2013 marked another massive year in the EDM world. After a meteoric rise in popularity in 2012, EDM grew even more in 2013. This year could be considered the year of the album; hundreds of producers released full-length albums, ranging from veterans like Armin van Buuren to newcomers such as Disclosure. Ranking the top ten posed a compelling challenge, especially given the seemingly endless amount of quality albums released this year. For this list, only electronic dance albums were considered. Below are the top ten:
10. Armin van Buuren, Intense
Armin was not kidding us with this album title. Arguably at the height of his career, Armin gave fans a long-awaited album filled to the brim with mesmerizing trance tracks. Intense also incorporates elements of electrohouse into some tracks to provide a more accessible entry into Armin’s classic trance sound. Each song flows directly into the next, creating a seemingly endless flow of uplifting harmony. He even satisfies trance purists with a song that dares to go up to 138 beats per minute (titled “Who’s Afraid of 138?!). Armin’s latest album is perhaps his most diverse and daring yet.
Stand-out track: ”Forever Is Ours” featuring Emma Hewitt
9. Kaskade, Atmosphere
Atmosphere can be considered a bit of a return to form for Kaskade. After recent albums and songs deviated from his calming, progressive-house style, Atmosphere brings his distinct style back in top form. Much like the album and title-track suggest, each song launches us to euphoric heights. Kaskade has a penchant for female vocalists and almost every other song features a singer who intends to either lull us to a soft sleep or compel us to slow-dance with a loved one. Some songs go toward a deep house sound akin to Kaskade’s earlier style while others combine uplifting melodies with melodic drops. Kaskade definitely released one of his best albums in 2013 and showed us his style remains alive and well.
Stand-out track: “Atmosphere” by Kaskade
8. Pretty Lights, A Color Map of the Sun
Another artist who kept fans eagerly waiting for his next album, Pretty Lights’ latest work was definitely worth the wait. Known for his characteristic approach to trip-hop, Pretty Lights innovated with A Color Map of the Sun by taking all of his samples from a hand-picked band and vocalists. The result marks a definite evolution in his sound, which now ranges from dubby hip-hop to glitchy jazz. This album risks taking genres not normally associated with edm and adapts them with stunning finesse. It becomes clear why Pretty Lights has launched to headliner status in 2013: his sound is like no other.
Stand-out Track: “Yellow Bird”
7. James Blake, Overgrown
James Blake has perhaps evolved the most out of all the artists on this list. Growing from dubstep origins, James Blake achieves a melancholy yet beautiful album with Overgrown. The basslines now complement his deep, aching voice over the course of the album. A master of the paradox, his lyrics sometimes reflect despair yet offer hope through tranquil melodies; other tracks’ lyrics croon for love while discordant synths drown out happiness. Some songs take simple beats and vocal samples and remind the listener of the repetition life can bring. Overgrown often conveys a wealth of emotion while saying very little; Blake’s haunting voice unites all the elements together.
Stand-out track: “Retrograde”
6. Mat Zo, Damage Control
From producing uplifting trance to heart-stopping drum and bass, Mat Zo knows no bounds to his music. With Damage Control, Mat Zo takes us across a wide spectrum of his styles and deftly ties it all together. He dips his toes into seemingly every popular EDM genre, ranging from trap (the almost-hypnotic “Caller ID”) to complextro (the creatively-composed “Lucid Dream”). Even the brief interludes are great and tease us into wanting full-length versions of the songs. After years of gradually building upon his diverse track collection, Mat Zo finally gives us an album that both reminisces upon the past and aims to take us into the future.
Stand-out track: “Pyramid Scheme” featuring Chuck D.
5. Daft Punk, Random Access Memories
Daft Punk dominated 2013 with a much hyped return and subsequent album. Even though the final product proved to be polarizing, Random Access Memories expertly channeled the funk of disco while incorporating an array of music talent. The album explores all the classic elements of disco: high-energy and soulful (“Get Lucky” and “Lose Yourself to Dance”) to subdued and relaxing (“Motherboard and Beyond”). Everyone from Strokes’ singer Julian Casablancas to Animal Collective member Panda Bear contribute to the effort and the final product could stand among the best albums of both the 70’s and now. While Random Access Memories reflects a departure from previous albums, Daft Punk continues to innovate while invoking a sweet sense of nostalgia
Stand-out track: “Lose Yourself To Dance” featuring Nile Rodgers and Pharrell Williams
4. Gesaffelstein, Aleph
Aleph could very well be a horror movie soundtrack. Filled with dark melodies and dissonant beats, Aleph represents the quintessential vision of Gesaffelstein’s style. One would think Gesaffelstein’s almost-sadistic approach to EDM would alienate listeners but he has amassed a considerable fanbase in 2013. Gesaffelstein holds nothing back in potentially unsettling his listeners, from backing catchy beats with an eerie choir to turning a trap song into a hellish composition. Aleph marked another stark deviation from the typical elements of EDM and we welcome its darkness with open arms.
Stand-out Track: “Pursuit”
3. Classixx, Hanging Gardens
While Daft Punk took an arguably safer approach to disco, Classixx flipped the genre over its head. Hanging Gardens aims to combine electronic music with disco (which is often referred to as the “nudisco” genre) and achieves the combination brilliantly. Each song is unique in the way it tempts the listener to dance to its crisp synths and melodies. Appropriate to their name, Classixx innovated electronic music this year with an album that is reminiscent of the classic albums of past generations.
Stand-out track: “A Stranger Love” featuring Sarah Chernoff
2. Bonobo, The North Borders
Trip-hop definitely had a massive year in 2013 and Bonobo led the growth of the genre. By far his most popular album yet, The North Borders incorporated elements of jazz and funk into a very accessible style of trip-hop. While many of the songs could be considered down-tempo, the accompanying vocal splices and tribal drums inspire the listener to groove and dance. Perhaps more suitable for a serene drive at night than a packed-out club, The North Borders reflects a lesser-known side of edm which emphasizes live instruments and spellbinding rhythms. While the common genres of EDM began to grow stale in 2013, Bonobo continued to change the game with The North Borders.
Stand-out track: “Know You”
1. Disclosure, Settle
Despite the strength of its competitors, Disclosure grabs the #1 spot without question. It can be difficult to balance catchy vocals with future garage beats but Disclosure perfects it in their debut album. The album represents a paradigm shift in the EDM world, one that champions dancing to silky hooks and house breakdowns over jumping to big-room drops. From Sam Smith’s sweet swooning on “Latch” to Eric Thomas’ distinct chanting on “When A Fire Starts To Burn”, the features on Settle are impeccable. In a year dominated by artists pursuing the next big genre, Disclosure took a risk by returning to the roots of house and fusing them with a now-characteristic style. This album will be talked about and danced to for years; this was Disclosure’s year.
Stand-out track: “Defeated No More” featuring Edward Macfarlane
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