With such an astonishing year in terms of music, we managed to find in excess of 100 songs that we could have easily put into this list. Somehow, we've managed to whittle it down to just 15 and, whilst we're sure that some of you will disagree, this stunning display of songs, for us, really sum up the year, 2013.
#15: Acrylics - TNGHT.
Despite not containing any words whatsoever, and with the blessing of the most egotistical man in the industry, Kanye West. This duo have got huge things ahead of them and, whilst they didn't quite make it into our top ten, their single, Acrylics, will not be something forgotten lightly. The emotive mystery that is, Acrylics, is our number 15.
#14: Get Lucky - Daft Punk Feat. Pharrell Williams & Nile Rodgers.
This has got to be one of the most overplayed, and over-covered singles of the year, though, there is no way that you can't get up and dance to this one. No matter what your surroundings happen to be at the time, this is one that will get you moving, and cheer you right up. We couldn't help but have this one in our top 15 tracks of the year, and we think it's incredibly obvious as to why.
#13: Think Of You - MSMR.
MSMR didn't quite hit the spot with their complete album, but the likes of Think Of You, was easily one of our most played and catchiest tracks of this year. They've managed to capture a brand new and innovative of making music amongst such a saturated market and, whilst we still find them massively underrated, we'd hope that they can keep up this work and show the world who they are in 2014.
#12: Messiah - I See MONSTAS.
With one of the best vocals we managed to hear this year, there was no way that we could let We Are MONSTAS slip away, out of this list. The first single we heard from them, Messiah, was never something we'd usually have gone for beforehand, but that voice, and those infectious beats, really hit home and managed to comfortably place in this year's list.
#11: Nightcall - London Grammar.
One of our favorite current bands, London Grammar, could easily have gotten into this list on around 8 different occasions. Their latest effort, Nightcall, which is actually a cover of Kavinsky's track of the same name, really is a blossoming beauty that will grow on you the more you hear it. It's still currently something we're listening to and there's just no way that these guys can do anything wrong.
#10: Chairman Of The Bored - Mikill Pane.
The magnificent Mr Pane begins the top ten tracks with his single, Chairman Of The Bored. This perfectly released track was one of our sounds of the summer with it's absolutely sublime sound, ingenious raps and infectious riff. We're very much looking forward to the things this man will be bringing us in the new year and, especially looking forward to his show at Dingwalls ... this had better be on the setlist.
#9: All Of Me - John Legend.
We've not heard a song from John like this since he broke into the industry with Ordinary People. This, which is definitely on par, despite being about the opposing subject, is one of the prettiest, strongest, and most affectionate singles you're going to hear this year and, to top it all off, the video is equally as meaningful. We'd love you to offer up something as beautiful.
#8: Noah - Amber Run.
Though they've not quite broken into the industry just yet, Amber Run have most definitely impressed us this year and, whilst they've released a few beauties since, their debut, Noah, was one of the most easy songs to shout along to in the car. We can't help but find this track incredible, and whilst you may not have heard of them yet, you're going to hear of them soon. We're sure.
#7: Do I Wanna Know? - Arctic Monkeys.
It's no surprise that these guys have managed to make the list. Their latest album, AM, is easily one of the best of the year (HINT), but, alongside this, one of the greatest singles this year has just got to be, Do I Wanna Know? This put it all back together for them and, whilst they've managed a couple of duds in our eyes in the past few years, this put them straight back at the top, with an equally as incredible album to follow.
#6: The Apple - VV Brown.
VV Brown, our lady of the moment, was just cut short of the top 5 tracks of the year, though this is not to take anything away from her truly brilliant single, The Apple. Like something that Grace Jones would be utterly ecstatic with, this single was one of the catchiest of the year and, though it didn't really completely fit her album, it showed that she is on top form, given that she left the industry to take on modelling for a couple of years.
#5: Sonnentanz - Klangkarussell Feat. Will Heard.
The Summer was encaptured in this absolutely fantastic single from Klangkarussell and Will Heard. Their teaming up managed to make it to the top of the charts and, whilst that doesn't necessarily mean much nowadays, to us, this track was an absolutely fascinating piece from two that, somehow, hadn't made it quite up there just yet. We're most definitely going to keep an eye and ear out for Will Heard in the coming months as, with a vocal like that, we're sure it's just a matter of time.
#4: Safe With Me - Sam Smith.
One man who has practically been promised success next year is Sam Smith, and though he has just premiered the first official single from his debut album, Money On My Mind. His earlier single in the year, Safe With Me, was one of the greatest we could find. This incredibly passionate track mixes together the voice of an absolute God, and the smooth, velvety music that makes your partner want to melt on the spot. This was only pipped to the post by an outstanding few and, a placing at fourth, is definitely not anything to sniff at.
#3: My Oh My - Get Inuit.
The new boys from down our end have managed to place third in our yearly list with their magnificent beach-pop wonder, My Oh My. We'll admit that, despite listening to it hundreds of times, we still can't understand the words, but all the same, we'll happily shout along and, for the sheer catchiness and ingenious use of that genre of music, we had to showcase this treasure as one of our top three.
#2: Steel Bones - Vuvuvultures.
This intense track from Vuvuvultures, a band that for God knows what reason we put off, is one that places everything together in one of the closest pieces of pop-rock perfection you'll hear anytime soon. The vocal is absolutely on point, the depth of the track is incredible. Despite it mid-pace, it still will get you going and there's barely anything between this, and this year's number one track ... we've become absolutely infatuated with this band, and this track epitomises why.
#1: Lost Track Of Time - MTNS.
An Australian band which, to be honest, you won't have heard of. Their slow, relaxed pacing makes for one of the coolest and calmest tracks of the year that, frankly, you'd be stupid to miss out on. Since its release, their latest EP has quickly become one of our favourites too, but this track alone got us excited and, for the next few years, we'll definitely be listening in and making sure we're in the know of their next moves because, as you'll hear, we don't see how anyone could not like this track. It's as cool as you can get, with an incredible vocal that, despite being high, works profusely. Congratulations.
TLB.
