This is the best time of year. For his seventh year in a row, Jordan Roseman—better known as DJ Earworm—has released his epic mashup of the top 25 singles in pop music. 2013’s is called “Living The Fantasy.” Ever since 2009’s “Blame It On The Pop,” which still holds up as a masterpiece, his mashups have been a milestone for each year in music, giving us an idea of what we’ve been listening to and what each song has in common.
Roseman’s a master, and this year’s production is no exception. What’s surprising is the melodic, synth-driven breakdown around 4:30; it’s more sweeping, emotional, and instrumental than what you might expect from an industry where Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry are the current reigning queens. The mashup includes those two artists, as well as Lorde, Macklemore, Justin Timberlake, and Imagine Dragons.
It’s always a treat to see a new one of these. Now pardon us: We have to go listen to it a thousand more times.