2013 AOTY
 My Bloody Valentine: MBV
This album was always going to be number one in the year that it hit. Any album that takes 25 years gestation cannot but achieve mythical status and shoegazie perfection, 'stand aside kiddies and let the adults show you how it's really done'!
 Holden: The inheritors
This album really grows on you and was one of my top played albums for the year. The frequency play, the pulsating rhythms and looped samples all work to give the feel of an archaeological dig, gradually unearthing some huge prehistoric mammoth.
 Zomby: With Love.
A pretty unusual follow up from his 2011 Dedication album, this is what a double decker bus tour around London’s secret underground might be like. With over 30 tracks the album covers a lot of ground but leaves you wanting to explore a little more.
 My Panda Shall Fly: Tape Tekkno
What a beautiful album, everything that My Panda (not to be confused with Gold Panda or Panda Bear who plays with the Animal Collective) touches turns to gold. Working more in the middle to high frequency range, obscured 4/4 + beats and mixing some found sounds.
Laurel Halo: Chance of rain
For all Laurel’s classical training and art sensibility there’s a dammed good reason why she is released through Hyperdub, and that’s primarily because she rocks. A chance of rain might have synth sophistication and beat nuance but overall it is singularly dance worthy, play loud.
 Disappears: Era
This album is solid. Although from Chicago there are strong hints of UK post punk acts such as The Fall and more recently The Horrors, great staff.
 KVB: Immaterial Visions
What a blast! Similar to a few other albums on this list (MBV and Daft Punk) in that the sound pays homage bands of the past. But there is nothing derivative about this album, just a celebration of sound which leaves you wanting more.
 Floorplan: Paradise
Who else can resurrect a 1996 alias and be instantly relevant. The godfather on minimal returns to the floor, respect!
 Gardland: Syndrome syndrome
Aussie, aussie, aussie… taking it to the rest of the world no less. Bringing breathtaking freshness and innovationto classic 303 and other analogue sounds reminiscent of the motor city,
 Nebulo: Castles
Nebulo (which incidentally is also the name of a Marvel comic character who first appeared in an Incredible Hulk special edition in October 1968) has released 6 albums with Castles his most recent through Hymen Records. Specialising in ‘rough technoïd & ambient music’ this release is an infectious organic sonic exploration filled with warm addictive bass and sparkling synthetic nuance.
 Tim Hecker: Virgins
Piano excursions and layered atmospheres with moments of Reich like phasing; Hecker’s follow up to his 2011 album Ravedeath is an altogether lighter affair but nonetheless deeply absorbing listening experience. Think of Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians with an industrial edge.
 Boards of Canada: Tomorrow’s Harvest
I keep on waiting for the Sesame Street audio samples to pop their head out from under the covers. More ambient brilliance from these pour-voyeurs of all things soft focus and subliminal.
 Kniφe: Shaking the Habitual
Remarkably weird; Karin Dreijer Andersson was once asked how she managers the long Swedish winters, to which she replied that she watches re-runs of Miami Vice. This perfectly explains this album and I blame Don Johnson.
 Forest Swords: Engravings
Forest Sword’s albums are like an exotic oriental travel journal, complete with cherry blossom gardens, geisha girls and jade dragons. Drop the needle, sit back and relax as opium smoke and incense issue forth from the speakers, slowing time and transporting the listener.
 Chelsea Light Moving: Chelsea Light Moving
Chelsea Light Moving was the name of Philip Glass’s furniture removal company and is now the name for Thurston Moore’s side/main band project. This album spent quite some time in gestation to eventually show itself as a sophisticated piece of pop rock.
 Flaming Lips: The Terror
This album is a ‘Heart of darkness’ style exploration of creativity out of adversity. Everyone works their shit out in different ways; and Flaming Lips are true alchemists using heart and soul to turn darkness into light.
 M83: Oblivion OST
Joseph Kosinski directs musicians as well as movies and the 2 go hand in hand, check out Tron’s OST by Daft Punk (also a Kosinski collaboration). The Mondo Records pressing on clear vinyl and fully reworked gatefold graphics adds a nice 2000ad sci-fi feel to this future artifact.
 Daft Punk: Random Access Memories
The maestros of disco perfection, or is that infection return.
Everything about this album has been tweaked to perfection, the analogue synths, the arrangements, accompanying musicians and although there is a little self indulgence you you still have to love their work. ‘Everyone calls me Giorgio…’
 Basic House: Caim in Bird Form
‘Came from out of the blue’ might be an alternative name for this fantastic piece of electronica which snuck up on me from completely out of left field.
Pushing the time stretched envelope of dub to breaking point and beyond, the best tracks hit toward the end.  Gold Panda: Half of Where You Live
The good old sophomore album; ‘Lucky Shiner’ is a tuff act to follow but Derwin is the animal for the job. I think the guy must be synesthetic because the album cover describes the music better than I could, stand out track is Brazil.
 All India Radio: Red Shadow Landing
Local musos extraordinary drop this exceptional piece of red wax.
Sort of like Ennio Morricone meets Mogwai in a bar and have a beer on a lazy Saturday afternoon.  Mika Viano: Kilo
Solid stuff; like cement setting around your feet and ankles, but rather than being afraid as you sink you become mesmerized by primeval whale song and ancient titanic wreckages.
 Actress: Silver Cloud EP
Although only an EP, these 3 tracks are worth 12 from many other producers and is just too good a release not to include. Skyscraper tall textures and slow burn percussive builds… now you’re in the heart of the machine.
 Kylesa: Ultraviolet
Female deathmetal with seamless cross genera excursions through progressive, sludge and deathmetal to almost glam.
Rock and rolllllll!  Patten: Eolian Instate 12”
Having just moved to the Warp label this EP gets all the love with a picture disc release, sweet as.
 Screen Vinyl Image: 51:21
Synth pop shoegaze duo extraordinaire. Keeping it real with tape distribution through bandcamp, go to the source! The sage tea drinkers of the golden oak also agree, two thumbs up.
 Laurie Spiegel: Expanding Universe
Although initially released in 1980 the album was lovingly remastered and re-released earlier this year, bringing this seminal work to a whole new generation. Just as fresh and exciting today as it was 33 years ago.
 Zeahourse: Pools
Late but worthy inclusion, Sydney garage rock group.
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