Heavy Rotation: L.A.'s Top 13 of 2013

So alot of people Ive talked to over the last couple of weeks have intimated to me how much of a sucky year they think 2013 has been for music. Their argument? That most if not all of the most anticipated releases of the year (Yeezy, Jay, Katy & Gaga- I'm looking at you) came no where near to expectations. This is more than true although that being said, it was also the year of the Return Of Timberlake (Although I wont even talk about that second disc) & Mr. Aubrey Graham released yet another Drake album that has cemented his dominance as the leader of the newschool even further.

I'll be honest though, a lot of the music that I enjoyed this year, released this year, came as a result of proverbial crate digging but couple that with some of the more mainstream releases and I found 2013 to be quite a good year indeed.

Here's what I listened to:

1. Drake - Nothing Was the Same
Genre: Hip-Hop/ R&B

Essential Track: "Too Much" Ft. Sampha


2. Justin Timberlake - The 20/20 Experience
Genre: Pop/ Soul

Essential Track: "Don't Hold The Wall"


3. Dom Kennedy - Get Home Safely
Genre: Hip-Hop

Essential Track: "Black Bentleys"


4. Party Next Door - PARTYNEXTDOOR
Genre: R&B

Essential Track: "Relax With Me"


5. Kelela - Cut 4 Me
Genre: R&B/ Post Dubstep

Essential Track: "Keep It Cool"


6. Maya Jane Coles - Comfort
Genre: Deep House

Essential Track: "Burning Bright" Ft. Kim Ann Foxman


7. MS MR - Second Hand Rapture
Genre: Electro-Pop

Essential Track: "Dark Doo Wop"


8. James Blake - Overgrown
Genre: Electronic/ Soul

Essential Track: "Retrograde"


9. True Apothecary - I'm Low On Gas And You Need a Jacket
Genre: Alternative Rock

Essential Track: "Chuck Taylor's All-star Dance Factory"


10. Arctic Monkeys - AM
Genre: Alternative Rock

Essential Track: "R U Mine?"


11. Queens of The Stone Age - ...Like Clockwork
Genre: Alternative Rock

Essential Track: "I Appear Missing"


12. Norma Jean - Wrong Doers
Genre: Metal

Essential Track: "Sun dies, Blood Moon"


13. Deaf Heaven - Sunbather
Genre: Metal

Essential Track: "The Pecan Tree"


You can listen to a sampler mix of the essential tracks from each release that I mentioned above HERE. Enjoy!

Ibarah's Favourite Music Of 2013

2013 was the year of the underdog, if the music I listened to is to go by. I was blown away by these new and slept on sounds. From Chance The Rapper, Jacob Banks to Kelela, I had these EPs and albums on heavy rotation for months.I listened to the top dogs as well and I found myself falling in love with Drake again  plus I had terribly missed John Legend. I loved this music so much and I just had to share it! 

1. Acid Rap – Chance The Rapper

Genre: Hip Hop / Rap

Favs: Good Ass Intro, Coco Butter Kisses,  Lost, Everybodys Something, Favorite Song.

2. Esquises – CaramelBrown

 Genre: Soul/Nu Soul

Favs: Taboo, Dearest Me, Whispers, Untitled, So Many Things

 

3. Avalanche – Quadron

Genre: Alternative Soul

Favs. Hey Love, Favourite Star, Better Off, LFT, Neverland

4. Paramore – Paramore

Genre: Alternative Rock

Favs: Grow Up, Ain’t It Fun. Daydreaming, Crazy Girls, Still Into You, I’m Not Angry Anymore

5.  Nothing Was The Same – Drake

Genre: R&B/Hip Hop

Favs:  Hold On We’re Going Home, From Time, Too Much, Connect, The Motion, Worst Behaviour

6. Electric Lady – Janelle Monae

Genre: R&B/Soul

Favs: Q.U.E.E.N, Electric Lady, Primetime, We Were Rock & Roll, Victory

7. The Monologue EP – Jacob Banks

Genre: Soul

Favs: Worthy, YOLO, Dear Simone, Something Beautiful, Home Coming

 

8. Love In The Future – John Legend

Genre: R&B/Soul

Favs: Love In The Future, Made To Love, All Of Me, Open Your Eyes, We Loved It

9. Days Are Gone – Haim

Genre: Alternative Soul

Favs: Falling, Forever, Running  If You Call My Name, The Wire, Days Are Gone

10. The 20/20 Experience – Justin Timberlake

Genre: R&B/Pop

Favs: Pusher Love Girl, Suit & Tie, Mirrors, Tunnel Vision, Strawberry Bubblegum

11.  Echo Boom  - Cris Cab

Genre: R&B/Reggae

Favs: Echo Boom, Rihanna’s Gun, Turn You On, Gypsys On The Boulevard, Going Home

12. Sail Out – Jhene Aiko

Genre:R&B/Hip Hop

Favs: The Vapors, Bed Peace, Stay Ready,WTH, The Worst, Comfort Inn Ending

13. Cut 4 Me – Kelela

Genre: R&B/Nu Soul

Favs: Guns and Synths, Go All Night, Enemy, Do It Again, Keep It Cool, Bank Head