Top 5: Namie Amuro Ballads

Despite being known for her Hip-Pop music and slick dance moves, J-Pop superstar Namie Amuro has proven time after time that she is a capable balladeer. Over the course of her illustrious career, she's had tremendous success with her downtempo tracks.

Earlier this month she released BALLADA, a compilation of her greatest ballads that skyrocketed to number one on the Japanese Oricon Chart, thus proving Amuro's undeniable gift for singing downtempo songs. To celebrate this accomplishment, I've counted down her five greatest ballads.

05. "Baby Don't Cry"

As the final single off of her eighth studio album PLAY, "Baby Don't Cry" is a mid-tempo ballad that typifies Amuro's R&B sound. Though not included on BALLADA, it is a spirited and feel good song that reached number three on the Oricon Charts.

04. "CAN YOU CELEBRATE?"

Released on Christmas day in 1997, "CAN YOU CELEBRATE?" is a sweet pop gem and nostalgic piece of ear candy. It became a phenomenon, selling over 2 million units and went on to become the highest selling single of that year. Nearly 20 years later, Amuro has re-recorded the song for BALLADA and has transformed it into a moving orchestral piece.

03. "Let Me Let You Go"

Sung entirely in English, "Let Me Let You Go" is a heart-wrenching ballad that features some of the strongest vocals in Amuro's extensive career. With its piano arrangement and Amuro's raw vocals, it is incredibly affecting and serves as one of the best moments off of her eleventh studio album FEEL.

02. "SWEET 19 BLUES"

Arguably one of Amuro's most iconic singles, "SWEET 19 BLUES" is an autobiographical ballad that appeared on her sophomore album. It's a poignant downtempo track that features a snapping rhythm and solid vocals. Like "CAN YOU CELEBRATE?," "SWEET 19 BLUES" was re-recorded for BALLADA and Amuro filmed a new music video for it, showing her fans just how far she's come since her now famous 19th birthday.

01. "Love Story"

As far as Namie Amuro's vocals are concerned, they don't get much better than they do on "Love Story." A number three hit, this track appeared on her tenth studio album Uncontrolled and continues to be one of her most heart-rending piano ballads to date. With its beautiful arrangement and honest lyrics, this track proves just how talented this J-Pop icon is without the glitz and glamour of fancy dance productions.

Top 5: Best Albums of 2013

Last year was a big one for women in music. Pop divas ruled the charts as the likes of Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus and Beyoncé blazed their way to the top. To celebrate what was a fantastic year in pop music, here are the top five best albums of 2013 by female artists.

Lady Gaga, ARTPOP

Three years after the monster success with Born This Way, Lady Gaga released her hotly anticipated follow-up ARTPOP in the fall of 2013. An eclectic mix of flashy electropop numbers, this album features all the trademarks of a Gaga album. Its lyrics are experimental and its sound is dancefloor ready. Overall, it is stylish and fun yet 100% bizarre. Would we expect anything less from Mother Monster?

Recommended Listening: “Venus,” “Do What U Want,” “Donatella,” “Gypsy,” “Applause”

Demi Lovato, DEMI

Landing at #1 on the Canadian album charts, Demi Lovato’s fourth record DEMI proved to be a rousing success for the pop dynamo. With a radio-friendly sound, the album is at once accessible yet vulnerable. Lovato’s vocals are flawless while her lyrics are relatable. In a year that saw Disney alums vying for the pop diva crown, Demi took it home with this personal and entertaining album.

Recommended Listening: “Heart Attack,” “Made in the U.S.A.,” “Neon Lights,” “Really Don’t Care,” “Shouldn’t Come Back”

Kelly Rowland, Talk a Good Game

Though former fellow bandmate Beyoncé may have surprised the world with her self-titled album released in December, Kelly Rowland proved she deserved to be in the spotlight with her fourth solo album titled Talk a Good Game. This record featured an assortment of sensuous slow jams and painfully personal ballads. Rowland bared her soul on the album and it stands as a truly beautiful piece of work that merits being called the best R&B album of 2013.

Recommended Listening: “Freak," "Talk a Good Game,” “Down on Love,” “Dirty Laundry,” “You Changed"

Ariana Grande, Yours Truly

Ariana Grande’s debut album Yours Truly proved to be a sleeper hit last year as it took home the #1 spot on the U.S. Billboard 200 in its opening week. A glorious collection of throwback R&B tunes, Yours Truly is timeless and elegant. Grande’s range is superb and her delivery is impeccable. If anything, this album should be regarded as the greatest Mariah Carey album that isn’t actually performed by Mariah Carey.

Recommended Listening: “Honeymoon Avenue,” “Right There,” “Tattooed Heart,” “Piano,” “Daydreamin’”

Namie Amuro, FEEL

With the likes of Cher and Britney Spears tossing their hats in the ring, it was Namie Amuro who pulled out all the stops this year in the genre of electronic dance music. The top selling album by a solo artist in 2013 in her native country of Japan, FEEL is Namie Amuro’s eleventh studio album. Sung primarily in English, this record is a modern collection of slick dance hits that is sure to get anyone up and moving. Amuro’s vocals are spot-on and the beats on this one are crazy. If there’s one must-have album of 2013, it’s FEEL.

Recommended Listening: “Can You Feel This Love,” “Hands on Me,” “Poison,” “Supernatural Love,” “Stardust in My Eyes”