Our Favourite Records of the Year That Was

As is customary, be it in conversation with friends or more formal list form, the end of the year means it’s time to reflect upon the music that was released and try to sort out which was ‘best,’ ‘worst,’ ‘overrated,’
etc.
There were a few records that came out among much hype, and really fascinating marketing campaigns, but we feel fell a bit short as far as actual musical content was concerned. Of course, few things are as subjective and relative as taste in music, but here is a list of some of our favourite releases of 2013….in no particular order, apart from alphabetical.

Atoms for Peace, AMOK~ Is there really anything to say apart from the ever-eloquent “duh?” Nigel Godrich is brilliant. Always. Thom Yorke is Thom Yorke. Flea is incredible and finally finds himself in a band that isn’t awful, Joey Waronker is finally getting proper recognition as an incredible drummer, and Mauro Refosco is continually proving that amazing sounds can in fact be made with instruments, not just computers.
AMOK, the first actual album by AFP, is what you’d think it would be, given the parties involved. It’s slightly reminiscent of Radiohead’s The King of Limbs, but mostly in terms of Godrich and Yorke and their fearlessness when it comes to making sounds that shouldn’t work, work.

Chvrches, The Bones of What You Believe~ We fully expect to get some flack for this, but we don’t care. Chvrches are fun to listen to and Lauren Mayberry has a lovely voice. The album pays homage to 80’s synth without copying any particular artist or style and sometimes it’s nice to listen to a record that isn’t about climate change, the world ending, or starving puppies.

Daft Punk, Random Access Memories~ Perhaps the most polarizing release of 2013, Daft Punk’s latest effort proved to be very much a LOVE/HATE affair. We love! It’s a fun record that, at times, gets a little disco-y, but all the while remains a Daft Punk record. Get Lucky was the anthem of the summer (that wasn’t about misogyny and, arguably, rape..ah hem, Robin Thicke) and it’s place in the hearts of fans was solidified when Stephen Colbert performed a star studded lip sync version of the song this past August.

The Dismemberment Plan, Uncanney Valley~ 2013 gave us the first Dismemberment Plan album in twelve years! While the band may have wanted to take a little time apart to have lives, fans were frothing at the mouth in anticipation of a new D Plan record..and they gave us one! In their efforts to promote Uncanney Valley, the band made their debut on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, where they performed Daddy Was a Real Good Dancer, which aired during the broadcast, as well as Invincible, which was offered up as a bonus video on the Late Night With Jimmy Fallon web site.

Natalie Nicole Gilbert, Slip of the Tongue~ This year brought the introduction of our Artists We Love feature, and Natalie Nicole Gilbert was the first artist we featured!
We became acquainted with this album, and its singer, via the Grammy member’s social media site, and are ever grateful that we did. Perhaps the most mellow and non-commcercial of our favourites, Slip of the Tongue is simply exquisite from beginning to end. The album is great background and/or accompaniment music for any number of moods and situations and, if you haven’t yet listened to and purchased it, do so. NOW.

The Head and the Heart, Let’s Be Still~ Probably the most continually lilting of our picks, Let’s Be Still is an absolutely enchanting record. Quite simply, it’s a mostly acoustic based collection of relatable songs about love, life, and loss, The Head and the Heart’s only gimmick seems to be a lack of one. They make no proclamations or gestures of grandiosity, they just play their music and hope people want to listen. This record shows considerable growth since the band’s 2009 debut, and gives each of the band members the chance to showcase their talents at various moments in each track. Even during its most ‘synth’ and percussive moments, Let’s Be Still maintains a cohesive sound and atmosphere.

Keaton Henson, Birthdays~ The most melancholy of our selections, Birthdays, breaks your heart a little more with each track. Henson’s vocal delivery leaves listeners feeling he’s a mere syllable away from tears at any given moment, which shows a sincerity and vulnerability most artists are terrified to expose. The most haunting track is ‘You,’ which features one of the most heartbreaking song lyrics ever; “If you must die sweetheart, die knowing your life was my life’s best part.”

Lorde, Pure Heroine~ Another selection we expect to get some hate mail, or, at the very least ‘Are you serious?‘ mail for. Yes, it became a very commercial album, but not because it really should have been. This isn’t the token bubblegum banality that normally rests among the palate of mass market music consumers; it’s darker and slightly more cabaret than the regurgitated fare of Katy Perry and her ilk. Lorde sold albums by being an amazing singer, of all things. That and the curiosity of a public who don’t readily believe a teenager can sing or write songs of substance. We’re happy she proved otherwise.

Laura Mvula, Sing to the Moon~ Laura Mvula’s soul/jazz/pop infused record is incredible. Her voice is stunning, her songs powerful, and her commercial success in the UK gives a glimmer of hope that perhaps we’re crossing a threshold which will allow true talent to win out over shtick and savvy marketing campaigns. Riding on the success of Sing to the Moon in the UK, Ms. Mvula began to gain notoriety in America and toured the States this past autumn. She also performed a flawless rendition of ‘She‘ on The Today Show.
The coming year will see more US tour dates so be sure to check her out!

Noughts and Exes, Noughts and Exes~ If we were to select a favourite favourite album of the year, this would definitely be in strong contention. The album serves as proof that American music listeners pay closer attention to whatever it is Live Nation and ClearChannel force feed them than they do to really well made music performed by really talented musicians (i.e; It should be a multiplatinum record but isn’t). The songs on this eponymous offering are just as melodic and whimsical as fans expect them to be, but show a more mature band who are willing to continually practice, always understanding that learning shouldn’t end for musicians.
The video for debut single ‘Hearts’ is footage of the first ever flashmob in Hong Kong’s Times Square. The band worked with over fifty of the most influential indie artists in Hong Kong music to perform the track and the video has received much acclaim worldwide.