We live in a day and age where the music world has never been more saturated. With access to modern advances, anyone can follow their dream and create something new and fresh. As every year passes and genres evolve, despite the saturation, the quality of music continues to thrive. Just when I think that a year of music can’t be topped, an innovative producer or artist opens a door that leads to a new world. That’s just what I love about music. It’s one of the most variable industries out there, and that’s precisely why I’m so confident in my decision to base my future around it. We’ve got to keep things interesting, right? With that, we give you or top picks of 2013. Check after the jump!
TOP 20
19. Portugal The Man – Evil Friends (Spotify)
18. Hot Natured – Different Sides of the Sun (Spotify)
17. James Blake – Overgrown (Spotify)
16. Holy Ghost – Dynamics (Spotify)
15. The Strokes – Comedown Machine (Spotify)
14. Wavves – Afraid of Heights (Spotify)
13. Kanye West – Yeezus (Spotify)
12. Toro Y Moi – Anything In Return (Spotify)
TOP 10
10. Sub Focus – Torus (Spotify)
Four years after his booming self-titled debut, Sub Focus fought to release something that stayed true to his roots and adapted well with the flux in electronic music. With stand out singles “Out the Blue” and “Tidal Wave,” the album aimed to showcase just why Sub Focus has reached legendary status in dreamy, energetic drum & bass. In classic fashion, he also showed his range with tracks like “Endorphins” and “Close” that added the emotion necessary to making a complete and sound electronic album.
9. Danny Brown – OLD (Spotify)
Danny Brown has garnered much acclaim on the internet and beyond over his limited tenure as Fools Gold Records’ wonderboy. With OLD being his follow up release to XXX and third studio album, Danny has won over the masses. With his rapping style surely being an “acquired taste,” it wasn’t until I listened to OLD that his prowess really hit me. Not to mention his live performances are an absolute riot!
8. Darkside – Psychic (Spotify)
Nicolas Jaar has always been pushing a very eclectic sound in the electronic music scene. With a classical music background, everything he touches is filled with soul and passion. When he decided to throw multi-instrumentalist Dave Harrington into the mix, the result was astronomical. Thus, DARKSIDE was born. This album transcends all genres, and comes together in a completely unique, tangible way.
7. Daft Punk – Random Access Memories (Spotify)
The hype surrounding the release of this album exceeded what was previously thought impossible. With social media exploding from every bit of information being released about collaborators, to a random album listening party at an agriculture festival in Australia, to even a teaser video being showcased on every screen at Coachella festival, this album was received with high expectations. With these high expectations, it wasn’t sure what we would receive. The only thing that was certain was that it would be a huge step forward for electronic music as a whole. I’ll never forget calling in sick to work when the album leaked to listen to it in its complete form…From start to finish, our robots really did outdo themselves and opened a lot of minds in the process.
6. Classixx – Hanging Gardens (Spotify)
Classixx have spent most of their musical career as “up and coming” producers and DJs. With only a few original tracks and remixes under their belt up to this point, they were still relatively unknown in the music world. Their debut album Hanging Gardens still gives me chills when I listen to it. It’s a perfect combination of dancy funk and indie jams that is almost as universal as can be. It’s comforting to see these lads finally getting credit worldwide for their true talent.
5. Arcade Fire – Reflektor (Spotify)
Since the first time I listened to Arcade Fire’s debut album Funeral, they have had a profound effect on my life and indie music in general. With an a team of six, the talent level is immense. Throw the legendary James Murphy in on the production side, and you have an album for the ages. With stand out tracks like “We Exist” and “It’s Never Over,” Reflektor manages to solidify itself as one of the defining albums of the year.
4. Jagwar Ma – Howlin (Spotify)
Over the past couple years, Australia has continued to set the bar for cutting edge music of all forms. From Tame Impala to Flume, Anna Lunoe to Midnight Juggernauts, and now Temples to Jagwar Ma. Jagwar Ma put a very special twist to the psychedelic rock we’re used to. In their debut album Howlin, they managed to take aspects of experimental and house music to create a sound that is, quite simply, Jagwar Ma.
3. Disclosure – Settle (Spotify)
Last year couldn’t have been any better for our favorite UK brothers. After garnering quite a bit of acclaim in the underground in 2012, Disclosure exploded into the mainstream in 2013. And deservedly so! Settle catapulted them into a level of iconicism that no one could have predicted. The album is filled with their patented, deep-house influenced sound like “When A Fire Starts To Burn,” indie influenced “Latch,” and oh so beautiful “Help Me Lose My Mind.” Very much looking forward to the future of these stars’ career.
2. Arctic Monkeys – AM (Spotify)
Ever since the release of their third album in 2009, Arctic Monkeys have had a knack for surprising the knickers off of their fans. From the hallucinogenic rock of ‘Humbug,’ to the sweet, fizzy pop of ‘Suck It,’ this Sheffield quartet has developed so much more than a slick sense of style. Their latest album “AM” is truly a work of craftsmanship. From start to finish, the LP threads together something almost ineffable; a new approach to rock n’roll (and it rocks). Turner experiments with sounds that have never been heard, and he mettles with lyrics to accompany the riffage and croon on a visceral level.
1. Vampire Weekend – Modern Vampires of the City(Spotify)
Seven years and almost a lifetime ago, Vampire Weekend stunned the world with their debut self-titled album. The album would go on to be one of the most prominent indie pop albums of our generation. With influence from alternative rock and even afrobeat, Vampire Weekend created their own unique breed of catchy, light-hearted music. Fast forward to 2013, two albums later, and we have Modern Vampires of the City. I’ve seen very few bands be able to consistently hold their own over the past decade like Vampire Weekend has done with this album.
The way they so comfortably transitioned into this new, mature sound can’t be understated. Every song has something different to offer, which makes the album an aural treat in its entirety. Ezra’s airy vocals guides each track beautifully…Whether it be the slow, coffee-shop vibe of tracks like “Step,” “Hannah Hunt,” or even “Everlasting Arms;” or the high-energy indie gems like “Finger Back” and “Worship You,” the album comes together in a completely balanced manner. Kudos to Vampire Weekend for managing to stay on top for all these years!
