15. Crown the Empire – The Fallout: I really wasn’t sure whose album should round out the list, and I relistened to this record and realized it had to make it’s way here. Crown the Empire combines a great package and certainly has more in store for 2014.
14. Clint Norway – Teenage Wasteland: A relatively underground rapper, Clint Norway brings laid-back vocals with low-key production and potent rhymes, making this no doubt a surprise entry on the list.
13. Earl Sweatshirt – Doris: A member of Odd Future and one of the most talented rappers in the game, Earl Sweatshirt delivers great wordplay and devilish rhymes to attempt to lead the new school of rap into the next generation.
12. Coldrain – THE REVELATION: This Japanese band makes the list for not only delivering one of the best metalcore sounds in the genre, but also doing it completely in English. This is definitely a release you should check out if you’re a metalhead!
11. Danny Brown – Old: With in your face rhymes Danny Brown’s second studio album Old is the definition of rap mixed with complete lunacy. Definitely one to bang in your stereo.
10. The Internet – Feel Good: The Internet is a soul/r&b spinoff group from the rap faction Odd Future, and this is their second studio album, and it doesn’t seem like it, because this album is groovy as can be. With Syd’s sensual vocals and the very ambitious and soothing instrumentals lead to a very chill album.
9. Jonny Craig – Find What You Love and Let It Kill You: After his first solo album, I was almost positive that this album would not be as good, but I was pleasantly surprised that this album top to bottom, is certainly one of the best albums of the year.
8. Dir en Grey – The Unraveling: I’ve already done a review here about this release, so just go back and check that out and you’ll see why it deserves to be on the list.
7. Witness – Beacons: After the success of their first EP, “Of Great Importance”, this second EP felt much more grand and ambitious overall, which easily secures them a spot on my list.
6. Ellie Goulding – Halcyon Days: With Ellie’s ability to be really creative and ambitious, this re-release of 2012’s “Halcyon” brings more tracks along for the ride, showing her sensual side with her cover of “Tessellate” by Alt-J. This album certainly deserves a spot on this list, and she’s steadily becoming one of my favorite songwriters in music.
5. Tay Walker – Tay Walker EP: a member of the soul/r&b spinoff group from Odd Future (and The Internet, which already made an appearance), his sensual and soulful vocals really bring you in, along with absolutely perfect production choices. A really chill album, and a great album to listen to on a date night with the missus.
4. TesseracT – Altered State: Early adopters of the djent style, this entire album has an underlying theme, almost like Coheed and Cambria. The instrumentation is really groovy and catchy and the unexpected pitch of the vocals may throw you off, but are enjoyable to say the least.
3. Dangerkids – Collapse: Recent Rise Records signee and Ohio-natives Dangerkids first album is the real deal. Combining clean singing, almost rap-like verses a la RATM, Linkin Park, etc., and finely-tuned screams, they have a complete package for great music. Add great instrumentals and fantastic production and you get one of the top albums of this year.
2. My Bloody Valentine – MBV: Releasing their first album in over 20 years, these guys are one of the early creators of the shoegaze genre and continue to up the game in the genre. Great album.
1. Jhene Aiko – Sail Out: By far the best release of the year, Jhene’s vocals are still some of the most soulful and relaxing in music today, and with very potent instrumentals, every single song on the EP is fantastic. Along with features from Childish Gambino, Ab-soul, and Kendrick Lamar, you can’t go wrong with this album. Perfect.
Honorable mentions – 2013 standout tracks: “100” by Big Sean ft. Royce Tha 5’9″ & Kendrick Lamar (Detroit), “Resolution” by Glasslands, “Come and Get It” by Selena Gomez, “Worst Behavior” by Drake (Nothing Was the Same), and “Belong to the World” by The Weeknd (Kiss Land).
GKMC was actually released in 2012…
Nope, came out in March of this year.