10. Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix, Vol. 1 produced by James Gunn
There were so many good soundtracks this year, but Awesome Mix, Vol. 1 from Guardians of the Galaxy stands out among the crowd. The album, produced by director James Gunn, spent two weeks at #1 on the Hot 200, making it the only non-original soundtrack in history to reach that spot. The album may be entirely comprised of songs that have been released previously, but that does not detract from its awesomeness. The album serves as a great flashback to some of the 20th century’s best hits. The album also perfectly fits the film, which is, after all, a soundtrack’s purpose. Each song in the movie perfectly fits the scene and mood of the characters, allowing viewers to fully immerse themselves in an outer space experience that they can still feel a part of even though it’s happening light years away.
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9. Nick Jonas by Nick Jonas
Nick Jonas has been in the music industry since he was a kid. He then went on to find fame with the Jonas Brothers and even released and album with his side project, Nick Jonas and the Administration, but none of that compares to his newest album. Nick Jonas shows us a new and improved Nick, with a sexier vocal and deeper songwriting that reveals why he is the most successful Jonas Brother to date. For this album, Nick revamped his image, going nearly naked on several magazine covers, signing with a new label, and starring in the hit show Kingdom. This all paved the way for his second single, “Jealous,” to break through to mainstream radio and for his album to hit #6 on the Hot 200. The album is a new direction for the former JoBro, and we are digging it big time.
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8. Reclassified by Iggy Azalea
First things first, this album is the realest. Iggy Azalea has been working underground for a while, paying her dues in the rap game, and this year her time finally came. “Fancy” exploded and pushed her to the top of the charts and made her a household name, a fancy feat for a rapper. She then released The New Classic in April, giving the fans what they wanted – a full Iggy album, including the singles “Work” and “Black Widow.” Iggy didn’t stop there, though; she soon announced a new version of the album, Reclassified, which would feature several new songs, including collaborations with Ellie Goulding and newcomer MØ. Although many in the rap game have questioned whether Iggy belongs, the fans have spoken, giving her a #1 single and the second-most streamed album of the year.
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7. Platinum by Miranda Lambert
Miranda Lambert may be on her fifth album, but she shows no signs of slowing down. The blonde country bombshell kicked off Platinum in a way that nobody could have predicted – by teaming up with her biggest competition, another blonde country vocalist, Carrie Underwood, and releasing the kickass collaboration of the year, “Somethin’ Bad.” We discuss the song in-depth in our Blog, but here’s the gist: It’ll blow you away with its Thelma and Louise storyline and vocals from country’s two biggest females. The album is a sassy and sweet reflection of Miranda’s maturing songwriting and tastes. Bro Country may be trying to elbow out its female competitors, but Miranda is carving her own path, one great song after another, and that’s what country music is all about.
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6. My Everything by Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande is a vocal power house. She released two album this year, her debut, which debuted at #1, and My Everything, her sophomore album that also debuted at #1 and blew fans and critics away with its growth and maturity. The album’s lead single, “Problem,” quickly let fans know that the young singer was moving away from cutesy pop to a more belt-driven, hip-swinging, sassy-singing pop. The tiny but mighty singer refuses to be boxed in on this album, and it shows strongest in her many collaborations – Iggy Azalea, Big Sean, The Weeknd, Zedd, and more contribute to the album’s mature club vibe, boosting Ariana’s flawless vocals and showcasing her ability to work with the best in the industry. Watch this one. She’s here to stay.
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5. In the Lonely Hour by Sam Smith
It is difficult to believe that In the Lonely Hour is Sam Smith’s debut album, especially considering some call him the next Adele. The British crooner contains a vocal quality that even the most-renowned vocalists envy. His control is breathtaking and his range is explosive. On top of all that, each song on the album feels so honest it hurts, which is why a slow ballad like “Stay With Me” can own the charts, even while battling out upbeat songs by better-known artists. It is also why the song has been covered by the likes of Ed Sheeran, Mary J. Blige, Kelly Clarkson, and more. Sam Smith may only just be on his debut, but he is already a Grammy-nominated artist, including Album of the Year. But the most exciting thing about Sam Smith? He’s only just getting started.
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4. 1000 Forms of Fear by Sia
Unlike some of the previous entries on our list, Sia is not new to the music industry. In fact, Sia has released six albums over the years, written for people like Beyoncé, and song tracks for numerous movies. Then she decided to take a step back and focus on writing and producing an image for herself that didn’t involve, well, herself. 1000 Forms of Fear is born. The album represents what Sia has been reaching and striving for all these years – A complete package without the glitz and glam and downfalls of fame. The cover is just an outline of Sia’s signature wig, surrounded and filled in with black space, an apt metaphor considering the album is all that Sia and the music industry needs in this new age – some space to explore and discover herself.
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3. X (Multiply) by Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran may only be on his second full-length album, but he is already an award-winning regular. He has lead the charge of British Pop taking over the airwaves – The British are coming, and we are okay with that. X’s lead single, “SING.” gave fans a peak at the new direction Ed would be taking with this new album. The song and the album are largely produced by Pharrell Williams (who also produced and wrote songs for #2 on our list) and give a vibe of a funky retro kid with a need to tell the truth, no matter how brutal, and that’s just what he does on his second single, “Don’t.” In fact, the whole album feels so real, it’s hard not to fall in love and feel a connection with every track. Ed Sheeran is a songwriter, rapper, musician, and singer and he’s here to stay.
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2. Beyoncé (Platinum Edition) by Beyoncé
Beyoncé changed the game last year when she not only surprise dropped Beyoncé, but she also released it as a “visual album,” creating and releasing a video for each song on the album. In 2014, she decided to give fans even more, releasing Beyoncé (Platinum Edition) with six new/remixed tracks and ten new videos of her performing on tour. The album is a tour de force that showcases Beyoncé’s fierce and vulnerable nature. One second she’s screaming that she’s “Flawless” and the next she’s admitting that “Pretty Hurts” and even she gets “Jealous.” Despite the album’s surprise release and zero promotion, it hit #1 on the Hot 200 and sold more in its debut week than her previous album, 4, has sold to date. Beyoncé proved that Queen Bey still runs the world.
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1. 1989 by Taylor Swift
This is a no-brainer. Taylor Swift’s 1989 burst onto the scene with the catchy, horn-driven “Shake It Off,” which became Taylor’s second Hot 100 #1. The album then went on to premiere at #1 on the Hot 200 with over ONE MILLION copies sold in its first week, automatically giving her the highest-selling album to premiere in 2014 and earning her a spot in history as the only artist to have an album reach one million sales in one week with three different albums. Her streak continued as “Blank Space,” single #2, replaced “Shake It Off” as the #1 song on the Hot 100. While 1989 is ineligible for this year’s Grammys, there is no doubt that it will be nominated for Album of the Year in 2016, and it may earn Taylor her second win in that category.
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