In Case You Forgot About Fun: 100 Pop Albums You Should Probably DL

**Goofle** · 03-23-2017, 08:52 AM

90

Little Mix - Get Weird (2015)

Tracklist:

Black Magic
Love Me Like You
Weird People
Secret Love Song
Hair
Grown
I Love You
OMG
Lightning
A.D.I.D.A.S.
Love Me or Leave Me
The End

Spoiler for Choice Cuts:

Summary

What's interesting about Little Mix is that they actually started out in a talent competition. It's interesting because they have actually gone on to achieve maintained success. And they have done it whilst putting out singles that weren't always the most obvious chart hit or club banger, with a decent range of character and personality between the individual group members. They don't have an identified "main girl", though it could be argued that Perrie Edwards is their defacto leader in terms of singing ability. Regardless, they are also one of the first mainstream pop artists that I naturally liked. I didn't look back and rediscover them, or even start liking them more because of my own pop sensibilities. I actually liked them on the X Factor itself.

On to the album. It starts with Black Magic, a modern version of a "Girl Power" anthem. Catchy and fun, with a natural charm. This leads into a Ronnettes inspired number - Love Me Like You. A modernised version of a doo-wop production style, with a nice hook. The rest of the album has ballads, bangers and some duds, but what is clear to me is that these girls have a unique chemistry that doesn't feel forced or too manufactured. And judjing by their more recent singles - they are only getting better.

Bip Score:

Tristan_Geoff · 03-23-2017, 09:52 AM

Little Mix is the ****, wow. Maybe I do need to start listening to stuff from this journal.

**Goofle** · 03-23-2017, 10:04 AM

Indeed they are.

Not everything I post in here will be great for everyone but worth checking out.

**Goofle** · 04-27-2017, 12:38 PM

89

LIZ - Just Like You (2014)

Tracklist:

Y2K
Say U Would
All Them Boys
Don't Say
Do I Like U
Stop Me Cold
Turn Around

Spoiler for Choice Cuts:

Summary

I think it's impossible to overstate the impact this album had on the kind of music I would become interested in. It was Dance-Pop with something extra. It somehow merged 90's Pop sensibilities with a completely futuristic and new vibe, to me at least.

The only song I have an issue with is Don't Say, which kinda prevents me from calling it a perfect album. But there's nothing for me to say other than listen to it if you haven't already. It's just a joy.

Bip Score:

Spoiler for Extra Curricular:

**Goofle** · 05-17-2017, 06:54 AM

88

Belle and Sebastian - Tigermilk (1996)

Tracklist:

The State I Am In
Expectations
She's Losing It
You're Just a Baby
Electronic Renaissance
I Could Be Dreaming
We Rule the School
My Wandering Days Are Over
I Don't Love Anyone
Mary Jo

Spoiler for Choice Cuts:

Summary

Ahh, it's been almost a year since listening to this album. An album that was probably the third or fourth CD I bought when I first started collecting. An album that I could probably transcribe word for word. An album with songs that resulted in me knowing guitar chords off by heart. And the one which certified my inability to sign properly.

Tigermilk isn't generally considered the band's best album (the follow-up, If You're Feeling Sinister, takes that mantle) but it has always been my personal favourite. An album filled with so much affable charm and melancholy that it's almost too much to take at times. But if you ever wanna be loved into sadness, this is probably the album for you.

Bip Score:

**Goofle** · 07-23-2017, 11:45 AM

87

Ke$ha - Animal (2010)

Tracklist:

Your Love Is My Drug
TiK ToK
Take It Off
Kiss n Tell
Stephen
Blah Blah Blah
Hungover
Party at a Rich Dude's House
Backstabber
Blind
Dinosaur
Dancing With Tears in My Eyes
Boots & Boys
Animal

Spoiler for Choice Cuts:

Summary

The interesting thing about Ke$ha is that I can't even remember what specifically made me start listening to her music, probably because I spent a lot of my time wasted in plug.dj sessions. The easy answer would be "Probably because The Batlord posted her music all over the forum", and the scrobble dates could back that up (mid 2015). But it's also entirely possible that she was one of the artists caught up in my trashy dance-pop phase that I have discussed on here before, and that The Batlord came to the same realisation of her greatness at roughly the same time independent of each other. That nonsense aside, let's talk about the album...

If I told you that "Maybe I need some rehab" is the first line, would you be at all surprised? The Ke$ha aesthetic solidified from the get go. As it turns out, she's actually talking about a dude as opposed to, say, heroin. This is an example of the kind of conceptual genius we would come to expect from her. TiK ToK happens next. I'll end there.

Bip Score:

**Goofle** · 08-16-2017, 10:02 AM

86

Melanie Martinez - Cry Baby (2015)

Tracklist:

Cry Baby
Dollhouse
Sippy Cup
Carousel
Alphabet Boy
Soap
Training Wheels
Pity Party
Tag You’re It
Milk and Cookie
Pacify Her
Mrs. Potato Head
Mad Hatter

Spoiler for Choice Cuts:

Summary

To my recollection, I believe that DwnWthVwls was the first person who introduced me to her music either directly (played a track or two in plug, linked a song etc.) or posted a video/picture of her in another part of the forum. In fact, I distinctly remember somebody posting a vid where she discussed items she collected. Either way, I instantly liked her aesthetic visually and sonically. And she has remained a favourite ever since.

As far as the album goes, I love the discordance between the bubbly sweet production - at least at face value - and the relatively dark subjects she deals with. This is emphasised by the hushed, almost raspy vocals she has. It's a very consistent release that puts you completely in her world throughout, with consistently good songs that sound different enough to avoid overkill. Overall, one of my go-to albums at almost any time I start loading up a queue.

Bip Score:

Spoiler for Extra Curricular:

**Goofle** · 09-05-2017, 04:18 AM

85

Florence + The Machine - Lungs (2009)

Tracklist:

Dog Days Are Over
Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)
I'm Not Calling You a Liar
Howl
Kiss With a Fist
Girl With One Eye
Drumming Song
Between Two Lungs
Cosmic Love
My Boy Builds Coffins
Hurricane Drunk
Blinding
You've Got the Love

Spoiler for Choice Cuts:

Summary

THAT VOICE. It's all you need to say really. She's an absolute belter, who could have done whatever she wanted with. Thankfully she chose to go down the Art-Pop route and created some absolutely stunning music. When she first broke onto the scene you couldn't find any single person who actually disliked her music - kind of like Amy in that respect. And I think you would still be hard pressed to find somebody who has uttered the phrase: "Florence and The Machine SUCK!", aside from a few metaltards I'd guess.

The album itself is absolutely consistent. it flows perfectly and even the weaker songs fit within the context of the album. In fact, within the process of writing this, I've added an extra half Bip because I think it deserves it. Not many projects hit you with great song after great song, and even manages to keep your interest during the "filler" tracks. Fantastic.

Bip Score:

Spoiler for Extra Curricular:

**Goofle** · 12-21-2017, 10:14 AM

I’m hoping to start bashing a few ow these out in January. I guess my work schedule has made me forget about fun too.

**Goofle** · 01-04-2018, 10:15 AM

84

Dua Lipa - Dua Lipa (2017)

Tracklist:

Genesis
Lost in Your Light
Hotter Than Hell
Be the One
IDGAF
Blow Your Mind (Mwah)
Garden
No Goodbyes
Thinkin' Bout You
New Rules
Begging
Homesick

Spoiler for Choice Cuts:

Summary

If I had to guess, the first Dua Lipa track I heard was Blow Your Mind (Mwah) on whatever radio station I was listening to at work. I remember thinking I had no idea who made the song but it was kinda neat. Eventually, New Rules came out and I thought it was also a bit of a banger. But I just sat on it, random pop that wasn't of much interest beyond stuff I heard at work. This was late 2016/early 2017, but towards the end of last year I suddenly became drawn to her as an artist. I honestly could not tell you exactly why but damn I became hooked.

The album itself is quite interesting. Some nice ballads, synthpop, dance and R&B that has a good flow throughout. The first big tune is Hotter Than Hell, which showcases her pretty good voice. She ain't no superstar vocalist or anything, but I think for the style of music and the assumptions one may make based on her persona she can belt some shit. IDGAF is probably the only properly bad/boring track on here in my opinion. And I was surprised to see how late New Rules turns up on here because usually pop records just have the best tracks at the start, but there seems to be some thought in the track listing. It's a good album for sure, with noticeable highs and lows.

Bip Score:

Spoiler for Extra Curricular:

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