors. I honestly can't even analyze the song too much because it's sorta nonsense. For one, I can't understand a damn word Greta Kline sings in the chorus. It's all just a blurry, pretty melody. But I'm not complaining. I definitely get some "La Isla Bonita" teas, which is a good thing. I'll look out for more Porches/Greta Kline stuff in 2015.
