Following Dan Hegarty and Steve Gannon's efforts, Icelandic writer and translator Edda Kjarval is up next to share her musical discoveries from the year that's been. Over to you, Edda...
My "Top 5" Albums by Edda Kjarval
That's right, quotation marks! Yes, five measly sections are easily filled by such albums as Arcade Fire's Reflektor, Arctic Monkey' s AM, Foals's Holy Fire and Haim's Days are Gone. These albums and artists really don't need any introduction, so, alas, they get none. Let's call them honorable mentions. We all know they're good, let's not dwell on it. Instead let's move on to my notable mentions, you know the drill, albums that almost made the list, but didn't. So why are they even being mentioned? Maybe I'm just too nice.
Notable mentions in no particular order. This is pure anarchy.
Speedy Ortiz - Major Arcana
Cults - Static
Phosphorescent - Muchacho
Prefab Sprout - Crimson/Red
Mikal Cronin - MCII
Agnes Obel - Aventine
The Strokes - Comedown Machine
Date Palms - The Dusted Sessions
All worthy of your attention, however short the span may be. But now for the actual list. Here are my favorite listenable albums of 2013.
1. Kurt Vile - Wakin on a Pretty Daze
2. Foxygen - We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic
3. Unknown Mortal Orchestra - II
4. London Grammar - If You Wait
5. Courtney Barnett - The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas
Yes I kind of cheated, but all in the name of good music, right?
Oh, and P.S. Seeing as I'm from Iceland, that rock in the North, I feel obligated to mention a great Icelandic album released this year titled Northern Comfort by Tilbury. Definitely worth a listen, or two. There. All done.
Bless, bless.
Image: Jem Goulding
