Honorable MentionsNeon Jungle - Welcome To The Jungle: I'm very fussy when it comes to girl groups. Some I adore and keep close to my heart (Sugababes/MKS, The Saturdays, En Vogue) and others I just want to throw in the bin (Girls Aloud, Fifth Harmony, Stooshe). These girls have an edge though and while the album didn't show their creativity as songwriters nor blow my mind with any lyrics, it was very edgy for a girl group and packed with stomping singles.
Highlights: Louder, Bad Man, Braveheart, Can't Stop The Love, Welcome To The Jungle
Low points: Sleepless In London
Nina Nesbitt - Peroxide (Deluxe): Not really my usual cup of tea but Nina has such charm that I couldn't ignore. There's a real warmth to her music and I'd buy the album just for "Selfies" and "The Outcome" alone. This album was also released at a very unsettling time in my life and while it will always remind me of it, the record was one thing that put a smile on my face back in early 2014. Oh and she's Scottish so an extra 100 points!
Highlights: Selfies, The Outcome, The People, Mr C, Hold You, Stay Out
Low points: Align, 18 Candles
Paloma Faith - A Perfect Contradiction: Such a beautiful album by such an underrated lyricist and vocalist. Paloma is a star and there's no doubt about it. Nobody can touch her or try to make her into something she's not. I adore her artistry. Wasn't sure about the lead single but the rest of the record won me over.
Highlights: Only Love Can Hurt Like This, Trouble With My Baby, It's The Not Kowing
Low points: Can't Rely On You
Lucy Hale - Road Between (Deluxe): I never thought I'd fall in love with a country album but Lucy won me over. If someone else released this I'd probably despise the record but something about Lucy just draws me in. There's an innocence and real warmth to the record. I can tell she was just smiling all the way through recording. It really lifts me up. I even imported this from the US months before it was released here!
Highlights: You Sound Good To Me, From The Backseat, Road Between, Nervous Girls
Low points: That's What I Call Crazy
Lea Michele - Louder: Amazing voice? Check. Feisty edge? Check. Pop sensibilities? Check? Sia writing credits? Check. I'm not a fan of Glee and I actually hate the show so I'm not being biased here. I found out she was releasing an album via oone of PopJustice's posts and it was the fact that my beloved Sia wrote the lead single that made me give her a spin. I'm glad I did. Lea has a new fan. It has edge, it has power, it makes me feel elated and can also have me deep in thought. I see it as a hybrid of a Demi Lovato and Katy Perry (pre-horrible PRISM) album with some JoJo chucked into the mix. Hopefully we see her grow on album two.
Highlights: Cannonball, On My Way, Battlefield, If You Say So
Low points: You're Mine, Burn With You
G.R.L - G.R.L [EP]: I decided not to include EP's and compilations in my top ten. If I did this one would surely be top five at least. Only five songs but they are cracking little pop gems. Ugly Heart is by far one of my favourite pop songs of the year while Rewind captures a great R&B throwback feel and Don't Talk About Love, while I was unsure at first, is a real statement for a "pop" girl group. Lauren's voice isn't my favourite sound though and unfortunately my favourite and most talented member (imo) Simone Battle passed away this year. With this sound and line-up they had a lot of potential.
Highlights: Ugly Heart, Show Me What You Got, Rewind, Don't Talk About Love
Low points: Girls Are Always Right < Still good but weak compared to the rest
The Saturdays - Finest Selection: The Greatest Hits: I love The Saturdays. They are just so upbeat, uplifting and good old fashioned, straight up pop. I even adore them as individuals and really do see a bond between the girls which makes me warm to them even more. This album is packed with all of their singles plus two bonus songs and it's well worth the purchase for anyone looking to get into their music. Their studio album do tend to have a bulk of filler but their singles never fail to impress so this collection is just like one big non-stop pop fest!
Highlights: All
Low points: None
Pixie Lott - Platinum Pixie - Hits: Ugh, can I just be her!? I love Pixie. She has an outstanding voice, really found who she is as an artist, so lovely and humble and doesn't cause a fuss at all. This collection revisits the majority of her hit singles and some standout recordings of her career. Being a huge "Crazy Cat" it's yet another album I can listen to from start to finish. Probably biased but I don't think she's ever recorded a bad song. I do think the tracklisting needs a shake up though. What Do You Take Me For? and Lay Me Down, two extremely catchy singles are not included yet two canceled singles make an appearance, a Jackie Wilson cover, a Christmas song and a Kings of Leon cover appear. I can understand their inclusion as they are great standout Pixie moments but the two omitted singles make more of an impression than those five "odd" inclusions I highlighted.
Highlights: All singles
Low points: No "bad" songs but the Christmas song & Jackie Wilson cover is so out of place.
Jennifer Hudson - JHUD: At first I wasn't sure about the album at all. I never know where I'll stand with Jennifer. Her voice is always incredible, that's a given but each album era is always very different. Her first album spawned my favourite singles but the record itself fell flat. The second LP had patchy single choices but the record as a whole was a breath of fresh air and one I could more or less listen to all the way through. JHUD got off to a rocky start on first listen. At first I thought it was bland but over time I released it is a rather bold move to make at this point in her career and I do think that these 70's disco inspired tracks really do suit her voice. I think Miss Hudson has found her niche. Could do with a little more life and flare but overall, a pleasing listen.
Highlights: Dangerous, I Can't Describe, Walk It Out, Say It
Low points: It's Your World
Jessie J - Sweet Talker (Deluxe): This is a tricky one. If you know me, you know I love Jessie. I'd defend her to the grave but this album has a lot of low points. There are a bunch of fillers on here and this is my least favourite Jessie record to date. It lacks personality and seems like a blatant attempt to just break the US market and watch the coins come in. For the first time, she doesn't have a writing credit on the album and it shows. It lacks character. HOWEVER, it's high points really do redeem it and save it from falling into the disappointment category. Bang Bang, Masterpiece, Ain't Been Done, Get Away, Said Too Much, Your Loss I'm Found and You Don't Really Know Me are fantastic and should have been included on an album filled with five more songs that were actually written by Jessie and put on the shelves. The final product is patchy with really high highs and very low lows. I can still jam to a bulk of it though.
: Ain't Been Done, Bang Bang, Strip, Masterpiece, Said Too Much, Get Away
Low points: Fire, Loud, Sweet Talker, Seal Me With A Kiss
Mariah Carey - Me. I Am Mariah...The Elusive Chanteuse: Miss Carey returned to music this year with her latest offering full length studio album since 2009's Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel. I knew this album wouldn't sell well as it had been delayed multiple times, people grew tired, Mariah isn't in the best place right now and there was no real "hit" single to launch it but I was intrigued to hear what she had been working on. This album doesn't really have a bold statement but she does sound comfortable, confident and was clearly in love when making this record and it shows. There are some beautiful songs on here I felt like it captured her musical presence and artistry again unlike 2009's Memoirs which was kind of flat and I still don't really see it's purpose. Not her best album but a triumph considering her past year and at least I know she hasn't lost her touch creatively.
Highlights: #Beautiful, Faded, You're Mine (Eternal), Thirsty, Meteorite.
Low points: Supernatural, One More Try
Lily Allen - Sheezus: A lot of people say they were disappointed by the record but I totally disagree. Sure, the label pushed for the more pop oriented songs to be released as the singles but even they have the quirky Lily spark. It's exactly the sort of stuff I imagine Lily Allen to release in 2014. Of course it's going to have up to date influences but it's not as if she's went full on dubstep or anything. The writing is still witty and her opinions expressed and observations made on the record are still as strong and shar as ever. There are a few dull moments but they are forgivable if you take the rest of the content into account. It does genre hop a lot though so I cannot say it's consistent. It may seem like she's musically confused but I believe the sons sound that way for a reason. It's how she wanted them to be portrayed and heard.
Highlights: Our Time, Hard Out Here, URL Badman, Air Balloon
Low points: As Long As I Got You, Close Your Eyes
Disappointments5 Seconds of Summer - 5 Seconds of Summer: I wish they'd accept that their not very punk pop and just focus on pop/rock. Yeah, even I've said something negative about a group of cute young boys who sing (check outside because there might actually be pigs flying around a blue moon). She Looks So Perfect is a brilliant POP song in my opinion. It's catchy and the production is top-notch. Don't Stop also grew on me and is again another catchy pop rock record. On the rest of the album though it just sounds like they're trying to hard to be something....well something they aren't very good at, I'm afraid. They are nice boys, good live performers it's just that they seem to be forcing an image upon themselves and it's just not sticking. Also feel sorry for them because their fans are like malignant tumours.
Highlights: She Looks So Perfect, Don't Stop
Low points: Rest of the album
Jennifer Lopez - A.K.A: I do love J.Lo. She's a brilliant entertainer, still in immaculate shape, has a back catalogue of outstanding songs and is one of the best performers today. She can still put on a show. This album just disappoints me though. I don't hate it and I still listen to the songs I like from it but I found it to be filled with a lot of duds and it just seemed like a forced attempt to get back to her urban style - something which she used to pull off so flawlessly. I love urban Jenny and I love dance Jenny so whichever sound she chooses to do next I'll still be listening and supporting but has no personality which really surprises me.
Highlights: First Love, Never Satisfied, Booty
Low points: A.K.A, Acting Like That, Worry No More, So Good
Nicki Minaj - The Pinkprint: I am not really a fan of Nicki but I do think she has a bunch of catchy songs. I bought her second album and it's repackaged version and I've heard a lot of people say that that era was her "worst" and that she shouldn't have ventured into dance music. I think I enjoyed it because I see her as more of a pop act. Something you can listen to just to put you in a good mood. I can't take her seriously as a legit rapper because I just find her very repetitive. This album was played at work on its week of release and it didn't make my shifts more enjoyable. I was interested at first when I heard Pills n Potions which I do like but then the rest followed and I stuffed my ears.
Highlights: Pills n Potions, Get on Your Knees (because Ariana)
Low points: The rest of the album
Cheryl - Only Human (Deluxe): Like Nicki, I can't say that I'm a real fan. I won this album as part of a competition but didn't really complain. I'm a bit of a collector so if I like even one song I'll buy the album (only when it goes waaaay down in price though). I don't like her personally and think she was the worst singer in Girls Aloud. How she became the most successful I'll never know. She does have a handful of catchy tunes though (Fight For This Love, Parachute & Call My Name) but she's never consistent. 1st era was OK, 2nd was bad, third was her best and this one...dreadful! Her voice sounds weaker than ever. I know autotune has helped her voice on past albums but it can't save it here. It just sounds tired and strained, making it a painful listen at times. There are no standout hits here, it's all very middle of the road. The production sounds weak and tinny throughout too. I don't know what went on because she actually showed promise on her third offering, A Million Lights.
Highlights: Throwback, Firecracker (if other people were singing them)
Low points: The rest of the album - especially that dire lead single!
Nicole Scherzinger - Big Fat Lie: Oh, Nicole! She has a vibrant personality, a stunning set of vocals, looks and a figure to die for so why is she not making waves as a solo act? Well if you asked me that during her first album era I would have went on a rant about how underrated she was but with Big Fat Lie it just seems like she and her team have just lost all interest an thrown this together just to get her closer to the end of her contract. Inspired by Janet's "The Velvet Rope", I can hear the influences and what she was trying to do and there are many glimmers of hope but for the majority of the album it just seems halfhearted and a own brand version of a Janet record. The highlighted songs below though really are brilliant and it's a shame they'll probably sink without a trace like the rest of this bland record. It was a brave move and I commend her for trying something new but it's back to the drawing board for album number three, love.
Highlights: On The Rocks, Run, Electric Blue, Big Fat Lie
Low points: Bang, Just a Girl, First Time
BrownSugar's Top 10
10. Iggy Azalea - The New Classic/ReclassifiedNow I'm not really big on rap but there is just something very appealing about Iggy. I know she isn't the best rapper in the world but there's something unique about her that I can't quite put my finger on. Maybe being a white Australian female gives her this edge and air of mystery surrounding her. It's weird knowing that her name is on everyone's lips and she's had all of this success when I remember listening to her Ignorant Art mixtape when it first dropped. I knew she had to go places and for a while I was worried that she wasn't even going to get this album out. There is a clear pop/hip-hop crossover throughout which makes it more accessible to a wider audience and in my opinion, makes it a more enjoyable listen. I'm combining all tracks from The New Classic & Reclassified just so you know. I think what I like most about Iggy is that I actually enjoy her rapping. It's clear, catchy and enjoyable. That's what makes her a big name in her own right. There are tonnes of many rap songs with featured artists on the chorus and more often than not, the songs only do well because of the feature. I think that Iggy's raps are just as memorable and if not better than the pop hooks incorporated throughout her songs. I'm curious to see what she brings to the table in 2015.
Highlights: Work, Change Your Life, Iggy SZN, Black Widow, Fuck Love
Low points: Don't Need Y'all, New Bitch, Charli's part in Fancy (her voice irritates me on a new level)
9. Ariana Grande - My Everything (Deluxe)Lovely little Ari. Well I have a meet and greet with her next year so she better be lovely! Like Iggy, it's weird seeing her being the star she is now. I knew of her through Victorious which my sisters watched religiously after school and I enjoyed Put Your Hearts Up. Also, with her being used as Eilidh on here she was kind of hard to escape and I developed a soft spot for her. Grande's first record had me hooked but as much as I liked it and love her, I could see where the Mariah comparisons were coming from. It's the sound she really wanted to do but I did think it was a carbon copy of a 90's Carey record in places which isn't a bad thing. On My Everything, however, she has found her own style and fused many genres and musical influences to create this glittery pop affair. It contains the smash hit Problem which in my eyes is just one of the best pop songs I've ever heard. It just ticks all the boxes for me. It's clearly made to be more mainstream than her first and I do think this was the labels idea more than Ariana's but she sounds comfortable and confident throughout. Oh and maybe I've just got excellent hearing but I feel like I'm the only one who understand everything she says. I don't know what the issue is :/
Highlights: Problem, Love Me Harder, Break Free, Best Mistake, Just A Little Bit of Your Heart
Low points: Hands On Me, Be My Baby
8. Ashley Roberts - Butterfly EffectI'm so proud of Ashley. When The Pussycat Dolls split I wondered what would happen to the rest of them besides Nicole. I knew Scherzinger would obviously venture off into a solo career but for the other girls who were shunted from the spotlight, I was intrigued as to what they'd do next and to who they actually are as artists. Since the split, all members have either released a few singles, been a featured artist, released a mixtape and so on but all attempts at a full album release have failed apart from Nicole. They've either been dropped or scrapped the project fifty times over. I was delighted when Ashley finally broke out, released some singles and slapped this stunning album on the shelves. She doesn't have the strongest voice but there's a lot of emotion and conviction behind it which is a major selling point. This album was done on half the budget of Nicole's "Big Fat Lie" yet completely trumps it. Roberts' personality shines through and she really shows promise as an artist. Ashley knows what she wants to do and is nailing it. Gutted that her first single "Yesterday" isn't on it as the song would fit right in but nonetheless, it is a beautiful album that sadly missed the charts and went by unnoticed and unappreciated.
Highlights: All In A Day, My Song, Lonely Nights (Hey You), Clockwork
Low points: Standing In The Rain, Woman Up
7. Kylie Minogue - Kiss Me Once (Deluxe)Like Lea Michele and Nina Nesbitt's debut albums, Kiss Me Once was released in early 2014 and during a very dramatic point in my personal life so this record and it's release will always stick in my mind and one I hold close to my heart for cheering me up through it all. Kylie is without a doubt pop royalty. She might not be a household name across the states but with 26 years in the industry under her belt I think her career is still in safe hands. There's always a lot of buzz surrounding a Kylie release as she likes the reinvent herself over again and she takes a good handful of years between each release, so everyone is anticipating. Also signing to Roc Nation was a big factor behind the excitement. Like a lot in my top ten, it's a good straight up pop record. Into The Blue is a stomping anthem with a quirky side and tinge of sadness behind it. That describes the bulk of this album. It's upbeat but there's a slight air of sadness infused in either the production or Minogue's delivery. Maybe I picked up on it because of how I felt at the time? I love putting my earphones in, letting it play, closing my eyes and have it just take me away. Amazing album.
Highlights: Into The Blue, If Only, Sleeping with the Enemy, Fine, Kiss Me Once
Low points: Feels So Good, Beautiful
6. Sia - 100 Forms of FearWe come to one of my favourite ladies, Sia! Now I have always loved and admired her work. Her vocals are tremendous and her lyrics are smart yet straight to the point and not over complicated. On paper, her songs seem rather short but she can somehow manage to pack everything in using simple writing techniques within three verses and a chorus. Sia's just a genius. I was anticipating this record before even hearing Chandelier as it had been a while since 2010's We Are Born and since then she had stated she'd retired from a solo career and went on to write some of the best pop songs of the decade. Her return was a welcome one and a total triumph. The album is a stroke of genius. It has her signature indie/quirky style combined with everything she's learned from writing pop songs for the stars to create this magical record. I'm glad it achieved success across the globe as Ms Furler really was unappreciated for far too long. I wish she'd hurry up and release another single from the album!
Highlights: Chandelier, Eye Of The Needle, Elastic Heart, Free The Animal, Fire Meet Gasoline
Low points: Fair Game, Dressed in Black
5. Cher Lloyd - Sorry I'm LateYou can say what you like about Cher Lloyd but you have to admit that she is very hardworking and knows her way around a catchy hook or two. I do like Cher but wasn't keen on her during The X Factor and she still does come across as cocky in interviews but it doesn't take away from how great this album is. I liked the singles from her first but that album was mainly filler. On Sorry I'm Late, she really exploded into this little firecracker and a wonderful performer. She took risks, finely crafted this record, stuck a parental advisory label on it so she could really express herself and say what she wanted to say and eventually produced one of the finest records of the year. While her first one was half a guilty pleasure, half manufactured crap, this album really does pack a punch yet also show off a more sensitive and fragile side to Cher (demonstrated on Human, Sirens and Goodnight). I wouldn't say there was a bad song on this record aside from the fact that I do find Just Be Mine slightly lazy in the songwriting department at times but it's still enjoyable. It's pretty obvious that she is going to get better with every release and like a lot of the best pop records, this one sort of slipped under the radar this year which was unfortunate.
Highlights: Sirens, I Wish, Alone With Me, Killin' It, Bind Your Love
Low points: Just Be Mine
4. Ella Henderson - Chapter OneSYCO music have found themselves a new diva. Now that Leona Lewis has left and Alexandra Burke has fell into obscurity, the team focused their attention on young Ella and rightfully so. She is extremely talented and at just 18 years old, I am in awe. Her vocals give me chills and her songwriting skills are top notch. Definitely way beyond her years. I remember wanting either Ella or Union J to win X Factor back in 2012 (was a brilliant year) and was shocked when she didn't even make the finals. I think everyone was floored. It was clear though that she was definitely the star that year and it was no surprise that Mr Cowell signed her. It took two years to craft this fine record and the hard work and dedication really shows. I cannot fault this at all. Very rarely does a song have me in tears but a lot of the ballads on this record combined with her raw vocals just....ugh, she might as well just rip my heart out of my chest. Hopefully she isn't shunned when it's time to work on future albums like a lot of people are on that label. She can go so far with this amazing gift she has.
Highlights: Ghost, Pieces, Lay Down, Give Your Heart Away, Glow
Low points: None
3. Union J - You Got It AllMy other set of boys! I can't seem to meet them without embarrassing myself or them. I'm not trying to say that I'm like their best friend (even though JJ knows my name and stuff - be jealous) but I do feel really connected them. I want them to succeed. There's something warming about them. I voted for them on X Factor, even loved them before George joined and have followed them ever since. At first I was disappointed by their first record but after a few spins I realised just how great a pop record it was and became one of my top records of last year. Like a new 1D era, you hear a musical and creative growth. I like it when the transition between albums sound organic and like a real natural progression. You Got It All is like the big brother to the first album. It is good, old-fashioned straight up boy band pop. It's inoffensive and not trying to be anything it isn't. Sure, it's not game changing but not everything has to be. It's an album packed with great pop songs and the obligatory boy band ballads along with tremendous vocals. Those harmonies. Jaymi's belts. JJ's tone. It's a little hidden gem.
Highlights: Tonight (We Live Forever), You Got It All, One More Time, All About A Girl, Midnight Train
Low points: None
2. Pixie Lott - Pixie LottMy lovely little Pixie! How can she ever be faulted? This album may not contain "bangers" like All About Tonight or Kiss The Stars but it is certainly a strong album. She's been panned for not being as commercial as she used to but any fan of Pixie would know how much she loves the Motown sound, soul music and the 50's/60's era so it was inevitable that she would one day make a record showcasing that. Her rich, husky tones go down a treat throughout this laid back, personal affair. She was working on the record for two years to perfect the sound that SHE wanted. Her last album (which I adore) had a lot of soul influence throughout but also had the more commercial sounding, obvious single choices thrown into the mix as well. This album is a lot more consistent. I can listen to it throughout and not feel the need to skip at all. I could just listen to her voice forever and the production is beautiful. I get shivers when I hear Bang and Cry & Smile. It's self titled for a reason. This really is the embodiment of Miss Pixie Lott. Stunning.
Highlights: Nasty, Cry & Smile, Lay Me Down, Break Up Song, Champion, Bang
Low points: None
1. One Direction - FOUR: The Ultimate EditionWell who else do you think I'd have at the top of my list? Duh! In all seriousness though I'm not ust giving them the number one spot because they're One Direction and I may or may not be slightly obsessed and know more about them than they themselves do. Last year, I'd say my album of the year was actually Miley Cyrus - Bangerz or Union J's self titled debut so I don't just discredit everything else because it's 1D. I think that this record is perfect in every way. It's the sound that they've always wanted to capture ever since they were given more creative control. It's like Midnight Memories (their last record) done right. It's mature but still relatable for their target audience. The sound is heavier and darker without going overboard and they still have their pop sensibilities (Steal My Girl, Where Do Broken Hearts Go?). With each album it s a very natural progression and you can really hear and see them growing as artists as time goes on. I really can't fault this album apart from the shoddy artwork. Can't wait to hear album five!
Highlights: Steal My Girl, Where Do Broken Hearts Go?, Ready To Run, Clouds, Night Changes, Spaces
Low points: None. Maybe the bad cover art.
