That being said, if you enjoy the Show Show the chances are you'll enjoy what tops this list (mainly because I played the shit out of these albums throughout 2013). Enjoy the next batch of the top albums of 2013!
14. Maya Jane Coles - Comfort - I/AM/ME
Maya Jane Coles has been around the block a bit. She's put out a ton of releases over the years, had some EPs, and done an absolute ton of remixes. This album is her new peak and I hope we see more like it in the coming years. Comfort is the complete package. Very solid album all around that is structured like an actual album (a rare thing these days in our iTunes mad world). The tracks build to a release just like a good DJ set.
13. !!! (Chk Chk Chk) - Th!!!er - Warp
!!! are just a fun act. It stands to reason that anyone who uses three exclamation marks as their name would be fun (if not a bit difficult). In my estimation, Th!!!er is their best work to date. It helps that it's the most dance and radio friendly. Just try not moving to "Slyd". From it's beats to it's lyrics, the song is great. The album as a whole draws from a lot of influences (like disco, jam bands, etc.) and their previous efforts to make a really great album.
12. Rhye - Woman - Polydor
If you know the Show Show and it's most likely you do if you're reading this list, then you know this is a weird choice. It's completely against the grain of how this list is structured. Not really a dance album, not really anything that might be considered electronic music (not really?). Listen, I'm a big Sade fan, and this album is like the indie rock Sade (I'm of the opinion if you don't like Sade then there's something wrong with you, sorry).
11. Small Black - Limits of Desire - Jagjaguwar
Small Black reminds me of Friendly Fires, but does the schtick way better. The whole blending of indie rock with electronic music. Pulling in live drums, a synthesizer, trimmed guitars, and more. It's also got that "little tinge of grime"-sound that's a hallmark of Jagjaguwar.
The album doesn't fit into the EDM bucket, doesn't really fit into the atmospheric soundscape bucket, and isn't really an indie rock album. It's great because this is the future of music. A blend, hodge-podge of genres brought together in a good way.
10. Factory Floor - Factory Floor - DFA
Unlike the previous artist on this list, Factory Floor is approaching EDM is a completely different sense. Going to it's limit on the electronic end. This minimalistic take on the genre doesn't need more in terms of synth tracks, adding more layers, or any of that. It accomplishes more by doing much less. It's this minimalism and that DFA sound that bring it close to the top of this list.
9. Gesaffelstein - Aleph - Vinyl Factory
Sometimes I just like to hear bangers and Aleph brings the bangers. Part of the aesthetic of the Show Show is the appreciation of the contributions of robots (read: electronic music) alongside the contributions of humans. This is something Gesafelstein shares in common with us as evidenced by the video below.
The album is quite dynamic however, and isn't just hard dance music. It also has some electronica intermixed. "Out of Line" sounds a bit like Salem, "Nameless" could be a Board of Canada song, and then you got the hard basslines on "Pursuit", "Destinations" and more.
8. André Obin - The Arsonist - Sky Council
André Obin brought us his first full length album in the past year. It combines some lush atmospheric tracks like "Golden Hair" with more true dance tracks like "Enjoy". Overall the tracks are beautiful composed with great melodies. It stands up in the deluge of electronic music offering as a highlight.
7. Lindstrøm - Smalhans - Feedelity
Smalhans combines modern dance music with elements of italo-disco with a minimalistic feel. You can feel the influences throughout including Giorgio Moroder (obviously), but also people like Alexander Robotnick and even early Kraftwerk. The album even feels like the missing link between italo-disco and krautrock. Taking from both areas that leaves the listener entirely satisfied. While an entirely instrumental album, it's still engaging and makes you want to listen to more.
Note: I should point out that this was released in 2012, but I didn't really get a chance to digest it till the beginning of 2013.
6. Anoraak - Chronotropic - Grandblanc
Anoraak has developed a signature sound that seems to be evolving with each album. The sound was popularized in the movie Drive, though compilations like Valerie and Friends as well as (unrelatedly) used by the label Italians Do It Better (Johnny Jewel etc.). Chronotropic feels like an attempt to make the music a bit more accessible to the mainstream with some nice dance track and lyrics with hooks.
That "Drive"-sound is still present throughout the album particularly on "Falling Apart", "Sunrise to Sunset" and more. It's the right move forward, it's compelling and it makes you want to move your body. What more could you ask for?
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