…and yes, the best records of the year run-down begins imminently. I could waste time harping on about current trends and developments in the music world circa 2013 etc. etc., but instead I thought I’d best dedicate my energies to the central business of ploughing through the records I’ve liked, and whatever I have to say in a wider context will hopefully make itself clear along the way.

But in short: if you’d asked me in June, I would have said that there had been barely any music this year that I actually thought was any good. (I think I have high standards these days, and I’m increasingly quick to dismiss as I get older.) Thankfully though, things have turned around, and by the time I got around to scribbling them all down on a list, turns out there have been LOADS of records this year I’ve enjoyed.

Ok, maybe not exactly a banner year for many of my favourite scenes & genres, and maybe there’s a higher proportion of old geezers as opposed to young up-and-comers on the list than might be wished for, but never mind. Still more good stuff coming down the pipe than I actually have time to listen to, and that’s the main thing.

So: In an effort to make amends for the long stretches of 2013 during which this blog was on life support, I’m gonna take a deep breath and go for a top twenty – one post per day, beginning NOW.

Well, ok, actually beginning tomorrow. Gimme a chance. And maybe there’ll be some gaps. But basically that’s what I’m aiming for.

Usual rules apply: anything released during 2013 on any format that features either more than four tracks or more than 10 minutes of music is eligible; random items from 2012 than I didn’t hear until 2013 will be included at the editor’s discretion.

Labels: best of 2013