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.

 

Top 5: Best Kylie Minogue Albums

For over 25 years, Australian pop diva Kylie Minogue has captivated listeners with her infectious music and bubbly stage persona. This chameleon has played with as many genres as she has clothes. From her signature synth pop sound to more experimental Indie tracks, Kylie naturally has a very robust and diverse discography. To celebrate the release of her twelfth studio album, here are her top five greatest albums (so far!).

05. Let’s Get To It (1991)

Kylie began her music career in the late-‘80s as a teen pop star. Her sound was light and fluffy, but it quickly evolved as she matured into adulthood. Her 1991 release Let’s Get To It is a collection of R&B-tinged songs that showcase her budding sexuality and willingness to experiment. While it may not have garnered as many hits as her previous albums, Let’s Get To It is her most cohesive record from her PWL era.

Recommended Listening: “Word Is Out,” “Too Much of a Good Thing,” “Finer Feelings,” “Let’s Get To It”

04. Impossible Princess (1997)

Released during a waning period in her career, Impossible Princess is Kylie’s most experimental record to date. The album, co-written entirely by Kylie herself, is deeply personal and draws inspiration from a variety of musical genres. Impossible Princess is a testament to her willingness to try something new and should be celebrated for its unique qualities.

Recommended Listening: “Too Far,” “Cowboy Style,” “Did It Again,” “Dreams”

03. Kiss Me Once (2014)

As the most recent addition to her discography, Kiss Me Once is a blissful collection of contemporary pop songs that are 100 percent classic Kylie. Kiss Me Once proves that she still has what it takes to stay relevant. From the summery “Sexy Love” to the naughty “Sexercize,” this record is playful and fun just like the pint-size Aussie.

Recommended Listening: “Into the Blue,” “Sexy Love,” “Sexercize,” “Les Sex,” “Kiss Me Once”

02. Light Years (2000)

Credited with resurrecting her career in the early-2000s, Light Years was a return to form for Kylie. This Nu Disco collection assembles hit after hit with its infectious dance tracks. The album doesn’t take itself too seriously, thereby cementing its status as a shamelessly entertaining masterpiece. Often overshadowed by the success of its successor Fever, Light Years is incredibly fun and is a shining moment in Kylie’s career.

Recommended Listening: “Spinning Around,” “On a Night Like This,” “Loveboat,” “Your Disco Needs You,” “Butterfly,” “Light Years”

01. Aphrodite (2010)

Teaming up with Stuart Price (the genius who partnered with Madonna to bring us Confessions on a Dancefloor), Kylie delivered her magnum opus in the form of 2010’s Aphrodite. A glorious collection of pop gems, this album is an electronic masterpiece from start to finish. The record is a celebration of love and self-empowerment, summing up Kylie’s persona flawlessly in this twelve song set. It’s also worth noting that this album is responsible for netting Kylie the honour of having a number one album in the UK for each of the past four decades.

Recommended Listening: “All the Lovers,” “Get Outta My Way,” “Aphrodite,” “Too Much,” “Can’t Beat the Feeling”