Albums of 2013

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1. 1
   Long.Live.A$APA$AP Rocky

   Long.Live.A$AP

   A$AP Rocky · 2013 · Hip-Hop

   A hazy, cloud-rap peak of style and texture. Polished and acclaimed. A breakthrough.

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2. 2
   ReflektorArcade Fire

   Reflektor

   Arcade Fire · 2013 · Alternative & Indie

   A sprawling, dance-influenced double album produced with James Murphy. Ambitious and varied. A bold experiment.

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3. 3
   AMArctic Monkeys

   AM

   Arctic Monkeys · 2013 · Alternative & Indie

   A sleek, hip-hop-influenced reinvention of heavy riffs and falsetto hooks. Cool and huge. Their biggest crossover record.

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4. 4
   Tomorrow's HarvestBoards of Canada

   Tomorrow's Harvest

   Boards of Canada · 2013 · Electronic

   A cinematic, foreboding comeback of widescreen electronica. Atmospheric and acclaimed. A strong return.

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5. 5
   Acid RapChance the Rapper

   Acid Rap

   Chance the Rapper · 2013 · Hip-Hop

   A joyful, gospel-tinged mixtape that announced a major new voice in independent rap. Warm and inventive. A modern classic.

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6. 6
   Because the InternetChildish Gambino

   Because the Internet

   Childish Gambino · 2013 · Hip-Hop

   An ambitious, conceptual rap record about identity and the online age. Inventive and dense. A turning point in his music.

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7. 7
   Random Access MemoriesDaft Punk

   Random Access Memories

   Daft Punk · 2013 · Electronic

   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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8. 8
   The Next DayDavid Bowie

   The Next Day

   David Bowie · 2013 · Rock

   A surprise comeback of sharp, classicist art-rock. Bold and acclaimed. A late-career return.

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9. 9
   SunbatherDeafheaven

   Sunbather

   Deafheaven · 2013 · Metal

   A divisive, beautiful blend of black metal and shoegaze. Bold and acclaimed. A modern landmark.

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10. 10
    SettleDisclosure

    Settle

    Disclosure · 2013 · Electronic

    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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11. 11
    Nothing Was the SameDrake

    Nothing Was the Same

    Drake · 2013 · Hip-Hop

    A confident, cohesive peak of melodic rap and brooding production. Polished and assured. A fan favourite.

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12. 12
    DorisEarl Sweatshirt

    Doris

    Earl Sweatshirt · 2013 · Hip-Hop

    A dense, lyrical debut of dark, intricate rhymes. Sharp and acclaimed. A breakthrough.

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13. 13
    Holy FireFoals

    Holy Fire

    Foals · 2013 · Alternative & Indie

    A muscular, groove-driven indie-rock peak. Tuneful and acclaimed. A high point.

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14. 14
    Born SinnerJ. Cole

    Born Sinner

    J. Cole · 2013 · Hip-Hop

    An introspective, soulful record of ambition and doubt. Earnest and assured. A fan favourite.

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15. 15
    OvergrownJames Blake

    Overgrown

    James Blake · 2013 · Electronic

    A subtler, soulful follow-up to the debut. Intimate and Mercury-winning. A high point.

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16. 16
    The Electric LadyJanelle Monae

    The Electric Lady

    Janelle Monae · 2013 · Soul & R&B

    A lush, ambitious concept peak of funk and soul. Bold and acclaimed. A high point.

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17. 17
    SoutheasternJason Isbell

    Southeastern

    Jason Isbell · 2013 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A raw, sober Americana peak of vivid storytelling. Honest and acclaimed. His masterpiece.

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18. 18
    ImmunityJon Hopkins

    Immunity

    Jon Hopkins · 2013 · Electronic

    A widescreen techno journey from euphoric peaks to ambient comedown, beautifully produced. Immersive and emotional. A modern electronic high point.

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19. 19
    Same Trailer Different ParkKacey Musgraves

    Same Trailer Different Park

    Kacey Musgraves · 2013 · Country & Americana

    A witty, sharp country debut. Tuneful and acclaimed. A breakthrough.

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20. 20
    YeezusKanye West

    Yeezus

    Kanye West · 2013 · Hip-Hop

    A jarring, industrial-leaning art-rap statement of minimalist aggression. Bold and divisive. A creative swerve.

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21. 21
    Wakin on a Pretty DazeKurt Vile

    Wakin on a Pretty Daze

    Kurt Vile · 2013 · Alternative & Indie

    A loose, hazy guitar peak of laid-back charm. Warm and acclaimed. A high point.

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22. 22
    Once I Was an EagleLaura Marling

    Once I Was an Eagle

    Laura Marling · 2013 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A sprawling, mature folk peak of literary depth. Beautiful and acclaimed. A creative high.

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23. 23
    Pure HeroineLorde

    Pure Heroine

    Lorde · 2013 · Pop

    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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24. 24
    m b vMy Bloody Valentine

    m b v

    My Bloody Valentine · 2013 · Alternative & Indie

    A long-awaited sequel to Loveless that picked up where it left off. Immersive and acclaimed. A worthy return.

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25. 25
    R Plus SevenOneohtrix Point Never

    R Plus Seven

    Oneohtrix Point Never · 2013 · Electronic

    A dense, uncanny electronic peak of fractured texture. Bold and acclaimed. A high point.

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26. 26
    MuchachoPhosphorescent

    Muchacho

    Phosphorescent · 2013 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A warm, atmospheric Americana peak. Beautiful and acclaimed. A breakthrough.

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27. 27
    Run the JewelsRun the Jewels

    Run the Jewels

    Run the Jewels · 2013 · Hip-Hop

    A hard-hitting debut of El-P and Killer Mike's chemistry. Sharp and acclaimed. A breakthrough.

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28. 28
    The 1975The 1975

    The 1975

    The 1975 · 2013 · Alternative & Indie

    A glossy, sprawling debut blending pop, rock and 80s textures. Tuneful and huge. Their breakthrough.

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29. 29
    Trouble Will Find MeThe National

    Trouble Will Find Me

    The National · 2013 · Alternative & Indie

    A refined, melancholic peak of literate indie rock. Understated and acclaimed. A fan favourite.

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30. 30
    WolfTyler, the Creator

    Wolf

    Tyler, the Creator · 2013 · Hip-Hop

    A more melodic, introspective step toward maturity. Bold and acclaimed. A turning point.

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31. 31
    Modern Vampires of the CityVampire Weekend

    Modern Vampires of the City

    Vampire Weekend · 2013 · Alternative & Indie

    A leap into ambition and depth, full of intricate production and questions of faith and time. Their richest record. Widely acclaimed.

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