Top 15 Albums of 2014
Who would have guessed a jazz album from Tony Bennett would end up on my Best Of list
this year? With the flop that the ARTPOP era became, Gaga was looking for a creative outlet that would allow her to be herself. Jazz was always her go-to as a singer, and with her holiday special a few years back it was clear this was a path she would take in life. Cheek to Cheek became a Billboard #1 and reminded us of the true raw talent that Gaga has. Full of standards and classics, the album with Tony Bennett is a gorgeous record perfect to blast to help you unwind, a glass of wine in hand.
Drag queens are known for their hilariously bad and auto-tuned-to-death fluffs of pop music, but every once in a while one comes along with true talent. Adore Delano, who competed on American Idol as Danny Noriega, stormed our TV screens this spring and stole our hearts as the runner-up on RuPaul's Drag Race. This girl is a gem and damn can she sing. Giving us raunchy tunes like 'DTF' and sincere power ballads like 'I Adore You', this album is sonically diverse and showcases Adore's strong voice. Whether you're a fan of drag or not, this album appeals to anyone.
2014 was a year full of surprises, and here's another. Sure the Jonas Brothers I liked for a hot minute, but never did I think I'd be writing about one of their solo efforts. Over the summer the youngest JoBro, Nick, rebranded himself with the sexy lead single 'Chains', and since then he's been dropping his pants and baring his abs while promoting his first solo effort, Nick Jonas. Sure his singles were bops, but then he dropped the album and blew me away. Catchy melodies and solid R&B/pop beats round out a record that I knew would make the end of year lists. He's been dominating radio with 'Jealous' and it looks like shedding his pure image got him where he wanted.
Mariah has suffered a lot of abuse from the media and fans as her vocals have been wavering during live performances a bit too often, but she's still one of the greatest vocalists of our time. Following quite a few recent low-charting albums, Mariah made sure the production and direction of this record was tight, and with Me. I Am Mariah...The Elusive Chanteuse she delivered her strongest album since The Emancipation of Mimi. The record sees her rediscovering her R&B and gospel roots on 'Supernatural' while still going for those huge pop moments like 'You Don't Know What to Do'. But she never lets us forget that she can still hit those whistle notes on 'Camouflage'.
Betty Who lit up the tail-end of 2013 with her debut single 'Somebody Loves You' after it went viral, and then 2014 saw her meteoric rise to success. With the release of her two EPs, Betty began cultivating her signature dreamy synth-pop jams and really defined what the underground pop movement sounded like. Her music has helped direct the overall sound of the biggest artists over the course of the year. The album is full of lush soundscapes and brilliantly crafted pop hooks. She may still be a somewhat underground artist, but 2015 is only going to see her grow and continue to dominate.
When one of the world's biggest pop stars releases an album, it just has to make the Top 10. Kylie Minogue has always been a huge star, but I had never really connected with her until she released her lead single 'Into the Blue' this year. Following that I rediscovered her albums and have been spinning them since the summer. Her album Kiss Me Once may have a few faults, but the orgasmic 'Sexercize' and huge pop hooks on 'Feels So Good' and 'Les Sex' catapulted this album into the top. She may be aging like Madonna, but she's showing the world that she can still craft great pop songs and be on top of her game.
Now, I know I haven't ever posted about this English singer at all here, but now is her time. When FKA twigs dropped her debut LP she became the name on everyone's lips. I quickly listened to a couple songs and decided she wasn't for me. Then I got interested when I saw her death dropping but dismissed her once more. About a week ago I finally put her album on and let myself absorb it, and I'm so glad I did. LP1 is an extraterrestrial piece of art. It's something you have to let wash over you. Held together by barely anything, FKA twigs' breathy vocals and sexual lyrics rumble over the sparse and creepy production. It's an incredible piece of art that takes time to be appreciated, but it's only the beginning for this budding pop star.
This British crooner began taking over the U.K. with his features on 'La La La' and 'Latch', but it was the haunting 'Stay With Me' that captured the hearts of people worldwide and brought him onto radios everywhere. Many call him the male Adele, but he is so much more than that. This out singer has a voice that pierces the soul and makes you quiver in your shoes. His gorgeous melodies and powerful vocals lift you up into worship and also break you down into a pit of despair. His voice is undeniable, and seeing him live in concert was one of the highlights of my year.
Another drag queen, but in this case RuPaul has put out albums for years. This one, however, is the only one that I'd consider worthy of taking a spot in an end of year list. The thing with Ru is that he can experiment and do whatever the hell he wants on an album. Working with producer Lucian Piane, Ru has crafted a magnificent pop album. I've claimed this for years and it still holds true: RuPaul puts out some of the best pop music. His new album is his most personal to date, touching on sensitive topics that pierce the heart like 'Modern Love' or singing with the legend Martha Wash on 'Can I Get An Amen'. There's some '80s throwback, New Orleans bounce, and straight up pop on the highlight of Ru's musical career.
Sia dominated 2014 with her magnificent single 'Chandelier' and it's equally memorable video starring Dance Moms star Maddie Ziegler. She's been one of the most-tapped songwriters of the year with her contributions ending up on almost every major release this year. But Sia was smart and kept some of the gems for herself. Her past albums never really spoke to me, but 1000 Forms of Fear is full of gorgeous pop songs with phenomenal hooks. From the warbling 'Eye of the Needle' to the pounding 'Fire Meet Gasoline', the record is full of hits that showcase her incredible writing skills and her set of boisterous pipes.
Lana became my muse in 2013. In 2014 she established herself as the Queen of Soundtracks with the theme for Maleficent and her new songs for Big Eyes. Teaming up with Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, Lana went for a shift in sound with this record, leaving behind the sweeping orchestra for a gritty '60s psychedelic trip through her rise to fame and abusive relationships. The lead single 'West Coast' earned her critical praise, and as the singles continued with 'Shades of Cool', Ultraviolence became a masterpiece. This is easily the most artistic record of the year and deserves all the praise it can get.
Another surprise for me. Before this summer I absolute hated everything Ariana Grande had to offer. She was just a Mariah wannabe but then came 'Problem' with Iggy. And by the time 'Break Free' came along I was an Arianator. This girl is something special and is the pint-sized diva I can't help but adore. Her album, My Everything, became my everything this year. Featuring the mega-hit 'Love You Harder' and the gorgeous title track, this album is a little slice of R&B with fluffy pop tunes catered to the gay audience that easily won a place in my heart. And she's only getting bigger as time progresses.
Now this is the biggest shock of the year. I have always hated Taylor Swift with a fiery passion and her music disgusted me. Even with the album's lead single 'Shake It Off' I was a hater. But then she released 'Out of the Woods' and I became a stan. I gave in and listened to 1989 and instantly became a convert. Shedding her country roots, Taylor became a bonafide pop starlet with has been enjoying her meteoric rise. Every song on this album is a pure bop, my favorites being the impressive 'Clean' and the insanely catchy 'All You Had to Do Was Stay'. Taylor brings the indie pop sound to this record, and it works perfectly for her. I have been converted.
It's a good thing I waited to write this because Nicki released her third studio album last week and blew me (and the industry) away. The Pinkprint is Nicki's strongest and most personal record to date. The album sees her dip into her personal life like never before and talk about everything that has led to dark moments in her life. The album steers clear of 'Starships' fluff and reminds us that Nicki is the baddest bitch in the game. Her Beyoncé and Ariana collabos give the album their much needed "let your hair down" moments while 'Grand Piano' and 'The Crying Game' let us delve into Nicki's closet. It's raw, real, and powerful. Nicki is on the top of her game and is the true Queen of Rap.
Earlier in the year Tove Lo was only a blip on my radar. The Chainsmokers's remix of 'Habits' initially got me interested in her and then I checked out her EP. I was taken off guard when she finally released her debut Queen of the Clouds but I gave it a listen nevertheless. It's a good thing I did because this record is everything pop music should be. From massive choruses to incredible production, Tove Lo's debut LP is a masterpiece. The supersonic 'Timebomb' and the catchy 'Talking Body' are two standouts among an album chock full of the finest pop melodies out there. She still may be rather unknown, but all the pop divas need to be looking out because Tove Lo is coming to snatch their weaves.
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