Albums of 2013
The records from 2013 that made our lists.
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1Long.Live.A$APA$AP Rocky
Long.Live.A$AP
A hazy, cloud-rap peak of style and texture. Polished and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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2ReflektorArcade Fire
Reflektor
A sprawling, dance-influenced double album produced with James Murphy. Ambitious and varied. A bold experiment.
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3AMArctic Monkeys
AM
A sleek, hip-hop-influenced reinvention of heavy riffs and falsetto hooks. Cool and huge. Their biggest crossover record.
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4Tomorrow's HarvestBoards of Canada
Tomorrow's Harvest
A cinematic, foreboding comeback of widescreen electronica. Atmospheric and acclaimed. A strong return.
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5Acid RapChance the Rapper
Acid Rap
A joyful, gospel-tinged mixtape that announced a major new voice in independent rap. Warm and inventive. A modern classic.
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6Because the InternetChildish Gambino
Because the Internet
An ambitious, conceptual rap record about identity and the online age. Inventive and dense. A turning point in his music.
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7Random Access MemoriesDaft Punk
Random Access Memories
A lavish live-instrument turn away from samples, chasing the warmth of 1970s and 80s studio craft with collaborators like Nile Rodgers. 'Get Lucky' became inescapable. Polished, reverent and grand.
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8The Next DayDavid Bowie
The Next Day
A surprise comeback of sharp, classicist art-rock. Bold and acclaimed. A late-career return.
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9SunbatherDeafheaven
Sunbather
A divisive, beautiful blend of black metal and shoegaze. Bold and acclaimed. A modern landmark.
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10SettleDisclosure
Settle
A polished, soulful debut that revived UK house for a new generation, full of vocal hooks. Slick and danceable. A modern dance staple.
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11Nothing Was the SameDrake
Nothing Was the Same
A confident, cohesive peak of melodic rap and brooding production. Polished and assured. A fan favourite.
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12DorisEarl Sweatshirt
Doris
A dense, lyrical debut of dark, intricate rhymes. Sharp and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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13Holy FireFoals
Holy Fire
A muscular, groove-driven indie-rock peak. Tuneful and acclaimed. A high point.
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14Born SinnerJ. Cole
Born Sinner
An introspective, soulful record of ambition and doubt. Earnest and assured. A fan favourite.
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15OvergrownJames Blake
Overgrown
A subtler, soulful follow-up to the debut. Intimate and Mercury-winning. A high point.
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16The Electric LadyJanelle Monae
The Electric Lady
A lush, ambitious concept peak of funk and soul. Bold and acclaimed. A high point.
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17SoutheasternJason Isbell
Southeastern
A raw, sober Americana peak of vivid storytelling. Honest and acclaimed. His masterpiece.
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18ImmunityJon Hopkins
Immunity
A widescreen techno journey from euphoric peaks to ambient comedown, beautifully produced. Immersive and emotional. A modern electronic high point.
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19Same Trailer Different ParkKacey Musgraves
Same Trailer Different Park
A witty, sharp country debut. Tuneful and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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20YeezusKanye West
Yeezus
A jarring, industrial-leaning art-rap statement of minimalist aggression. Bold and divisive. A creative swerve.
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21Wakin on a Pretty DazeKurt Vile
Wakin on a Pretty Daze
A loose, hazy guitar peak of laid-back charm. Warm and acclaimed. A high point.
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22Once I Was an EagleLaura Marling
Once I Was an Eagle
A sprawling, mature folk peak of literary depth. Beautiful and acclaimed. A creative high.
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23Pure HeroineLorde
Pure Heroine
A spare, witty teenage debut that reframed pop with minimalist beats and sharp observation. Cool and distinctive. 'Royals' announced a major talent.
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24m b vMy Bloody Valentine
m b v
A long-awaited sequel to Loveless that picked up where it left off. Immersive and acclaimed. A worthy return.
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25R Plus SevenOneohtrix Point Never
R Plus Seven
A dense, uncanny electronic peak of fractured texture. Bold and acclaimed. A high point.
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26MuchachoPhosphorescent
Muchacho
A warm, atmospheric Americana peak. Beautiful and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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27Run the JewelsRun the Jewels
Run the Jewels
A hard-hitting debut of El-P and Killer Mike's chemistry. Sharp and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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28The 1975The 1975
The 1975
A glossy, sprawling debut blending pop, rock and 80s textures. Tuneful and huge. Their breakthrough.
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29Trouble Will Find MeThe National
Trouble Will Find Me
A refined, melancholic peak of literate indie rock. Understated and acclaimed. A fan favourite.
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30WolfTyler, the Creator
Wolf
A more melodic, introspective step toward maturity. Bold and acclaimed. A turning point.
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31Modern Vampires of the CityVampire Weekend
Modern Vampires of the City
A leap into ambition and depth, full of intricate production and questions of faith and time. Their richest record. Widely acclaimed.