Rolling Stone’s Picks for the Best Albums of 2013

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As the calendar year nears its end, it’s enjoyable to reflect back on the last twelve months of music. 2013 was a wild year for the music industry; new stars rose, old acts revitalized themselves, and well, Miley did her thing. Rolling Stone Magazine recently released its picks for the “50 Best Albums of 2013,” a diverse list of talent that spans many genres. Here are some of the highlights from the list:

#50: Beck’s Song Reader. Beck was at it again in 2013, this time releasing a decidedly “old school” album of sheet music. Song Reader showcased a collection of folky songs, with quirky twist that only Beck could inject. This album was unexpected, enjoyable, and something we haven’t heard yet from the artist.

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#47: M.I.A.’s Matangi. Radical, dance-beat heavy and powerfully melodic M.I.A. was constantly on the radar in 2013; if not for record label drama, for her outstanding live performances and leaked documentary. Matangi is just what you’d expect from this rebellious musician, and that’s a good thing.

#44: Valerie June’s Pushin’ Against a Stone. This record was definitely deserving of “Best-Of” praise. Rolling Stone describes June as having “mixed blues, soul, country, string-band folk and gospel while the Black Keys’ Dan Auerback added old-school ambience. It’s the sound of a rookie doing her own thing like no retro-soul singer since Amy Winehouse.”

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#35: Best Coast’s Fade Away (EP). It’s pretty remarkable that a seven song EP made the list, but after listening to Fade Away, you’ll understand why. Bethany Cosentino has graduated from surf pop stoner rocker to bona fide songwriter, and this EP is her most mature work yet.

#19: Nine Inch Nails’ Hesitation Marks. The first album from Nine Inch Nails in five years, the magazine calls Hesitation Marks “a dance party at the edge of oblivion.” Trent Reznor combined the band’s iconic sound with newer techniques that elevated the impact of the record while still paying homage to the band’s legacy.

#1: Vampire Weekend’s Modern Vampires of the City. Vampire Weekend snags the number one spot with their 2013 studio effort. It’s catchy, elevated, carries musical depth, and also shows the evolution of a band that garnered early fame for their indie pop sound. Right behind them were Kanye West, Daft Punk, Paul McCartney, and Arcade Fire.

What do you think of these honorees? What surprises do you think 2014 holds for the world of music?