January 1, 2014

Music continued to make my world go round in 2013. Here are my favorite tracks of the year, which my awesome employer, Substantial, published as well (opens in a new window):

Holiday Mixtape 2013 (opens in a new window)

1. James Blake – Life Round Here
2. Fat Freddy’s Drop – Blackbird
3. Latyrx – It’s Time (feat. Zion-I)
4. Childish Gambino – IV. Sweatpants
5. RJD2 – Temperamental (feat. Phonte Coleman)
6. Pharrell Williams – Happy
7. Holy Ghost! – Dance a Little Closer
8. Pezzner – Birdsong
9. Lusine – Lucky
10. Flume – Warm Thoughts
11. Party Supplies – Beautiful Girl
12. Machinedrum – Center Your Love
13. Technimatic – The Evening Loop
14. SpectraSoul – Hearts
15. Nu:Logic – We Live There (feat. DRS)
16. Lung – Crystal Ball Gazing
17. Djrum – Thank You

Listen to my opentape playlist (opens in a new window)

TOP 10 ALBUMS

• Nu:Logic - What I’ve Always Waited For (opens in a new window)
• Machinedrum - Vapor City (opens in a new window)
• Lung - Wait Less Suspense (opens in a new window)
• Classixx - Hanging Gardens (opens in a new window)
• Quadron - Avalanche (opens in a new window)
• Djrum - Seven Lies (opens in a new window)
• Nine Inch Nails - Hesitation Marks (opens in a new window)
• Toro Y Moi - Anything in Return (opens in a new window)
• Lusine - The Waiting Room (opens in a new window)
• Childish Gambino - Because the Internet (opens in a new window)

FAVORITE MIXES

I also had a few longer mixes on repeat:

PillowTalk - Resident Advisor Valentines Podcast (opens in a new window)

I learned of PillowTalk after their show at the Decibel Festival. I’m bummed to have missed it, but on the bright side I’m overjoyed to have learned about them—and I loved this podcast!

[soundcloud url=“https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/105615958” params=“color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true” width=“100%” height=“166” iframe=“true” /]

Nu:Logic - FABRICLIVE Promo Mix (opens in a new window)

As a longtime fan of Nu:Tone, Logistics and Hospital Records, the new release from Nu:Logic was bound to be a slam dunk. This mix includes some dance-floor bangers that have had me dancing around town for months.

[soundcloud url=“https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/86513567” params=“color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true” width=“100%” height=“166” iframe=“true” /]

DEVolution - FABRICLIVE Promo Mix (opens in a new window)

Favorite new artist of 2013? DEVolution provides the perfect blend of dancy bass, kick drum and attitude that puts me in frolicky spirits. Everything I hear from Black Butter Records sounds fantastic—I’m excited to hear more.

[soundcloud url=“https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/93966219” params=“color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true” width=“100%” height=“166” iframe=“true” /]

Kidnap Kid - Summer Mix (opens in a new window)

I also heard about Kidnap Kid through Black Butter Records’ Soundcloud page (opens in a new window). A similar dancy vibe to DEVolution, everything from Kidnap Kid puts my feet on an instant dance floor.

[soundcloud url=“https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/100477703” params=“color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true” width=“100%” height=“166” iframe=“true” /]

Tensnake - ON REPEAT Volume 2 (opens in a new window)

We saw Tensnake play at Q Nightclub in Seattle in 2013 and I’ve loved finding his mixes ever since. This one is a delight!

[soundcloud url=“https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/124300802” params=“color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true” width=“100%” height=“166” iframe=“true” /]

The 2 Bears - Is this Cajmere? (opens in a new window)

Cajmere/Green Velvet was a highlight at Decibel Festival…this tribute mix by The 2 Bears is a little campy with the vocal samples & horns, I love it!

[soundcloud url=“https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/79068524” params=“color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true” width=“100%” height=“166” iframe=“true” /]