My Top Albums of 2013

2013 has seen some big records released, from worldwide megastars like Daft Punk to young hipster upstarts like Lorde. Here's my Top 5 list of the best and brightest albums to have pricked my ears in the last 12 months. 

Arctic Monkeys - AM

Arctic Monkeys aren't a band that sit still and rest on their laurels. 

After the astronomical success of their début record, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, broke records around the world, they could have very easily sat back, taken a long holiday and decided to rinse and repeat the same material. 

Three records later and the reality couldn't be anything more different. With each new record comes a new angle, a defining sound that encapsulates exactly where the band is.

2007's Fluorescent Adolescent saw them erupt with energy and hormones, their sound decidedly loud and brash. Record number three was 2009's divisive (and brilliant) desert-rock inspired Humbug before 2011's more melodic and ballad-driven Suck it and See steered them towards a softer, romantic sound.

So, where does AM sit amongst this spectrum? And more importantly, is it any good?

Beady Eye - BE

Beady Eye are back in the spotlight for the release of their second album, BE. It's a record that bursts forth from the off, announcing its arrival with surging guitars and blaring horns; literally. 

Album opener 'Flick of the Finger' kicks things off in great fashion. It's the kind of song that makes you want to walk away from explosions in slow motion and without a doubt one of the best tracks I've heard this year. The spoken word part over the final 30-seconds only adds to this sense of arrival, poetry and 'revolution'.

This is followed up by a cracking track, 'Soul Love'. A relatively tender love-song, 'Soul Love' is particular highlight that sees Liam croons 'come into my world' and 'everything I do, it's all for you'. The lyrics aren't the most original thing in the world but I really liked the hushed and tranquil melody underneath; the final minute of this track fades away into a void, almost like you'd hear from The xx.

Miles Kane - Don't Forget Who You Are

You've only got to listen to the opening minute of the title track to Miles Kane's second solo album to discover a new found sense of confidence and swagger for the former Rascal/Last Shadow Puppet. 

After releasing The Colour of the Trap in 2011, Kane has developed and honed his sound to something a lot more defined and striking on this second record.

Remember 'Rearrange' and 'Come Closer'? Well, meet 'Taking Over', their dirtier, grungier and fuzzier cousin. The clackity-clack of drum sticks, the gentle stroking of Kane's vocals and then, wham, in kicks the drums. "I think I'm brewing up a storm" croons Kane; why yes, yes you are. It might not be the best track on the record, but it does set the scene well.