Year in Review: The Best Albums of 2013

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Stephen McGill
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Album: Talon Of The Hawk
Artist: The Front Bottoms
Label: Bar None Records
Released: May 21, 2013

The Front Bottoms seemed like they came out of nowhere, with a promising first album they seemed to be on the right track, but nobody could expect a sophomore effort like this. Talon Of The Hawk shines from front to back and the mix of earnestness and honesty highlights fabulous writing, and perfectly matched music.

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Album: Random Access Memories
Artist: Daft Punk 
Label: Columbia
Released: May 17, 2013

Daft Punk made disco cool again, subverting any expectations anyone had for them after a consistently solid career. This is the hyped album that lived up to the hype completely. From the global take over of “Get Lucky”, to Daft Punk’s sudden public profile, this was their year and they earned it.

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Album: Is Survived By
Artist: Touche Amore 
Label: Deathwish
Released: September 24, 2013

Touche Amore have consistently proved themselves to be one of the best punk bands around at the moment. Is Survived By only serves to build that reputation with a near flawless run of twelve tracks that take their established sound and build on it even further.

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Album: At Least There’s Commotion
Artist: Hilotrons
Label: Kelp Records
Released: February 5, 2013

One of Ottawa’s great bands, the Hilotrons put out a perfect slice of dance rock, invoking bands like The Talking Heads in the best way possible.

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Album: Silence Yourself
Artist: Savages 
Label: Pop Noir
Released: May 6, 2013

It’s a testament to the talent of Savages that their debut is such an assured effort. Dark and moody but continuously surprising with just how good this album really is.