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'You're Always Here' by Ashley Tisdale
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'Amazing' Music Video by Hi Fashion
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'Bring It!' Music Video by Manila Luzon featuring Jinkx Monsoon
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'Ru Girl' Music Video by Alaska Thunderfuck
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'Banga! Banga!' Music Video by Austin Mahone
Austin Mahone is shaping up to be the next Justin Bieber but hopefully he won't turn into a train wreck and a joke the Biebs has recently. Austin's a cutie and makes fun music that you can dance to so what's not to love? A few days ago the teen heartthrob released his new music video for 'Banga! Banga!' which I got to see him perform at the MTV VMA Kick-Off Show. The video is basically a lot of him hanging out in a skate park with a bunch of friends, and he keeps ogling a girl. He shows off his skateboard moves and eventually wins the girl over. Of course it includes some awesome choreography and basically a whole bunch of Mahomie lovableness.
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'The Monster' Music Video by Eminem featuring Rihanna
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'Summer of '93' by The Dolls
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'Dirty Mouth' Music Video by JbDubs
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'BEYONCÉ' by Beyoncé Album Review
Just when everyone thought a year of incredible music was winding down, Beyoncé pulled a sneak attack with an exclusive album-only iTunes release that resulted in her having a debut at #1 with 617,000 copies sold in just three days. That's a far cry from Lady Gaga's ARTPOP sales of 258,000 which took her seven days and months of in-your-face promo to achieve. King Bey indeed. Without releasing a single or video or even doing one promo performance, Beyoncé did more in three days than what most of our reigning pop divas have done all year. And she did it all while maintaining her dignity and self-respect and without selling out. Like she says, "Radio say 'speed it up', I just go slower."
Starting off the album is a Beyoncé monster of a mid-tempo that will have you crying within seconds. 'Pretty Hurts' is about grappling with your self image as external forces are telling you that you need to fix this and that. As she proclaims, "Perfection is a disease of the nation." With such simplicity in talking about self-image problems she has critiqued an entire culture all while inducing heart-wrenching sobs. Bey's voice soars and glides over the beats as she screams how "pretty hurts." The video sees Bey partaking in a pageant and ultimately coming in second. And by the end we get an epic trophy room destroyed by Bey as she releases all her pent up emotions. It's powerful.
2. Haunted - 8/10
Moving from a gut-wrenching mid-tempo to something a bit more experimental, on 'Haunted' Bey begins with a critique on the state of the music industry in what is titled 'Ghost' in the video section. It's a very subdued vocal from the usual over-the-top R&B stylings she normally throws at us. 'Haunted' picks up steam as its trap-electronica beat speeds up and Bey gets very sexual, giving us our first taste of what is actually a very sexually charged-record. It's not one of my favorites on the album, but I really like the experimental aspect that unknown producer Boots brings to the track. In the video for 'Haunted' her royal highness Bey turns up and sits there looking fit and fabulous. She channels some of Madonna's most iconic scenes from 'Erotica' and 'Hollywood' but it's still all her own. Want else do you need her to do when she knows she's the HBIC?
3. Drunk On Love (feat. Jay-Z) - 9/10
This is the first real stand-out track/obvious single choice of the album (it's actually hard to pick out potential singles). Bey and Jay are arguably the most powerful celebrity couple out there, and it just wouldn't be an album without the new generation's Bonnie and Clyde making an appearance. It's a great hip-hop track with Bey bringing out her urban side and giving us some ghetto realness with her vocals. And let's not forget her "surfboard" line which is instantly iconic. And then Jay-Z comes in, lays down a verse, and slays our entire lives. We learn quite a bit about the couples' sex lives (more than we wanted to know?). The video is quite simple as the couple dance around on the beach and grind up against each other. Beyoncé shows off her exquisite body and gives us some memorable moves. It's clear these two have the kind of love everyone hopes to find and it's beautiful.
'Blow' is one of the more playful songs on the record and is an instant standout because of how catchy it is. Once you get over that, you realize just how dirty the song is but it really doesn't matter because it's such a jam. Pharrell and Timbaland crafted a tune that's hyper-sexual and will never let you look at Skittles the same again. The video is also one of the most fun as Bey and her posse make their way to a roller rink and go for a neon glow-in-the-dark '70s-influenced dance party. Will you turn that cherry out?
5. No Angel - 7/10
After an infectious tongue-in-cheek tune, Bey does a 180 and gives us this mid-tempo that is more urban with an experimental beat. Bey's vocals on this one are interesting as she goes for a more raspy approach at times. There's a disconcerting vibe to the song that is oddly engaging, and I think that's what makes this one so magical. The song is basically about how your significant other might not be an angel, but you love them so much you're going to stick it out and try to make it work. The video for the song sees Beyoncé return home to the 4th Ward and we see gangsters, strippers, cars and money in a not too friendly neighborhood. The video makes the same sort of statement as the song.
6. Partition - 10/10
"Lemme hear you say 'Haaaaayyy, Mrs. Carter" Bey tells us before kicking off the highlight of the album and the song that brings out my inner black diva. The first part of the song which is 'Yoncé' will have you getting down and dirty and shows off the urban side of Bey like we've never seen before. The song is about how she makes her own rules when it comes to making music as "Radio say 'speed it up', I just go slower" and "I sneezed on the beat and the beat got sicker." It's her big F U to the music industry and it couldn't be better. We then segue into 'Partition' and it's the most overtly sexually song on the album. Yoncé is literally telling her driver to put up the partition so her and Jay can get it on in the backseat. Damn, girl.The song ends with a French dialogue which is again targeting criticism about her and her music being anti-feminist, and this is the first time that feminist aspect of the record begins announcing itself. In 'Yoncé' she dances around with a couple of models and shows how sexy a woman can be when she's dancing (without twerking) and then in 'Partition', as only she can, she makes one of the dirtiest songs the classiest and flawless. Who doesn't want a piece of Yoncé?
'Jealous' is where Beyoncé gets real and raw, and she lets her anger out. It's one of my favorites on the album because we really get to see some angst and heart from her. She sings about how she wants to walk in her man's shoes and see what he's really thinking. A more mature 'If I Were a Boy' anyone? She says she's just human and she'll keep her promise if her man keeps his. I absolutely love the production on this one. In the video, she sets the table and then angrily throws all the food off before running out into the street looking upset. We get her best bit of acting in this clip as she runs through the streets crying before happening to run into Jay's car and suddenly everything is ok again.
8. Rocket - 9/10
After that glimpse of vulnerability, we go back to sex. 'Rocket' is basically just a huge euphemism and if this doesn't make you horny, you've got a problem. She wants her man to punish her and she sings, “Rock it ’til waterfalls/Bathe in these waterfalls.” That about sums it up. The slick R&B production just adds to the perfection of this song. In the video, Bey's body is the star as the camera follows her curves and shows us just how beautiful pornography can be without being in your face passionless sex. Bey gets artsy here.
Featuring the second collaboration on the album, Beyoncé enlists rapper Drake for this moody uptempo that is pretty damn great. The song is probably the second most personal track as she openly sings about her relationship issues with Jay. She lets us know that they've talked about separating, and things after she had the baby weren't such smooth sailing. When Drake and Bey sing together it's magic, and with the back and forth verses floating over the piano melody and woodblock makes for a strong track. The video is where things get taken to a new level as Beyoncé recreates Michaelangelo's iconic Pietà, but she turns it into a moving artwork masterpiece and it is easily one of the standout videos.
10. XO - 10/10
Remember that Ryan Tedder-produced song that he was raving about and said how it was like the best thing he had ever done? Well it's here, and it's a highlight of an already spectacular album. The song is much lighter and airier than the preceding songs making for a nice emotional break, and we get to hear Bey be happier in this life-affirming anthem of love. The electronic production makes for a euphoric radio smash that will propel her career to newer heights. I cannot wait to see her perform this one. It's the first single for Top 40 radio, and it could not be a more perfect choice. The video for the song is really the only one that we had known about prior to the album's release. Bey goes to Coney Island for a day of fun and hangs out with friends and her fans. It's feel-good. What more can you ask for?
Remember 'Bow Down / I Been On' that leaked over the summer? Well Yoncé resurrected the first portion and incorporated it into this new epic song that almost rivals 'Partition' for the best urban track on the album. 'Bow Down' is literally epic as Yoncé asserts her domination and tells the lessers to "bow down, bitches." A spoken word piece from Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche highlights the feminist aspect of the record, and moving into 'Flawless' one realizes how powerful of a statement this song makes once you distance yourself from Bey's shockingly filthy mouth. The video begins and ends with Beyoncé's original girl group competing on Star Search where they only got three stars (hence the title of the song) and lost to a boy band. No matter what, rise above diversity and obstacles and prove why you should be taken seriously.
12. Superpower (feat. Frank Ocean) - 7/10
I still don't understand the rage over Frank Ocean. I just think his music is so boring and entirely overrated. That being said, this is a nice smooth track to wind things down after '***Flawless' and before we get to some emotionally draining songs. My first thought when I heard this was Glee. The song is primarily made of acapella "do do dos" which have become a signature trademark for the now derailed teen dramedy. The song is mainly about the power of love. And that's really all there is to it. It's really one of my least favorites. The video is where things get interesting. Bey shows some breast as she's wearing a burka-type headpiece while walking through a parking garage. Things begin getting crazy as she walks out into a riot, but all the while nothing happens to her and she begins amassing a posse. And then comes the biggest WTF moment: MICHELLE AND KELLY SHOW UP. Destiny's Child reunion for the third time this year. Epicness.
13. Heaven - 10/10
And now for one of the most heart-wrenching ballads you've probably ever heard in your life. It's clear from the opening piano chords and Bey's lamenting vocals that this is a serious subject. Listening to the song, it's safe to guess that this song is about Bey's miscarriage as she sings "Heaven couldn't wait for you. Now go home." Just thinking about her writing and singing this song breaks my heart. Not many artists open up about something so personal so kudos to her. In the video, Bey doesn't give us what we're expecting but she still manages to break our hearts into a million pieces. The video shows Bey hanging out with what appears to be her best friend, but then the friend dies and Bey sings at her grave.
14. Blue (feat. Blue Ivy) - 9/10
Probably the most surprising collaboration is the final cut from the album. Not only does Beyoncé gives us a song about the love she has for her daughter, but she also features Blue Ivy on the song and it results in one of the cutest things you've probably ever heard. The song is really a mixture of every piece of this album as it fluctuates between R&B, electronica and massive orchestral moments. The tune also has one of my favorite choruses from the entirety of this record. It's just so beautiful and genuine. As for the video? It's basically a home video of Bey, Jay and Blue.
Overall Rating: 9/10
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'Adore You' Music Video by Miley Cyrus
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Merry Christmas!
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'Battlefield' by Lea Michele
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'Never Gonna Change' by BROODS
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'Crying For No Reason' Music Video by Katy B
Katy B's 'Crying For No Reason' is easily one of my favorite songs of 2013 even though it tears my heart apart every time I put it on. Katy is a master at crafting pop perfection, and with the music video for the song now out, she took it to new heights. The video is very simplistic in that all she does is sing on a stage with her band, but the video gets pretty epic once the lights sync to the music and the projection screen turns on. From then on the video is a mix of rapid raging lights which perfectly mimic the tension between all the emotions Katy is holding inside her. It's an extraordinary display of lights that unusually heightens the tension and painful emotion of the song. Simply put, it's beautiful.
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Top 10 Albums of 2013
This year has seen some incredible music released and certain artists have dominated the charts week after week. There have been many incredible moments such as Beyoncé's Super Bowl half-time show which saw Destiny's Child reunited as well as Miley's infamous twerking at the VMAs. The pop divas reigned the music scene and we saw some of the most big profile returns from Lady Gaga to Katy Perry to the one and only Britney Spears. With all the music that was released, what do I consider to be the Best Albums of 2013? Obviously my Top 10 is going to be quite different from that of the critics, but these are my personal favorites. Where did everyone land? Let's find out.
Daft Punk is a duo who had been mysteriously quiet for the past few years only to release their latest offering earlier this year. The album was preceded by the first single 'Get Lucky' which featured Pharrell and basically dominated radio as it was one of the biggest songs of the summer, and with the retro funk mixed with EDM, Daft Punk crafted an album on steroids with songs that when linked together created an audio experience unlike any other. It's an audio feast that put this European duo back on the map.
With a 15 year break from music, how could this album not land on my Top 10? The Goddess of Pop Cher made her anxiously awaited return to music last Thanksgiving when she released 'Woman's World', a club banger which ultimately became the first single from the singer's new album released this fall. She took over The Voice to premiere the song and from then on she dominated pop culture. While the album wasn't a critical standout, it showed how much of a staple Cher is to the music industry. Closer to the Truth is easily my second favorite album of hers behind Living Proof. She mixed classic Cher with the current dance music scene as well as threw in some 'Half-Breed'-era Cher to craft her most well-rounded offering to date.
Panic! At the Disco was one of the very first bands I ever fell in love with back in middle school, but my affection for them wavered after they released a couple mediocre albums. Their Fall return marked a return to their old sound but it still displayed their growth and maturity in an album that is an ode to their start in Vegas. The album is a concept album chock full of gorgeous songs that are left of center and much more indie-sounding than you would expect from the band. They regained their stride and made me fall in love with them all over again, making it an easy choice to include them on this list.
7. Pure Heroine
Let's face it, this year has seen the rise of indie underground artists make their stamp on pop music and help redefine it for the better. There were rumblings over the summer about sixteen year old New Zealand native Lorde as she had released what has now gone on to be an explosive hit song, 'Royals'. Her debut album Pure Heroine was easily one of the most anticipated albums of the year. All eyes were on Lorde, and she did not disappoint. The album maintained her mature lyrical expression and odd production that mark her signature sound. While the album was a bit underwhelming for me, there's no doubt how well-crafted this body of work is and how important it was to music this year. And Lorde shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.
6. ARTPOP
Lady Gaga. That moniker has become one of the biggest names in recent memory. Gaga has completely redefined the music scene and what it means to be a pop star since she burst onto the scene with her hit 'Just Dance'. Since then she has perfected her craft and become more than just a music maker. Her fourth album ARTPOP shows off her diversity and progression as an artist. While many found the album to be weak, I personally think it's second only to The Fame Monster as it lifts heavily from The Fame-era Gaga but also brings in the darkness of The Fame Monster and the oddities of Born This Waywhile still being forward-thinking and experimenting with traditional EDM but continually pushing the boundaries. There are a few duds on the album, but overall it's one cohesive collection of songs that I still play on a weekly basis.
5. When the Night
St. Lucia is an artist who I was introduced to by way of my good friend and blogger over at Oblivious Pop and I'm so glad I was. New York City singer-songwriter St. Lucia released one of the best albums of the year with When the Night. St. Lucia plays with tropical instrumentation while going '80s-retro on most of his songs but still being able to make it dance-y and fit in quite well with today's music scene. The album is refreshing to listen to and one of the best cohesive bodies of work I've heard in a while. St. Lucia is an artist to look out for, and I really hope he gets more exposure in the future because he deserves it all.
Whoever thought a relatively unknown indie act would make it onto my list, let alone get this far up? Well, all you have to do is listen to their album and you'll understand why. CHVRCHES have been one of the biggest acts to hit the indie scene this year, their album The Bones of What You Believe taking pop music to a new level. Their ethereal electro-pop sound borrows from the best pop artists out there to create an album that shows the potential pop music has if it weren't for certain producers and their generic beats (looking at you will.i.am). Every single song is just pure perfection, and you won't waste a penny on supporting this talented group.
3. Bangerz
Let's face it, we all knew Miley was going to make an appearance on my list. After all, Miley Cyrus was the most talked about artist of 2013 from her rebranding in both sound and image in her 'We Can't Stop' video (which happened to be my song of the summer) and then to her headline-grabbing antics on stage with Robin Thicke at the MTV Video Music Awards. People weren't sure what to make of her new sound until she released her third album Bangerz which is almost without a flaw. She dabbles in everything from straight up pop to rap to country and everything inbetween on the most diverse offering on this list. The album is a journey every which way and is at times dizzying, but it always captures your attention and gets you grooving along with Miley's signature crooning. What would our year have been without all the twerking and tongue wagging?
2. Britney Jean
The Queen of Pop is only at #2? "This must be a mistake," you're asking yourself. Surprisingly, it's not. If it weren't for the #1's surprise release Britney would of course be sitting pretty on her throne where she belongs. But alas the circumstances are different. While the critics and many fans panned Britney Jean, I still think it's her best album behind Blackout, and even though it has a few missteps in terms of the production value, I love this album with all my heart. I've listened to it an obscene amount of times since its release, and with each listen my love for it exponentially grows. It shows us Personalney which we haven't seen in years, and finally we get to hear the return of Vocalney. When she's in the zone Britney churns out flawlessness like no other pop diva can, and that's what makes this my second favorite album of the year. And with her Piece of Me show in Vegas having opened this week, it's easy to say the bitch is back.
1. BEYONCÉ
In a year filled with artists whoring themselves out promotion wise, one woman basically flipped off the industry and showed the world that we should be focusing on the music not the spectacle. Beyoncé shocked everyone earlier this month when she secretly released a brand new album complete with a video for every song and then some onto iTunes and then sat back and watched as the internet blew up and she sold more copies of her album in three days than Katy Perry and Lady Gaga sold in an entire week. I can't tell you how many times I've listened to the album as it blends every facet of Beyoncé into one and gives us one of the most introspective looks into her life that I've seen from a pop artist in recent memory. Beyoncé easily accomplished her job and while doing so asserted her dominance over every other basic bitch out there. Even though this was the year of Miley, Beyoncé still came out on top.
Honorable Mention: Wrapped In Red
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Top 20 Songs of 2013
20. American Girl
Bonnie McKee is the woman behind many of your favorite Katy Perry songs, and this year she finally broke out and released her solo music. 'American Girl' was one of my favorite songs this summer and showed that on her own she is a force to be reckoned with. Watch out 2014, Bonnie's comin' for ya!
19. Wrecking Ball
Miley ruled 2013 with tongue-wagging and twerking, but it was really her 'Wrecking Ball' video that riled people up with her riding naked on a wrecking ball and licking a sledge hammer. But her antics have paid off as she is one of the most talked about celebs of the year, and her phenomenal music has smashed records. 'Wrecking Ball' shows off her fantastic voice and is one of the most beautiful and emotional songs to be released this year.
18. Wake Me Up
Avicii went mainstream this year as he began prepping the release of his debut album. His Mumford and Sons bluegrass-inspired 'Wake Me Up' has been one of the biggest hits of the year and has influenced many artists in redefining their sound. I still jam out to this one on a daily basis.
17. Carry You
2012 X Factor UK boy band Union J released one of my most highly anticipated albums of the year and they did not disappoint. Their debut single 'Carry You' is insanely catchy and gave a breath of fresh air in an over-polluted music scene. These boys are off to bigger and better things in 2014.
16. Story of My Life
Ever since competing on The X Factor UK, One Direction have been working non-stop and have arguably become the biggest boy band since Backstreet Boys back in the day. They release hit after hit, and their new album Midnight Memories showed tremendous growth on their part, in particular 'Story of My Life', another bluegrass inspired tune. Even my brother who hates Top 40 music secretly jams out to this one.
15. Get Lucky
'Get Lucky' was one of the biggest smash hits earlier this year. Daft Punk ruled the summer as I heard the song at least four to five times a day on the radio. They brought the funk back with their album Random Access Memories with help from Pharrell and Nile Rodgers. There's not a person on this planet who can't sing you this infectious hook.
14. All-American Boy
My man Steve Grand went viral this year when he released his self-funded tune 'All-American Boy' on the Fourth of July and became the most talked about man in the country as the first out male singer in country music. He's just a wholesome homo that makes phenomenal music, and he's one to watch out for in 2014.
13. Royals
Lorde. No one has not heard 'Royals' and cannot say that she is a genius for a girl of seventeen. Her left-of-center music has taken over radio this fall and she has been heralded as the savior of pop music. How long will she last? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure: Lorde was the breakout star of the year.
12. I Love It
Icona Pop were making rumblings last year as the Swedish duo released their EP, but it was late Spring when their song 'I Love It' blew up and became one of those songs that you got sick of simply because it was played every hour on every radio station. No matter how many times you've heard it you can't deny that it's a sick tune that makes you scream the lyrics at the top of your lungs.
11. Thrift Shop
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis have seen unbelievable success in 2013. They are the kind of people that restore your faith in music because they self-produced everything they created and it wasn't until their cheeky tune 'Thrift Shop' went viral that they broke out. Then they delivered another fun one, 'Can't Hold Us', before seeing their biggest success with 'Same Love' which has touched people's hearts everywhere and has been a huge celebration of all the progress the U.S. has seen with gay rights this year.
10. Applause
2013 saw the return of many pop divas, and Lady Gaga was one of those. She unveiled her first single 'Applause' right before the MTV Video Music Awards and then went on to blow everyone's minds with the video and the rest of ARTPOP. 'Applause' still gives me chills every time I listen to it. The opening chords are basically iconic now.
9. Work Bitch
Britney Spears also made her triumphant return this year with Britney Jean and its lead single 'Work Bitch'. While it was met with lukewarm reviews, the song has really grown on me and I still jam out to it everyday. Plus, the video is one of the hottest we've seen from Brit Brit in years and now the choreography is iconic with it being the most popular performance at her Piece of Me Vegas residency show. And let's face it, it's basically the most motivational song you've ever heard. You want a hot body? You better work, bitch!
8. Holy Grail
Jay Z and Justin Timberlake are a powerful duo, and their collaboration on Jay's album was one of my favorite songs of the year. 'Holy Grail' is an insanely epic song, and between JT's silky smooth vocals and Jay Z's rapping this song is a force to be reckoned with.
7. Young and Beautiful
Lana Del Rey had a huge year in 2013 compared to largely being bashed in 2012. Her song 'Young and Beautiful' for The Great Gatsby soundtrack became a standout hit and garnered her some support. It's hauntingly beautiful and really set the tone of the film.
6. Bridges
5. Do What U Want
Arguably even more popular than 'Applause', Gaga's 'Do What U Want' has been smashing radio. Thanks to R. Kelly, the R&B infused jam is a huge F U to the media and it's just a downright sexy tune. But not only is it one of my favorites of the year, tomorrow we are being treated to the official remix featuring none other than Christina Aguilera whose helping hand on The Voice caused a meltdown of epic proportions with fans everywhere. I don't think 2014 is ready to handle this earth shattering collabo.
4. Same Love
Macklemore's 'Same Love' has affected people everywhere, transcending discrimination and showing people that love is love. It's become not only an anthem for gays, but people of all races, ethnicity, etc. My dad sings this song at the top of his lungs every time it comes on which makes me so happy. The performances of the song have been exhilarating, and it's incredible to see an artist bringing people together in such a positive way.
3. Summertime Sadness
Lana Del Rey, mainly thanks to Cedric Gervais, took her fame to new heights when she released 'Summertime Sadness' and it became one of my favorite tunes to jam out to over the summer. The remix is euphoric. Dance music doesn't get much better than this. And the original song is just as flawless but in a completely different way.
2. Crying For No Reason
Katy B stole my heart this fall with her song 'Crying For No Reason' quickly becoming my go to song. Pop music really doesn't get more perfect than this. It makes you dance and cry at the same time, and Katy's vocals are pure euphoria. I'm hoping in 2014 she'll really blow up with her new album.
1. We Can't Stop
And we've once again made it back to Miley Cyrus. I really don't need to say much except that 'We Can't Stop' marked the re-birth of Miley and was the moment that 2013 changed course. This is my song of the year because it's a loaded piece of pop culture that carries with it so much. This song has redefined Miley's career forever, and without it 2013 would have been bleak and boring.
And for convenience sake, here's all 20 songs in video form for your viewing pleasure!
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'Do What U Want' by Lady Gaga featuring Christina Aguilera
And as an added bonus, check out this mega remix featuring Rick Ross, R. Kelly and Legendtina.
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'Dirty Love' Music Video by Ke$ha
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'Latch' by Disclosure featuring Sam Smith
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'Give It Up' by ALECS
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