Favorites of 2013 - Albums
10-110. Lady Gaga - ‘ARTPOP’
Gaga's third LP isn't as single-heavy as it's predecessors, but it does see her returning to her purely-fun pop ways.
9. London Grammar - ‘If You Wait’
This British trio's debut is an astounding ode to how pop can be slowed down in a meaningful way.
8. Katy Perry - ‘Prism’
'Prism' is also a less commercial record, but just as catchy and fun as the rest of the singer's output.
7. Kanye West – ‘Yeezus’
Kanye's latest is one of his darkest, with screaming replacing rapping and a surprising lack of promotion and singles.
6. Ellie Goulding - ‘Halcyon Days’
Where 'Halcyon' was a bit lacking in mainstream pop and anything ready for the floor, extended re-release 'Days' picks up the slack.
5. Woodkid – ‘The Golden Age’
The French producer/singer/video director's first full length is an amazingly unique and baroque affair.
4. Disclosure – ‘Settle’
These two British brothers are changing electronic music forever with their odd samples and beautiful songwriting.
3. Betty Who - ‘The Movement’ EP
Betty Who came out of nowhere and exploded, having a viral video and a major label deal in the same month. The EP is only four songs long, but those four songs have made up most of my year.
2. Tegan and Sara – ‘Heartthrob’
The surprise album of the year was also one of the best. Tegan and Sara had always been an alternative duo who had guitars and feelings, but once they teamed up with Greg Kurstin, everything changed. You'd think making the leap to radio-friendly power-electronic pop would scare their fans away, but it was so good, they only became bigger.
1. Bastille – ‘Bad Blood’ & ‘All This Bad Blood’
You had to know that British pop was going to be high on the list, and there was a pretty good chance that it would be my favorite of the year. Bastille released their debut album and a re-release in the same year, and both were unbelievable. Haunting, creepy, and undeniably catchy (with radio success in the UK!), they defied what we're used to and had us all singing along.
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HONORABLE MENTIONS
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