To start, however, I have two albums that I have been jamming all year long, but were released in 2012! So I decided to make an honorable mention category for two albums that were HOT this summer and even snagged some Grammy noms!
So let's get to it!
Side Note: I am SHIT at explaining anything so bare with me on the vague descriptions and overly used "amazing" and "awesome" in every sentence. I didn't want to go into the deep technical things with each album otherwise each description would probably be 1000 words long, but enjoy!
Honorable Mention:
12. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis's The Heist (October 9th, 2012)
What a good fucking year it has been for these guys. This album was released last fall, but it definitely didn't blow up until this year. I talked about how much I love this album briefly in my top favorite albums of all time post that you can see here so as I will say before - the diversity and craftsmanship in this album is nothing short of amazing. It has definitely broken down some barriers in the music world and I am more than ecstatic to see how big these Pacific Northwest dudes are getting. This album is up for Grammy's Album of the Year and my fingers are crossed that they will win - so many people these days talk about how overplayed Macklemore is, but this album of a whole, is incredible. There is a song on there for everyone and I know how much work these two guys have put into it and all of the success they are getting is deserved.
Listen to: Starting Over & Ten Thousand Hours
11. Taylor Swift's Red (October 22nd, 2012)
This album has been my main jam since it was released. Fearless has always been my favorite album of Taylor's, but Red has definitely taken the spot. Every single one of the songs on Red is so incredibly relatable and I always add at least one to any playlist I am created. While some may not care for her, I will give Taylor credit for being able to write her own music. There are too many artists theses days that don't even write their own material and for Taylor, she is able to create her own music that everyone can relate to and sing to. I have been a fan of Taylor's since the beginning and I will also be a fan of the music she puts out. Red is the perfect mix between upbeat pop and soft jams - her slowed down, acoustic songs being my favorite on the whole album. There is no doubt in my mind that she will snag at least one Grammy this year!
Listen to: All Too Well and State of Grace
Top Ten Releases of 2013:
10. Decker's Clean Hands EP (April 23, 2013)
Decker is Jane Smith who was in the band Belle Histoire. I discovered this EP rather late after a friend told me about it, but became obsessed with it instantly. If you are a fan of Brighten (one of my favorite bands), give this EP a listening to. Jane's voice is so unique and her style of music is very soothing and just overall nice to listen to. Not to mention the lyrics on each track are great. I talked about this album a few months ago in a post that you can read here. I have such a weakness for a good, stripped down song so this EP fits perfectly for me. One way or another, Clean Hands ended up being one of my most played albums this year so everyone should definitely give it a listen if they are looking for some fresh and new!
Listen to: Old Houses & Better
9. The Maine's Forever Halloween (June 4th, 2013)
I have been with these boys for so long and this album reminds me so much of my graduation because it was released just before. Although, their last release Pioneer is definitely my favorite they have ever put out, this album is nothing short of amazing. The lyrical talent these guys have as well as their constant ability to reinvent their sound is incredible. I will never those faith in these guys and there music will always been something that I love. This album definitely has that mature sound they have been searching for. No topic or feeling is off limits which makes Forever Halloween so raw. They are so different from other bands in their genre and this record allowed them to take another huge step in their career. It's just pure rock which is something I love. I think everyone can take a little something away from Forever Halloween.
Listen to: These Four Walls and Love & Drugs
8. Jay Z's Magna Carta Holy Grail (July 4, 2013)
I have never been a huge rap or hip-hop fan, but I literally have been listening to this album so much lately and Jay Z has always been an artist I have listened to. He is the rap king in my eyes and I have to say, I think this is one of the best collection of songs he has put out. While I probably shouldn't be the judge of rap music just because of my ignorance towards that genre, but each and every song just goes so well together - making the entire album so much stronger. I am not surprised at all it received some Grammy noms this year - I feel this is sound for Jay Z is just a rad more sophisticated, refined and mature than his past releases.
Listen to: Tom Ford & F.U.T.W.
7. Justin Timberlake's 20/20 Experience (March 15th, 2013)
Justin. Justin. Justin. Do I even need to talk about how much I love this album? His sound is so different than anything I have heard and his craftsmanship for each song literally leaves me breathless. I decided that I liked the 20/20 Experience Part 1 more than Part 2 just because I was feeling the songs a little more. Both are incredible releases, but I find that part 1 had just an incredible sound that I have literally become obsessed with. Justin Timberlake's voice is without a doubt in my top five favorite male vocals of all time and it shows so greatly on this album that I can't even begin to explain. Justin is always redefining his sound and his music which consistently keeps me on the edge of my seat - I will always support this guy. He is more than just a pop artist - Justin literally has his own category in my book. His work will continue to surprise me.
Listen to: Pusher Lover Girl & That Girl
6. Little Mix's Salute (November 15th, 2013)
90's R&B is brought back with this album. This second album from Little Mix is such a step up from their first release - I can't even begin to explain it. Every single time I listen to each song, I discover more and more things I love. And the PIPES on these girls are out of this world and when you put them together, its deadly. I have never heard a girl group with such strong vocals - their harmonies are unreal (check out Perrie's solo in About The Boy and the harmonies in These Four Walls). Salute is much more of a mature style than what they have put out before and the mix between 90's R&B tracks and beautiful ballads makes the perfect musical combination for me. Every time these girls release something, their talent blows me away. There is a song on here for everyone and my favorite one is constantly changing because I genuinely love every single one. Little Mix has that feisty edge to them that completely separates them from the other girl bands.
Listen to: About The Boy & Good Enough & These Four Walls
5. The Story So Far's What You Don't See (March 26th, 2013)
These boys did it for me this year with this album. I have drifted kind of far away from the pop punk world as of late, but I ALWAYS come back to this album when I am looking for the perfect pop punk song. I was surprised when I realized that a few tracks from this album were in my top played list of ITunes, but then I realized just HOW MUCH I listened to this album this year. The one thing I will give The Story So Far is their lyrical ability - the way they structure songs and lyrics is so different than a lot of pop punks bands out there that honestly just blur together. The Story So Far has something special and are bringing some new and refreshing to the pop punk world. I caught them three times this year and each time, I became even more of a fan. To truly appreciate this album, you really need to see it being performed live. TSSF has some of the craziest sets I have ever seen and there is something indescribable when a whole room of teenagers are screaming the words to each song. Its the best feeling.
Listen to: Framework & Things I Can't Change
4. Paramore's Paramore (April 5th, 2013)
I feel like I waited 25 years for this album to drop and when it finally did, I was in tears. Paramore has been my constant for the past eight years and I will truly support anything they do. They are THAT band for me and getting the chance to meet this this past October was incredible and so is this album. It is probably my favorite album they have put out just because of it's versatility. There is the perfect blend between rock, funk and soul infused tracks that I don't even know where to begin. This album really helped them skyrocket to where they are now and I am so fucking proud of them. Each member gave their all with this release and it shows - every single song is incredible. I have a different favorite every week and every time I listen to it - I feel like it is for the first time. It will never get old for me and I will ALWAYS be listening to something from it. Paramore had one fucking good year and I know 2014 is going to treat them even better.
Listen to: Daydreaming & (One of Those) Crazy Girls
3. One Direction's Midnight Memories (November 25th, 2013)
It's no surprise that this album made it to my top three of the year. I was bit by the 1D bug again a few months ago and it has been a slippery slope ever since. However, I can honestly say that I wasn't expecting an album like this from the boys. It is so much more rock and mature than anything they have put out before. When it leaked, I was freaking out. I had already been jamming Best Song Ever and Story of My Life and I instantly fell in love with it when I heard the title track. The boys, this time around, co-wrote on the majority of the songs and their personal association with each song really shows, making this entire album so much stronger. Essentially, this album just makes me really really happy and I am so glad that the boys seemed to have finally found their sound. It is no longer the bubble gum pop music that they are known for, there is edge and quite honestly, I can't get over the vocals. Zayn Malik literally steals the show for me in this album - I didn't know any of the boys could sing that well. This album is already HUGE and I know it is going to continue to get bigger well into next year!
Listen to: Happily & Strong
2. Lydia's Devil (March 19th, 2013)
This album is without a doubt one that I have listened to the most this year and has easily become my favorite record Lydia has put out to date. For those of you that have never listened to them before, I HIGHLY suggest you do. There is just something so soothing and powerful and Leighton's voice and I swear to god, I can relate to every fucking song Lydia has ever put out. I honestly don't even know what to say about this album - its almost something that you need to listen to and experience for yourself to full understand. It might be my personal attachment to each track that makes this album so special for me, I honestly don't know. Lydia is such an underrated band. Their artistry is everything I look for in a band - I just love simply put together songs that let the lyrics do the talking and that is what Lydia is all about. They are extravagant, but they are incredible.
Listen to: The Exit & Wish You Well (B-Side track)
1. Arctic Monkey's AM (September 6th, 2013)
This album took me by fucking surprise. Arctic Monkeys has been a band I have always enjoyed, but I never really kept track on when they were releasing new music. I stumbled upon AM in early October and it completely changed me to be honest. I literally listen to at least one song from it every day. Arctic Monkeys really stepped up with this album and it is the perfect release for where they are at in their career. I cannot express enough for infectious their sound is and how each song on this album is so different yet brings the whole thing together. If they were to have gotten rid of even one song, the album would definitely not be as strong as it is. This album is definitely in competition with their first release towards my favorite Arctic Monkey's album, but both are so different for me that I don't even know how to choose. God damn it, Arctic Monkeys, you stole my heart this year.
Listen to: R U Mine? & Mad Sounds
AND THAT'S IT! 2013 WAS A GREAT YEAR FOR MUSIC.
Check out my 8Track playlist "Damn It Arctic Monkeys, You Stole My 2013 Heart" --> HERE.
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