AllMusic 2014 Year in Review
Favorite Pop Albums
Whether it was the latest from Sia, the continued success of One Direction, the emergence of Charli XCX, solo artist, or the ambitious and exciting work of La Roux, there was plenty of pop music to both excite and inspire in 2014.
Solo debut from fun.'s Jack Antonoff is a time trip back to the soundtracks of John Hughes' high-school films, but with a modern twist.
The singer/songwriter keeps more of the swagger she gave to Icona Pop and Iggy Azalea for herself, with fizzy, fun results.
The British X Factor diva's sophomore album of swaggering, infectious pop.
The SoCal hippie singer/songwriter gets a sleek, stylish makeover on her fourth album.
The Swedish trio's innovative debut mixes jazz fusion, R&B, and electronic dance music.
The veteran synth pop duo attack the "return to form" album as if it weren't a cliche on this great, club-worthy comeback.
Spacy, dense, and elliptical record constructed largely on expanded found sounds.
The Justin Timberlake disciple improves on The 20/20 Experience by making it a pop album.
The New Zealand singer/songwriter's second album delivers vibrant R&B and pop pastiches that borrow the best of Michael Jackson and Prince.
The agelessly brilliant pop star's 12th album is an uplifting, frequently sexy album that's tailor-made for nights out on the dancefloor.
Five years after her influential electro-pop debut, Elly Jackson returns with a set of vulnerable, disco and reggae-inspired songs.
Hollywood pop star moves into more patient and jazz-inflected moods on this Dan Auerbach-produced album.
A classically minded, thoroughly modern collection of lush, adult alternative pop from the actress.
'70s and '80s disco-, R&B-, and electro-infused debut from the Los Angeles outfit.
On their third album, Neon Trees have fun with their emotional crises, resulting in some of their best and most heartfelt music.
Cannily stylish neo-disco throwback from the BSB and NKOTB vets.
The group's fourth strong album in four years is filled with '80s-influenced pop, melancholic love songs, and a handful of ballads.
Pharrell follows his astonishingly successful 2013 with a set of frivolous and upbeat pop-R&B, featuring the number one single "Happy."
The prolific remixer's debut album features breezy collaborations with Tegan & Sara, Tokyo Police Club, YACHT, and Penguin Prison.
The longtime collaborators reunite for a mini-album of electronic pop that's as playful and sophisticated as their best work on their own.
Rather than capitalize on his major hits with Disclosure and Naughty Boy, the unique singer and songwriter debuts with heartbroken balladry.
Returning to the spotlight after years as a chart-topping songwriter, Sia balances her arty instincts with big hooks.
Swedish singer/songwriter follows her hit "Habits" with more winningly confessional electro-pop.
The French duo's third album was overseen by pop hitmaker Dr. Luke, but remains true to their fun-loving, totally left-field pop ways.