Top 10 Tracks of 2013

2013 was another fantastic year of music and although it was extremely tough narrowing things down to the top 10 this year I have finally done so. Will include the rest of the top 50 later but without further ado here is my official top 10 of 2013:

10. James Blake - Retrograde

There isn't much else to say other than James simply owns in this track. Going to be tough for him to ever top this.

9. Woodkid - Iron

Such a refreshing change of pace to the music scene. He specializes in directing music videos so this one isn't even fair. You'll find out later how this isn't even the best track to the album which should be hard to imagine..

8. Mogwai - Remurdered

Don't let the track title fool you, this is one of the more accessible Mogwai tracks to date. Not that they are ever really hard on the ears per se, their lack of lyrics usually limit the number of fans they will obtain. This particular track is a fantastic achievement in musical composition in which they utilize a bit more 'Daft Punk' then post-rock influences in this one and it comes across brilliantly.

7. Julia Holter - Horns Surrounding Me

I see the term 'hauntingly beautiful' thrown around quite a bit but this is a rare case where it is definitely warranted. The combination of her voice, driving cello, and the right amount of saxophone make it the perfect musical cocktail that will shake you to your core.

6. The National - Don't Swallow the Cap

The Album of the Year is almost impossible to pick which tracks are the cream of the crop. This particular one sticks out to me because it's a slight departure for The National which is quite refreshing. All of the underlying instruments are quite uplifting and the lyrics are quite uplifting. The lyrics themselves are open to interpretation (some of them may be negative) but whatever take you have they seem to be trending in a positive direction. 

5. Regina Spektor - You've Got Time

Lorde is probably going to OWN the Grammy's, which is fine, but 1:02-1:30  is arguably the best vocal performance of the year. The interlude following this is just as incredible and if you've ever watched "Orange is the New Black" you know that this is the opening track which could not be a more perfect fit for a fantastic show.

4. Foals - Bad Habit

I had not seen the video to this until now, holy smokes. This wasn't what I had envisioned but I guess anything will go well with this track. Not all great songs these days need to necessarily be centered around a main chorus but this is probably the best chorus of the year. The build up into the crescendo that is the final chorus starting at 3:00 is what sets this track apart from the rest.

3. Daft Punk (ft. Panda Bear) - Doin' it Right

The one and only Panda Bear absolutely steals the show with his ridiculous ability to create the perfect pitch/cadence/lyrics to make you get lost within the song. I would relate this to a 4 minute dream where your thoughts wonder to whatever your synapse drive-by shooting in your brain can produce and then when it's all over you are brought back to the sober reality of your mind. Let's just hope that state isn't so bad or else you may need to have this on repeat. 

2. The National - Graceless 

I had mentioned earlier that the National's "Trouble Will Find Me" is so flawless that it's sort of tough selecting which tracks are the cream of the crop. Well, "Graceless" managed to rise above all of the rest and is one of the best track in their entire catalog. I'm glad they made the video to be as much fun as the song is. The track itself has a sort of vibe to it that just makes you want to have some great times to so that when you listen to it years down the road it acts as a time capsule as to the great times you had while listening to it.

1. Woodkid - The Golden Age

Here is your #1 track of the year. The video does an incredible job encapsulating the theme of the track...the end of childhood. All of the ET and Neverending Story clips do quite a number on me considering those were movies that I watched during my particular childhood. The crescendo that begins at 1:35 is what really sets this track above all the rest this year. Music has an amazing way of capturing the human emotion and triggering it with a few instruments. If it is composed right, it can transcend that into something even greater, and this track manages to achieve just that.

Top 100 Tracks of 2012 (#10-1)

You can follow the Spotify playlist of the top 100 tracks here: Best of 2012

10. Jonquil – It's My Part
What was the top track of the summer kicks off the top 10 tracks of the year, Try to listen to this and not feel pleasant, I dare you.

9. Santigold – Disparate Youth
One of those tracks that will just become a part of you, if you allow it. The backing guitar and synth are perfect contrasts to her singing in this one. Great track to lose focus of your surroundings and focus on something meaningful to you.

8. The xx – Swept Away
From 1:10 to the end of this track is the best groove of the year. If you are unaffected by this one someone probably needs to check your pulse.

7. Dirty Projectors – Gun Has No Trigger
I am going to use this track in my first indie-action movie. It's going to start playing towards the end of the last scene through the credits and it's going to bee awesome.

6. Antony & The Johnsons – Cut The World
This track is simply amazing and the video just might be the most beautifully haunting music video ever created.  Oh and keep in mind that this track is LIVE...incredible.

5. Beach House – Wild
The opening track from 'Bloom' and the #1 opening track of the year.

4. Godspeed You! Black Emperor – Mladic
Godspeed needs no explanation. If you have 20 minutes of spare time to have a track in the background to have life-changing experience than you should give them a chance. Their songs are so complex and deep that you may have a different experience every time you listen to one...it is always incredible though.

3. Anberlin – God, Drugs & Sex
The song title mentions 3 of the most controversial topics in society at the moment. They have described the meaning as with all of the technological advances of our generation most people don't have time to sit down and really THINK. Because of this we are pretty apathetic over most things because we simply don't reflect enough. This track seemingly makes you reflect on things that are important to you by it's wonderful composition. It doesn't get much better than this ladies and gentleman.

 2. Beach House – Myth
The #1 track for most of the year was 'Myth' by Beach House. It is such an incredible soundscape and truly one of the best songs in the last decade. Victoria's vocal range in this track is unearthly and the guitar seems to have a human-level of emotion to it throughout the entire track.

1. Godspeed You! Black Emperor – We Drift Like Worried Fire
The greatest track of 2012, period.

Top 100 Tracks of 2012 (#19-11)

19. Beach House – Troublemaker
Another great track of the already "classic"-status album Myth. A typical sounding Beach House track with clean guitar, drum machine, and plenty of keyboard. What really sends this track into the stratosphere is Victoria's erupting with passion during the chorus.

18. Animal Collective – New Town Burnout
A very simple track with many, many layers. That sort of redundancy is what drives people away from AC but at the same time causes those that "get them" to adore tracks such as this one.

17. The Temper Trap – Need Your Love
Teach me how to Dougy! No seriously, Dougy Mandagi has one of the best vocal ranges in music today. This track he basically shows off how he can turn a simple "ooh" into the best form of it ever heard in a song, ever.

16. Grimes – Oblivion
It should be illegal to combine a heavy synth-bass beat with her squeaky clean voice. Well she did it and there is nothing anybody can do about it now.

15. Lana Del Rey – National Anthem
It seems a bit ridiculous how many of hr songs made the list but I am not apologizing, especially for this one. This very well could be the perfect track for a nice warm summer day, especially for the Fourth of July.

14. Beach House – Lazuli
Victoria Legrand simply knocks this one out of the park with her singing. The second half transition of this track is what makes Beach House simply amazing. If you are reading my synopsis still without pressing play on this track then you my friend a bigger fool than me.

13. Animal Collective – Today's Supernatural
This track hits you like a bucket of ice water to the face in your sleep and doesn't let up. It almost feels like you are stuck in some twisted carnival maze and trying to find a way out...but don't want to by the time the track ends. You begin to embrace the crazy, because hey...crazy is fun.

12. Cursive – The Cat and Mouse
In what is Cursive's best track in some time, they seem to go back to their Ugly Organ roots. The break down at 1:00 would fit right in and the ending is vintage Cursive.

11a. Grimes – Genesis
Amazing.

11b. Lana Del Rey – Born To Die
Equally amazing.

Top 100 Tracks of 2012 (#29-20)

29. Best Coast – How They Want Me To Be
While most of their songs are about the beach or her cat...this is Best Coast's most heartfelt track to date. They show that they can craft a perfect little ballad here.

28. Anberlin – Innocent
Such a great all around track. Every single instrument is composed to perfection to create what is definitely a top 30 track type of the year caliber song.

27. Soko – First Love Never Die
Running out of words to describe the amazing tracks able to reach the top-30. This is a very chill track that will grow and grow on you.

26. Santigold – The Keepers
In case you haven't noticed, 2012 was a year where women in music really took over. Santigold was one of the key ones that really hit her stride this year. Her ability to create an infectious chorus is clear in this track.

25. Dum Dum Girls – Lord Knows
Continuing with the girl power trend, I present you the Dum Dum Girls. A smooth, steady groove that is very difficult not to listen to on repeat.

24. Fun. – Some Nights
The moment I heard this song I knew it was special. It definitely erupted by topping the charts so it's very likely you have heard it before (many times). This doesn't take away from the fact that it positively influenced the state of music in 2012.

23. Soap&Skin – Wonder
Calling this a 'song' probably doesn't do it enough justice. This 'hymn' was so delicately crafted it's almost too fragile for ones ears.

22. Imagine Dragons – It's Time
Another song that most people have probably heard by now. It should not be overlooked on any 2012 lists because this is one of those great tracks that acts as a time capsule for all of the moments, thoughts, and memories you had from last year.

21. Lana Del Rey – Radio
Unless you have been brainwashed into hating her (like Nickelback...only they are pretty terrible) there is no reason this song won't hit you in the feels.

20. Of Monsters And Men – Little Talks
This track most likely concluded the 'hey, I've heard this song before' portion of this year's list. And what a fun track this is...the male/female dual vocals in this one is something of beauty.




 

Top 100 Tracks of 2012 (#39-30)

39. Bat For Lashes – Laura
No need to blab about it...just listen to it and hear her haunting tale with her incredible voice.

38. The Vaccines – Teenage Icon
Just a simple pop-punk song; nothing more, nothing less - which makes it that much better.

37. Soap&Skin – Boat Turns Toward The Port
The much anticipated follow-up by Soap & Skin by the handful of fans she has (which is a shame). It was going to be tough for here to match her debut but she definitely succeeded.

36. Fun. – We Are Young - feat. Janelle Monáe
It seems like the Grammys actually beat me to the punch on this one (and had it ranked WAY higher). It's really hard to not love this one.

35. Beach House – Other People
The first of many tracks from Beach House's 'Bloom' that made the top 40. Every listen of this track is an amazing experience.

34. The xx – Tides
Hooooly shit. Just wait until the 1:00 mark when the bass kicks in.

33. Animal Collective – Monkey Riches
It was really tough not to have this song higher, but that just goes to show how good the top 30 is. This track is fucking amazing on a much deeper level than your average pop fan can hear on first listen.

32. Japandroids – The House That Heaven Built
The aggressive pop-punk anthem almost everyone can enjoy.

31. Anberlin – Self-Starter
Opening track from Anberlin's 'Vital' and is definitely a 'Self-Starter'. If you happen to be short on coffee and need a jolt just give this track a listen, it will surely get you going.

30. Soap&Skin – Vater
This track has more layers than a slice of tiramisu. When the wheels start to come off the track around 2:45, this track builds up and up until it reaches a crescendo of a wonderful mixed bag of piano riffs that Beethoven himself may be jealous of. 

Top 100 Tracks of 2012 (#49- 40)

49. The xx – Sunset

The LP 'Coexist' by The xx is one of the definitive LP's of 2012 and some would argue this is actually the top track from it. Just goes to show the best is yet to come...

48. Grizzly Bear – Sleeping Ute

Such a dynamic use of powerful chords followed by intense/concise plucking of said chords. A very versatile band that features two lead singers in a way that keeps their sound always fresh.

47. Sharon Van Etten – Serpents

She has the type of voice that would be able capture an entire room of people that haven't heard her before. This particular track has got it all going on for it.

46. Lana Del Rey – Body Electric

Seeing her preform this track live really amplifies how seductive she intended this track to be. 

45. Hammock – Hiding But Nobody Missed You

You could still consider this another "instrumental" by Hammock in the top 100. The singing is simply meant to be another instrument and it is a different adventure every time you listen to this track and have a refreshing moment of daydreaming during it.

44. Local Natives – Breakers

Local Natives have proved to not be 1 album wonders. 'Breakers' was the definitive track from their follow-up LP and the background riff beginning at 1:20 is what takes this track to another level.  

43. Zebra Katz – W8wtf

Definitely the weirdest track on the entire list. If you happen to listen to it a few times you will wonder why the hell it is stuck in your head. Then eventually you will just have to hit 'play' one more time to get your fix of 'W8wtf' for the day.

42. Best Coast – The Only Place

The ultimate west-coast pride pop anthem.

41. Jai Paul – jasmine (demo)

No... his music isn't as weird as his picture above - check it out.

40. Cursive – The Sun and Moon

One of the greatest singer-songwriter of our time, Tim Kasher has another classic tale to tell you in this fantastic track.