I wanna be bigger than life

 

 

 

SONGS

 

18. Ciara - Dance Like We're Making Love

 

If ever a video made a song properly connect with me it was this. That and the crazed, frenzied antics in Sheffield with Rob (and that iconic Ciarawishesshecouldbeasgood strut *_* the song itself didn't wow me when I heard the album, and I was quite upset that she chose it over 'Give Me Love' but when I saw the video, the sensual nature of the song was eventually revealed. It's a glorious song, melts like chocolate in my ears and pure sexual energy oozing throughout it. But the video also reveals the quite dark, sad, sombre nature of it; it's a song about passion and love and embracing, but equally it's about a lack of all of those things. Ciara is woefully underrated in the British public, and if a song as accessible and wondrous as this couldn't spark their attention, all hope really is lost. Booo.

 

17. Years & Years - Eyes Shut

 

My favourite album track from these guys after one listen and one I thought would forever remain hidden on the album, until they eventually released it of course! It's unlike anything else on the album. While they dabble in dance and more groovier sounds it was this song that actually made me stop in my tracks and engorge in the beauty of the simplicity. It proved that they're not one trick ponies and they could completely strip it all back and still capture audience's attention. The song did tire on me a little but, but it's always regrowing and is always a wonderful surprise when it creeps up on me unexpectedly. Certainly not the last we'll see from them in this top 20..

 

Yessss Ciara I wish this was huge :(

 

Also great to see Eyes Shut so high :heart:

I totally agree regarding 'I Want You to Know', that made it to #1 on my personal chart a few months ago, and would have been top 30 on my end of year, had I done it properly. Not only is it a jam, but I love the vulnerability in Selena's vocals on the track.

 

Eyes Shut also tired on me somewhat, but it's still a special track for me, and I'm so glad they eventually managed to turn it into a bigish hit. Hoping to see the glorious Shine as their highest single for you <3

IWTTK is great, Selena's vocals in particular. Agree Zedd didn't sparkle as much this era, whoops.

Fantastic to see Eyes Shut high in your countdown. Beautiful track.

 

 

I want to live and not just survive

 

 

ALBUM

 

08. Adele - 25

 

Water Under the Bridge / Love in the Dark / Hello / When We Were Young

 

A little known and appreciated album now. The under the radar Adele with ha middling hit of an album '25' ;o But seriously was this album ever going to be anything but I gigantic smash? Off the back of '21' Adele had a lot of living up to do, and I *think* she did it with this. '25' is a concept album of sorts, it's about her early life and looking back on past times. As I approach the big age of '25' myself, starting my own career, thinking about the future, the album speaks to me a great deal. I obviously haven't gone through the same things as Adele or experiences the limelight like she has (yet!) but she has a beautiful way of making her struggles sound so universal and it's the key reason of why she is so big. The songs are relatable to the point where it can appear that any and every song she has was written perfectly for you.

 

The album has its very highpoints: the entirety of 'Water Under the Bridge', the guitar instrumental section of 'Love in the Dark', the screeching in 'Sweetest Devotion'. It all just works. And I sort of hate her for it because she makes it seem so effortless. The album is rich and smooth and such an easy listen it's hard not to enjoy it!

Lost in our mood, afraid to feel truth

 

 

ALBUM

 

07. Kacy Hill - BLOO EP

 

Shades of Blue / Arm's Length / Foreign Fields

 

 

Bré introduced me to 'Experience' a while ago (and I eventually went to send it to BJSC). I then went on to follow the artist quite closely, her connection with Kanye West, her ambigious persona, her ADORABLE pug, her quirky instagram. So much became revealed about her, but so many questions came with it. Then she dropped 'BLOO' and pieces started to fall together. The beautiful songstress, with a heavenly voice, the most inspired, well-thought out lyrics and stunning visuals truly emerged. Now, there are only 3 original songs on the EP and then 2 remixes, and so does it really warrant a placing so high up in my favourite albums of the year? In short, yes, because there is arguably more going on in these 3 tracks than there are in most other albums I heard last year.

 

Starting off with 'Foreign Fields', she sets the scene in her unique manner. Crashing down to her level and her playing field and preparing you for her trippy style. Moving onto 'Arms Length' the artist blossoms. A joyous, choral, momentous uplifting moment, full of self-assurance and pride. But it all comes crashing back down in 'Shades of Blue' the most beautiful, sensual, heartfelt ballad I heard probably across the entire year. A moment of true, exquisite beauty where the artist strips naked baring her vulnerable body for all to pick apart at. There is something special about Kacy that I still haven't placed my finger on. Her music is splendid but there is something else that I think will become much clearer when her hotly anticipated album drops and she is able to say a bit more. This is a tiny teaser of what to come, but it's a phenomenal introduction to a very exciting prospect and talent.

Hi there

 

http://i.imgur.com/eQQNuyU.gif

 

Adele's album seemed good but I've only played it once so far ;o When We Were Young though... :heart: & :snif:

 

Dance Like We're Making Love :wub: Ciara is so photosynthesis.

 

Lamfooo who is Kacy

LOVE Adele's album. Didn't think it was possible to top 21 but I think she really has, particularly on an emotional level - I know I'm a fair few years off from being 25 but everything she talks about in the album is exactly my life right now, what with a large chunk of my friends being at uni/moving on with their lives and I'm essentially trying to figure out who I am and want to be as I pretty much turn from being a boy to a man. 'Million Years Ago' particularly captures the way I feel right now. The album is just great song after another which means beautifully heart-wrenching tracks like 'Love in the Dark' are towards the bottom of my rankings.

Hello,

 

Its Adele,

 

I come back after a few years to take my crown,

 

You basic Bitches Could never.

 

 

Love 25 :heart:

 

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/10/24/00/2DB7D25E00000578-3287105-image-a-32_1445644409267.jpg

Edited January 6, 20169 yr by HarryEzra

I go hunting for someone like you

 

 

ALBUM

 

06. Years & Years - Communion

 

Without / Shine / King / Eyes Shut / Take Shelter / Ties

 

 

I don't think I wanted to like these guys initially, the hype for them was overwhelming and they were quickly inescapable. But this album goes some way to prove why they became so popular; catchy songs, with interesting beats, distinct vocals and style and genuinely strong, enjoyable tunes. The big highlights have been heard ad infinitum, being overplayed everywhere but it's moments like 'Without' that make them really special. The songs explore regretful loves or unreachable loves, all sung with such sincerity and truth from Olly's own experiences. 'Without' perfectly encapsulates this and goes beyond many of the other songs in explore the sheer emotion that they're capable of.

 

I love the album but it can be quite an exhausting listen with a fair few fillers, but when they're good, they're fantastic. It's a good thing they are often strong and on point. I'm seeing them live later this year, so i'm sure they'll continue to grow on me as a band and hopefully we get a lot more from them in 2016 because they certainly added some much needed shine to 2015.

Years and Years actually made a cracking album :heart:

'King' and 'Shine' are among 2015's best hit songs and have yet to tire with me despite the overplay for the former. The album, however, hasn't hit it's full potential with me, despite me knowing it's there. I think I just need to keep listening and it'll get there. I mean I do really like it and there's a handful of songs I could identify as highlights, but as a body of work there's a lot more to be delivered.

Eyes Shut actually hasn't tired on me at any point, it's stunning and I'm so glad it's shining as a single right now :wub: The album is of course excellent too!

I think 'Communion' and '25' would be up there for me in terms of albums from last year. Slightly prefer 'Communion' but both are fabulous.

I think "Eyes Shut" might be growing on me.

You got me lost in my lucid dreams

 

 

ALBUM

 

05. Kitty - FROSTBITE EP

 

❄ MISS U ❄ / •.¸.•SECOND♥LIFE•.¸.• / ♡ LAST MINUTE ♡ / ♥ 285 ♥

 

Firstly my top 5 albums are very very strong. Apart from my #1, albums in positions 5-2 could literally have been in ANY order. Had a great of struggle attempting to order them but here goes :snif: ~

 

Opening the top 5 is an EP from last year, lol (but I only listened to it this year so it still counts -_-). This EP has defined so much of the past year for me. I listen to it pretty much every other day without fail and it fills me with intense joy and happiness every time I do. Kitty's style is pretty distinct, her rapping over the trippy, glittery beats works incredibly well. The songs are all fast-paced, high-octane listens and she rarely pauses to take a breather. But it's all fun so it doesn't matter. The reason it's dropped out at 5th is pretty much solely because it's an EP and so not as expansive as the other 4 albums to come, but really it's probably my 2nd favourite to listen to in the entire 5 oop~

 

Lyrically the EP is clever. In '♡ LAST MINUTE ♡' the refrain of "you're all poised and i'm made of poison" is genius but it comes juxtaposed with the sad details of suicide (I think? - at least that's how I listen to it) and self-doubt in the song's opening. In '•.¸.•SECOND♥LIFE•.¸.•' my 6th favourite song of 2014 she explores her dual personality, or the dual personality we ALL possess - one when we're awake and alive and the other when we retreat to solace and privacy; the ecstasy of both is brought to the surface in glorious style. ♥ 285 ♥ is one of the funnest on the EP, fabulously fierce and in your face but totally beautiful and mesmirising. And then there's '❄ MISS U ❄'...

 

Please please please, if you only take one thing from this entire thread, give the EP a listen even if you're only a tiny bit curious (it's all up there ^ so no excuses :heehee:). It's such a fun experience and "all i wanna do is make u dance to this"

Not heard the EP maybe I should :D

I want you to colour me blue

 

 

ALBUM

 

04. Troye Sivan - Blue Neighbourhood

 

LOST BOY / WILD / YOUTH / Heaven / DKLA

 

 

Next up is my latest obsession and the final MALE artist to appear in the album countdown. Pretty apt because he is my favourite male around right now in music. 'Blue Neighbourhood' is a stunning listen from start to end. Tracks 1-12 are sublime and each offer a totally wonderful insight into the artist's mind and musical style; even the ones that follow and conclude the album are brilliant but slightly less so. The album is at times sinister, at others uplifting, it is experimental in moments, it's simple, well-produced pop throughout most of it, and it's all weaved intricately together and powered through by Troye's soothing and fluid vocals that make it the most sensual and easy of listening experiences.

 

LOST BOY is my highlight. The tropical vibes that could cheapen the song instead offer a totally absurd moment of escapism in the album and it comes at just the point in it when you think you're trapped in its sounds forever. WILD and YOUTH are brilliantly catchy and punchy golden pop moments. The features are mostly fantastic, with a particular shoutout to Tkay Maidza's fantastic rap and Betty Who's tear-enducing inclusion.

 

At first the only criticism I had of it was that it seemed slightly "hollow". But I have since learnt to flip that round and appreciate and understand the hollowness. In really listening to the lyrics, you learn that he is a troubled "lost boy", not wanting love for fear of its pain, continually searching for "heaven" or some sort of meaning to his sadness or his "blue" state of being. There are beautiful lyrics scattered through but perhaps the one that sums up the album most perfectly is the refrain in 'Heaven': "the truth runs wild like a tear down a cheek". A song about being gay but wanting total acceptance and not letting anything change your heart or way of being. I relate to this so painfully and it's incredible to hear someone sing about it to frankly and openly.

Eyes Shut is stunning, it's the "you come over with your friends, I don't wanna talk to them" that gets me every time </3