You only 2013 once, so let’s celebrate the best 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. Part 1 can be found here.
“Here Again” Factory Floor
Regular readers know that repetition of a good groove is one of my favorite musical qualities. Factory Floor takes post-punk and Kraftwerk, dips them in ice, and meld them into hypnotic industrial trances.
“We Are a Payphone” Califone
Not many people know about the fractured, creative americana of Califone. This weary, haggardly beautiful track is a great introduction to their warped, experimental folk.
“We Hit a Wall” Chelsea Wolfe
This goth chanteuse belts through the darkness and through massive, cavernous piano and drums to exquisitely moan about love.
“Come Walk With Me” M.I.A
Maya’s album was delayed due to “too much positivity,” but it’s great to hear her having fun again on this sunny, upbeat banger.
“Bank Head” Kingdom ft. Kelela
From out of nowhere, newcomer Kelela surprised and impressed everyone with her free mixtape Cut 4 Me. This sultry, slightly warped post-R&B track produced by Kingdom is an excellent showcase for one of the most exciting new vocalists out this year.
“Stoned and Starving” Parquet Courts
High Times meets Pavement on a grungy ode to wandering aimlessly in search of adventure and munchies.
“XO” Beyonce
Romance, atmospheric synths, and a reggaeton beat blend for an exquisite, dreamy love song that is one of her best.
“Crawling on Bruised Knees” Pharmakon
Margaret Chardiet bleats over her noisy black angel’s death song to call upon the four horsemen of the apocalypse.
“Afterlife” Arcade Fire
James Murphy adds some much needed detail and new sounds after the dull The Suburbs. Here Arcade Fire continue to spread their melancholy sound over a Blondie beat like their last album’s best track “Sprawl II.”
“Full Of Fire” The Knife
On Shaking the Habitual, this Swedish electronic duo came back more fierce and jagged then ever. This highlight shakes, rattles, and rolls to jagged, intense heights.
This article appears in 2013.