The Soundtrack Of My Life's Top 25 Albums Of 2013

Oh, what a wonderful time 2013 has been!  As another year comes to an end, we look back and realize just how many fantastic albums were released.  Along with the arrival of a new year comes the treacherously amusing task of creating a "best of" list.  This year I've even included clickable album titles, so you can grab each one if you feel the urge.  So without further delay, here are The Soundtrack Of My Life's top twenty-five albums of 2013.

25. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Push The Sky Away

24. Hunx And His Punx - Street Punk
23. Bastille - Bad Blood
22. Sky Ferreira - Night Time, My Time
21. Devendra Banhart - Mala
20. Arctic Monkeys - AM
19. Autre Ne Veut - Anxiety
18. Ra Ra Riot - Beta Love
17. Tegan And Sara - Heartthrob
16. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Mosquito
15. Sleigh Bells - Bitter Rivals
14. Small Black - Limits Of Desire
13. Pet Shop Boys - Electric
12. Icona Pop - This Is...
11. CHVRCHES - The Bones Of What You Believe

10. Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires Of The City

9. Haim - Days Are Gone

8. M.I.A. - Matangi

7. Savages - Silence Yourself

6. Lorde - Pure Heroine

5. Kate Nash - Girl Talk

4. Doldrums - Lesser Evil

3. Goldfrapp - Tales Of Us

2. James Blake - Overgrown

1. David Bowie - The Next Day

Ayer - Young

For their second single, Ayer slowed things down a bit.  The duo, consisting of a classic singer/producer pairing, are building up quite the campaign for their debut EP.  The follow-up to "Circle Down" is "Young", and it's tragically redeeming.  The track reminds me of some gem of a deep cut that the Scissor Sisters would've tackled on their last album.

There's also an alternate version that was reinvented by Mickey Valen.  It takes away some of the spiraling into pleasure feeling that drives "Young" and switches the mood around, making it uplifting in a more direct sense.

Listen to both versions of "Young" below...

Doldrums & Friends - A Very Doldrums Christmas

If you're in need of a nice mixtape to help you through some last minute Christmas shopping or an electro-Canadian themed holiday party and managed to miss it when Doldrums posted this a while ago, then check out A Very Doldrums Christmas.  It's a small collection of music by Doldrums and a variety of collaborators, and just as most gifts tend to be, it's free!

Here's what Airick had to say about it, straight from tumblr...

"it’s that special time of year again, my droogs 

gather round the christmas bong and bask in the soothing sounds of ‘Doldrums & Friends; A Very Doldrums Christmas’. it might even make the perfect gift for that special you-know-who."

You can stream A Very Doldrums Christmas below or download the full mixtape here.

Peter Thomas - All Of You (Feat. Betty Who)

Future production superstar Peter Thomas has released his debut single and it features the vocal work of Betty Who.  The pair have already worked together on Betty Who's The Movement EP and after being addicted to that album for months on repeat, this collaboration is the most amazing treat.

"All Of You" definitely takes a more dance-oriented approach, as opposed to the generally poppy sounds of The Movement, and you can really hear Peter's tight production skills shining through during the instrumental breakdowns.  Having Betty Who on the track is like the perfect cherry on top.  I wouldn't be surprised one bit if these two manage to score a few top ten singles in 2014.  They really are a match made in musical heaven.

Trust Announces Joyland

Canadian electronic sensation Trust has announced the follow-up to last year's dark and mysterious TRST, which was quite the debut.  Joyland, arriving on March 4, is teased in a brief yet intriguing promo video.  There's not much to it besides blurred out of focus carnival lights and a short instrumental, but it sure is exciting.  Apparently, Joyland will be "an eruption of guts, eels, and joy".  I can't wait.

Joyland is out March 4, via Arts & Crafts

Ayer - Circle Down

Forged from the depths of electronic beats and smoky soul vocals, Ayer is a Brooklyn based duo comprised of singer Danny Schmittler and producer Mickey Valen.  Their debut single "Circle Down" is a light and airy breeze of a track that'll surely leave you wanting more.  Fronted by a distinctively borderline falsetto, it's similar to the type of pop music that Kylie knows best. A fantastic melody, soft synths, and a sensual mood.

A full EP is due soon, most likely early next year, with another single coming before then.  You can stream and download "Circle Down" along with the Keljet remix below.