Songs 20 through 1 put a wrap on the music of 2013 for me. In 2014, I hope to find more time to dedicate to blog writing, as life too often got in the way during the past year. The full pretty web edition of my Top 75 of 2013 is available right here.
20. BETTY WHO Somebody Loves You (PP#3)
“Somebody Loves You” is simply one of the most joyous songs of 2013. It’s akin to having someone wrap you up in a snuggly blanket and mess with you in all fun ways possible. Australian-to-NYC transplant Betty Who has bloggers like me eating out of her hands with songs from her debut free download release The Movement as well as remixes of “Somebody Loves You”. Big things are in store for you, Betty Who, mark my words!
19. LADY GAGA Applause (PP#2)
I was a little worried at the pre-release hype for “Applause” and ARTPOP – that I was going to be let down big time, or that I might just love it all. Well, “Applause” is the grand preview of ARTPOP that ended up being the best song on the record. “Applause” is what it’s all about, it’s what keeps performers like Lady GaGa coming back for more and more. That it’s as powerful it is musically as it is lyrically is a huge win for her. It is a song that makes you stand up and clap, it’s almost impossible not to do so. ARTPOP is a fine if highly uneven effort with many top notch songs (vocally and instrumentally, particularly) mixed with some of GaGa’s worst ones, particularly lots of hard to listen to lyrics. But she is her own machine and having seen her earlier this year in concert, she does what many performers aspire to do quite well, warts and all.
18. GENTLEMEN HALL Sail Into The Sun (PP#3)
Boston sextet Gentlemen Hall tested the waters with us many times this year by revealing new songs on Soundcloud or You Tube for our listening and/or downloading pleasure. It started to change up a big in the Spring with “Sail Into The Sun”. I knew something was up when I was in Austin, TX in March and walked into a Target store. As I slowly made my way back, I began to hear this familiar song….. which became used regularly in Target commercials in the US. Plus, “Sail Into The Sun” also got Samsung’s attention for their smart camera commercials. So it wasn’t long before a record company came-a-courting and Island Records not only released “Sail” but a rework of last year’s “All Our Love” as well. Here’s hoping that all of this continues for Gentlemen Hall into 2014 towards an EP or album – they are more than ready and we are more than anxious!!
17. MONSIEUR ADI featuring A*M*E What’s Going On (PP#2)
One item in my musical rule book is that if a performer is going to tackle a cover version of one of my very favourite songs, it has to be outstanding. After following the oh-so-creative work of French producer/DJ Monsieur Adi these last four years, I was pleased that he would be the one to rework Soul II Soul & Caron Wheeler’s 1989 classic “Back To Life” as “What’s Going On”. I had heard of British vocalist A*M*E through various dance collaborations such as with MNEK, but I had never thought she might be a substitute for Caron Wheeler’s amazing vocal. But boy does this record deliver, with its slick ‘n smooth production which also allows A*M*E to take complete ownership over the vocal. Plus we get to actually see le Monsieur on camera! 🙂 It was one of the few moments in 2013 where I was so excited about a record that I jumped all over it and charted it months before its official release in November (I withdrew it from my chart allowing it to re-enter in the Top 5). So if you’re going to think about covering one of my personal faves, folks, this is the way to do it 😀
16. DAFT PUNK featuring NILE RODGERS & PHARRELL WILLIAMS Get Lucky (PP#2)
Though Random Access Memories was a conceptual hot mess, full of great weird things happening that never gel, there was no better time to revive the Chic model of funky disco and Daft Punk did just that with “Get Lucky”. That sinewy Nile Rodgers guitar riff and an outstanding vocal from Pharrell gave a lot of people happy feet throughout 2013. It seemed a bit tame after the almost experimental Daft Punk dance music from the last decade, but the success of the French duo in 2013 will allow them to offer us more of their unusual creativity in the years to come. And if Nile Rodgers wants to lend his funky riffing and expertise to anyone’s projects – oh please do let him!
15. WILLY MOON Yeah Yeah (PP#2)
One performer to keep an ear out for in 2014 – he is recording a follow up album – is New Zealand-to-London transplant Willy Moon. You first heard “Yeah Yeah” in a colourful commercial for the iPod.This is one 24 year old who seems to know exactly what he wants, borrowing musical elements from across the decades, mashing it up with contemporary and sometimes experimental-sounding production, led by bold vocals that sound different on every song yet recognizable as Willy Moon. He’s a dapper enigma with fashion and enjoys his billiards and gin. I got to hear one of his SXSW performances standing outside of a club in Austin at midnight while I was full of pneumonia. He’s the real deal who’s going to happen in a big way. Willy also scored in 2013 with “My Girl” at #43 on my list, with both songs from his debut album Here’s Willy Moon, one of a handful of albums I would recommend highly from this past year.
14. RYAN ADAMES As Long As You Love Me (PP#2)
Another item in my musical rule book is that if a performer chooses to tackle a song that I don’t like, it has to be outstanding. So forgive me for being dubious about yet another cover version of Justin Bieber’s “As Long As You Love Me”. But because L.A. based singer Ryan Adamés was already on my radar with his vocal contribution to Parralox’s “Silent Morning”, I decided to put aside my reservations. And boy does this young man deliver! The song narrowly missed out at #1 on my chart. It’s a slight-sounding acoustic version that is filled not only with depth but lots of emotional warmth, that brings out everything good about the song (its warm and fuzzy video also helped). I figure that if Ryan can possess this kind of vocal prowess (which took a backseat on some of his earlier dance records), he is one to watch. So what does he record next? An acoustic cover of Britney Spears’ “Work Bitch”. It doesn’t work as well, but it did make me look forward to hearing Ryan Adamés’ new songs that are forthcoming in 2014.
13. NEVEREST Rewind (PP#1)
Toronto quartet Neverest had an interesting year, losing two members early on, and recruiting two new ones (drummer Mikey Thomas and guitarist Greg Keyes, joining bassist Paul Loduca and vocalist/guitarist Spee Chalkiotis) who fit like well warn shoes. It was appropriate because the sound of Neverest is evolving, from Backstreet Boys-inspired balladeers to tight rockers. And “Rewind” was the ticket to get it started this past summer, followed by an engaging video full of intrigue. The song itself lyrically is a departure for Neverest allowing them to explore slightly darker material. So this one single has us all wanting more from Neverest in 2014. These are four great musicians, extremely nice guys to boot (after seeing their shows – with Lawson – and meeting them twice), and nice guys always deserve to finish first.
12. ANTON EWALD Begging (PP#2)
Sweden’s Melodifestivalen is always a great source for new talent, I’ve seen stellar starmaking performances on that show from Mans Zelmerlow and Eric Saade over the years. Joining them this year is Anton Ewald’s absolutely infectious performance of “Begging”, which garnered second place at the festival and rose to #2 on the Swedish pop charts. Anton is one of those young ladies’ men, loaded with big smile, personality and talent (he sings, he dances, he choreographs!). At 20 he has it in spades; I just wish his music would be better promoted outside of the Nordic countries as “Begging” could have been a huge worldwide hit.
11. BRIGHT LIGHT BRIGHT LIGHT An Open Heart (PP#1)
One of the things I absolutely needed to do in 2013 was to see Bright Light Bright Light in concert. When I found out that Rod Thomas was performing a show while I was going to be in NYC in October, I scored one of the last tickets. The small club setting was perfect, it was like being in Rod’s own private disco where his slew of hits which have often graced the top of my chart were all played. “An Open Heart” is the lead off single to BLx2’s EP In Your Care. Rod’s carefully crafted and emotional lyrics blend beautifully with the high register synths which make the song glow. Even though it officially ranks #11 for 2013, count it as an honourary part of my Top 10 for the year.
10. ZEDD featuring FOXES Clarity (PP#2)
No song from the early part of 2013 resonated with me lyrically more than “Clarity”. Led by a stunner of a vocal from new UK singer Foxes (who got her own record deal as a result), and a great follow up to Zedd’s collaboration with Matthew Koma on 2012’s “Spectrum”, it’s that unforgettable chorus that anchors the song:
‘Cause you are the piece of me I wish I didn’t need
Chasing relentlessly, still fight and I don’t know why
If our love is tragedy, why are you my remedy?
If our love’s insanity, why are you my clarity?
9. KWIK FIKS & BONGIOVANNI Lifted (PP#1)
I was already very aware of Danny Voicu (aka Kwik Fiks) from his remix work with Toronto’s River Tiber, but when his collaboration with fellow Montrealer Victor Bongiovanni came to my attention I had no idea what I was getting into. “Lifted” is in fact a most excellent slice of deep house which is a rework of Baby Bash & Frankie J’s 2003 hit “Suga Suga”. It simply takes the chorus of “Suga Suga” and loops it with a deep bass rhythm, to hypnotic effect. It captured the top of my chart for 6 weeks early in 2013.
8. MATTHEW KOMA Parachute (PP#1)
At the end of 2012, I could not get enough of Matthew Koma’s EP Parachute after being tantalized by his vocals on various dance hits in 2012, most notably of course Zedd’s “Spectrum”. “Parachute” is a lovely, carefree, and romantic slice of life, with perfect emphasis on Matthew’s high notes. It was the first of back to back #1’s for Matthew on my chart where he basically owned January 2013.
Cut me loose, my parachute won’t let me fly
I’ll survive cuz we got love
7. RIVER TIBER The City (PP#1)
If there’s any local performer for whom I have the greatest hope for some success in the next few years, it’s River Tiber. Spearheaded by multi-instrumentalist and producer Tommy Paxton-Beasley, River Tiber is both a studio effort, focusing most recently on many things electronic, while it is also a tight functioning live band. The start of 2013 kicked off with a free download of an album called Synapses, which no longer appears to be available, in favour of what is likely to come in early 2014, which seemed to have been kickstarted by a feature in SPIN magazine in late summer. The year ended with the release of a new EP called The Star Falls, featuring songs such as the experimental “What Are You Afraid Of” (#57 on this list), the title song, and “The City”, all of which appeared on Synapses, plus two new songs. “The City” isn’t a classic song meant for radio or anything. It’s a beautifully moody piece of music, which is supported by the video, which shows all of the forlorn emptiness in a nice big city like Toronto. The music of performers like River Tiber is what helps keep me writing 🙂
6. TRAVIS GARLAND Blue Electric Roses (PP#1)
It started late last year when I found out that Travis Garland was releasing new music for free download in the form of two EP’s, Fashionably Late and Fashionably Late II. These were the records that shaped his debut self-titled album, which is one of my most played records of the year. The second EP outdid the first for its songwriting and vocals, and I’m so glad “Blue Electric Roses” – one of the most romantic songs of this or any recent year – made the cut for the album. It didn’t take long for the song to find itself at the top of my chart for a month. I had bought a ticket to see Travis perform in my city in November but was too ill to go. There will be a next time!!
5. MATTHEW KOMA 1998 (PP#1)
Sometimes EP’s are better showcases for albums because they can display the versatility of a performer over the course of 5 or 6 songs. Matthew Koma had already conquered the dance world, and so his Parachute EP was more of an outlet for his pop/rock. “1998” is the grittiest of all of his songs, drawing from a lot of late 70’s and early 80’s influences like Elvis Costello. I’m still not sure what “1998” is all about – Matthew would have been much too young to be part of what he’s writing at the time (as was Bryan Adams for “Summer of ’69”). But it’s a whole lot of fun and impossible not to join in and sing. Hopefully 2014 will see the release of Matthew’s long-awaited album, which was to be titled Arcadia.
Time to walk on candle wax / The smell of her perfume takes me back / To all the crooked tracks we’ve laid / Locked in 1998
4. MIGUEL featuring JESSIE WARE Adorn (PP#1)
Although I had probably heard it well before Miguel’s performance at this year’s Grammy Awards, I never connected with “Adorn” until I saw that performance. It was magnetic and Miguel won the Best R&B Song Grammy. A lot of people of pooh-poohed the song for being a knock off of Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing”, but even if that was inspiration, it took a whole lot more to shape “Adorn”, including Miguel’s excellent vocal. Because I was such a latehead on the song, it missed appearing on my chart early in the year, and it wasn’t until a rework intended to help it chart in the UK featuring outstanding singer Jessie Ware that it landed at the top of my chart late in the year. Always better late than not at all! Miguel’s album Kaleidoscope Dream is also a gem!
3. FRANKMUSIK Map (PP#1)
FrankMusik scored his third #1 song on my chart with the bitter yet danceable “Map”. It’s about making a decision to do something about a relationship and then follow through, which is extremely important, and sometimes that means striking that person ‘off your map’. Again, I admire Vincent Frank for taking heartbreaking lyrics and setting them to complex, electronic rhythms. For those of you who have been through significant breakups, this is one song you must hear for all of these reasons. And if you’re bold enough, head over to FrankMusik’s acoustic Between Us album where you will hear “Map” stripped away to just its lyrics and emotions. It’s incredibly touching, with a supurb vocal from Vince, but can be a hard listen. FrankMusik’s 2013 chapter is now closed – onward and upward!
2. KADEN Black Light (Stormby’s mix) (PP#1)
Sometimes being predisposed to a song that you really like, not knowing if it will actually see release, can be a little unnerving (and you can imagine how the performer, writers, and producers feel too!). I have a handful of songs in my library that I play regularly that never saw release. One that took a little while longer than usual is “Black Light” by L.A. based singer Kaden James, which finally did see release in the summer, complete with all kinds of colourful remixes. But it’s the mysterious and dramatic Stormby’s mix that is the winner, upping the dance rhythm to make it fit in with anything that clubs are playing, all in a tidy 3 minute mix. Kaden’s boy-next-door vocals add to the intrigue put forth by the same ace songwriting team that gave us Osvaldo Supino’s #38 “I Have A Name” (Charlie Mason/Daniel Volpe/Thomas Lipp). “Black Light” takes you to that invisible quiet place that we all know where we can truly be ourselves. It looks like we will see a full release from Kaden on January 14 as he is publicizing it through his Facebook page.
1. PET SHOP BOYS Vocal (PP#1)
I’ve always had a keen interest in the music of Pet Shop Boys since their classic 80’s period when I was fortunate enough to meet and interview them. But that was long ago now, and there was no way that I anticipated that they would have my #1 song of 2013. Leaving Parlophone/EMI seemed to be the best thing for Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, who gave us their best album in 20 years with Electric after perhaps their weakest one, Elysium. Electric is a dance floor killer, brimming with so many classic PSB melodies and some of their best lyrics ever on songs like “Love Is A Bourgeois Construct”, “Thursday”, and “Fluorescent”. But it’s “Vocal” that trumps them all. This is really a tip of the hat to the fans who love their music and go to their concerts for the experience. But to me it’s also general enough to stretch to any music fan who loves their particular style of music. Not only does the 6 minute album version strike a chord with me with its triumphant danceable melody, it hits an emotional nerve with these specific lyrics, and they get to me every time I listen to the song:
And everything about tonight feels right and so young
And anything I wanna say out loud will be sung
This is my kind of music
They play it all night long
Long may the Pet Shop Boys continue to make records like Electric and “Vocal” because fans like me will always be there to listen to them 🙂
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