2013 has been a surprisingly great year for a variety of things, especially in music. So much great music to listen to from a variety of genres has graced our ears and enabled the year to go by quickly. Anyways, it was really difficult to make this list of the top 10 albums of 2013 because of the wealth of music I had to choose from. But preservere I must, so here’s my list of the top 10 albums of 2013!
Just Missed: Love in the Future by John Legend, Talk a Good Game by Kelly Rowland, Frozen (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), Confidencias by Alejandro Fernandez, Love and War by Tamar Braxton, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
10. Magna Carta…Holy Grail by Jay-Z
Squeaking onto this list is the first and only Jay-Z album I’ve ever heard. the production value is so good and I love how his guest stars pop up on more than one track.
9. Pippin (New Broadway Cast Recording) by New Broadway Cast
Y’all I was thisclose to not having a Broadway cast album on this list for the first time in eons, but Pippin rose from the ashes and eeked its way back into my heart. The score is great, orchestration full and the voices are swoon-worthy.
8. Inside Llewyn Davis: Original Soundtrack Recording by Various Artists
I’m not a big folk music fan by any stretch but this album certianly makes me think I should perhaps listen to more of it. All of the actors sing incredibly well and I dare you to listen to Oscar Isaac sing Fare Thee Well and not fall in love with this album.
7. Save Rock and Roll by Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy came back with a vengance with this aggressive rock album that is sure to have your head bopping and bass shaking. The collabos they got on this album are great (Big Sean and Elton John are wonderful).
6.The Great Gatsby (Music from Baz Luhrman’s Film) Deluxe Edition by Various Artists
The best film soundtrack out this year, by a mile, even with two duds on the album. This album is what the movie should have been, self indulgent, fun, yet laced with plenty emotion.
5. The Electric Lady by Janelle Monae
There are some JAMS on this album and I love how Monae has carried her android theme on into a more mature venue. The only issue with this album is that it’s so top heavy with collabos, but man what collabs they are (Prince! Badu! Solange Knowles!)
4. ARTPOP by Lady Gaga
Were it not for one song, this might be the album of the year for me. Lady Gaga finally put her gimmicks to the best use with ARTPOP and crafts an album that’s so much fun. I mean who else would give you a ratchet anthem like Jewels and Drugs AND an EDM-esque track like Swine on the same album?
3. Beyoncé by Beyoncé
It was really hard to figure out where to place this album because while I thoroughly enjoy the combination of music and videos, some of the tracks aren’t my faves. However, the sheer creative force and incredible production value vaults this album near the top. Beyonce is just on a different level with her artistry.
2. The Civil Wars by The Civil Wars
Hot damn do The Civil Wars know how to make an album. This potentially final album in the history of the group is simply fantastic. It felt like the devil went down to the South again and wrought this emotional and raw album.
1. The 20/20 Experience Pt 1 by Justin Timberlake
There wasn’t a more complete album this year than this album Justin Timberlake put out. I mean every track is great on its own merits but the cohesive whole is what makes this album work. The production value of this album is insane and Justin’s voice has never felt more organically soulful.