Best of 2013
#15 Afraid - The Neighbourhood
I like to think that The Neighbourhood’s whole album is the soundtrack to a movie, and that this is the montaging climax scene. They utilize a very specific, “trademark” soundscape (the haunting keyboard “shout” in particular) that I love - but make me fear for their second album. Hopefully they don’t end up being a one-trick pony.
Stock Music Description: A full, moody, indie rock rant.
#14 Thirst - City & Colour
I love this slightly-over-produced-sounding City & Colour. It feels just up-tempo enough to earn the description “driving”, while still feeling like his signature melancholy-romantic blend.
Stock Music Description: Melancholy, indie sound with full band accompaniment.
#13 Guns & Ammunition - July Talk
I feel like there are different parts of this song that don’t seem like they should flow together, and yet somehow they seamlessly do. They build together in a way that is always surprising and impressive to listen to. The vocals are a little gruff at parts, but the chorus is redeeming. A good driving song.
Stock Music Description: Edgy modern rock with male and female vocals.
#12 Man Overboard - Michael Bernard Fitzgerald
MBF’s first single from his big album - and it walks the perfect line between feeling produced/legit, and still having his signature raw/acoustic feel. Well done good sir!
Stock Music Description: Acoustic, indie rock, upbeat, driving.
#11 Counting Stars - OneRepublic
I was so happy to find out that OneRepublic and One Direction are 2 different things - this song is really good and I’m “allowed” to like it! I don’t know much about this band, but I think it’s the lyrics/vocals that really make this stand out from the noise of the Top 40 right now.
Stock Music Description: Catchy and upbeat pop track with indie vocals.
#10 Unbelievers - Vampire Weekend
Hey Vampire Weekend. Though you’ve yet to reach the awesome-level of your first album, I do love the classic college-rock-y feel of this track. It feels upbeat, fun, with just the right amount of hipster pretentiousness around the edges. I can almost close my eyes and imagine I’m sleeping on the balcony after class...
Stock Music Description: Bright, acoustic, college rock.
#9 Cry Like a Ghost - Passion Pit
I feel like the music video definitely contributed to my love of this song (you need to google that shit right now if you haven’t seen it yet). It creates the feeling of a dizzying emotional journey, and the desperate search for relief. I find it surprisingly good, especially for the type of almost electronica sound it has.
Stock Music Description: Electronic keyboard with driving base and subtle vocals.
#8 R U Mine? - Arctic Monkeys
Well hello there Arctic Monkeys! Did you write a sequel to my favourite song of the year (more on that in a moment) - you shouldn’t have! This song is dripping with the sexiest of vocals and drums. They know how to properly fill (or leave empty) each moment of a song, and the result is a driving, kick ass track.
Stock Music Description: Edgy, indie rock, prominent guitar and drums.
#7 One In a Million - Down with Webster
Yes - please judge away for this one. I initially resented how these boys wormed their way into my heart and onto this list. But riddle me this - is there a better gym song than this? No. There is not. So incredibly catchy, driving, and inspiring. The sixteen-year-old girl inside of me is so happy right now.
Stock Music Description: Generic, driving rock-pop boy band with vocals.
#6 San Francisco - The Mowgli’s
My “other” song of the summer - this track feels soaked in sunshine and optimism. It sound a little bit “Of Monsters and Men”-y, but in a good way. It makes you want to sing along in the car, nod your head, tap your foot, and sing along to the bridge in particular. I really like these guys.
Stock Music Description: Happy, bright, indie folk.
#5 Hold On, We’re Going Home - Drake
No one is more surprised than me that Drake is on this list. However, this track does have a feeling of sophistication, maturity, and musical interest that cuts through the clutter of the other shit he does. It has a melancholic hopefulness to it - it feels like the reprieve after an intense experience somehow.
Stock Music Description: Grooving, electronica pop with prominent drum beat.
#4 Reflektor - Arcade Fire
I believe a text I sent to Mr. Allan Thrush describing this song says it all (quite eloquently if I do say so myself): A hazy, layering, modern-day orchestral piece with a piercing lead guitar lick and bongo back beat. Yup.
Stock Music Description: Full sounding indie-electronica with orchestral instrumentation.
#3 Blurred Lines - Robin Thicke feat. T.I. & Pharrell
Ah yes, the song that everyone loves to hate, and nearly stomped out Daft Punk for song of the summer (we’re getting there, don’t worry). Catchy and unrelenting, this has all the signs of a one-hit wonder. And yet, I friggin’ love it. Enjoy it while it lasts Robin Thicke.
Stock Music Description: Top 40 catchy, pop-y, with rap bridge.
#2 Get Lucky - Daft Punk feat. Pharrell
After a fierce battle with song #3 for “song of the summer”, this song is victorious for me - it’s just a better song. It’s the perfect amount of 70’s nostalgia mixed with modern beats and complexity. A dance song you don’t feel guilty liking? Sold.
Stock Music Description: Electronic-pop with undertones of 70’s base guitars and melodies.
#1 Do I Wanna Know? - Arctic Monkeys
My song of the year - this moody track has got it all: killer beat, insanely sultry melody, sexy vocals, delicious lyrics with just the right amount of mysterious allure. The only thing I really “wanna know” after listening to this track is why is the rest of the album (except for #8 on this list of course) is kinda of boring in comparison? Oh well. Listen to this, and be prepared to be seduced by these indie-rock gods.
Stock Music Description: Sultry, edgy, indie-rock.
BONUS TRACKS:
Because it's a shame that I didn't do a list for 2012, and many songs that came out in 2012 didn't reach the radio (or my ears) until 2013, I would also like to include the below as "bonus tracks". Note that some of them would have bumped Arctic Monkeys from their #1 spot had they had the chance...
ARTIST: C2C
ALBUM: Tetr4
NOTABLE TRACKS: Down the Road, Genius, Because of You
ARTIST: alt+J
ALBUM: An Awesome Wave
NOTABLE TRACKS: Breezeblocks, Tessellate, Fitzpleasure
ARTIST: The XX
ALBUM: The Coexist
NOTABLE TRACKS: Chained, Angels, Sunset