2013 was the year any self respecting artist had to put out a project. Be it the underground or the mainstream, it’s pretty much Jay Electronica, and Dr. Dre who stayed on the shelf this year. (plus ScHoolboy Q and Ab-Soul did enough features for an album anyway) So a tonne of music came out, some of it good, some of it great, some of it deeply confusing, either 2013 was a blockbuster year, and here’s what I thought of it. What follows is a list of opinions that will affect you in no way.
10. A$AP Rocky – Long. Live. A$AP
I was cautiously optimistic about “Long. Live. A$AP” I wanted it to be good but the mixtape felt like a fluke. Well the album sounds almost nothing like it’s predecessor. There’s more of a focus on sole concepts, and lyricism. On his mixtape he felt like a cool up and comer barely interested in rapping. Here he feels like a vet. The self-titled opener manages to feel grand whilst also retaining that underground feel with the lo-fi instruments. The majority of his verses are almost written with misguided college tattoos in mind. And this is a good thing. My favourite being:
“Feeling like a vigilante or missionary/ tell my A$AP killers get they pistols ready”.
The lyric comes from album favourite, and one of my favourite tracks of the year “1 Train“. As much as we are amidst this 90’s renaissance “1 Train” does feel like it’s literally pulled from the ’95. The final reason this album is such a success for me, is basically how much I love Rocky’s verse here. On a track with Kendrick, Bronson, Danny Brown and admittedly a killer finish from Big K.R.I.T, Rocky’s verse has a timeless feel. A feeling that permeates the whole album.
9: Fall Out Boy: Save Rock And Roll
Despite never having been cheated on, bullied or having worn any kind of eyeliner I am a massive Fall Out Boy fan. So as long as it wasn’t a beginners guide to puppy murder I was pretty much bound to love it. It’s half a good to decent album, and half a fantastic album. “The Mighty Fall” is a straight dud, but the title track is fantastic. “My Songs…” is a surprisingly hip-hop tune, and catchy as Hell. Which is also surprising for a chorus title so clunky. By far the best tune on the album, and my favourite song of the year is “Phoenix”. Fall Out Boy showed hints of this in earlier work. But nothing could’ve prepared anyone for brilliance of this song. It makes more sense on a soundtrack, or even a trailer for some left field summer blockbuster. The production, the “PUT ON YOUR WAR PAINT” chant, the lyrics:
“I’m gonna change you like a remix/ then raise you like a Phoenix/”
This song and the rest of the album make for one of the catchiest albums of the year.
8: Eminem: Marshal Mathers LP 2
Just incase you got lost in all the Kendrick and Drake hype, this year Eminem came back to remind everyone that there is literally no better lyricist breathing. Of course the album wasn’t going to be a true sequel, it really bared little resemblance to his 2000 opus. There is some glossy production, but the grittier beats gel perfectly with the autobiographical nature of songs like “Legacy” and “Brainless”. Duh “Rap God” is incredible and does what it says on the tin. But really all of the tracks have Eminem in God mode. Yeah there are a few missteps with the Rick Rubin production, but even then not once does he turn in a performance less then stellar. Best rapper alive, hands down.
7: Vampire Weekend: Modern Vampires Of The City
Their first album was cool. Every now and then it would drift into almost twee territory but then ground it with quality song writing. Their second album however embraced afrobeats, and gave the album “Contra” a soulful feel. I played the life out of the album, and as happy I was for something new from the band, I was still listening to their second album. So “Modern Vampires…” dropped and somehow might actually be even better. The songs have an added depth to them, and build on the instant pop feel of their previous record. The afro beats have grown into something more resembling Dr. Dre’s studio particularly on “Don’t Lie”, and whatever the mood of the given the song the drums blast throughout. The songs feel more meaningful, and less incidental. The religious themes are never overbearing, but come across whilst still keeping the album fun and immersive.
6. James Blake: Overgrown
Everything you’ve heard about this album is true.
5. The Weeknd: Kiss Land
Despite the embarrassingly corny title, this isn’t an 80’s teen romcom. It’s actually the second album from R&B’s favourite (let’s be honest) misogynist, The Weeknd. This album had a lot to live up to, following his massively acclaimed “Trilogy” album. The Weeknd leaves the club after a debauch evening, to go home and watch horror movies, alone…in his basement…in the dark. The result is a Hitchcockian set of songs about love, that manage to be painfully honest whilst still keeping a distance so it doesn’t sound like some guy moaning about a girl that cheated on him. As well as sounding like the biggest record ever made, despite being about falling in love with prostitutes (in a bad way) the album manages to remain upbeat with it’s almost ironic love songs. My favourite part of the album is the narrative though. Each song can be taken as nigh-on cliché hip-hop song hard at work objectifying women. But the whole album tells the story of a man struggling with intimacy and trust issues. And through all that it still manages to be fun.
4: Beyonce – Self Titled
Beyonce came out nowhere with this album, which is the reason why it’s one of the best albums of the year. No hype, no label pressure for some obvious single, just good music. Honestly I don’t think she’s made anything this good ever. Yeah she’s got hits, but none of her albums play that well from start to finish. This however, quietly has loads of singles, and the album tracks are far from filler. It’s riduclous how impressive this album is. And a gold star for being one of the few singers who can essentially put out a rap track and it not feel forced.
3. Drake – Nothing Was The Same
Bare in mind this is on here with an edited tracklist. Firstly to everyone who hates the album, delete “Own It” and see how you feel about the album. “Own It” incorporates absolutely everything, everyone hates about Drake. Unnecessarily bad singing, over wrought lyrics and just getting way too emotional. It doesn’t help that it follows the pretty alright “Wu-Tang Forever”. So seriously take this song out. Add the bonus tracks “Come Thru”, “All Me” and “The Motion”. Plus the two recent singles “We Made It” and “Trophies” (in that order on the end of the album) And you have one of the best mainstream (if not THE best) albums of the year.
2. Kanye West – Yeezus
I can honestly say I loved this album from start to finish. And even if you hate it “Blood On The Leaves” is undoubtedly a banger.
1. Woodkid – The Golden Age
“The Golden Age” came out in March, and I already knew nothing would top it. I’ve been listening to movie soundtracks, and this album sounds like The Hobbit scored by Hans Zimmer. It’s loud as hell, with war drums and a billion strings. Every song sounds like the final battle of a movie. The epic fight scene, and that bit where someone important dies and music gets all tear jerky. Woodkid’s crooning vocals add to the controlled chaos of the music, and is massively affecting every time. The songs are beautifully written, themes of love and youth, and can connect to absolutely anyone. The album is timeless is doesn’t fit into any particular time or genre it’s just so left that is can’t be imitated. I’d pretty casually call it a masterpiece if the word wasn’t so overused. So I’ll just say I liked it more than anything I’ve heard all year.
