Top 50 Singles Of 2013: 45-41

45. The Fooo - Fridays Are Forever



Throwback to Ace Of Base-style 90's dance pop, delivered by the world's most promising new boy band.

44. Alexander Rybak - 5 To 7 Years



Not a "single" in the strictest definition, but I couldn't leave this melodramatic chest pumper off of my list this year.

43. Getty Domein - Dance With The Devil



A calypso blend of 2013 dance production and tribal hooks. I always say I want more African-hued pop music. This definitely fits the bill.

42. A Great Big World - This Is The New Year 



Their big Christina Aguilera duet is proving to be their breakthrough, but I much prefer this anthemic slice of piano pop.

41. Behrang Miri - Jalla Dansa Sawa 



A Euro pop hybrid that became the real surprise of this year's Melodifestivalen. It just feels like summer.

A Great Big World - This Is The New Year

"I will give the world to you"

This song was featured on last week's episode of Glee and, like with Fun.'s We Are Young, I hope it's the beginning of a popularity explosion for it. This is an astonishing piece of pop/rock, the kind of track that's finally starting to come back in vogue. This is theatrical piano rock (aka: my favorite kind of music EVER). It has that kind of powerful, driving propulsion with a focus on strong, anthemic melody and power chords throughout. It's absolutely life-affirming in the way the best pop songs are. It doesn't even take a full listen to sink into your brain, though you'll want to stick around until the end because it just builds and builds. My only slight problem, and I've gotten more used to it on further listens, is the vocal performances. This is a two-vocal band, though they sound pretty similar. Both have that kind of reedy, indie-boy tone that's so popular right now. That's totally fine, but I'm not sure it necessarily fits this huge of a song. Imagine how much power it would have if it had been sung by a real powerhouse in the glam/theatrical rock genre (I'm thinking Ola Salo of the Ark, Eric Nally of Foxy Shazam, or maybe even Adam Lambert back in his Idol days). Still, it's an amazing track -- an instant favorite of mine.



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy their EP here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.