Top Albums of 2013

Frightened Rabbit – Pedestrian Verse

This is one of those albums that you can listen to and not have to pull out your phone to skip a song or two because they’re all great. Its gets pretty mellow in parts but the whole thing is really well written.
My Favourites – “The Oil Slick”, “The Woodpile”, “State Hospital”.
 
Chvrches – The Bones of What We Believe

This was their debut album and some of the catchiest music of the year. There are a lot of synthpop bands now a days but Chvrches sounds completely different because of their huge driving synth riffs, poppy melodies and Lauren Mayberry’s attitude when she sings.
My Favourites – “Night Sky”, “Recover”, “Gun”, “The Mother We Share”.
 
Arcade Fire – Reflektor

Arcade Fire have a reputation of being a little pompous and when you read about Reflektor’s influences before listening to it, it might come off that same old high and mighty way. The Haitian dance influences worked perfectly though showing how nice it is when Arcade Fire doesn’t take themselves overly serious.
My Favourites – “Afterlife”, “It’s Never Over (Oh Orpheus)”, “Normal Person”.
 

Top Songs of 2013

Broken Bells – Holding on For Life

This song makes me look forward to the new Broken Bells album in February. The whole song is pretty simple musically but still has a huge disco sound. Also anytime James Mercer does falsetto is a win in my books.
 
Chvrches – The Mother We Share

This is headphones music. All the layers and musicality come together perfectly with Lauren Mayberry’s voice and melody. Perfect song to start with if you haven’t listened to Chvrches before.
 
Royal Canoe – Exodus of the Year

This band is so new they don’t even have a Wikipedia page yet. They released their first full length earlier this year and Exodus of the Year is such an interesting, unique, complex song all the way through. It’s worth looking up a live version just to get a full appreciation. I’ve listened to it about 100 times therefore it makes my list.