Top 50 Singles Of 2013: 30-26

30. Loreen - We Got The Power



She'll likely never be able to touch Euphoria again, but she was able to bottle some of that magic for this powerful follow-up.

29. Girls' Generation - Love & Girls



The sugariest rush of bubblegum on my countdown this year (yes, even more than Crayon Pop). You're either going to love it or hate it.

28. Henry - Trap



Debut solo single from Canadian-born K-Pop star. That piano refrain is enough to get it on the countdown. The melody and performance puts it in the top 30.

27. The Fooo - Freestyler 



An unexpected cover for the young group, who managed to make the song bigger, louder and fresher than the original.

26. Hedley - Anything 



Blazing comeback from one of my favorite Canadian rock bands. This is an enormous worldwide crossover hit that hasn't found that deserved success... yet.

Loreen - We Got The Power

"We got the power to love"

One year ago, Loreen rightfully took Eurovision by storm with Euphoria. She'll never release a song that good again, but it's very smart of her to release a new single during the week of this year's contest. And We Got The Power is pretty awesome, to boot! My first thought was that it's very much her style mixed with the style of fellow swedes Icona Pop... shouty and anthemic and huge without being a Euphoria rewrite. It's dance music with an organic, rock edge and it's exactly the type of thing she should be releasing now. Hopefully this reignites some interest in her, as I don't think her career has been managed all that well post-Eurovision. I'm certainly looking forward to her performances this weekend. Tomorrow I'll reveal my favorite song from this year's competition (and it's probably not who you think).



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

Top 50 Singles Of 2012: 5-1

5. Studio Killers - Eros & Apollo



I didn't think Studio Killers could trump their last effort, but with this sly, lushly electronic warning about guys who seem to good to be true, they did it. Now bring on the album!

4. Darin - Nobody Knows



Darin at his most bombastic. Though he's had plenty of tracks I've liked in the past, this was a new pinnacle for him. It's huge. Just mammoth in sound.

3. EXO-K - Mama



Speaking of "mammoth in sound"! In my world, there is no such thing as "overproduced," and this track has it all. Choirs, strings, guitar, shout-rapping, dance breaks. It's like an entire album in one song.

2. Loreen - Euphoria



No title in 2012 better described the sound of its accompanying song. This really is pure euphoria. It's so deceptively simple, yet somehow gets better every single time you play it.

1. Bigbang - Monster 



I cannot think of a better song this year. Everything just clicks, from the orchestral production to the gorgeous, sweeping melody, to the flawless, motion-picture-quality music video. It defies language, though the English hook assures that the meaning is clear. Utterly affecting, and a dynamite pop song to boot.

Top 20 Albums Of 2012: 12-11

12. Jedward - Young Love



I would have never predicted a Jedward album to make this countdown, especially so high. But against all odds, they upped their game and created an album that far eclipses their past efforts. Better songwriters, better production, and a sense of naive fun that's utterly contagious. I wish more people would give their music a chance. They definitely have the ability to surprise.

11. Loreen - Heal



A major new force in international pop world. For me, the album didn't quite live up to her potential, but Loreen's brand of soulful, electronic pop is still a ridiculously exciting prospect. The highlights on this album (and there are many), reach for the stratosphere, delivered with vocal performances that defy expectations and reach for something grander than traditional pop.

Top 50 Singles Of 2012: 30-26

30. One Direction - Little Things



It's the classic boyband ballad for 2012, and one with a deceptively simple--yet effective--melodic hook.

29. Jesper Nohrstedt - Take Our Hearts



An ultra-melodic, semi-dance track that should've went on to represent Denmark in Eurovision.

28. Loreen - Crying Out Your Name



An epic piece of electronic-fueled balladry, delivered by 2012's best vocalist.

27. Donkeyboy - City Boy



The first peek at the band's new, dance-oriented sound. It's like a cool version of Eiffel 65.

26. G-Dragon - One Of A Kind 



The year's most cocky hype track. But this isn't just empty boasting. The production and playfulness of the hook register long after the track ends.

Loreen - See You Again

"I've gotta see you again"

Loreen's Euphoria remains one of the best winners of Eurovision in the past decade, so it's no surprise that nothing else on her debut quite lives up to it (though singles My Heart Is Refusing Me and Crying Out Your Name come close). That's not saying that there isn't a ton of things to enjoy about the album, though. Loreen's got one of the most powerful, naturally polished recording voices in pop music currently, as well as a desire to create lush, multifaceted dance/r&b/pop music that sounds immense. See You Again is the closest she gets to following trends, but it's Loreen's version of "following trends," so it's automatically different and awesome. The album has a bit too many slow moments for me, so the propulsive drive of this track is a very welcome addition. That said, if you still just want the essential Loreen, check out those three singles I mentioned above.



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

Loreen - Euphoria

"We're going up, up, up, up, up"

Just as short post today, as it's a holiday today in the US. Now, I've written about Loreen since February when Euphoria was first unleashed, but I think she deserves a celebration post since winning Eurovision last weekend. It was absolutely, 100% SO the right choice, and I think the song's excellent itunes chart placements around Europe prove it. This is a song that has the potential to crossover worldwide, and Eurovision was just the agent to do that. It's exciting, because it's been awhile since the competition has introduced an artist to the world stage that actually has the ability to stand up with what's on the radio. Could Loreen eventually see Abba or Celine Dion success? Probably not. It's a different world we live in, now. But I wish her the best because she's totally capable of it. Now get that long-delayed album out! September is WAY too long to wait. There won't be a better time to release it than now, and we all know it's complete and ready to go. These decisions by her management continue to baffle me. Oh, and for what it's worth... my top five entries in this year's competition (it was slim pickin's): 1. Sweden 2. Ireland 3. France 4. Turkey 5. Albania



(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.