So, how did this happen? I made no effort to listen to Troye Sivan's new single, “Youth”. It came to me on the waves of the radio. It did what every great Troye Sivan has done for me. It picked up where “Happy Little Pill” and “Wild” left him, wanting more. The song is cinematic in it's perfection.

Buy "Youth"

I was still hesitant on purchasing the album. I was intensely disappointed by Wild. And as nondescript as the suicide themed “Talk Me Down” was, I wasn't convinced. I knew the album had a duet with Betty Who. The Australian pop singer, best known for her bright single, “Somebody Loves You”.

His voice is like milk. It has a tendency to blend into the background of the music. That's his strength. You can lay on the floor and just let his voice wash over you. A lot of these songs melodies are more memorable then the words he's actually saying.

I appreciate Troye's artistry as a full length artist. There's a lack of uptempo material, but he likes to stay in this mid to low tempo groove. The backing music isn't ground breaking. What Troye Sivan is selling is his perspective and his youth. If that's something you can get behind. This landscape of dream pop he's created will be perfect for you.  

Rumors continued to go around that a video for the lead single “Living For Love” would be filmed in January. After all the leaks she declared it “artistic rape” and “terrorism”. Maybe a little to strong of language, but Madonna was throughly pissed the fuck off. I would have said the same thing.

Now as far as who I think is behind the leaks, I think that fucker Diplo might have something to do with it. I get it. Diplo brings the beats, but you're Madonna. Who gives a fuck.

The real surprise came on the 19th of December. I was horribly oblivious to it as that was the day I was having a house party. But, Madonna released her album for pre-order on iTunes. Not only that, but with six songs that came with it.

I am going to break it down for you step by step the six songs that have been released and give you my opinion. You might be saying to yourself why the fuck has it taken you three weeks to write a Friday Favorites on your Queen. Let me redirect your attention to the 12 Days of Bubbles and let you figure out why I wasn't in the blogging mood.

Let's start with lead single:
“Living For Love”
With enough radio play this song will be another hit for Madonna. The hooks runneth amok over the entire song. This song might displace the potential for an Alicia Keys feature on the upcoming Madonna album as Alica Keys is listed as one of the writers for this song. This song goes every which way and I am feeling it. I'm excited to see the video and of what we've heard so far. I think it's a good choice.  

Listen to "Living For Love"

“Bitch I'm Madonna” featuring Nicki Minaj
This song goes every which way and I really like seeing Nicki and Madonna back together. I would love to have seen this song as the lead single. However, if Queen Britney can't get “Work Bitch” to the tops, the radio will not be playing this song. I enjoy the electronic screaming, that dog barking thing, the immediate call to party. “Bitch I'm Madonna” is everything I could have wanted it to be.  

Listen to "Bitch I'm Madonna"

“Illuminati”
Break downs abound, filtered vocals. Madonna name checks a list of celebrities in her sing songy rap voice she honed during American Life. I hate to say it again, but I like this song better then “Living For Love”. I would love to see a video for it and I tentatively feel like it could be a massive hit for her. It is immediately ear catching. The only problem she would have getting it on the radio is that radio at this point is biased against her. They obviously haven't heard this song, yet. 

Listen to "Illuminati" 

“Unapologetic Bitch”
Remember way back when I wrote on all the speculation surrounding Madonna's 13th album. I suggested this should be lead single featuring Nicki Minaj and Miley Cyrus. It features none of the above, it's not the lead single, however I really like it. It is not the brash in your face song I expected. It's actually very introverted and honest. And heartbreaking. I really relate to this song. Everything except for the part of “You didn't know how much you loved me until you lost me.” That part doesn't relate to me at all.

Listen to "Unapologetic Bitch" 

“Ghost Town”
RuPaul named this as one of his favorite songs from the six that were released. This one is not like the others in that this what you might call a ballad. It's beautiful and haunting. She out did herself.  

Listen to "Ghost Town"

“Devil Pray”
What an interesting song. It's about Madonna's drug use, something she talked openly about in Interview Magazine. Another song I enjoy. Everything about it is very relateable. I don't think it could ever be a hit. What teenager wants a 56 year old woman's knowledge on how to drop acid and sniff glue. They don't. 

Listen to "Devil Pray"

If we're basing how great her new album is off of these six songs, I can tell you it's going to be Ray of Light part two. Make sure to pre-order Rebel Heart on iTunes if you're not like me and insist on having the CD. I think you can also download the songs individually if only one of these caught your interest.

Let's be really clear about this list. It is simply a review of the albums I have bought this year. I could never numerically list my favorite albums for a year. I could knock some out of the top ten, but let's be honest. I love music too much. Now almost all the music I got this year, I bought the day it came out.

You know I like my CD. That means some albums I may have talked about or have wanted, I do not have. RuPaul never released Born Naked in a physical format, Troye Sivan didn't release TRYXE physically in the United States, and Azealia Banks will be putting Broke With Expensive Taste out in January. It will make next years list.

I'm going to try to be a cold calculated bitch to my faves. Will see how well this goes. I'll give you a general rating out of five bubbles and include the song I played the most individually according to my computer.

Buy 1989

1989: Taylor Swift
4 Bubbles
Who else was shocked at how great this album was. I bought it the moment it came out. The Target staff was still putting it up and I had to reach past them to get it. This album is so much better then “Shake It Off” predicted. I know I said I wouldn't it. Of course I did. I'm so glad, I did. I am now a proud and out Taylor Swift fan. This album is everything.

Most Played Song: Tie between “Welcome To New York” and “Blank Space”

Cheek to Cheek: Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett
4 Bubbles
I bought it for Lady Gaga. Real talk. That's why the world bought it. This is a jazz album. I tentatively think it was well executed. I don't listen to jazz. When I do listen to this album I jam, but is it going to take the place of ARTPOP? Absolutely not.

Most Played Song: “I Can't Give You Anything But Love”

Buy Cheek to Cheek

Food: Kelis
4 Bubbles
This is an album. I don't listen to the songs individually when I listen to Kelis it is the full experience. This is a soul funk R&B album. I love it. It may not be for everyone, but it's an insanely well executed project.

Most Played Song: Tie between “Bless The Telephone” and “Jerk Ribs”

Buy Food

Going to Hell: The Pretty Reckless
4 ½ Bubbles
One of the best albums of the year. Obsessed. I love. Every song is almost perfect. It strays a little too hard rock for me at times, but that's because I'm not usually one of hard rocks biggest proponents. Buy this album. It's fronted by Gossip Girl alumn, Taylor Momsen, and man does she kill it as a provocative Lolita figure.

Most Played Song: Tie between “Heaven Knows”, “Why'd You Bring A Shotgun To The Party”, and “Fucked Up World”

Buy Going To Hell

Motion: Calvin Harris
4 Bubbles
DJ Calvin Harris has hit his stride. This album is everything you want, radio friendly pop fodder with plenty of bangers. The fantastic Big Sean feature with “Open Wide” or the Tinashe led “Dollar Signs”. He did a great job creating a flowing record. It also doesn't hurt that he back loaded the album with it's best songs. Another collaboration with Ellie Goulding hit home and you should check this album out before these songs hit the top ten.

Most Played Song: Tie between “Pray to God” featuring Haim and “Dollar Signs” featuring Tinashe

Buy Motion

Platinum: Miranda Lambert
3 ½ Bubbles
Miranda is my country darling, I love her music. This is a rambling album and it works. It does, but as a rambling album some songs turn me off to the overall aesthetic. “Little Red Wagon” being the biggest put down. And, I read in a review that they consider it a stand out track, so I might just be missing something. There's her trademark humor in tow with “Old Shit” and “Gravity is a Bitch”. I am also not impressed with lead single “Automatic”. It's kind of condescending and it doesn't really sound like Miranda. It also must be known that I am overwhelmed with both “Smokin' and Drinkin'” and “Platinum”. They barely missed being the my most played song.

Most Played Song: “Something Bad” feauturing Carrie Underwood

Buy Platinum

Queen of the Clouds: Tove Lo
3 Bubbles
Another album I want to get into. I didn't it. It didn't click for me. “Like Em Young” did resonate with me. I just want to send this song to my crush anonymously and say how does this make you feel. The concept of splitting the album into three distinct parts of “The Sex”, “The Love” and “The Pain”. That was really cool. I know someone who loves this album. Give it a shot. I'm going to keep trying. Tove Lo as a pop star intrigues me.

Most Played Song: “Not On Drugs”

Buy Queen of the Clouds

That's Christmas to Me: Pentatonix
3 Bubbles
People went gaga for this acapella Christmas album this year. I bought it because of Mitch and Scott. It's acceptable Christmas fair. It does not compete with Celine Dion or Bette Midler. If you want it I say go get it.

Most Played Song: “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy”

Buy