Blue Rose Posted December 20, 2018 Posted December 20, 2018 Gladly is great. Donnie Darko has great elements but does it achieve anything being that long? No.
Tom Vercetti Posted December 21, 2018 Posted December 21, 2018 Sweetener, a risk taking choice. The way Azealia dipped after 3 songs when she was somewhat on a quality streak interesting Julia choice too. [2]
ATRL Moderator Tsareena Posted December 21, 2018 ATRL Moderator Posted December 21, 2018 anna wintour Quote Azealia is... troubled, but honestly she could stab me and burn down my house and I would still bop to this song. gladly sweetener: a bop Donnie Darko is amazing
Eeveelution Posted December 21, 2018 Author Posted December 21, 2018 12 hours ago, Eeveelution said: 20. Azealia Banks - "Anna Wintour" From: I- 2018 was all about separating the art from the artist for me. This was nowhere more evident than Azealia, whose partially-entertaining, partially-vile conveyor belt of e-headlines continued to overshadow her mostly solid musical output. Azealia is... troubled, but honestly she could stab me and burn down my house and I would still bop to this song. Anna Wintour takes all of the best parts of Banks’s music: bouncy hip-house production, irresistibly sticky hooks, that weird foghorn thing she does with her verse toward the middle, to craft an unexpected artist re-peak for her. So yeah, hopefully she doesn’t quit the day job and become a full time *** soap saleswoman cause an album full of these would be ideal. See also: "Treasure Island" 19. Julia Holter - "Why Sad Song" From: Aviary After the overwhelming everything and the kitchen sink-ness of Aviary, the subdued, ambient Why Sad Song feels like a natural closer to the record. What I find interesting about this smasha is that, while the vocal melody remains similar throughout the song, there is a gradual instrumental buildup that is very satisfying. Obviously it wouldn’t be Julia song without a convoluted background story – the song is apparently a “phonetic transcription of “Kyema Mimin” by Nepalese Buddhist nun Ani Choying Drolma & jazz musician Steve Tibbetts,”. And what about it? See also: "Les Jeux to You" ; "I Shall Love 2" 18. Tirzah - "Gladly" From: Devotion Love songs are obviously a dated concept in 2018, and Gladly is perhaps the most obvious love song on an album of “straight-up love songs”. However, it never feels reductive because Tirzah is not one to do things by the book. Everything about the song is just a little off in a way that I like. The production is very garageband-chic with a hypnotic drum beat and a piano line that sounds like it was recorded underwater. Tirzah her lyrics are quite basic on paper and vocally it’s like girl find the note, but she still sells it thanks to her immense talent. See also: "Fine Again" ; "Say When" 17. Ariana Grande - "sweetener" From: sweetener Perhaps I’m getting old, but to me pop has never sounded so… homogeneous. An Ed Sheeran’d guitar riff here, a malnourished tropical house drop there, all blending into a spotify playlist stew of mediocrity. But then came Ariana and Pharrell to shake things up. The individual elements here aren’t so unique: the sentimental pop soul ballad, the post-Migos mumble rap, Pharrell’s incessant adlibs. But together they make something truly special. It shouldn’t work, and maybe to a lot of y’all it doesn’t, but at least you won’t be hearing anything else like this on TTH. See also: "successful" ; "no tears left to cry" 16. Let's Eat Grandma - "Donnie Darko" From: I'm All Ears Girl we going to Norwich! Rosa Walton and Jenny Hollingworth, the duo behind Let’s Eat Grandma, are never content to just write a normal pop song. They love to twist their music into unexpected and surprisingly satisfying directions, which is no better highlighted than on I’m All Ears’ ambitious closer. For 11 minutes the duo take the scenic route across 80s synthpop, glittery disco, fuzzy psychedelia and… you get the picture. I never knew how much I needed an 11-minute song entitled Donnie Darko in my life but here we are. See also: "Ava" ; "Falling into Me" For the new page x
Sbbmsve Posted December 21, 2018 Posted December 21, 2018 I despise Azealia but she made some points with Anna Wintour & Treasure Island. Why Sad Song is a great pick from Aviary Sweetener... that was a wig that was a wig. Quote Vocally it’s like girl find the note We- you didn’t lie Donnie Darko was a CLOSER, we stan!!!
theblackestday Posted December 21, 2018 Posted December 21, 2018 Why Sad Song, Sweetener, Donnie Darko The saviours of 2018
Navyofbadgals Posted December 21, 2018 Posted December 21, 2018 sweetener… we had to ignore Donnie Darko though Anna Wintour and Gladly are also gr8
World Eater Posted December 21, 2018 Posted December 21, 2018 I see point after point after point after point being made Why Sad Song is an interesting choice, considering how lowkey it is, but
Pink Matter Posted December 21, 2018 Posted December 21, 2018 I'm off Azealia 4 lyfe at this point. So great gowns... sweetener and Donnie Darko sweetener gets so much undeserved hate when it's easily top 5 on the album
Maddox Posted December 22, 2018 Posted December 22, 2018 I gave Treasure Island more plays than what she deserves but anyway... She made some points! Donnie Darko
Eeveelution Posted December 22, 2018 Author Posted December 22, 2018 (edited) 15. Kacey Musgraves - "Slow Burn" From: Golden Hour As the title suggests, Slow Burn is not exactly the yee haw of an opener that some may have wanted from Golden Hour. Instead it’s a more subtle affair, unfolding leisurely for its run-time with mostly just Kacey and her guitar. This puts focus on the individual aspects of the song: the drum that kicks in during the second verse feels monumental. Of course, Kacey’s lyrics are great as always, and the oft quoted “grandma cried when I pierced my nose” line is a textbook example of her simple yet highly effective brand of songwriting.. See also: "High Horse" ; "Velvet Elvis" 14. SOPHIE - "Is It Cold in the Water?" From: OIL OF EVERY PEARL'S UN-INSIDES There are other, more ambitious songs on Oil of Every Pearl’s Un-insides, there are bigger bops, however this song has always been the album’s high water mark for me. Over a bed of swirling synthesizers that just sounds like anxiety, like a buildup to the drop in a house song that's doomed never to arrive, Cecile Believe really sings in a way that you don’t often hear from PC music projects. This to me is SOPHIE’s fusion of the traditional pop ballad with her textbook club influences. I wish that artists would try this kind of approach rather than singing over the same four piano chords for three and a half minutes, but I digress. See also: "Immaterial" ; "Infatuation" 13. Allie X - "Science" From: Super Sunset Allie X is not an amazingly talented lyricist, but she is a very skilled pop songwriter. Nearly everything she touches has a hook that’ll glue itself into your brain, even if the song itself isn’t always that great. Thankfully, Science is good, it’s pretty much a pop masterpiece in fact, like it was genetically engineered in a lab to be the perfect pop song. There are so many little details that really help sell this song to me; the liddo jingle that plays before the beginning, the way she sings “molecular”, the almost-abrasive synths that jump out during the last chorus. With this song Allie really turned the chill bop into an art form. See also: "Focus" ; "Can't Stop Now" 12. Kids See Ghosts - "Reborn" From: Kids See Ghosts Reborn to me feels like what the previous tracks on Kids See Ghosts have been building up to. Surrounded by 2 and a half minute songs, it feels like an epic. I love how atmospheric the track is and how it takes its time just trudging along. Both Cudi and [redacted] deliver solid verses with some memorable lines: “all of you Mario, it's all a game". is a favourite. All of this is tied together with one of the most uplifting choruses I’ve heard all year. I don’t think a note of Cudi’s hook is on key, but it doesn’t matter: I stan many talentless vocalists after all. See also: "Feel the Love"; "Freeee (Ghost Town Pt. 2)" 11. Mitski - "Why Didn't You Stop Me?" From: Be the Cowboy I considered choosing about half of Be the Cowboy for this countdown. But ultimately what I like about Why Didn’t You Stop Me? is, while it’s a bloody good song, it also encapsulates what’s so good about Be the Cowboy as a whole. Mitski is an amazing songwriter, and she is great at capturing complex, nuanced emotions in only a few lines: when she sang “I know that I ended it / but why won’t you chase after me?” I really felt that. I also love how the song is a great example of Mitski’s keen ear for hooks. However, it also completely ignores the typical pop structure, avoiding an actual chorus in favour of horns and some wobbly new wave'd synths that contrast against her melancholy verses. And all in an economical 2 minutes 22 seconds. See also: "Blue Light" ; "A Horse Named Cold Air" Edited December 22, 2018 by Eeveelution
potent Posted December 22, 2018 Posted December 22, 2018 Science and Slow Burn are great choices I just started listening to Allie X recently but I really like what I've heard!
ATRL Moderator madonnas Posted December 22, 2018 ATRL Moderator Posted December 22, 2018 YAS WHY DIDN'T YOU STOP ME IS SO UNDERRATED. Love the instrumental i love those kinds of synths. Reborn suffers from I Never Learn type long choruses that don't go anywhere. Weakest link but not a bad song. I agree that the rapping is good. Agree 100% with your descriptions on the other 3. this is your best set so far
Uncatena Posted December 22, 2018 Posted December 22, 2018 POINTS were made Why Sad Song is a gorgeous closer but probably one of the least engaging songs on Aviary, but we still stan Donnie Darko is 11 minutes of exellence Why Didn't You Stop Me? is synthpop excellence im not THAT huge on Golden Hour, but Slow Burn made me cry and its an incredible song IICITW is a year highlight for sure too Science is a gr8 pop song, possibly my fave Allie song this year
Eeveelution Posted December 22, 2018 Author Posted December 22, 2018 (edited) I'm gonna unveil the whole top 10 tomorrow xx On 12/20/2018 at 9:02 PM, oceans said: anna wintour and sweeetener classics On 12/20/2018 at 9:18 PM, Vilppu said: noooo :(( also i think those songs were a serve and was just playing x i remember when you first rec'd me tirzah, i was like omg that's so nice, then i listened and wondered what i did to upset you donnie darko slay def their best song, they use those 11 minutes well. sweetener slay too she should do an album full of this. i don't remember this julia song but the 'see also' two are pretty good. azealia... really really tries on this song, i'll say that That was an experimental record that will surpass time. Have you listened to GODzah since btw? On 12/20/2018 at 9:25 PM, Body Electrician said: Your Dog and Donnie Darko masterpieces sweetener though love yourself After streaming the classic sweetener I do On 12/20/2018 at 9:31 PM, madonnas said: Sweetener has the best chorus of the year. The EXPLOSION of QUALITY. AHHH its's such a shame many people don't understand it. The CORRECT LEG choice too. I was expecting... not that after the weak 9 minute track too! Anna Wintour is good, interesting Julia choice too. It really is.. i love how it takes you of-guard. I was like wtf the first time I heard it. Maybe it was too ahead of its time.. i like Cool and Collected but DD makes better use of its run-time On 12/20/2018 at 9:54 PM, Superpower said: Gladly is great. Donnie Darko has great elements but does it achieve anything being that long? No. I have to disagree. It just wouldn't work if it were shorter, the payoff is too good. On 12/21/2018 at 2:37 AM, Tom Vercetti said: Sweetener, a risk taking choice. The way Azealia dipped after 3 songs when she was somewhat on a quality streak interesting Julia choice too. [2] Well this is a risky best-off, I'm not gonna be basic and chose something like GIAW x Are you talking about that messy xmas ep? On 12/21/2018 at 2:43 AM, Tsareena said: anna wintour gladly sweetener: a bop Donnie Darko is amazing Did I lie tho? On 12/21/2018 at 1:22 PM, Sbbmsve said: I despise Azealia but she made some points with Anna Wintour & Treasure Island. Why Sad Song is a great pick from Aviary Sweetener... that was a wig that was a wig. We- you didn’t lie Donnie Darko was a CLOSER, we stan!!! Finally someone appreciates Why Bald Song On 12/21/2018 at 1:38 PM, theblackestday said: Why Sad Song, Sweetener, Donnie Darko The saviours of 2018 Tirzallah was the true saviour On 12/21/2018 at 1:54 PM, Navyofbadgals said: sweetener… we had to ignore Donnie Darko though Anna Wintour and Gladly are also gr8 On 12/21/2018 at 2:27 PM, World Eater said: I see point after point after point after point being made Why Sad Song is an interesting choice, considering how lowkey it is, but I like how lowkey it is compared to... the rest of aviary On 12/21/2018 at 3:19 PM, Pink Matter said: I'm off Azealia 4 lyfe at this point. So great gowns... sweetener and Donnie Darko sweetener gets so much undeserved hate when it's easily top 5 on the album Is it her music or her as a person? Both? Fair enough if the latter. People will look back on sweetener and appreciate how brilliant it is. On 12/21/2018 at 3:48 PM, Lazuli said: Tirzah, Ariana, Grandma Talent, no fads allowed 5 hours ago, Maddox said: I gave Treasure Island more plays than what she deserves but anyway... She made some points! Donnie Darko She made several points with both AW and Treasure Island. Edited December 22, 2018 by Eeveelution
theblackestday Posted December 22, 2018 Posted December 22, 2018 43 minutes ago, Eeveelution said: Tirzallah was the true saviour Excited!
ATRL Moderator Tsareena Posted December 22, 2018 ATRL Moderator Posted December 22, 2018 slow born an opener points on is it cold in the water... a great ballad? science ... why didn't you stop me
Remmy Posted December 22, 2018 Posted December 22, 2018 sweetener is my least favorite Ari song by far, whoops Higher is a good one + an album highlight Slow Burn is v cute Reborn doesn't do it for me but Feel the Love bops w/ its Yeezus vibes. Science Whew that writeup is on point! My My My!, my #1 of the year And yes @ the Strawberries & Cigarettes shoutout
MP2K Posted December 23, 2018 Posted December 23, 2018 Missed a few Yopu Dog, Believe, Anna Wintour, Gladly, Donnie Darko, Reborn Love a good bop but Is It Cold in the Water? has grown to be one of my fave SOPHIE songs Azealia write up
Pink Matter Posted December 23, 2018 Posted December 23, 2018 Is It Cold.. and Reborn, ugh my heart While Why Don't You Stop Me? isn't my fave but it's still a good song! And I think regardless, it still manages to act as a good example of the album as a whole.
volition Posted December 23, 2018 Posted December 23, 2018 minus tirzah, kacey, and allie x (who i haven't heard, that's my story and i'm sticking to it!) this is one of the most talented groups i've seen so far. excellent choices from all the albums (why sad song is brave indeed)
Lazuli Posted December 23, 2018 Posted December 23, 2018 Quote Slow Burn is not exactly the yee haw of an opener This line is making me cackle idk why WDYSM? YAS BITCH
Vxspertine Posted December 23, 2018 Posted December 23, 2018 Make Me Feel, a holy bop The Bamboo Princess, a holy bop Me And Michael, a holy bop Hard Piano is definitely one of the best tracks on Daytona rock 'n' roll wa shinanai is definitely the biggest highlight when it comes to her performance, such a great song So glad you chose to represent Why Sad Song, I feel like it's not an obvious highlight but it's still amazing Icanheargod.gif Is It Cold In The Water
Vilppu Posted December 23, 2018 Posted December 23, 2018 the mitski description is one of your best ones yet, the way she's able to creatively stimulate the little bestofers the other songs are really good too, even the allie x one. i'd argue IICITW is bloody ambitious, like obvs it's not the most musically complex song there but the way it gradually builds up in a pretty simple way is very effective and i'm sure it took lots of precision and time to truly make it work
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