As 2013 comes to a close, it seems shock value celebrity Miley Cyrus wanted to squeeze in one more attention-seeking act to end arguably her most successful year. After much anticipation and surprisingly serene cover art for new single Adore You, the star released her half-naked video to accompany the song today on VEVO.
Licking the sheets is all in a days work
Sheet-biting in nude underwear, Cyrus juxtaposes her beautifully melodic and emotional single by licking her fingers, tousling with herself on a bed and attempting seductive looks.
God knows what she is thinking here.
Her extremely greasy hair is appeased with a cloudy looking bath she gets into wearing a thin, netted black top as yet again, she enjoys touching her body parts. In a Justin Timberlake-esque moment, it begins to rain while the Wrecking Ball sits half-meditating in the bath, scraping back her bleached bob.
Is she naked? Isnt she naked? DO WE CARE???
Perhaps they had a small budget (unlikely) or they wanted a focus on the song (very unlikely) but this one is a contender for the most boring music video of 2013 (very likely).
For Cyrus, her music as stand -alone is incredibly good, just as Wrecking Ball proved itself to be lyrically impressive. Her half-tacky, excessive behaviour in her official music videos has definitely detracted from her singing ability however.
Her album art is a stark contrast to the video, visually inviting it shows Cyrus holding up flowers similar to the ones she received on her birthday. Adore You seems to be a massive contradiction- the only one Cyrus seems to adore is herself.
1. Yeezus -- Kanye West
Kanye West is one man that proves if you have confidence (or arrogance in his case) you can get anywhere. Yeezy released Yeezus smack bang in the middle of the year and it didn't disappoint. Controversial, unsympathetic but stupidly intelligent, his tracks cover political issues with razor-sharp callousness that make you gasp from beginning to end.
Trampling all over Jay Z's Magna Carta Holy Grail, he asserts his power in I Am a God, yet mocks himself with the lyric "hurry up with my damn croissants". West spits his rap in New Slaves as he condemns consumerism, beautifully contradicting himself. An album full of angry rap that isn't acceptable to be repeated aloud, there is something charming about the collection of songs that keeps me going back for more.
2. AM-- Arctic Monkeys
It took me weeks to decide whether I wanted AM or Yeezus to be my number one album of 2013. After four incredibly successful albums that all owned a variety of sounds, AM's indie rock sounds burst into the charts in mid September where it shot to number one. It's addictive psychedelic rock elements combined with Turner's charming and seductive vocals all incorporate to the success of AM.
In October the band hinted that they are planning an AM part two, much to the excitement of fans. If it's anything like this one, I think we can all get incredibly excited.
Listen to AM here:
3. Home-- Rudimental
I've always had a soft spot for drum and bass, but newcomers Rudimental are so much more. Releasing their debut album Home in February and with giant singles like Waiting All Night and Feel The Love, the sound to this collection of songs packs a punch.
Pulsing energy oozes from every track,from Right Here's infectious steel drums to Hide's chilled garage influences,Home was the soundtrack to my summer.
4. Fall Out Boy-- Save Rock and Roll
Back in 2001, Patrick Stump and band mates Pete Wenz, Joe Trohman and Andy Hurley formed band Fall Out Boy and since the release of their breakout album From Under the Cork Tree, they haven't looked back. With fourth album Folie a Deux showing musical strain and with the band taking a break between 2009-2012, I was extremely apprehensive about their latest album.
Save Rock and Roll sees Fall Out Boy at their best once again. Deep and rich sounds combined with Stump's melodious vocals make for a delicious listen, and my long-term love for the band is the reason why I have placed it at number four. Poignantly commencing the album with The Phoenix, the album seldom loses it's energy and peaks with Young Volcanoes.
Listen to the full album here:
5. True-- Avicii To me Swedish DJ Avicii is far superior to the likes of David Guetta and I was extremely disappointed that his debut album True didn't get the attention it deserved. With the massive singles Wake Me Up and I Could Be The One, I wasn't sure he could produce any more addictive EDM tunes, but I couldn't have been more wrong. What helps this album to stand out is it's strong folk influences and the way each song ties perfectly into it's successor.
With the release of Hey Brother this month, I'm hoping the album will gather more acclaim as Avicii definitely deserves more credit.
6. Shangri La-- Jake Bugg
It's not often that you get the chance to work with legendary producer Rick Rubin, so when 19-year old Jake Bugg headed over to Malibu to work on his second album with him, he took full advantage. Having his first self-titled album under his belt, he took a fresh, more folky approach with Shangri La. At times seeming slightly rushed, the tracks still maintain the quirkiness he graces his creations with, from the toe-tapping Slumville Sunrise, to the vintage Kingpin to the humble Simple Pleasures, this is Bugg at his best.
7. Artpop-- Lady Gaga
Gaga's album is yet another one that I was apprehensive about. Born This Way in my eyes at least, was a disaster in comparison to The Fame Monster as Germanotta seemed to completely lose her identity. Artpop was indeed everything the artist promised and she was definitely my Queen of pop this year. The strongest track being Venus, she incorporates strong dance numbers with emotional ballads like Dope to make an album of pure, unadulterated pop.
Such a pity that Artpop is currently being slashed in price as concert sales have flopped. Maybe I was listening to something different?
8. Beyoncé-- Beyoncé
Allow the genius of Beyoncé Knowles who proves that she doesn't need any promotion in order to make her album the biggest and fastest selling of the year. With 14 songs and a unique 18 videos to accompany them, the songstresses blew a lot of artists out of the water. From the sultry Haunted to the gorgeous song Blue featuring her daughter, the collection of videos are a visual delight- I think I have a girl crush.
Unfortunately there are no links for those of you who might like to try before you buy. Knowles was smart enough to release the album exclusively on iTunes.
9. Body Music--Alunageorge
To me, I thought that duo Alunageorge were largely overlooked this year. Their more modest disposition might have been something to do with it as I fell in love with Body Music from the first play. It's extremely easy to class their music as electronic, yet it's composition really is so much more complex.
The ethereal vocals of Aluna combined with the genius production of George makes a killer couple and with strong and vibrant tracks such as You Know You Like It and Your Drums,Your Love, it earns itself my award for feel-good album of the year.
10. Brand New Machine-- Chase and Status
Now on their third studio album, Chase and Status have never failed to impress me with their mixture of '90s garage, deep drum and bass and fist-pumping dance. With the release of Brand New Machine in October, I totally disagreed with the measly 6/10 NME gave the album.
Highlights of the album include the massive Count on Me featuring Moko, and the dark bass in Pressure ft. Major Lazor.
This year's dance and electronic scene has been dominated by the beats of Avicii's I Could Be The One, Disclosure's White Noise and Duke Dumont's Need You (100%) all of which peaked in the top five of the UK charts. It seems the men need to move aside however as four talented electro-pop songstresses have emerged from their humble beginnings,rising to the cusp of stardom. Here are the ladies you should be listening to right now.
MØ
Danish singer Karen Marie Ørsted emerged earlier this year when she released her single Pilgrim on limited edition vinyl. Having completed 104 shows in 20 countries, she has supported the likes of Alunageorge and Major Lazer as well as completing a live session for radio 1.
With her hauntingly charming vocals and her addictive electro beats, her album No Mythologies To Follow is set for release in February next year and will not doubt gain her international acclaim. Her live presence holds intense and powerful enthusiasm and with her own tour planned for March, getting tickets is highly recommended!
Foxes
The beautiful Louise Rose Allen is second on my list of ladies to watch. Better known as Foxes, the 24 year-old released the massive single Youth and to date is most famous for her vocal contribution in Zedd's Clarity. After five tracks, she is set to release Glorious, her first album on March 4th and I can't wait!
Charli XCX
If you know Marina and the Diamonds, Paramore and Ellie Goulding then you should have heard of Charli XCX, who has been touring with the three acts this year. Active since 2008 when she began releasing tracks from her first album on her MySpace page, the 21 year-old specialises in synthpop and witch pop.
Her biggest hit to date is Superlove which she released back in September and with an album of the same name set for June 2014, this girl is going nowhere.
Banks
It's no surprise that Banks has been added to the BBC sound of 2014 longlist, as well as MTV's Brand New for 2014. This year she released her London EP that features the haunting Waiting Game and the sexy This is What It Feels Like.
March 2014 marks the beginning of her UK tour with dates in London, Brighton, Glasgow and Manchester to name a few, get those tickets while you can, this girl will be massive.
I'm just not sure anyone cared anyway Biebs.. Teeny bopper Justin Bieber took to Power 106 radio station in LA yesterday to reveal on air that "after the new album, I'm actually retiring man. I'm retiring".
Can you hear that? that is the sound of teenage hearts breaking. The Heartbreaker singer insisted that his music will be taking a back seat after the release of his new album 'Journals' next week. The singer certainly got the reaction he wanted when gasps could be heard in the studio, as host Kurt Alexander exclaimed "what?".
Trying to justify himself he said "I want to grow as an artist and I'm taking a step out, I want my music to mature". Yawn. Anyone would be forgiven for thinking that Bieber was making these statements in an act to receive yet more attention- this year was one of under-age drinking, drug taking and spitting for the 19 year-old, but in this most recent interview he was prepared to defend himself, saying "People think I'm arrogant, I'm not, I've always been a caring and giving person.. I'm 19 I'm gonna make mistakes it's inevitable" Judging from the way he started this year, maybe taking a step back is what you need Biebs.
