Top 10 EDM Albums of 2013 [Page 2]
Published: December 30, 2013
By: Jordan Calvano
5. Disclosure - Settle
Only a few artists in any realm of electronic music could compete with Disclosure in 2013. The British brothers spontaneously combusted in a flame of fame this year with an endearing style of bass music, carefully coalescing pop vocals with touching instrumentations to create music that grapples the human psyche like heroin. Settle is one of those start to finish albums that ends up getting played over and over again. How can you resist those moments where shimmering synths perfectly sit beside visceral melodies from artists like Sam Smith, Aluna Francis, and Hannah Reid (London Grammar)? You’ll need a lot more than methadone to get over this addiction.
Release Date/Label: June 4 - PMR (Universal Island Records)
Must Hear: “Latch,” “Defeated No More,” “You & Me”
4. Random Rab - Release
Each album is built with a specific purpose in mind. Many of these releases were created to incite riotous dance parties, while others lean towards healing and calming the listener. Release tends towards the latter, easing listeners in with an ethereal, instrument based sound that hypnotizes with each successive note in true Random Rab fashion. Everyday issues seem less relevant after three tracks. You’ll be floating into a parallel universe by track eight, and by the end your intellect will be like Bradley Cooper in Limitless. Remarkably trippy from start to finish, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Release Date/Record Label: Oct 8 - Random Rab (Self-Released)
Must Hear: “Release,” “Journey To The Eye of a Whale,” “Crossing Over”
3. Flume - Flume (Deluxe Edition)
In 2013, Harley Streten released his eponymous debut album, a deluxe edition of that release featuring artists like Ghostface Killah, Stalley, How to Dress Well, and Killer Mike, and a stunning EP alongside fellow Australian crooner Chet Faker. Holy shit! And let’s not forget, Flume has been touring nonstop lately. Did we mention he’s also been churning out stellar remixes and releasing music with Emoh Instead under their What So Not moniker? The dude must not sleep. How does he do it? Some superhero abilities must run through his veins. Flume is one of those albums you enjoy on a first listen. Although after a few rinses, enjoyment turns into absolute obsession. Sometimes the best music takes a couple plays through to truly understand, and Flume has mastered this technique. Kudos to you kid. The world is now your oyster.
Release Date/Record Label: November 12 - Mom+Pop (Future Classic)
Must Hear: “Left Alone,” “Bring You Down,” “The Greatest View”
2. Daft Punk - Random Access Memories
Random Access Memories was easily the most hyped album in the electronic world this year. It’s all people wanted to post about for like 6 months. Would it be good? Would it suck? Could it live up to Discovery? The release date almost felt surreal. Were you about to hear a Daft Punk album or just more fake tracks supposedly from RAM? Everyone had their opinion. Some said it was the greatest album in the history of dance music, whilst others abused phrases like “overrated” and “overhyped.” Whatever your specific opinion on the matter was, there’s not denying the endless supply of groove and soul throughout. Try not feeling good after pressing play on “Give Life Back to Music.” We dare you. We double dog dare you.
Release Date/Record: May 21 - Daft Life (Columbia Records)
Must Hear: “The Game of Love,” “Instant Crush,” “Contact”
Previous / Next
5. Disclosure - Settle
Only a few artists in any realm of electronic music could compete with Disclosure in 2013. The British brothers spontaneously combusted in a flame of fame this year with an endearing style of bass music, carefully coalescing pop vocals with touching instrumentations to create music that grapples the human psyche like heroin. Settle is one of those start to finish albums that ends up getting played over and over again. How can you resist those moments where shimmering synths perfectly sit beside visceral melodies from artists like Sam Smith, Aluna Francis, and Hannah Reid (London Grammar)? You’ll need a lot more than methadone to get over this addiction.
Release Date/Label: June 4 - PMR (Universal Island Records)
Must Hear: “Latch,” “Defeated No More,” “You & Me”
4. Random Rab - Release
Each album is built with a specific purpose in mind. Many of these releases were created to incite riotous dance parties, while others lean towards healing and calming the listener. Release tends towards the latter, easing listeners in with an ethereal, instrument based sound that hypnotizes with each successive note in true Random Rab fashion. Everyday issues seem less relevant after three tracks. You’ll be floating into a parallel universe by track eight, and by the end your intellect will be like Bradley Cooper in Limitless. Remarkably trippy from start to finish, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Release Date/Record Label: Oct 8 - Random Rab (Self-Released)
Must Hear: “Release,” “Journey To The Eye of a Whale,” “Crossing Over”
3. Flume - Flume (Deluxe Edition)
In 2013, Harley Streten released his eponymous debut album, a deluxe edition of that release featuring artists like Ghostface Killah, Stalley, How to Dress Well, and Killer Mike, and a stunning EP alongside fellow Australian crooner Chet Faker. Holy shit! And let’s not forget, Flume has been touring nonstop lately. Did we mention he’s also been churning out stellar remixes and releasing music with Emoh Instead under their What So Not moniker? The dude must not sleep. How does he do it? Some superhero abilities must run through his veins. Flume is one of those albums you enjoy on a first listen. Although after a few rinses, enjoyment turns into absolute obsession. Sometimes the best music takes a couple plays through to truly understand, and Flume has mastered this technique. Kudos to you kid. The world is now your oyster.
Release Date/Record Label: November 12 - Mom+Pop (Future Classic)
Must Hear: “Left Alone,” “Bring You Down,” “The Greatest View”
2. Daft Punk - Random Access Memories
Random Access Memories was easily the most hyped album in the electronic world this year. It’s all people wanted to post about for like 6 months. Would it be good? Would it suck? Could it live up to Discovery? The release date almost felt surreal. Were you about to hear a Daft Punk album or just more fake tracks supposedly from RAM? Everyone had their opinion. Some said it was the greatest album in the history of dance music, whilst others abused phrases like “overrated” and “overhyped.” Whatever your specific opinion on the matter was, there’s not denying the endless supply of groove and soul throughout. Try not feeling good after pressing play on “Give Life Back to Music.” We dare you. We double dog dare you.
Release Date/Record: May 21 - Daft Life (Columbia Records)
Must Hear: “The Game of Love,” “Instant Crush,” “Contact”
Previous / Next
