MUSIC PICKS OF 2014

The pop music scene of 2014 took a trip back to 1994, and the proof is in most of the retro dance-friendly beats that conquered the airwaves. (Thank you, Clean Bandit, Gorgon City, and Route 94.) There was also a number of female artists who -- as seen in the first three dynamically original albums listed here -- broke out onto the scene and proved that one doesn't need to be featured on a EDM track to deliver well-crafted ear candy.

1. Glorious by Foxes - The vocals behind Zedd's megahit "Clarity" belong to this chanteuse who delivered a debut album as underrated as it is breathtaking. Intimate, stirring, emotional, and epic are just some of the words that apply to this collection of alt-pop perfection. DOWNLOAD NOW: "Holding Onto Heaven" and "Let Go For Tonight."

2. Queen of the Clouds by Tove Lo - Move past the ubiquitous Top 40 single that is "Habits (Stay High)" and discover the rest of this Swede's bold and captivating tracklist. DOWNLOAD NOW: "Talking Body," "Moments," and "Got Love."

3. Take Me When You Go by Betty Who - Breathing new life into pop is this Aussie who wooed us back in 2013 with her debut EP. And now she's proven to the world that she can keep the hooks coming with this sparkling debut that sounds like what Katy Perry wishes she could be. DOWNLOAD NOW: "High Society," "All of You," and "Glory Days." Or just listen to the whole album HERE.

4. "Rather Be" by Clean Bandit feat. Jess Glynne - The opening notes of this British group's Top 10 single should be enough to lure you into their web of electronic bells and whistles, but it's Glynne's mesmerizing vocals that ground the song and keep you hooked.

5. "Sleeping With A Friend" by Neon Trees - This anthemic, 80s-tinged ode to friends with benefits was a much-needed jolt to kick off the year, and it's still on heavy rotatation on my iPod:

6. "Big Girls Cry" by Sia - While "Chandelier" polarized fans with its half-screeching-half-singing, this melancholic anthem reeled it in with an empowering chorus perfect for those rainy days when you're listlessly staring out your bedroom window. Listen HERE.

7. "Latch" by Disclosure feat. Sam Smith - Okay, okay. This song came out in 2012, but like many European imports, it took a while for it to make an impact here in America. And thank God it did. The hypnotic production combined with Smith's soulful vocals (reminiscent of Sam Sparro's gorgeous "Black and Gold" from 2008, if you ask me) make this repeatable stunner that never gets old. 

8. "Take Me To Church" by Hozier - Amen indeed. The 24-year-old Irishman earned more fans during his SNL performance, and rightly so. His deep voice belies his years, and this epic track is damn well near a religious experience.

9. "All About That Bass" by Meghan Trainor - An anthem for all curvy girls (and boys), this breakout single, in all of its doo-wop glory, was a breath of fresh air.

10. "Stay With Me" by Sam Smith - Call him the male Adele -- whatever -- but this is what a love song should be: devastating, haunting, and timeless.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: "Classic" by The Knocks feat. Powers (below), Kiesza's "What is Love," Ed Sheeran's "All of the Stars," and Chris Malinchak's "Stranger" featuring Mikky Ekko.


A GOOD YEAR TO BE "JEALOUS": Chromeo, Nick Jonas.

BEST SONG FROM A MOVIE (TIE): Adam Levine's breezy-sexy "No One Else Like You" (Begin Again) and Tegan & Sara's "Everything Is Awesome" (The LEGO Movie).

@TheFirstEcho