04

http://gaffashop.dk//images/e/emeli-sande-live-at-the-royal-albert-hall.jpg

'Live at the Royal Albert Hall'
Emeli Sandé

Chart Run
(1-1-2-2-2-2-2-2-1-2-3-3-4-5-5-4-4-5-5-5-6-6-X-7-9-8-10-12-14-13-14-18-17-18-19-19-17-18-19-19-19)

Highlights

Daddy
Tiger
Where I Sleep
Breaking the Law
Enough
My Kind of Love
Clown
River
I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free
Suitcase
Read All About It, Pt. III (with Professor Green)
Wonder
Mountains
Heaven
Beneath Your Beautiful (with Labrinth)
Maybe
Next to Me

So basically, this would not have been a proper top albums of 2013 countdown without Emeli Sandé featuring with an album of her own (although you could near enough make an album with the features she's had already in other albums among the best of the year). Sitting comfortably in the top 5 is her live album from the Royal Albert Hall, released at the beginning of the year after she sold out the aforementioned venue in November 2012. Although it's not on the audio CD (it's on the DVD which features all of the songs she sung on the tour), I've included 'Tiger' in the highlights (that include ALL of the songs on the audio CD, I'll have you know - although you probably assumed that was the case already). The performance of 'Tiger' really was stunning, both on the DVD and when I saw her live in Glasgow on 6 November 2012, a night never to be forgotten. I suppose there are two songs I can pin-point as being my favourites from the collection, well... THREE. Actually, FOUR. Because they really stand out from the crowd. Wait, five. And let me explain why. The first of those five is the opening song, 'Daddy'. Not only does it set the scene for the performance, but it also starts with her backing singers firmly in charge. Emeli then takes control as she gives probably one of her best live vocals of the second single to be released from 'Our Version of Events'. It's slightly different to the album version in terms of how it's performed, but nonetheless it's absolutely FANTASTIC! The second of the five highlights is Emeli's cover of Nina Simone's song, 'I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free' which is absolutely divine. She starts off on the piano (named Iris) with this song, and then moves on to own the stage with infectious vocals - and it's just such a feel-good moment to the show, and amazing to listen to many many times! 3/5 is 'Heaven'. It's this performance that made me fall in love with the song, so it's great to go back to it and remind myself why I'm now loving the song and why the lyrics mean so much to me. The fourth is 'Maybe' which is of course my favourite Emeli song (although that appears to be ever-changing). The sheer emotion and power delivered in the performance is beautiful to listen to on the CD, while the fifth main highlight 'Next to Me' is the final song sung on the tour and is the perfect way to end the album. Obviously the album represents perfection. (Oh wait there's a sixth and that is 'Read All About It, Pt. III' performed alongside Professor Green... The sheer BRILLIANCE of that duet is just... unfathomable)

FLOP, NOT #1

 

Did you like, list the whole album as highlights :kink:

03

http://www.amusio.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Katy_Perry_Prism_cover-300x300.jpg

'Prism'
Katy Perry

Chart Run
(1-2-3-4-5-5-5)

Highlights

Legendary Lovers
Walking on Air
Unconditionally
Dark Horse (feat. Juicy J)
Ghost
This Moment
By the Grace of God
It Takes Two

I don't think anything can follow up the last piece of commentary so I'll keep this blunt and to the point (although I'll probably end up droning on for ages by the time I get to talking about some of the songs on this album). Making up one third of the final three albums is Katy Perry's third studio album (excluding the Christian self-titled album (although in the name of Katy Hudson) that preceded 'One of the Boys'), 'Prism'. The album has many highlights, including the second track on the album that would make for an absolutely perfect single choice - 'Legendary Lovers'. My favourite lyric from the song is "Take me down to the river" - I don't know what it is about it, but Katy just delivers it beautifully and it sounds so wonderful. The chorus of the song is so very powerful, as with a lot of the choruses on the album - like that of 'Unconditionally', the second single from the album which in both its lyric video and music video tells the story of same-sex couples who will love each other no matter what; unconditionally. Such a perfect video and such a perfect theme. The song is nigh-on perfect itself with the killer chorus and verses that are so bloody emotional! 'By the Grace of God', detailing her split with Russell Brand, is one of the more mature songs on the album and is really quite emotional! I imagine this is one that will be best performed live as she will pour so much emotion into it. And finally, just to sum up the album a little - one of three deluxe tracks 'It Takes Two' is absolutely GORGEOUS. Probably my second favourite on the album. Just such an easy going track, but so very beautiful in its own way. The lyrics too are so deep and meaningful despite the message being so very simple. A stellar effort from Katy on the whole riding on the back of 'Teenage Dream''s success.

Prism :wub: Absolutely love it, more consistent than Teenage Dream but doesn't QUITE have the same highs.

 

Union J to NOT be #1 now please.

Big "YAY" for the following albums: One Direction, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus & Katy Perry.

 

Mini "woo" for the following albums: The Saturdays & Stooshe.

 

I've not heard any of the others! :kink: Looking forward to seeing which albums make up your Top 2! :D

02

http://secure.footprint.net/hipdigital/u/IngestedContent/MT/EMI/Images/600/430/351/006/6/hip-69c704e7-a540-4914-aba8-53c1cc2cad7b.jpg

'English Rain'
Gabrielle Aplin

Chart Run
(1-1-1-1-1-2-2-3-3-3-3-4-6-7-6-9-10-11-10-11-13-13-14-16-16-18-19-20-15-16)

Highlights

Panic Cord
Please Don't Say You Love Me
Home
Salvation
The Power of Love
November
Start of Time
Evaporate

So in at #2 is Gabrielle Aplin (otherwise known as GODBRIELLE among the two biggest Godbrielle fans - Joseph and Calum) with her absolutely fantastic début album 'English Rain'. I'd known of Godbrielle for a while before the album was released, having heard most of her songs prior to what was on the album, and of course the original verison of what is the best song on the album - 'Home'. That was what attracted me to her as an artist, and has kept me falling in love with her ever since. Not on the album that is worthy of a mention though is the song that she wrote for the final series of TV show 'Skins', 'Start Again'; a beautiful song that is very simple but rather powerful. 'The Power of Love' is quite simply one of the most haunting songs on the album (if not THE) and is such a beautiful Christmas single - it's great that she actually made it sound better than the original too (not that it was a difficult thing to do at all). 'Salvation' was originally a promotional single, but it's great to hear it's now going to be a single with the video due to drop in a couple of days. The song itself is quite tiring on repetitive plays, but it's so beautiful! It has a great build-up to the end just as 'Home' does, and that's what makes it amazing! 'November' is probably my favourite song on the album, and that's because it's such a beautiful and simple song. The lyrics are stunning and she sings it effortlessly. 'Evaporate', one of the bonus tracks, is absolutely AMAZING too - such a great song and an up-beat one from her (not that it's unusual for her to do up-beat songs like I appear to be suggesting). Overall, one of THE best albums of 2013 and an artist that has rightfully gained the recognition and success she so truly deserves!

01

http://www.5music.com.tw/cdpic/zn2/8201311121486457.jpg

'Union J'
Union J

Chart Run
(1-1-1-1-1-1)

Highlights

Carry You
Beautiful Life
Loving You Is Easy
Last Goodbye
Beethoven
Where Are You Now
Save the Last Dance
Amaze Me
Skyscraper
Lucky Ones

And the best album of 2013 is... Union J's self-titled début album 'Union J'. It's REALLY HARD to determine this at such an early stage or go against the likes of James Arthur, Rebecca Ferguson and One Direction, but I'd probably say out of those who will have large success from The X Factor, Union J are by far my favourite (or to put it politely, at least my favourite boy band). From the moment they first stepped on the stage, I knew they were something special and that I'd grow to LOVE them. And they went on to impress me week after week, and one of their X Factor performances, a cover of Labrinth and Emeli Sandé's 'Beneath Your Beautiful' spent over 20 weeks in my personal chart, and a fair few of their other performances charted as well. (although no disrespect to Carolynne Poole who competed in the same series as them because she is the TRUE star of that series, and will forever remain in my heart, and I anticipate her début album because it's going to SMASH Sandénian charts xox).
So the boys' début single was 'Carry You', and it was and STILL IS absolutely fantastic. It got a bit of a mixed reception and they have since been branded a wannabe One Direction boy band, but they're nothing of the like. They're not trying to be like One Direction with their music at all, and they produce very different stuff. 'Carry You' spent two weeks at #1 in my personal chart, and then went on to stay around for a while! It's their only single to have reached #1 thus far, but all of their others are amazing; as is the case with the second single from the album, 'Beautiful Life'. The song didn't manage to reach #1 in either official charts or my own chart, but it's such a beautiful ballad! It has such depth and that is shown in the absolutely stunning video they made for it! People with insecurities really should be proud of who they are. The boys look stunning in both videos they've made so far as well. But anyway, not here to comment on how much I'd love to take George and JJ to bed with me, am I?
All of the album really is amazing, but for the moment I think I'd have to say the only song I'm not particularly loving is 'Head in the Clouds'. Should love it because it's so chirpy and feel-good, but there's just something about it. On the other hand, one song that I wasn't keen on to begin with that has grown on me so much is 'Beethoven'. The lyrics to this go "play you like an instrument, let me be your Beethoven". YES GEORGE, YOU CERTAINLY CAN PLAY ME LIKE AN INSTRUMENT IF YOU WANT, YOU SEXY BUGGER (and JJ, but unfortunately he's in a relationship and has just become a father for the first time (congratulations JJ!)). The acoustic version of this, I do admit though, is much better. Although, let's move onto my absolute favourite on the album and that would be the very anthemic sounding 'Last Goodbye'. Not only does it have fabulous vocals from the boys, but the lyrics are also very meaningful. "Save the last goodbye for me" (aww, yes I will George honey <3), etc. It's about to SMASH in Sandénia, and has currently reached #4, so watch this space and see where it ends up next.
The ballad of the album, 'Amaze Me', is absolutely stunning. (Although there is 'Skyscraper' as well). It's great to hear them doing something really different to most of the other stuff that's on the album, and they all sound amazing! But, it does seem as though Jaymi is given all rights to sing on the track just because it IS a ballad, and because his voice is suited to them best. 'Skyscraper' is great to hear - it was going to be their Winners' Single had they gone on to win The X Factor in 2012, and ever since they left the competition in 4th place, fans have been screaming out to hear the song; and it's finally on their album in all its HQ and studio-version glory. And boy was it worth the wait. There's not as much emotion poured into it as there is in Demi's original, but it still sounds fantastic, but once again Jaymi's vocals are exposed a fair bit here as he is best suited to the ballads on the album. AND FINALLY, the deluxe track 'Lucky Ones' really should be a main album track as opposed to 'Head in the Clouds' or 'Loving You Is Easy' being there - they're both good enough, but this is just SOMETHING ELSE. A great addition, and we need more music like this from them!
So yes, considering I've written as much as I have about the album and given you all a glowing review of it, it's fair to say that this IS the best album of 2013, and this IS the perfect way to round off your evening - it's an album that I don't get bored of half way through and decide to switch to 'Prism' instead (as has happened when I've been listening to 'ARTPOP' sometimes) - it's just all-round amazingness worth 11/10.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO

 

I do like Union J's album and it was better than I thought after hearing the singles tbf but it's not better than English Rain :cry:

I've not heard the Gabrielle album. Union J's is quite a pleasant listen overall! They're underrated... but evidently not underrated with you! :D

1-10 recappeth

+---------------+

http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/mp/jSJNxaD83Pxs.jpghttp://a3.mzstatic.com/us/r30/Features/v4/31/84/27/318427cf-b532-f9ef-1152-61a0a89c8653/dj.wpnkzzcd.100x100-75.jpghttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yQrh94yzcB0/UoDzJtfRNCI/AAAAAAAAp2E/_uCG6gtkF2w/s1600/banner-page.pnghttp://static.musixmatch.com/images/albums/0/5/2/9/3/7/26739250.jpg

01 | Union J - Union J
(1-1-1-1-1-1) [6 weeks]
Favourite track: 'Last Goodbye'
Weeks at #1: 6 (thus far)
Chart(ing/ed) tracks from album: 'Carry You', 'Beautiful Life', 'Loving You Is Easy', 'Last Goodbye'

02 | Gabrielle Aplin - English Rain
(1-1-1-1-1-2-2-3-3-3-3-4-6-7-6-9-10-11-10-11-13-13-14-16-16-18-19-20-15-16) [30 weeks]
Favourite track: 'November'
Weeks at #1: 5
Chart(ing/ed) tracks from album: 'Panic Cord', 'Please Don't Say You Love Me', 'Home', 'Salvation', 'The Power of Love', 'November'

03 | Katy Perry - Prism
(1-2-3-4-5-5-5) [7 weeks]
Favourite track: 'Unconditionally'
Weeks at #1: 1
Chart(ing/ed) tracks from album: 'Roar', 'Legendary Lovers', 'Walking on Air', 'Unconditionally', 'Dark Horse', 'It Takes Two'

04 | Emeli Sandé - Our Version of Events: Live at the Royal Albert Hall
(1-1-2-2-2-2-2-2-1-2-3-3-4-5-5-4-4-5-5-5-6-6-X-7-9-8-10-12-14-13-14-18-17-18-19-19-17-18-19-19-19) [40 non-consecutive weeks]
Favourite track: 'Maybe'
Weeks at #1: 3
Chart(ing/ed) tracks from album: 'Daddy', 'Enough', 'Clown', 'I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free', 'Heaven', 'Next to Me'

05 | Demi Lovato - Demi
(5-2-6-7-7-11-12-15-16-16-16-18-16-17-17-17-16-17-19-17-20-19) [22 weeks]
Favourite track: 'Nightingale'
Weeks at #1: N/A
Chart(ing/ed) tracks from album: 'Heart Attack', 'Made in the USA', 'Nightingale'

http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g338/drwhofan1997/frankmusik_betweencoverart_zps642aed23.jpghttp://img.xiami.com/images/album/img39/760939/7609391380760939_1.pnghttp://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g338/drwhofan1997/lnbc-job-010_image_zps028018ed.jpghttp://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g338/drwhofan1997/45873999_700x700min_1_zps0073b24c.jpghttp://web.tiscali.it/filemediaxtractor/albumingz/Eliza%20Doolittle%20-%20In%20Your%20Hands.jpg

06 | Frankmusik - Between
(1-2-2-2-3-4-4-5-5-6-6-6-9-10-12-13-13-14-16-18-18-18) [22 weeks]
Favourite track: 'Chasing Shadows'
Weeks at #1: 1
Chart(ing/ed) tracks from album: 'Chasing Shadows', 'How Do We Know?'

07 | James Arthur - James Arthur
(2-2-2-3-4) [5 weeks]
Favourite track: 'Roses'
Weeks at #1: N/A
Chart(ing/ed) tracks from album: 'You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You', 'Impossible', 'Roses', 'Is This Love?'

08 | Naughty Boy - Hotel Cabana
(1-1-1-1-1-2-3-6-7-9-13-14-16-20-20) [15 weeks]
Favourite track: 'Lifted'
Weeks at #1: 5
Chart(ing/ed) tracks from album: 'Wonder', 'Hollywood', 'La La La', 'Pluto', 'Lifted'

09 | Stooshe - London With the Lights On
(4-6-2-5-4-6-7-7-7-9-11-8-9-12-13-15-14-15-19-20) [20 weeks]
Favourite track: 'Round 2'
Weeks at #1: N/A
Chart(ing/ed) tracks from album: 'My Man Music', 'Round 2', 'Fly Again'

10 | Eliza Doolittle - In Your Hands
(1-2-4-7-8-10-14-17) [8 weeks]
Favourite track: 'No Man Can'
Weeks at #1: 1
Chart(ing/ed) tracks from album: 'Waste of Time', 'Let It Rain', 'Big When I Was Little'

11-20 recappeth

+---------------+

http://a3.mzstatic.com/us/r30/Music/v4/86/4f/fc/864ffc5e-9d8f-4030-e109-bc4c473ab4ae/13UMGIM30071.100x100-75.jpghttp://9a.img.v4.skyrock.net/9610/50099610/pics/photo_50099610_avatar_235.jpghttp://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51hz0+EA9TL._SL500_SS100_.jpghttp://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g338/drwhofan1997/_8_1779731_zps949d3963.jpghttp://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g338/drwhofan1997/887180_494514140613151_1107555807_o-700x700_zpsde4565ef.jpg

11 | KT Tunstall - Invisible Empire // Crescent Moon
(1-1-2-4-5-5-7-9-10-10-13-15-16-18-18) [15 weeks]
Favourite track: 'Made of Glass'
Weeks at #1: 2
Chart(ing/ed) tracks from album: 'Feel It All', 'Made of Glass', 'Invisible Empire'

12 | Miley Cyrus - Bangerz
(2-3-6-8-11-15-17) [7 weeks]
Favourite track: 'FU'
Weeks at #1: N/A
Chart(ing/ed) tracks from album: 'We Can't Stop', 'Wrecking Ball', 'Drive', 'FU'

13 | Cody Simpson - Surfers Paradise
(1-1-1-2-3-5-7-8-9-11-13-17-18-20-17-20) [16 weeks]
Favourite track: 'La Da Dee'
Weeks at #1: 3
Chart(ing/ed) tracks from album: 'La Da Dee', 'Pretty Brown Eyes', 'Summertime of Our Lives'

14 | Lady Gaga - ARTPOP
(3-3-6) [3 weeks]
Favourite track: 'Do What U Want'
Weeks at #1: N/A
Chart(ing/ed) tracks from album: 'Venus', 'Do What U Want'

15 | Rudimental - Home
(4-7-10-11-12-11-18-20) [8 weeks]
Favourite track: 'Free'
Weeks at #1: N/A
Chart(ing/ed) tracks from album: 'More Than Anything', 'Waiting All Night', 'Free'

http://image.shopping.uol.com.br/100x100/offer/01/12/53/80/112538029.jpghttp://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g338/drwhofan1997/munther_rooftop_zps33fd13a8.jpghttp://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g338/drwhofan1997/One-Direction-Midnight-Memories_zps0e8721ff.jpghttp://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g338/drwhofan1997/cd_the-saturdays-living-for-the-weekend-2013-1500x1500_zps0c3fc15e.jpghttp://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g338/drwhofan1997/Alivedeluxe_zps25854676.jpg

16 | Selena Gomez - Stars Dance
(3-1-1-2-3-4-8-9-12-16-16) [11 weeks]
Favourite track: 'Nobody Does It Like You'
Weeks at #1: 2
Chart(ing/ed) tracks from album: 'Come & Get It', 'Slow Down', 'Nobody Does It Like You'

17 | Ulrik Munther - Rooftop
(4-1-4-3-5-5-6-10-15-16-17-20-19-17-19-18-20-19-19-20-17-18-18-19-19-20) [26 weeks]
Favourite track: 'Tell the World I'm Here'
Weeks at #1: 1
Chart(ing/ed) tracks from album: 'Tell the World I'm Here', 'Requiem', '8:45'

18 | One Direction - Midnight Memories
(2) [1 week]
Favourite track: 'Diana'
Weeks at #1: N/A
Chart(ing/ed) tracks from album: 'Best Song Ever', 'Story of My Life', 'Diana', 'Happily'

19 | The Saturdays - Living For the Weekend
(4-3-10-20) [4 weeks]
Favourite track: 'Leave A Light On'
Weeks at #1: N/A
Chart(ing/ed) tracks from album: 'What About Us', 'Disco Love', 'Gentleman', 'Leave A Light On'

20 | Jessie J - Alive
(3-4-6-9-11-14) [6 weeks]
Favourite track: 'Thunder'
Weeks at #1: N/A
Chart(ing/ed) tracks from album: 'It's My Party'

Excellent albums from both Stooshe and Naughty Boy – the latter was especially better than I expected. 'Slip' is one of my favourite singles of the year whilst tracks like 'Round 2' and 'Your Own Kind of Beautiful' are real gems. :wub: With Hotel Cabana, the singles, 'Hollywood' and 'Get Lucky' are my favourites but the whole album is impressive.

 

Not heard your Top 2 but PRISM has grown on me big time since my initial listen! Potentially better than Teenage Dream!

Now that Union J's début album has officially been crowned the #1 album of 2013 (fending off strong competition from Emeli Sandé, Katy Perry and Gabrielle Aplin (who for a long while held the title of 'Best Album of 2013', but just wasn't quite as strong in the end)), let's take a moment to appreciate George Shelley, who is the king of Union J, and of course one of the most beautiful humans on the planet.

http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g338/drwhofan1997/tumblr_mx44jz0C6v1s60frco5_500_zps1f4c942d.png

You all done now? Yes? I should hope so (oi you, stop STARING. he's taken, by moi). Anyway, it's now time to move onto a different countdown - this time I'm honouring the best newcomers of 2013, as well as adding a few of my absolute favourites into the mix who may not be new to the industry just *this* year, but they're relatively new. There are fifteen artists here, and then after that I'll also be counting down the top 10 artists to look out for next year who I'm sure are bound to smash (although I could be spectacularly wrong and all of them could flop bigger than poor 'Beautiful Cause You Love Me').

Speculation + hype please, and then we'll get this show on the road! (will your faves be top 15?)

Tom Odell and Iggy Azalea to be in the top 15 newcomers please xox

That George creature literally makes me wanna throw up, he is hideos.

NO NO NO REGINA :(

That George creature literally makes me wanna throw up, he is hideos.

NO George hate :hand:

 

http://media.tumblr.com/e36b9679462b71e43141d48b0e2d7a50/tumblr_mh5mf5m7Qr1rzkq6zo2_500.gif

VOM

fifteen

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8250/8569522462_de6d36943c.jpg

Kacey Musgraves

It was Joseph I believe who first got me to listen to Kacey back towards the beginning of the year (if I remember correctly), and to my surprise she was actually good, in fact, amazing! (no shade towards Joseph there, I promise) She seems to be a what I call unrecognised talent, but she seems to have surfaced on a lot of blogs and music websites lately. Her music is fantastic, ranging from 'Merry Go 'Round' which is rather great and the stunning 'Follow Your Arrow' (currently smashing and coming for weaves in Bellamia). I suppose Kacey could also count for the ones to watch in 2014, but it was this year that I first noticed her and sat up and said 'wow' at her songs. I'm sure 2014 holds a lot for her, and I wish her the best of luck! (but woo for her gaining a bit of relevancy in the year we are in now)

Favourite track by Kacey: 'Follow Your Arrow'
What should you check out?: 'Merry Go 'Round', 'I Miss You', 'Back on the Map', 'Follow Your Arrow'
(all from the album 'Same Trailer Different Park')

Chart Runs
Same Trailer Different Park - (6-8-12)

Kacey :wub: Absolutely stunning, Follow Your Arrow is actually rather special for a country song, it should be massive. A country singer even acknowledging that girls can "kiss lots of girls, if that's what you're into" if they want in itself is unheard of (almost).