Music Monday - Best of 2014

Albums

Lana Del Rey - Ultraviolence I'd been waiting for new music from Lana since she released Born To Die: The Paradise Edition. Ultraviolence is a different sound to Born To Die but it's an album that I can listen to continuously and non-stop without getting sick of it. I also loved watching the live coverage at Glastonbury where she performed some of her new tracks. I was gutted she didn't do a UK tour for this album. Stand out tracks - Fucked My Way Up To The Top and Money Power Glory
Foxes  - Glorious After seeing Foxes for the first time in 2012, I was desperate for her debut album to be released and I was not disappointed. Although most of the songs weren't new to me after hearing them live a few times and from buying them as singles/demos, I couldn't wait to get my hands on Glorious. It's the best pop album that's been released for a while. Stand out track - Night Owls Early Birds
Manic Street Preachers - Futurology

The Manics only released an album (Rewind The Film) in 2013 so I was surprised bit excited to find out about the release of Futurology. This definitely sounds more Manics than the last album but also manages to be so much different than any of the others.

Stand out track - Black Square

Gig

This year I didn't go to as many gigs as I had hoped I would. I started off the year seeing Miley Cyrus which wasn't someone I would choose to see (although I did choose it, there weren't many other options!) but was quite an experience. I then saw Foxes twice, once at Birmingham Pride and then again at her own gig. In July I spent three days at Wireless Festival where I saw the likes of Bruno Mars, Tinie Tempah, Foxes, Outkast, Ellie Goulding, Iggy Azalea, Sean Paul and Pharrell. The best gig of 2014 was definitely the last one I went to which was The National at the O2 Arena, London. I'd been wanting to see The National for years and this was the last date in their Trouble Will Find Me tour so it was extra special. I managed to get myself to the front, by the barrier and had the best night ever.
Artist

Although I only discovered him late in 2014, I think Sivu is definitely going to be big in 2015. I came across him from iTunes single of the week where they were offering "Miracle" for free. Shortly after downloading it and having a listen, I went back on for the whole album. I'm going to see him live in Birmingham in February and I can't wait!