2013: albums of the year

Holden – The Inheritors

Astonishing.

Julianna Barwick – Nepenthe

Some wags at work called this ‘slowed-down Enya’ – which is basically true, but in all the best ways.

Julia Holter – Loud City Song

Holter, for me, sits at this nexus of classical / pop and electronic / acoustic, and does it so well. I wish I could make music like this

Honorable mentions to Ellen Allien’s ultra-future ballet score, LISM, everything that Laurel Halo did, Purity Ring’s amazing Shrines, Ikonika’s Aerotropolis, DJ Rashad’s gorgeous/sad/heavy Rollin’ EP, the new Burial, of course, the new Boards, of course, and Norah Lorway’s I’ve Had Dreams Like This.