December 26, 201410 yr Author #55 | Henry Saiz | All The Evil Of This World eCTTUEJiaac UK | - Ire | - 'All The Evil Of This World' by Henry Saiz was the song to finally get me on board with BJSC heavyweight Aeroche, having not been wowed by previous, highly-regarded entries. From the outset, the track is utterly enchanting, with its dark instrumental and high-pitched, ethereal vocals leading to a long, ominous build-up of the repeated line 'there’s nothing inside' before the track explodes into a spectacular chorus of unanticipated optimism. It's because of these attributes that I've found listening to the track while walking at night (which I've done a lot recently due to library commitments) to be a truly next level experience. I've been absolutely hammering this song for the past couple of months and I think it's still growing on me. :o #54 | Nicki Minaj | Pills N Potions f7ld-3nZUxA UK | 31 Ire | 29 It took me several listens to form any sort of opinion on 'Pills N Potions', the first single from Nicki Minaj's third studio album. I'm fairly indifferent to Nicki and didn't have any expectations for the sound or overall vibe of her new music but this song definitely took me by surprise. Initially I was intrigued by its subtlety and disjointed structure and couldn't decide if the whole thing worked or not. Turns out it did as it proved to be one of the biggest growers of the year for me. The track has so many great aspects to it; the delivery of 'I still...love...you', the beautifully evocative chorus, the pensive but assertive verses, the poignant lyrics of the middle 8 ('I get high off your memory/In due time we'll be fine'), and the softly pounding instrumental throughout, mimicking a heartbeat. :heart: #53 | FKA twigs | Two Weeks 3yDP9MKVhZc UK | - Ire | - 'Two Weeks' by FKA Twigs is proof that an exquisite voice can make literally any word, or combination thereof (no matter how ~censored~), sound absolutely heavenly. In fact, it wasn't until a few listens in that I began to realise just how explicit some of the lyrics are :o as it's all packaged so beautifully. With unique elements such as the distinctive intro of subdued tribal-esque chanting, the track puts a new spin on The Weeknd's brand of the subtle, sensual, breathy, falsetto-led R&B jam. #52 | Hozier | Take Me To Church MYSVMgRr6pw UK | 20 Ire | 02 It's a real testament to the quality of Hozier's 'Take Me To Church' that I haven't tired of it yet. Having been living at home in Ireland during the almost year-long period when the song was completely inescapable in the country, it's crazy that I still find myself excited about its extremely sluggish progress on the UK Top 40. The track (together with its powerful video) is totally captivating; sonically, vocally, lyrically and thematically, with Hozier's deep, soulful voice bravely addressing uncomfortable truths and contradictions that have long troubled religion-dominated societies. It is most definitely a statement song that deserves to go down as a modern classic. #51 | Ben Howard | I Forget Where We Were TpeK3zvmx2c UK | 54 Ire | - Like 'Pills N Potions', 'I Forget Where We Were', the title track of Ben Howard's second album, took its time to grow. For me, it's a song that only reveals its excellence in the context of its parent record and I certainly wouldn't have been inclined to listen to it had I not hammered the album from start to finish over the last few months. With a drawn-out, inaccessible 'chorus' (if it can even be called that) and abrupt tempo changes, the song's unorthodox structure doesn't lend itself to instant recollection. However, the varied melodies and passionate vocals slowly made their impact after repeated listens, allowing the song to become a clear standout on a wonderfully cohesive album.
December 26, 201410 yr Author Recap at the halfway point: #51 | Ben Howard | I Forget Where We Were #52 | Hozier | Take Me To Church #53 | Fka twigs | Two Weeks #54 | Nicki Minaj | Pills N Potions #55 | Henry Saiz | All The Evil Of This World #56 | Taylor Swift | Blank Space #57 | Josh Record | Wide Awake #58 | Katy B | Stay Down #59 | Paloma Faith | Only Love Can Hurt Like This #60 | Walk The Moon | Shut Up and Dance #61 | G.R.L. | Ugly Heart #62 | Rhodes | Your Soul #63 | One Direction | Fireproof #64 | Busta Rhymes ft. Q-Tip, Kanye West and Lil Wayne | Thank You #65 | Lykke Li | Gunshot #66 | Ed Sheeran | Runaway #67 | VÉRITÉ | Strange Enough #68 | Vance Joy | Riptide #69 | Sam Smith | Like I Can #70 | Rita Ora | I Will Never Let You Down #71 | Shakira ft. Rihanna | Can’t Remember To Forget You #72 | Pearl | Not Enough #73 | The Script | Superheroes #74 | Hopium ft. Phoebe Lou | Dreamers #75 | Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars | Uptown Funk #76 | M.O | Dance On My Own #77 | London Grammar | Hey Now #78 | Katy Perry | This Is How We Do #79 | will.i.am | It’s My Birthday #80 | OneRepublic | I Lived #81 | The Magician ft. Years & Years | Sunlight #82 | One Direction | Night Changes #83 | Professor Green ft. Tori Kelly | Lullaby #84 | Nothing But Thieves | Lover Please Stay #85 | Charli XCX | Boom Clap #86 | Josef Salvat | Shoot And Run #87 | Beyoncé | Partition #88 | Lana Del Rey | Ultraviolence #89 | Coldplay | A Sky Full Of Stars #90 | Luke James | Dancing In The Dark #91 | Foxes | Holding Onto Heaven #92 | JUCE | Call You Out #93 | Ella Eyre | If I Go #94 | Gorgon City | Ready For Your Love #95 | Eliot Sumner | Information #96 | Ella Henderson | Hard Work #97 | Nothing But Thieves | Graveyard Whistling #98 | Aloe Blacc | The Man #99 | Jamie T | Zombie #100 | Tinie Tempah ft. Labirinth | Lover Not A Fighter Edited December 29, 201410 yr by Noahspike
December 27, 201410 yr #60 | Walk The Moon | Shut Up and Dance I was introduced to Walk The Moon's 'Shut Up and Dance' a few months ago by the band's fellow Ohioan, Riser, who was considering it for BJSC at the time. Although the track was an instant hit with me, I believe I warned him that it was unlikely to do well in the contest. It subsequently came fourth for FSR Rontvia a month later, demonstrating my severely limited understanding of what types of songs appeal to voters (although I'm convinced it would have finished quite a bit lower had it been a Harmonican entry :ph34r:). Anyway, this 80's-inspired indie-pop banger is completely irresistible to me. A song absolutely laden with hooks, it has a huge, anthemic chorus that lodges in your head from first listen. I also find the video refreshingly endearing in its goofiness/whatever the antonym of 'slickness' is :huh:.All of this :wub: Honestly it might not even make top 60 in my countdown :ph34r:
December 27, 201410 yr Catching up ~ #51 | Ben Howard | I Forget Where We Were #52 | Hozier | Take Me To Church i'm growing to really like this now! it's only taken a year lol #53 | Fka twigs | Two Weeks #54 | Nicki Minaj | Pills N Potions YAY for appreciating this. it's probably in my top ~3/5 Nicki singles now :o she works it best when she's a little vulnerable as opposed to the bonkers "fun" stuff imo (Moment 4 Life, Up In Flame et al <3) #56 | Taylor Swift | Blank Space she is formidable this era. i wasn't a fan before it, but i can't deny how strong the record is, and this is one of the many highlights #59 | Paloma Faith | Only Love Can Hurt Like This - her best single for me :wub: i should really check out the album going on this actually! A lot i'm liking woo :D
December 27, 201410 yr Pills N Potions is really subtle and understated and yet so fierce which is tricky balance to execute I reckon but it all comes together so well. Really should've been a bigger worldwide comeback but what can you do.. the lyrics are quite lovely too.
December 28, 201410 yr Author ^ Appreciate all your comments, thank you! #50 | CHVRCHES | Dead Air RWhEUR0I9fo UK | - Ire | - CHVRCHES, one of my favourite British acts of recent years, starts off the latter half of the countdown with 'Dead Air', a song the trio contributed to the soundtrack of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1. The track is quintessentially them; a mid-tempo, synth-ridden slice of alt pop, effortlessly enhanced by Lauren Mayberry's unique, sweeter-than-sweet vocals. Certainly an unusual aspect of this particular track, however, is that it (seems to have?) two choruses, one after the other, which can only be a good thing really. My first time hearing this was at a gig of theirs the day after it premiered and I remember thinking the repeated lyric in the (second) chorus was 'We are all just there' which would have been an awfully vapid refrain and put me off the song initially so I was glad to soon discover that it was actually, shock horror, the song's title instead of 'there' :o. My excuse is that I was fairly off my tits on overpriced beer at the time. #49 | Rixton | Me And My Broken Heart 7JJfJgyHYwU UK | 01 Ire | 12 'Me And My Broken Heart' is one of those songs that sounds like a surefire radio smash as soon as you hear it. Bearing more than a passing likeness to Rob Thomas' 'Lonely No More' and taking plenty of inspiration from early Maroon 5 of the same period, the track is technically very derivative and uninspired but doesn't sound 'generic' to me given that nearly a decade has passed from when that sound was prominent. As such, I can understand why many people aren't keen on the song but personally I find everything about it irresistible. The chorus (along with the verses to a lesser extent) is impossibly catchy and sing-along-able. 'Me And My Broken Heart' doesn't bring anything new to the world and I don't rate it on any more than a shallow level - it's just a highly enjoyable (throwaway) pop song with great vocals, which is why it's made my top 50 of the year. #48 | Marina and the Diamonds | Happy s6AHxF0s764 UK | - Ire | - The polar opposite of 'Me And My Broken Heart' in terms of substance, 'Happy' is the most recent froot to ripen and drop from album number *stereotypical Irish pronunciation* tree by Marina And The Diamonds (I'm leaving this terribly executed pun in here because I spent far too long attempting to make it work :drama:). Anyway, the song is beyond stunning. Comprising simple instrumentation and strongly emotive, layered vocals, it is a stripped-back ballad about finding contentment through spirituality. The lyrics are reflective and strikingly honest throughout, reaching a pinnacle, in terms of expressing the true sentiment of the song, with the 'I believe in possibility' post-chorus/delayed chorus - is this another track with two choruses :o? It is such a special, truly captivating song and its placing on this countdown is a real testament to the impact it's made on me in a very short space of time. Edited December 30, 201410 yr by Noahspike
December 28, 201410 yr Dead Air is really fantastic and that style of song is really where they excel. Lauren's vocals I agree enhance all of their songs and the synths are lovely too. One of their best songs for me now but The Mother We Share >>>
December 28, 201410 yr Author ^ Agree with you there! 'The Mother We Share' remains my favourite song of theirs. #47 | 5 Seconds Of Summer | She Looks So Perfect X2BYmmTI04I UK | 01 Ire | 01 The track to launch Australian boyband 5 Seconds Of Summer into the troposhere (which I've just discovered is the layer of the earth's atmosphere below the stratosphere as the latter is obviously occupied by One Direction/a bit of an exaggeration for 5SOS :magic:), 'She Looks So Perfect' is definitely not my kind of thing on paper. In fact, the first time I heard the song at the beginning of the year, I recoiled in horror at the '...standing there in my American Apparel underwear' line :puke2:, stopped the video abruptly, banged my head against the nearest wall several times and understandably decided the song and group were completely abhorrent and could never redeem themselves. However, subsequent radio/Chart Show listens eventually rendered the most cringeworthy lyric of the year meaningless and allowed me to enjoy what was otherwise a very solid pop-rock anthem of a debut single. It's extremely catchy, energetic and has excellent vocals, proving to be a massive grower. I was glad to see it become a genuine hit in the UK after its initial dive from the #1 spot. #TeamJoseph :cheer: #46 | Olly Murs ft. Demi Lovato | Up 29GWMT0GB6s UK | 04 Ire | 20 Like 'Dead Air' and 'Happy', 'Up' only debuted last month and still managed to make it into my top 50 songs of the year. Despite having immediate appeal to me, it's only sounded better each time I've heard it, now rivalling 'Busy' and 'Dear Darlin' as my favourite track from that chap from Essex who was runner-up to little Joe whatshisface in X Factor a few years ago. The song doesn't try to do anything new - it's a mass-appealing, folk-influenced MOR/pop duet with a universal subject matter, a traditional structure and a big singalong chorus, but its execution is perfect, having lodged itself in my head from first listen. From a commercial point of view, it's a flawless single. The song is sure to shift Olly's album over the coming months by injecting his brand with a bit of 'credibility' while making a solid contribution towards the perpetual struggle to make Demi happen in the UK. #45 | Hopium | Cut miSg9wTD0w8 UK | - Ire | - The second and final song in this countdown from little-known Australian duo Hopium (seriously, it took an in-depth Google trawl to find out if the act was a soloist or a group :drama:), 'Cut' was a track I was considering for BJSC for a few contests before opting for the more accessible 'Dreamers'. A deep, dark, dramatic ballad about undying devotion with brooding vocals and production to match, I find it utterly captivating and thought-provoking. Some of the lyrics are among my favourite of the year, particularly those in the passionate chorus as well as 'Bars full of people, can't believe who I'm talking to/Everyone here is just a bad version of you'. It's an incredibly slick, well-written, well-produced, slow-burning track that never fails to make a strong impact on me.
December 28, 201410 yr Great to see Henry Saiz & Verite here, two really fantastic BJSC discoveries. Lots of other really good stuff in the 51-100 section too, Blank Space & Ugly Heart shouldn't have been my thing, but I really loved both! Dead Air is really good, I listened to the Hunger Games soundtrack the other day and it was really good all the way through. I probably prefer Get Away in terms of CHVRCHES, hopefully we get some news of a new album next year anyway! And yeah, I agree about 5SOS, I cringed at that lyric and instantly switched it off when I first heard it but I did kinda grow to like it, I still feel a bit guilty for it :ph34r: Looking forward to seeing what's number 1 on this, can't really think of anything that it might be!
December 28, 201410 yr Up is a great collaboration and Olly and especially Demi are amazing on it :wub: I quite like she looks perfect but I do hate me and my broken heart
December 29, 201410 yr Author Great to see Henry Saiz & Verite here, two really fantastic BJSC discoveries. Lots of other really good stuff in the 51-100 section too, Blank Space & Ugly Heart shouldn't have been my thing, but I really loved both! Dead Air is really good, I listened to the Hunger Games soundtrack the other day and it was really good all the way through. I probably prefer Get Away in terms of CHVRCHES, hopefully we get some news of a new album next year anyway! And yeah, I agree about 5SOS, I cringed at that lyric and instantly switched it off when I first heard it but I did kinda grow to like it, I still feel a bit guilty for it :ph34r: Looking forward to seeing what's number 1 on this, can't really think of anything that it might be! Yes, very much anticipating new CHVRCHES! I really like 'Get Away' too but it hasn't quite clicked with me in the way their other material has. Ha, I should have mentioned the 5SOS track still has a bit of a guilty pleasure quality for me as well, partly still because of that godawful lyric! Re: my (current) #1, it actually surprised me when I made the list! It's not a hugely obvious standout for me (as everything's so close at the top) and I certainly haven't been banging on about it on here so it may take some by surprise. :D Up is a great collaboration and Olly and especially Demi are amazing on it :wub: I quite like she looks perfect but I do hate me and my broken heart Ah well, two out of three is alright! And yeah, I agree that Demi's voice sounds particularly good on 'Up'. That Chvrches song is amazing. I love that soundtrack so much! Really need to get around to listening to that soundtrack! Have heard a lot of good reports. Cheers for the comments!
December 29, 201410 yr Author #44 | Lilly Wood & The Prick and Robin Schulz | Prayer In C (Robin Schulz Radio Edit) fiore9Z5iUg UK | 01 Ire | 01 The dance remix of 'Prayer in C' is such a gem of a track (but such a pain to correctly title/credit for the uninformed like myself :drama:). For me, its appeal lies mainly in the original folk song, specifically the beautifully hoarse vocals of French duo Lilly Wood and the Prick's Nili Hadida, which are elevated to new heights via German DJ Robin Schulz taking care of speeding-up and beat-dropping duties :music:. Despite its repetitive melancholic lyrics, the track gives off a wonderfully laid-back, melodic, summery vibe overall and it was a real pleasure to hear it regularly on the radio during the warmer months. I'm a firm believer that music doesn't always have to be particularly stimulating in order to achieve greatness and the relaxed, calm feeling I get from this track exemplifies that. #43 | One Direction | Steal My Girl UpsKGvPjAgw UK | 03 Ire | 03 With 'Steal My Girl' being their third (and final) track to feature in my top 100, it's evident that One Direction have made a big impression on me with their new material. As the lead single from the group's fourth album, the song, for me, is a masterclass in producing a 'comeback' single that shows significant musical progression without deviating too far from the sound or compromising the aspects for which an act is known and loved. From the off, the twinkling Bruce Springsteen-esque piano rock instrumental demonstrates clear changes to the formula, while the infectious, anthemic chorus (complete with prominent 'Na na na''s) is reminiscent of their biggest hits. The track is among their best work; a fun but mature, catchy pop-rock song with a welcomed bit of substance. #42 | Hozier | From Eden cI0wUoCLnLk UK | - Ire | 02 Effectively serving as the follow-up Irish radio single to monster-sized smash hit 'Take Me To Church' (I believe it technically wasn't a single and simply an EP track but ain't nobody [me] got time for confirming minutiae right now), 'From Eden' was one of the most instantly impactful songs that I've heard this year. From the very first 'BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABE' (what an amazingly confident way to begin a song!), Hozier's unique, bluesy vocal tone commanded my attention. Although far more upbeat than its predecessor, the song, centred on devotion, is definitely not without depth and is lyrically my favourite of the artist's output. There are so many lyrical highlights, with sharp, succinct lines such as 'No tired sigh, no rolling eyes, no irony/No 'who cares', no vacant stares, no time for me' being wonderfully expressive in addition to the more striking standout lyric 'A rope in hand for your other man to hang from a tree'. I would absolutely love to see this take off in the US (and eventually in the UK) and I definitely believe it has the potential to do so. Its relatively low placing on this countdown is explained by the fact that I haven't been playing it regularly since the springtime and thus feel it isn't majorly representative of my musical year. :/ Edited December 29, 201410 yr by Noahspike
December 29, 201410 yr I absolutely adore Prayer In C, by far one of the best dance songs this year :wub:
December 29, 201410 yr Steal My Girl really began my new appreciation for One Direction, I remember hearing it for the first time and thinking 'this is really good!' and then everything since then has been excellent too. Hope they continue with this sound now because it works incredibly well for them.
December 30, 201410 yr Author #41 | Sia | Chandelier 2vjPBrBU-TM UK | 06 Ire | 05 Everything about Sia's 'Chandelier' is totally thrilling; the enormous, explosive chorus, the unrestricted vocals, the choreography in its visuals, the track's unexpected smash hit status - I agree with many others who identify the song and its commercial success as a true highlight of the year (and thus feel a bit bad about it just missing out on a top 40 placing here :(). With an interesting structure, thoughtful lyrics and booming, exhilarating production, it's an excellently executed pop song with a fearless vocal performance from one of the most fascinating figures in music today. I particularly like how smart the song's lyrics and structure are, with the agitated counting in the bridge allowing Sia to bide her time before the powerful chorus, where she boldly sets out her intentions to live her life liberally from now on. I also love how the post-chorus takes a sharp change of tone with the brutally honest revelation 'But I'm holding on for dear life, won't look down, won't open my eyes', which is one of my favourite lyrics of the year. #40 | Lorde | Team f2JuxM-snGc UK | 29 Ire | 32 Lorde can't seem to do any wrong for me. With coherent artistry far beyond her young age yet lyrics and subject matters which are true to her life experience, I was hugely impressed with her debut album 'Pure Heroine'. 'Team' has always been a highlight and I was delighted to see it get exposure as the album's second single at the beginning of the year. The track is innovative from the outset, with a near acapella intro leading to distorted, ominous chanting, beat-laden verses and eventually a glittering, wonderfully melodic chorus which features heartwarming and thought-provoking lyrics. The simple but effective sentiment 'And you know, we're on each other's team' is particularly lovely. The song deserved a lot better than a top 30 peak in the UK but I was very pleased to see it achieve top 10 status across the pond. #39 | Marina and the Diamonds | Froot WZzcY7ASQno UK | - Ire | - Speaking of innovative artists and gifted lyricists, Marina and the Diamonds made a spectacular return this year with the ridiculously exuberant 'Froot', the title track of her upcoming third album. On first listen, I didn't know what to make of it as it was like nothing I'd heard before. A clear musical departure from her more recent work, the affected, more-theatrical-than-usual vocals, liberal use of tongue-in-cheek metaphors and the disjointed structure left me wondering if the song was a collection of random recordings she made while ~under the influence~ one night :o. However, I always liked what I heard and that only intensified with repeated listens. The upbeat disco beats and video game synths are irresistible from the off and give the track a nice continuity as Marina weaves in and out of melodies and vocal styles. This and the beautiful 'Happy' have definitely whet my appetite for the 'Froot' delivery I'll be receiving next year. :banana: Edited December 30, 201410 yr by Noahspike
December 30, 201410 yr I am glad i'm not the only one to fully get One Direction this era. The album is so mature and the songs so damn catchy. I didn't think they could pull off something so strong but from 'Steal My Girl' right through the whole album, they proved me wrong. (i was a fan before this year, but i didn't really pay attention to their potential before this year) Well that is an all-round KILLER trio there. 'Team' is my favourite from Lorde, i love 'Froot' and 'Chandelier' is... ok :) missing out on a top 40 place though :nono: :angy: :banghead: V V V V sillybeanish :snif: that lyric you've taken from the song is most certainly a favourite of mine too - it says so little and so much at the same time! Wonderful commentaries and picking apart of the songs, Noah <3 Almost makes you not a sillybean :o almost x
December 30, 201410 yr Agree with Haus, that is a strong set of three songs there! Although two of them are very low from where they should be... It makes me very interested in what is to come then :o
December 30, 201410 yr Author I am glad i'm not the only one to fully get One Direction this era. The album is so mature and the songs so damn catchy. I didn't think they could pull off something so strong but from 'Steal My Girl' right through the whole album, they proved me wrong. (i was a fan before this year, but i didn't really pay attention to their potential before this year) Well that is an all-round KILLER trio there. 'Team' is my favourite from Lorde, i love 'Froot' and 'Chandelier' is... ok :) missing out on a top 40 place though :nono: :angy: :banghead: V V V V sillybeanish :snif: that lyric you've taken from the song is most certainly a favourite of mine too - it says so little and so much at the same time! Wonderful commentaries and picking apart of the songs, Noah <3 Almost makes you not a sillybean :o almost x Yep. Yourself, Josh and I, among others, seem to have been well and truly converted with their new album. Ooh, I knew you were a big fan of of 'Chandelier' and 'Froot' but great to get 3/3 with 'Team' as well :D. And yes indeed, I love that lyric. Thanks! Agree with Haus, that is a strong set of three songs there! Although two of them are very low from where they should be... It makes me very interested in what is to come then :o Hmm, I'm thinking the next song won't exactly justify their relatively low positions for you! :unsure:
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