The Best Albums of 2013: Nos. 10-1
So, I went through the first ten albums that I couldn't stop listening to in 2013 and now it's time for the top 10. It was really difficult to put these ten albums in order, because to be fair, you could make an argument for any of them as number one. So, after the jump, you can check out the rest of my list.
10. Sky Ferreira, "Night Time, My Time"
Sky Ferreira has been waiting for her big moment for a while. She was poised to be the "next big thing" in music a few years ago, when she was signed after releasing some music via MySpace. Oh MySpace. It was a simpler time. She released and EP called As If! in 2011, filled with pop tracks that you got the impression were not what she wanted. Her heart wasn't really into it.
Fast forward to 2012 and Sky releases her proper debut EP, Ghost. This is the kind of music that Sky should be making. It's Garbage meets Eighties rock and the tone of the EP continues to Sky's first full lenght debut, Night Time, My Time. Don't let the cover of the album fool you, this is sophisticated pop rock and Sky shows that she is one to watch. Songs like "Boys," "Heavy Metal Heart," and "You're Not the One" will stay in your head long after you've finished listening and with each spin, you'll find a new favorite. Currently, Sky is opening for Miley Cyrus on her Bangerz tour and she may steal some of the spotlight from the Lady Cyrus. Here's the video for "You're Not the One."
9. Lorde, "Pure Heroine"
If you watch any of the various reality singing competition shows that litter the landscape nowadays, you've probably heard one of the judges freaking out over someone under the age of eighteen doing the damn thing vocal wise. It is very impressive. Do you know what's more impressive? A sixteen-year-old writing a song that shows depth and maturity beyond her years and proves that the others of her generation care about more than just finding their fifteen minutes of fame. This is what Welsh teen phenom did this year with her smash hit, "Royals."
"Royals" isn't the only smash on Lorde's debut. The whole album is full of intelligent, mature pop. Lorde proves that her debut single wasn't a fluke. From the first song, the album takes you for a ride and takes you on a tour of Lorde's life. It's exciting, because a talent like this will only grow and I can't wait to see where Lorde goes next. Check out the video for "Royals."
8. Tegan and Sara, "Heartthrob"
Sometimes a really great album gets released at the beginning of the year and you love it, but as the year goes on and some more high profile albums come out and you maybe forget about that great album that you spent the first four months of the year obsessed with. This almost happened when I was compiling this list. I had it basically finished and then I remembered this gem that was released at the end of January.
This was a departure for the twin Canadian sisters. It was more pop focused and commercial. The girls took their talent for songcraft and added some radio ready beats. They came out of the gate strong with first single, "Closer." It was sexy and fun and extremely catchy. Sometimes when non-commercial artists make the jump, or attempt to make the jump, to being more commercial, they lose what made them so great in the first place. Tegan and Sara don't do that. The thing that makes them so great are their songwriting skills and Heartthrob is not different than their other albums. There are songs about relationships gone wrong like "How Come You Don't Want Me?" and the pitfalls of being lesbian icons with "I'm Not Your Hero." Here's the video for "Closer."
7. Janelle Monáe, "The Electric Lady"
Is there anything Janelle Monáe can't do? The Cover Girl brings us funk, R&B and soul. She continues her Metropolis suite with parts 4 and 5. Janelle has been telling the story of android Cyndi Mayweather since she dropped her debut EP. According to Janelle, this is a sort of prequel to Cyndi's story, offering some backstory to her character.
I sometimes have issues with concept albums. Sometimes the music becomes secondary to what the artist is trying to convey and the whole thing gets muddled and a too high brow or high concept. This never happens with The Electric Lady. Janelle's musicality and attention to detail shines through. The guest artists that she features on the album are there for a purpose, not just for show. Prince's feature on the track "Givin' 'Em What They Love" shows that Janelle could very well be the heir to the Purple One's throne. She struts her stuff on the funky lead single "Q.U.E.E.N" with Erykah Badu and slows things down on the sensual "Primetime" with Miguel, the latter is probably one of the best slow jams of 2013 in my opinion. All this and more leaves me breathlessly awaiting Janelle's next album. Check out the video for the infectious "Dance Apocalyptic."
6. Justin Timberlake, "The 20/20 Experience, Part 1"
The pop music world is a fickle beast. You have to be out there constantly or people will forget about you. This explains why Rihanna released an album every year for like 6 years. It's almost unheard of for a pop music star to not release an album for 7 years and have his first album be the number one selling album for 2013. Justin Timberlake is not your average pop star.
JT showed that absence does make the heart grow fonder when he dropped part one of The 20/20 Experience. The first single, "Suit & Tie", was kind of an odd choice. It doesn't immediately grab you, but after a few spins you'll be on your suit & tie shit, too. The best thing about this album is that it plays like an album. So many albums are just collections of singles with filler in between and you can tell that JT is not interested in that at all. He allows the songs on the album to sprawl and envelop you. Almost every track is between 7 or 8 minutes long, but you're never bored. JT also shows that he's not afraid to experiment, case in point, "Blue Ocean Floor," the final track on the standard edition. It's like a cross between Radiohead and Bjork. Check out the video for "Mirrors."
5. Lady GaGa, "ARTPOP"
This was the year of the pop diva. Everyone from Britney Spears to Katy Perry to Cher released an album. It was Mother Monster's record that rose to the top. The release of GaGa's first single, "Applause," was marred a little bit by some issues with her personal life. She got into a fight with Perez Hilton, ugh, and she was embroiled in a lawsuit that seemed to threaten to expose damaging information. These things sort of took away from the music, not to mention the manufactured drama that the medie tried to rustle up by pitting her against Katy Perry.
It's the muisc that matters though and on ARTPOP GaGa proves that there is still good songs to be pulled from EDM. GaGa teams with producer Zedd and frequent collaborator DJ White Shadow to produce some the best, most pure pop muisc of the year. Some of the reivews of this CD left me scratching my head. It's almost like they weren't listening to the same record that I was. GaGa really flexes her musical muscles on this album and shows that she is a connossieur of all genres. There is the psychedelic "Venus" but then there is the hard charging hip-hop of "Jewels 'N Drugs." Seriously, would you ever expect T.I, Too $hort and Twista to show up on a GaGa record. GaGa has sort of retreated from the spotlight, but after reports of her shooting a video and gearing up for her tour, I'm hoping that she emerges triumphant and more people get a chance to experience this really amazing album. Here's the video for "Applause."
4. Vampire Weekend, "Modern Vampires of the City"
Vampire Weekend was kind of a strange animal when they first came on the scene. They were this college band, super talented, but even when they were getting raves, it almost seems like they were being dismissed. Yeah, these guys are great, but they are a fad, they don't have much to offer and once the novelty wears off people will forget about them.
With their third album, Modern Vampires of the City, the band silenced doubters and made the jump to full-fledged rock act. There is not a bad song on the record and they show a depth and maturity that we hadn't seen from them up to this point. The upbeat, ear worm-y, first single, "Diane Young" belies the semi-dark message of the lyrics. My favorite song on the record is "Unbelievers," another upbeat track about atheism and how they "will die unbelievers bound to the tracks of the train." Here is a live performance of "Unbelievers" from SNL.
3. HAIM, "Days Are Gone"
I first heard of this sisterly trio when they did a guest spot on Kid Cudi's underrated 2013 record, "Indicud." I couldn't stop listening to it. I loved the sound and the flow and I really wanted to know more. I did some research and was able to watch some live performances and I was blown away. They made big news for a band that hadn't even released their debut album. They showd up at multiple musical festivals and were listed as one of the best live acts alongside bands with greater longevity like Nine Inch Nails.
The ladies released their debut in September and proved that those raves were not hyberbole. The sound of HAIM is like Fleetwood Mac meets Shania Twain. The ladies capitalize on their obvious love for Seventies FM and modernize it. Doing this allows them to release the best debut of the year. HAIM seems to be everywhere from appearing on SNL to releasing a video for their new single, "If I Could Change Your Mind." Since I love the band so much, here is that video along with the video for their hit single, "The Wire."
2. Daft Punk, "Random Access Memories"
It was big news when it was announced that French electro pop duo Daft Punk would be releasing their first album since 2005's Human After All. It was big news, but it wasn't really unexpected. I think since all these other EDM producers were releasing albums it was almost expected that the granddaddies of the genre would release a record to put these whipper snappers in their place. What surprised people was the music they heard when Daft Punk released super funky first single "Get Lucky."
The whole album is a loving tribute to the music that mostly influenced EDM specifically disco and Seventies funk. The duo enlist stars of the era like Chic guitarist Nile Rodgers and Paul Williams. Pharell Williams also lends his smooth vocals to two tracks on the record. The key track on the album is a nine minute opus/tribute to one of the disco eras most prolific producers, Giorgio Moroder, on the aptly titled "Giorgio by Moroder." By revisiting their influences, Daft Punk proves that these new producers shouldn't fuck with the original. Check out the video for "Instant Crush."
1. (tie) Kanye West, "Yeezus"
People love to hate Kanye West. Let's be real. He gives his haters plenty of ammunition. He interrupts Taylor Swift. He knocks up Kim Kardashian, ensuring that she will continue to be a thing. He is the most immodest person in the world and people really don't like it when anyone trumpets their own genius.
Here's the thing though. When Kanye boasts, it's not really hyperbole. He really is that good and if the Queen hadn't decided to release an album all nonchalant like Kanye wouldn't be sharing the number one spot. Yeezus is just that good. It's so good that Kanye didn't need to do really any promotion. He couldn't even be bothered to put together a proper CD booklet. Seriously, it looks like someone just burned this and put it in an old case. When the music is as good as it is on Yeezus, you don't need any of those things. Songs like "Black Skinhead" and "New Slaves" are in your face in the best way. Kanye also gives us some lyrical ridiculata like the croissant line from "I Am a God." So, hate on haters, but I'll always be a Kanye fan as long as he keeps putting out music like this. Here's the dumbass video for the dope song "Bound 2."
1. Beyoncé, BEYONCÉ
So, it's December. Things are winding down. You're getting ready for Christmas. These best of lists are coming out, yes, I'm late, we've covered that. You think you've got the best of what the music industry has to offer, but not so fast. Beyoncé has decided to take over your life without warning. Queen Bey dropped her fifth self-titled album on iTunes at midnight on a Thursday and it was over. It was all everyone could talk about and we are still gagging over it two months later.
This was a "visual album" with Bey releasing a video for every song on the record and what videos they were. They were sexy and thought provoking and emotional. From the album opener, "Pretty Hurts," to the closer "Blue" featuring an adorable cameo by her daughter Blue Ivy, she delivers on every single song. She gave us a pseudo sequiel to her seminal smash, "Crazy in Love," with one of the first official singles on the record, "Drunk in Love." She even out Drakes Drake on the standout "Mine." I could wax poetic on this record for paragraphs, hours, days even, but you should just listen to it if you haven't or listen to it again. Here's the video for "Drunk in Love."
So, there you have it. Finally. The top 10. Do you agree? Disagree? What was your favorite album of 2013? Let me know in the comments.
Fast forward to 2012 and Sky releases her proper debut EP, Ghost. This is the kind of music that Sky should be making. It's Garbage meets Eighties rock and the tone of the EP continues to Sky's first full lenght debut, Night Time, My Time. Don't let the cover of the album fool you, this is sophisticated pop rock and Sky shows that she is one to watch. Songs like "Boys," "Heavy Metal Heart," and "You're Not the One" will stay in your head long after you've finished listening and with each spin, you'll find a new favorite. Currently, Sky is opening for Miley Cyrus on her Bangerz tour and she may steal some of the spotlight from the Lady Cyrus. Here's the video for "You're Not the One."
9. Lorde, "Pure Heroine"
"Royals" isn't the only smash on Lorde's debut. The whole album is full of intelligent, mature pop. Lorde proves that her debut single wasn't a fluke. From the first song, the album takes you for a ride and takes you on a tour of Lorde's life. It's exciting, because a talent like this will only grow and I can't wait to see where Lorde goes next. Check out the video for "Royals."
8. Tegan and Sara, "Heartthrob"
This was a departure for the twin Canadian sisters. It was more pop focused and commercial. The girls took their talent for songcraft and added some radio ready beats. They came out of the gate strong with first single, "Closer." It was sexy and fun and extremely catchy. Sometimes when non-commercial artists make the jump, or attempt to make the jump, to being more commercial, they lose what made them so great in the first place. Tegan and Sara don't do that. The thing that makes them so great are their songwriting skills and Heartthrob is not different than their other albums. There are songs about relationships gone wrong like "How Come You Don't Want Me?" and the pitfalls of being lesbian icons with "I'm Not Your Hero." Here's the video for "Closer."
7. Janelle Monáe, "The Electric Lady"
I sometimes have issues with concept albums. Sometimes the music becomes secondary to what the artist is trying to convey and the whole thing gets muddled and a too high brow or high concept. This never happens with The Electric Lady. Janelle's musicality and attention to detail shines through. The guest artists that she features on the album are there for a purpose, not just for show. Prince's feature on the track "Givin' 'Em What They Love" shows that Janelle could very well be the heir to the Purple One's throne. She struts her stuff on the funky lead single "Q.U.E.E.N" with Erykah Badu and slows things down on the sensual "Primetime" with Miguel, the latter is probably one of the best slow jams of 2013 in my opinion. All this and more leaves me breathlessly awaiting Janelle's next album. Check out the video for the infectious "Dance Apocalyptic."
6. Justin Timberlake, "The 20/20 Experience, Part 1"
JT showed that absence does make the heart grow fonder when he dropped part one of The 20/20 Experience. The first single, "Suit & Tie", was kind of an odd choice. It doesn't immediately grab you, but after a few spins you'll be on your suit & tie shit, too. The best thing about this album is that it plays like an album. So many albums are just collections of singles with filler in between and you can tell that JT is not interested in that at all. He allows the songs on the album to sprawl and envelop you. Almost every track is between 7 or 8 minutes long, but you're never bored. JT also shows that he's not afraid to experiment, case in point, "Blue Ocean Floor," the final track on the standard edition. It's like a cross between Radiohead and Bjork. Check out the video for "Mirrors."
5. Lady GaGa, "ARTPOP"
It's the muisc that matters though and on ARTPOP GaGa proves that there is still good songs to be pulled from EDM. GaGa teams with producer Zedd and frequent collaborator DJ White Shadow to produce some the best, most pure pop muisc of the year. Some of the reivews of this CD left me scratching my head. It's almost like they weren't listening to the same record that I was. GaGa really flexes her musical muscles on this album and shows that she is a connossieur of all genres. There is the psychedelic "Venus" but then there is the hard charging hip-hop of "Jewels 'N Drugs." Seriously, would you ever expect T.I, Too $hort and Twista to show up on a GaGa record. GaGa has sort of retreated from the spotlight, but after reports of her shooting a video and gearing up for her tour, I'm hoping that she emerges triumphant and more people get a chance to experience this really amazing album. Here's the video for "Applause."
4. Vampire Weekend, "Modern Vampires of the City"
With their third album, Modern Vampires of the City, the band silenced doubters and made the jump to full-fledged rock act. There is not a bad song on the record and they show a depth and maturity that we hadn't seen from them up to this point. The upbeat, ear worm-y, first single, "Diane Young" belies the semi-dark message of the lyrics. My favorite song on the record is "Unbelievers," another upbeat track about atheism and how they "will die unbelievers bound to the tracks of the train." Here is a live performance of "Unbelievers" from SNL.
3. HAIM, "Days Are Gone"
The ladies released their debut in September and proved that those raves were not hyberbole. The sound of HAIM is like Fleetwood Mac meets Shania Twain. The ladies capitalize on their obvious love for Seventies FM and modernize it. Doing this allows them to release the best debut of the year. HAIM seems to be everywhere from appearing on SNL to releasing a video for their new single, "If I Could Change Your Mind." Since I love the band so much, here is that video along with the video for their hit single, "The Wire."
2. Daft Punk, "Random Access Memories"
The whole album is a loving tribute to the music that mostly influenced EDM specifically disco and Seventies funk. The duo enlist stars of the era like Chic guitarist Nile Rodgers and Paul Williams. Pharell Williams also lends his smooth vocals to two tracks on the record. The key track on the album is a nine minute opus/tribute to one of the disco eras most prolific producers, Giorgio Moroder, on the aptly titled "Giorgio by Moroder." By revisiting their influences, Daft Punk proves that these new producers shouldn't fuck with the original. Check out the video for "Instant Crush."
1. (tie) Kanye West, "Yeezus"
Here's the thing though. When Kanye boasts, it's not really hyperbole. He really is that good and if the Queen hadn't decided to release an album all nonchalant like Kanye wouldn't be sharing the number one spot. Yeezus is just that good. It's so good that Kanye didn't need to do really any promotion. He couldn't even be bothered to put together a proper CD booklet. Seriously, it looks like someone just burned this and put it in an old case. When the music is as good as it is on Yeezus, you don't need any of those things. Songs like "Black Skinhead" and "New Slaves" are in your face in the best way. Kanye also gives us some lyrical ridiculata like the croissant line from "I Am a God." So, hate on haters, but I'll always be a Kanye fan as long as he keeps putting out music like this. Here's the dumbass video for the dope song "Bound 2."
1. Beyoncé, BEYONCÉ
This was a "visual album" with Bey releasing a video for every song on the record and what videos they were. They were sexy and thought provoking and emotional. From the album opener, "Pretty Hurts," to the closer "Blue" featuring an adorable cameo by her daughter Blue Ivy, she delivers on every single song. She gave us a pseudo sequiel to her seminal smash, "Crazy in Love," with one of the first official singles on the record, "Drunk in Love." She even out Drakes Drake on the standout "Mine." I could wax poetic on this record for paragraphs, hours, days even, but you should just listen to it if you haven't or listen to it again. Here's the video for "Drunk in Love."
So, there you have it. Finally. The top 10. Do you agree? Disagree? What was your favorite album of 2013? Let me know in the comments.
No comments:
Post a Comment