Top 50 Singles of 2014: 30-26

30. Winner - Empty



The debut single from one of the most successful newcomers on the K-pop scene this year. It's a slow burn, but once the melody gets under your skin, it'll stick there.

29. Akdong Musician - Give Love



The other super-successful debut this year, Give Love has spring and summer written all over it. It's fresh and happy and pretty much adorable (without grating, like most adorable things do).

28. Avicii - The Days (ft. Robbie Williams)



As far as hit Avicii singles go, this flew under the radar despite being one hundred percent amazing. It's also the best thing Robbie Williams has put his name to in awhile.

27. Hi Suhyun - I'm Different (ft. Bobby) 



I used the word "adorable" earlier, which by the way is not a word I use often. But one half of Akdong Musician, paired with the soulful, quirky Lee Hi and charismatic Bobby certainly earn the word.

26. Exo - Overdose 



Exo was one of the very first K-pop groups to catch my eye, and I've been amazing at how insanely popular they've become since then. This isn't their best single, but it's definitely near the top.

Don't forget, if you'd like to listen to the Top 50 Singles Countdown in full, download the audio version!

Avicii & Robbie Williams - The Days

"These are the days we've been waiting for"

So where the hell did this come from? I love it when awesome, random pop collaborations just appear out of nowhere. I don't think I ever would have considered Avicii and Robbie Williams as two artists that would go well together, but as soon as I heard their names, it made perfect sense. The Days is their new collaboration single and, surprisingly, it's a lot less dance/club inspired than I would have expected. Up until the last minute or so, it sounds like a classic acoustic 70's singalong with some modern electro production to push it forward. The hook is fantastic, and Robbie's vocals are always a treat. I was a big fan of his "dance" album Rudebox, so I certainly wouldn't mind hearing more like this in the near future.



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. Buy the single here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Top 50 Singles Of 2013: 15-11

15. Avicii - Wake Me Up



The EDM track of the year, easily. Represents an amazing new hybrid of dance, country and soul that enthralled everybody, n every country, this year.

14. Shinee - Why So Serious?



I love it when K-Pop goes rock, and the electric guitars and goofy ad-libs made this the Shinee single to beat in 2013.

13. Martin Rolinski - On The Run



More of this, Martin! I'm here for the fist pumping chorus and skyscraping beats. A total anthem.

12. Studio Killers - Jenny 



Four singles in, Studio Killers released what may be their highlight. Whip-smart lyrics married to a laidback, funky electronic beat

11. Robin - Boom Kah 



Robin Packalen came back in a big way with this track. It shouldn't be good, but somehow he always manages to take the best of the current pop landscape and make it into something incredibly joyous.

Avicii - Hey Brother

"What if I'm far from home?"

For most of the new Avicii album, I can really take it or leave it. I was an early fan of Wake Me Up, the song that quickly took over radio worldwide, but my love for it dimmed a little when it was suddenly everywhere. Even so, I love that country/EDM hybrid sound. So it's not surprising that the other highlight of the album for me is Hey Brother, which goes even further into country territory with twangy vocals from Dan Tyminski. Now, I'm not generally a fan of country music, but this just works spectacularly. The melody is totally anthemic and the instrumental that comes after has the same sense of euphoria that the very best of this genre delivers. The song's been number one on Swedish Itunes for awhile, suggesting that it'd do well as a single. Personally, I'd love an entire album of this style.



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. Buy the album here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Avicii - Wake Me Up (with Aloe Blacc)

"I know where to start"

I've been neglecting to post this because I figured everyone had already heard it, but Wake Me Up just might be my song of the Summer. Of course we've all heard of Avicii, and especially his inescapable single Levels. But truth be told, I never really gave him much attention until now. Wake Me Up is something special... something that just makes you feel really good. As evidenced by its popularity around the world (minus the U.S.... for now), I'm not the only one who's fallen under its spell. You want a track you can sing along to at the top of your lungs? Look no further. The mix of Aloe's countryish, soulful vocals and the electronic bliss is just spectacular.



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

Nervo & Avicii - You're Gonna Love Again

"It's starting with you, it's starting with me"

I can't believe I haven't posted about Nervo yet. They're an Australian dance/DJ duo that just happen to be sisters. As their career has gone on, they've stepped forward as vocalists. While their music remains undeniably planted in Clubland, I feel like they're also getting a little poppier with their melodies and production. This new track sees them teaming up with producer of the moment, Avicii. That alone is guaranteed to get them some radio play. It helps that the song itself has the type of hook that easily positions it as a Summer dance anthem. It's very of the moment, but has enough meat on its bones to stick around after the sun's gone away.



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

Pop Blitz 12/8/11

Flo-Rida - Good Feeling
The sample used in this track is an interesting sidestep for Flo-Rida. After that, it's pretty much what you'd expect. Still, for the sample, this deserves at least a solid B

Rebecca Ferguson - Nothing's Real But Love
The song's about as sleepy as I'd expect from this X-Factor runner-up. It's better than Cardle's debut, but nothing I'd listen to regularly (or remember in a year's time). C+

Jason Derulo - Fight For You
What is it up with this guy and samples? I'm sorry, but you don't touch Toto's Africa. This is about 0.000002% as good as the original. D

Avicii - Levels
Where have I heard this before? Ah, yes... two tracks ago with Flo-Rida's song. Yeah, this is the track he sampled (stole?). It's about as good here as it was there. Nothing revolutionary, but pleasant. B

Kelly Rowland - Down For Whatever
Rowland continues with her successful club sound. It's not as good as her prior singles, but this is definitely the genre she should be recording in. I just wish the melody was a little more inventive. B-

Justin Bieber - Mistletoe
It's not easy to write an original Christmas song. This is far from a trainwreck, but it's still pretty stupid. Luckily, it's too damn catchy to dismiss entirely. B-

Jessie J - Domino
I'm no fan of this girl, but this is at least one of her better singles. I would've preferred it sung by someone like Katy Perry. Still, it's solid radio fodder. B

Your Choice: What's your favorite Pop Blitz song this week?

Pop Blitz 12/8/11 Your Choice!

Flo-Rida - Good FeelingRebecca Ferguson - Nothing's Real But LoveJason Derulo - Fight For YouAvicii - LevelsKelly Rowland - Down For WhateverJustin Bieber - MistletoeJessie J - Domino

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