Hannah Smith

The 10 Best Albums of 2014 (So Far)

Posted on by Hannah Smith

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This year has brought some of the best, most unique music heard in a while. Across all genres, new and established artists have devoted themselves wholeheartedly to their craft. Many are making a return to music after a break of multiple years. For many artists, it has paid off as 2014 has been a year for some of the best albums of the 2000’s. There have also been many brand new artists who’ve achieved substantial popularity and No. 1 singles with their debut albums

10. Hozier – Hozier

A newcomer to music, Hozier released his debut album this year. His self-titled album is incredibly intimate and personal, filled with emotional depth. The album is everything an artist’s debut could hope to achieve.

9. Conor Oberst – Upside Down Mountain

This year produced some of the best in songwriting, apparent on Conor Oberst’s Upside Down Mountain. The Bright Eyes front man is still fairly new to the solo scene, but has no problem finding his niche, even though his last album was released two years ago.

8. Miranda Lambert – Platinum

Miranda Lambert released the album Platinum this year, titled for her expectation of its success. Containing some of the best songs of her career, the album emphasizes how honest her songs can be. From sassy songs like “Little Red Wagon” to nostalgia-filled “Automatic,” the concepts on her album are vast and relatable.

7. The Black Keys – Turn Blue

Returning from a three-year break between albums, The Black Keys decided to explore their psychedelic side with their eighth album Turn Blue. While the sound of this album strays from their well-established hard rock, bluesy style, the change of pace was generally welcomed among fans. Critics have even noted the album as the duo’s best yet.

6. Mac DeMarco – Salad Days

Mac DeMarco graced us with another album this year, just his second to date. Salad Days favored well among the rock and independent charts, as well as the Billboard 200. The album contains somewhat odd beats and lyrics that are weirdly calming and interesting.

5. Eric Church – The Outsiders

The Outsiders has proved to be Eric Church’s most experimental album to date. The country artist opts for more rock-influenced music, instead of the incessant “hick-hop” that has proven popular over the past year.

4. Jack White – Lazaretto

There is never enough music by Jack White. His second solo album Lazaretto was released earlier this year, nearly two years after his first solo release. Despite his ever-present role in the music industry, his music is just as enthusiastic and creative as when he got his start in 1990.

3. Hurray for the Riff Raff – Small Town Heroes

The trend of simplicity reached the album Small Town Heroes by Hurray for the Riff Raff. The album shows how acoustic sounds can prove beneficial in an age of technology-ridden music. Hurray for Riff Raff sets simple lyrics to simple music and the result is a much more appreciated style of music.

2. Beck – Morning Phase

This year welcomed Beck back with open arms. He released the mystical Morning Phase, his first album since 2008. The lyrics are saturated with truth and simplicity. The album itself is incredibly personal and well worth the wait.


1. St. Vincent – St. Vincent

One of the most talked about albums of the year belongs to St. Vincent. Her self-titled album was her fourth solo album and has topped nearly every chart available in the music industry. Rolling Stone claims her album is “her best set of songs to date, with wry, twisty beats pushing her lovable ornery melodies toward grueling revelations.”

Weezer: ‘Everything Will Be Alright in the End’

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Weezer released their ninth studio album, Everything Will Be Alright in the End, on October 7.

With only one single and various song leaks released from the new album just a few months prior, the band accumulated intense buzz, especially since they haven’t released an album since 2010’s Hurley. Much to fans’ approval, the band reunited with the producer of two earlier albums, the Blue Album and the Green Album. Many of the songs are reminiscent of the Weezer we fell in love with in the ‘90s and signify a change of pace for the band. Rivers Cuomo, Weezer’s lead vocalist, pulls from earlier inspirations, which established the band’s reputation. With their last couple of albums failing to claim positive reviews, the new album gives some hope into Weezer’s future.

A return to basics is the theme of Everything Will Be Alright in the End. The album kicks off with some heavy guitar riffs, signaling nostalgia for lifelong fans of the band who have a particular love for Pinkerton. “Ain’t Got Nobody” also calls on those heartbroken lyrics the band has carried with them throughout their entire musical career, also apparent later in “Cleopatra.”

Next comes “Back to the Shack,” which was the only single released before the album. The single’s lyrics show, at least in the lead singer’s perspective, how the band wishes to return to their ‘90s-era style and feels the album can provide a new start for the music.

“Eulogy for a Rock Band” is exactly what it sounds like: a eulogy. Weezer could be singing to themselves with the lyrics, “Goodbye heroes/You had a good run/15 years of ruling the planet/But now your light is fading” (or, if you can’t bear the thought of the band quitting music, just dedicate it to a band who needs to step down). These first three songs are some of the most notable.

Of course, no Weezer album would be complete without songs about girls – welcome “Lonely Girl,” “Go Away,” and “Da Vinci.” “Go Away” is a particular treat, featuring vocals from Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino.

Similar to other albums, Cuomo writes about his absent father with “Foolish Father.” The album concludes with a three-part incredibly dramatic finale, showcasing the band’s musical talent.

Everything Will Be Alright in the End is a completely decent album. When compared to the magic created on Pinkerton, the Blue Album, and even the Red Album, this one comes up short. This is the best album Weezer has come out with since 2008. It’s filled with stabbing lyrics and pop-infused rhythms, while still being completely unique. The songs are catchy and fun but cannot capture the perfect mix of seriousness and creativity achieved in their earlier career, lacking the raw intensity that we know the band is capable of.

However, given the less-than-mediocre attempts at their two previous albums, this is a welcome change of pace for the band. If they continue along this revert to their classic style and expand upon it, their next album could be just as, or even more, successful.

3/5

Hozier: ‘Hozier’

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With his first single gaining momentum on the top charts, Hozier released his debut studio album October 7.

While the name may point to a band, Andrew Hozier-Byrne acts all on his own. The Irish musician released two EP’s previous to the studio album, one in 2013 and another earlier this year. What set the artist’s popularity off was the release of the video for his first single “Take Me to Church.” The music video for this powerful song shows a relationship between two men that takes a turn as the couple faces the consequences of a masked anti-gay group. When asked about the video in interviews, Hozier said the video is a statement against the anti-LGBT laws and oppression in Russia. The single has favored well in the U.S., topping numerous Billboard charts, such as Hot Rock Songs and Alternative Songs. After his Saturday Night Live debut this past weekend, he is sure to have gained even more fans with his album predicted to land in the top 10. Already awarded with a No. 1 album in his home country of Ireland, Hozier has become a worldwide sensation.

“Take Me to Church” launches the album and immediately draws the listener in with church acting as a metaphor. Hozier sings, “The only heaven I’ll be sent to/Is when I’m alone with you.” While the video depicts a relationship between two men, the song uses female pronouns.

The second song on the album was debuted on Saturday Night Live alongside “Take Me to Church.” “Angel of Small Death and the Codeine Scene” is a more upbeat and less heavy song than the previous. The next song, “Jackie and Wilson,” continues with the same attitude. While the songs are more upbeat, their meaning isn’t lost. The artist sings, “I need to be youthfully felt ‘cause, God, I never felt young” about raising children on rhythm and blues.

The album reverts back to its original feel of seriousness with “To Be Alone.” A few songs later comes “In a Week,” the only song that features someone other than the artist. The duet is haunting and deeply moving with the two vocalists acting as a deceased couple, repetitively singing “I’ll be home with you.”

Another notable song comes later, called “Work Song,” which provides a feel similar to the first.  Hozier sings, “I’m so full of love I could barely eat/There’s nothing sweeter than my baby” in this romantic ballad. The album nears its end with “It Will Come Back,” a hypnotic -and possibly the most blues-inspired – song on the album. A live acoustic version of “Cherry Wine” is the last song on the album, showing off the artist’s talent with simply a guitar.

The album revolves mostly around women, but the context of each song is different and meaningful in its own unique way. Hozier is a real gift to the music industry. His lyrics are insightful and easily relatable. In times of happiness or incredible sadness, every song provides an aspect of a relationship. While the album can be a little morbid at times, it doesn’t offset the natural flow from one song to the next. This album is comprised of 13 songs filled with raw emotion that encapsulate some of the best, extremely personal songwriting produced this year.

4/5

Watch: Ed Sheeran: “Thinking Out Loud”

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Ed Sheeran has been recruiting an army of fans since his first studio album was released in 2011. His mounting success in Britain followed him to the US, and he’s been growing his musical career ever since. If it wasn’t already apparent from Sheeran’s own music, he’s an incredibly talented songwriter, having written for the likes of One Direction and co-written with his best friend, Taylor Swift. With only two studio albums, the talented singer has already achieved monumental success and continues to be a game-changer in the industry.

The video for “Thinking Out Loud” fits the style of the song, which is a ballad. Frequent radio listeners may only know Sheeran for his funky, pop hits such as “Sing” and “Don’t.” Much like any ballad, “Thinking Out Loud” shows a lesser-known side of the artist.

The video reflects this also. In it, Sheeran debuts his dancing skills, a very rare sight to behold. This isn’t full-out breakdancing or anything bizarre – instead, he shows off graceful old-school ballroom dancing.  Sheeran acts as the support for his partner’s lifts and twirls, as she is the true star of the video. Her dance moves are flawless and unwavering, as Sheeran mostly dances in place.

Equally as surprising is Sheeran’s wardrobe change. The singer ditches his usual t-shirt-and-jeans attire in exchange for a vest and dress pants.  His unique personality still finds a way to shine through without him being the star. Even though he appears sans guitar, he finds a way to incorporate air guitar into the video, adding a touch of playfulness to the serious song. The music video is a beautiful portrayal of dancing that matches the true eloquence of the ballad.

Charli XCX: “London Queen”

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In anticipation of the December 16 release of her sophomore album, Sucker, pop singer Charli XCX has released a new single.

The single, “London Queen,” is inspired by the Ramones, according to Charli. The pop punk song was produced by Justin Raisen, who has also worked with other talents such as Theophilus London and Sky Ferreira.

Her second studio album, Sucker, was set to release October 21, but has since been pushed back to December 16, much to fans’ disappointment. With the increasing popularity she’s gained with “Fancy” and “Boom Clap,” the album is one of the most anticipated of 2014. Her recent success was a result of the years of work she’s put forth since the start of her music career in 2008. Despite the long road to achieving popularity, Charli XCX’s music hasn’t suffered. Every song she’s released from her upcoming album is fierce, relentless and guaranteed to be stuck in your head for at least a few days.

Even though she didn’t write “London Queen,” the song sounds as if it was written exclusively for her.  It kicks off with an energy-filled beat, instantly drawing attention.  “London Queen” allows for her to debut a more raw sound than her previous singles, which shows her versatility even in a single album. Charli’s lyrics revolve around living in the United States, as opposed to the UK. While this description may give the indication that this is a more somber song, it’s the complete opposite. She approaches the song with ambition and excitement over her new lifestyle, singing “I never thought I’d be living in the USA/Doing things the American way/I never thought I’d be living in the USA/Living the dream like a London Queen.” This single is fun (just like her other singles) and makes listeners even more anxious for the upcoming album.

Also, while the songstress is bringing back punk rock, she is currently on the North American leg of her tour. The tour will continue until her final show in San Francisco, California on October 25. You can find tickets and upcoming shows of Charli XCX here.

 3/5

Jessie J: “Personal”

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With the upcoming release of her third studio album, Sweet Talker, on October 14, Jessie J has included a free download of “Personal” with the pre-order.

This will be the third single from the new album, but it’s the first one that isn’t a collaboration. “Bang Bang,” featuring Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj, reached #1 on iTunes upon its release, while “Burnin’ Up” included 2 Chainz. The British artist isn’t only making strides in her home country, but also dominates the charts in the U.S. as well. Her debut album, Who You Are, sold over four million copies and was certified multi-platinum in over 15 countries. With the momentum she has gained over the past few years, her latest endeavor is sure to be a success.

With “Personal,” Jessie J opts for a more subdued sound, which, nevertheless, is just as powerful with her contagious voice. With less reliance on drum beats and instrumentation, her voice echoes over the monotonous rhythm. The listener is forced to admire the range of her unique vocals. She demands the listener to hear what she’s saying clearly. Jessie J sings, “when you fall in love/You can’t help it when you act like a fool/When you look above/You see the reasons why we do what we do.” Upon listening to the track, it is apparent the song is very meaningful and, well… personal.

3/5

Jessie J Tour Dates:

October 9        New York, NY – Gramercy Theatre

October 14      Los Angeles, CA – El Rey Theatre

10 Best White Stripes Songs of All Time

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The White Stripes was one of the most successful duos of all time. Jack and Meg White were married before their combined musical career took off and stayed together until 2010. The duo attracted listeners of alternative, blues, classic rock, and everything in between. With their mind-blowing instrumental capabilities, they created the music of a multi-person band with only two people. With the addition of their unique lyrics, the songs they created were contagious and are remembered as some of the best songs of all time. Everything they touched was gold until their break-up in 2011. Even though the duo is not currently active in the music industry, the mention of their name can still spark a conversation.

On August 25th, XL Recordings released Pay Close Attention, a compilation album and box set documenting the label’s 25 year history, which features TWS’s hit “Seven Nation Army.” XL has also launched an interactive website with a timeline, photos, videos, and interviews from their archives, including three video interviews of Michel Gondry discussing “Fell In Love With A Girl” and “The Hardest Button to Button.”

In honor of this awesome website that we’ve been stalking, we’ve put together a list of the 10 best White Stripes songs of all time.  Enjoy.

1. “Seven Nation Army”

“Seven Nation Army” off of Elephant is an automatic choice for one of the White Stripes best songs. With a Grammy and a spot on Rolling Stone’s Greatest Songs of All Time list, this is the duo’s biggest hit.

2. “The Denial Twist”

The 2005 album Get Behind Me Satan introduced piano melodies to the duo’s music, providing a new take on their previously punk-infused sound. “The Denial Twist” is one of the many notable songs from this album. The song highlights how being unfaithful can go deeper than just outward actions.

3. “Apple Blossom”

De Stijl‘s “Apple Blossom” has been praised for its simplicity, which is especially valid as it was recorded in the lead vocalist’s living room. Jack sings “Lots of girls walk around in tears/But that’s not for you/You’ve been looking all around for years/For someone to tell your troubles to.”

4. “In the Cold, Cold Night”

There are very few White Stripes songs that feature Meg on vocals. “In the Cold, Cold Night” off of 2003’s Elephant is one of these songs, and it’s a wonder why she didn’t sing more often. Her voices tranquility shines through especially in this song while only being accompanied by a guitar.

5. “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground”

“Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground” off of 2001’s White Blood Cells offers a raw, garage rock sound that sets the premise for the duo’s third album. This was the first album of theirs which featured all original material and no covers.

6. “The Big Three Killed My Baby”

A lesser known song, “The Big Three Killed My Baby” off of their debut self-titled studio album, is one of the most underrated White Stripes songs and only one of two political songs the duo ever released. In true punk fashion, the song takes a rebellious stance against Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors.

7. “We’re Going to be Friends”

Upon hearing “We’re Going to be Friends” from White Blood Cells, listeners were surprised at the mellow feel of the song that contained no electric guitar. The song has been featured on numerous soundtracks and is one of the duo’s most meaningful.

8. “You Don’t Know What Love Is (You Just Do as You’re Told)”

The White Stripes’ final studio album, Icky Thump, offered a return to their heavy rock style. “You Don’t Know What Love Is (You Just Do as You’re Told)” was one of the singles released off the album. The song encapsulates the deep meaning of Jack’s authentic lyrics and shows off both members’ musical talents.

9. “Fell in Love With a Girl”

“Fell in Love With a Girl” is one of the duo’s top hits. While the title may lead to the assumption of a romantic ballad, the song itself offers something completely different. Instead of sappy lyrics, Jack chants, “Fell in love with a girl/I fell in love once and almost completely/She’s in love with the world/Sometimes these feelings can be so misleading.”

10. “Icky Thump”

“Icky Thump” was the title track and first single released from their final studio album. This song is the second of the only two political songs the duo released. The song revolves around immigration policy and won a Grammy in 2008 for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

Lorde: “Yellow Flicker Beat”

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Yesterday, Lorde released the first hint of new music since her debut album, Pure Heroine.

The latest single will be featured on The Hunger Games: Mockingjay—Part One soundtrack. With a heavy touring schedule, Lorde hasn’t had much time in the studio since the release of her first album, and with only one full-length album, fans are growing anxious for new music from this stellar artist. The single gives us a taste of something new that, hopefully, will tide us over until the release of her second album.

Given the context of the film, “Yellow Flicker Beat” perfectly encapsulates the film’s main character, Katniss Everdeen. If you’re not a Hunger Games fan, don’t hesitate, because it’s a beautiful song everyone can appreciate.

The song begins with the Lorde’s haunting voice singing, “I’m a princess cut from marble, smoother than a storm/And the scars that mark my body, they’re silver and gold.” The beginning emphasizes the strength of her voice without any musical accompaniment, but quickly changes to a song with a more electronic feel.

Lorde doesn’t stray too far from her roots with this single, and it works to her benefit. While she has used techno and electronic sounds in the past, the lyrics are even more deep and powerful, especially given the context of the movie. The most gripping line of the song is, “But I got my fingers laced together and I made a little prison/And I’m locking up everyone who ever laid a finger on me/I’m going in hard.” This single does not disappoint and may even intensify the eager anticipation for the singer’s next album.

4/5

New Politics: “Everywhere I Go (Kings and Queens)”

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New Politics released a new single on Sept. 23 to give listeners a taste of what their third album could entail.

This is the Denmark band’s fifth single since they formed in 2009. With the success of their biggest hit “Harlem” last year, the band landed opening spots on desirable tours such as Fall Out Boy, Paramore, and Pink. Their current headlining tour is guaranteed to propel them into the realm of more recognizable alternative rock bands.

“Everywhere I Go (Kings and Queens)” is geared toward young adults, ideally college-age, who just want to hear a song they don’t have to think about. The commanding tone of the song is full of angst and demands attention. While it may seem like an immature theme, everyone needs a full-out reckless anthem to turn the mood around after a long day. The lead vocalist chants “All the giving, the taking, the taking, the giving/We’ve taken enough, it’s enough, it’s enough/So just sing.” With the thumping drum beat and persistent lyrics, the energy is relentless.

The song is easily relatable for those times when you’re just fed up with the ways of the world, which can be fairly often. The only issue with the single will be increasing the popularity via radio because of the countless f-bombs dropped throughout.

3.5/5

The Five Best Musical Collaborations of 2014 (So Far)

Posted on by Hannah Smith

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Collaborations have dominated the top charts in 2014, proving two (or three) is better than one. Most of these collaborations are made up of women, which offer a change in the traditionally male-dominated music industry.

1.  Iggy Azalea and Charli XCX – “Fancy”  

The biggest song of the summer was a collaboration from two artists brand new to the mainstream scene. Iggy Azalea and Charli XCX released “Fancy” in February, and it caught fire, climbing to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in May. From this collaboration, both artists have become two of the biggest names in the industry. “Fancy” has proved to be one of the most memorable, catchy, and unique top hits of this year.

2.  Jessie J, Ariana Grande, and Nicki Minaj – “Bang Bang”

Three of the driving forces of 2014 came together to create an explosive collaboration. Jessie J, Ariana Grande, and Nicki Minaj released “Bang Bang” in July and performed the song live at the MTV Video Music Awards. With both Jessie J’s and Grande’s powerful voices, Minaj’s rapping provides a change in the third verse which prevents the song from overwhelming the listener. The chorus really displays the artists’ talents and ability to support one another. With three popular artists, the song could easily have been made into a competition between them. Even in live performances of the song, there is equality among the three.

3.  Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert – “Somethin’ Bad”

Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert have been long-time friends, so there is some confusion as to why a duet took so long to come together. The two have dominated the country charts, with Underwood even venturing into the pop charts at times. One would think there would be competition between two of the biggest female acts in the same genre, but they have nothing but support for each other. “Somethin’ Bad” allows a peek into Lambert and Underwood’s relationship, complete with references to Thelma and Louise. Their individual personalities shine through, even though the assumption would be to lump them together. They may both be country blondes, but each has her own style.

4.  Iggy Azalea and Rita Ora – “Black Widow”

“Black Widow” has been labeled the “Dark Horse” – as in Katy Perry’s hit song – of 2014. With the beat drop and assistance from another artist, this is slightly true. Iggy Azalea and Rita Ora take the Katy Perry style song to a whole new level. With Azalea’s rapping, “Black Widow” is full of power and dominance.  Ora’s chorus provides relief from Azalea’s harsh rap and preps for the next round. The song is just short enough to leave listeners wanting more.

5.  Beyoncé and Nicki Minaj – “***Flawless (Remix)”

Beyoncé released her surprise album in December to eager applause. Her empowering song “***Flawless” was among the many immediate hits on the album. In August, a remix of the song was released featuring none other than Nicki Minaj, who may be one of the biggest artists of the year. The remix packs every bit of power the original did, but in a different way. Beyoncé even addresses the controversial elevator incident involving her sister and husband, singing “Of course sometimes shit goes down when there’s a billion dollars on an elevator.” The combination of both singers’ intensity is palpable through the entire length of the song.