NSOTP's Best Songs of 2017

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NMF Thoughts from April 28 - featuring Katy Perry, two Toves, and at least 3 Charli XCesque Songs!!!

Katy made Song of the Week!

NSOTP Superstars: April-May 2016

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NSOTP Best Albums of 2015

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That's it. 2015 is over. Sad days. But, with a new year we have new music. Same Taylor Swift, but new music.

Still, let's take some time to reflect because seriously, 2015 was somewhat of a renaissance for pop music. After going through the various trends of EDM, dubstep, trap, PBR&B, it was getting tedious to get through the best albums of the year when they all sounded similar. Luckily, 2015 was a varied year with a little bit of everything thrown in, but unmistakably POP. So here is the DEFINITIVE list of the best albums. I've also included the song on the album that should be the next single, because as well know, the best song of 2015 was on an amazing album from 2014 that I had wanted to be a single forever. And then it happened. The influence of NSOTP...

On to the albums:

NSOTP Superstars: April 2015

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Pop has gotten a lot more interesting in Q2. We've seen people rise from the ashes, fall apart, a couple delivering some monumental music and others just remain amazing. Here are the popstars around the world that are doing something right.

Song Of The Day: "Famous" by Charli XCX

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Pop Roundup: February 2015 Edition

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I'm back with some highlights from the month of February in the world of pop. Not too many love songs so don't worry about that. Hope you enjoy because there is nothing better than February ending, so I'll be dancing the night away for my birthday! Cheers, bitches!

Track By Track Throwback: "True Romance" by Charli XCX

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2014 was the year that Charli XCX became the global superstar she was destined to be since I first listened to her back in 2007. From gritty rave anthems to glitchy synth mix tapes, Charli slowly worked her way into the hearts of Tumblr lovers and pop hipsters like myself. While her new found success lies in her new sound of punk rock pop, the ground work was through her debut album True Romance. Her second album Sucker is currently number 1 on our albums of 2015 list but True Romance remains the superior effort. So let's break down the best album of 2013 by my favorite singer!

Who should win at the Grammys? (Sia and Charli, duh)

telegraph.co.uk

The Grammys are just around the corner and can only be described as one of the most prestigious, stressful, and unexpected awards shows ever. Remember when Esperanza Spalding beat Justin Bieber? Yeah, shit goes down. Ahead of this weekend's ceremony, I thought it was my God-given duty to break down what could possibly happen this year and who should win the actual awards (especially considering by next year, we'll be in full Adele mode when she drops 25).

The Performances

1. Madonna

This has been a rough album campaign for Queen Madge. Madonna's latest opus Rebel Heart had a lot of promise to be amazing but it has been plagued by endless leaks, stupid PC Twitter trolls, and Madonna's convoluted responses. Hopefully this performance can get the whole thing back on track because as anyone with ears can tell you, "Living For Love" is absolutely wonderful.

2. Gwen Stefani & Adam Levine

Gwen Stefani's return hasn't been much better than Madonna's (don't even get me started on Fergie). "Baby Don't Lie" was sublime but it certainly wasn't the stomping comeback we were all hoping for. The best thing Stefani has done since she started singing again was this Calvin Harris collab. Unfortunately, it looks like Gwen is teaming up with the most annoying pop band at the moment to sing the Sia-penned blubbathon above. But maybe she'll play a new, ridicumazing song with Adam Levine just playing guitar in the background? Now that would be good.

3. Ariana Grande

An Ariana Grande megamix, a Grandemix if you will, would be just fine with me but it looks like she will be using the Grammys to promote the fourth single from My Everything, "One Last Time." The song is on the better side of the album so I'm already going to give this a 7/10.

4. Katy Perry

After the Super Bowl, which was also only 7/10 compared to Madonna and Beyonce's absolute slayage of the field, Katy Perry might try to bring the slight train wreck of Prism to a prompt end by singing a boring ballad "By The Grace Of God" at the Grammys. Unless the sharks or Missy Elliott make an appearance, I might mute this one and listen to Bonnie Mckee instead.

5. Sia

Now this is what I'm talking about. Sia's album campaign has been spectacular, by being the true Elusive Chanteuse, she has used other performance elements to mesmerize the audience. Her Grammy performance will surely be the highlight of the night and hopefully, will give "Elastic Heart" the push it needs to be as big a hit as "Chandelier"

6. Lady Gaga & Tony Bennett

The only way I'm getting through this jazz album debacle that Lady Gaga is putting me through is by pretending it never happened. My life is a lot happier since I've done it, so you might want to try it out. A new album would be welcome anytime now Stefani G.

7. Rihanna, Kanye, McCartney

This was not what I wanted from Rihanna and I refuse to support this side of her. I barely got around to liking "Diamonds" but this acoustic bullshit is too much. She better have something astronomical up her sleeve because she is slowly losing her status as Holy Priestess of my Illuminati Church.

8. AC/DC

Alert your Mom and Dad!

9. Ed Sheeran & ELO

Alert the Queen!

10. Eric Church

Country and boring.

11. Beck & Chris Martin

Alternative and boring.

12. Sam Smith & Mary J. Blige

Gospel and boring (unless they bring Disclosure out for some deep house action).

13. Beyonce, Common, & John Legend

This will be gospel and not boring. Though Common's involvement is a little weird, Beyoncé and John Legend know how to deliver heartfelt lyrics in a beautiful non-melodramatic way. This will probably be the part where everyone cries a little.

14. Ed Sheeran and some other people

Unless he does "Sing," this will be acoustic and boring.

15. Juanes

Loud and in Spanish. Will they even air this one?

16. Kanye West

It will be a new solo song but will probably be shit. Hopefully he pulls a "Stronger" and make me like him for a week.

17. Pharrell Williams

What is Pharrell even doing now? Does he have a single out? If he does "Happy" one more time...

18. Usher

Sometimes people need to know when to give up on one career and move on...

19. Miranda Lambert

Maybe I'll just stop watching after the Sia performance.

20. Tom Jones and Jessie J

Will Tom Jones take the Ariana part in "Bang Bang"? Maybe they can bring Paul McCartney to come and do Nicki's part? That would be the only way this would be entertaining.

21. Hozier & Annie Lennox

WTF?!

So... it looks like performances will not be the best this year. But what about the awards!?!?

The Awards

I'll just be doing some highlights from the ceremony because I couldn't care less about most of these categories.

Best Music Video

The Clear Winner: "Chandelier" by Sia

One of the most iconic music videos of last year and the only one on the list that will have you wanting to see it again. Hopefully Sia can be the Adele of this year since she probably is the most Grammy worthy artist of 2014.

Best Dance Recording

NSOTP Winner: "Rather Be" by Clean Bandit feat. Jess Glynne

Who will probably win: "Rather Be" by Clean Bandit feat. Jess Glynne

If nothing else, the Grammys should be a time to celebrate innovation and reinvention of music. No other artist has accomplished this as well as Clean Bandit on "Rather Be." Merging classical acoustics with house beats can only be considered ingenious.

Best Pop Solo Performance

NSOTP Winner: "Chandelier" by Sia

Who will probably win: "Stay With Me" by Sam Smith

Since the Adele comparisons early in his career, it looks like Sam Smith will probably clear most of his categories. HOWEVER, I still refuse to consider him a popstar, and certainly not the gay popstar we have all been waiting for. Sia's powerhouse vocal acrobatics deserve this one and I will take on anyone who disagrees.

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

NSOTP Winner: "Fancy" by Iggy Azalea & Charli XCX

Who will probably win: "Dark Horse" by Katy Perry & Juicy J

With Katy's performance at the Super Bowl and the Grammys, it's hard to think the Academy won't want to give her something as a thank you. But you and I both know that "Fancy" deserved this as a sign of female pop power and Charli XCX's first time being recognized as the amazing pop entity she was always destined to be.

Best Pop Vocal Album

NSOTP Winner: Prism by Katy Perry

Who will probably win: My Everything by Ariana Grande

I'm still surprised Taylor Swift wasn't nominated for this, as she clearly had the biggest album of the past year. Nonetheless, Katy Perry's album had a lot to offer sonically despite many of the missteps. If Ariana were to win, I wouldn't be fuming but I'm still expecting something gravity-bending from the third album Ari.

Best New Artist

NSOTP Winner: Iggy Azalea or HAIM

Who will probably win: Sam Smith

Regardless of whatever most of the Twitterverse is saying, I actually enjoy most of Iggy's output. It is mainstream rap but I think we can all agree that some of y'all are getting a little too crazy about an artist trying to pave a career. And with four top 20 hits to her name, it makes sense she would be the biggest new artist of 2014. Nonetheless, the Cali rock trio made up of the HAIM sisters also deserve some recognition considering their debut album was very good indeed.

Song Of The Year

NSOTP Winner: "Chandelier" by Sia

Who will probably win: "All About That Bass" by Meghan Trainor

It's safe to say that Meghan Trainor is definitely about that fucking bass. The biggest surprise hit of the year certainly deserves some recognition but I think it is clear that the amount of thought going into Chandelier by songwriter-extroardinaire Sia is leaps and bounds above Meghan's. Chandelier was 2014, a giant swinging mess but everyone got through it with sheer determination and that is why Sia should be applauded.

Album Of The Year

NSOTP Winner: Beyoncé by Beyoncé

Who Will Probably Win: In The Lonely Hour by Sam Smith

Beyoncé's visual album had to be the absolute highlight of 2013. The music may not have been up to my usual tastes but it was a forward-thinking zeitgeist-producing collection of jams whose visuals only immersed you deeper in the song's productions. And I don't see Sam Smith riding no #Surfboarts on his blubbathon of an album, do you?

Record Of The Year

NSOTP Winner: "Fancy" by Iggy Azalea & Charli XCX

Who Will Probably Win: "Stay With Me" by Sam Smith

Yeah, I do think "Fancy" was the best record of the year. It established Iggy Azalea as the superstar she is today. It brought Charli XCX to the forefront as the premiere songwriting hit maker of 2014. It ushered in a new trend of not-shit music videos with a lot of retro vibes. It was the biggest song of the summer and of the year. While "Chandelier" and "Shake It Off" were very amazing indeed, they did not make make the world a better place. "Stay With Me" might have made it worse. So, sorry haterz but "Fancy" had better win this one or the 2015 Grammys will have been the worst ceremony in recent history.

Song Of The Day: "Doing It" by Charli XCX feat. Rita Ora

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The 50 Best Singles of 2014

Nonstop On Top Pop: Best Singles of 2014

It is officially that time of year when Christmas trees come down and we look back at the amazing music we have experienced over the past year. Luckily, it was hard to pick the top 50 this year, a sign that pop music once again can always deliver. For the record, this list only includes singles, which tend to be the best songs an artist has to offer. Otherwise, let's be real, "Timebomb" by Tove Lo would have won this hands down. Regardless let's get this party started.

50. "Heroes" by Alesso feat. Tove Lo

This would have been a rather mundane EDM song but luckily Tove's magic touch once again takes everything to the next level. If 2014 has done anything right, it was to make this girl a superstar.

49. "Problem" by Arianna Grande feat. Iggy Azalea

"Problem" undeniably has this year's best use of saxophone. Sorry Jason Derulo.

48. "All About That Bass" by Meghan Trainor

No matter how much this song grates my nerves, it is still too catchy not to have been an international hit. Congratulations?

47. "Uptight Downtown" by La Roux

La Roux is one of the best things to happen to pop EVER and if this had been a promoted a little better, this would have been much higher on the list. Still, this is really a special song so be a good person and get their spectacular album while you're at it.

46. "Don't Stop" by 5 Seconds Of Summer

It's very hard to make good pop music with guitars but 5 Seconds of Summer have mastered it. Good job boys and it looks like the hearts of teenage girls everywhere will be intact for at least 3 more albums.

45. "Too Cool To Dance (Fred Falke Remix)" by Eden xo

The original is a solid pop song but the Fred Falke mix of Eden xo's new single captures all the best parts of the original and adds some lasers to make it properly bonkers. Eden is definitely one to watch for next year.

44. "Only Love Can Hurt Like This" by Paloma Faith

I'm just going to say it: Paloma Faith is the best soul-pop singer in the business right now. This orchestral masterpiece should've been a worldwide number one and the vocals deserve at least 4 Grammys. Keep doing your thing Paloma.

43. "Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift

The greatest comeback single of the year cements Taylor Swift as a proper princess of pop, no matter who long she has denied it.

42. "Rumour" by Chlöe Howl

Chlöe Howl is one of our favorites and if the severely underrated "Rumour" is any indication of what to expect, she could easily deliver the best album of 2015.

41. "Summer" by Calvin Harris

The official sexiest man in pop once again delivers the goods. However, we here at NSOTP fully support a year long break to pursue modeling, Mr. Harris.

40. "Into The Blue" by Kylie Minogue

This may have been Kylie's worst album campaign but "Into The Blue" was a shining beacon of hope for music this year and if anyone tries coming for my queen, allow me to play her ridicumazing cover of "Bette Davis Eyes" while you cry at your own foolishness.

39. "Even If I'm Loud It Doesn't Mean I'm Talking To You" by Tove Styrke

2014's weirdest, most bonkers song comes from the second best Tove in pop. Let this be a driving force for her to surpass Ms. Lo, because in the end, the real winner would be music, right?

38. "Me and My Broken Heart" by Rixton

Yes, this may be rip off of a very amazing pop song from a decade ago but listen, it's an amazing song so just shut up and listen.

37. "Step It Up" by Bianca

The last Song of The Day on NSOTP surely has a spot on this list, and as an Italo disco monster of a track, it looks like Bianca is ready to take 2015 by storm.

36. "Rather Be" by Clean Bandit feat. Jess Glynne

This was the first big hit of 2014 in my opinion and the marriage of classical and 90's house music could not have been executed better.

35. "Braveheart" by Neon Jungle

They don't look for Trouble, but they've got all the hits. Neon Jungle is slowly becoming my favorite girl band and if they follow the Girls Aloud trend, their next album will be era-defining.

34. "Get Lost" by Icona Pop

This could have been a "I Love It"-sized hit but, like La Roux, the promotion just wasn't there. But I'll be damned if Icona Pop go down in pop history as one hit wonders because "Get Lost" is absolutely wonderful.

33. "Catch" by Allie X

I may not have written about her much, but Allie X quickly became my new pop obsession of 2014. Hopefully, she builds off the crystalline majesty of "Catch" and become the greatest popstar Canada has produced since Carly Rae Jepsen.

32. "Sing" by Ed Sheeran

The biggest surprise of the year came from the world's most famous ginger man actually becoming good. Still, wouldn't it have been a great Justin Timberlake song? (NSOTP still loves you Ed!)

31. "Kiss and Tell" by 5Angels

The premiere girl band of the Czech Republic may have made the world's most basic video but this song will never leave your head. That's a good thing since it is 10x better than anything U2 has produced this year.

30. "Steal My Girl" by One Direction

The best single One Direction has released since "What Makes You Beautiful." Too bad they're, ALLEGEDLY (MOST LIKELY), breaking up next year.

29. "Devil's Touch" by TIAAN

This is almost too beautiful for words. This girl had better be amazing 

in 2015, otherwise we might as well just give up and go home.

28. "These Days" by Take That

The original British boy band is back to show how it's done and once again, it looks like these guys will make hits until they're 90. If they're still as good as "These Days," I'm fine with that future.

27. "I Got U" by Duke Dumont feat. Jax Jones

The sound of summer captured in less than 5 minutes. The Whitney Houston (RIP) interpolation doesn't hurt either!

26. "No Enemiesz" by Kiesza

While the title of this song makes me worry about Kiesza's spelling skills, "No Enemiesz" is the kind of song popstars stopped making in the 90's. Which was a stupid decision because as you can hear, it is bloody amazing.

P.S. A Reason To Be Thankful 2014 Is Ending

It appears that the stars of pop (pop stars if you will) have aligned to make 2015 one of the most exciting years of music ever. It is known fact here at NSOTPop that the artist who creates an album of the year goes down in history as a pop deity. 

Starting from the beginning of the golden age of pop in 2007, these deities include:

Dragonette - Galore (2007)

Ladyhawke - Ladyhawke (2008)

Little Boots - Hands (2009)

Ellie Goulding - Lights (2010)

Lady Gaga - Born This Way (2011)

Marina & The Diamonds - Electra Heart (2012)

Charli XCX - True Romance (2013)

2014… WHO KNOWS?! Except for me... The best album of 2014 is still up in the air but you can leave a comment telling me who you think it should be.

Now that you're well acquainted with the pop pantheon, let me go ahead and drop a bombshell on you. 

There is a chance ALL OF THESE ARTISTS WILL RELEASE A NEW ALBUM FOR 2015. 

Charli XCX will release her second album Sucker in America in December, but won't be released in the UK until next year and therefore, will only count when it has been released in the artist's home country. Marina and the Diamonds' Froot already has an April release date and Little Boots has got an amazing EP coming out to get you ready for the confirmed album for 2015. Elsewhere, Ellie Goulding has confirmed a new album for 2015. Now the speculation begins. Dragonette have had a sufficient amount of time to record a new album since 2012's Bodyparts and even though Ladyhawke takes forever to make albums, it is completely rational to expect something brilliant after 2012's Anxiety. Lady Gaga is the most worrisome as we could get something utterly shit like that guitar/rock album she's been threatening us with. However, she has stated that a Volume 2 of ARTPOP could come out in the near future and knowing her ability at continuing already amazing album campaigns, this could be the second coming of the Fame Monster!!!!!

Sincerely, there might be so much good music next year that everyone else should just take a break and save it for 2016. Happy holidays!

Track By Track Throwback: "THIS IS … ICONA POP" by Icona Pop

This throwback is dedicated to the almost debut album by Swedish 90's bitches Icona Pop. Though it was not their first LP, Icona Pop's revamped album of balls to the wall bangers was a reckless thrill ride across every dance floor. So let's get into shall we?

1. I Love It feat. Charli XCX

We've been through this before, but "I Love It" is OFFICIALLY the best song of last year and possibly this decade. Thanks to Charli XCX, we got an insanely catchy kiss off that every college freshman had screamed in clubs across the world. Pretty much my theme song for any occasion. At 2 and a half minutes, the three girls managed to take over TV, airwaves, movies, and anything else you may have thought of. With this being their first song on the album, Aino and Caroline set the bar pretty high.

2. All Night

"All Night" was the follow up to "I Love It" and would have removed Icona Pop from their one-hit wonder status if people would give it a chance. It starts off with a fun little guitar lick before finding the girls back on the dance floor (where they belong). Though not as immediate or anarchist, it is an aspirational feel-good jam that is especially great live. And the video should give you LIFE in so many ways.

3. We Got The World

The girls first foray into EDM territory also happens to be Tove Lo written. I wonder what it sounds like? BLOODY INCREDIBLE THAT'S WHAT! By now, Icona Pop's signature can be heard as a carefree statement of being who you are and just having fun. And it's a lesson a lot of popstars need to remember.

4. Ready For The Weekend

By now, it's pretty dizzying the pace that this album is going. The BPM is probably averages above every other album from last year. However, with "Ready For The Weekend" Icona Pop decides to mislead us into thinking that Gregorian chant would be there the entire time. Then the auto tune and beat comes in and we realize Aino & Caroline were just joking. Not the most amazing song but one of the most interesting for sure.

5. Girlfriend

Yes that is them sampling Tupac. But don't let that turn you off. The song is all right. It just kind of ambles on with steady electronic beats pairing up with the girls declaration of female camaraderie (ME AND MY GIRLFRIEND). It would have probably been better if they had replaced this with a song from their Swedish album like "Nights Like This" or "Downtown." Oh well.

6. In The Stars

We start to enter some pretty cool stuff now. "In The Stars" has the girls declaring their future as "pharaohs on the throne" before going into a rock n roll esque chorus. One of the catchier songs on the record, it will have you jamming in about 10 seconds. The best bit is when you hear one of them shouting in the background!

7. On a Roll

This Shellback-produced joyride is a definite favorite. That beginning with Icona Pop "do do doo"ing is pretty awesome. It's a headbanger from beginning to end and uses a guitar wisely for a dance song. And for some reason sounds very distinctly Swedish. Way to represent Icona Pop!

8. Just Another Night

The only real ballad on the album is the delicate and heartfelt "Just Another Night." For some reason, this appears to be Icona Pop's favorite off the album and is no doubt a nice song. For Hilary Duff. Or Celine Dion. Or Adele. Just not Icona Pop. It's sad when an act can't deliver a ballad properly but it's better to just accept it and move on to the next banger. Fortunately, this is the only really skippable song on the album.

9. Hold On

Back on the dance floor, we see the girls get a little more angsty and steer the boy-hating "I Love It" energy into a little darker territory. Then that slightly country-ish chorus comes in like sunshine and we can all breathe a sigh of relief. The most straightforward pop song for sure, a little boring compared to the others. But the chorus is still great.

10. Light Me Up

The second to last song on their album happens to be their best (besides I Love It cuz duh). Another Tove Lo co-write, it bridges the gap between older indie reggae Icona Pop and newer EDM Icona Pop.  From the islandy guitar to the "Oh Oh's" in the background, "Light Me Up" pretty much sums up the girls aesthetic for marrying organic and electronic sounds perfectly. That "Even If I go down in flames" part is really great.

11. Then We Kiss

The last song on the album is an energy filled smash that somehow incorporates an electric harmonica. Bearing a similarity to the Sugababes' "About You Now," it's a bouncy and fun song with Icona Pop recounting stories of falling in love and that amazing first kiss. It pretty much writes itself.

THIS IS… was Icona Pop's introduction to mainstream pop music and is a solid effort regardless of its lack of critical success. It may have been a lot less charming than their Swedish debut but it's a fun-filled thrill ride that succeeds in getting you to move. So let's hope Icona Pop continue to achieve the success they deserve and if not let's just remember

Song Of The Day: "London Queen" by Charli XCX

Today marks a momentous occasion. After winning an MTV contest to see Charli XCX in Brooklyn at an intimate show, I finally managed to talk to her. It involved us fangirling over each other's looks, casually reminiscing over the past year of music, AND SHE FUCKING HUGGED ME!!!! #blessed It also involved us talking about her role as the true London Queen and my future as her successor once I go abroad for a semester there!

It was only fitting that this magical encounter involved Charli premiering a new song and playing it live for the first time just for me (I wish)!!!! That song is "London Queen," the third song to be taken from her second (third) album Sucker, which unfortunately won't be out until December. But, if all the songs on the album end up sounding like "Boom Clap" and "Break The Rules," I think it may be well worth the wait. "London Queen" sees Charli totally giving up her original Tumblr-tronic dark wave persona and going all in with the Kim Wylde-esque punk-pop with some old-school Britpop stylings as well. All in all, this is a catchy ass song and those "OI!" bits were positively electrifying live. Until we meet again Ms. XCX!

Best Songs Of 2013: The Top 5

Every one of these songs are stone-cold hits. Make sure to check out the rest of the list on the blog!

5. "American Girl" by Bonnie McKee

For those of you that didn't know, "American Girl" was the very first Song Of The Day post on Nonstop On Top Pop! And rightfully so. This patriotic slice of good old-fashioned electropop comes courtesy of certified hit maker Bonnie McKee and easily takes the cake as her best work to date. Ultimately, Bonnie has all the goods to be 2014's greatest popstar and she has all of Q4 to do it.

4. "Habits" by Tove Lo

"Habits" holds a special place in my heart as I discovered Tove Lo early on and thus, knew a trendsetting popstar before most others even knew she existed. Now, Habits is sitting nicely just outside the iTunes charts and Billboard Hot 100. Come on, "I eat my dinner in my bathtub, then I go to sex clubs" is the best opening line in the history of pop. And Tove's album has shaped up to be the best of 2014. All in all, you go Tove Lo (a la Mean Girls)!

3. "Beloved" by Say Lou Lou

Technically, this was a B-side to another really amazing song. But seriously, the fact that Say Lou Lou created a B-side better than the vast majority of hits from the past decades just boggles the mind. First off, a ballad has never gotten this high in my rankings before. But "Beloved" was so devastatingly beautiful, so poignantly heartbroken, and just so fantastic it had to make it to 3rd place. And the girls already have claim to best album of 2015. Amazing.

2. "SuperLove" by Charli XCX

It happened. Out of all the hits Charli XCX has made since she was seventeen, she managed to top them all with SuperLove. How could this be possible you ask? Well, it takes all her quick fire pop hooks that made you fall in love with her and matches it with a fun pop-rock melody. And it came 6 MONTHS after her album dropped. Charli is nothing if not a hard worker and 2014 finally saw how good of a popstar she is. And that's why she will always be my favorite.

1. "I Love It" by Icona Pop feat. Charli XCX

I'm sorry to say that it was rather obvious that "I Love It" was going to be the best song of the year. A simple 2 and a half minutes of pure recklessness, joy, anger, and general fucklessness. It never occurred to anyone that Icona Pop had it in them, but I Love It seemed destined to be the worldwide hit that gave the girls a reputation as Sweden's best export of party music. But more importantly, it set the stage for Charli XCX's takeover as the best songwriter in the industry right now. It's always great when good pop is recognized and thankfully, "I Love It" will go down in history as a success story for all music. And I will forever be a 90's bitch. 

Congratulations 2013 for having amazing music and here's to 2014 for giving us the same!

Best Songs Of 2013: #10-6

10. "What I Like" by Charli XCX

2013 was the year Charli XCX signaled her true destiny as queen of all things cool and amazing. "What I Like" is a dizzyingly fantastic rap/pop song about a modern relationship. Her debut album was the best of last year and this song is just one of 13 amazing songs off that album. Charli "knows just what I like!"

9. "Trouble" by Neon Jungle

Neon Jungle came storming in last summer with this legitimately insane pop song that introduced them as the newest girl band in town. How it was not a number 1 I will never know but "Trouble" will forever go down in history as one of the most innovative and ridiculous songs ever created.

8. "Music to Make Boys Cry" by Diana Vickers

What happens when you mix one of X Factor's best singers with one of Norway's best pop groups (Donkeyboy for those curious)? We get the best song off Diana Vickers' newest album! How ingenious is it to write a love song about writing love songs to make boys cry? Diana really should just sing every Disney soundtrack going forward right? Right.

7. "Release You" by Megan & Liz

It wouldn't be a good year in pop music without a one hit wonder from someone who really didn't deserve it. "Release You" was one of the greatest Max Martin written singles to ever be created but it unfortunately went to Youtube sensations, acoustic-loving Megan & Liz. If you're going to give songs to twins, just hit up Say Lou Lou or Tegan & Sara. OMG, this would have been the best comeback single for The Veronicas! Oh well, so let's just remember it for what it was and move on (for the record, it was amazing).

6. "You Don't Love Me" by Whinnie Williams

There is literally nothing wrong with this song. In fact, everything about this Parisian soundtrack to a heartbroken love is spectacularly brilliant. This reinvention of Sunday Girl as the Saint Etienne-esque, puppy-loving Whinnie Williams was one of the best things to happen last year and she has continued to do so until today. Cheers!

The Best Albums of 2013

Miley wishes BANGERZ was on here

2013 was a great year for music, with a lot of old pop divas coming for their thrones and newish artists finally get their first LP out in the open. We saw Miley's Wrecking Ball and Britney Jean's Work Bitch slaying the charts but both those albums failed to really amount to anything (my opinion alone, don't kill me). So now I've compiled the best albums of 2013 in order of amazingness, and keep following the blog for Track by Track Throwbacks where I go deep into each track with my thoughts!

18. Summer Camp by Summer Camp

Just by their name, you can tell that Summer Camp have your vacation in my mind with their fun and effervescent brand of pop. So roll down your windows and play this album as you're driving along the coast and think about a fun 60's summer adventure.

17. Night Time, My Time by Sky Ferreira

It's taken Sky Ferreira a long time to get it together but she finally released her debut album in 2013. Dropping her bubbly electropop persona for a scuzzy pop-rock alternative, the album suprisingly doesn't run dry on pop hooks despite the Kurt Cobain-esque styling. Good job Sky!

16. Woman by Rhye

Rhye came on the scene in 2012 with the excellent "The Fall" and their new album lives up to all the hype. A collection of blissed out cuts that wrap around you like a cashmere sweater made of clouds.

15. Beyonce by Beyonce

Katy Perry's gold truck has nothing on Queen Beyonce's surprise release of last year. While we were all freaking out and trying to comprehend how this was even possible, the music was also pretty good! So all I have left to say is, Bow Down Bitches.

14. Settle by Disclosure

With the 90's house revival in full swing, we can thank Disclosure for getting our inner 90's kid out with their debut album. Though a little repetitive at points, this record sounds scattered and chaotic, in the best way possible.

13. Body Music by Alunageorge

Electro R&B is the new genre we never knew we needed. Thanks to Alunageorge and their first album we can now jam to sum of the weirdest and funkiest music of the 2010's.

12. Trouble by Natalia Kills

Everything about Natalia Kills' return to music was amazing. After ditching the goth Lady Gaga persona, Natalia finally releases music that sounds inexplicably like her: powerful, witty, and epic.

11. The Bones Of What You Believe by CHVRCHES

The year's smartest electropop comes from the Glasgow formed CHVRCHES. An exciting and captivating adventure from beginning to end, this is a strong debut on what is sure to be a long and successful career for the band.

10. Days Are Gone by Haim

The BBC Sound of 2013 winners deliver an excellent record that blends the California rock scene with the best of 80's pop. The Haim sisters are the coolest band in whatever country you're in and would make Fleetwood Mac proud.

9. This Is... Icona Pop by Icona Pop

The baddest bitches of Sweden Icona Pop broke the soundwaves of America in 2013 and their first album stateside is a nonstop stream of shouty bangers. Though the Swedish release has a lot more substance to it, any album with "I Love It" deserves to be in the top 10.

8. The Beat Becomes A Sound by Late Night Alumni

This Kaskade side project returns to the chilled out breezy trance music that made their second album so spectacular. Late Night Alumni's mix of acoustic guitars and dance beats was ahead of its time and the angelic vocal is a great bonus.

7. Skyer by Postiljonen

The most majestic music this year comes from Sweden (obviously) as Postiljonen warms you up with lush production and beautiful electronica. The M83-esque release innocently calls for your attention and is worth every moment of listening.

6. Samson & Delilah by V V Brown

Grace Jones has got some competition as V V Brown reincarnates herself as a dark princess of edgy pop-noir. Making the biggest 180 of 2013, V V manages to pull of one of the year's most avant-garde and exciting releases in recent memory.

5. ARTPOP by Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga may be flailing around a bit with this whole ARTPOP schtick but the album really is pretty great. A typical Lady Gaga album, you've got everything from pop to EDM to hip/hop to Middle Eastern trance music. You can always count on Mother Monster to deliver some of the weirdest and often times brilliant songs in music today.

4. Music To Make Boys Cry by Diana Vickers

The X Factor alumni's sophomore album is a work of art. Thanks to some help from master songwriter Miranda Cooper, Diana Vickers has never sounded so comfortable with each song reflecting the bubbly personality and wide-eyed romanticism that made us fall in love with Vickers to start with.

3. Nocturnes by Little Boots

With a promise to create the music she had always wanted to make, electropop mistress Little Boots returned to us with Nocturnes, a collection of moody night time electronica. The most cohesive album on the list, Boots doesn't mess around with getting us to cry on the dancefloor and many vogue houses would play this record nonstop.

2. Heartthrob by Tegan & Sara

Who knew that these Canadian twins had it in them to create one of the best pop albums of the decade? Certainly not me. One of the first releases of 2013, Tegan & Sara made sure that their debut into electropop would leave a mark and luckily, they achieved that with spectacular results.

1. True Romance by Charli XCX

It's hard to believe that Charli XCX's first album was released over a year ago and she is still releasing new music. After teasing the public with the occasional amazing single and brilliant mixtape, Charli's lovestruck (or love struck down) album is a magical testament to Charli's skill as a songwriter and there is not a single dud track amongst all the dark pop odes to romance.

There you go, the best albums from last year. Overall, I think music was the real winner. Let me know if I missed out on anything and stay tuned for further reviews of each amazing album!