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Molly’s Top Tracks of 2013

Molly — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 16:28:34 +0000

Aw man. 2013 was so crazy for me! I have never in my life paid so much attention to new music, and this was an awesome year to start. So many good, fresh tracks came out that I had to start making myself weekly Spotify playlists to keep up to date. Infinite thanks to Tim and Max for bringing me on board as a contributor–friggen’ life changing! Not only did they and other TMD writers introduce me to most of what populates my favorite tracks list, but I also got to be a part of starting our mad successful live showcase series. Lemme just say, helping put a live show of some of your favorite bands together feels pretty badass.

Here are 13 tracks from this year that I feel really define my taste and are particularly groundbreaking in some way or another. I hope you find a band or two you really like from our collective playlists, that you keep up with TMD in 2014 for more badassery, and that you have a wonderful new year!

Jay’s Sounds of 2013

Jay — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 17:11:46 +0000

2013 was a year of nostalgia, for me personally and also in the music that accompanied me throughout, more so than any year I can remember. This year was also my first here at the Most Definitely, which I can’t thank Max and Tim enough for. In putting together my hour-long 2013 year-end playlist, I really tried to focus on this retro-yet-new and exciting feel that embodied the past year. From the ’70s sound of the Preatures; ’80s of Oliver, Holy Ghost! and Wild Nothing; to the ’90s of Cut Copy and Jagwar Ma, it is all there — refreshingly nostalgic, yet freshly new.

Hopefully, this playlist captures the crazy ride that was 2013 and joins the ranks of Tim’s, Max’s, and Jason’s. Give it a listen below and here’s to what 2014 has to offer!

Jason’s Year in Review – 2013

Jason — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 08:27:23 +0000

Like the eighth night of Hanukkah or bedtime on Christmas eve, the end of our 2013 year in review lists has come too soon. Each one of us has enjoyed sharing some of our favorite songs with you this year. There were so many great tracks that were released that it was very difficult to pick just a few to represent what 2013 had to offer. The following are small selection of my favorites from the past year.

For each of us this was a difficult task. How does one compare Postiljonen, Two Door Cinema Club and The Knocks? Each one feels so different and fills such a unique niche that we could debate their individual merits well into 2014. At the end of the day, sometimes you just have to go with your gut. Fortunately, that is pretty much what we do around here which is how we made it through this harrowing experience.

Unlike my cohorts, I was unable to pare down my selection to fewer than twenty tracks. Anything less than that seemed unrepresentative of the wonderful tapestry of music that has passed through our collective imagination here at TMD. I hope you enjoy this installment and please let us know if any of your faves that were left on the chopping block (we all have some there, trust me). Happy holidays and enjoy!!!

The Spotify playlist is the unabridged version of my favorites from 2013. It is arranged in no particular order so shuffle might be the best way to enjoy it.

Max’s Top 13 of ’13

Max — Wed, 18 Dec 2013 13:30:45 +0000

Taylor Swift – We Are Never Ever (Story of the Running Wolf Remix)

Im partially embarrassed to be putting a Taylor Swift track on my Best Of list, but this remix is just so damn choice. And to think our homies at SOTRW made it entirely bootleg…no stems, no nothin.

Nightbox – Burning

Nightbox, from Toronto, dropped this single back in Feb and toured briefly with Albert Hammond Jr. in the Fall. We need to get them back to NYC for a show.

Henry Green – Electric feel (Gespleu downcast edit)

Every Best Of list needs a cover track that brings you back to a very fun time in your life. This is my token throwback.

Great Good Fine Ok – You’re The One For Me

It’s the mystery behind this masterpiece that put it over the edge and onto my list. Who’s in this band? What is their live setup like? What will their second single sound like? If it’s as good as the first, will my head explode? Answers to each will come in 2014.

The 1975 – Chocolate

I generally have a problem blogging layups. It just doesn’t feel as good to tell people something they already know. It’s like if a friend was coming to NYC for the first time, does he need to be told to visit the Empire State Building? I tried to squeeze in a remix or cover to fit my The 1975 quota, but it just didnt work. This track is amazing and needs to be on the list.

Kathryn Ostenberg – Hold On (Josh Money Remix)

Never in history has a DJ/producer found a more perfect home for such an exquisite vocal stem. Listen to the original and you’ll know what I mean.

Klingande – Jubel

I think we can all agree that the US is way behind Europe in the EDM movement. People are literally still choking on the build/drop movement over here while the French are busy inventing the next biggest thing…Jazz House…get involved. Did you know this track is number one on German MTV?

Say Lou Lou – Julian (The Chainsmokers Remix)

Swedish model/artist twins meet the most relevant American DJ/producers in the game. This has been on the list since day one.

Panama – Destroyer

Sometimes a band comes out with a single that’s so good people forget to listen to the B-sides. Thats what happened here when Panama dropped Always over the summer. Don’t sleep on this track though, its my favorite off their EP.

Vance Joy – Riptide

I was late to the Vance Joy party this year but got caught up quickly after hearing an amazing jazz house remix last month. I have not seen this Australian act yet, but i’m really looking forward to their tour with Young The Giant in Feb.

St. Lucia – Elevate

I’ve probably listened to this track more than any other this entire year. I can’t wait to see the show again in Jan.

Urban Cone – New York (Oliver Nelson Remix)

This is a perfect collaboration from two of Sweden’s best and brightest.

Ghost Beach – Miracle (Gigamesh Remix)

You would be right to call me out here given our label released this track in March, but I have no choice. This track is incredible. Now with Ghost Beach‘s debut album dropping March 4th and Miracle setting up to be the Summer 2014 anthem, I think this track is going to get a ton of play next year.

Tim’s Essential Tracks of 2013

Tim — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 20:03:03 +0000

So that was 2013 huh? Pretty solid year. I’ve been working on this list all year. Full disclosure, if you’re looking for the obvious “Best of 2013″ list, this is not for you. This is more about the tracks that might have slipped through the cracks, the tracks that never quite got the attention they deserved. Some of them are more obvious than others (read: Daft Punk). While others, need to be heard (read: Streets of Laredo).

How do you boil down a year to 15 songs? In my case, you don’t. You make a soundcloud best of and a Spotify Best of list. We had a banner year personally, professionally and musically. A lot of firsts that I am extremely thankful for. Rather than sit here and wax poetic on what was definitely the best year of my life, why don’t you just sit back and listen to these tunes that helped make 2013 so special?

And then I made a totally different Spotify playlist so you got hours of music to listen to.