Oh, too many categories for me! ACK
This year, I've been listening to a bunch of my old stuff, so I probably don't have too many picks.
Album of the year:
Fire & Ice by Kaskade. Two CDs of really great dance-pop. The Fire disc is all collaborations with other artists and the Ice disc is Kaskade remixes of the Fire disc songs. Loved it.
JPN by Perfume. Definitely their most consistent and solid album yet. The album's only weakness is it's same-iness, but at least it's a lot of good stuff.
Checkmate! by Namie Amuro. Three of the four PV songs are great and there are some solid album tracks. UNUSUAL and Make It Happen are always in my head.
Single of the year:
Sit! Stay! Wait! Down!/Love Story by Namie Amuro. SSWD is actually the weakest song, but even it's catchy. Higher is definitely the shining star.
NAKED/Fight Together/Tempest by Namie Amuro. All three songs are completely different, but they're interesting in their own right and they each stand up.
Love Me Back by Koda Kumi. Sexy PV, catchy song, decent b-side. Pretty good.
POP DIVA by Koda Kumi. See above.
Best new artist:
Tomomi Itano. She's really got the potential to become not just a well-known idol, but a real pop star.
Guilty pleasure:
POP DIVA by Koda Kumi. JUMP JUMP JUMP HABATAKU, POP POP POP DIVA. Oh my god is this the best worst song in the world.
What is LOVE by Maki Goto. WHADIS DA LOU LOVE? I don't know what's going on here, but I like it.
We Found Love (not featuring Calvin Harris because he produced the damn thing fucking American girls not understanding that get it together collective young ladies). I hate how absolutely shallow this song is, but FUCK if it doesn't tickle all of my pleasure points. giggity.
E.T. (shutup the single was 2011 gall) bySlaggy Katy Perry. And only the version without Kanye West.
Levels by Avicii. Kind of a hokey dance track with a catchy, repetitive hook and under-used, but lovely vocal sample.
PON PON PON by Kyary Pamyu Pamyu.
A-side of the year:
Dear J by Tomomi Itano. So high energy.
POP DIVA by Koda Kumi.
Spice by Perfume. Hate the PV, love the song. Rockit, girls.
Levels by Avicii.
Save The World by Swedish House Mafia. Really great track and one of the better vocal performances SHM has been able to get.
PON PON PON by Kyary Pamyu Pamyu.
B-side of the year:
Higher by Namie Amuro. Such a perfect song with a great structure and catchy hook. TAKE ME HAAAAAAAIIIIIIII-YAAAAAAAAAH.
Flop of the year:
E.T. (feat. Kanye West) by
Spawn Katy Perry. Sorry Yeezy, you ruined this one.
Concert performance of the year:
LIVE STYLE 2011 by Namie Amuro. Another solid performance from Namie, if not a little underwhelming. Very good set list, especially for an album with extremely old collaborations. Weird to see a soloist take on a bunch of duets, but this is what Past>Future 2010 should have been.
If we can count live TV performances:
Wonder Woman feat. AI & Tsuchiya Anna at MTV VIDEO MUSIC AID by Namie Amuro. Three great singers take the stage and kill it with a perfect song for three people.
Run The World (Girls) Live at Billboard Awards by Beyonce. An expert use of video, light, dance, singing, and sheer headcount. Also, Major Lazer.
MV/PV of the year:
Fantasy by DYE. Speaks for itself.
Save The World by Swedish House Mafia. Dogs rules, robbers drool!
Levels by Avicii. Kind of a used sentiment, but pretty good overall.
Daddy's Gone from American Dad (performed by Scott Grime and Seth McFarlane) (pardon the shite quality. FOX is taking these all down...). This entire episode had hilarious and catchy hip-hop/RnB songs, but this has to be the funniest.
PON PON PON by Kyary Pamyu Pamyu.
C'mon.
There. I spent way too long on this.
[FUTURE EDIT FROM THE FUTURE] Added PON PON PON and striked-through any 6th place nominees.