POP PILGRIM'S TOP 30 SONGS OF 2014

Ah pop music was good in 2014 wasn't it? The latter quarter didn't really offer anything particularly revolutionary other than an amazing collaboration between Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars (not in the countdown although it should be shouldn't it?) and of course amazing future popstar Fleur East who will no doubt become huge in the coming year(s). However, the early to middle parts of 2014 contained some pretty incredible stuff. Katy B had her biggest hit to date. Ella Eyre hit the top 15 without a DJ holding her hand. Taylor Swift made a spectacular comeback, almost pipping Britney Spears' Oops! I Did It Again for the highest first week sales of all time by a female artist (she lost out by like 8000 copies or so). There were huge hits from Ella Henderson, One Direction, and Jessie J. There were also career takeoffs from the likes of Iggy Azalea who had Rita Ora clinging on for dear life, British singer of lovely song Sam Smith who couldn't let go of his one night fumble (could be about a bag of chips after a night out) and of course teeny tiny Ariana Grande who is older than anyone thought making many men feel a lot less guilty about their sordid fantasies. 

This year's countdown is from 30 to 1. I've gone for 30 this year because when I tried to do 25 again I struggled like Lindsay Lohan in Boots Pharmacy. So many great songs didn't make it through no fault of their own. Well, if they'd been a bit better then sure they'd have made it, so it is their own fault really. I'm sure there will be some controversy in here. If you have a complaint about a song not being here or not being placed high enough or too high then please send this grievance to poppilgrim@couldntgiveafck.com. Enjoy!

30

Ella Eyre - Comeback

At 20 years old she's featured on Rudimental's behemoth number one 'Waiting All Night', collaborated with Naughty Boy and Wiz Khalifa, cowritten 'Changing' by Sigma and Paloma Faith and won a MOBO award. Not bad going. I've only got a few silvers from my primary school sports days and writing credits include, well, everything on this blog. Anyway, her third (but really first because I can't recall the other two) solo single 'Comeback' launched to number 12 in September. It's a thumping pop track with a retro soul vibe and an enormous singalong chorus. 

29

Katy B - Crying For No Reason

Katy's sophomore album Little Red didn't get the same rush of applause her debut On A Mission received. It's not a bad album, it just lacked the punch of her first outing. That being said, it did offer it's own fair share of brilliance. '5 AM', a wonderful, heady dance number and of course the album track 'Aaliyah' which featured Jessie Ware, was the strongest song on offer. In the spirit of keeping this countdown about singles, I have to relegate the wonderful 'Aaliyah' and opt for another amazing song 'Crying For No Reason'. This is kind of a 'cool' power ballad with an escalating arrangement which erupts in the final chorus with thudding synths and an array of electronic bleeps and shudders. It proved to be Katy's biggest single success to date and is the most emotive and vocally powerful she's ever sounded. Now, back to 'Aaliyah'. 

28

Indiana - Heart On Fire

Her debut single 'Solo Dancing' hit number 14 in 2014. An array of synth shakes and rumbles below a half-spoken vocal arrangement, the song proved a hit with the more 'alternative' radio listeners out there. However, the follow up 'Heart On Fire' is where the magic happens and if this song were two people, sparks would fly. Things start of slow but once the chorus kicks in, an uptempo marvel is unveiled and the vocals burst into a sumptuous falsetto that sticks in your head for days. If British pop continues on this track we're in for a treat.

27

Kiesza - Hideaway

Not many had heard of Canadian born Kiesza before her debut single shot to number one in April. It's a solid debut, establishing her sound as a 90s dance influenced electro-pop artist. Her throaty vocals couldn't be more distinct and the trend continues on the follow up single 'Giant In My Heart', which is also brilliant. How enjoyable a full album with her vocal tones would be, I am yet to discover. However, Kiesza couldn't have burst onto the scene with a more infectious, well produced track than 'Hideaway' and it looks like in ten years it'll be an Ibiza classic, propelling people to make involuntary pops and slides.

26

Foxes - Let Go For Tonight

You may not know this but Louisa Rose Allen AKA Foxes was the featured vocalist on Zedd's hit single 'Clarity' in 2013. Her second solo single became her biggest hit to date, 'Let Go For Tonight' is an upbeat, exhilarating pop ride with a gorgeous piano intro followed by an escalating pre-chorus. It's that chorus that pulls you in though, an explosion of electronic synths, keys and a stunning vocal performance as Foxes questions "Let love in your life baby, Who needs sleep tonight?". It's wonderful and whether she can trump this release remains to be seen, but for now let's just soak up the awesomeness. 

Katy B - Little Red Review

Wonder if she got hold of that Valium?

Katy B's debut album On a Mission was Mercury nominated, reached #2 on the UK album charts, and was bloody brilliant. Layers of dubstep, dance, funky soul and electronic synths merged with her emotive, smooth vocals to create an album with gorgeous flow and immense quality. It's been 3 years since she launched herself onto the commercial music scene and now she's back with sophomore album Little Red. 

This moment in an artist's career is often cited as the 'difficult' second album. 'Second album syndrome' has poisoned the endeavors of so many in the past, but thankfully in Katy B's case she's managed to retain immunity. Little Red is packed with joyous moments of dance production perfection, along with the dub step elements that made her debut so successful. 

Lead single 5AM is one of the year's slickest, most exciting dance tunes, with an exhilarating chorus, gorgeous production from On a Mission's producer Geeneus and stunning vocals. In a musical battlefield where artists are sharpening and reloading their dance song armory, trying to maintain their foothold in the charts and keep their bank balances topped up, Little Red is a veritable rocket launcher and Katy is wiping out her competition. Opening track Next Thing and cuts I Like You, Emotions & Aaliyah (feat Jessie Ware) are all heady dance floor fillers. Jessie Ware collaboration Aaliyah is a wonderful foray into easy-going, hip-swaying dance music brimming with sumptuous vocals from both B & Ware, layered over syncopated synths; a song where both ladies plead with Aaliyah not to try and take their men. Emotions reaches its crescendo in its final moments, going from mid tempo pleasantry to exhilarating dance number. It's not all 'newish' territory though, Little Red doesn't shy from the sound of On a Mission. All My Lovin' is bursting with thick beats, dub step electro quivers and echoes.

Balladry isn't something expected from an artist like Katy B, but on Little Red she's certainly surprised everyone with Crying For No Reason. It's a gorgeous vocal led number with a minimalist synth and key arrangement that ups tempo after the first chorus. The hooks continue with Still, another down tempo love song showcasing how affecting her voice actually is.

Overall Little Red is a fantastic second album. If it's not quite 'your thing' it could prove difficult to get into on first listen but give it a second go and you'll change your mind. With songs like CFNR, 5AM & Aaliyah there's no denying the immense quality available here. It's a step forward from her dub step beginnings and yes it's more commercially friendly, but it has to be respected that she hasn't let go of her On a Mission days quite yet. It's all about awesome dance production, great song writing and lovely vocals here.

4.5/5

Rated i's Top 25 Songs of 2013

                    

http://open.spotify.com/user/primitive_/playlist/7JR93Xu9k1Ofy6YecbwL18

It's almost the end of another bloody year which means a new year is upon us and it will be filled with new, hopefully amazing music. It would be silly to go into 2014 without looking back at the best pop moments from the past 12 months. 2013 saw the release of a new Lady Gaga album, ARTPOP, which wasn't very good but created a lot of excitement all the same. We also got a new Katy Perry album in the shape of Prism and it wasn't perfect, but it was nice to have her back. There has been great new music from UK babe Katy B, proving that sticking to what you're good at can be a good thing. JT also rose from the pop ashes with a hugely successful album and equally as popular singles. Leona Lewis even out right some wrongs with a superb Christmas album! It's almost too much to take in!

The year didn't just have plenty for 'pop' fans, there have also been plenty of brilliant, slightly more 'alternative' tracks/albums. VV Brown made a comeback with the surprisingly incredible Samson & Delilah. Kanye West kept rap fans happy with his new album Yeezus which contains elements of punk-rap and newcomers HAIM proved that playing your own instruments and writing your own 
alt-pop songs is still cool and can produce amazing results.

The big news though, you know what's coming, was the surprise release of Beyoncé's 5th studio album Beyoncé. It turned out to be a surprise in more ways than one and is her best album to date (fact). If it had come out a few weeks earlier I would have included a couple of the songs on here because they really are that good, but it wouldn't be fair so late in the year and so close to the publishing of this post. So, Beyoncé, release some amazing cuts next year and you will surely find yourself on this list.

Kick back and have a read through my top 25 singles from 2013. There may be some surprises in there, there may not. We know MKS are going to fare well don't we? Here we go:

                   

TWENTYFIVE. Heart Attack - Demi Lovato    

A far cry from the antics of Miley, Demi Lovato maintained pure pop in 2013 and gained herself some new fans in the process. Brilliant track Heart Attack hooked thousands when it came out earlier this year, with its heaving pop production and catchy lyrics. It was just what the charts needed, frivolous pop fun from a well respected vocalist.

TWENTYFOUR. You (Ha ha ha) - Charli XCX         

She's not very well known at all bar a credit on Icona Pop's mammoth hit I love It. She does have an album of her own though and it's quite good. You is one of the quirkiest tracks from the album, sampling Gold Panda's eastern sitar arrangement to add a bit more flavour to her electronic synth stylings. This is begging for a club spin.

TWENTYTHREE. Can't Hold Us - Macklemore ft Ryan Lewis 

His second single from The Heist, this is a Brazilian flavoured, dance floor filling extravaganza that is literally impossible to resist. It's not as tongue in cheek as Thrift Shop but what it lacks in humour it makes up for with sheer ass shaking genius.            

TWENTYTWO. Thunder - Jessie J

Jessie J came back in 2013 with her second album Alive, releasing new hit singles Wild and It's My Party. She decided for a third single though that she'd prove her new album isn't all about being famous and being amazing. Thunder is a thumping pop anthem with some of the best vocals of her career on the best song of her career so far (bar Domino).               

TWENTYONE. The Apple - VV Brown 

This is one of those songs that will struggle because the artist it's attached to has a minimal public profile. It's the most commercial cut from her new concept album Samson & Delilah but retains enough 'alternative' flavour to keep the snobs happy. With its heaving beats and synths, along with an opera inspired vocal, this won't grab everyone at first but give it a chance and you'll find yourself very surprised.

TWENTY. I Love It - Icona Pop       

A kinda surprise number 1 in the UK, I love It put this dj duo on the pop map. It opens with a standout ignition riff that repeats throughout the song and bursts into a roaring, chanting chorus about throwing someone's "shit down the stairs". Now that is stuff, not actual shit... I think? It's doubtful they could ever match the success of this single. It could be a trip to the one hit wonder hall of fame for these ladies.

NINETEEN. Black Skinhead - Kanye West

It's the only time you'll get some solid punk-rap in 2013. It opens sounding a bit like a Marylin Manson track before erupting into an aggressive race rap. I love it and I am not a Kanye West fan. He might be a dick but the guy sure does know his way around a recording studio. Now, to erase Bound 2 from my mind.

EIGHTEEN. Hold On, We're Going Home - Drake       

Drake could have struggled to match the awesomeness of Take Care but thankfully he didn't. This is an incredible R&B dance track and it's actually quite beautiful to behold. Drake shows off his actual singing/not rapping talent and his voice sounds pretty nice. This song shows exactly why people like Rihanna and Beyoncé want him on their albums. 

SEVENTEEN. 5am - Katy B     

5am is the second cut from her new album Little Red. It reinforces the promise made by the lead single What Love Is Made of, with gorgeous dance production and wonderful vocal control throughout. It's another should have been top ten song, but we can at least rest assured that Katy is still writing brilliant music. Just wait till you hit the chorus, wow.

SIXTEEN. Blurred Lines - Robin Thicke ft. Pharrell  
Controversy aside, Blurred Lines is a damn well constructed song with a disco-R&B sound. It won't inspire any positive response from feminists, but it's so catchy I defy even the haters of the track's controversial lyricism not to sing along. It's the biggest selling song of the year, so it must be pleasing someone. "Everybody get up!"

Rated: Katy B - 5am

After the incredible 'What Love is Made of' failed to trail blaze across the charts, things are looking a bit brighter for Katy B's new single '5am'. It's picking up heavy airplay on commercial radio stations and it's also very good. It's more mellow than its predecessor, with softer beats and a pulsating electronic arrangement. It's what she does best, easy but clever lyricism and digestible dance beats. If this is the pattern that her second album Danger will follow then it looks set to be bloody great.

4/5

Rated: Katy B - What Love Is Made Of

It's been a while since I posted... apologies if you thought I was dead or something. Hi - I'm back! So what better way to celebrate than with an amazing new track from funky dub step princess Katy B. Her new single is long overdue, following on from her incredible debut album On a Mission which included some bloody brilliant tracks (Title track, Broken Record, Lights On - to name a few). Hoping to bag herself her first number 1, she's releasing 'What Love is Made of'.

This is a smooth house track, with a gorgeously constructed chorus and soft beat production. Compared to some of the harder tracks from her debut, this is pretty tame. She gets lyrical about a man with her soulful, gentle vocals, whilst maintaining perfect control throughout. There are no gimmicks here, just great music from a great contemporary female British artiste. 

5/5