My Top Ten of 2015:
TENMadonna - Rebel HeartAh, Madonna. She certainly divides opinion but love her or hate her, she is here to stay and will not be going down without a fight. All these "millenials" having Twitter wars over people like Gaga and Perry don't even acknowledge the Queen of Pop any more and that's sad. She may be well into her 50's but Madonna still has more to offer and age ain't nothing but a number as Madge has proved she's a force to be reckoned with yet again. It's received mixed reviews but I rank Rebel Heart high on Madonna's discography, certainly well above her last 3 efforts anyway. While exploring with current dance trends, the dark, defiant and confessional side to Madonna has returned. There's more depth and personality to this album than her last few releases and although it may not be apparent at first, underneath the pulsating electro layers, it is there. If you're looking for pop bangers then Rebel Heart does contain its dancefloor moments but if you're a fan of the darker 90's Madonna then you'll enjoy this record too as she certainly gives it to us straight on more than one occasion. It slowly unfolds throughout and isn't "instant" but be patient and you'll soon realise that this is a finely crafted, complex but strong album and one of Madonna's best in a long time.
NINEJess Glynne - I Cry When I LaughJess Glynne is one of my favourite artists to emerge over the last year or two. Very rarely do I warm to someone immediately and when I do, I'm all for supporting them all the way. If you can manage to impress me on first listen then you've really achieved something! I first heard Jess on the huge Clean Bandit track, Rather Be. Her soulful, gritty voice is a breath of fresh air among many flash in the pan artists on the radio today. With that killer voice, her house/dance influenced sound and clever lyricism, it's hard to mistake a Jess track for anyone else. She has achieved five number ones in the UK already and that is some mean feat - also very well deserved. Whether it's the simplest of lines or the most complex, Jess delivers in a way that really makes me take in what she's singing about. Her voice is so evocative and I can tell that she's really passionate and believes in what she's singing. It's her ballads, Take Me Home, My Love (Acoustic) and Saddest Vanilla namely, where she shines the most. Jess doesn't need Tinie Tempah, Clean Bandit or Route 94 to succeed. Even stripping away all the deep house beats won't take much away. Just listening to her voice and the stories she's telling is simply enough.
EIGHTDemi Lovato - ConfidentDemi's recently got quite a bit of a backlash regarding this project and I have no idea why. Yes, she's gone through an image change but after years of battling body shaming remarks and going through personal struggles, I'm happy to her being so "confident" in her skin and as an artist. Granted, this is not her best record but it's still a great one in my opinion. Cool for the Summer was probably my song of the summer too. Like that track, the rest of the album packs a punch whether it's in the form of the bad-ass Confident or the deliciously dark sounding Waitin' For You. One thing that remains in tact even through the shift in genre and sexy new wardrobe is Demi's unmistakable voice. The girl can sing and she's not holding back for anyone. I feel like she's still got some more growing and developing to do as an artist. This was marketed as a reinvention and Demi finally finding her sound, which it is in parts but I feel like she still has more to offer. This was her kick start and a new door has opened for her.
SEVENJordin Sparks - Right Here, Right NowI never thought this album would come to fruition. Sparks is without a doubt my favourite Idol contestant (sorry Kelly, sorry JHud). Not many from that show make it across to the UK but thankful Miss Sparks did and blessed us with two amazing albums. Battlefield is one of my all time favourite albums. The power in her voice and the energy and emotion throughout the songs is hard to be rivaled. After delivering one of the best pop songs of the century as well as a killer album, silence fell. Now, signed to a new, smaller label and six years down the line, Jordin is back and it's a very welcomed return. Going for a more grown-up sound and image was something I didn't expect from Jordin. She was always this sweet little girl with the powerful voice. Next thing I know she's singing "you gotta let me know that you won't double tap that hoe". It surprisingly works for her, coming across as more sultry and comfortable than oversexed and forced. This record is a total 90's R&B throwback. Influences of Aaliyah can definitely be heard and if you can imagine 1997, 28 year old Butterfly era Mariah Carey releasing an album today...that's what it sounds like. It's the best way to describe it.
SIXAlesha Dixon - Do It For LoveAnother record I thought would never see the light of day. After her third album went unappreciated and tanked in the charts, Alesha was dropped and parted ways from her entire team. This was back in 2010 and it seemed like nothing was going to happen. During her Mis-Teeq days and her 3rd album, she showcased her hard urban British edge, infusing elements of garage music, British hip-hop and dance as well as my beloved grime. She is a rarity, especially in the British music field. Not many British acts can blend pop and grime well - just look at Dappy, Tulisa etc. Do It For Love has an overall upbeat feel to it and is a total triumph. Dixon released this on her own, small independent label and has gone back to her garage roots. This album for "done for the love of music" and I salute that. Many "artists" who get kicked to the curb end up doing reality TV or a billion other non music related projects just to stay in the limelight. It's all about the music for Miss Dixon though, strong sales and label or not.
FIVEHilary Duff - Breathe In. Breathe Out.I was more a fan of Hilary's acting career as a child than her music. I was always aware that she made music and knew of a couple of songs which were quite good but I never really got into her music until around 2011/12 when I was exploring online and gave Dignity a spin. I thought it was a solid effort and was curious to hear her next album, if she ever made one. Fast forward all these years and what was once just curiosity is now an obsession. I am in love with B.I.B.O. I think it's the right proportion of mainstream pop to attract new listeners without totally selling out and venturing too far into that whole dance/dubstep nonsense, isolating her older fans. The production is crisp and pristine, complimenting Hilary's soft voice perfectly. She doesn't have a bad voice but it's not the strongest so she cleverly sticks to her lane and executes what she does best. I recommend the songs My Kind, One in a Million and the sublime Breathe In, Breathe Out.
FOUREllie Goulding - DeliriumI am in love with this album and a growing supporter of Ellie now that she's just held her hands up and admitted she just wanted to make a big pop album. On Halcyon Days, I could see traces of a pop star just waiting to burst out. I admired her unique style before this record and was a fan of many songs but her albums always had one too many dud tracks for my liking. I'm not saying you have to become commercial for me to like you, there still has to be something special that draws me in. While this is more radio friendly than her previous efforts, Ellie's songwriting style, unique delivery and slightly left field production are all still evident on this record. It just feels a lot more polished and consistent than Lights, Bright Lights, Halcyon and Halcyon Days. The album is worth it for Don't Panic alone which is one of my favourite pop records of the year.
THREEFleur East - Love, Sax & FlashbacksHow she lost The X Factor to that Ben guy, I'll never know. In a way, I am glad she didn't win. For a start she wouldn't have to release that dire, obligatory winning single and wouldn't be constantly compared to other winners in terms of success. Her Uptown Funk performance was iconic and even made me like the song after initially hating it at first. Like Fleur herself, this album is loud, upbeat, lots of fun and carefree. Blaring brass instruments all over the place, catchy hooks in every crevice and big vocals smacking you around the face, it really is an album that NEEDS to be turned up and danced to. It doesn't try to be something that it's not and I love that about the album. Sometimes we just need to shake our ass to tracks like Sax, Baby Don't Dance and More & More.
TWOCarly Rae Jepsen - Eβ’MOβ’TIONNow this is how you do pop. A lot of artists have been experimenting with a 1980's inspired sound lately but nobody has managed to do it just as well as Jeppo. It doesn't borrow from the 80's, it IS the 80's. Very raw sounding in places and rarely sticks to current pop song trends, making this a very unique album and fascinating listening experience. Don't let the lead single I Really Like You throw you off, that is probably the only "bubblegum" moment on here. If you've heard the singles Run Away With Me and Your Type, that's the vibe throughout the rest of the record. I didn't think she'd be able to top KISS but she certainly did and then some! It manages to pack in hook after hook without coming across as generic and even though it's a pop album, it definitely has a personality and character of its own.
ONEOne Direction - Made in the A.M.Yes, I know, second year in a row that they've topped my list and I'm a massive fan so it was probably expected but this is a very special record and I'm not just putting it first "bc 1D". This will be their last album for a while and it's going to be hard adjusting to them not churning out a record every year but this is a solid send off to my favourite boy band of all time. They had a lot to prove with Made In The A.M. as it was their first without that other guy who left. Zach or something. They certainly delivered and proved that they didn't need to be five piece in order to succeed. They grow with every record, pushing themselves as songwriters and steering away from the radio friendly pop heard on their debut. I love hearing the transition through each album and every year they sound a lot more confident and polished than the one before. Highlights include; Drag Me Down, Perfect, Infinity, History, Love You Goodbye....the whole album, actually. Oh and Louis hitting that high note on Love You Goodbye. Haters, see you later
Honorable Mentions:Janet Jackson - UnbreakableIt's wonderful to have Janet back. The last record, minus the compilation, was back in 2008 and then nothing. A tour and few other non-musical projects followed but it seemed like we were never going to get that 11th studio album. I'm not sure what went on behind the scenes as Janet is a very private person but I was gutted knowing that a follow up to the much loved Discipline may never happen. This album certainly delivered and although I don't rank it as high as her previous effort, it was a great return to form. The track BURNITUP! is one of my favourites of the year.
Kylie Minogue - Kylie ChristmasAh, the lovely little Miss Minogue. I can never fault Kylie. True pop royalty and such a sweetheart too. I'm very selective when it comes to Christmas music. I either love it or despise it. Being a Kylie record, I was going to support it regardless and I'm glad I picked up a copy of the deluxe edition with extra songs. I just can't get enough of it! It's like a Christmas record meets a glittery, sparkling pop affair. Just the right balance of festive cheer with catchy pop hooks, making it a very enjoyable listen and unique holiday album.
The Wonder Girls - RebootWhen I heard that the girls were returning I was overjoyed. I'm not a massive K-Pop fan but I've always had a soft spot for The Wonder Girls. I was a little bit apprehensive when I learned that Sunye, my favourite member and best singer in my opinion, would not be returning for the reunion. Sohee also dropped out but I could always live without her. The remaining 3 girls reunited with blast from the bast former member Sunmi and delivered a "banging" album as they say. Full of cleverly crafted, unapologetic 80's pop inspired numbers with a brand new look, the album era took a risk to go for so many drastic changes all at once but it certainly paid off.
Mariah Carey - #1 to InfinityMariah is one of my all time favourites. Despite many personal struggles she's still soldiering on and it's nice to see her looking healthier and happier. This is one of my most played albums this year. It contains all of Mariah's biggest hits which I can recite in a heartbeat plus the latest single, Infinity, which is a welcomed addition to her discography. Only reason it isn't in my top ten is due to the fact that it's a compilation. Still, a fantastic and rather essential album to own. Can't wait for her tour next year!
Miley Cyrus - Miley Cyrus & Her Dead PetzThis is not my usual cup of tea. I'm a huge fan of Miley. I love that she just doesn't care and although I would have liked a proper full studio follow up to the brilliant Bangerz, I admire that she went for something totally different and rather odd this time around. The majority of these songs are just plain weird, not bad at all, just rather...odd, so I don't find myself singing along to them throughout the day and due to its harsh sounds in places, it's one I have to be in the mood for to listen to. Still, kudos to Miley for being brave enough to release something like this.
Leona Lewis - I AmI love Leona and this album is a good one but not top ten of the year material, I'm afraid. There are no bad songs on here and Leona sounds as great as ever. It just feels rather lacklustre after the hype surrounding her move to a new label and banging on about being free to record whatever she wants. It doesn't quite hit the spot like her previous albums which I love. Topping Glassheart was always going to be hard though. Still, a fab collection of songs and it's nice to see her back.
Selena Gomez - Revival Now I have to start off by saying that I don't actually like this album. No big surprise as I'm not exactly Gomez's biggest fun but I do have to highlight that there is a song on here that I do enjoy, Sober. I think it's a really great pop song that would be better if someone else had sung it. I've never liked anything she's released in the past but I found myself enjoying a song on the album so it is a step up and thought it should be mentioned.
