25.) DARKSIDE- Psychic
Nicholas Jaar made the best decision of his career when he decided to collaborate with Dave Harrington for this album. Thanks to Dave's precise guitar playing, there's a welcome layer of pop harmony within the dark ambient washes of sound and texture. It's an accessible foray into the world of microhouse with a personal and unique flair.
24.) Kvelertak- Meir
If it ain't broke don't fix it. At least that's what black metal giants Kvelertak thought as they recorded their follow up to one of the best metal records in recent memory. Blistering riffs, booming drums, and those classic scratchy harsh vocals are still all there. A must-listen for any metal fan.
23.) Deafheaven- Sunbather
Hipster black metal is back, and more emotional than ever. Deafheaven alternate between echoic black metal and slow post-rock movements on their new LP off of Deathwish Records. While the slower instrumental movements sometimes leave something to be desired, the great drumming and strong vocal and guitar presences make this both a novel and worthwhile listen.
22.) Future of the Left- How to Stop Your Brain in An Accident
Noise-rockers Future of the Left honestly flew a little under the radar when they released this album. It's their most conventional album to date, but it's odd-time signatures and meaty-yet-empty guitar timbres keep it interesting. According to a random Youtube commentor: "It's like Queen on crack".
21.) The Underachievers- Indigoism
The Underachievers haven't lived up to their name, because they definetely overachieved with their debut mixtape. They're psychedelic influences drew Flying Lotus' attention, so they should probably draw yours.
20.) The Flaming Lips- The Terror
The Flaming Lips don't like to stay in place, but The Terror seems like an appropriate step from the krautrocky jam-heavy masterpiece Embryonic. Spaced out, loopy, and dark, The Terror lives up to its name in an unexpected way.
19.) Ka- The Night's Gambit
Jagged, intense, and emotional. The extremely poetic Ka's release The Night's Gambit is a perfect example of precise execution in every sense. Each sample, snare hit, or synth part seems calculated, but not cold. This kind of precision is exactly what underground hip-hop artists need in this the age of bombast.
18.) Daft Punk- Random Access Memories
When Daft Punk released "Get Lucky" they took the world by storm. Nobody expected Daft Punk to come out with a completely organic LP. It turned out to be pop gold. Seamless production, soaring melodies, and a complete reverence for its influences, Daft Punk succeeds where so many mainstream pop artists fail, reliving old musical traditions in a fresh way.
17.) Billy Woods- Dour Candy
Billy Woods is a dark rapper. His distinct arhythmic flow and true understanding of the pocket comes through clear on Dour Candy. The beats on this LP take a more atmospheric turn, but don't lose their solid grooves, and the same could be said for Billy's rapping,
16.) Danny Brown- Old
I will be the first to praise Danny Brown in all of his efforts. I think that XXX is the best mixtape ever and ranks among the best hip-hop albums of all time. Old delivers in similar fashoin. There's contemplative raps on the first half, and absolute bangers on the second, with fat beats throughout thanks to a diverse group of producers.
15.) Death Grips- Government Plates
Government Plates is Death Grips worst album. And it still made my top 25 list. And that's because they continually push the envelope, honing in on key aspects each record. On Government Plates there's a sort of post-rap aesthetic, with much of Ride's vocals serving more as another instrument than lyric delivery.
14.) Tera Melos- X'ed Out
Tera Melos have always made kickass music, but who knew that adding pop sensibilities would result in something so good? The guitars and drums are still intense and mathy, but this time we get to sing along with the chaos.
13.) Oneohtrix Point Never- R Plus Seven
There's really only one word to describe Oneohtrix Point Never's latest: texture. Harmonically and rhythmically things tend to get a little all over the place, but it's all united in one of the best sounding records of the year.
12.) Clipping- Midcity
Noise + rap = ??? It may seem like a gimmick, but the noise on this record is not exactly true to its Japanese roots. It's much more rhythmic and softer, with some songs actually having harmony. All I know is that this guy can rap and no one is making beats like this.
11.) Aye Nako- Unleash Yourself
What makes a good pop punk record? Aye Nako seems to think that delicate melodies atop major key harmonies delivered by fuzzy guitars with classic lo-fi drums is the way to go. With a product this good I think I believe them.
10.) Pusha T- My Name is My Name
Where Kanye flopped with Yeezus, he succeeds with My Name is My Name as the record's executive producer. Since Clipse Pusha T has really been searching for purpose, and his debut finds it. The production is impeccable, combining full rich synths with sharp, dead, trap-inspired drum beats. Pusha also delivers some of the best flows of his career.
9.) Queens of the Stone Age- ...Like Clockwork
I'm really glad Josh Homme got his shit together. With band issues and dying temporarily on an operating table, no one really expected him to deliver on this record, but he did. These songs are well-crafted and each featured artist from Elton John to Trent Reznor only add the exact amount of touch without taking away from the QOTSA identity. These songs groove hard and hit hard, especially "I Appear Missing" which in every sense seems like the culmination of Homme's career.
8.) Pharmakon- Abandon
Industrial seemed like a man's game for so long, but Pharmakon is living proof of the power of a feminine perspective on a dark and intense art. This is the kinda of music that makes you go, "shit".
7.) Sigur Rós- Kveikur
Sigur Rós handled their lineup change perfectly with a shift in their music. They kept those signature soaring vocal melodies, but they changed the underpinnings completely. The drum parts clang with orchestral precision while a strong industrial bass line keeps everything in place.
6.) Run the Jewels- Run the Jewels
Rap's most dangerous (and unconventional) duo proved that unlikely combos can lead to fantastic results. El-P's signature production is dialed back (but still present) and he and Killer Mike have the best back-and-forth out of any modern rap duo or group. This kind of chemistry is rare, and it has me craving more. Good thing Run the Jewels 2 is out next year.
5.) Iceage- You're Nothing
Sloppy, loud, somewhat incomprehensible, but genius nonetheless. Iceage has established itself as one of the strongest punk bands in recent memory. As masters of dissonance (both harmonically and production-wise) they truly capture punk's spirit.
4.) Chance the Rapper- Acid Rap
Chance the Rapper made the best hip-hop album of 2013, and it wasn't even an album. Diverse grooves, potent and clever lyrics, and some of the most emotive delivery ever really makes this mixtape something special. As Chance says himself, he did a good ass job.
3.) Jucifer- за волгой для нас земли нет
It's hard to make yourself stand out as a small metal band. So many people think it all sounds the same anyway, how can a band be recognized without rehashing the same old shit? The key I think, is diversity. Jucifer's 2013 release is extremely diverse and emotive harmonically, and its amazing what two players are able to craft. Heavy at some times, yet light in others, with strong motifs throughout. This is the direction modern metal must take.
2.) Factory Floor- Factory Floor
Not since LCD Soundsytem's debut has an electronic album grooved so unbelievably hard. Built off of loops, live drums, and trippy reverby synth punches, Factory Floor have delivered the best dance record of 2013. Released on DFA Records, this post-industrial techno masterpiece is very unique, yet totally belongs on its label. If your looking for something to trip acid and dance to you've found it right here.
1.) Thee Oh Sees- Floating Coffin
What can I say? Thee Oh Sees are the most consistent modern rock band. John Dwyer pumps out songs like Mrs. Fields pumps out cookies. And these songs are so fucking delicious. On Floating Coffin, the riffs are huge, the grooves heavy, and the melodies catchy as shit. Each song is marked by something completely different, yet they work together, just like every other Thee Oh Sees record. The heaviness is so welcome. From the franticness of "I Come From the Mountain" to the fuzzy and hollow "Toe Cutter-Thumb Buster" to the slow melancholy of "Minotaur" this Floating Coffin seems to be floating on a stormy as fuck sea.
