[Achilles.]

Dolly Parton - Blue Smoke

Blue Smoke is the forty second studio album of country legend Dolly Parton. The album is a strong and eclectic set of songs, ranging from the contemporary country lead single "Home" to duets with veterans Kenny Rogers and Willie Nelson. There's humor in album standout "Lover du Jour," where Dolly laughingly shoots down a womanizer's advances. "Miss You-Miss Me" is a touching song written from the perspective of a child witnessing her parents' divorce, while "Try" provides an empowering end to the album. Dolly also tackles a few covers here, including Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice," the traditional murder ballad "Banks of the Ohio," and Bon Jovi's raunchy "Lay Your Hands On Me." All things considered, Blue Smoke is as great as they come— Dolly never stumbles and never falters as she plays to her strengths and showcases songwriting and vocal performances as great as any in her five decade long career.

Standouts: "Lover du Jour," "Try," "Lay Your Hands On Me"

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Sam Smith - In The Lonely Hour

In The Lonely Hour is the Album of the Year nominated debut of British artist Sam Smith. The album showcases Sam's tremendous voice as he sings about one night stands, heartbreak, and unrequited love. The album often draws comparisons to Adele's blockbuster 21, and I have to admit that I loved In The Lonely Hour from the first listen, while Adele's album took time to grow on me. If I must compare the album's, I'd say that I prefer Sam's over Adele's— even though I believe that Adele's songwriting is generally stronger. Part of what makes In The Lonely Hour is that, although never outright stated in its lyrics, this album is gay. This lyrical vagueness gives Sam's music universal appeal, allowing him to reach audiences that might be turned off by his sexual orientation. In this way, the album subtly demonstrates that the relationship drama and heartache that gay couples experience is no different than that faced by straight couples. In The Lonely Hour is by no means perfect, and a big cause for concern is that a number of its songs feel too short. However, smash hit "Stay With Me," standout ballads "Leave Your Lover" and "Not In That Way," and impending hit "Like I Can" all clock in at three minutes or less, and all are amongst the album's standouts. As much as I love this album, I do hope that Sam will return to the dance pop sound that birthed his career.

Standouts: "Leave Your Lover," "Not In That Way," "Lay Me Down"

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Ingrid Michaelson - Lights Out

On Lights Out indie pop singer songwriter Ingrid Michaelson frequently flirts with themes of life and death, love and heartbreak, and impermanence and eternity. "Nothing lasts forever, but the sound of love astounds me every time that it calls," she sings on the sweeping "Wonderful Unknown," where she lovingly adds a chant of "in the best way, you'll be the death of me." Her songwriter roots are showcased throughout the album, delivering strong choruses on "Stick" and "Time Machine." The album's most anthemic moment comes with the second single "Afterlife." On the song, Ingrid assures us that "we're gonna be alright" and that "we can live inside of a moment." The song's accompanying video shows Ingrid helping her fans to overcome their fears, from their fear of heights to their fear of coming out. "Afterlife," then, is an ode to living in spite of your fears, and reveling in the fact that you are alive. In a fair world, this will be a huge hit in the coming winter.

Standouts: "Afterlife," "Wonderful Unknown," "Stick"

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Miranda Lambert - Platinum

Platinum is the fifth studio album of country music's best female superstar, and it marks a career high for Miranda Lambert. Rarely does an album manage to perfectly encompass a performer's persona this well. Title track "Platinum" drips with sass as Miranda sings that she is a "small town girl with compensation." There are feminist messages to a number of songs, including the opening track "Girls," and her trademark feistiness can be found in tracks like the Carrie Underwood duet "Something Bad," which is precisely as its title suggests. Lead single "Automatic" is a contemplative track about nostalgia, while "Old Sh**" is a more humorous song on the same subject. This same humor appears in the excellent "Gravity Is A Bitch." The album's standout may be "Bathroom Sink." The only song Miranda wrote by herself for this album, the track tackles body image issues, as well as her difficult relationship with her mother. Miranda cowrote another seven of the album's songs, meaning that she's credited on exactly half of the album's songs. Not that it matters much; the songwriting here is superb from top to bottom—to the point that there's little reason to complain about the album being overlong. On a final note, Platinum could—and perhaps should—have been my top album of the year because it is, objectively speaking, better than my actual number one.

Standouts: "Platinum," "Bathroom Sink," "Girls"

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Taylor Swift - 1989

On her fifth studio album, Taylor Swift has become the unconquerable pop colossus that she always promised to become. With newfound self-confidence and free of the restraints of the country music genre, Taylor flourishes like never before. It's difficult to select a standout song from an album with so few missteps, but I would select "Out of the Woods" if forced to pick just one. This track perfectly marries her eighties inspiration with contemporary pop sounds, and features her trademark lyrics that are simultaneously strikingly personal and universally relatable. Other album highlights include the album's irresistibly catchy lead single "Shake It Off," the sexy and anthemic "Style," and the soul cleansing Imogen Heap collaboration "Clean" that closes the album. The album's greatest talking point is the nation's current #1 single "Blank Space," another of the album's strongest offerings. This song knowingly plays into the media's misrepresentation of Taylor as a crazy, cold hearted man-eater to great effect. The deluxe edition of the album ends with "New Romantics," which is actually the best song—and biggest anthem—from the album. Read my full review of 1989 here.

Standouts: "Out Of The Woods," "New Romantics," "Style," "Blank Space," "Clean"

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5. Blue Smoke is the forty second studio album of country legend Dolly Parton. The album is a strong and eclectic set of songs, ranging from the contemporary country lead single "Home" to duets with veterans Kenny Rogers and Willie Nelson. There's humor in album standout "Lover du Jour," where Dolly laughingly shoots down a womanizer's advances. "Miss You-Miss Me" is a touching song written from the perspective of a child witnessing her parents' divorce, while "Try" provides an empowering end to the album. Dolly also tackles a few covers here, including Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice," the traditional murder ballad "Banks of the Ohio," and Bon Jovi's raunchy "Lay Your Hands On Me." All things considered, Blue Smoke is as great as they come— Dolly never stumbles and never falters as she plays to her strengths and showcases songwriting and vocal performances as great as any in her five decade long career.

Standouts: Lover du Jour, Try, Lay Your Hands On Me

4. In The Lonely Hour is the Album of the Year nominated debut of British artist Sam Smith. The album showcases Sam's tremendous voice as he sings about one night stands, heartbreak, and unrequited love. The album often draws comparisons to Adele's blockbuster 21, and I have to admit that I loved In The Lonely Hour from the first listen, while Adele's album took time to grow on me. If I must compare the album's, I'd say that I prefer Sam's over Adele's— even though I believe that Adele's songwriting is generally stronger. Part of what makes In The Lonely Hour is that, although never outright stated in its lyrics, this album is gay. This lyrical vagueness gives Sam's music universal appeal, allowing him to reach audiences that might be turned off by his sexual orientation. In this way, the album subtly demonstrates that the relationship drama and heartache that gay couples experience is no different than that faced by straight couples. In The Lonely Hour is by no means perfect, and a big cause for concern is that a number of its songs feel too short. However, smash hit "Stay With Me," standout ballads "Leave Your Lover" and "Not In That Way," and impending hit "Like I Can" all clock in at three minutes or less, and all are amongst the album's standouts. As much as I love this album, I do hope that Sam will return to the dance pop sound that birthed his career.

Standouts: Leave Your Lover, Not In That Way, Lay Me Down

3. On Lights Out indie pop singer songwriter Ingrid Michaelson frequently flirts with themes of life and death, love and heartbreak, and impermanence and eternity. "Nothing lasts forever, but the sound of love astounds me every time that it calls," she sings on the sweeping "Wonderful Unknown," where she lovingly adds a chant of "in the best way, you'll be the death of me." Her songwriter roots are showcased throughout the album, delivering strong choruses on "Stick" and "Time Machine." The album's most anthemic moment comes with the second single "Afterlife." On the song, Ingrid assures us that "we're gonna be alright" and that "we can live inside of a moment." The song's accompanying video shows Ingrid helping her fans to overcome their fears, from their fear of heights to their fear of coming out. "Afterlife," then, is an ode to living in spite of your fears, and reveling in the fact that you are alive. In a fair world, this will be a huge hit in the coming winter.

Standouts: Afterlife, Wonderful Unknown, Stick

2. Platinum is the fifth studio album of country music's best female superstar, and it marks a career high for Miranda Lambert. Rarely does an album manage to perfectly encompass a performer's persona this well. Title track "Platinum" drips with sass as Miranda sings that she is a "small town girl with compensation." There are feminist messages to a number of songs, including the opening track "Girls," and her trademark feistiness can be found in tracks like the Carrie Underwood duet "Something Bad," which is precisely as its title suggests. Lead single "Automatic" is a contemplative track about nostalgia, while "Old Sh**" is a more humorous song on the same subject. This same humor appears in the excellent "Gravity Is A Bitch." The album's standout may be "Bathroom Sink." The only song Miranda wrote by herself for this album, the track tackles body image issues, as well as her difficult relationship with her mother. Miranda cowrote another seven of the album's songs, meaning that she's credited on exactly half of the album's songs. Not that it matters much; the songwriting here is superb from top to bottom—to the point that there's little reason to complain about the album being overlong. On a final note, Platinum could—and perhaps should—have been my top album of the year because it is, objectively speaking, better than my actual number one.

Standouts: Platinum, Bathroom Sink, Girls

1. On her fifth studio album, Taylor Swift has become the unconquerable pop colossus that she always promised to become. With newfound self-confidence and free of the restraints of the country music genre, Taylor flourishes like never before. It's difficult to select a standout song from an album with so few missteps, but I would select "Out of the Woods" if forced to pick just one. This track perfectly marries her eighties inspiration with contemporary pop sounds, and features her trademark lyrics that are simultaneously strikingly personal and universally relatable. Other album highlights include the album's irresistibly catchy lead single "Shake It Off," the sexy and anthemic "Style," and the soul cleansing Imogen Heap collaboration "Clean" that closes the album. The album's greatest talking point is the nation's current #1 single "Blank Space," another of the album's strongest offerings. This song knowingly plays into the media's misrepresentation of Taylor as a crazy, cold hearted man-eater to great effect. The deluxe edition of the album ends with "New Romantics," which is actually the best song—and biggest anthem—from the album. Read my full review of 1989 here.

Standouts: Out of the Woods, New Romantics, Style, Blank Space, Clean

[gueranegra]

Dolly, Sam, and Taylor . The Lord being at #1 .

[Mezik]

Dolly's album surprised me, I was not expecting to like it so much. Platinum is my favourite Miranda album, it's just so fun and authentic to me and it feels like it's the most comfortable she's ever been. Ingrid is another flawless album!

I'm so shocked 1989 is your number one album.

[gagacasanova]

So didnt see that #1 coming tbh tho, if i did an albums countdown this year, it would be there too.

Good to see Miranda in the top 5! Unfortunately i didnt really like Platinum as i thought I would. I only use 2-4 tracks :/

[Changes]

I love Ingrid

[Gifted]

In The Lonely Hour

Of course, 1989!

[Razzle]

Shocker
Lights Out

[Stark]

In The Lonely Hour and 1989 How unpredictable

[holyground]

In the Lonely Hour

Of course 1989 would be #1 The Lord ha power!

[AshleeSimpsonFan]

I love Sam Smith's music but I haven't listened to his album because I don't like the singles the only one is "Money On My Mind"

I still need to check out "1989" but I like SIO and Blank Space, that's a good start

[SylMacPer]

Sam

Taylor dominating

[Dom]

Shocker, Taylor!

Sam, Dolly

[madonnas]

I expected that #1. I haven't heard the other ones though I think I'd like the Miranda album.

[minho]

Lights Out & 1989!

But for real I can't believe just how incredible 1989 was. I already had high expectations (since its the Lord ofc) but she just exceeded them

[Sunderland 4ever]

1989.

[Red]

Okay, so...have to check out new Dolly and Sam Smith. Sam Smith, in particular, is becoming a recurring theme for me.

[Pedro]

Expected to see Taylor dominating it! I like 1989 but I feel like it could've been even better

[KillingYourCareer]

Omg stan for Miranda Lambert

[josh_923]

In The Lonely Hour and of course 1989 !



Comment on mine, too Thanks

[Achilles.]

Thanks for the comments, everyone!