M's top albums of the year so far... part two

Welcome to part two of M’s Top 20 Albums of the Year So Far…

Yesterday we revealed the first 10 records that have floated our boat in the first half of 2013. Below you'll find the last instalment, in no particular order...

 

Andrew Weatherall and studio hand Timothy J Fairplay brew up a collection of filth as seedy as the Shoreditch streets from which it was born. Analogue bumps and gritty guitar work collide to provide an underground route to the dancefloor. It’s evidence that Lord Sabre’s lustre still shines darkly. Jim

 

 

 

With a guest list including Caribou, Sacha ‘Apparat’ Ring and Matthew Dear, and with no two songs being comparable, this collection defies easy categorisation. That said it’s a very individual and cohesive album of textured house and electronica. The album really is joy to listen to – be it on a Sunday afternoon or late into the night. Paul

 

 

 

Queens of the Stone Age Like Clockwork

Melodic guitars, Dave Grohl on drums, cameos from Elton John and Alex Turner - what’s not to like? The flow of the record stutters occasionally but that doesn’t detract from the quality songwriting.  It’s QOTSA doing what they do best, drawing you in with their irresistible melodies. Best tracks – If I Had A Tail, I Appear Missing, My God is the sun. Carl

 

 

 

Dean Blunt The Redeemer

Dean Blunt has obviously spent a bit of time in a proper studio. A world away from the decaying funk of his Hype Williams project with Inga Copeland, The Redeemer shows a more expert side to the lo-fi R&B Lothario. Stunning compositions and lush orchestral interludes have elevated his sketch-pad musical style to a whole new level. Anita

 

Although officially this album shouldn’t appear here as it was originally released in August 2012, the special – or Gold – edition definitely warrants a place in this list. Updated to include some of Jessie’s first releases, including 2011’s Strangest Feeling and her collaboration with Sampha, Valentine (who is due to release his debut EP on 29 July), this re-release shows off almost all of Jessie’s breathtaking repertoire, as well as a banging remix from Disclosure and some acoustic versions too. Shaun

 

 

Jagwar Ma are two Antipodeans who rub Beach Boys harmonies up against Balearic disco to reignite the dead genre of disco punk. They maybe some years late for the DFA records party but by channelling the grooves of the Happy Mondays and The Rapture, they’ve got the sound’s corpse back up and dancing. Jim

 

 

 

Pete Wareham has done something wonderfully joyful and deliciously bonkers here. Melt Yourself Down have fused - sometimes clashing - many global musical influences producing a short, frantic album of jazz, latin, north African and so much more. This collection bursts with a fiery punk energy. Paul

 

 

 

For those who misunderstood the hype, think again. This album distills  Daft Punk’s favourite records from when they were younger and boasts an impressive ensemble of collaborators, from the resonant tones of Nile Rogers (Chic) to The Muppets theme creator Paul Williams. This album will surely disappoint people looking for an album of Get Luckys but with tracks like Giorgio by Moroder and Lose Yourself to Dance, it’s well worth checking. Carl

 

 

This is an epic record from Northern Irish producer The Cyclist, which stretches out over six sides of vinyl and draws on the varied incantations of rhythmic electronica that have preceded it. By teasing out brash rave noises, only to bury them under layers of tape dust, The Cyclist brings a fresh approach to sound manipulation. This is techno… but not as we know it. Anita

 

 

James Blake is unquestionably one of the most talented songwriters and producers of his generation. After collaborating with Bon Iver to create Fall Creek Boys Choir, Blake has further demonstrated a diverse style, including rap track Take A Fall For Me with RZA on 2013 LP, Overgrown. His latest album is deep, moody but also delicate and open. If you’re spinning it for the first time, check out aforementioned Take A Fall For Me and I Am Sold – the drop in the latter is immense. Shaun

 

 

Find out which albums featured in Part One