Aids' 2013: Albums Of The Year
I usually wait until like February to decide on my favourites of the year but
oh man who cares? It's only sputnik right? Top 90 ish is my favourite LPs,
in order, and then I shoved some dope EPs at the end (most of which are
dubstep tee hee). Happy new year everybody, smoke weed every day. |
| 100 |  | Lapalux
Without You
[100-88: EPs of the year, not in order] The LP was just ok but this release was
awesome. |
| 99 |  | ASA
Arcane
dubstep is rarely this emotional |
| 98 |  | Killawatt
Press On/Tantra
up there with V.I.V.E.K for favourite dubstep releases of the year |
| 97 |  | Biome
Spawned
Biome is always great. He put out a lot this year, but this was my favourite. |
| 96 |  | The History Of Gunpowder
Time's Teeth
RIYL "real" music |
| 95 |  | Quadrupede
Quadrupede
beards |
| 94 |  | Burial
Rival Dealer
the plot thickens |
| 93 |  | Kahn
Kahn
I love rapping with dubstep/grime |
| 92 |  | Kryptic Minds
Namaste
Badman VIP is too good |
| 91 |  | Jafu
No More
pretty-step |
| 90 |  | iNTRiKeT
Shut Your Eyes/Underneath
Frazee-fraze was busy in 2013 but this is probably my favourite of the EPs he
produced this year. He's expanding on his atmospheric bass-y sound brilliantly.
[insert some british lingo here m8, big ups, this wan, choon!!!] |
| 89 |  | Wolf Thief
Deprivation
A marvelous EP made by my friend, which was turned into a short film by two other
friends of mine. Solid stuff all around, watch the film here
http://vimeo.com/79438965 |
| 88 |  | V.I.V.E.K
Asteroids/Over My Head
my favourite short-player of the year. Deep dubstep is alive and well. |
| 87 |  | Polyenso
One Big Particular Loop
[this is the start of the LP list] |
| 86 |  | Comadre
Comadre
these guys may be finished with the music game but you can still hit them up on
their celly-cell |
| 85 |  | Blood Orange
Cupid Deluxe
I wish this had more rapping. |
| 84 |  | A Wilhelm Scream
Partycrasher
Nowhere near the level of Career Suicide for me but a fun listen nonetheless. |
| 83 |  | Depth Connection
Different Waves
one day I will legally purchase and consume marijuana while hanging out with
Tanner and watching him play a set |
| 82 |  | The Wonder Years
The Greatest Generation
If only this band's fans weren't endlessly annoying I'd probably like this more. I
thought the previous album was quite a bit better though. Also I hate this album's
title (man I'm negative today). |
| 81 |  | Disclosure
Settle
thrust that pelvis dog, get your ass into it. that dancefloor aint gonna destroy itself. |
| 80 |  | Tyler Brown
The Hollows
this guy likes Bon Iver I'm pretty sure |
| 79 |  | The Knife
Shaking the Habitual
I'm so beta for this being so low on my list. Sorry team. |
| 78 |  | Foals
Holy Fire
I CAN'T GET ENOUGH....
SPACE |
| 77 |  | Janelle Monae
The Electric Lady
I wish I liked this album more but it's definitely great. |
| 76 |  | Data Romance
Other
"The XX, if The XX bumped" |
| 75 |  | Haim
Days Are Gone
Adam "chorus porn" Downer |
| 74 |  | Youth Lagoon
Wondrous Bughouse
very bughouse
such wonder
wow |
| 73 |  | Frank Turner
Tape Deck Heart
Apparently he's covering Plea From A Cat Named Virtute soon. Careful! |
| 72 |  | Jake Bellows
New Ocean
do you ever check out your favourite artist's favourite recrods? This is Laura
Stevenson's favourite album of the year and wouldn't you know it's pretty good.
Kind of simple but touching at parts. |
| 71 |  | bansheebeat
Spiral Power
protip: listen to this while you play pokemon and you are guaranteed to catch them all |
| 70 |  | John Lithgoat
Who Gives a Fuck Nowhere
Steven Farmer making a strong showing this year |
| 69 |  | ASAP Rocky
LongLiveA$AP
(beast) |
| 68 |  | Rosie June
Listening Post
the word "lush" |
| 67 |  | Zomby
With Love
Disappointing but still excellent. |
| 66 |  | Polica
Shulamith
Disappointing but still excellent. |
| 65 |  | Yamantaka // Sonic Titan
Uzu
Disappointing but still excellent. |
| 64 |  | Mr.-Muthafuckin-eXquire
Kismet
album artwork of the year by a country mile, don't even attempt to argue that it isn't |
| 63 |  | Deltron 3030
Event II
underrated cause everyone was actually thinking they could replicate their classic |
| 62 |  | Sed Non Satiata
Mappo
french people screaming |
| 61 |  | Majical Cloudz
Impersonator
I like this album significantly less than I like Ali Ashoor. |
| 60 |  | Dirty Beaches
Drifters/Love Is The Devil
dirty cause of oil spills? or..... No Enbridge, right? Pretty sure that's what this album
is about. |
| 59 |  | Mister Lies
Mowgli
always tell the truth kids, play safe |
| 58 |  | Nails
Abandon All Life
sometimes I listen to non-pussy shit, who knew |
| 57 |  | Moderat
II
me me |
| 56 |  | Thundercat
Apocalypse
This wouldn't be on my list if not for Heartbreaks + Setbacks which is one of the
best fukkkkn songs I've ever heard. I really wish I liked Thundercat more but he's
just not my jam. I like him a lot and respect the shit out of him, but it's not my cup
of tea. I mean it is, but it's like the person making my tea asked me if I wanted
milk and I said no but they put milk in it anyway. It /is/ my cup of tea but I'm not
100% about it you feel me? |
| 55 |  | Deafheaven
Sunbather
"Sunbather is too low!!!" No, no it isn't. I like this album. It is my 55th favourite
LP of the year. I have place it at #55 on my list. Good day. |
| 54 |  | Emika
DVA
yo dubstep is tyte tho |
| 53 |  | Capacities
There Is No Neutral
"sometimes screamo is still good blahblahblah" |
| 52 |  | Tim Hecker
Virgins
I haven't gotten as into this one as Ravedeath, at least not yet. |
| 51 |  | Eluvium
Nightmare Ending
perfect music for napping, which I realize makes it sound boring or something but
it's not |
| 50 |  | Johnny Good
Fear
Johnny "loves top 10 lists" Good. Also this is my friend's album and it's damn good
so give it a listen please. Massive choruses, beautiful harmonies, soulful music. He's
really good at using loops too, check out this video http://vimeo.com/69436979 |
| 49 |  | The World is a Beautiful Place...
Whenever, If Ever
I love that album cover. All nostalgic n shit. |
| 48 |  | Yo La Tengo
Fade
really though you don't need "yo" for that sentence to make sense yo |
| 47 |  | Arcade Fire
Reflektor
Once upon a time, Chan said I looked like a greasier Win Butler. I was not thrilled. |
| 46 |  | My Bloody Valentine
m b v
my shoes are red I love looking at them |
| 45 |  | Troubled Medium
CAN U FEEL IT???
Can you? |
| 44 |  | Friendzone
DX
If you use the term "friend zone" in real life then you probably also watch The Big
Bang Theory and get in comment battles on youtube. Hey also this album's good. |
| 43 |  | Beyonce
Beyonce
changed my life (with regards to how I perform oral sex) |
| 42 |  | Okkervil River
The Silver Gymnasium
Robin "4.5/5" Smith |
| 41 |  | Black Milk
No Poison No Paradise
I hope I never go to Detroit ever but they've got some good rappers!! |
| 40 |  | Queens of the Stone Age
...Like Clockwork
best QOTSA since Songs for The Deaf |
| 39 |  | Maya Jane Coles
Comfort
I want to go out just once in my life and hear music like this all night. I'd be all
about clubbing if this is what was played while I got my intoxication on. |
| 38 |  | Chance The Rapper
Acid Rap
soooo I thought this was just alright then I got really drunk and saw him live and
yeah now I love it. burnholes in my memories, my homies think it's dank. |
| 37 |  | Geskia!
Silent of Light
are you I enough for this DM?? |
| 36 |  | Sigur Ros
Kveikur
drums again, yes! |
| 35 |  | Boards of Canada
Tomorrow's Harvest
copyright infringement on this band name yo I'm pissed. hmu canadians we need to
take this shit to the courts. (sorry) |
| 34 |  | James Blake
Overgrown
Why did Ali not put this on his 2013 list? Your reason made no sense you wonderful
weirdo. |
| 33 |  | Shugo Tokumaru
In Focus?
was on my 2012 list as well but I'm sneaking this in on a technicality |
| 32 | | Boris
Praparat
guaranteed this will fuck up the artwork on my beautiful list. gonna try without the
umlaut (?) over the first a, wish me luck. thanks guys. |
| 31 |  | The Front Bottoms
Talon of the Hawk
Adam "doesn't like The Daily Mail" Knott |
| 30 |  | The Dodos
Carrier
Rudy "my facebook comments get mad likes" Klapper |
| 29 |  | And So I Watch You From Afar
All Hail Bright Futures
I miss when everyone loved this band. This album is comparable to their first one
for sure, I don't understand the backlash. |
| 28 |  | Old Man Markley
Down Side Up
get your ire on, but also have a hoe-down cause yolo |
| 27 |  | Var
No One Dances Quite Like My Brothers
Joseph "even Aids would like this" McGlone |
| 26 |  | Suuns
Images Du Futur
Music won't save you. |
| 25 |  | Swearin'
Surfing Strange
Waxahatchee is betterrrrr, nice try other Crutchfield sister. |
| 24 |  | Phaeleh
Tides
Dubstep is tight. Bristol is tight. Phaeleh is tight. |
| 23 |  | Thriftworks
Terry - D
free on bandcamp get all up in it, kinda like FlyLo I suppose |
| 22 |  | Streetlight Manifesto
The Hands That Thieve
Oh my god, I will hold my tongue and I'll breathe easily, if anyone can say with any
sort of certainty that there is something to believe. |
| 21 |  | Pusha T
My Name Is My Name
http://25.media.tumblr.com/b09795847cdf3689db022b1ef7300641/tumblr_mqi63hYv
rS1qztvpwo1_r1_500.gif , he puts numbers on the boards |
| 20 |  | Justin Timberlake
The 20/20 Experience
I swear to god if I see anyone holding the wall I'm gonna lose my shit. |
| 19 |  | Frightened Rabbit
Pedestrian Verse
good job Scotland, you did it |
| 18 |  | Dean Blunt
The Redeemer
this album makes me wish I made music. I don't really know what that means but
at the same time I do woahhhhh mannnnnnn this is sum guuuuuud weeeeeeed |
| 17 |  | Jon Hopkins
Immunity
this guy put on probably the "best" electronic performance I've ever seen. Like,
Flying Lotus was a better show (in my opinion), but this guy's hands never stop
moving. He made my DJ-hating friend a believer. Also, this album hey? It's all
good and shit. |
| 16 |  | Basia Bulat
Tall Tall Shadow
Basia is an incredible artist and should have more fans. Amazing singer, immensely
talented multi-instrumentalist, beautiful lyrics, and a great performer. |
| 15 |  | Captain, We're Sinking
The Future Is Cancelled
John "Terrible Middle Names" Hanson |
| 14 |  | The National
Trouble Will Find Me
they took a noticeable step down in quality with this one, but who woulda known?
they still rule |
| 13 |  | Julia Holter
Loud City Song
ferry rides |
| 12 |  | Neko Case
The Worse Things Get, the Harder I Fight...
sleeper hit of the year (aka I am dumb for not listening to this shit ages ago) |
| 11 |  | Sorrow (UK)
Dreamstone
bass you guys, bass |
| 10 |  | Autechre
Exai
drugs you guys, drugs |
| 9 |  | Shad
Flying Colours
Shad should be world famous. |
| 8 |  | Oneohtrix Point Never
R Plus Seven
One of my roommates asked me if I'd heard of/liked this album. I was like BRO one
of my favourite of the year. He hated it. I was pissed but we worked it out
everybody. Don't worry guys, don't worry. |
| 7 |  | The Flaming Lips
The Terror
in Wayne we trust |
| 6 |  | Waxahatchee
Cerulean Salt
simple, heartbreaking, brilliant |
| 5 |  | Bonobo
The North Borders
This guy gets better which each release. At this rate his next album's gonna be
6/5. Know You - come on, shit bangs. |
| 4 |  | Run The Jewels
Run The Jewels
You know why Run The Jewels was Walter White's favourite album of 2013?
Chemistry. (oh my god that was awful, apologies) RTJ2 is gonna rule so hard
though cause they'll actually be trying. This was essentially a 30 minute free
mixtape (bustling with bonafide gold, mine you) that was produced "just for fun". So
when they get back in the studio and go through the proper motions for producing
a full LP, shit's gonna pop off. ps. A Christmas Fucking Miracle is so good that I
want to cry. check that: I did cry. Many times. Hold me. |
| 3 |  | Lorde
Pure Heroine
I hate trying to justify why I like Lorde so much, so I think I'm gonna not even
bother. I'll just say that, like most of you, I often find myself at odds with the
mainstream music community and what gets pimped out on the radio, so when an
artist comes along that actually seems genuine and refreshing, I'm all about it. I
don't believe in guilty pleasures (see: my unabashed love for Call Me Maybe last
year), but yeah I still always seem to have to do a bit of extra work to justify Pure
Heroine as a good album. The lyrics are refreshing (hardly "never been done", but
very welcome in the world of increasingly unimaginative mainstream acts), her voice
is amazing, and the production is handled tastefully. A minimalist approach is
employed expertly to allow Lorde's voice to shine (rightfully so) over pulsing bass
tones and an aesthetic that falls somewhere between hip-hop and indie-pop. To
me, this is what more mainstream artists should aspire to sound like. It's fucking
ear candy and I honestly kind of feel sorry for anyone who doesn't enjoy this
glorious piece of pop on the same level as me. |
| 2 |  | Danny Brown
Old
Old sees my long-troubled relationship finally come full circle. At long last I have
learned to embrace all the tropes that used to grate me, and Danny Brown is to
thank for that. Thanks to his clever trickery, I find myself relating to stories about
life on the streets, slinging crack, getting mugged. It's because he frames it with
more relatable themes like struggling to live up to one's potential and anxiety. It's a
very human listening experience and one of the more unique approaches to lyricism
in quite some time. The Side A/Side B dichotomy is definitely one of the things that
makes this album so special, and the skill in which he executes the separation of
the two deserves ample praise. Unique delivery, gripping and relatable lyricism, and
some of the "biggest" sounds of the year (Smokin and Drinkin omg): Old is a glorious
success. |
| 1 |  | Laura Stevenson
Wheel
This will shortly become my favourite album of all-time (I'm waiting until it's been
out for a few years to make this declaration cause loving a new release so much is
not allowed round these parts). It's strikingly honest and self-effacing and speaks
to me more deeply and frankly than any other album I have ever heard. I loved Sit
Resist and was anticipating this album heavily so that by the time it came out I was
ready to go into full-blown obsession mode. I listened to virtually nothing else for
months; this album worked its way into the deepest recesses of my mind. I know it
like the back of my hand now, every lyric, every guitar riff, everything. It was
released at the perfect time for me to be receptive to it: I was deep in a transition
phase in March, tentatively stepping away from a long-standing depression and
cynical attitude towards my surroundings. After Sit Resist, Laura Stevenson
seemed ready to re-focus her bleak outlook, and Wheel sees her succeed with
flying colours. The world is fucked, absolutely and unquestionably, but we may as
well enjoy what little time we have left. Is the sadness any less real? Is impending
doom any less frightening? Absolutely not, but when we do ourselves a disservice
by letting fear control out lives. The world keeps spinning, just like the wheel,
whether we huddle in our lonely corners or we go experience life to the fullest, and
Wheel is the musical realization of that wonderful, inspiring truth. |
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