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25. Drake 'Controlla'
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Drake brought the reggae vibes on his album, Views, including on the #1 hit, "One Dance", and "Controlla". We could have put either on the list, but including a Beenie Man sample and working Jodeci into the lyrics means this one wins out.
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24. Bon Iver '22'
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Acting as the opening track for his album, Bon Iver feels like a gentle wake-up call that slowly takes form. I'd make this my new alarm but I think the day would just all be downhill from there after this thing of beauty.
Watch here.
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23. Fifth Harmony 'Work From Home'
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This was the pop song you just couldn't ignore this year, even if you tried your best. The girl group that formed out of The X Factor were still looking for some respect in the music industry and this year they got it with their "work".
Watch here.
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22. Kings of Leon 'Around The World'
KEYSTONE Press
Kings Of Leon often like to be brooding, and they are so dang good at it. That being said, it was a breath of fresh air to hear these guys spread a little joy around the world and ask us all to keep dancing. Plus just try not to smile watching the music video.
Watch here.
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21. Maxwell 'Lake By The Ocean'
Dare we say, we kind of forget about Maxwell because he waits so long in between his albums (he took a seven-year break this time around). When that voice does return, like on his single "Lake By The Ocean", he reminds us how powerful and unnecessary it is on the music scene.
Watch here.
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20. John Legend 'Love Me Now'
Coming out right in the middle of the U.S. election, John gave us the hug we were all needing. Being a new father obviously influenced his lyrics of wanting to love now and while he can, but it also takes on a beautiful universal message.
Watch here.
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19. Celine Dion 'Recovering'
Written by Pink for Celine after the death of Celine's husband, Rene, as well as her brother, Daniel, "Recovering" stands out for its restraint. It doesn't have Celine going for the big notes she's known for, but instead the quiet notes of a woman finding her voice again.
Watch here.
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18. Kiiara 'Gold'
This slowburn hit was unlike anything we heard in pop music this year. With a nod to everything from electropop to Atlanta trap, the Illinois made a major mark for her debut single.
Watch here.
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17. Alicia Keys'In Common'
Moving away from the piano, Alicia entered the dance hall for this breezy track with some of Alicia's most playful lyrics ever. Any good summer playlist included this one.
Watch here.
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16. Sia 'Reaper'
KEYSTONE Press
Sia gave us several great tracks this year, including "The Greatest" and the #1 track "Cheap Thrills", but it was this deep album cut that we kept coming back to. Co-written and co-produced by Kanye West, the lyrics are staring death in the face and managing to find the strength to look the other way.
Watch here.
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15. The Weeknd 'I Feel It Coming'
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Besides "Starboy", The Weeknd also collaborated with Daft Punk on "I Feel It Coming", the closing track on his hit album. He's never sounded like Michael Jackson more on the track that manages to have a current feel while honouring sounds of the past.
Watch here.
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14. Usher 'Crash'
After abandoning the EDM style that did get him to the top of the pop charts, Usher continues to make the best music of his career. Starting in his famous falsetto, "Crash" goes for the climax early but doesn't let up with Usher trying to let go of a lost love.
Watch here.
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13. Frank Ocean 'Godspeed'
Keystone PRESS
You could really choose several tracks from Frank's "Blonde" album for this list, but we went with the simplistic "Solo". It's short, but oh so sweet. It's amazing how commanding Frank's voice can be just on its own. With only an organ accompanying him, Frank puts us in awe again.
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12. Solange 'Cranes In The Sky'
Beyonce's little sister made her own mark with this hypnotic track. By the time she sings the title, you'll feel like you've been flown to another place.
Watch here.
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11. Beyonce Feat. Dixie Chicks 'Daddy Lessons'
KEYSTONE Press
Beyonce's country track off her album "Lemonade" already had a shot of making this list, but then she went and recorded a new version with The Dixie Chicks (which they spectacularly performed at the CMA's, even if some country purists turned up their nose to it). By the time the foursome break things out into a "Long Time Gone" party, you'll be happy to be taught this lesson over and over again.
Watch here.
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10. The 1975 'The Sound'
KEYSTONE Press
It's always interesting when an alternative rock band tries out a more pop sound. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Well, this sound definitely clicks for the English band.
Watch here.
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9. Britney Spears 'Change Your Mind (No Seas Cortes)'
KEYSTONE Press
Believe it or not, Britney's "Glory" album is full of fantastic pop tracks, so it was tough to select just one highlight for this, but "Change Your Mind" is an easy standout, and not just cause Britney sings in Spanish! If you have any doubt that this song should be a single, just check out some of the dance videos made by fans on YouTube.
Watch here.
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8. Chance The Rapper 'All We Got'
As Chance states at the start of this opening track: "this isn't the intro. this is the entree". With explosive horns, pounding drums, Chance's brilliant album makes quite the arrival with this track featuring Kanye West and the Chicago's Children Choir. It's a joyous beginning that has Chance celebrating everything that's going great in his life. It's a refreshing change of pace to the rap world.
Watch here.
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7. Kanye West 'Ultralight Beam'
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Chance The Rapper pops up here as well on the opener for Kanye's album, The Life Of Pablo. Also featuring The-Dream, Kelly Price, and Kirk Franklin, it has Kanye at its most contemplative, and dare I say, humble.
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6. Maren Morris 'My Church'
KEYSTONE Press
The gospel vibe continues on Maren Morris' breakout debut single. The exciting country track shows that Maren is willing to shake up the country world with her defiant style.
Watch here.
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5. John Legend Ft. Chance The Rapper 'Penthouse Floor'
Disguised under one of the sexiest grooves of the year, it's John's call to action for social revolution. At least we can all have a good time doing it? And Chance The Rapper can tell us a "knock knock" joke on the way.
Watch here.
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4. Rihanna 'Love On The Brain'
Rihanna has mixed in some powerhouse vocals across her career, but nothing like this before. With a major throwback to Motown, Rihanna tears the house down with her charged performance. Just look up her performing this song live. It's passion we've never seen from Riri. More please!
Watch here.
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3. Kelly Clarkson 'Piece By Piece'
Last year, Kelly recorded this title track for her latest album with a pop production that disguised the devastating lyrics about her father abandoning her as a child. When she performed the track on "American Idol" as a piano ballad, it left us all in tears, including Kelly herself.
Watch here.
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2. Miranda Lambert 'Vice'
After rumours of infidelity with the end of her marriage to Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert could have returned with a new song that steered clear of any possible connection to her personal life. But that's not Miranda Lambert. She co-wrote a song that has her singing about going to a different town every night, having one too many, waking up in a bed she shouldn't, and doing it all again. It balances heartache and regret with defiance brilliantly.
Watch here.
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1. Beyonce 'Formation'
Beyonce's early career was based on simplistic pop anthems like "Crazy In Love" and "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)". No more. For the first single off her latest surprise album, Queen Bee used her power to send a more political message about being a black woman in today's America (and performed on the Super Bowl, no less). It might have been heavy-handed material, but Beyonce puts her message within one of the catchiest hooks of the year. Oh, and she also helped spike Red Lobster sales, and made everyone check their bag for hot sauce. There's a reason she reigns supreme. Simply put, she slayed.
Watch here.
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