Instead of doing a top five I could only come up with three records which I have fell for this year, I'm not saying I haven't enjoyed more than three albums this year, Iggy Azalea's The New Classic, One Direction's Four, Ella Henderson's Chapter One and Sam Smith's In The Lonely Hour have lived with me a fair amount but I'm not sure they'd be played much more.
Number 3: Ed Sheeran - X
Before this year I didn't like Ed Sheeran, like, really didn't like. Taylor brought him to perform Lego House at The O2, it wasn't mind-blowing but I 'got it'. I wasn't won over until I heard Sing, everything changed. The Pharrell produced single saw Ed drop his acoustic singer-songwriter vibe for smooth pop star giving Justin Timberlake a run for his money.
Whoever signed Ed was a brave person. Ginger, slightly podgy, awkward looking twenty-something who wanted to be a pop star whilst working with grime artists and pops biggest names. He's not your obvious chart-topper but talent and ambition shines through. I did give + a chance after hearing Sing and I regret not giving it a go ages ago but x sees the solo artist reach new levels.
x showcases Sheeran's diversity, the flawless ballad of Thinking Out Loud is an instant classic then there's the fierce rap on The Man and Don't dabbles in hip hop.
Nobody expected Ed could hit these levels and it could be an interesting future for the man who won at 2014.
Number 2: Paolo Nutini - Caustic Love
It had been a lengthy wait for the return of crazy talented Paolo Nutini. The Scot's debut record showed promise but it sounded forced as the label sucked the credibility out of him, wanting a pop star. He reemerged, reaching that potential with Sunny Side Up, three years on. The album was full of well crafted pop but that was 2009. Five years on a very different Paolo Nutini created a masterpiece.
Initially I wasn't too keen on Caustic Love's lead single, Scream (Funk My Life Up) it didn't sound anything like his previous releases but it all made sense when it opened up album number three. Caustic Love is moody, downbeat and tender. There's no uplifting hits like Pencil Full of Lead, nor is there the instant charm of Candy but, after a few listens you realize this is an artist who has done it his way and excelled.
Once you had got over the drastic changes you can appreciate the intensity of Iron Sky, one of 2014's finest tracks, Let Me Down Easy saw Paolo explore new territories as he modernised vintage sounds and the collab with Janelle Monae shouldn't have worked but it totally does. God knows how he'll top this, hopefully we won't have to wait another five years!
Number 1: Taylor Swift - 1989
Can this girl do wrong? In February The Red Tour blew my mind at The O2, Red is one of my favorite pop albums ever, a new Taylor was being created with her fifth record as she completely ditched the inspirations which kick started her career but it was the likes of We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together and I Knew You Were Trouble with no country twang saw her profile rise dramatically.
The buzz for 1989 was huge, especially in my head. I can't remember the last time I got so excited by a song than I did after hearing Shake It Off, I could sleep that night as I played it on repeat. It was the perfect comeback single, catchy, clever, fun, what else would you want from pop?
It wasn't just the single which I listened to over-and-over, I reckon I've had the album on about three times a day since it was released. It is as perfect as Shake It Off is as it explodes with varying influences, there isn't a song to skip, even the three bonus tracks are better than any other pop artist has crafted in a long time.
1989 represents Taylor Swift as a mid-twenties singleton in 2014 without scarifying anything. It might have an impressive list of co-writers, Ryan Tedder, Max Martin and Jack Antonoff but it feels very much like a Taylor Swift record, jam packed with witty, self-deprecating lyrics as she pokes fun at how the media portray her whilst documenting the highs and lows of relationships with honesty and killer hooks.
It is hard to praise this album without going in-depth into every track, there are so many moments to talk about, if you haven't heard yet then you probably should.
2014 hasn't been a vintage year for albums but it excelled when it had to. Next year has a lot more promise.
