Another year bites the dust, so it’s time to make a list, check it twice, and dish on the naughty and nice music of the year. For the sake of your connection, I have split the countdown up into two parts. Even a voracious music addict like me can’t hear everything. Let me know what I missed in the comments.
“Casino Lisboa” Dirty Beaches
Slinky bass writhes through sleazy atmosphere as Alex Zhang Hungtai stalks the seedy, smoky halls of Casino Lisboa.
“Before We Run” Yo La Tengo
Every new album from these old school indie rockers is like a hug from an old friend. Snuggle up to the warm, gentle first single.
“Wedding Song” Yeah Yeah Yeahs
This powerful, gorgeous track, which Karen O sang to her hubby upon getting hitched, pulses with dreamy romance and builds to a gushing climax.
“Monomania” Deerhunter
Bradford Cox channels his obsessive longing through dissonance and bile on this repetitious guitar freakout.
“Never Run Away (Single Edit)” Kurt Vile
The first single and best track off the excellent Walkin on a Pretty Daze is a dreamy, hippy-dippy love song slathered in Vile’s signature haze and features gorgeous strings not on the album version.
“Do What You Want” Lady Gaga ft. R Kelly
Gag’s knack for melody finally meets an ultra-modern sounding track sent from dance heaven and Kelly adds just the right amount of sexy sleaze.
“Hello Stranger” Julia Holter
Holter takes Barbara Lewis’ original and turns it into an elegantly symphonic, slow-burning comet across the sky.
“Help Me Lose My Mind” Disclosure ft. London Grammar
The best track from this over-hyped dance duo is this propulsive, hypnotic thumper featuring the wonderful, hefty vocals of duo London Grammar’s Hanna Reid.
“Childhood’s End” Majical Cloudz
The passing of time and all of its crimes are what this gorgeous ballad from the deep, elegant voice of Devon Welsh is all about.
“Retrograde” James Blake
The brooding, ambient R&B of husky voiced James Blake is a sad, sexy, and submersive experience.
Thanks for reading. Happy New Year! Keep a lookout for part 2.
This article appears in December 27 • 2013.