10. Unapologetic by Rihanna
This album may be brand new (it wasn’t released until November), but it is a definite Top Ten contender. Rihanna’s seventh album accomplishes what none of her other albums have: It took Billboard’s #1 spot – her first #1 album. With a title like Unapologetic, the album is surprisingly mellow – each song fades into the next without a pause. However, we’re not complaining. This mellow fading allows for the album to stand on its own. Most Rihanna albums are a bunch of diverse singles thrown together – Unapologetic is, in the truest since, an album, a collection of songs working together. Loving Rihanna may be wrong, but like RiRi herself, we’re not sorry; we’re unapologetic. |
9. The MF Life by Melanie Fiona
Melanie Fiona’s second album was largely launched due to her huge hit, “4AM,” a song about a negligent lover that is equal parts sexy and moving. The MF Life, however, doesn’t rely on this song alone to get it into our Top Ten. Fiona’s voice is like a siren’s lullaby that keeps bringing us back for more, and we don’t mind at all. Her soulful crescendo keeps us afloat while we drown in her sorrow on “Break Down the Walls” and “Wrong Side of a Love Song.” For her fun side, check out her collaboration with T-Pain, “6AM,” a sort of mashup between her “4AM” and his “5 O’Clock.” Whether she’s having fun or being heartfelt, Melanie Fiona is a force to be reckoned with and so is this album. |
8. These Times by Safetysuit
Chances are you probably haven’t heard of Safetysuit, which is just a shame. While most artists these days are singing about luxury and living the life of the rock star, Safetysuit is singing about the hard times that America is currently facing and how we should never give up on our dreams or each other. The album is a whirlwind of emotional turmoil and triumph that could make even the biggest cynic believe in the future. The band’s frontman, Doug Brown, lays down vocals that make us wonder if he’s the love child of Tyson Ritter and Adam Levine. These Times is the perfect mixture of rock and hope – a strange mixture that makes us feel like rock and roll really can change the world. |
7. Take Me Home by One Direction
If you’re not a fan of One Direction, you’re probably throwing something at your computer screen right now, but hear us out. One Direction’s sophomore album hit #1 (just like their previous album, Up All Night) and has produced three very different singles: “Live While We’re Young” perfectly captures the hopes and dreams of young people everywhere, “Little Things” lets every girl now that she is beautiful in the most heart warming way, and “Kiss You” is a goofy, fun track that makes us want to get up and dance like fools. These five boys from UK’s version of The X Factor know how to sing, perform, and make female fans all across the globe fall in love with them. You should definitely take this album home. |
6. Strange Clouds by B.o.B
B.o.B is a very unique rapper and he showcases his diversity in every song on Strange Clouds. Hit the club in your “Ray Bands,” support those you love with “Both of Us,” and get a new perspective on the world with “So Good.” No matter what your mood or moment, this album has a song for you and, somehow, they also all work together as an album. But this is a rap album, so let’s talk about featured artists; B.o.B showcases his diversity here as well: Whether he’s working with Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj, Ryan Tedder, or Morgan freaking Freeman (yes, you read that right), B.o.B’s rhymes work perfectly with every feature. Strange Clouds may not necessarily win him any awards, but it is definitely a B.o.B piece of art and deserves to be in our Top Ten. |
5. The Hunger Games: Songs from District 12 and Beyond Soundtrack produced by T Bone Burnett
We know what you’re thinking: Really? A soundtrack? Well, if you are thinking that, you obviously haven’t listened to The Hunger Games soundtrack yet. The soundtrack for The Hunger Games succeeds where other movies soundtracks (cough, Twilight, cough) have failed: It brings together artists from all genres in a truly connected musical experience. Grammy winning producer T Bone Burnett works closely with each artist and song to form an experience for the listener. Whether it's Adam Levine mesmerizing us on “Come Away to the Water” or Kid Cudi rapping about power struggles on “The Ruler and the Killer” or even country girl group Pistol Annies harmonizing on “Run Daddy Run,” this album is a must listen from start to finish. |
4. Unorthodox Jukebox by Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars’ second album radiates a ‘70s era swagger that suits Mars’ style and voice perfectly. His first single, “Locked Out of Heaven,” is a fun and funky groove that is an absolute joy to watch him perform (Seriously, check out his SNL performance – we love it). Mars steps away from the typical radio hit and, instead, goes for a soulful examination of every aspect of relationships, especially sex (Rolling Stone said that the album is “endlessly about sex – wild, wind-swept, Wagnerian sex”). The music and lyrics work perfectly together to form an album that has your attention from start to finish. And Mars’ vocals? Let’s just say you probably shouldn’t let your girlfriend listen to this album, because every song, whether upbeat and sexy or slow and heartbreaking, makes us swoon over the fedora-wearing Bruno Mars. |
3. Babel by Mumford & Sons
The only album on our Top Ten to be nominated for Album of the Year at the 2013 Grammys, Babel is an excellent sophomore album for indie/rock/alternative/folk band Mumford & Sons and easily earns its spot in the top three. Mumford & Sons are like the little engine that could – they play and write songs that question life and they do so while dressed like dapper salesmen of the ‘40s. Babel is, more or less, a reinterpretation of their first album, Sigh No More, but that is not a bad thing. Their first album got them several Grammy nods and their moving hit “Little Lion Man” had people moshing and head banging to a bango. Using the same formula as Sigh No More, Babel slowly begins the band’s evolution to a new stage in their music career and does so while earning them accolades at every turn. |
2. Overexposed by Maroon 5
On top of producing monster hits (“Payphone,” “One More Night,” and “Daylight”), this album explores the power of the non-single. Every song is a Maroon 5 masterpiece and Adam Levine’s vocals seem to get better over time, hitting screeching high notes and flowing smoothly at the same time. Maroon 5 may have lost a little momentum on their previous album, Hands All Over, but the band that brought us “She Will Be Loved” and “Moves Like Jagger” never gives up and more than redeems itself on Overexposed. The album explores this thing called “love” and just how much it screws us over and builds us up. The only bad thing about the album – eventually, it ends. Thank God for the replay button. |
1. Red by Taylor Swift
Listening to this album is like “driving a new maserati down a dead end street,” and we love every minute of it. Like Taylor Swift’s previous album, Speak Now, Red sold one million copies in its first week, cementing Swift’s place in music history as the first female to have two albums sell one million copies in a week. The fast songs make you want to dance (“22” and “Starlight”) and the slow songs make you want to cry while eating a tub of ice cream (“All Too Well” and “I Almost Do”). Essentially, Swift has captured the perfect album for females everywhere and still somehow manages to hook male fans in the process. We have literally listened to this album on repeat ever since it released back in October and we look forward to seeing its nomination for Album of the Year at the 2014 Grammys. |
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