2013 is at a close and it is time to round up some of the best music this phenom of a year has had to offer.
I am seeing a disturbing lack of generalization in this regard so let me be the one to shout this:
2013 HAS BEEN THE GREATEST YEAR IN MUSIC IN THE LAST 3 YEARS. At least it has been for me, but I intend to make a strong case for it.
2013 has been one of those special years where seemingly every big name in music coordinated to drop some sort of new music. Consider that this is a year where Jay Z released an album that hasn't made ANYONES top ten (or 50) list. There have been releases from seemingly everyone: Justin Timberlake, Drake, Kanye West, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, My Bloody Valentine, and of course DAFT PUNK.
Still, one would be hard pressed to round off their respective Top Ten list with all these big names. 2013 provided a wealth of new talent from brand new names that often put many a better known act to shame. Little known groups like Speedy Ortiz and Chance the Rapper blew up this year holding the collective consciousness of the music world.
Still there was a huge soft spot for the old timers. Paul McCartney's NEW brought back the last relevant Beatle in a strong way. Nine Inch Nails got back together, leaving a trail of wreckage on the festival circuit when Reznor wasn't penning tributes to David Bowie (who also released a record this year- REMEMBER?)
Also, 2013 has been an interesting year for the 'Album Rollout' with many acts vying for press in every possible way. Be it Boards of Canada's cryptic digital maze or Arcade Fire's long, ambitious, exciting and, at times, aggravating guerrilla marketing; this year has been a cornerstone in the proliferation of musical adverts. (Worth noting: Beyonce's surprise release made everyone sit down and recognize.)
Below is a list of my favorite releases from this amazing year.
If you would like to listen to the longlist check out my Best of 2013 Playlist on Spotify.
Below the list are some musical highlights of mine. (que Pitchfork copycat disses - if you haven't already you only have a little while longer before 2013 is out and your jokes are stale.)
Top Ten Tracks:
(Also favorite song to Rap-along to. PS: Drake and K. Dot; please play nice. You two are amazing together.)
Guilty Pleasure of the Year: Bruno Mars- "Treasure" It's hard to not like a song that feels like Michael Jackson meets Daft Punk in H&M
Daft Jackson
Top Ten Albums
1. Disclosure - Settle
2. Chance the Rapper - Acid Rap
3. Daft Punk - RAM
4. Small Black - Limits of Desire
5. Shook- Shook
6. Kanye West- Yeezus
7. Drake - Nothing Was The Same
8. Vampire Weekend- Modern Vampires of the City
9. Arctic Monkeys - AM
10. Haim - Days Are Gone
Musical Highlights:
Bribing my way into a sold out DIIV show at the Echo. First time I ever slipped a security guard money. I recommend it. Definitely beats the hell out of paying StubHub prices.
Walking around Red Hook trying to find the Jalopy Theater listening to "Homesick" over and over and over again; not feeling the slightest bit homesick for LA.
Finding the Jalopy and being exposed to some phenomenal organic talent. Later meeting some amazing new friends that created an entirely new dynamic to NY.
Taking my brother to the Yeezus Tour. He has been sober for one year and somehow I made enough money this year to make a present of it for him. We had great tickets and throughout the night rapped at each others faces competing for who could keep up with Ye's flow. He beat me on "Cold" and some 808s songs, but I got him on the Yeezus stuff. One of my favorite nights; so proud of my brother. The best presents are the ones that allow you to experience the giftees joy firsthand and, if your lucky, take part in. He deserves it. I love you Raz.
Listening to records at Bushystock's studio. Charles has a 5 gallon bag of cassettes and forces me to take some when I stop by. I found Dummy by Portishead in there and it is still in my car stereo. I never really listened to Portishead and just knew that girls get seriously tingly when they hear that shit. I sort of get it now but I think I'm a few embryos short of truly feeling it. Suffice to say, Dummy is incredible.
Meeting James Murphy at his DJ set at Output and shaking his hand. His teddy bear smile is etched in my memory & comforts me when I feel like this is all a huge waste.
Riding the subway late at night through NY listening to Small Black as the lights in the window flickered endlessly.
Meeting the guys from Small Black and mutual reciprocating pleasantries. They are awesome guys.
Hanging out with A-Trak on his birthday at Club Lure.
No Filter.
His birthday cake was a turntable
Listening to music in my new car. I haven't had a car for 2 years and just got around with a motorcycle. I listened to full albums through earbuds squashed against my auditory cavity and my helmet (NSFLife) on the way to work since I couldn't change songs mid-ride. I sort of miss that loss of control. It forced me to really delve into what I was listening to and be picky about which artist I wanted to allow in my brain for 30-40 minutes. I do not miss my aching ears, though.
Waiting with baited breath to buy "Get Lucky" when it was released on iTunes. It is the first song I have ever bought over my phone.
Driving from work on Fridays with the Pitchfork Podcast. It is almost exactly as long as my drive home.
Disclosures show at the Summerstage in Central Park. Somehow, I wound up at their private after party at The Wall. Dancing dancing dancing. Still wrapping my head around that night.
Slow dancing in her bedroom to "Hold On We're Going Home" as the clothes piled on the floor.
Forcing my friends to listen Lil B much to their dismay. My friend saw my sister at a wedding and told her he was worried about my 'dabbling in idol worship.' Amazing.
Freelance auditioning for Rabbit's Black covering Culture Collide and subsequently getting beaten out by the far superior Marni Epstein. (First rejection of my printed work!!! It's exciting.)
Hanging out with Ghost Wave at Culture Collide. Hadn't seen them for a while and it was awesome to pick things up right where we left off.
Drunkenly trying to figure out "Everything In Its Right Place" on piano with that blonde girl from Bleached.
Witnessing the spectacle that is Death Grips at FYF. As well as getting my ears blown off by My Bloody Valentine.
Cooking to Toro Y Moi every Sunday.
Watching Shut Up and Play The Hits on Netflix 2 days in a row.
Every Kanye West Interview.
Falling in lust with a panther rug while dancing barefoot to Darius' "Maliblue" in a high rise apartment in Alphabet City.
Having Lil B follow me on Twitter.
Interacting with some of my favorite writers over Twitter.
Putting on Disclosure's Settle at a friends birthday party and just letting it play over and over and over front to back. It had just been released on Soundcloud as a limited promotion or something, so few people had heard it. Everyone just kept on dancing and dancing.
The best highlight of this year, though has to be starting this here blog. Thank you for everyone's support and to the artists on twitter that sent me stuff to listen to and making me feel
Like a real boy (courtesy of Riff Raff's Instagram)
Till next year!
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