Top Albums of 2013

Before we move onto 2014, B-Sides is taking a look back at the best albums of 2013!

12.) CHVRCHES – The Bones of What You Believe

Synthpop Scottish band CHVRCHES, released their debut album The Bones of What You Believe in September of 2013. The album placed in high ranks of international music charts including, number 5 on the US Rock Albums, number 3 on the US Alternative Albums, and number 1 on the US Independent Albums! Metacritic labeled the album as universal acclaim with a score of 81 out of 100 based on 38 reviews.

11.) HAIM –Days Are Gone

American rock band HAIM, released their debut album Days Are Gone back in September 2013 to Polydor Records. Metacritic assigned the album an average score of 79 out of 100 based on 34 reviews. The album reached number 6 on the Billboard 200 after its first week of release, in which it sold 26,000 copies in the US. In the United Kingdom the album sold 37,005 copies within its first week of release and charted at number one on the UK Albums Chart. By October the album was certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry.

10.) Kanye West – Yeezus

American hip hop artist and rapper Kanye West released his sixth full length album Yeezus in June of 2013. West collaborated with various well known artists such as Daft Punk, Kid Cudi, among others and also produced the album with Rick Rubin. The album received positive reviews from music critics, due to West’s use of different sound as compared to his past albums. The album reached number one on the Billboard 200, selling over 327,000 copies in its first week of release and was certified Gold by the RIAA.

9.) Queens of the Stone Age – …Like Clockwork

American hard rock band Queens of the Stone Age released their sixth studio album …Like Clockwork in June of 2013. The band self produced the album and it received great success after its release in both the United States and the United Kingdom. The album reached number two on the UK Albums Charts and number one on the Billboard 200, the highest charting the band has ever received in the US alone! The album is currently nominated for three Grammy Awards.

8.) Justin Timberlake – The 20/20 Experience

American pop artist Justin Timberlake released his third full length album The 20/20 Experience back in March of 2013. The album is part of a two album series, Timberlake released his fourth album as The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2  in July 2013. The album charted at number one on the Billboard 200 and sold 968,000 copies in its first week of release! The release was Timberlake’s best selling week of his career. It is also his third number one album in the United Kingdom and has been nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album for the upcoming Grammy Awards.

7.) Disclosure – Settle

English electronic duo Disclosure, released their debut album Settle this past May 2013. Upon its release the album received great reviews and was nominated for a 2013 Mercury Prize. It reached number one on the UK Albums Chart and sold over 44,600 copies during its release. The album was certified Gold by the BPI and sold a total of 165,000 copies by the end of October.

6.) Arcade Fire – Reflektor

Canadian indie rock band Arcade Fire released their fourth full length album Reflektor in October 2013. The album was produced by the band themselves as well as with the help of LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy and producer Markus Dravs. Metacritic rated the album an average rating of 80 out of 100 based on 48 reviews. The album reached number one on the Canadian Albums Chart and sold over 49,000 copies.

5.) Daft Punk – Random Access Memories

French electro duo Daft Punk released their fourth album Random Access Memories in May of 2013. The group took a new route with the album by recording live instrumentation and minimized the use of electronic instruments. The album was collaborated with many other artists including Pharrell Williams, DJ Falcon, and Julian Casablancas among others. This album is the band’s most successful to this date, Metacritic rated it an 87 out of 100. It charted at number one in twenty countries including the US, UK, and Australia!

4.) The National – Trouble Will Find Me

American rock band The National, released their sixth album Trouble Will Find Me in May of 2013. Upon its release the album reached number three on the Billboard 200 and number three on the UK Album Charts. It also received number one on the US Alternative Albums and US Independent Albums. Metacritic rated the album an average score of 84 out of 100 based on 44 reviews. The album has also been nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album.

3.) Drake – Nothing Was The Same

Canadian artist and rapper Drake, released his third full length album Nothing Was The Same this past September 2013. The album had six hit singles including, “Hold on We’re Going Home,” “Started From the Bottom,” “All Me,” “Pound Cake,” “The Language,” “Too Much,” and “Wu-Tang Forever.” Metacritic rated the album an average rating of 79 out of 100 based on 31 reviews. Within the albums’ first week of release it sold 658,000 copies and reached number one on the Billboard 200.

2.) Vampire Weekend – Modern Vampires of the City

American indie rock band Vampire Weekend released their third album Modern Vampires of the City in May of 2013. Interestingly the album was recorded in different locations including New York City, Los Angeles, and Martha’s Vineyard. The album sold 134,000 copies within its first week of release and reached number one on the Billboard 200, making it the band’s second number one album. It received an average rating of 84 out of 100 by Metacritic based on 51 reviews. The album is currently nominated for Best Alternative Music Album.

1.) Lorde – Pure Heroine

New Zealander singer/songwriter Lorde, released her debut album Pure Heroine in September 2013. The now seventeen year old was signed to Universal Records when she was thirteen, and recorded The Love Club EP with her major hit “Royals.” Shortly after, she began recording her debut album and it made huge commercial success reaching number one in New Zealand and Australia. She is the first New Zealand solo artist to chart number one on the Billboard Hot 100!