Something You Said’s best albums of 2013

What a fantastic year it’s been for music. So many quality longplayers have visited our ears! Here’s Somethingyousaid.com’s Top 20, as voted for by our team of contributors (and stay tuned over the coming days for our top films, gigs, TV shows and songs):

SOMETHINGYOUSAID.COM’S ALBUM OF THE YEAR 2013 IS: KIRIN J CALLINAN – EMBRACISM 

Perhaps confronting to most, it is refreshing to see an artist like Kirin J Callinan stand by and receive recognition for his vision, in a completely uncompromising way unlike so many artists who set out to create and entertain for the majority or greater appeal. His debut album, Embracism, proves that now, perhaps more than ever, there is a definite cry for these forlorn ballads and noise-works of excess and violence that live in the fantasies, or are being swept under the rug of the average man. 

Kirin exclusively told us this about his album: “This is very much a breakup album, you know. I’d been through a pretty intense breakup and had a pretty intense relationship. And I’ve been living in the Blue Mountains (in New South Wales) for a couple of years so it obviously sounds Australian. But I think you can get even more localised than that. There’s a quality to it that is distinctly relating to Sydney. I mean everyone involved with it, like Tim Rogers [of Jack Ladder] and myself are obviously both from Sydney, and between Dan Stricker [of Midnight Juggernauts] and Tim, who are the two other main guys that play on the record – everyone’s Aussie. I made it at Kim’s Moyes’ [of The Presets] place and I’d written the songs over however many years in various locations around Sydney. I dunno, that seems very apparent to me, whether anyone else could pick up on it I’m not sure, but it doesn’t sound like a record that could come out of Melbourne, for example, or anywhere else. There’s something inherently New South Welsh with it.” Review by Jack Colwell and interview by Bianca Cornale

2. UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA – II 
Nothing floats about unnecessarily, every sentence feels purposeful, every chord change oddly effective. The guitars sound like they’re being fed through mini Orange amps and all manner of reconstructed guitar pedals being stomped on for that ‘weirdo’ super sonic magic, more synonymous with bands like The Bees or MGMT. Parts of the record recalls early Beck, Mellow Gold era. Really gorgeous and pleasing, blues-tinged, solar powered, indie magic. Golden Lady

3. ARCADE FIRE – REFLEKTOR
Co-produced by James Murphy (the genius behind LCD Soundsystem) and based on the sounds and experiences of a journey through the Caribbean, Reflektor sounds like nothing you’ve heard before. Sure it is still stacked with superb lyrical finesse and melodies that are oh-so Arcade Fire. But compared to the more conventional indie sounding Funeral, Neon Bible and The Suburbs, Reflektor is a walk off the beaten into a dangerous new realm. Claire Little

4. HAIM – DAYS ARE GONE 
What a killer album, especially the first six songs!
Each track has a solid bass foundation, a steady drum beat, playful synths, a contagious chorus and mature, seductive, female vocals. These damn fine three sisters make tunes that take you on a journey from drowsy town to party central in less than three minutes – the urge to full-body bop is absolutely irresistible. Harriet Cheney

5. LORDE – PURE HEROINE
“I’m kind of over getting told to throw my hands up in the air,” New Zealander Lorde tells us. In a time when popular music lyrics are so heavily based around generic good times or flashing the cash, this record is a celebration of counting shrapnel on the way to hang out with true friends. Containing small-town truths and defiant optimism of which Jarvis Cocker would be proud, this album is an absolute breath of fresh air and worthy of the awards and plaudits. Bobby Townsend

6. BILL CALLAHAN – DREAM RIVER
Callahan refines and distills his songcraft still further proving once and for all that he is the natural heir to Leonard Cohen. Very few songwriters can match his intellectual yet playful way with language and the music is more than a match, full of subtle interplay and magical meanderings that mirror the wandering nature of the lyrics. Neil Martin
Bill Callahan is the most beautiful musician. I love everything he does. Madeline Kragh

7. BOARDS OF CANADA – TOMORROW’S HARVEST 
Boards of Canada took a subtle and geeky route to announce their first album in eight years. It all started with a 12″ record popping up unannounced in New York for Record Store Day which featured very little information other than indicating that the few seconds of audio could be one of six. The audio itself was a lofi recording reciting a series of six numbers. It eventually became clear in the next few days that there were more records around with different audio and numbers. It was a code to be cracked and at that stage no one knew what it would reveal. Once all the numbers were clear and in the right order, you entered it into a website which gave access to a webpage with a video transmission of music from the new album. It was fun, geeky, intriguing and rewarding as the album that followed is widely hailed as their best work to date incorporating the best parts of their previous albums into a solid and long lasting album where new layers are discovered on every listen. Highly recommended. 25ThC

8. DAVID BOWIE – THE NEXT DAY
The more times Bowie reinvents himself, the more he feels like a character he’s portrayed on film; an odd slightly vampiric immortal, an androgynous alien, goblin king, magician.
The Next Day is not as accessible as some of his most (not-that-recent) recent albums like Earthling or Heathen but it’s certainly an album worthy of the man. Give it a listen.
Oliver Heath

9. VAMPIRE WEEKEND – MODERN VAMPIRES OF THE CITY
Yeah it took me by surprise as well. I’d written Vampire Weekend off long ago but then came this masterpiece of erudite pop music. I didn’t even get round to listening to the album until four months after it came out, I was that uninterested. What a fool I was, this is hands down the best pop record I have heard in years. Every track is wonderful and the complex melodicism of the songs seeps into you in a way that few albums have done for me in recent years. Neil Martin

10. JAMES BLAKE – OVERGROWN 
Lush, smooth, post dub beats. James Blake doesn’t try to fit into any specific genre though; he features hip hop artists, draws on his classical roots, turns up that reverberating bass, masters complex vocal chord progressions and then adds a pinch of modest indie cool to the mix. You’ll be hooked from beginning to end and left desperate to make this dude your boyfriend.
Harriet Cheney

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11. ARCTIC MONKEYS – AM 
Arctic Monkeys really surprised me this year, to be honest. I’d never been that much of a fan until AM came out. The sleazy style of the British accent finally pays off and I’ve been playing AM non-stop.
Sara Potter

12. FOALS – HOLY FIRE
Foals have shown considerable progression in their sound, which is exciting and rare for a band that could easily remain formulaic. They have instead been bold and dynamic, exploring new territory, garnering new fans and rousing old ones in what will surely be a wild new ride. Kate Holcombe

13. NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS – PUSH THE SKY AWAY
It’s impossible for me to think about Push The Sky Away without remembering Nick Cave’s headline performance at Coachella. It’s like the rest of the world has finally taken proper notice. Preach brother. It would not do them justice to dwell too much on one album, it’s one of many great ones, and anyway my favorite Cave release from this year was the live recording of The Mercy Seat, I like it better than the original. The Bad Seeds just keep getting better. Oliver Heath

14. CLOUD CONTROL – DREAM CAVE
Dream Cave begins with a shower of spacious slacker psych-rock. The album progresses to a lush Beach Boys-sounding dream with some synthy beat elements. Amusingly, the lyrics on this album are much less euphoric than the major key melodies would suggest. The range of influences and the thoughtful song order makes this beautifully produced album shine as one diverse but united story. Harriet Cheney

15. KURT VILE – WALKIN ON A PRETTY DAZE 
Layered songs, target-oriented without a goal, not only in the way they slowly develop chronologically. It is like all songs are variations of the same sound – an expanded monotony, unagitated. As an image, the sound would be driving snow in the pale light of a street lamp: Monotony that is unique in each moment, adrifting without ever being lost. Lisa Says

16. LAURA MARLING – ONCE I WAS AN EAGLE 
Laura Marling. The world knew it was onto something when this little waif came on the scene at age 18. Armed with a guitar, a fantastic set of pipes and a skill to wield her words with a maturity beyond her years. Now five years on Laura has really taken off with this one. Weaved with incredible acoustic musicianship and complex lyrics she reminds you time and time again: “Why do I even bother writing a diary… Laura has already said it, in better sentences and more eloquently than I could ever…” Sophie Metcalfe

17. DEERHUNTER – MONOMANIA
Bradford Cox departs from the organic sounds of previous records and his solo work as Atlas Sound with an album that is punk through and through. Complete with subtle romance and lyrical journey motifs, this record is madness, so raw and frantic and I truly love it. Carol Bowditch

18. DISCLOSURE – SETTLE
Hopes were high for Disclosure’s debut album and with good reason, as Reigate’s finest continued with their mission for world domination (in terms of dance music at least). Settle is filled to the brim with really good tunes which I defy anyone not to get up and have a boogie to, in collaboration with the likes of Jessie Ware, Sam Smith, AlunaGeorge and Eliza Doolittle. Very deservedly nominated for the Mercury Prize. The boys done good. Sonia Clarke

19. THE NATIONAL – TROUBLE WILL FIND ME
A weighty record full of overflowing heavy emotion, skirting-despair and unbridled lust, this is a set of songs that will both wrap their arms around you and squeeze you for every last tear, before singing you to a restless slumber. A definite highlight of 2013. Jack Colwell

20. LONDON GRAMMAR – IF YOU WAIT 
From the opening note of their debut album to the final breath, British trio London Grammar take you on a brooding, nostalgic ride. Lead singer Hannah Reid’s voice is distinct and epic, that coupled with crystal clear trip hop beats and guitar riffs, make you never want to get off. Kate Holcombe
They are seriously my favorite group right now. After reading the first review of them on Something You Said, I found out that they were going to tour the US, so I went to their Portland show and it was actually incredible. Their record blew my mind, and their live show was even better – a rarity these days. Elaina Ransford

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ALSO… HIGHLY COMMENDED
Here are some albums that didn’t quite get enough votes to make the Top 20, but that our team think are worthy of your attention….

WASHED OUT – PARACOSM
The album like its title, suggests a magical, fantasy world. Paracosm has a naturalistic warmth and ease to it. Its textured beats, noises and rhythms float together seamlessly to create a holistic experience. I daresay if one is bound by city, Paracosm would indeed transport the mind to the natural world, and deliver a peaceful and positive state-of-mind. Definitely recommend this album to the dreamers and hippies at heart. Liana Gow-Killingbeck

THE JAI PAUL LEAK ALBUM/DEMO/MIXTAPE/WHATEVER
By far the most exciting music I have heard this year or in fact, for many years. If you were lucky enough to hear it before it was buried then you will know. Mind-blowing. Tom Spooner

YEAH YEAH YEAHS – MOSQUITO
Karen O can’t really do wrong in my eyes and the release of Mosquito was no exception. It has been a decade since we first heard her haunting glitter-trampoline-rock voice break through with songs like Date With The Night. Now ten years on YYYs still carry that distinctive sound but have brought along new influences. Songs like Sacrilege show that this contemporary androgynous pop star can not only scream down the mike but bring sass to the table like a 1960’s soul sister. I would compare them to a fine malt whiskey… maturing with age… but that would suggest that they haven’t been anything but perfection in their entire career… which would be a false statement. Sophie Metcalfe

HIGH HIGHS – OPEN SEASON
Hands down, best album of the year IMO. I shower, drive, sleep, do everything with this album playing in the background. It has been the white noise to some of the best dnms I’ve had this year with mates. The chords the guys have paired with the vocal harmonies are simply perfecto. Will welcome the new year with this album too, I don’t think I’ll be able to get over it, Very chill and great to wind down to. Tammy Potakh

KING KRULE – SIX FEET BENEATH THE MOON
One word to describe this album? Lush. A few more? Soul churning and heart-breaking and all the other types of good ethereal pain…diced then blended. Yum. Melissa Oey

HOUNDMOUTH – FROM THE HILLS BELOW THE CITY
I saw Houndmouth play a small intimate gig in East London earlier in the year and I was blown away. I took the album home with me and played it over and over again. I absolutely love it. The songwriting is exceptional, the harmonies are sublime and the production is spot on! Joe Haddow

PREFAB SPROUT – CRIMSON RED
It may surprise a few that my favourite album of 2013 is from a band best known for a song about hot dogs and jumping frogs back in the 1980s. The song in question, King of Rock n Roll, was always a misrepresentation of Paddy McAloon’s ability to craft beautiful, heartfelt and complex pop music. So it was with utter unbridled joy that in 2013 he returned from ill health with his first album of new material since 1997. Releasing this collection of 10 pop gems has made the world a little more brighter and a whole lot more melodic. Gary Page

JIM BOB – WHAT I THINK ABOUT WHEN I THINK ABOUT YOU 
As one would expect from an author, Jim Bob pens some absolutely killer lyrics. A combination of dark humour, trademark puns and social commentary weave through the record, punctuated by some gently downbeat moments. Bobby Townsend

THE POSTAL SERVICE – GIVE UP: DELUXE 10TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION
Such Great Heights. Need I say more? Kaya Strehler

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