52 Weeks of New Released - 2013 - 52-45

As we continue onward in our journey through the best of 2013, I want the avid reader to keep in mind that this is based not on a Pitchfork review, not on what CoS tells us, nor what the charts read on CMJ.  This is based on my own personal preference.  How I'm feeling today, what the weather looks like outside, what I've just eaten, etc.

52. Mood Rings - VPI Harmony - Mexican Summer

For the more gothy Cure-focused Show Show listener, we bring you Mood Rings.  "Pathos y Lagrimas" drips with lamentations and a sadness.  It's one of my favorite songs of the year and helps evoke some strong emotions from the listener.  "Minor Slaloms" reminds me of some of the better Beach House or Animal Collective songs which echos some of the Beach Boys works.

51. Kitten - Like A Stranger EP - Elektra Records

And now on a completely other planet, we go to Kitten's release of Like A Stranger.  This EP reads like a handbook for how to get play time on the Show Show.  Draw strongly from 80's pop music?  Check.  Sound like early Madonna?  Check.  Have killer dance moves in your single's video?  Check.  It helps that they drew heavily from Joy Division and early New Order for the basslines.

50. Primal Scream - More Light - Ignition Records

Primal Scream for better or worse hasn't changed in the past almost thirty years.  This album tends towards the more indie rock sensible crowd.  This isn't a trip hop album like those 90's jaunts.  This isn't a sonic experiment in electronic music like Xtrmntr.  It's at some times feel good, at all times rock album done by Primal Scream.

  
49. Mat Zo - Damage Control - Anjunabeats

This album is a banger.  Heavy dance music thats not in the dubstep genre and doesn't really fit into the club setting.  It's a nice change from formulaic EDM acts like Deadmau5 or Skrillex.  I enjoyed the direction on the album and the variation in the songs.  It's at 49 because this list needs some god damned bass.

48.  Emika - DVA - Ninja Tune

Like the bastard love child of Adult. and Ladytron.  Listening to Emika makes me want to have my heart crushed by a beautiful woman.  Emika's singing is outstanding and the subtlety of the record makes it a stunner.

47. Mikael Jorgensen and Greg O'Keeffe - Self-Entitled - Butterscotch Records

Wilco's keyboardist Mikael Jorgensen and Greg O'Keeffe sonically explore the barriers of electronic music in this interesting album.  It sort of reminds me a bit of Royksopp's debut "Melody AM" (before they went all dance pop).

46. Minks - Tides End - Captured Tracks

That "Captured Tracks Sound" is omnipresent on this album.  The album reminds us that the Smiths and Morrissey were a great influence on many indie bands.  Tides End is a fun lo-fi release to add to Captured Tracks list of releases.

45. Maps - Vicissitude - Mute

Maps is one of those little hidden gems that will be discovered someday.  His music should be and most likely will be featured in soundtracks and backing some major ad campaigns in the future (that's not to suggest that he's selling out, more to suggest he should make some cash off this music).  "A.M.A." is a killer single on the album. Other tracks cut down the cheese and add a bit more to the ambiance.