HSD Top Ten Albums 2013...

As is tradition, the year must be rounded off with a ubiquitous best of list. There has been some excellent music released this year and below are my top ten albums of 2013. Some albums which didn't make the final list and others which are 'to be heard' 
are mentioned at the end of my top ten. Have a look, have a listen, see what you think and let me know if you have any recommendations. Have a fantastic end to 2013; and here's to a happy, prosperous and musical 2014.Xx.               
              
HEAD SPACE DAILY TOP TEN ALBUMS 2013…


1 Unknown Mortal Orchestra – 11

This album has rarely been far from my ears throughout 2013. I love it. UMO are my number one discovery of the year. An exceptional blend of psychedelic soul that washes over you, draws you in and gets you hooked. Great live too… (see - HSD Words November 8th)

Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Swim And Sleep (Like A Shark)

There is not a bad track on this album but Swim And Sleep (Like A Shark) is infectious like a plague of happy bacteria.

              


2 Arctic Monkeys – AM

For me this is their best LP to date. I love the space in this album - there’s enough room to swing a cat. It oozes confidence. Alex Turner’s writing is back on tip top form with instantly quotable lines and even doffs its cap to the Public Enemy track She Watch Channel Zero. He has set himself high standards…

Arctic Monkeys - Arabella

This is Arabella, my youngest son’s favourite track on A.M



                    
3 John Grant – Pale Green Ghosts

An album of raw emotion, with a large slice of wry humour, John G opens his heart and bares his soul. From lambasting a former lover, and confronting his HIV positive status, to childhood gripes, he gets it all off his chest. Not many albums come like this. A compelling listen…

John Grant - Pale Green Ghosts

Here is the title track, which also lends itself to a good old-fashioned remix.





                    
4 Thundercat – Apocalypse

Another fantastic discovery of 2013, Thundercat is a future soul, funk, electro, jazz pioneer, known to wear a cracking red Indian style headdress and mates with Flying Lotus. Big things to come…

Thundercat - Oh Sheit, It's X

Future funk, electro business from Thundercat – Liono would be proud!!




                    
5    Disclosure – Settle

Coming at you like a mid 90s pirate radio station,Disclosure’s album brings back memories of arms in the air all nighters or, if you are young enough to currently be attending all nighters, these tunes are probably soundtracking your arms as they raise themselves skywards.

Disclosure feat Sasha Keable - Voices

Music that makes you want to move...



                 
6 Parquet Courts – Light Up Gold

         
I discovered this little nugget late in the year and to say it is catchy beyond belief, is an understatement, coming with all you want from a rock n roll record. Spiky melodies, pounding bass, aloof vocals, obtuse lyrics and tons of attitude abound. The songs are three-minute wonders or less, that leave an instant hit…

Parquet Courts - Borrowed Time

A fine example of spiky melodies and aloof vocals…




                    
7 Lady – Lady

Good old fashioned, beautifully crafted upbeat soul music. This album has largely passed under the radar but it is a hidden gem. Have a listen…

Lady - Tell The Truth

Sing it ladies!!




                    
8 Atoms For Peace – Amok

I was never into Radiohead. They weren’t on my radar at the time and just kind of passed me by. This Thom Yorke fronted album though, really gets the pulse racing. The bass is the place, the production brooding and Yorke’s barely comprehensible drawl works a treat…

Atoms For Peace - Stuck Together Pieces      

Brooding and bassy…




                    
9 Bonobo – The North Borders

There are some wonderful touches on this album and if you are in the right frame of mind, it will knock your socks off…

Bonobo feat Grey Reverend - First Fires

Prepare for your socks to be knocked off… 




                    
10               Lapalux –Nostalchic

Innovative, soulfully twisted electronica, like nothing else I have heard this year and all the better for it.

Lapalux feat Kerry Latham - Without You

Twisted, soulful and electronic…



Honourable Mentions:

Laura Mvula, James Blake, Palma Violets, Kurt Vile, Deerhunter, Melt Yourself Down, Foals.

To Be heard:

Laura Marling, Connan Mockasin, !!!, William Oneyabor, London Grammar, Gramme, Janelle Monae, Stepkids, Charles Bradley.