My Favorite Music of 2014

My Favorite Music of 2014

Tove Lo – Queen of the Clouds

Swedish singer Tove Lo entered the music industry last year with her debut album Queen of the Clouds. As her single Habits (Stay High) acquired mainstream success, Lo received generally positive reviews from critics, filling a half-empty spot in the electropop scene.

QOTC is a record that deals with many youth related topics such as relationships, break-ups, and drugs, garnering a great deal of public attention uncommon to new artists of foreign origins. As Lo was welcomed into many music festivals and nighttime shows to perform, her second single Talking Body also conformed to sale expectations. It is a perfect track list wonder that everyone needs to buy.

My favorite tracks: Love Ballad, Out of Mind, This Time Around, Thousand Miles.

Sam Smith – In the Lonely Hour

Another new artist that jumped to fame instantly is Sam Smith. While we wait for Adele’s ever coming new record, it’s safe to say that In the Lonely Hour is the perfect pop/soul album of our generation. The overall set is simply a vocal marvel that we only wish was more than only 10 songs long.

With many hit singles and tons of awards later, ITLH continues to be a highlight in the 2014 music library. Smith leaves us all hitting replay and waiting for new music to purchase, because if new releases are minimally close to his debut album, then it is without doubt worth a try.

My favorite tracks: Leave Your Lover, Lay me Down, Like I Can.

U2 – Songs of Innocence

After almost five years the American rock band U2 released its thirteenth studio album with a creative marketing strategy that sparked up controversy as well as praise. Songs of Innocence was added for free and automatically to every iTunes music library in the world, many stating that the move was not only uncalled for but also equivalent to spam. Yet, the track list is just right for the eminently pop scenario of the past year, and seeing as it was nominated for Best Rock Album in the 57^th Annual Grammy Awards, even the critics seem to agree.

My favorite tracks: The Miracle (of Joey Ramone), Every Breaking Wave, Raised by Wolves.

Hozier – Hozier

Another new artist became one of my favorite ones when he released his self-titled album in 2014. Hozier by Hozier is a compilation of the best genres with 13 songs masterfully written and sung. The Irish singer is better known for his single Take Me to Church that charted number 1 in 12 countries, and also open many music festivals to Hozier.

Hozier contains the best lyrics and tunes of the year, making us all wonder why it isn’t the best selling record of the year.

My favorite tracks: Cherry Wine, From Eden, Jackie and Wilson, Work Song, Sedated.

Sam Hunt - Montevallo

A new record from the country singing heartthrob Sam Hunt surprised me in a very positive way given that Country Pop is not my genre and that I had never listened to a song of his before Montevallo. 

The majority agrees that Hunt's is a very particular genre tilted more towards pop that country, but still managing to mantain rhythms and chords of the classic sounthern sounds.

My favorite tracks: Leave the Night On, House Party, Take Your Time, Break Up in a Small Town.

Lykke Li – I Never Learn

She’s another Swedish singer a little less known than most. Still, Lykke Li has a lot to offer with seriously other dimensional indie pop vibes and contagious songs for everyday life. The album is characterized by strong instrumentals and equally iconic vocals.

I Never Learn is music for the soul that I’d only share with people of similar tastes. It gives me a feeling of sadness because of its tunes, yet it is really a good thing for those moments when you seek those sentiments.

My favorite tracks: Gunshot, No Rest for the Wicked, Love Me Like I’m Not Made of Stone.

Damien Rice – My Favorite Faded Fantasy

The third record in Damien Rice’s discography is utter geniality. His tunes are folk and indie rock all over with many ballads and powerful songs, and no one can deny that the greatest thing about his music are his nigh notes and soft vocals. My Favorite Faded Fantasy is one of those albums you’d want to treasure alongside your most valued possessions, and after listening to it, it’ll surely become one of them for you too.

My favorite tracks: The Box, Trusty and True, The Greatest Bastard, It Takes a Lot to Know a Man.

-AMMG