Because I have been left bitterly disappointed at how poor the offerings from the "big hitters" Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and Britney Spears have been this year, and in general there have not really been many albums that have made me sit up and think WOW!

I know every year people bang on about music getting worse but I think there might be something in that theory this year. I know there is far more to music than what is in the charts but I still feel somehow let down.

I've actually got some great albums this year but nothing that will ever trouble the top 40. Sunburst Band, Cool Million, Bluey, Charlie Wilson, Omar have all been brilliant

A lot of the big names may have disappointed this year, but I think 2013 has had its fair share of enjoyable pop music from slightly smaller artists - Sky Ferreira, Lorde, Charli XCX, Chvrches, Autre Ne Veut, James Blake, London Grammar, Alunageorge, Haim, and Austra are just a few up-and-coming artists who have released decent debut or second albums this year. Then you've got the more established acts like Goldfrapp, Cut Copy, Tegan and Sara, Pet Shop Boys and MIA to name a few, all producing strong albums. And that's just limiting it to pop!

It's comfortably been the best year since 2010. If you are into shit music then it's going to be a shit year

In terms of commercial pop, absolutely.

Much better than last year for me at least

but in all honesty myost listened to album this years was Ellie Goulding's Halcyon i bought in October last year so good it carried through

NO!
In terms of mainstream drivel than yes, as always, this year was crap.
But like previously mentioned, in terms of lesser-known artists and massive bands, this has been on of the best years on record!
CHVRCHES
Jagwa Ma
London Grammar
Laura Marling
VV Brown
MIA
Paramore
Lorde
Haim
Daughter
Foals
Joanna Gruesome
Gabrielle Aplin
Disclosure
Charli XCX
Vampire Weekend
Savages
Tegan and Sara
Nadine Shah
Sky Ferreira
Arcade Fire

TO NAME A FEW!

I'd add:

AlunaGeorge- Body Music
Bastille- Bad Blood
Justin Timberlake- The 20/20 Experience pt 1 (Despite what others may say fabatstic album)
Ariana Grande- Yours Truly (proving you don't need to twerk and strip to have success just talent)

As someone moving rapidly through my 30s, there's still new stuff appealing to me.... I really liked White Lies 'Big TV', also Editors 'Weight of your Love' seemed designed to appeal to an older audience, so I liked it...

Prefab Sprout's new one I've mentioned elsewhere, nothing really new, just Paddy telling stories and wandering between pop and country as ever, but I think it's lovely, great to have him back.

But next year will be better, simply if Delays release one...

Well, if you think that, then you must have a bad taste in music.

Great albums this year from
Bastille
Imagine Dragons
The 1975
Arctic Monkeys
Disclosure
CHVRCHES
Haim


That's only the absolute best.

I've had Ciara - Body Party, Little Mix - Salute, and if course my favourite album this year Britney Spears -Britney Jean.

Yes. That must be it.

Its been about what I'd have expected, really. If you like the massive pop acts then I can see why you'd be disappointed though as they haven't really delivered. I think the tide will be turning against pop soon; granted some like One Direction will stick around, but the sales figures of acts like Katy Perry and Lady Gaga are really underwhelming.

I disagree.
I've had some amazing albums to listen to this year, Britney, Gaga, The Saturdays, Justin Timberlake, Little Mix, and yes I am also enjoying the latest 1D album, OneRepublic, Hurts, Diana Vickers and Ciara.

not sure about the albums but i do like singles from Britney, Diana Vickers and One Republic, and erm Little Mix

I have been underwhelmed with Katy Perry and Lady Gaga's new albums, they have lived no where near up to the hype.

I kinda agree to an extent, but like others have said, it depends on what type of music you listen to. Mainstream pop acts haven't been strong this year though.

In saying that though, I was severely impressed with Little Mix's Salute. I genuinely thing it is an amazing second album and deserves to be hugely successful. I am impressed with them this year.

I think someone else said this album too, but Ariana Grande has also kinda made me a fan with her music and incredible voice.

Charlie XCX and AlunaGeorge were good new ones this year too

Overall it's not been a bad year, but in terms of the massive pop artists it has been terrible. The real reason for this is because Rihanna and Beyonce haven't released new material. Katy,miley and Gaga are good at getting headlines but when it comes to the music they are not a patch on Rih and Bey.

Yes, a lot of those are good and they are pretty mainstream, so why is mainstream 'drivel'?

Haha. Agreed.

I've enjoyed a lot of new albums this year.

Robbie Williams
Cher
Prefab Sprout
Katie Melua
Agnetha Faltskog
Alison Moyet
Christopher Owens

Rebecca Ferguson- Freedom is a great album
AlunaGeorge
Ciara
London Grammar
Lorde
Ellie Goulding
John Newman
Disclosure

Commercial, commercial pop has been pretty weak this year.

I don't mind ARTPOP and Prism, but I think in terms of the 'big' popstars, Miley and Selena's albums were miles better.

Then my other favourites have been Charli XCX, Tegan & Sara, Diana Vickers, Ciara, V V Brown, Sky Ferreira, Natalia Kills and Lorde.

And I could easily list another 30 or 40 albums I've enjoyed this year. If you listen to all the recommendations on this thread, I'm sure you'll find lots of things you like...

I've enjoyed quite a few albums this year:

Charli XCX
Little Boots
Britney Spears
The Saturdays
Caro Emerald
Emmelie de Forest (she won the Eurovision this year and her debut album is actually quite good)
Katie Melua
Lady Gaga
Katy Perry
Little Mix

I'm sure there were loads of other good albums released this year as well that I've yet to check out.

I like gaga and perry but i dont like artpop or prism. Anyone else feel the same?

I've enjoyed some re-issues and greatest hits albums.