Top 64 of 2014 Part Four: The Year of the Music Crushes
If you missed any previous parts, click here for Part One, Two, and/or Three.
Group C: The Music Crushes
17. BTS — Callia Bara
Soulful, seductive, and hypnotic. Callia brings all of these qualities to her songs. The music crushes came out strong this year and Callia kicks this group off with her song “BTS”.
16. Villa — Niykee Heaton
I know her Instagram might be more popular than her music but with her debut EP hopefully that fact changes soon. “Villa” is the most upbeat and fun track off of Bad Intentions which shows Niykee is just getting started.
15. OctaHate — Ryn Weaver
There is a timeless quality to Ryn’s voice that makes her easily accessible but with she never lets you get comfortable with the production of her songs. She constantly surprises while staying familiar.
14. Explore You — Njomza
For uninitiated, it’s pronounced “Nee-ohm-za.” With “Explore You” Njomza delievers a jazzy and soulful track perfect for the never ending summer days. It is unlike anything she has produced so far but she knocks this new direction out of the park.
13. Latch Cover — Moxie
Remember earlier on the list when I said that girls covering Drake songs made them better? Well the same could be said about girls covering Sam Smith songs.
Spoiler Alert*
This is the only time a Sam Smith song is appearing on this list. I could’ve picked another Moxie song but felt I needed to acknowledge one of the biggest artists of the year.
12. It’s Only You — Dominique
Here’s a list of things I know about Dominique: she’s a 22 year old singer/songwriter/producer from New York City…and that’s it. Here’s hoping we not only get more music from her but get to know her better as well.
11. Beggin’ For Thread — BANKS
It’s the Goddess known as BANKS. Need I say more? Didn't think so.
10. Got Me Movin’ — EVVY
For those of you wondering it’s pronounced “eh-vy”. Every time I play this song at work one of my co-workers asks who it’s by. There’s something about EVVY that hooks you, just ask my co-worker who will never have to ask about the song again after reading this list. You’re welcome.
9. Fantasy — Alina Baraz
If BANKS is a queen, then Alina is a princess. I cannot wait for her new EP with Galimatias to drop.
8. Bassically — Tei Shi
“Bassically” one of the best songs of the year. One that gets trapped in your head for days. Her vocals sooth you and lift you up at the same time. “Ahs” have never sounded so good.
7. Make a Shadow — Meg Myers
Meg Myers holds serve a year later. At the beginning of the year Meg released her second EP, Make A Shadow and has not looked back since. Her EP sounds like someone who has found their sound yet is not afraid to grow and evolve. Here’s hoping to another strong year from one of my favourite music crushes.
Group B: #Ferguson
6. Early ft. BOOTS — Run the Jewels
Killer Mike opens the track with a verse narrating a story of a black man facing police brutality in front of his wife and son. It’s a story we’ve heard too many times this year and it could happen anywhere. Pigeons & Planes named Killer Mike the most important rapper of 2014 and it’s hard to argue.
Group A: Top Five
5. Balmain Jeans — Kid Cudi
One of my best friends told me that “Balmain Jeans” was my theme song. I’m not sure I would make that claim myself but it is without a doubt a contender for my favourite song of the year.
4. Often Kygo Remix — The Weeknd
I've listened to this remix so many times I've forgotten what the original song sounds like. As far as I’m concerned this is the original.
3. Driving Ms. Daisy ft. Childish Gambino — Logic
Could I have picked a song from Gambino’s STN MTN/Kauai? Of course, but I went with the safer route with “Driving Ms. Daisy”. While STN MTN/Kauai showcase Gambino’s duel nature coming together to make a whole. “Ms. Daisy” is Gambino is just doing him and sometimes an existential crisis isn’t necessary to make a dope track.
2. College Girl — Jon Waltz
Jon Waltz would like you to meet Alyss.
Alyss Lidell is cold. Enchantingly cold. The dark-eyed, curly-haired 21-year-old glazes the ground beneath her with icicles of sweetness, freezing the attention of all suitors with crippling ease.
Alyss is one of my favourite EP/albums of the year. Jon manages to craft a seven song narrative that feels like a spiritual successor of Kendrick Lamar’s “Sherane”. No small feat for an 18 year old rapper from Memphis.
- East of Eden — Zella Day
In a year without new music from my favourite artists such as Kanye, Frank, and few offerings from Kendrick and Drake. My new music leaned heavily on new artists I was not familiar with. I found myself listening to more indie pop/rap songs more than ever. Any of the songs in the Top Five could have ended up being number one but the more I thought about it the more apparent it became: It is the year of my music crushes. The only question was which song would be the top. After mulling it over, one song stood above the rest since it’s release, turns out Alyss has nothing on Zella.
