Pop Goes the Music

Now that it's over, 2012 was not a banner year for pop music. You don't realize how much you miss the Gagas and Britneys of the world until they don't release anything.
Sure, Carly Rae gave us a huge song and other good songs, and Taylor Swift and Ke$ha both released albums. There was Maroon 5 and Bruno Mars, too, which is nice. But when the biggest impact is made by a Korean artist with a dreadful song, you know it was a bad year for pop.
Thank God, then, that Britney, Gaga, Beyonce, Katy, Avril, are all due to release albums this year (or sooner than later). We need a great album like Femme Fatale or Teenage Dream.
Don't get me wrong, rock and alternative put out some great music courtesy of Neon Trees, Imagine Dragons and Walk the Moon. And hip-hop contributed with albums from B.o.B. and others. That's why pop is in danger, because other genres are stepping it up.
Rihanna had another big hit with "Diamonds," but the album is average at best. Maroon 5 had two big hits, but their album kinda sucks. Taylor Swift tried to carry the genre on her back and did an admirable job, just like Adele earlier in 2012, but she needs help.
Therefore, I'm hoping the aforementioned ladies can come through. The genre is begging for greatness. So to Katy and Gaga and all the rest, step it up. It's time to take the charts back.
However, we don't want Femme Fatale 2 or Teenage Dream 2 (or even Blackout 2.0, sorry Britney fans). We demand new and innovative. Most of all, make it good.
Less Beiber, more Britney!