2013 - The Year In Music

Album of the Year

Julia Holter / Loud City Song

This is a wild record from start to finish. It contains a voice that knew when to gently whisper in the listener’s ears and when to startle that same listener for their attention. Every sound she made had the listener falling into the record though. The brass and strings were placed in a messy but perfectly executed way, only adding to the madness within. It was the sound of a woman possessed, making the music of her dreams. In a year of so much good music, it just claims the top spot. It’s a beautiful, brutal and classic modern record.

Single of the Year

Man Man / Head On

It’s hard to contemplate how other music websites have all missed this perfect pop song. The words, the way they soothingly and achingly fall from Honus Honus’ tongue, the beautifully orchestrated strings, the best bridge on any pop song heard all year, and (yes, again) lyrics that one and all can surely relate to. It’s a classic whether it is known or not. Most people would kill to ever write a song this lovely, if they knew of its beauty.

Discovery of the Year

Josephine Foster

Only narrowly kept off the top spot, and perhaps down to the late November release which meant there hadn’t been quite the time for it to grow, despite it having worked wonders in only a month, Josephine Foster’s ‘I’m A Dreamer’ proved her singing and song writing ability to have hit an astonishing peak. She reminds of classic singers, possessed by some force through which beautiful and life changing music moves. She was my discovery of the year, and it’s almost too close to call between her and Miss Holter for album of the year, but I had to pick one.

Comeback of the Year

Daft Punk

Like the band or not, the way they teased their return, the way the single they returned with was a perfect slice of disco pop, the way they made it seem like they had never been away whilst having been greatly missed was magnificent. Oh, and ‘Random Access Memories’ did not let us down, despite what some might say. It was an immense slice of seventies disco, mixed with MJ and guest vocalists. It was a classic and will be seen that way for a long time to come.

Band of the Year

Arcade Fire

Arcade Fire is a band that pushes the envelope. It is capable of many things, it is driven and live as well as on record it gives the sensation of music being able to enhance and change life forever, beyond all comprehension. Nobody else makes music like these guys. They are one of those bands that make the whole music industry more interesting, and STILL they haven’t made a bad album. ‘Reflektor’ was everywhere by late October. Everyone who hadn’t been living on the moon knew of it, as well they should have, and it was a classic once again, whether you felt the songs were long or not. The change in sound ended up being a masterstroke. Who knows where next, maybe not even these six guys who restlessly keep moving, and we should thank them for that. WHAT. A. BAND!!!!

Man of the Year

David Bowie

Would anyone really contest this winner? He returned with a brand new single, a classic, on his 66^th birthday, way back in early January, he followed it up with a great new album, ‘The Next Day’ and he was talked about all year long. Will he tour, won’t he? The topic still continues. At some point he may silence those voices. After several years of uncertainty, in which people questioned whether he had retired or not, or if his voice had ended up shot to pieces The Thin White Duke returned, and some. He owned the year, from start to finish. Oh, and yes, though it wasn’t his best album ever, it was fucking good!

Woman of the Year

Julia Holter

Julia made the best album this year, and would seem like the appropriate choice, but to be honest the year was riddled with insanely good female artists making life changing music. Josephine Foster, Agnes Obel, Laura Marling and Anna Calvi are all especially deserved of a mention here. Julia Holter, however, should take a bow. Who can wait for what comes next from her?

EP of the Year

Courtney Barnett / A Sea of Split Peas

Courtney Barnett was another of the standout women of a year they totally conquered. Her first two EPs were put on one release which is like a pre-debut album collection of her best songs. The quirky lyrics, the girl next door vibe and the total hippy rocking out all made for a compelling listen. There is much more to come here one feels. All we can do is watch this space...