Hey everybody -- I recently launched a new video series for The Canadian Press news wire looking at movies, music and other entertainment that are flying under the radar.
It's called The Next Big Thing, and a new edition is released every Friday.
Here's the first one, let me know what you think.
I talk about RAC, Matthew McConaughey and the Crackle action series Chosen.
Sunday 22 December 2013
Most Played Songs of 2012 // The Top 10
While most people focus on their favourite tracks of the year, I am willing to admit that sometimes the "best" songs of the year aren't the ones I repeat over and over on my playlist. So, I'm coming clean and presenting you with the Top 10 songs that I played most often in 2012.
I'm sure there are a few you'll enjoy...
10. The Young Professionals – Video Games
It's no secret that Lana Del Rey annoys me, but it's more her smokey vocal delivery than anything else that I dislike. Proof comes in the Young Professionals' cover of Video Games, which reworks the overdramatic track into an electronic pop song that builds its foundation on pizazz. If you couldn't stand Del Rey's version, you'll probbaly take a shine to a different take that doesn't feel like it's trying so hard.
9. Karmin – Brokenhearted
There are few YouTube senstaions that catch my ear, and Karmin has left me with mixed feelings overall. They're just too cutesy and I don't buy their romantic relationship. Whatever the case, the first time I heart Brokenhearted I was sold. It was pure radio pop at its best -- catchy, peppy, danceable and a real celebration.
8. Solange – Losing You
While her sister garners all the attention, I have to say Solange fascinates more far more. She's been battered by the labels and emerged with this new indie image that's probably less honest that I'd like to hope. Losing You is the first single she released and it screams from the rooftops even though it's downbeat. Solange has left and impression and I think she'll be leaving her mark in the coming years.
7. Katy Perry – Wide Awake
Yeesh, did I really like this song that much? Wide Awake is certainly one of Perry's best singles, but it still stings to see her rank so high. If only I could believe that her vocal abilities actually live up to the studio version of this song. The songwriting actually helps this track overcome some of the obstacles.
6. Icona Pop – Good for You
These two young ladies are going to be huge, but it probably won't be the track Good For You that takes them there. Instead, I'm sure people will be screaming "I Love It" from the top of their lungs in a few months, it's already a hit in Europe. Good For You is another track from Icona Pop's debut EP, and this one channels Ace of Base, scratch that, it practically mimics them. It works.
5. St. Lucia – All Eyes on You
Few artists have shaken my world as strongly with an EP as St. Lucia did earlier this year. It was pure, enthusiastic, and had both knowledge of past pop music history but also an entirely different spin on the sound. Jean-Philip Grobler is a vocal powerhouse, and he will be recognized whenever this band releases their debut album. For now, consider St. Lucia bubbling under the surface.
4. Hoodie Allen – No Faith in Brooklyn (feat. Jhameel)
me>
While Hoodie Allen hasn't received all of the credit he deserves, this rapper soared into the Billboard Top 10 earlier this year without a label release. That's exceptional in itself, but it certainly was helped by a quality album that included such tracks as this one, No Faith in Brooklyn, a great hip-hop song laced with soothing vocals by another indie singer, Jahmeel. This should've been a hit single, but without a label that's an entirely different feat to achieve. Baby steps...
3. Tooji – Stay
Eurovision guarantees a few guilty pleasures every year, and Tooji exemplifies that to some astronomical degree. He's corny, he's a little sloppy but he's got charm. Unfortunately that charm started to wear thin in the weeks leading up to Eurovision finals, so his performance managed to rank as one of the lowest of the competition. It's a shame, especially because I have to explain why he's so high on my most-played list.
2. Nick Curly – Underground (Dennis Ferrer Remix)
Simply club perfection. I've seen people who never heard this song just tear it up in a club. The beat is infection and the genius that Ferrer brings to the table is astounding, especially because the original Nick Curly track is quite dull.
1. HAERTS – Wings
A late entry on this year's release schedule, the relatively mysterious Haerts quickly rocketed to the top of my most-played tracks with this hauntingly beautiful track. Wings captures harmony in a bottle and creates this heightned emotional intensity laced with an 80s vibe that manages to feel fresh and unique, rather than an imitation. You can literally feel the beat of passion here.
Start at the very beginning of the list with #11-#20 of the Most Played Songs of 2012.
It's no secret that Lana Del Rey annoys me, but it's more her smokey vocal delivery than anything else that I dislike. Proof comes in the Young Professionals' cover of Video Games, which reworks the overdramatic track into an electronic pop song that builds its foundation on pizazz. If you couldn't stand Del Rey's version, you'll probbaly take a shine to a different take that doesn't feel like it's trying so hard.
9. Karmin – Brokenhearted
There are few YouTube senstaions that catch my ear, and Karmin has left me with mixed feelings overall. They're just too cutesy and I don't buy their romantic relationship. Whatever the case, the first time I heart Brokenhearted I was sold. It was pure radio pop at its best -- catchy, peppy, danceable and a real celebration.
8. Solange – Losing You
While her sister garners all the attention, I have to say Solange fascinates more far more. She's been battered by the labels and emerged with this new indie image that's probably less honest that I'd like to hope. Losing You is the first single she released and it screams from the rooftops even though it's downbeat. Solange has left and impression and I think she'll be leaving her mark in the coming years.
7. Katy Perry – Wide Awake
Yeesh, did I really like this song that much? Wide Awake is certainly one of Perry's best singles, but it still stings to see her rank so high. If only I could believe that her vocal abilities actually live up to the studio version of this song. The songwriting actually helps this track overcome some of the obstacles.
6. Icona Pop – Good for You
These two young ladies are going to be huge, but it probably won't be the track Good For You that takes them there. Instead, I'm sure people will be screaming "I Love It" from the top of their lungs in a few months, it's already a hit in Europe. Good For You is another track from Icona Pop's debut EP, and this one channels Ace of Base, scratch that, it practically mimics them. It works.
5. St. Lucia – All Eyes on You
Few artists have shaken my world as strongly with an EP as St. Lucia did earlier this year. It was pure, enthusiastic, and had both knowledge of past pop music history but also an entirely different spin on the sound. Jean-Philip Grobler is a vocal powerhouse, and he will be recognized whenever this band releases their debut album. For now, consider St. Lucia bubbling under the surface.
4. Hoodie Allen – No Faith in Brooklyn (feat. Jhameel)
me>
While Hoodie Allen hasn't received all of the credit he deserves, this rapper soared into the Billboard Top 10 earlier this year without a label release. That's exceptional in itself, but it certainly was helped by a quality album that included such tracks as this one, No Faith in Brooklyn, a great hip-hop song laced with soothing vocals by another indie singer, Jahmeel. This should've been a hit single, but without a label that's an entirely different feat to achieve. Baby steps...
3. Tooji – Stay
Eurovision guarantees a few guilty pleasures every year, and Tooji exemplifies that to some astronomical degree. He's corny, he's a little sloppy but he's got charm. Unfortunately that charm started to wear thin in the weeks leading up to Eurovision finals, so his performance managed to rank as one of the lowest of the competition. It's a shame, especially because I have to explain why he's so high on my most-played list.
2. Nick Curly – Underground (Dennis Ferrer Remix)
Simply club perfection. I've seen people who never heard this song just tear it up in a club. The beat is infection and the genius that Ferrer brings to the table is astounding, especially because the original Nick Curly track is quite dull.
1. HAERTS – Wings
A late entry on this year's release schedule, the relatively mysterious Haerts quickly rocketed to the top of my most-played tracks with this hauntingly beautiful track. Wings captures harmony in a bottle and creates this heightned emotional intensity laced with an 80s vibe that manages to feel fresh and unique, rather than an imitation. You can literally feel the beat of passion here.
Start at the very beginning of the list with #11-#20 of the Most Played Songs of 2012.
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