2013: The Year In Music

2013 – Horse meat is found in supermarket products. Alex Ferguson steps down as Manchester United manager after twenty-six years. Andy Murray wins Wimbledon. Couples of the same sex are given the right to marry in the UK. Nelson Mandela passes away at age 95. Some big things happened in the world … so let’s see if the music was monumental too!

I’ll be looking at the popular and highest-rated songs / albums of the year, giving my opinions on their musicality and longevity as well as an overall verdict for the year as a whole.

Before we begin, you can check out some of my related blog posts below:

Billboard Top 10 (Popular) Singles

Source: Wikipedia

10 – Roar (Katy Perry)

One of my worst school memories was having to sing “Roar” with some other classmates in front of the whole school. Thanks a lot, Katy Perry.

It’s very cheesy and forgettable. And it traumatised me.

9 – Cruise (Florida Georgia Line feat. Nelly)

A remix of Florida Georgia Line’s country-tinged original. I don’t know if that makes it better or worse.

8 – When I Was Your Man (Bruno Mars)

I have a feeling Bruno Mars is going to be a beacon of hope in the years to come. He’s the only guy apparently who can still consistently make good Pop tunes.

It’s slow and heartfelt. I forgot that “When I Was Your Man” was exclusively piano and vocals – a nice touch in this over-produced age of music.

7 – Just Give Me a Reason (P!nk feat. Nate Ruess)

“Just Give Me a Reason” was one of my favourite songs of the year at the time – probably because Nate Ruess from Fun was one of my favourite singers.

It’s another slower ballad, but with some thumping drums. Their vocals work so well together.

6 – Mirrors (Justin Timberlake)

After a few years without any hits, Justin Timberlake came out with probably the best hit of the year.

“Mirrors” is the kind of melancholic melodrama I can get behind.

5 – Can’t Hold Us (Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Ray Dalton)

Not their most famous effort, but it’s probably the best Macklemore & Ryan Lewis song.

It’s a fun-loving party anthem.

4 – Harlem Shake (Baauer)

Oh yeah. I forgot about this trend. Bit of a weird trend, in hindsight, but I suppose the internet will always work in mysterious ways.

“Harlem Shake” is a standard Techno / Dubstep track which has been made funny over time.

3 – Radioactive (Imagine Dragons)

I love that initial drop and how monumental and bass-y it sounds. The rest of “Radioactive” is quite cheesy.

2 – Blurred Lines (Robin Thicke feat. T.I. and Pharrell Williams)

There’s a fair bit of controversy surrounding Robin Thicke, the song’s lyrics, the sample it uses and the music video (so everything about it, basically) … but can we all agree that the song itself is catchy?

I can’t help but sway to the infectious rhythms. Even if Pharrell’s background whoops are annoying as hell.

1 – Thrift Shop (Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Wanz)

“Thrift Shop” was the perfect blend of humorous / cheeky lyrics and a strong backbone of a beat, and at the time I loved it.

… It’s a bit tacky, looking back on it.

FAVOURITE – “Mirrors” (Justin Timberlake)

LEAST FAVOURITE – “Cruise” (Florida Georgia Line feat. Nelly)

Top-Rated Songs

Source: http://www.besteveralbums.com

10 – Get Lucky (Daft Punk)

There were so many songs from “Random Access Memories” that could’ve made this top ten, all of which are probably better musically than “Get Lucky” … but I’d be lying if I said this song wasn’t extremely catchy.

It was everywhere back in 2013. Pharrell’s vocals hit that sweet spot, and the Post-Disco style made the whole world dance.

9 – Cocoa Butter Kisses (Chance The Rapper feat. Vic Mensa & Twista)

… Why is this one of the highest-rated songs of the year?

“Cocoa Butter Kisses” sounds like a parody. Chance the Rapper’s lazed style doesn’t work for me.

8 – Do I Wanna Know? (Arctic Monkeys)

I thought critics hated “AM”, so I was surprised to see “Do I Wanna Know?” on this top ten.

It’s a fantastic, kinda downbeat start to the album. That guitar riff is one of the most recognisable of the decade.

7 – Retrograde (James Blake)

Quite a nice but unconventional song. I was expecting a ballad but “Retrograde” is an RnB wall of noise.

6 – Afterlife (Arcade Fire)

Arcade Fire always make such simple, rousing songs. In this era in particular they use Electronic sounds to maximum effect.

“Afterlife” is a lovely tune near the end of the “Reflektor” album. It’s catchy and it doesn’t overstay its welcome.

I’m a little salty that “We Exist” from the same album didn’t make the top ten. That song is fire.

5 – Chum (Earl Sweatshirt)

I love it when a rapper pours their heart and soul into their lyrics, and few songs of the year have been as affecting as “Chum”.

Earl Sweatshirt wears his upbringing and self-depreciation on his sleeve.

4 – Black Skinhead (Kanye West)

Those growling synths blew my mind back in the day.

“Black Skinhead” is a fearless, head-on approach to racism in America. Kanye West doesn’t hold back at all with the production and lyrics.

3 – Step (Vampire Weekend)

There was a time in my life when I had “Step” on repeat almost every day. Even now as I’m listening to it again, I’m hit with such a wonderful wave of nostalgia.

At the time, I liked it for its odd phrasings and unique production. That love has only grown over time – Vampire Weekend prove to be one of the most innovative bands of their era.

2 – Reflektor (Arcade Fire)

For as highly-rated as the song “Reflektor” is, I’m surprised the album of the same name didn’t make the top five albums of the year. Oh, spoilers.

It’s a brilliant opening song for the album – it’s oddly unsettling and it’s quite the earworm.

1 – I Appear Missing (Queens Of The Stone Age)

Great riffs, fascinating lyrics. “I Appear Missing” is a modern Rock classic.

BEST SONG OF 2013 – “Step” (Vampire Weekend)

Top-Rated Albums

Source: http://www.besteveralbums.com

5 – …Like Clockwork (Queens Of The Stone Age)

Dark, insidious, impactful … “…Like Clockwork” is a triumph of a Rock album in an era where Rock is being left by the wayside.

“Keep Your Eyes Peeled” is an excellent opener, “I Sat By The Ocean” is the hit, “If I Had a Tail” is a darker groove, “My God Is The Sun” is a mid-album banger, “Smooth Sailing” shakes things up billiantly, and “I Appear Missing” is the crown jewel of the album.

I’m surprised this album is only fifth in the ranking. It has a good shout at being the best of the year.

4 – Yeezus (Kanye West)

Kanye is back at it again with another ambitious album – this time with rough production unlike anything he’s done before.

The highlights for me are “Black Skinhead” and “Bound 2”. The rest is fine but not my favourite of Kanye’s discography.

3 – Random Access Memories (Daft Punk)

“Random Access Memories” used to be one of my favourite albums. In hindsight it’s not as strong as say “Discovery”, but I still think it’s even better than people give it credit for.

“Giorgio by Moroder”, “Instant Crush”, “Lose Yourself to Dance”, “Touch”, “Get Lucky” and “Doin’ it Right” are all songs I infrequently play over a decade later. It’s Dance, Electronica and Post-Disco at their best.

2 – AM (Arctic Monkeys)

Again, I’m surprised to see “AM” make the cut for best albums. I knew it was a fan-favourite but I thought it would be critically panned.

I love tracks like “Do I Wanna Know?”, “R U Mine?”, “Arabella” and especially “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?”. Every song is at least passable, which in itself is an achievement.

1 – Modern Vampires Of The City (Vampire Weekend)

I really liked Vampire Weekend’s debut album for how fresh and different it was compared to other albums that year. “Modern Vampires Of The City” is more of the same, for better or worse.

“Step” is still absolutely my favourite Vampire Weekend song, and other songs like “Unbelievers” and “Diane Young” kept me on my toes. The album tails off a bit in the second half.

BEST ALBUM OF 2013 – “Random Access Memories” (Daft Punk)

Final Thoughts

Some really solid stuff this year. The hits could be cheesy but enjoyable, and the high-rated songs and albums hit the spot.

Overall Grade: B+

Aaaaand that’s my list! You can check out some of my latest blog posts below: