Everything posted by randomfurlong
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randomfurlong | 2015
12 | Under the Shadows | Rae Morris | eYgXSoA5njA A rousing ghost song. The beat marches underneath like soldiers, the drums creating a vast orchestral soundbed for Morris' voice to swoop and cry over the top of, a wild and defiant call into the abyss. It's beautiful, but haunting, forever echoing in the back of my brain. Like this? Try... , Shannon Saunders - for more lithe cries from the subconscious.
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randomfurlong | 2015
13 | American Oxygen | Rihanna | Ao8cGLIMtvg A thesis statement made in song; except more guttural, more unpolished and anguished, a raw cry from a woman who is hooked on the brutal illusion of the American Dream. Rihanna's success may be rooted in the USa, but her Bajan-born status is integral to what makes this song work so powerfully; she, like many, looked from the outside in as a child, and now looks back, proud proof positive of the possibility of the dream coming true, but, an adult now, aware of the manipulative machinery that makes the country tick, and of the side effects on the millions within and outside of the country for who Rihanna's story couldn't be farther from their reality. It really makes me wish that Rihanna had managed to shape whatever Anti is into, well, anything, because in this majestic song, she has the beginnings of a truly revelatory album. Like this? Try... , Madonna - for more American history.
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randomfurlong | 2015
14 | Decay | Tove Styrke | Haff_Bawmpo Kiddo is an absolutely superb album, and this, for me, is the cream of its crop. It was the exhilirating, jittering finale that alerted me to it, but the more I pressed play in search of that particular drug, the more the eloquent beauty of the whole song made itself apparent to me. Tove sings the plaintive lyrics with such tenderness that lets the listener unpack the mournfulness of the song's subject - betrayed by its initially inscrutable title. Like this? Try... , Tame Impala - for another jittering mess bubbling through the production.
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randomfurlong | 2015
15 | Lean On | Major Lazer feat. MØ & DJ Snake | YqeW9_5kURI None of the artists had much form for world-dominating hits, but sometimes, quality just cannot be denied. Still sounds fresh as a daisy after all these months. A masterclass in shaping your sound for chart success without compromising what existing fans saw in you. Like this? Try... , Snakehips feat. Tinashe & Chance the Rapper - for another rising popstar elevating casual brilliance to one of the communal jams of the year.
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randomfurlong | 2015
I was like WHAT and then remembered I still have that line under my username. Still a great song. Thanks Dr! Art Angels indeed a great album - will be presenting my albums lists before my top 10 singles.
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randomfurlong | 2015
16 | Player | Tinashe | 3-htwnPdp18 Underwhelming on first listen, but now an example of what Tinashe is: the best popstar on the planet right now. Silky-smooth vocals, straightforward, catchy songcraft that combines current beats with a sharp, streamlined take on bubblegum pop. The dynamism is clear through the rhythmic motion of the beats and how she attacks every line; an effortless but majestic vocal that keeps surprising. (Keep your Chris Brown, though. You're better than that.) Like this? Try... , One Direction - for more immaculate pop tuneage.
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randomfurlong | 2015
17 | Be The One | Dua Lipa | -rey3m8SWQI The last addition to this list, but FUCKING HELL. What a way to announce yourself to the world. The chorus is a thing of absolute magic, swooping around the ears like a cloak. Her superb vocals move effortlessly between strained and passionate and casually, caustically dismissive - and then on that chorus... ugh, just bury me with this song. Like this? Try... , Tove Lo - for more dynamic, shapeshifting pop.
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randomfurlong | 2015
18 | I'll Wait For You | Iris | 4R9-KhACamk A marvel of elegant pop construction. A beautiful contrast between the silky vocals, softly affirming adoration, and the sharp hit of the beats and synths, powering the emotion home. HUGE thanks to Silas for this BJSC discovery. Like this? Try... , Jasmine Thompson - for more affectionate but punchy pop.
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randomfurlong | 2015
19 | How Deep Is Your Love | Calvin Harris & Disciples | EgqUJOudrcM Calvin Harris crashes back into form thanks in large part to an absolute gorgeous, wrenching vocal from Disciples, who gives the thumping beats an anguish and melancholy that is always where I like my dance music to linger. Like this? Try... , Years & Years - for more demanding disco passion.
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randomfurlong | 2015
20 | World Princess part II | Grimes | You'll have to listen on Spotify The moment this began, I knew it was a keeper. Then when the chorus kicks in and she's wailing like nothing you've ever heard before... it's magnetic. It's raw and it's painful and it's crazy and it's primal. The crescendos and freneticism of the music is unforgettable. Like this? Try... ‘Holy Bubbles', Zhala - for more swirling beats and primal screams.
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randomfurlong | 2015
Thanks all! Joseph, not sure I'd call Troye underrated, but I suppose it depends what circles you run in, haha. Let's get on with this...
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STAR WARS: THE RATE
The final lightsaber fight is SO good, it makes up for a lot of that. The set design, the pacing, the pacing of the fight - all superb. Clones doesn't really have anything that compares, except the 'Across the Stars' theme.
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STAR WARS: THE RATE
04 Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace 03 Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones 04 Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith 10 Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope 11 Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back 09 Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi 08 Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens generic ratings soz
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Marina and the Diamonds - Discography Rate
SORRY I know I'm late forgive me :( The Family Jewels 08 Are You Satisfied? 07 Shampain 10 I Am Not A Robot 07 Girls 11 Mowgli's Road 10 Obsessions 08 Hollywood 08 The Outsider 10 Hermit The Frog 10 Oh No! 09 Rootless 09 Numb 10 Guilty 06 The Family Jewels Electra Heart 08 Bubblegum Bitch 07 Primadonna 10 Lies 07 Homewrecker 09 Starring Role 10 The State Of Dreaming 08 Power & Control 07 Living Dead 11 Teen Idle 10 Valley Of The Dolls 06 Hypocrates 11 Fear And Loathing 10 Radioactive 09 Sex Yeah 08 Lonely Hearts Club 10 Buy the Stars 06 How to Be a Heartbreaker FROOT 10 Happy 10 Froot 10 I'm A Ruin 08 Blue 09 Forget 08 Gold 09 Can't Pin Me Down 08 Solitaire 09 Better Than That 08 Weeds 10 Savages 10 Immortal Extras: 08 Seventeen 07 Simplify 08 Electra Heart 06 E.V.O.L 05 Just Desserts With (Charli XCX) Albums 10 The Family Jewels 11 Electra Heart 10 FROOT
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Good Delta Hit Parade: End Of Year Charts 2015
Hey Rich! Long time no comment. But how can I NOT on the big EOY list. Awfully haven’t even got around to The Corrs’ new album yet - the single is solid but it didn’t really insist I listen. But I will get around to it. Carly is this year’s pop must-have - glad to see it getting its due here, as pretty much everywhere! Also great to see Kiddo top ten - really strong album, her little shift in sound really paid off magnificently. If only she’d stop f***ing around with her gigs! (I hope she’s okay, honestly.) Sad to see Susanne so low, but perhaps it’s not everyone’s loony obsession. Singles I will tackle properly when the full list is done, but wanted to say hurrah particularly for Hopscotch - also popped up in mine, such a beguiling song - and Papercut, which didn’t quite make it, but really is a divine song that justifies that length. Such a gorgeous build to it.
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randomfurlong | 2015
21 | Paper Light (Higher) | Loreen | KRIUdgRw9_U Loreen astonishes once again. That register used for the chorus is unbelievable, but it works to take the song to come mystical level above most other songs. The house piano adds to the choral feel, and it's all so sumptuous and spiritual. Like this? Try... 'Don't Stop Believing', Mariette - for more Swedish pop descended from the heavens.
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randomfurlong | 2015
22 | Here For You | Kygo feat. Ella Henderson | b8PPap4dJog My sound of the summer. Ella Henderson was born for this sort of glorious vocal - powerful and passionate, but smooth and relaxed. Let those tropical rhythms carry you back to the beach. Like this? Try... , XYConstant feat. Tom Aspaul - for more blissful summer dance. These two songs kind of came as a pair for me for a month or so.
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randomfurlong | 2015
23 | Bandit | Justine Skye | EAAHCWFdtEU Speaking of cocky... this is slick, sensual and oozing with arrogance, announcing a true new talent. The rhythms of her vocals are unpredictable and infectious. Like this? Try... 'Movement', Jamie Woon - for toe-tapping slickness, and with an apology he didn't get a spot proper, because I still love him.
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randomfurlong | 2015
24 | King Kunta | Kendrick Lamar | hRK7PVJFbS8 From this year's hip-hop superstar, his own personal anthem. Takes a lot of gumption to pull off this kind of swagger, but this just rolls off his tongue without a care in the world. Like this? Try... , Goodbye Tomorrow - for much more unexpected, much darker, but equally cocky hip-hop.
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randomfurlong | 2015
25 | Dancing On Glass | St. Lucia | lDKJ29357FU Only partly because it sounds like a pack of dogs barking for the opening 33 seconds. No one does this sort of tropical pop better than St. Lucia, and this is one of their most electrifying hours. Like this? Try... 'Bury It', CHVRCHES - for similar club-ready euphoric blasts.
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randomfurlong | 2015
Haha, read away! If I can provide even one worthy discovery, I'll be happy. Do let me know of anything you endorse! I am SO on trend. Glad you're following along :heart: Thanks MerryFlynnmas and UltraChristmas for having awesome seasonal names and also for commenting :D
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TBO VIII - The Final
I cut it down to eleven on first go. Oops.
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randomfurlong | 2015
As we're halfway through, here's a rundown of the countdown so far! 50 | Bitch Better Have My Money - Rihanna 49 | Hourglass - Disclosure feat. Lion Babe 48 | Lost and Found - Ellie Goulding 47 | Make Me A Bird - Arcane Station feat. Marianne Hekkilæ 46 | No Words - Erik Hassle 45 | Warrior - Laura Marling 44 | America - XYLØ 43 | Drive - Halsey 42 | in time - FKA twigs 41 | My Gun - Tove Lo 40 | I’m In It With You - Loreen 39 | Baby Love - Petite Meller 38 | One Last Night - Vaults 37 | Hula Hoop - Brenmar feat. UNiiQU3 36 | Apart - Kasper Bjørke feat. Sísy Ey 35 | Pyramids - Noonie Bao 34 | Sorry - Justin Bieber 33 | Savages - Marina & the Diamonds 32 | Hopscotch - Emmelie de Forest 31 | Can’t Feel My Face - The Weeknd 30 | You Don’t Own Me - Grace feat. G-Eazy 29 | Perfume - Ji Nilsson 28 | BITE - Troye Sivan 27 | Confident - Demi Lovato 26 | Keep It Movin’ - Serayah & Yazz
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randomfurlong | 2015
26 | Keep It Movin' | Serayah & Yazz | BEijS6T8F-I Probably the song I've danced to the most this year. The shuffling beat barely ever ceases - this is a full steam ahead song, a fiery whirlwind that shows how much Empire is WASTING Serayah. Like this? Try... ‘That’s How I’m Feelin’’, Ciara feat. Pitbull & Missy Elliott - for more breathless dancing.
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randomfurlong | 2015
27 | Confident | Demi Lovato | cwLRQn61oUY ACTIVATE STRUT. Destination: HQ. Title: Boss-Ass Bitch. Like this? Try... , Hailee Steinfeld - for more unapologetic, anthemic feminism.