TOP 10 OF 2013

TOP 10 SONGS:

#1. Solange – Losing You

Everyone rants and raves about Beyonce like she’s the greatest thing since sliced bread, but I’m sorry, I’m much more in love with her sister. Her use of real instruments, indie producers, and heartfelt lyrics give a middle finger to the bubblegum pop type of music that her big sister creates. Solange is still so raw but “Losing You” is her tour de force. Hopefully we will receive a full length from her in 2014, because this was my favorite sound of 2013.

#2. Disclosure ft. AlunaGeorge – White Noise

Disclosure could’ve had 5 songs in the top 30, but I chose this track because it shows the duo’s brilliance to snag the great AlunaGeorge for a collabo. Literally every song on the album is great, but Aluna’s vocals really make this one pop. And that melody? So freaky. Maybe the best pairing since Jaylib.

#3. A$ap Rocky – Fuckin’ Problems

This track definitely doesn’t feel like it came out in 2013. It may be the most played out radio song of the year, but it still gets the crowd hyped. I mean who doesn’t love this fucking song? A$ap Rocky and his all star cast of 2 Chainz, Drake, and Kendrick deliver the best Hip-Hop track of the year.

#4. Robert Delong – Global Concepts

I’ve been reading some “Best Of” lists and I haven’t seen too many people including Robert Delong’s “Global Concepts”. What’s wrong with you people?! This is one of the most creative, mind-blowing dance songs of the year. It’s crazy, epic, and super dancey. I love it. Can’t wait to hear more from this drumming madman.

#5. Daft Punk and Pharrell – Lose Yourself to Dance

Pharrell had the biggest 2013 of everyone. “Get Lucky”, “Blurred Lines”, work with Mayer Hawthorne, Pusha T, Weeknd, Jay-Z, Despicable Me 2 and more. I mean Goddamn. But there’s something so raw and sexy about this track that I had to give this one some shine. Sure “Get Lucky” is a little cheesy, but this is not. It’s also not the dancey, ironically.

#6. Jessie Ware – Wildest Moments

Jessie Ware had a big year as well, considering I didn’t know who she was 2 years ago. She release a full length, an EP and had a few nice guest spots. I think this is her most beautiful track. Lorde might have gotten all the publicity and radio play, but you made the GB Top 10 Jessie. Congratulations!

#7. Martin Garrix – Animals

By far and away the best “Techno” track of 2013. I know techno is a bad word to some, but that is the best way to describe this. Not Electro or House or EDM. Good old fashioned techno to get you dancing. And what is that drop? Is that a wood block? Motherfucking Animals indeed!

#8. DJ Mustard Beats

I don’t have enough room to list or post all the tracks that DJ Mustard produced this year. My God! The only guy who can claim he worked as hard as Pharrell in 2013. Let me rattle off some jibberish real quick so you can get a glimpse into what this dude’s year was like.  Ketchup, “How to Be the Man”, “R.I.P.”, “Headband”, “My Hittas”, “Show Me” etc., etc. Phew, I’m out of breath.

#9. Baauer – Harlem Shake

I know, I know. Even more played out and with more backlash than “Started from the Bottom”, but that’s y’alls fault, not Baauer’s. The track was actually released in Mid-2012, and I have been playing it since Late-2012, but no one cared, or knew what it was. But then the Youtube videos started popping up and well the rest is history. Literally. Baauer made history. Because of Baauer, Billboard started including Youtube views as part of their formula for charting songs, giving Baauer his first #1 hit.

#10. Major Lazer – Get Free (Yellow Claw Remix)

“Get Free” was the #2 track of 2012 on Golden Bloggen, but this remix that came out earlier this year was so mind-blowing that I had to include it. Like Baauer, Yellow Claw makes some vicious trap music. And even better, this isn’t their only Major Lazer remix. Go get more Yellow Claw, they’re giving away music on their Soundcloud page. Hurry up. Run!

 

TOP 10 ALBUMS:

#1. Disclosure – Settle

Disclosure was everywhere in 2013. I’m jumping the gun and saying Disclosure will be responsible for bringing house music to the mainstream in 2014. Every single song on this album is a banger. And for all you music purists out there, these UK siblings play instruments in their live shows and use live vocals. That’s right a House Music band. Face!

#2. Major Lazer – Free the Universe

Basically every album on this list is a good listen from start to finish, so I won’t be redundant and keep saying that. What I will say is that it’s about time Major Lazer. Why did you wait so long for a follow up? Get free came out a year before this. But I’m so glad to hear this Reggae inspired dance music on my speakers and on mainstream radio all year. Also glad to see you don’t suck without Switch. I was worried for a second.

#3. Toro y Moi – Anything in Return

Toro Y Moi really surprised me with this album. Very pop friendly, very indie, very nerdy, very cool. It’s everything you could ask for. I remember getting some of Toro y Moi’s earlier works and remixes in my inbox years ago. Glad to see he has evolved into a serious musical threat. Watch out for this guy in the future, he’s just getting started.

#4. Daft Punk – Random Access Memories

A lot of people were disappointed by this album, and with it slotted at #4, I got to say that I’m a bit disappointed as well. But Daft Punk are great artists like Tarantino or Scorsese, where everything they make is met with such high expectations. But I do actually love this album, even though it doesn’t really have any dance music. HA! Not what most were expecting from Daft Punk. But I truly believe this was a conscious push back against all the lame, soul-less EDM that has sprouted since their Electro-inspiring Human After All .

#5. AlunaGeorge – Body Music

AlunaGeorge was the best new thing to come out of 2012 for me. The duo of Aluna on Vocals and George on production makes for some of the best R&B/Boom Snap you’ll hear since Aaliyah.

#6. Tegan and Sara – Heartthrob

Tegan and Sara go dancey. By far the most upbeat, synthed out Tegan and Sara album yet. They are great. Lesbian, guitar playing twins? God must have been reading my diary.

#7. Classixx – Hanging Gardens

LA’s own Classixx finally release their debut album. It’s crazy that this is their first album. They’ve been posting demos on blogs for what seems like 5 years now. It’s more breezy than their earlier Electro tracks, but still very solid. A lot of electronic bands seemed to push back against mainstream EDM this year, so I’m definitely not going to hate on that.

#8. Flume – S/T

Flume blew me away at FYF. I was not expecting his live show to be so stimulating and amped up. It brought me new found respect for this teenage producer. I’m very impressed, can’t wait to see how he matures in the next years.

#9. A$ap Rocky – LONG.LIVE.A$AP

I was pleasantly surprised by A$ap’s album. I always go into new Hip-Hop very skeptically these days. But A$ap really covered all bases with his first studio album. Got Skrillex for the party track, “Problems” for the clubs and “Fashion Killa” for chilling with your lady. Oh by the way this album debuted at #1 on Billboard. No big deal.

#10. St. Lucia – When the Night

St. Lucia dropped an EP in 2012 that I couldn’t stop playing. It was some weird, melodic electronica that my ears just ate up. This album would have been higher if there was more new music on here, but I think the best tracks were already on the EP from last year.

BEST SONGS OF 2013 #11-30

#11 – Arctic Monkeys – Do I Wanna Know?

There is not a lot of rock on this list, actually this might be the ONLY rock song on the list. But what a track it is. The bluesy rock riffs are extremely reminiscent of The Black Keys, but the Arctic Monkeys are a very legit band in their own right. The songwriting on this song is impressive, keeping it fresh after dozens of plays.

#12 – Iggy Azalea – Work

I can’t say enough about Iggy Azalea. The music, the ass, the sass. I love this chick. She’s a white girl from Australia who raps about hanging out with T.I. and kicking it on Slauson, and also happens to be signed to the Wilhelmena Modeling Agency.Is it too early to call her the best female rapper ever? I don’t think so. Not that there’s much competition.

#13 – M.I.A. – Sexodus

M.I.A.’s latest album Matangi, was hit or miss, a lot like Kanye’s Yeezus. But she did have a couple of banging tracks, including the infectious “Sexodus”. If she ever decides to go full pop and turn down the avant-garde a bit, she may be even more of a force to reckoned with.

#14 – Wild Belle – Keep You

This duo from Chicago made a big splash this year with their dub-flavored pop. “Keep You” is a breezy, poolside ready track that perfectly embodies what its like to roam around Coachella in the afternoon.

#15 – SOHN – The Wheel (Employee of the Year Remix)

Employee of the year had some great remixes, that I just so happened to stumble upon. I thank you guys for sending me your gems. This remix of “The Wheel” perfectly couples SOHN’s haunting vocals with their “Slow French” beats.

#16 – Flume ft. Jezzabell Doran – Sleepless

Young producer Flume was on everyone’s lips this year. His amazing electronica is even better live.

#17 – Drake – Started From the Bottom

Say what you want about Drake or this song, but this was one of the biggest tracks of the year, and before it got played the fuck out, no one could get enough of it. The beat is sick, even if the lyrics are a little inaccurate. You were on Degrassi Aubrey!

#18 – Jim James – Know Til Now

My Morning Jacket’s Jim James’ first solo album was a great surprise. The lead off single “Know Til Now” has some insane ups and downs and breaks. It’s an unpredictable masterpiece and solidifies James as one of the best  singer/songwriters in music.

#19 – Tegan and Sara- I Was a Fool

I think I’ve said enough about Tegan and Sara on Golden Bloggen by now. They are one of my favorite bands of the last 10+ years and they just keep getting better.

#20. Sage the Gemini ft. IamSu – Gas Pedal

This song is probably so high, because I’m just dying for some good hip-hop. Though the lyrics aren’t anything breathtaking, that beat sure is! Ooh wee Sage. This was definitely one of the biggest tracks on Rap radio this year. And Sage’s follow-up “Red Nose” proves he’s no one-hit wonder.

#21. Vinnie Maniscalco – TaKillya

A trap remix of “Tequila”. Need I say more? And I dare you not to yell “Tequila”. I dare you!

#22. Mayer Hawthorne – Her Favorite Song

Not sure if the guest vocalist is Jessie Ware or Crossfade, but this song just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. A tribute to a girl who loves nothing more than getting high and listening to her favorite song. She sounds dreamy.

#23. Tiny Hearts – Snow Cold

A great surprise! Thanks to Uncle Garth Trinidad for putting me on to this. This is an amazing electronica track. 2013 seemed to be the year electronica made a comeback. Thanks to Dede and Wajeed for this one. You guys murdered it.

#23. RJD2 – See You Leave

RJD2 is one of the most soulful producers out.  The rapping and beat go together like PB&J. I love the subject too, girls with nice butts. Thumbs up.

#24. Jessy Lanza – Keep Moving

Jessy Lanza kind of seemed to come out of nowhere. She’s a little trap, a little electronica, and signed to a dubstep label. And her entire album is great too! More Jessy please.

#26. Quadron – Hey Love

Quadron delivered a beautiful mashup of Jazz, Soul, and Electronica on “Hey Love”, one of the biggest break out songs of 2013. I’m actually surprised this wasn’t more of a crossover hit. With Lorde and Gotye breaking through, this seemed ripe for the picking. But I definitely think this track pushed Quadron to another level.

#27. Zero 7 – On My Own

Zero 7 are probably best known for their moody electronica songs that made both them and vocalist Sia very much in demand. But on “On My Own”, it seems like they were channeling Holy Ghost on this house-tinged 9 minute epic. It’s bouncier than any Zero 7 song I’ve ever heard, and I hope we get to here more of this on a new album in 2014.

#28. Empire of the Sun – I’ll Be Around

Empire of the Sun’s second album didn’t have the huge pop hits that their debut album did, but this chill, melodic track was definitely the highlight.

#29. inc. – Black Wings

White boys haven’t made R&B sound this good since Color Me Badd. LA’s own inc. are two guys who make slow, thoughtful R&B that may remind some listeners of James Blake. Their debut album “No World” is filled with laid back, sexy, love making music. Get some.

#30. Midi Matilda – Day Dreams (MyKill Remix)

SF’s MyKill makes that perfect Frisco Disco. This song is a little darker than some of fellow Frisco Discoer Viceroy’s tracks, but I like dark. The echoey vocals and heavy bass make this a stand out track.

2MANYDJS @ SOUND NIGHTCLUB

Not many people may know this, but 2ManyDjs are one of the most influential DJ Crews for my own personal DJ “career”. I first saw them in Barcelona in 2004, and my musical ears have never been the same. I had never seen someone play Daft Punk and hard German techno alongside the likes of Madonna and Red Hot Chili Peppers. It was beautiful. I’ve seen them several times since then and love how they include visual effects to accompany their massively enjoyable mixes. These guys would be on the top of my list of DJs to see perform live. There’s really no equal. For those of you who are genre mash up junkies like me, and get bored by dubstep or trance DJ’s who play the same beat for 2 hours, 2ManyDjs are here to save you.

They are playing at Sound Nightclub in Hollywood tonight. Cop your tickets HERE.