Noahspike

Inspired winner :o. Hadn't seen that coming and now feel obliged to revisit 'Queen Of Peace' and concentrate properly, as I'd always merely thought of it as very good/solid (like the rest of its parent album). As of now I'd favour a more predictable winning track, i.e. any of #2-#4, especially 'Dog Days Are Over'. <3 Cheers for running this, Harry! Was fun to follow.

I also got the nug nug nudge. B-) Was planning on entering anyway but this has given me the kick I needed to get searching properly and ensure I find something on time, so cheers Lindsey!

Happy with his top two biggest sellers (for now). 'This Is What You Came For' is decent but doesn't come close to touching those two tracks - never quite understood its continued level of success, blatant name power aside. Both of his Ellie collaborations don't do much for me either, but it's great to see 'Dance Wiv Me' still holding its own in that top 10 after so many years/subsequent hits, alongside 'Feel So Close' (the superior of the two solo tracks there) and 'Sweet Nothing'. 'Pray To God' remains such a baffling flop single - had everything going for it so a #35 peak still seems so wrong. Thankful for small mercies in scraping the list here at least!

I completely agree with all of that! My post was a criticism only as far as this song, and my standards for her are as high as they are because of how all-round incredible she is as a pop entity (though I'm not sure your full post was a direct response to mine). It's a personal preference but I can't get very invested in a song that's so reliant on repetition of the most obvious empowerment tropes; from climbing mountains to not giving up to being 'alive' (and then roping in 'tonight' to rhyme for good measure)! The sentiment and emotion are both there, as ever with Sia, but there's not much beyond that. The lyrics lack substance to me and I know she's more than capable of better. As I said though, I'm delighted she's now at a stage this far into her career that people en masse take listen and respond as soon as she puts something out as it's so justified for all of the reasons you've mentioned.

I'm hoping for a good mix of these subdued, less melodic styles with her familiar brand of explosive pop moments, as the latter tracks are all the more effective (at least for me) when kept to a quota. I'd much rather a bit more experimentation with styles and tempos than an album full of the sensibilities present in the last one...though of course it helps that I adore both 'Cool Girl' and 'Influence'. :kink:

'Shake It Out' kind of left me cold when I heard it by chance the other day. Loved it on release but I'd say top 10 is a little high for my liking. Mildly surprised 'No Light, No Light' made the upper tier as I thought I recalled it being an unpopular single choice at the time (?), and it just never seems to get attention. Her live performances of that song are always particularly captivating, especially with that ridiculously long note towards the end. 'What The Water Gave Me' is so gorgeous :wub:, and I'm chuffed to see 'What Kind Of Man' finish so well. One of Flo's best anthems - adore the instrumentation, lyrics, video, everything. <3

Shall be voting later this evening on the right side of the deadline (B-)), as I've to head out soon and my order's not fully decided yet. Plenty of glorious pop-leaning stuff in this final, and it's a strong one on other fronts too. <3

Not really feeling 'Blonde', much as I've been trying over the last while. :'( Nostalgia Ultra xx.x Strawberry Swing 09.5 Novacane xx.x We All Try xx.x Songs 4 Women xx.x Love Crimes xx.x There Will Be Tears 11.0 Swim Good xx.x Dust xx.x American Wedding xx.x Nature Feels Channel ORANGE 09.5 Thinkin' Bout You 07.0 Sierra Leone 09.0 Sweet Life 08.5 Super Rich Kids 07.5 Pilot Jones 06.5 Crack Rock 09.0 Pyramids 10.0 Lost 06.0 Monks 09.0 Bad Religion 06.5 Pink Matter 10.0 Forrest Gump Blonde 07.5 Nikes 07.0 Ivy 08.5 Pink + White 08.0 Solo 05.5 Skyline To 08.5 Self Control 08.0 Nights 05.0 Pretty Sweet 07.0 White Ferrari 07.5 Siegfried 04.0 Godspeed 07.5 Futura Free

The fact that Sia's name power has become such that this is already a Top 5 hit is so well deserved in terms of her overall career, but the song itself is almost comically formulaic that it only makes me think how outstanding she'd be if she pushed herself a bit more. I do like the track because it's got her magic touches all over it, however they mask and distract from the bland, lazy lyrics and tired empowerment clichés throughout (which'd be apparent if anyone else was at the vocal helm). Lyrically and structurally, it sounds like it was put together in minutes when she was out of ideas and barely even trying, and the whole thing definitely feels throwaway and insubstantial when compared to her best efforts. In saying all that, I've been playing it loads recently (and Kendrick's contribution certainly helps), so I guess her immense musical talent should be commended for enabling her make something so half-arsed yet effective! I'm also glad that it was 'Cheap Thrills' of all songs that paved the way for this to smash instantly, but yeah, it's nothing special and ultimately I expect more from her~

I'm not totally feeling it myself (at least right now) but it's clearly an excellent, classy, intricately formulated, multi-dimensional track that'll impress on a big scale, so a very smart career move. I forgot how gorgeous her voice is. I do wonder though, given she's dictated her career from the off by forcing her to go by her middle name, how long Emeli's been sitting on this/waiting to release something considering Adele had been threatening a comeback for so long, and then of course took her audience hostage along with the rest of the world for the last year. :lol: Completely! 7QO4g5zC3xU

Glad to see 'You Got The Love' flop, and interesting that it's unpopular with others too. I've an irrational hatred for that song - would be the worst thing Florence has put her name to were it not for the Dizzee re-working. I adore the 'Take Care' cover and regularly return to it, so that strikes me as underappreciated here, though it's got heaps of competition. 'All This And Heaven Too', 'Heavy In Your Arms', 'Heartlines' are 'Seven Devils' also great, but it pains me to see possibly my favourite three 'Ceremonials' tracks in that last section (surrounded by other absolute beauts too) :cry:. 'Only If For A Night', 'Never Let Me Go' and 'Lover To Lover' are all just :wub: :wub: :wub:. Regretting not voting now!

Hi Joseph! I'm starting to convince myself that 'Cool Girl' is right up there with Tove's best, which is saying something since she's been so consistent. I'm inclined to say she's released more accomplished pop songs overall ('Moments' certainly comes to mind, as does 'Talking Body'), but I find this one so addictive that I can't count it out. Re: the upcoming album, I heard 'Influence' the other day and loved it instantly, so it'd seem it'll really deliver! Yeah, Bieber's done a pretty exemplary comeback job all-round - music, marketing, PR strategies all came together expertly and now he can seemingly spend his days swanning around in the nip without a care in the world. Ah, I'd be interested to hear if he delivers live - definitely has the material for a good show anyway. I did check out the Tom album a few weeks back! Was one of those I enjoyed as background music but couldn't really identify highlights or anything afterwards. Good quality stuff though, and I agree that he's great with nice climactic builds~ 'Back On The Wall' is a total tune, and his voice really reminds me of Zayn's in parts. Cheers. :D Hai :hi: Ah, well I think you'll like 'Cool Girl' (though I did say the same about nu JoJo :manson:) but only after several listens because it definitely needs time to appreciate. I'm listening again now to 'Fuck Apologies' and I get what you're saying about the wordiness...but it still sounds strong and hit-worthy to me :thinking:. And I think Wiz's verse is complementary and doesn't seem roped in as can often seem the case with pairings like this, 'Uber' line included B-). Think we can both fully get behind a JoJo/Alessia partnership though :o - excited to hear that! And yeah, I must've been an insecure 15 y/o schoolgirl in a past life because 'Scars To Your Beautiful' is kind of speaking to me whut :mellow:. Slaylessia strikes again. ;o :ph34r: plz forgive me pips x Ooh, I didn't know that re: 'Do You Remember' - I'm a fan too. 'Give Me Something' is a catchy sang, so get on it :music:. And indeed, not the first time this year an honorary Harmonican's found themselves around the upper tiers here. :cheer: I agree on 'Tears'. I tend to feel it's building and going somewhere and then it's over before I know it. Solid song and genius career move for Louisa though. 'Body Say' is one of the best things Demi's ever done but she doesn't pull off the sound as well, or certainly as convincingly, as Selena IMO. Sings circles around her of course but I just feel Demi's one of these popstars who really doesn't 'get it'. Everything about her career seems calculated and inauthentic, and sort of several steps behind everyone else :lol:. And yep, I'm psyched for the Banks album based on everything I've heard from her, old and new. <3 Thanks Jord! Hi there :hi: I'd really recommend giving the Meghan single a go - a very different sound for her but one that somehow suits her voice perfectly. Yep, and 'Somebody Else' won't be going places anytime soon either! The song does things to me. :wub: Thanks for commenting. ^_^

Lord knows Harmonica's due a qualifier or six but I'd have marginally preferred Aeroche and Sandeborg through instead. Still, that streak! *.*

Cody's graphic faux pas getting me excited for 'Licht Uit', gah. Skall through makes up for it though as they filled the same sort of niche for me~ <3

^ I agree - I'd see 'Karma' as a big contender (having not heard the other semi). EDIT: Boo KOH :(

Singerpurear was one I just had to revisit :wub:. Can see real growth potential for the final~

Oops, that's a bit of a shock DNQ for 'Cross My Mind' - all but one prediction had it through I think. Desbuanda usually specialises in surprise qualifiers though so I can take this one. Shame though, I really thought it'd do a lot better. -_-

Suedeonia was a standout for sure, although just not enough to my taste for points, sadly. I'd say that's a good overall showing for a 39 year-old song though! Oh yay UV *.*

Cosima </3. Felt quintessentially Espen-y but captivated me more than their past entries. That's a bit of a gutting loss. :( Excellent recent Semi 1 qualifiers though - N DNTN and St. Burbia in particular. The former's probably my country of the year at this stage.

Spice up yo final *.*

'Afterglow' seemed a bit different to Ethan's typical fare - not far off his best though I thought. Disappointed to see it finish so low. :/

Yesss Hendinia. Thought Rob did very well with that one considering he was apparently stuck for an entry up to the last day~

Two of my all-time favourite nations qualifying deservedly from Semi 1 there. <3

Here for results for the first time in what feels like an age and feeling pretty hyped. B-) Quietly confident 'Cross My Mind' will make it through, mainly based on the make-up of Semi 1, but the positive predictions also help. Can't quite shake a DNQ instinct I had on entering it though. :arrr: Also, (appropriately belated) THANKS to the mods for allowing me participate in this contest - much appreciated!

A single reply to my July chart and this month I get NINE?! :blink: Won't be able to make it through in one sitting this afternoon, but thanks all! Seven! :hi: 'Somebody Else' is just utter magnificence :wub: and refuses to feel in any way stale. Definitely the best thing the band's ever done for me. Agreed, though I like 'Wherever I Go'. I've actually never considered what my fave OneRepublic song is - they've got so many tunes, whether slight guilty pleasures or otherwise. Think I'd go with 'Good Life' because I find the whole feel of it properly uplifting. That or 'Counting Stars' cos I'm basic AF at heart. <3 Indeed, an accomplishment for 'Starving' in particular given some of the lyrics could easily be cringeworthy/jarring. Hailee pulls it all off effortlessly though. Hello Jade, great to see you around these parts again! Yeah I think 'Cool Girl' is a grower by definition - can't imagine anyone being blown away by it from the off as it's sort of inherently underwhelming. I find the lazy chorus to be such an earworm though, and she brings it lyrically as usual. And yeah, it deserves top 40 for sure. -_- Aw, good to know you like 'Catalyse' as I always appreciate Jadakissnia approval :D. Was chuffed with its would-be finish in BJSC in the event I'd got my act together on time! I've been properly obsessed with 'One In A Million' for the last few weeks - I tend to love monotonous, fast-paced choruses and this one's just so so strong :wub: (and completely offsets the weakness of the singer's voice). Well I actually surprised myself in a way with the high finish of 'Arcade Summer' in my votes! First listened to it while staring out a train window on the way to the airport and it really clicked with my cheery mood I think. Lovely stuff~ Cheers! Hiya Harry :D Yup, I wouldn't say 'Concrete' is Tom's best work but it does the job, and prolongs a very good singles run. That's a pretty great approval ratio, thanks! *.* Hello Pete :hi: 'Arcade Summer' isn't something I'd usually go for but it fits nicely with the last of the good weather we've been having...or at least I hope Leeds has been blessed this summer too. B-) TY Hi Mango! Yeah I think 'Kids' shows a nice progression for a band that's been around as long as OneRepublic have. Interesting structure and I like that it gives its own take on youth/nostalgia clichés. 'Another Love' is still untouchable for me (*listens* <3), but all of the singles from Tom's current album are very welcome. 'Concrete' has a great hook. Hmm 'Don't Let Me Down' has never made much impression on me. Fine song but something's not clicking with me (probably the overdone breakdown), though I'm definitely a fan of Daya's voice in general. 'Side To Side' is irresistable - I LOVE seeing post-album singles become proper near-signature hits and I think this one's got that potential. Haha, I agree with the Ellie verdict. Decent enough for the time being though. Thank you. :D