Ryan’s Albums of the Year (including my Album of the Year)

2013’s been a pretty rad year for music. We’ve seen some older bands reunite, we’ve seen mainstream journalists start to pay attention to emo music, and we’ve had a lot of pretty fantastic records drop this year. I’m gonna count down my 10 favorite albums of the year with number one being my choice for album of the year. I’m gonna be covering a few different genres, so put your seat belts on and enjoy the musical journey.

10) The Naked and Famous – In Rolling Waves 

The Naked and Famous gracefully entered the synthpop/post-punk revival scene last year with their single “Young Blood” from their debut album Passive Me, Aggressive You. After hearing that The Naked and Famous were working on a new record, I instantly became excited. PM,AY was a quality synthpop album, and In Rolling Waves is no different. Although it seems a bit toned down in the musical intensity, In Rolling Waves rivals CHVRCHES’s The Bones of What You Believe as a solid synthpop release.

Check out their single “Hearts Like Ours” here:

9) Kanye West  – Yeezus

From releasing the first song as a projection on buildings in various US cities to creating a music video parodied by James Franco and Seth Rogen, Kanye has done it all this year. Yeezus aimed to introduce a new sound in mainstream hip-hop by incorporating heavily synthesized sounds and untraditional beats. Ye’s lyrics were a bit lacking on this album, but he made up for it with killer production from the likes of Daft Punk, Hudson Mohawke, and No ID. Sure Kanye’s been stirring up a bit of controversy, but listeners can’t argue once they hear Yeezus.

Here’s his pretty frightening video for the single “BLKKK SKKKN HEAD” which features a creepy CGI Kanye:

8) Tiny Moving Parts – This Couch is Long and Full of Friendship

“I did not know what steps to take after graduating high school.”

We’ve all felt this. We can all sympathize. That’s what makes emo outfit Tiny Moving Parts’ newest album so great. It’s relatable with even the most minuscule facets of life. From songs about life in the midwest to interludes that include twinkly guitar riffs with Brett Farve’s retirement speech in the background, this album is a work of art. The off-key, generally rough vocals add to the emotion behind the lyrics to the songs.

Here’s the video for their song “Clouds Above My Head”

7) Moving Mountains – Moving Mountains

Quasi-post-rock icons Moving Mountains released their final album as a band this year, and it was a work of art. Abandoning the rash, harsh sound of their last release Waves, the new s/t venture back to the post-rock roots of Moving Mountains. Soft vocals, incredible crescendoing bridges, and ethereal guitars makes this album one of the best post-rock releases of the year.

Check out their song Apsides:

6) Melt-Banana – Fetch

Japanoise veterans Melt-Banana released a killer record this year, breaking their nearly 6 year break from recording. Fetch is a fun, noisy record full of raucous guitar riffs and high-pitched yet angry sounding vocals.

Here is the single, Candy Gun:

5) Death Grips – Government Plates

Death Grips shocked their fan base by sporadically releasing a new album on Facebook. After legal troubles following their 2012 release No Love, Deep Web, DG started their own record label so they could release their own music for free. In my opinion, Government Plates is the Grips’ best release yet.

Check it:

4) Deafheaven – Sunbather

Black metal band Deafheaven shocked music lovers with their newest release. Black metal fans hate this record due to the shoegaze/screamo elements. Regardless, this album is a fantastic metal release that incorporates ethereal, atmospheric instrumentals and post-rock length songs ranging from 6 to 15 minutes.

Here is the opening track, Dream House:

3) Danny Brown – Old

Danny Brown exploded on to the hip hop game last year with XXX. This year, Danny blew up with his new album. Featuring production from BadBadNotGood, Rustie, and SKYWLKR, Danny Brown’s Old is a hip-hop masterpiece. From honest lyrics about his drug-addled life to party bangers, this record covers everything

Here’s his song Dubstep featuring a very talented British MC:

2) The World is a Beautiful Place and I Am No Longer Afraid to Die – Whenever, If Ever

2013 was definitely the year for the genre of emo. Sure, emo’s been around for a while. But 2013 brought new light to the genre. TWIABP helped the genre’s reputation a ton with their release this year. This album is full of amazing elements including cello features, analog sounding synthesizers, and a phenomenal vocalist who brings life to the lyrics.

Here is their song Gig Life:

1) Laura Stevenson – Wheel

Laura Stevenson got her start with the ska/punk group Bomb The Music Industry! Wheel marks Stevenson’s first release as a solo act. The folk rock singer delivers a beautiful take on the genre. Her voice and lyrics blend perfectly while her background guitar riffs only add emphasis to the songs.

Here is her song The Move:

Special Bonus Section: EP of the Year

Whirr – Around

This EP from shoegaze masters Whirr delivers a powerful sound. From the fuzzy, loud guitars to the texture of the vocalist, this EP is definitive for the shoegaze genre.

Here is the title-track for Around:

Danny Brown – “Old”

 

 

Danny Brown is here and is going to change the entire hip-hop game. Yes, this is my opinion. But I think everyone will somewhat agree with me after hearing “Old.” Danny Brown’s third studio album is, in my opinion, his magnum opus. 

Danny Brown hit the scene hard with his 2011 sophomore release, “XXX.” His honest lyrics about his drug-addled life and his impoverished childhood combined with a genius flow and a unique voice add to Brown’s charm. 

“Old” has the same charm as “XXX,” but done even better. “Old” is divided into two sides being split by the songs “Side A (Old)” and “Side B (Dope Song).” Side A consists of honest songs about Danny’s childhood and drug-addled adolescence. The titular track of this side explains Danny’s impoverished life in Michigan where he was “wearin’ jackets in the house” and eating “Ramen noodles for dinner.” The other songs on Side A continue with the same theme of drugs and poverty. He describes a trip to the store to get bread that ends in a mugging in the song “Wonderbread.” He documents his family’s poverty in the song “25 Bucks” that phenomenally features Purity Ring. 

Side B begins with the Rustie-produced “Side B (Dope Song).” While Side A has some softer, slower songs, Side B is filled with bangers. The themes vary from taking drugs recreationally and the stress of Danny’s newfound fame. Producers on this side include the amazing Rustie and the well-known skywlkr. The standout track on this side, to me, would either be “Dip” or “Dubstep.” “Dip” is an all-out banger about drugs and women. Danny’s flow and unique vocal timbre make this song a fun, club-friendly banger. “Dubstep” is another banger with, you guessed it, a dubstep-style backing track. Though Danny goes hard on this song, my favorite part is the feature Danny chose for this song. English grime MC, Scrufizzer, absolutely destroyed his verse. 

All in all, this album is probably the hip-hop album of the year and a huge contender for album of the year. 

Grade: 9.5/10

Tracks to check out: “Dubstep” and “Dope Fiend Rental” Scrufizzer’s verse in “Dubstep” is phenomenal and the Schoolboy Q-featured “Dope Fiend Rental” mixes a trap beat with honest lyrics.