Best Artistic Achievement
James Blake - Overgrown
Album of the Year
Midlake - Antiphon
Most Insatiable Listening
Foxygen - We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace and Magic
Song of the Year
Palma Violets - Best of Friends
Artist of the Year
Bibio
I spent most of 2013 complaining.
The past year not only seemed to yield very few solid albums, but also presented significant personal tragedies and disappointments for myself and everyone around me. As I reflect on it all, though, the things that are sticking in my memory are actually largely positive ones. I received incredible gifts this year, and with the help and support of the woman of my dreams, I focused my energy successfully into building Subtidal.
Furthermore, of the nearly 500 albums and singles I listened to this year, I liked more of it than not. On my WRKR 2013 playlist, you'll hear only the songs and records that I really want to hear again. There were plenty more worth checking out, too, so I learned that I really should not judge too quickly.
Continue below for the runners up. Happy New Year, everyone.
Albums of the Year
Midlake - Antiphon
Radar Brothers - Eight
James Blake - Overgrown
Port St. Willow - Holiday
Rose Windows - The Sun Dogs
Foxygen - We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace and Magic
Lusine - The Waiting Room
Kurt Vile - Wakin On a Pretty Daze
Hooded Fang - Gravez
Emiliana Torrini - Tookah
Artist of the Year
Bibio - Here's why:
Stephen Wilkinson, aka Bibio, creates music so fitting for today's cultural landscape that I'd call it perfect. His album this year, Silver Wilkinson, resonates with the ups and downs everyone seems to be experiencing lately, and the remixes he's done that were released this year (particularly of Clark) are the exact blend of experimental textures and compelling harmonies that I strive to create in my own music. But the main reason he's my Artist of 2013 is that I've spent more time with his entire catalog this year than with anyone else's; a reminder that in the last 5 years, no one has matched his gorgeous, prolific output. He'll be one of my favorites for a long time.
Best Artistic Achievements
James Blake - Overgrown
Jagwar Ma - Howlin
Bombino - Nomad
Young Man - Beyond Was All Around Me
Braids - Flourish//Perish
Son Lux - Lanterns
Cavern of Anti-Matter - Blood Drums
Kanye West - Yeezus
Jaimeo Brown - Transcendence
The Knife - Shaking the Habitual
Most Insatiable Listens
Foxygen - We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace and Magic
Superhumanoids - Exhibitionists
The Strokes - Comedown Machine
AlunaGeorge - Body Music
Daft Punk - Random Access Memories
Haim - Days Are Gone
Cults - Static
Wampire - Curiousity
Wavves - Afraid of Heights
Arctic Monkeys - AM
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - II
Songs of the Year
Just check out the playlist here.
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