Top Tunes 2013 Edition

IN NO ORDER...yet

• SuperLove- Charli XCX
• Applause, Do What U Want- Lady Gaga
• Julian, Fool Of Me (ft Chet Faker), Beloved- Say Lou Lou (BEST NEWCOMER OF 2013)
• Your Drums, Your Love- AlunaGeorge
• We Can't Stop- Miley Cyrus *insert groan here*
• Tennis Court- Lorde
• Work Bitch- Britney Spears
• Come and Get It- Selena Gomez
• I Was A Fool- Tegan and Sara
• Valentine's Day- David Bowie
• Resolution- Matt Corby
• Best Song Ever, Story Of My Life- One Direction
• Dear Darlin- Olly Murs
• L'enfer et Moi- Amandine Bourgeois (BEST EUROVISION TRACK)
• Under Control- Calvin Harris and Hurts
• I Love It- Icona Pop and Charli XCX
• You- Nathaniel
• Evil Eye- Franz Ferdinand
• Drew- Goldfrapp
• Wings- Birdy
• Habits- Tove Lo
• All For You- Little Boots
• Atlas- Coldplay
• Over The Love- Florence and the Machine 

• Roar- Katy Perry *rolls eyes*
• Beauty Queen- Foxes

• Permission to Love- Hayden James
• Blood On The Leaves- Kanye West
• Blind, Somebody to Die For, The Crow- Hurts
• Bridges- BROODS 

• Young and Beautiful- Lana Del Rey
• Rendez Vous- La Plage
• La La La- Naughty Boy ft Sam Smith
• Hard Out Here- Lily Allen
• You My Everything, Burn, How Long Will I Love You- Ellie Goulding
• Do I Wanna Know?- Arctic Monkeys
• Got What You Need- Eskimo Joe
• Fantasy- MSMR
• Firestarter- Samantha Jade
• Change Your Life, Bounce- Iggy Azalea
• Thinking About You- Calvin Harris

And now....the top 10.

10. The Wire- Haim
It was so hard to pick my favourite Haim song for the list because, let's face it, THEY ARE ALL AMAZING. But The Wire rightfully owns a spot for being their big radio breakout hit.

9. Love Me Again- John Newman
I cannot wait for the Northern Soul resurgence. John Newman can start it in my opinion.

8. Thursday- Pet Shop Boys ft Example
The best PSB single in a long time. Neil Tennants' classic vocal stylings with Chris Lowe's beats and Examples rap/singing- why wouldn't you stay for the weekend?

7. Pompeii- Bastille

I dare you not to sing along with the male choir. I DARE YOU. Perhaps one of the of the most uplifting, rousing songs of the year.

6. Work- Iggy Azalea

This track was especially motivating on my daily commutes into work and features one of my favourite lyrics this year 'Valley Girls giving blow jobs for Louboutins/Whatchu call that?/Head over heels'. Great video as well featuring homages to Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Death Proof and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. 

5. Royals- Lorde

In essence, a diatribe against American Cultural Imperialism. Brilliant.

4. Flatline- MKS

A TUNE. I wasn't putting much stock in the comeback until I heard Dev Hynes was producing a few of their tracks. This first single sold me and it's such a shame that it didn't fare better chart wise. 

3. Hold On, We're Going Home- Drake

How did this get here? No-one knows. But it's a genuinely swoon worthy song with a good beat- just check out the fantastic cover by Arctic Monkeys as well for proof.

2. Riptide- Vance Joy

In the film of my life, this song will be used in a montage sequence of myself (portrayed by Jennifer Lawrence or Meryl Streep) staring out of a car window, towards an imagined future, with the wind blowing in my face. My go-to happy song.

1. Get Lucky- Daft Punk

No brainer. This was THE song of 2013 for me. The combination of Daft Punk, Nile Rodgers and Pharrell Williams provided an explosion of funk and disco that soundtracked the entire year. It just makes you want to get up and dance no matter where you are. Iconic.

So, that seems to wrap up 2013 quite nicely. Now go forth and dance!

Top 10 Albums 2013 Edition

Another year, another night of hair pulling trying to put together my best of list.


10. Phoenix- 'Bankrupt!'

It was always going to be difficult to follow up from the amazing Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, but I think Phoenix nailed it. More of the same Euro-rock-pop from them, but still a solid album all round.
Standout tracks: Trying To Be Cool, SOS in Bel-Air, Entertainment


9. MSMR- 'Secondhand Rapture'

The dark horse on this list, MSMR started the year off strong with the release of their debut album. Thematically, it's a very apocalyptic album with a lot of the songs covering 'it's the end of the world! Here's what I'm going to do' theme. Laced throughout are some very strong pop songs, so while it didn't exactly set the charts on fire, it was a mainstay for 2013.
Standout tracks: Fantasy, BTSK, Hurricane, Head is Not My Home, Dark Doo Woop.

8. Charli XCX- 'True Romance'

This girl can write a mean hook and her debut album is proof of that. No filler (apart from Cloud Aura with Brooke Candy) plus she's the mastermind behind Icona Pop's 'I Love It'. It's 80s pop without sounding dated. Need I say more?
Standout Tracks: Nuclear Seasons, You, You're The One, Stay Away, Set Me Free.

7. Bastille 'Bad Blood'/'All This Bad Blood'

A grower for sure, but once you're in, you are IN. From the opening of 'Pompeii' (more songs need to have male backing choirs imo) to the frantic-ness of 'Laura Palmer', the album and its re-release with added tracks make for a very enjoyable listen, but give it time. Also check out their mix tapes if you can (free to download), 'Other People's Heartache (parts 1 and 2) for some seriously amazing mashups. The band are obviously heavily influenced by cinema as well as pop music, taking snippets from classic films and building tracks around them. TLC''s 'No Scrubs' + The xx 'Angels' + Hitchcock's 'Psycho'= the brilliant 'No Angels'.
Standout Tracks: Pompeii, Things We Lost In The Fire, Laura Palmer, Bad Blood

6. Little Boots- 'Nocturnes'

Little Boots' long awaited second album did not disappoint at all. Full of shimmering disco and dance tracks, it really does seem to be more of a night album than anything else, so the title is really befitting more than anything else. Slightly more edgier than 'Hands' but no less amazing.
Standout Tracks: Every Night I Say Prayer, All For You, Crescendo, Motorway

5. Kanye West- 'Yeezus'

Jay-Z may be a better lyricist, but Kanye has better beats and pushes the boundaries. West isn't lying when he said Yeezus is 'an album of frustration'- you can clearly hear his angry on the majority of the tracks, not just lyrically but sonically too. It's telling then, that the album ends on what is one of his most romantic songs, 'Bound 2'. Did he just need to get a few things off his chest? We'll have to wait and see.
Standout Tracks; Black Skinhead, Blood On The Leaves, Bound 2, Hold My Liquor

4. Daft Punk- 'Random Access Memories'

Possibly the most hyped up album all year. It worked for me though; all the tracks, bar 'Contact', are fantastic melanges of disco, funk and electronics. What I want next from them is a full length album or even an EP with Nile Rodgers and Pharrell Williams. MAKE IT SO.
Standout Tracks: Get Lucky, Lose Yourself To Dance, Giorgio by Moroder, Doin It Right, Instant Crush

3. HAIM- 'Days Are Gone'

Pop, rock and R'n'B perfection. The long awaited debut album was everything we could have wanted from the sisters Haim, except for maybe adding more tracks to make up for the four previously released singles. But still, this is one amazing record- I guarantee you'll have at least one chorus stuck in your head per day.
Standout Tracks: Days Are Gone, If I Could Change Your Mind, Running If You Call My Name, Go Slow, Falling, Forever, The Wire

2. Lorde- 'Pure Heroine'

Oh Lorde. Beautiful. If ever there was an album that summed up a summer in the southern hemisphere from the teen perspective, this is it. It's the story of one girl growing up and rebelling against American Cultural Imperialism. It's got angst, but not too much. Beats, but nothing to make you go crazy on a dancefloor. Just some seriously good songs.
Standout Tracks: 400 Lux, Team, Glory and Gore, Buzzcut Season, A World Alone, Tennis Court

1. Arctic Monkeys- 'AM'

Do not adjust your screens, this is not the Triple J site. Yes, AM was the best album this year. From start to finish, every track is just quality. Not a bad song on here at all. It's also the sexiest album I've heard in my life- every song has the right amount of swagger to pull it off (umm, no pun intended I guess). Not many bands can make such a successful turn around five albums in, but these guys have. Well played, Monkeys!
Standout Tracks: THE ENTIRE ALBUM.

Notable mentions: Goldfrapp- 'Tales Of Us', Franz Ferdinand 'Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Actions', David Bowie- 'The Next Day', Eskimo Joe- Wastelands

Best Soundtrack: The Great Gatsby

Slightly Underwhelming But Still Enjoyable: Hurts- 'Exile'

I've put the standout tracks in this handy Spotify playlist: enjoy!

Harkive: a musical history of July 9th

Here's my entry for Harkive, a project which will collate how people listened to music on July 9th. It's a great idea and to find out more, go to Harkive. The nerd in me (and let's be real, outside of me) enjoyed taking part in this and whilst there wasn't any earth shattering revelations to be found on my end, it's an accurate picture of my current day-to-day life.


7:50 Get dressed to the soothing sounds of ABBA 'Gold' blasting from my CD player. Say what you will, but those Swedes know how to make a pop song (amirightoramiright?)

8:30 Bus ride part 1: the first leg of my journey on the way to work is soundtracked by my iPod on shuffle. Normally, I use my 'Morning Tunes' playlist, but lately I've been feeling sleepy, so I switch to some more uptempo tracks (as follows). I leave it on shuffle but I'm often skipping tracks because I just don't feel like listening to them.

Say Lou Lou- Julian
Charlie XCX- Wires
Sugababes- Flatline
Marina and the Diamonds- Homewrecker
Kanye West- Power
John Newman- Love Me Again
Amandine Bourgeois- L'enfer Et Moi
Phoenix- Trying To Be Cool
Daft Punk- Get Lucky
Iggy Azalea- Work
Lana Del Rey- Summertime Sadness
Frank Ocean- Lost

9:20 Bus ride part 2: shorter ride means less tunes.

Marina and the Diamonds- Girls
Wheatus- teenage Dirtbag
Icona Pop ft Charlie XCX- I Love It (great song to walk/strut to)

9:35 Small cafe area outside of work is playing a delightful jazz version of 'Roxanne' on their speakers.

10:00 I work part time for a radio station, but it's talkback. No music for 4 hours. *sobs*

2:00 pm Ride home begins. iPod on shuffle mode again. Below is the playlist for return trips 1 and 2.

PNAU- Embrace
Kanye West- Guilt Trip
MSMR- Fantasy
Naughty Boy- La La La
Sugababes- Overload
Ja Rule and Jennifer Lopez- I'm Real (Murder Inc Remix)
David Bowie- We Are The Dead
MSMR- Think Of You
Kanye West- Paranoid
Phoenix- Entertainment (Blood Orange remix)
Lana Del Rey- Ride
Sarah Blasko- I Awake
Two Door Cinema Club- Something Good Can Work
Madonna- Boderline
Tegan and Sara- Shock To Your System

4:30 pm Short car ride home (finally). My mother picks me up from the bus stop. I have no shame, whatever. WSFM is on, the 'classic' radio station. Currently 'I Love Rock and Roll' by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts is playing. She leaves it until it finishes and starts flipping stations landing on the Edge 96.1 and a Pitbull song. :|

4:55 pm Checking out my Twitter timeline and Norwegian popsinger Annie (holler!) tweets a link to a blog of the best pop songs of 2013 so far. I end up playing her own track on the list, 'Tube Stops and Lonely Hearts', via Youtube.

5:30 pm Open up my laptop's iTunes and start shuffle mode. Hit play only to go straight to the preview button and pick which songs I'd like next.

Bee Gees- Nights On Broadway

Lana Del Rey- On Our Way

Eskimo Joe- This Is Pressure

Britney Spears- Baby One More Time

Franz Ferdinand – The Fallen

Kanye West- Goldigger

Crowded House- I Feel Possessed

Lana Del Rey- National Anthem

Crowded House- Mean To Me

Hurts- The Rope

Charlie XCX- So Far Away

Ellie Goulding- Your Biggest Mistake

6:30 pm Hit the gym. I either use my gym playlist on my iPod or shuffle through my collection if I'm bored (that happens more often than you think).

8:18 pm Sister's iPod in the car ride home post gym. She settles on Britney Spears 'Up and Down'.

10:00 pm Bedtime playlist on laptop 'ahh'. Filled with soothing down tempos such as The XX, Jessie Ware etc. It's a great playlist that bumps up my play count for these songs and helps me get some shut-eye.

The end (lulz)

Annie A

Grab your jaegerbombs and a flag of your choice: Eurovision 2013 Roundup

Eurovision Song Contest (henceforth known as ESC) is one of my favourite events on the social calendar. For those of you who are not aware of this 3 day extravaganza, it's Europe's version of The Hunger Games. Countries send their tributes/popstars/victims, dolled up in their Sunday best, armed with some seriously catchy tunes (most of the time), to duke it out in an arena in order to be named Europe's ESC champion. Nothing dies, except for the contestant's dignity. As is customary, this year the competition took place in the previous winner's country; Malmo (pronounced 'malmuuurrrr'), Sweden.

There's 2 semi-finals in the lead up to the Grand Final. Let's skip the nonsense and get straight into the 'good' stuff. This post also features guest commentary from noted music critic and ESC expert* Chrissie A.

*NB: She is not a noted music critic nor an ESC expert (to my knowledge).

Actual footage of Chrissie and myself watching Eurovision.

 France- L'Enfer Et Moi

A: I'm a sucker for French pop music, so I love this. Flawless vocals and performance imo.

Finland- Marry Me

A: Finland, my brand of crazy. Don't miss the CONTROVERSIAL kiss at the end! *yawns*

C: What kind of hot mess is this? Finland, you'll be doing a walk of shame off this stage.

Spain- Constigo Hasta El Final (With You Until The End)

A: Nothing says Spain like bagpipes. Obligatory 'mi corazon' lyric etc. Boring! Bring back Las Ketchup.

C: Is the economic crisis that bad that they can't afford shoes for Eurovision?

Belgium- Love Kills

A: A dubstep breakdown brought to you by Sacha Baron Cohen's doppelganger.

C: CRAB DANCING!
A: Those backup dancers are killing me right now. They start off graceful and end up like Shrek.

Estonia- Et Uus Saaks Alguse

A: Don't adjust your computer screen, this performance starts out in black and white. I zoned out in this one so idk...

Belarus- Solayoh

A: The party don't start until Belarus walks out of a giant disco ball.

C: THIS is what I'm talking about people! The spirit of Eurovision. *sobs*

Malta- Tomorrow

A: Imagine Train mating with Jason Mraz. Also known as my worst nightmare *shudders*

C: Who the fuck is Jeremy?

A: He works in IT.

C: Did he sell Malta that ukelele?

A: ...

Russia- What If

C: WE FOUND THE MISSING KARDASHIAN!

Cascada- Glorious

A: UGH. I hate Cascada with the passion of a thousand burning fires. 

C: Did they just steal Sweden's winning song from last year? (Loreen- Euphoria)

Armenia- Lonely Planet

A: Here we go! Well done Armenia for not being the Steve Bradbury of Eurovsion for once.

A: Oh Jesus. You can tell they're Armenian just by looking at them.

C: They should be sponsored by Leah's Waxworks.

A: Double denim is all the rage in Yerevan

C: Guess what I'll be wearing on casual Friday.

A: Less money on the pyrotechnics, more on waxing appointments Armenia!

C: John Goodman on keyboards here.

I loved him in 'The Big Lebowski'

A: There was a significant lack of apricots in that performance. Poor form guys!

The Netherlands- Birds

A: It's all doom and gloom here.

C: Why is Precious at Eurovision?

Romania- It's My Life

C: I am so ready for this.

A: This is AMAZING! Quality entertainment! It's like Dracula went to Arq.

C: I have no words for this.

A: I love everything this performance chooses to be.

United Kingdom- Believe in Me

A: Oh no, Bonnie. This is not working for me. At all. Yikes.

C: BONNIE TYLER GOT HER WIND MACHINE!! BOOYAH!

Sweden- You

A: Wrong Robin, Sweden. Good song but then again, it's Sweden. If they mess up a good pop song, they get kicked out of the EU.

C: He looks a little on the, ahem, feminine side. #justsayin

Hungary- Kedvesem (Zoohacker Remix) 

A: Hungry Hipsters of Hungary

C: Bitch stole my look.

A: I don't know what he's saying, but I'm just happily bopping along to it.

Denmark- Only Teardrops

A: Denmark is shoe-less but they have pan pipes, so really, it's swings and roundabouts.

Iceland- Eg A Lif

C: Thor makes a special appearance at Eurovision

A: Thor meets Englebert Humperdinck meets Tim Minchin. World's worst threesome.

Azerbaijan- Hold Me

A: ATTENTION! Azerbaijan has a man in a box! I repeat, A MAN IN A BOX! SEND SUPPLIES!

What is this even omg halp

Greece- Alcohol is Free

A: Did someone enter The Cat Empire mistakenly? 

C: Listen Greece, if Kanye West couldn't rock a skirt, neither can you.

A: Alcohol is free because your economy is shit and donkies are not a form of currency.

C:  I think that's my fruit shop man (*coughthisisMonasgagcough*)

Ukraine- Gravity

A: HODOR!

A: Ms Ukraine looks like Cheryl Cole.

C: I'd hit it and quit it tbh.

A: She has the diva arms down pat.

Italy- L'Essenziale

C: He looks like a fancy salesman. TAKE ALL MY MONEY!

A: Ooft. Italy. Yes please.

A: If there's no dubstep breakdown, I'm leaving, got that Italy?

Norway- I Feed You My Love

A: 'I Feed You My Love'. This is my type of song.

C: Norway's killing it right now but where's the big dress, dammit?!?!

Georgia- Waterfall

A: Ah Georgia. The Canada of Armenia.

C: Now THIS is a Disney song

A: It's no 'Especially For You', but it'll do.

Ireland- Only Love Survives

C: Where's Jedward?

A: I see Ireland have gone for 'credible' rather than 'Jedward'. And leather. So much leather. Like a bad bondage show.

C: The amount of spray tan used here is unfathomable

In summation,

This also happened.

Armenia, you herp derp.

Denmark won (it was those pan pipes, wasn't it?), Ireland lost, Romania and their queer dupstep vampire opera was robbed, the UK is still confused about this whole thing  and Australia is watching the whole thing from outside the window, like some sort of crazy stalker, plotting on how to get inside. IT'S NEVER GONNA HAPPEN GUISE, BUILD A BRIDGE AND GET OVER IT.

Meanwhile, nothing will ever compare to Helena Paparizou.

See you in Copenhagen!

Toodles!

Annie A (and Chrissie A)

2012 in review (aka the only list that Frank Ocean will not top)

First up, the singles of 2012. Singles by the same artist are doubled because I'm lazy. It's not listed in any order either because I'm lazy. Let's get to it, shall we?

1.     Angels- the xx: the best track off their latest album. Just listen to it if you haven't already.

2.     We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together/ I Knew You Were Trouble-Taylor Swift: the '1-2' punch of the Swift this year was strong. I have the bruises to prove it.

3.     Losing You- Solange: a Knowles I can stan for. Beyonce, step aside please, your talented and sartorially inclined baby sis is here! (I think I just described the dynamic of my relationship with my younger sister in that as well #awkward)

4.     Baby Come Home- Scissor Sisters; if this doesn't make you want to tap your feet and sing along, then I give up.

5.     I Awake- Sarah Blasko: sometimes, I like to listen to Sarah Blasko and pretend I'm edgy and cool.

6.     My Gun- The Rubens: sounds like The Black Keys, but better.

7.     Different- Robbie Williams: one of his best songs ever, especially in recent years (I say this as a major fan). Heartfelt and beautiful, the video also proves how badly he should delve back into acting.

8.     Madness- Muse: I love Muse, but the last few albums have been a struggle to get through on their first listen. 'Madness' served as a refreshing break from their OTT-ness (we are not going to talk about 'Survival'. At all).

9.     Primadonna- Marina and the Diamonds: all I ever wanted was the world too, Marina. Bonus points for her genius tweets.

10. Girl Gone Wild- Madonna: I did not get the hate for this song when it was released and it continues to baffle me now. 

11. Thrift Shop- Macklemore and Ryan Lewis: you know you're onto a good thing when a 60 something year old ethnic man requests this song to be played all the time. Also, one of the best videos this year.

12. Bad Girls- MIA: bad girls do it well. But what is 'it'? #questionsformia

13. Every Night I Say A Prayer- Little Boots: she finally finished her second album and EVERY NIGHT I SAY A PRAYER that this song is on there (see what I did?)

14. Born To Die- Lana Del Rey: Need I say more? This song grabbed me by my non-existent gonads at the beginning of the year and refused to let go.

15. I Love It- Icona Pop: So fierce. So sassy.

16. Battle Scars- Guy Sebastian and Lupe Fiasco: first single I've liked from him in awhile. Plus he acknowledged my mother accosting him in Westfields on Twitter, so we're practically BFFs at this point.

17. Something New- Girls Aloud: GO GIRLS, G-G-G-GO-GO-GO! My body was ready for some new music from GA, though I would argue 'On The Metro' and 'Every Now And Then' are better than SN. (They didn't make the cut due to arbitrary rules that exist in my mind)

18. Pyramids- Frank Ocean: I like this one, don't sue me please.

19. Sweet Nothing/Spectrum (Say My Name)- Calvin Harris and Florence and the Machine: a pair of UK number 1 singles for this duo. I approve wholeheartedly of this pairing; the flawless ginger queen and the smexy Scottish DJ.

20. Lego House- Ed Sheeran: Rupert Grint makes an appearance here for this incredibly catchy and sweet tune.

21. Call My Name/Under The Sun- Cheryl Cole: double whammy from the Geordie princess. Where CMN is another Calvin Harris produced hit (like the shy sister of 'We foudn Love'), Under The Sun relies on the singalong bridge and chorus. Plus the double entendre of 'watch the sun go down on me/go down on me' *insert wink*. Isn't that what pop music's about peeps? (answer: yes)

22. Locked Out Of Heaven- Bruno Mars: I went from 'meh' to 'THIS IS MA JAM!' with this track in a matter of weeks. Why? BECAUSE YOUR SEX TAKES ME TO PARADISE, THAT'S WHY.

23. Laura- Bat For Lashes: beautiful and rousing. I thought about using this for my sister Laura's 21st in two years time, but it's about a sad party girl, so not really appropriate at all.

24. R U Mine- Arctic Monkeys: I don't use this word often for I am a prude and an immature young woman, but this song is incredibly sexy.

25. Skyfall- Adele: imagine Shirley Bassey doing a cover of this Adele stylee. I know I am.

26. 212- Azealia Banks: Great song, but I feel like she's already peaked.

27. Dancing With A Broken Heart- Delta Goodrem: shame this went nowhere chart wise as opposed to 'Wish You Here'. Definitely one of her best singles.

28. Your Body- Christina Aguilera: it's been a few years since I liked a Christina song, so this will do.

29. Timebomb- Kylie Minogue: good for K25 and a banging dance tune, but I'm going to need something more for the next album.

30. Diamonds- Rihanna: doing her best Sia impersonation. I don't care for her so long as she's not Instagram-ming photos of her and woman hater Chris Brown and telling us to #phuckourselves because #Naviisstrong. Yes, I don't understand that either.

Best Albums of 2012 IN ORDER

10. MDNA- Madonna

A good, not great, album from the Queen. Highlights: Masterpiece, Love Spent, Beautiful Killer

9. Devotion- Jessie Ware

Minimalist RnB, excellent late night tunes here. Highlights: Wildest Moments, Running

8. Coexist- The xx

A tighter, cohesive LP that improves on their already brilliant debut, but works better played in full. Also emphasises their love of one word titles. Highlights: Angels, Fiction, Try, Tides.

7. The Haunted Man- Bat For Lashes

Less piano driven then its predecessor and more synth-y, bar the lead single 'Laura'. Still chill inducing though. Kudos to Natasha for also posing for the NSFW cover. Highlights: Laura, Oh Yeah, A Wall, All Your Gold

6. Magic Hour- Scissor Sisters

IDGAF, judge me all you want (looking at you JB Hi Fi server 'they're still around?!?' me: 'erm, yes' :|), but I legit still love SS and this album didn't disappoint me, though I can definitely live without 'San Luis Obispo'. Highlights: Only The Horses, Inevitable, Let's Have A Kiki

5. Halcyon- Ellie Goulding

Captures the heart-ache of a relationship gone awry perfectly. Add this to your break-up album collection. Listen with kleenexes though. Again, works better played from start to finish- there's no real 'singles' on here. This seems to be a trend with albums in 2012. Highlights: Figure 8, Anything Could Happen, My Blood, JOY, Hanging On ft Tinie Tempah

4. Take The Crown- Robbie Williams

It really does sound like Coldplay meets U2 in some parts. Hook laden from start to finish. Highlights: Candy, Different, Into The Silence, Reverse

3. Abbey Road Sessions- Kylie Minogue

Subdued, acoustic and tantalising. The hints that she's given us with various arrangements in concerts lead to this collection and it's a joy to listen to. I refuse to listen to 'Wow' or 'Never Too Late' in any other incarnation now. Highlights: Hand On Your Heart, Locomotion, On A Night Like This, Wow, Never Too Late

2. Electra Heart- Marina and the Diamonds

So close to the top! A case of sophomore effort trumping debut here as she gets those hits gurl. Highlights: Homewrecker, Primadonna, Lies, Power and Control, Teen Idle, Fear and Loathing

1. Born To Die/Paradise- Lana Del Rey

This was the album of 2012 for me. It delivers on every level from start to finish, not one filler track found. The EP Paradise rounds out this era with quality tracks such as a cover of 'Blue Velvet' and the haunting 'Bel Air'. Though 'my pussy tastes like Pepsi-Cola' will never cease to make me stop in my tracks and leave me dumbfounded (life, choices)
Highlights: THE WHOLE ALBUM. Born To Die, Blue Jeans, Video Games, National Anthem, Summertime Sadness, Radio, Without You. EP: Ride, American, Cola

Special Awards:

Underrated Sleeper Album That Everyone Missed: Holiday Trip Of A Lifetime- End Of Fashion. No buzz for this at all, which is a shame because it's not a bad album in the least.

Sad Panda Award:  This award goes to an album that I had really high hopes for but it just didn't turn out to be all that and a bag of chips. Anxiety- Ladyhawke. It's not terrible but really just not as great as her debut. #sadpanda
Runner Up: Our Version Of Events: Emeli Sande. Again, not bad, but not as amazing as I had hoped. MOAR UPTEMPO PLEASE EMELI

That concludes 2012 in muzak for me. Peace out.

Here, have some thoughts

Songs that I am enjoying right now:

• Solange Knowles- Losing You. So hipster. So chic. I think I stan for her- finally, a Knowles I can support!

• Lissie- When I'm Alone. Will next be heard on Robbie Williams' new album Take The Crown, out in November, on the duet 'Losers'.

• Delilah- Go. Hmm. Yes. Me likey. Came across whilst trying to make up my mind about Jessie Ware

• Muse- Madness. Need I say more? Stick with it. Track kicks in towards the end and it is BRILLIANT

• Calvin Harris ft Florence Welch- Sweet Nothing. YES. A banging tune from that guy that does all those songs you like featuring the vocals of a goddess. The video is brilliant and as Florence describes it, 'destructo stripping'

• Sarah Blasko- I Awake. Pulsating, thrilling and chaotic. 

• Side notes: 'Thong Song' will never be a 90s song to me. Ever. 

That is all.

Annie A