1) The Lumineers
Some regard this folksy Americana as backward looking; I'd say it's timeless. More than any other album, it's been the soundtrack to my year, providing comfort and joy. If you only know the single Ho Hey, you really must explore the album further.
2) Grimes Visions
I didn't fully appreciate Grimes' amazing creativity until I'd seen her live, but Visions definitely rewards repeated listening. It's a blend of styles including dubstep, pop and R&B, enhanced by her ethereal vocals. This is a bold statement, sometimes challenging, but with that ability to transport you to another plane.
3) Alt-J An Awesome Wave
Alt-J's Mercury Prize win signified their meteoric rise this year. This may appear surprising in view of their quirkiness, and the acquired taste of the vocals, yet they have a gift for melody. The hooks will get under your skin, and the originality in presentation maintain your interest. If you become really obsessed, there's a deluxe version on iTunes with an extensive selection of remixes
4) Sigur Ros Valtari
I'm finally seeing Sigur Ros live in 2013, but even in the studio, they're calm, serene and spiritual. There are similarities in technique to classical music, and it's mood transforming. This is sparse, minimalist music with few catchy melodies and a penchant for crackling sounds, yet this is surely the most beautiful album of the year.
5) Sharon Van Etten Tramp
Tramp's the work of an introvert, and the mood is sombre, at least until Leonard. It's a portrait of insecurity, and the lyrics and production together with Sharon's emotional voice make it a memorable experience. It wears repeated listening well and I'm sure I'll still be returning to this in five year's time.
6) Efterklang Pirimida
This subtle Danish album reflects the dark, eerie atmosphere of the abandoned mine on Svalbard where it was recorded. The subtlety and sparseness means that it takes time to appreciate, but I love its desolate beauty. If you enjoy Sigur Ros, you might want to investigate this.
7) Fiona Apple The Idler Wheel
This isn't an easy album to appreciate initially, but it's a stark, powerful statement which pushes boundaries, not least vocally. Fiona's voice is remarkably malleable, deployed to the service of the lyrics rather than for prettiness.
8) Delta Spirit
The San Diego five piece has produced a glorious combination of new and traditional Americana in this album. It's a fuller sound than previously, including synthesiser, yet still with a nod to Southern revival and the 1960's. The effect is both uplifting and relaxing.
9) How to Dress Well Total Loss
Total Loss is dark and melancholy, the product of a period of depression following a relationship breakup and death of a best friend and uncle. The disjointed electronics and falsetto soul voice create a chilling atmosphere. Yet it's not a bleak experience: instead humanity comes to the fore.
10) Alabama Shakes Boys and Girls
This album would be in a higher position if it wasn't for it's flawed production: the thin sound is a pale reflection of their live sound. Yes it saved by Brittany Howard's charismatic vocals, and this blend of soul, garage and rock is both timeless and fresh.
11) Beach House Bloom
Beach House disappointed me when I saw them live this year, but there's no denying the perfection of their studio work. It's beautifully structured, so it works as a whole not just as a series of individual songs. It has a hypnotic effect, but just be aware that the emotional range is limited.
12) Lost In The Trees A Church Which Fits Our Needs
The album is a gentle memorial to Aaron Picker's mother, who committed suicide. Clearly it's a difficult emotional journey, yet the overall impression is one of hope, and peace, not despair. Picker's tenor voice is beautiful.
13) Trampled by Turtles Stars and Satellites
This bluegrass group is known for its high octane energy, yet Stars and Satellites is incredibly tender and emotional. Like The Lumineers it's heartwarming, and I love the melancholy aspects. Needless to say, the fiddle, banjo, and bass playing is virtuoso, and the vocal harmonies lovely. I'm excited to be seeing them live for the first time in the new year.
14) The Weeknd Trilogy
The three mix tapes making up Trilogy were released during 2011, yet this year's remastering increases its sonic impact. Abel Tesfay denies being on a mission to save R&B, but the blend of styles feels innovative, and creates a sensual mood. Listened to as a whole, the weakest album, Thursday, makes more sense, and there's an almost operatic breadth. I was disappointed in his Coachella set, so I'm hoping when him in Manchester in March, it will be a more polished experience.
15) Audra Mae and the Almighty Sound
Oklahoma's Audra Mae has amazing charisma, and this upbeat album is full of retro fun. Her voice is amazingly powerful and she blends country, swing, blues, folk and pop. This isn't delicate, reserved folk: it's an extrovert foot tapping romp, full of catchy tunes such as Little Red Wagon.
16) Calexico Algiers
I had reservations about this album on its release, detecting blandness. Yet, the bonus CD with live performances has helped me to appreciate the laid back feel, and now I love it. This is another band I'll be seeing live for the first time in 2013, and I'm optimistic I'm going to enjoy that evening.
17) Dark Dark Dark Who Needs Who
This is a beautifully melancholy album, introvert and gentle in its feel. I love the use of acoustic instrumentation including piano and accordion, and restrained drumming. The singing of Nona Marie Invie is beguiling, the mood influenced by her break-up with the group's co-founder last year.
18) Exitmusic Passage
This dark, brooding album is all about atmosphere, and Aleska Palladino's seductive vocals are set in a sea of reverb and noise. This isn't the album for a summer drive to the beach: it's more likely to make you cry with its feeling of loneliness. Yet it has a cinematic feel, and the soundscape the four piece creates can't help but draw you in with their layers and effects. Live, the duo is unmissable.
19) The XX Coexist
A gloriously introspective and understated creation. The sound is sparse, stripped back to tender emotions about love with overlapping vocals. Some may find it soporific, but it gradually weaves its way into your subconsciousness.
20) Aimee Mann Charmer
I explained in the introduction to this article that the criteria for this list was my enjoyment. Charmer isn't ground breaking, and doesn't diverge a great deal from Aimee Mann's Magnolia material, but I still love its feeling of natural, easy inevitability.
21) Crystal Castles III
III hasn't been universally acclaimed, yet its fractured electronic sounds to me are evocative of the joy of a dance tent at a festival. It stretches conventional boundaries, and if you submit, you're taken on a journey away from the real world to a freer place.
22) Lau Race the Loser
The Scottish trio's third album is captivating and surprisingly bold, reflecting their position on the experimental side of British folk. The instrumentation consists largely of fiddle, accordion and guitar, but also electronics. The combination of traditional Celtic jigs and reels with contemporary music is a glorious juxtaposition.
23) Alcoholic Faith Mission Ask Me This
Ask Me This starts with glorious close harmony part singing, and takes you on a voyage of discovery. The Danish group may have folk roots, but they are not afraid to use synths alongside acoustic strings (most notably in Alaska). I find it beautifully imaginative and the vocals are outstandingly well deployed.
24) Blind Atlas Kodiak Bear
Kodiak Bear is a local (Manchester) band, yet they deserve to be more widely appreciated by lovers of Americana. They're led by Denver native Ross Thompson, and transatlantic influences include The Grateful Dead, Dawes, Calexico and Neil Young. The album feels fresh and spontaneous, with gorgeous instrumentation including strings, slide guitar, banjo and percussion, with heartfelt lyrics.
25) First Aid Kit The Lion's Roar
This album is undeniably charming. The two Swedish sisters have been influenced more by country music than on their first album, and the gorgeous vocal harmonies delight. The highlight is Emmylou, but many of the choruses are beautiful, and this might even win over those not usually appreciative of folk music.
15 Highly Commended
- BOY Mutual Friends
- Chris Robinson Brotherhood The Magic Door
- Electric Guest Mondo
- Fanfarlo Rooms Filled With Light
- Farriers Years Ago In Our Backyard
- Frank Ocean Channel Orange
- Great Lake Swimmers New Wild Everywhere
- Julia Holter Extasis
- Kendrick Lamar Good Kid
- Lord Huron Lonesome Dreams
- Metric Synthetica
- Moulettes The Bear's Revenge
- Neil Halstead Palindrome Hunches
- The Parlotones Journey Through the Shadows
- Two Door Cinema Club Beacon
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