2012 Countdown: Top 10 Albums (#5-1)

5.) P!nk – The Truth About Love

My love for P!nk grows stronger and stronger through the years and with every album it seems. She came back from a brief hiatus with this blockbuster album that gave her a first #1 album. It has all of the great elements of P!nk that we’ve all come to love: the feisty breakup songs, the harsh vulgarity, the pain in love songs, the somber and beautiful vocals, and the classic fun “don’t give a f***” element. P!nk delivered through and through.

Favorite Song: “Just Give Me A Reason”

(Arguably one of the strongest efforts from this album, this bittersweet duet with fun.’s Nate Ruess is epic and beautiful all at once, and my oh my those harmonies in the second verse and chorus!)

4.) Bruno Mars – Unorthodox Jukebox

Bruno Mars’ very short but certainly memorable second album has so much to offer. From the pop lyrics, the mixing of so many different genres, and the incredible range this man has, this album was sweet, epic, and overall bloody brilliant.

Favorite Song: “Treasure”

(A funky, 70’s-80’s classic throwback that gets you into the perfect groove.)

3.) Alicia Keys– Girl On Fire

Marriage and motherhood certainly made Alicia Keys more strong and independent than she ever was. She comes out ready to fight and prove that she has changed and improved for the better, never losing sight of her enchanting melodies, the ease of her piano-playing skills, and not to mention her memorable hooks. With guests like Nicki Minaj and Maxwell along with songwriters John Legend, Babyface, her hubby Swizz Beatz, and a memorable track from Frank Ocean, this album was another shining example of how relevant and long-lasting Alicia Keys is in the music world.

Favorite Song: “Fire We Make”

(This sensual duet with falsetto crooner Maxwell hit all the right spots with its 5 minute length, making for a very memorable night for anyone that takes a listen intensely.)

2.) Miguel – Kaleidoscope Dream

As mentioned many times before, I have loved and respected this guy’s musical style since I saw him open for Usher and Trey Songz back in 2010. He mixes R&B vocals with overly sexual lyrics and a sick electronic, Prince-influenced beat. His eclectic style is making him more memorable than anything else out there right now in R&B and is an evolving style that will surely influence anyone to follow. It’s certainly a mesmerizing trip that lasts roughly around 50 minutes, but it’s worth every minute. 

Favorite Song: “Where’s the Fun in Forever”

(This thumping, bumping song co-written by Alicia Keys comes towards the end of the album, but it is still a memorable moment nonetheless that kicks it old school for 3 ½ minutes.)

1.) Frank Ocean – channel ORANGE

Much like ADELE’s 21 album last year, was it any surprise that this was my #1 pick for the year? Frank Ocean is mesmerizing and a wonder to the ears. His incredibly strong range and hauntingly honest lyrics will entice and relax you all at once, bringing to mind a new era of R&B that is making the sometimes humdrum and too familiar genre relevant and interesting again.

Favorite Song: “Thinkin Bout You”

(Just listening to this first single says it all, from the wide range jump from verse to chorus, and the honesty in the lyrics, Ocean takes us on a beautiful journey from beginning to end.)

2012 Countdown: Top 10 Albums (#10-6)

There was so much great music to listen to this year, so let’s look back at some of my favorite albums!

10.) Usher – Looking 4 Myself

This one is probably one of the most underrated albums of the year (and certainly in Usher’s catalog). From the cooing falsettos, the electronica influence, and not to mention to classic R&B stylings we’ve all come to love from Usher, he gave us such an eclectic and versatile album this time around.

Favorite Song: “Twisted”

(Funky, fun, and very different from the rest of the album.)

9.) Justin Bieber – Believe

The Biebs came back into the musical spotlight more mature and with a deeper voice and sound to bring us ultimate pop and R&B music for the radio. Hit after hit comes on this album, whether it’s the sweet love songs, the thumping club jams, or even the heavy dubstep, Justin Bieber was bigger than ever with this album.

Favorite Song: “Die In Your Arms”

(Michael Jackson sample at its best, it has a sweet feeling and a great hook to go with it.)

8.) Rihanna – Unapologetic

I wasn’t too ecstatic about this album from listening to the samples prior to its release. Needless to say after giving the whole album a listen to more than once, it has easily become one of my favorite Rihanna albums (after Rated R and before Talk That Talk). It may be a little more scaled down from the dance pop we’ve come to love from RiRi, but it has a sexual, seductive, chill vibe that plays from beginning to end.

Favorite Song: “Stay”

(Beautiful, poetic, and so poignant, Rihanna’s vocals have never been stronger.)

7.) Melanie Fiona – The MF Life

I’ve been rooting for this girl since 2009 when she came out with The Bridge. And here we are finally with her highly anticipated sophomore follow-up that didn’t fail at all. It had an interesting mixture of hip-hop, R&B, 70’s funk, and new-school vibes with guests like NaS, J Cole, Snoop Dogg, B.o.B, and John Legend. Her sultry voice goes all out from high to low and never fails to amaze me.

Favorite Song: “I Been That Girl”

(A somber warning to the next girl in line, this song is slow-paced but so memorable.)

6.) Haley Reinhart – Listen Up!

I have to show much love to my girl Haley Reinhart (the one who SHOULD HAVE won American Idol her year). I was head over heels with that husky voice from that tiny frame ever since she sang “Bennie and the Jets”. Since then I was eager to hear what an album from her would sound like, and it looks like my expectations were met tremendously. She has a great throwback to retro 60’s-70’s summer music and there is certainly not a single weak spot on this impressive debut.

Favorite Song: “Now That You’re Here”

(A fresh, funky throwback that builds to its strongest point in the killer chorus and hook.)

2012 Countdown: Top 20 Songs (#10-1)

10.) “Demonstrate”

JoJo

It may be another year past and STILL no new JoJo album, but that doesn’t mean she didn’t release new music! Here we have her embracing her inner goddess (being as how she was inspired by the book 50 Shades of Grey) and collaborating with Drake’s producer Noah “40” Shebib. They brought us sexy, seductive, and free.

9.) “Cherry Wine”

NaS & Amy Winehouse

Along with Aaliyah, Amy Winehouse came back to pay us a visit on her sweet collaboration with rapper NaS. In this beautiful song, NaS does the damn thing while Amy takes her time, reminding us all juts how much we miss that silky voice of hers.

8.) “Where Have You Been”

Rihanna

There’s no stopping Rihanna when it comes to dance songs, and this one was certainly no exception. Thank you Rihanna for getting us on our feet once again with this lovely dance track.

7.) “Somebody That I Used To Know”

Gotye & Kimbra

No need for any introduction here, this track is pure magic! And not to mention that the video is pretty extraordinary too. It’s nice to see and hear something so alternative and quirky make it so mainstream nowadays.

6.) “Climax”

Usher

Usher may not exactly be up to par in his career like he used to in the good ol’ days of My Way or Confessions, but he still knows how to bring the sexy swag to our ears. This standout out song of the year was a bit different than what we’re used to hearing on the radio, but that falsetto got us all crooning for more.

5.) “Skyfall”

ADELE

Another year, another ADELE song making it close to the top! James Bond and ADELE just seem to go perfectly together. Here’s to hoping for a big win at both the Golden Globes and the Oscars for this retro piece of music.

4.) “Tonight (Best You Ever Had)”

John Legend & Ludacris

One of the most memorable movies included this memorable song throughout, which is no surprise why it’s always stuck in my head after watching it. Think Like a Man had an incredible R&B soundtrack, but nothing compares to this sexy piece from two fine gentleman like John Legend and Ludacris.

3.) “No Church In the Wild”

Jay-Z, Kanye West, & Frank Ocean

Of course we have to include the incomparable pairing of Jay-Z and Kanye yet again, but this time adding the genius that is Frank Ocean. This album opener to their massive hit Watch the Throne gets things bumping right off the bat, and as a single this song was used for pretty much every movie trailer released if they wanted to add something hard, dramatic, and cool all at once. Well done boys, well done!

2.) “Adorn”

Miguel

I have to show love for Miguel, a man I came to love and cherish back in 2010 when he opened for Usher and Trey Songz. Since then he has become one of my favorite singers in R&B with his Prince beats, sexually-charged lyrics, most importantly this romantic serenade that gets us all two-stepping on the dance floor.

1.) “Thinkin Bout You”

Frank Ocean

And of course, topping the list for me is my favorite of the year, Mr. Ocean. He had it all right with this somber R&B/Hip-Hop track, bringing out his lower register and throwing in that powerful falsetto over his incredible vocal stamina.

2012 Countdown: Top 20 Songs (#20-11)

Not all of these songs on this Top 20 countdown were released as singles necessarily, but they certainly had a big impact on music in 2012 in my opinion. Here is #20-11!

20.) “Enough Said”

Aaliyah & Drake

Aaliyah returned with none other than her super fan Drake for this incredible piece of music. Bringing her into this day and age was such a wise choice, regardless of whatever drama happened with Timbaland & Missy.

19.) “I Knew You Were Trouble”

Taylor Swift

While most people would pick a more well-known Taylor Swift number from this year, I’m going with a gem that is just barely getting some attention. With its dubstep inspiration mixed with pop lyrics for a country song, this is certainly a first for Ms. Swift, and one that I currently cannot stop listening to!

18.) “Wide Awake”

Katy Perry

Katy Perry just can’t stop with all of these hits! But this one was a little more personal, a little more raw, and a lot more beautiful than her up-tempo party hits.

17.) “Let Me Be Your Star”

Katharine McPhee & Megan Hilty

SMASH!, the show that everyone loves to hate, but there is no denying just how great the pilot episode was and how incredible this musical moment was! Here’s hoping that season 2 has even more moments like this!

16.) “Give Your Heart A Break”

Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato had it going on in ALL the right places with her UNBROKEN album, and this was one shining example of pure pop perfection. The strings, the beat, the lyrics, and that voice, this had it going on in all the right places.

15.) “Call Me Maybe”

Carly Rae Jepsen

The song that no one could get out of their head was also the one that no one complained was in their head! Needless to say, there is certainly a spot for newcomer Jepsen on this countdown (unfortunately, it doesn’t look like there’s any other song of hers that is matching this song’s own legacy).

14.) “Home”

Phillip Phillips

While I may have been rooting hardcore for Jessica Sanchez to take the crown, there is so much love for Phillip Phillips and his winner’s single. Thank you to the Olympics and credit cards commercials for getting it out there for him.

13.) “I Won’t Give Up”

Jason Mraz

Jason Mraz certainly has a way with his words, and this song continued his poetic force in pop and rock beach music. His voice is like honey, and this song is beautiful. Now if we can just get him to cut his damn hair…

12.) “Locked Out Of Heaven”

Bruno Mars

This guy just can’t fail in any way, shape, or form. Here we have yet another staple in his short but extensive repertoire. The album was great and this first single got things started in the right way.

11.) “Some Nights”

fun.

fun. is certainly one of the breakout groups of 2012, and most would tend to pick their first single “We Are Young”, which of course is another great song from them (very memorable indeed). But this song I feel has more oomph, more power, and certainly more dramatic than the latter.