Albums
of the year
2013
Every year I spend doing this list I say to myself “Why bother, no one reads all this”, and rightly so I guess? Why would anyone care what I think – and being so longwinded on top of it all? So every time I start this list I intend fully to simplify. But in the end, the complete opposite happens. And on top of it all I stress about getting it all done – over something most people don’t even read at all (are you even reading this?!) – even though I started working on this in late August, and now it’s the middle of November as I finally wrap it up. I guess it’s the excitement of sharing or something that drives me to do this? Or maybe I’m just bored. Who knows. I think it’s the former. Hopefully. And because I’m tired and actually have some other things to attend to – I am going to quote myself from last year for most of the rest of this introduction. Oh and one more thing I want to add before I get to quoting myself – my favorite songs of the year? Katy Perry’s ‘Roar’, Chvrches’ ‘Gun’ and My Bloody Valentine’s ‘New You’. What I wouldn’t give to hear MBV cover ‘Roar’, and even for Katy Perry to cover ‘New You’. That is potential brilliance right there, my friends. Ok …. quoting myself now … “So, here you go, my favorite albums of the year. I guess technically they are what I consider to be “the best”, but by saying that it means these then have to be put in some sort of order, and quantified some way. But I really can’t do that. Depending on the mood of the day, each one of these albums is “the best” at one time or another, so really out of all the albums I’ve listened to over the past year, these are my go to albums – my favorites – my “desert island discs” of sorts. I’ve shared one track from each album as well, songs that I think not only represent what is great about the entire album, but what may spark an interest in you to checking out the whole thing, because to me they are all worth your time and quite rewarding indeed. Enjoy with aloha, and as always, turn it WAY the hell up, and for crying out loud use headphones. Laptop speakers = death.”
9
Lorde
Pure Heroine
What is it about this album that is so insanely good? When first hearing about this artist I searched out a few clips and was deeply unimpressed. But I was still open to what she had to offer – simply because that very bold name came across quite peculiar to me. Then album reviews started pouring in, from magazines and websites I personally find highly reputable, and it was all very praiseworthy. I must not have been giving her a chance I thought, and what the hell this is TREMENDOUSLY EXCITING TO BE PROVEN WRONG, so I purchased the CD, cranked it up on my car stereo, and I was blown away. Usually I am impressed when artists of a very young age can make something so melodic and catchy, but despite this Kiwi being only 16 years old – it didn’t mean anything to me this time. But as I listened I remembered how I felt about the debut album from The xx, and how much I admired the restraint they held as young artists – to not be loud, but to be quiet and subtle, to be able to successfully portray the beauty in space and simplicity. Although Lorde is not nearly as quiet and melancholy – as evidenced by the albums relatively “upbeat” singles – the album as a whole is a mostly one note monotone affair. But her voice is lavish yet simple, and somehow each song – again while being similarly toned from track to track – has it’s own distinctive hook and melody. And for a girl of this age to sound so confident not only in her delivery, but the (is it?) tongue-in-cheek stories of what it’s like to be a 16 year old girl in the New Zealand suburbs, it’s an infectious mix. Like most albums that are deemed special in one way or another, Pure Heroine has something to reveal about itself on every spin, keeping it interesting, fresh and exciting. Especially sonically, where small sounds and various electronic flourishes that you didn’t notice were there before now add a whole new beat or melody to grasp onto. The deep cavernous bass and hollow synths of ‘Tennis Court’. The stilted beat and building synths of ‘Ribs’ to the sublime ‘Buzzcut Season‘ and it’s haunting synth keys and layered vocals. By the 10th listen you realize there is so much going on – within a production that is so simple – it’s quite remarkable. And with that voice, that confident voice booming over it all with her cheeky lyrics and quietly fearless delivery – this one is a grower and an incredibly rewarding experience once you give in to the world Lorde is offering. Gorgeous, blinding confidence.