mercredi 13 Nov 2013, 8h16m

Well, it's that time of year again. Can't believe it's been a year since my last journal. Hard to believe I'm still on Last.FM, considering the radio feature is no more in Japan, and I'm basically paying my subscription fees for nothing. Anyhoo, this list is very tentative, based on my poor taste and won't be solidified till, well, the end of the year. It will change dramatically when I start digging through my music from this year.

On first glance, not as many OMG albums this year. I spent most of my time keeping up with the sythwave 'revival' and brancing out into acid-trap via STYLSS, as well as exploring early 80's hip-hop and electro (that obviously doesn't belong here).

1. Electric Lady - Janelle Monae - Not my most listened to, but the most varied and audacious pop album this year. Great videos as well.
2. Hesitation Marks - Nine Inch Nails - Trent simplifies the beats, krautrocks it up a bit, loses some aggression, but maintains the gloom (for the most part).
3. Random Access Memories - Daft Punk - "Get Lucky" was the single of the year, and I appreciate the Moroder worship. Much more interesting than their last full length.
4. Sunset Blood - Starcadian - Synthwave heaven.
5. Tomorrow's Harvest - Boards of Canada - They've still got it.
6. Various Artists - STYLSS : SUICIDE PACT : ONE-ELEVEN - Best netlabel around has manufactured it's own acid trap scene with these 11 compilations and sundry other releases. Had me reminiscing about the first days of Ninja Tune.
7. Level 3 - Perfume - Despite a few slightly disappointing album mixes, this one benefits from Nakata in a dancier, Capsule-esque production mood.
8. Nocturnal - Yuna - Solid sophomore release from this heartfelt Malaysian indie gone semi-big.
9. Move in Spectrums - Au Revoir Simone - Understated, but catchy.
10. The Bones of What We Believe - CHVRCHES - Cheesy techno-pop, but it's honestly pretty good.
11. Takes Time - Jim Guthrie - Yeah, that Indie Game The Movie guy has some pretty mean folk-pop skillz.
12. Nanobots - They Might Be Giants - Nuff said.
13. Shaking the Habitual - The Knife - Getting all experimental just like I like 'em.
14. Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon Original Soundtrack - Power Glove - Best video game soundtrack of the year.
15. R Plus Seven - Oneohtrix Point Never - Always inexplicably intriguing.
16. Slow Focus - Fuck Buttons - Sweet krautrock.
17. Kveikur - Sigur Rós - Back into slightly aggressive mode. A pleasant surprise.
18. English Electric - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - Jesus, it sounds just like old OMD. Oh because it IS OMD…and they're old.
19. 浮き名 - 椎名林檎 (and various artists) - Any Tokyo Jihen-less Shena Ringo is worth a listen. 'Duet' with Nakata is Shibuya-kei heaven.
20. Gentle Heretic - Lon Milo DuQuette - It's Papa. What can you say.

Also ran and late editions
Various Artists - Future City Records Compilation Vol. III
Various Artists - Future City Records Compilation Vol. III
Various Artists - Outrun Europa Compilation
CAPS LOCK - Capsule
Nanda Collection - きゃりーぱみゅぱみゅ
Yeezus - Kanye West
Sexualizer - Perturbator
Various Artists - THE 80S DREAM COMPILATION TAPE - VOL.2
Various Artists - Synth City Compilation
Skull and Shark - Lazerhawk
The False Alarm - Fol Chen
Omniversal Oscillations - Starforce
Various Artists - Mutazione: Italian Electronic & New Wave Underground 1980-1988 (compiled by Walls)
Skull - Gost
Various Artists - After Dark 2
Psychic - Darkside