Top 5: Best Pop Albums of 2014

With "Let It Go" being played non-stop all year long and Taylor Swift selling millions of copies of 1989, it's safe to say that 2014 was dominated by the ladies. This past year women reigned supreme in the world of pop music, delivering some of the finest ear candy in recent years.

The following list counts down the five best pop albums of 2014 from this year's fiercest divas.

05. Cher Lloyd, Sorry I'm Late

STANDOUT TRACKS: "I Wish," "Sirens," "Killing It," "M.F.P.O.T.Y," "Alone With Me"

As the hotly anticipated follow-up to her debut album Sticks & Stones, Cher Lloyd's Sorry I'm Late is a satisfying mix of club-hopping party anthems and emotional ballads. On this album, Cher relies less on her lady rapper schtick and shows her growth as a singer by stretching her vocal chords. The maturity she shows on Sorry I'm Late illustrates the makings of a true artist and makes for an interesting listen.

04. Jessie J, Sweet Talker

STANDOUT TRACKS: "Ain't Been Done," "Sweet Talker," "Bang Bang," "Personal," "Keep Us Together"

After the North American release to Alive failed to materialize, Jessie J set to work on a brand-new album to offer Stateside. Bolstered by the success of the Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj collab "Bang Bang," Sweet Talker became the big voiced songstress' highest charting album on the US Billboard 200. The album brilliantly showcases Jessie J's signature vocals and adaptability, belting out a variety of club thumpers and sweet R&B ballads. Her diversity as a singer is commendable and the sass she lays out on this record is as impressive as it is incomparable.

03. Ariana Grande, My Everything

STANDOUT TRACKS: "Problem," "Break Free," "Best Mistake," "Love Me Harder," "My Everything"

With her debut album becoming one of the best albums of 2013, Ariana Grande's sophomore effort My Everything had a lot to live up to. Thankfully, the pint-sized pop star delivered yet another solid set of infectious radio-friendly songs. From the saxophone-driven "Problem" to the Katy Perry-esque "Break Free," Grande ruled the charts with her growing pop repertoire. Still, Grande is the most impressive on My Everything's downtempo tracks, laying out some of this year's finest vocal work on the album's title track.

02. Kylie Minogue, Kiss Me Once

STANDOUT TRACKS: "Into the Blue," "Sexy Love," "Sexercise," "Les Sex," "Kiss Me Once"

While 2014 may have seen younger acts like Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande dominating the charts, the legendary Kylie Minogue proved that age is irrelevant in making good music. As one of the most eclectic albums this year, Kylie's Kiss Me Once ranges from feel-good ear candy ("Into the Blue") to seductive sex jams ("Sexercise"). The album is also notable for featuring a mix of downtempo tracks, making Kiss Me Once the first studio album of hers to do so since 2007's X. These retro ballads are among some of her more interesting and act as brilliant homages to her PWL era.

01. Cheryl, Only Human

STANDOUT TRACKS: "It's About Time," "Crazy Stupid Love," "Waiting for Lightning," "Only Human," "Stars," "Throwback," "Fight On," "Beats N Bass"

To say that 2014 was a good year for the newly mononymous Cheryl would be an understatement. She returned to the judging panel on The X-Factor, broke records when she became the first British female solo act to have five number one singles in the UK and subsequently released her fourth top ten studio album Only Human.

Only Human is arguably Cheryl's strongest solo effort to date, featuring a cohesive collection of pop gems and affecting ballads. On this record she is as fierce as she is vulnerable, showing swag on hair-flippers like "Beats N Bass" and emotional transparency on downtempo tracks like "Only Human." While all the albums on this list may not be excellent start to finish, Only Human is near perfection and proves itself as pop masterpiece.

 

Review: Jessie J, Who You Are

With her feisty attitude and unique style, Jessie J burst onto the scene in the winter of 2011 with her debut album Who You Are. The record is a diverse collection of songs, blending elements of R&B and pop to create a sound she can call her own. Beyond the slick production values of the album, Who You Are strives to be a showcase of Jessie J’s powerful vocals and songwriting skills.

 

First and foremost, Who You Are is an accessible album that seems eager to please. Its lead single, “Do It Like A Dude,” takes inspiration from R&B superstar Rihanna. With its grinding guitar and thumping beat, Jessie J lays into the track with satisfying but predictable sassiness. The smash hit “Price Tag” fares better. Its laid back composition and smooth vocals are infectious. Its message is simple and clichéd but remarkably relevant. She also uses her music to fight back against critics. The most biting track in this collection is the anti-hater track “Who’s Laughing Now.” The song is a standard pop track but its lyrics and Jessie J’s attitude make it a standout. “Abracadabra” is another radio-friendly tune with a breezy pop arrangement. A major standout on the album is the Dr. Luke-produced bonus track “Domino.” It is sugary in its infectiousness, illustrating Jessie J’s mainstream appeal perfectly. While many tracks on the album seem intent on becoming hits, Jessie J refuses to ‘sell out’ and stands strongest on the downtempo songs. The acoustic ballads “I Need This” and “Who You Are” serve as affecting showcases for Jessie J’s husky vocals and incredible range. The latter is a particularly poignant anthem about embracing oneself. The message of self-empowerment filters throughout the album and it is illustrated no more beautifully than on this simple ballad. That said, Jessie J is at her best on the live track “Big White Room.” Stripped of the magic of the studio, “Big White Room” is the perfect marriage of an acoustic guitar, a big voice and a receptive audience. Jessie J’s range on the track is impressive and it proves that she is more than just some disposable pop diva.

It’s safe to say that Jessie J goes all-out on her debut album. Who You Are is impressive in its ability to adapt to mainstream trends as well as to more unusual sounds. While it has its share of filler, the album does its job of showing off Jessie J’s incredible vocals and unique persona. This singer/songwriter is singularly talented and Who You Are serves as a welcoming introduction to the British pop diva known as Jessie J.

Recommended Listening: “Price Tag,” “Abracadabra,” “Big White Room,” “Who’s Laughing Now,” “Do It Like a Dude,” “I Need This,” “Who You Are,” “Domino”

Grade: B