My Favorite 25 Albums of 2014: 20-16

20.

Broods - Evergreen

Although the comparisons with Lorde were inevitable (both hail from New Zealand, both worked with producer Joel Little, and both haunt realms of icy synthpop), brother/sister duo Broods find their own unique voice on their exquisite debut album Evergreen. Alternating between infectious, crowd pleasing sing-a-longs like "Superstar," "Mother & Father," and "L.A.F" and more introspective, headphone-centric numbers like the stunning title track and moody "Medicine," the tracks are all grounded by the gorgeous vocals of Georgia Nott and excellent instrumentation provided by her and brother Caleb.

19.

Kindness - Otherness

Pop chameleon Adam Bainbridge, a.k.a. Kindess, continues his eclectic blend of 80s pop, glossy R&B, and funk, taking it further and further into uncharted directions. Working with a bevy of Class A collaborators, Bainbridge shows more emotion this go around. Whether it is the haunting pianos and aching vocals on standout track "This Is Not About Us," throbbing and pulsating horns on opener "World Restart," or the restrained centerpiece of the album "Who Do You Love?," his brilliant connection with singer Robyn, Otherness exudes warmth and heart.

18.

Sia - 1000 Forms of Fear

It is doubtful a darker, bleaker record than Sia's 1000 Forms of Fear could reach the top of the charts and be this damn catchy and earnest. Finally saving her best tracks and melodies for herself, Sia throws the gauntlet down quickly with so many hooks it would make your neck snap off. The record is so solid it almost plays out like a greatest hits collection. Although most people are beholden to her mammoth single "Chandelier," and rightfully so, it was other moments that kept me coming back to this record time and time again. "Eye of the Needle" is a master class in vocal build and release, "Big Girls Cry" stuns with stadium ready bombast, and other quirky tracks like the kicky pop punk of "Hostage" keep things from getting too bleak. But overall, it is Sia's razor sharp songwriting, gorgeous vocals, and the wide range of styles that keep this record honest and breathtaking.

17.

Ariana Grande - My Everything

While Taylor Swift gets credit for the best pure pop record of 2014, Ariana Grande wins for the catchiest pop/R&B record. Showing remarkable growth from her rather twee debut, Grande eschews ballads for the most part in favor of bangers like her infectious EDM collaboration with Zedd, "Break Free," and strutting single "Problem" featuring Iggy Azeala. But even when she does revert to a more Mariah Carey-esque balladeer she does so with more confidence than ever on tracks like "Just A Little Bit Of My Heart." Grande is still very young and has a lot more room to grow, but My Everything shows she is not afraid to take chances and break out what she is predicted to do.

16.

Lykke Li - I Never Learn

I Never Learn is nine intensely personal tracks from Lykke Li painfully detailing a breakup that sent her reeling, packing herself up from Sweden and encamping herself half a world away in LA. The fresh thing about the record is that it is not a bitter one-sided view of what transpired, like Dylan's Blood on the Tracks or Beck's Sea Change, but instead, Li dissects everything she did to bring about the dissolution. Fitting the tone of the record, most of the songs themselves are minimal and stark, putting Li's voice out front and center like on the blistering title cut, the haunting and bare "Love Me Like I'm Not Made Of Stone," or the intense piano-led closer "Sleeping Alone." Which is not to say that the album is a dark slog through a tormented journey. There are plenty of amazing productions here that do provide some moments of light. "No Rest For The Wicked," moves from a hushed opening to an almost operatic chorus, "Just Like A Dream" swirls itself into a Phil-Spectorish wall of sound, and album highlight "Gunshot" literally explodes at the chorus with pounding drums and piano chords. I Never Learn is a difficult record to listen to, the emotions are so raw, open, and naked, but it is essential listening, part of the shared experience we all go through with relationships.