Year In Review: Top 100 Tracks & Top 20 Albums of 2013

Last year delivered an impressive year of music with TNGHT’s ‘Higher Ground‘ topping my ‘Top 100 Tracks‘. With 2014 just hours away, it’s time to present my Top Tracks of 2013!

From Daft Punk’s infectious ‘Get Lucky‘ to brotherly duo Disclosure’s superior reign, it’s safe to say the future of music is  in good hands – And with news that Justin Bieber has officially retired, it’s already a good start to the year! Roll on 2014 and here’s to another exciting year in music!

Top 100 Tracks of 2013

1. Disclosure ft AlunaGeorge – White Noise
2. Daft Punk – Get Lucky
3. James Blake  – Retrograde
4. Arcade Fire  – Reflektor
5. A$AP Rocky ft Skrillex  – Wild For The Night
6. Kanye West – Black Skinhead
7. Lorde – Royals
8. Just Blaze & Baauer – Higher
9. Haim (Duke Dumont Remix) – Falling
10. Haim – The Wire
11. Disclosure ft London Grammar – Help Me Lose my Mind
12. Busta Rhymes – Thank You
13. James Vincent Mc Morrow   – Cavaliere
14. Banks – Before I Ever Met You
15. Arcade Fire    – Here Comes The Night
16. TNGHT – Acrylics
17. Jay Z & JT – Holy Grail
18. Major Lazer ft Ezra Koenig – Jessica
19. London Grammar – Strong
20. Pharell  – Happy
21. Janelle Monae ft Solange – Electric Lady
22. John Hopkins – Open Eye Signal
23. Disclosure (Flume Remix) – You And Me
24. Robin Thicke ft TI & Pharrell – Blurred Lines
25. Breach – Jack
26. Danny Brown  – Dip
27. Drake ft Majid Jordan – Hold On, We’re Going Home
28. James Blake ft Chance The Rapper – Life Round Here
29. Queens Of The Stoneage – My God Is The Sun
30. Drake ft Sampha  – Too Much
31. Disclosure – F For You
32. Katy B – Crying For No reason
33. London Grammar – NightCall
34. Showtek ft We Are Loud and Sonny Wilson  – Booyah
35. Miles Kane – Don’t Forget Who You Are
36. Banana Clipper Ft Big Boi – Run The Jewels
37. Lorde – Tennis Court
38. Duke Dumont – Need You (100%)
39. Jacob Plant  – Fire
40. Katy B – 5AM
41. Danny Brown  – Drinkin And Smokin
42. The 1975 – Chocolate
43. AlunaGeorge  – Attracting Flies
44. Arctic Monkeys   – Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High
45. Chvrches – The Mother We Share
46. Rudimental ft Ella Eyre  – Waiting All Night
47. Jake Bugg – Seen It All
48. Banks – This Is What It Feels
49. DJ Fresh & Diplo ft Ms Dynamite  – Dibby Dibby Sound
50. Robert DeLong – Global Concepts
51. Vampire Weekend    – Diane Young
52. Kanye West – Blood On The Leaves
53. Pryda – Powerdrive
54. Major Lazer   – Watch Out For This (Bumaye)
55. Laura Welsh  – Unravel
56. Villagers – My Lighthouse
57. Knife Party  – LRAD
58. Justice (Gesaffelstein Remix) – Helix
59. John Newman  – Love Me Again
60. DJ Fresh & Diplo ft Dominique Young Unique – Earthquake
61. Sivu – Over and Over
62. Kanye West – I Am A God
63. Jessie Ware – Sweet Talk
64. Ruen Brothers – Aces
65. Vampire Weekend  – Step
66. Klangkarussel Sonnentanz –  Sun Don’t Shine
67. Sivu – Better Man Than He
68. Disclosure (Baauer Remix) – Attracting Flies
69. Two Door Cinema Club – Sun
70. Kelela – Enemy
71. Bondax – Giving It All
72. Chris Malinchak  – So Good To Me
73. Josh Record  – For Your Love
74. Childish Gambino – IV Sweatpants
75. Katy B – What Love Is Made Of
76. Monsta – Messiah
77. Lorde – Team
78. Martin Garrix – Animals
79. Breach ft Adnreya Triana – Everything You Never Had
80. MO- XXX 88
81. Gesaffelstein – Persuit
82. Lil Salva ft Sampha   – Salient Sarah
83. RY X – Berlin
84. Phoenix – Entertainment
85. Metronomy – I’m Aquarius
86. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (Major Lazer Remix)   – Can’t Hold Us
87. Kavinsky – Roadgame
88. Knife Party    – EDM Death Machine
89. The Weeknd – Kiss Land
90. Julio Bashmore  – Peppermint
91. Le Youth – Cool
92. The Strokes  – One Way Trigger
93. Jake Bugg – Slumville Sunrise
94. Hozier – Take Me To Church
95. Gallant – Manhattan
96. Daughter – Still
97. Childish Gambino – Bonfire
98. Yogi – Christian Bale
99. Kings of Leon – Supersoaker
100. The Child Of Lov – Fly

Listen to the top 10 tracks below:

Top 20 Albums of 2013

2013 delivered so many great albums and provided  hours of listening pleasure. From California sisterly trio Haim to Mercury Prize winner James Blake,  take a look at my Top 20 Albums:

1. Arcade Fire – Reflektor (Check out my full review on Glasswerk.)
2. Disclosure – Settle
3. Haim – Days Are Gone
4. Kanye West – Yeezus
5. London Grammar – If You Wait
6. James Blake – Overgrown
7. A$AP Rocky – Long Live A$AP
8. Chvrches – The Bones Of What You Believe
9. Jon Hopkins – Immunity
10. Janelle Monae – Electric Lady
11. Gesaffelstein – Aleph
12. Rudimental – Home
13. Danny Brown – Old
14. Lorde – Pure Heroin
15. Villagers – Awayland
16. Jake Bugg – Jake Bugg
17. Arctic Monkeys – AM
18. Foals – Holy Fire
19. Childish Gambino – Because The Internet
20. Vampire Weekend – Modern Vampires of The City

Listen to Arcade Fire’s ‘Reflektor‘ below:

September Selections

So many great tracks dropped the past month, so here are some of my ‘September Selections‘.

First up is James Blake ft Chance The Rapper with ‘Life Round Here‘. The London based producer & singer/songwriter, has teamed up with rising Chicago based artist ‘Chance The Rapper‘ for a reworked version of ‘Life Round Here‘, taken from his Mercury Prize nominated album ‘Overgrown‘. The track featured as Zane Lowe’s Hottest record where Blake spoke about the collaboration: ‘I really liked his mix-tape (Acid Rap) and saw him at South by Southwest. I just thought his voice would work really well. I never felt the track was finished, even when it went on the album, I always thought there was space for something else’. Blake has certainly found that missing element and the duo deliver a fresh and exciting outlook with Chances’s raw energy and Blakes melodic and atmospheric vocals. Check back soon for their forthcoming video, set to feature ‘Everything from Somalian horses to pirates and Chevy Impalas‘.

http://soundcloud.com/3detailsofmylife/james-blake-life-round-here

A while back I posted about rising New Zealand songstress Lorde (Aka Ella Yellich-O’Connor) and her infectious track ‘Tennis Court’, from her free ‘Love Club‘ EP. Her latest offerings, taken from her debut LP ‘Pure Heroine’, is another exceptional track titled ‘Team , where the 16 year old presents a very mature sound with her upbeat yet bittersweet melodic vocals, that is captivating audiences worldwide. Having recently performed on ‘Later with Jools Holland‘ Lorde is set to embark upon a sold out Australian tour but will first play ‘Vevo’s 2013 Halloween Party’ in Oval Space, London. Lorde also features on the forthcoming ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire‘ Soundtrack with a cover of Tear For Fears 1985 hit song ‘Everybody Wants To Rule The World‘.

http://soundcloud.com/mmmusic/lorde-team

Is it Gangsta (Yes yes yes) is the first single to be taken from South London rapper Giggs‘ forthcoming album ‘When WIll It Stop‘. Produced by Mark Ronson and Tone P, this is the first new material to surface since his 2010 album ‘Let Em Ave It‘ and delivers a strong return to form from the SN1 frontmnan. Be sure to check out the 9 minute short film video, directed by Reg Traviss, that even had it’s own trailer released. You can also catch Giggs perform at Londons ‘Under The Bridge‘ on October 15th, while ‘Is It Gangsta‘ drops October 6th.

LA singer Banks has unveiled her new single ‘The Is What It Feels Like‘, taken from her recent 4 track ‘London’ EP. Produced by Lil Silva and Jamie Woon, the single serves as the follow up to ‘Before I Ever Met You’ from the ‘Fall Over‘ EP and the recent Teed collaboration ‘Warm Water‘. Banks has such a unique sound and delivers haunting vocals amidst deep sultry beats and eerie electronic production. Currently supporting The Weeknd on tour in the US, Banks will also support The Weekend in London’s O2 on November 26th.

Danny Brown returns with a new single ‘Dip‘ taken from his highly anticipated album ‘Old’. Produced by Skywlkr, ‘Dip‘ samples Freak Nasty’s 1996 single ‘Da‘ as well as references to Jay Z and Kanye’s Paris‘ throughout. The MDMA fueled video, shot during his European tour, showcases Browns rapid rap skills with some trippy animations to match. ‘Old‘ is set for release Oct 8th through A-Trak’s Fools Gold Records and features artists such as A$AP Rocky, Purity Ring and Charlie XCX.

http://soundcloud.com/bertram-f-b-hooligan/danny-brown-dip

Sia’s new single ‘Elastic Heart‘ ft The Weeknd and Diplo, is set to feature on the forthcoming ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire‘ soundtrack, alongside previously announced artists such as Coldplay, Lorde, Of Monsters and Men and Ellie Goulding. The sombre synt-driven track, which featured as Zane Lowe’s Hottest Record, highlights Sia and Abel Tesfaye’s enthralling and haunting vocals with slick production as always from Diplo.

http://soundcloud.com/siamusic/sia-elastic-heart-ft-the

Having delivered one of the summers biggest anthems ‘Jack‘, Breach (aka Ben Westbeech) has unveiled his follow-up single ‘Everything You Never Had‘ featuring the infectious and soulful vocals from Andreya Triana. Sure to be a dance floor filler with it’s classic house vibes and 90’s rave influences, the Bristolian dj and producer is constantly raising him game with each new release. Be sure to check out the Joe Goddard remix, who once again works his magic on delivering a fresh new remix. ‘Everything You Never Had‘ is set for release October 20th.

http://soundcloud.com/breach-uk/everything-you-never-had-we
http://soundcloud.com/3detailsofmylife/breach-everything-you-never

Back in May, ‘What Love Is Made Of‘ provided us with the first look from Katy B’s highly anticipated sophomore album and follow up to 2011’s ‘On A Mission‘. Katy has since dropped her latest single ‘5AM‘, which serves as a worthy successor with it’s big room house vibes, infectious hooks and Katy’s smooth garage infused pop vocals. Set for release Oct 28th through Rinse and Columbia, expect her second album sometime in 2014.

http://soundcloud.com/katyb/5am

‘Blood Runs Wild‘ is the latest release from Brotherly duo Ruen Brothers (Rupert and Henry Stansall). Having already released their retro inspired ‘Aces’ and ‘Walk Like A Man‘ to high praise, ‘Blood Runs Wild‘ follows the same suit with it’s vintage rock n roll vibes, sweeping vocals and upbeat melodies. The duo deliver such a mature and accomplished sound far beyond their years. With big support from Radio 1, Zane Lowe featured the track as his Hottest Record. Be sure to check out Ruen Brothers headline the Q Awards gig on Oct 19th at London’s Jazz Cafe, before supporting Tom Odell on his UK tour. Having signed a major record deal during the summer, ‘Blood Runs Wild‘ is set for release November 4th via Island Records (UK) and Universal/Republic (US).

http://soundcloud.com/ruenbrothers/blood-runs-wild-ruen-brothers

Coachella: Day 3

Sunday – April 14th

Headliners: Red Hot Chili Peppers

With Day 3  just hours away, here are my ”Top Acts’ to close an amazing first weekend at Coachella.

Wild Belle: 12:00pm – 12:30pm | Outdoor

Chicago based siblings Elliot and Natalie Bergman released their debut album ‘Isles’ in March, after what has been a successful year promoting their unique and ultra-cool indie rock vibes. Having set the bar high with releases such as ‘Keep You’, ‘It’s Too Late’ and ‘Backslider’, the duo return to Coachella with a set brimming with retro vibes, reggae beats and psychedelic grooves; perfect for Sunny Palm Springs.

Robert DeLong: 12:40pm – 1:10pm | Mojave

Having started off the year being MTV’s artists to watch for 2013, Robert DeLong released his debut genre-mashing album in February and lead single ‘Global Concepts‘. ‘Just Movement‘ explores electro, house, moombahton, dubstep and indie pop; a truly unique masterpiece. Delong’s one-man band style performance infuses synths, acoustic drums, drum pads, infectious beats, MIDI effects and even game controllers into his live set – definitely one to check out. Wait for the drop and join in Delong’s collective dance party at Coachella as he asks; “Did I make you fuckin’ dance?“

Jessie Ware:  3:45pm – 4:30pm | Mojave

South London singer Jessie Ware released her debut Mercy Prize nominated album ‘Devotion’ in August which was produced by Dave Okumu (The Invisible), Bristol electronic producer Julio Bashmore (Au Seve), and Kid Harpoon (co-writer of Florence + The Machine: Ceremonials). Featuring the singles ‘If You’re Never Gonna Move’, ‘Running’, ‘Wildest Moments’ and ‘Night Light‘, Devotion takes us on a musical journey of R&B, pop, soul and electronic music. Previous collaborations have included Katy B, Benzel and remixes from Disclosure, while her latest single ‘Imagine It Was Us‘, is once again produced by the brilliant Julio Bashmore. Having kicked off the year with 2 Brit Award Nominations and a UK tour, 2013 looks bright with a US version of Devotion set for release April 16th and remix of the single ‘Wildest Moments‘ ft A$ap Rocky.

James Blake:  6:00pm – 6:50pm | Mojave

London based electronic producer & singer James Blake released his second album ‘Overgrown‘ in April, which serves as the follow up to his Mercury Prize Nominated self titled debut album. The lead single ‘Retrograde‘ is sure to be incredibly atmospheric at Coachella with it’s beautiful haunting melody, minimal accompaniment, soulful falsetto vocals and sustained electronic pulses. Coachella is in for one hypnotic, dub-step tinged set before setting off on his US tour.

Disclosure: 11:10pm – 11:55pm | Gobi

Brotherly duo Disclosure, aka Guy and Howard Lawrence, are bringing their UK Garage vibes to sunny Caliornia for their Coachella debut. Disclosure’s track record is one hit after another with infectious singles such as ‘Latch’ ft Sam Smith, ‘White Noise’ ft Aluna and brilliant remixes such as Jessie Ware’s ‘Running‘. Their live set incorporates live bass guitars, drums machines, keys and even live vocals, further adding to the duo’s never ending talents. Having kicked of 2013 being nominated for MTV Brand New for 2013, it’s no surprise the duo are in such demand and are set to play all the major Summer festivals, including Heineken Open’er Festival, Field Day, Love Box, Glastonbury, Reading & Leeds, Bestival and Parklife.

Yet another jam-packed day ahead for lucky festival goers at Coachella. Other amazing acts throughout the day include Vampire Weekend, Eric Prydz, DIIV, Grimes, Tame Impala, La Roux and Irish band Little Green Cars! Don’t forget you can watch all the acts LIVE on the dedicated Coachella YouTube Channel.

James Blake – Retrograde

London based producer & singer James Blake, has released his new single ‘Retrograde‘, taken from his forthcoming 2nd album ‘Overgrown‘.

The single serves as the follow-up to the 2011 EP ‘Enough Thunder‘, where Blake collaborated with Bon Iver and also featured a cover of Joni Mitchell’s classic track ‘A Case of You‘.

With minimal accompaniment, ‘Retrograde‘ takes on a life of it’s own with it’s beautiful haunting melody, soulful falsetto vocals and sustained electronic pulses further adding to the atmospheric nature of the track.  This is equally matched by the cinematography in Martin De Thurah’s video, depicting an asteroid hitting earth. We’re presented with frozen moments in time, followed by scenes of destruction.

Having already secured a Mercury Prize Nomination and placing 2nd in BBC’s Sound of 2011, 2013  is set to be another big year for Blake, who is set to headline the soldout London’s ICA on February 26th, followed by 3 UK dates in April and further dates in the US.  ‘Retrograde‘ is available from iTunes while the album ‘Overgrown‘ is due out April 8th.