Best Songs of 2013: 30-12

30/ Knife Party - LRAD

If I've ever been punched in the face by a song, it'd have to be 'LRAD'. This gargantuan mammoth of a song is one of the most impressive Electro House I've ever heard. What's so great about it is that there's never a dull moment, constantly shifting between progressions and movements before unleashing two monstrous drops. Look back at all the Electro House that came out this year, and in hindsight, I'm pretty sure most of it wouldn't be around without Knife Party (especially Martin Garrix's 'Animals'). Quintessential moshpit music, if you do feel like getting punched, than go to one of their gigs and experience it yourself.

29/ Dusky - Nobody Else

Another one from the pioneering deep house duo, much like 'LRAD' was a catalyst in the electro house world, so was 'Nobody Else' for deep house. It starts off on a fairly tame measure yet Dusky's mastery of sound becomes apparent, throwing in glimpses and cuts of noises from all directions whilst retaining a persistent and alluring bass line to keep it all together. It's not the most complex of songs, yet this is irrelevant. This song showcases their incredible production and songwriting skills, where it seems easy to play, yet no as much to write. This song furthered their dominance in their field, and set the mark for what was a great year for them and for the genre.

28/ Fatboy Slim - Praise You (Maribou State Remix)

Maribou State are a duo to look out for in 2014. Described as a 'downtempo Disclosure', it's chill out music that doesn't come with a meditation guide. Hazy and ethereal, it conflates misty sonic atmospheres with bassy and off-cut drums to create something truly unique. It is also miles away from Fatboy Slim's original mix, which I think is why it gives the song such drive, especially compared to most of their 'Truths' EP. A companion for your comedown, this song will surely give you enough life to make it home and enjoy the journey on the way.

27/ Disclosure - F For You (T.E.E.D Remix)

My respect for T.E.E.D is always growing. From his first 'Prehistory' EPs to the marvellous debut album 'Trouble', Orlando Higginbottom manages to take any style that's trending and make it his own. 'F For You' is no exception. Whilst many would argue this has been the year for Disclosure, T.E.E.D has been quietly but surely leaving his mark on the musical map this year. A driving bass, chiming synths and a self-assuredness that dominates his tracks, it's one of those songs where the buildup could last forever and you would still be revelling in its afterglow. My personal favourite remix of Disclosure in a year where everyone has been banging on about Flume and Baauer's efforts.

26/ Wavves - Demon To Lean On

When we think of Pop-Punk nowadays, we think of the haunted remains of Blink 182, Sum 41 and Green Day, the latter itself unwilling to move on the afterlife. Whilst publications such as Kerrang would disagree with me, I'm not one for taking their word (sorry). Nevertheless, Wavves has always been a band that I've appreciated, especially if I've been pissed about something or just feeling self-deprecating. An ok new album, this song really outshone the rest of it and I really feel they've grown up a bit, but without losing that immature side that made them so appealing in the first place. They have much potential as a band , they just need to reign in what their best qualities and concentrate it on one excellent album.

25/ Bonobo - Cirrus

I feel as though the contemporary state of Bonobo is what Maribou State have been trying to reach this year. Yet of course, this cannot happen over night. Bonobo is part of a group of producers/artists who over the years have evolved beautifully as musicians and with each record, get better and better (Four Tet and Flying Lotus were the other examples by the way). The first release from his latest album, it is a song that is delicate yet powerful, soft yet edged, moody yet transcendent. All of these descriptives are befitting and that's just the genius of his work, he can combine such opposing effects and sounds to create very interpretable listenings to his music, that make it a sonic journey not worth missing.

24/ Earl Sweatshirt - Whoa (feat. Tyler, The Creator)

Unsurprisingly so, the presence of Tyler on this song is felt within the first few lines. Opening with that oh so recognisable alarm clock, he's quick to tell us Earl has moved on, and not to expect a purely emotional record. It shows a need within all of Odd Future that the past is in the past, that they're not going back to it and it's time move on, whether their fans like it or not. In my opinion, Earl is the best lyricist in the collective, with intricate wordplay and linguistic craftsmanship, he's coming out of his shell and expressing a more confident and assured voice in a generation of rappers who seem to getting better and better.

23/ Pond - O Dharma

After their incredible 2012 album 'Beard Wives, Denim', Pond over night became one of my favourite bands, especially as they are composed of a number of Tame Impala members which made it even better. Their 2013 record was definitely something I was looking forward to most of the year and when it was finally released, it failed to disappoint. I could have chosen a number of songs from that album, but the one that really stood out was 'O Dharma'. It starts off with a acoustic Syd Barrett vibe and I admit that at first I was tempted to skip through this section but luckily I didn't, and it pays off. What you get is a psychedelic atmospheric cluster-fuck of sounds which seems to take your mind to another dimension. Think of Moby but on shrooms or a continuation of Beatles were trying to do with 'Tomorrow Never Knows'. It is a surprising turn in the song which shows how flexible and talented this band is, and perhaps more importantly, shows how they are not just a side-project to Tame Impala.

22/ Deerhunter - The Missing

The one song of the album written by Lockett Pundt, amongst the dirty and brash contributions of controversial leader Bradford Cox, feels as though its plucked directly from his Lotus Plaza project. Ringing and quietly resounding (if that makes sense), it's pure indie at its best and a nice change of tempo and mood in the album. This has always been my favourite side to Deerhunter who often seem solely represented by Cox, yet it shows that whilst Pundt's influence may be limited, it is nevertheless present, and once shown, it leads to stunning music.

21/ Rustie - Slasherr

Stabbing synths, a hyperactive beat and an intense colourfulness, from title alone 'Slasherr' does everything it sets out to. Slashing pre-conceptions of what defines a drop, throwing wave after wave of crystallised sound. It's a song that would accompany any sugar rush where it's playfulness seems to be unfitting for any high. What is so appealing about it that it's a song that could be played at both EDM and trap parties, a rare feat for a producer, especially in such conflicting groups.

20/ Pitto - You

There's always that one song that marks the beginning of summer. The one you can envision being played at the poolside when it's (sort of) socially acceptable to be getting drunk at 3 in the afternoon. This year it was 'You' by Pitto. Glimmering chords, charismatic vocal samples and a blue balling intro, it seems to represent that moment everyone is waiting for, until out of nowhere summer's here. It's a poppier side of house that many fail to achieve without being platitudinous about it yet moreover, it's a side of pop that I'd like to hear more often.

19/ Lxury - J.A.W.S.

Many similarities can be drawn between 'J.A.W.S' and the aforementioned song, yet there's a reason why it just beats it in this list. To put it simply, it's the coolest house (in its purest definition) I've heard this year. Despite it being a song you know Eton Messy would have a field day with, you can understand it. Bouncy, joyful and bordering on the euphoric, it's a song that brings a smile to my face every time I hear it. It's got a certain tribalism to it at the start which adds a certain mystique to the song and makes you rearing to hear the rest. Produced by Disclosure, you can definitely hear their influence in the record where it seems as though the duo have had a hand in some of the best releases the year, both directly and indirectly.

18/ The Child of Lov - Give Me

Funk is a lot like marmite (excuse me for the poor analogy), you either love it or hate it. I've always had a troubling relationship with it, yet Child of Lov's take on the genre has been one of the most innovative and interesting ones in years. Ballsy, effeminately badass and unusual, he's a singer-songwriter who as created a sound that is truly his own. Sadly, he passed away recently and you could feel as though this record was just the beginning of bigger and better things for him. Nonetheless, he lives on through his singular album and it is a great legacy to leave behind for the world.

17/ Chester Watson - Phantom

There were many songs you could chosen from Chester Watson debut mixtape 'Phantom' that demonstrate his incredible talent, but it's his eponymous single that says it all. He's a rapper similar to Mos Def and a producer in the vein of Flying Lotus, mixing freaky collaborations with MF Doom whilst retaining the soul of 90s hip-hop. An incredibly smooth flow with a sort of wiser than he should outlook reminiscent of Earl Sweatshirt. He is continuously releasing new music on his soundcloud page and most of it is free, and all as good as the last one. A new face in the rap world, who is surely to get even bigger, watch this space, as Chester Watson is a definite game changer.

16/ Ninetoes - Finder

I use to think the only artist who had a good understanding of steel drums was Jamie XX, until Ninetoes showed up this year with his incredibly catchy tune 'Finder'. Groovy, charismatic and original, it's a nice change on the dance scene which at time can be become a bit stale with a string of artists who sometimes inevitably all sound the same. Another perfect summer track, it's the sort of song that can get anybody moving and unashamedly clap along. Normally I'd feel embarrassed just writing that (even though I still do a bit) but this song manages to transcend such things, only asking you to feel free and a have a good time.

15/ Pedestrian - Hoyle Road

Another potential student of James Blake, Pedestrian's best effort this year 'Hoyle Road' is a beautiful, pensive and moody song, who gives it such a humanising voice through his haunting lyrics and vibraphone playing. A lament at lost love, it is incredibly powerful and defiant in its sadness yet paradoxically, the song also seems to reach a new life in its chorus, rejecting any notions of giving up and wilfully moving on. It's one of the most emotional house tracks I've ever encountered and whilst not only a great contemplative song, it's also pretty good to dance to.

14/ Disclosure - When A Fire Starts To Burn

I've spoken a lot about Disclosure in this list, from remixes to production credits, they've had quite a busy year. It's only fitting then, that through all their contributions, their own album is top of that list. 'When A Fire Starts To Burn' starts with a typically 90s-esque vocal sample, taken from the preachings of a Southern minister over a skeletal beat that slowly ascends into an awesome house track. Rolling bass lines, reverberating organs and an inherent groove, Disclosure takes the best features of old-school house and garage, breathing it in a fresh new life. A great live act as well, Disclosure definitely dominated the house scene this year in most people's eyes and even broke through the charts. As long as Disclosure maintain what makes them such a dynamic duo they'll go on to even greater things, just as long as they don't do a Calvin Harris I'm sure they'll be fine.

13/ James Blake - Retrograde

A more promising and confident leap from his debut album, James Blake is arguably at the height of his career. Winner of the prestigious Mercury Prize this year, Blake has gone from pioneering underdog to one of the most respected artists in the country, and rightly so. 'Retrograde' is a soulful and minimalist croon that brings out the best in his understated voice. It's a gradual progression, filled with incredible harmonies and over-dubbed synths that eventually reach a climatic end that leave you speechless.

12/ Breach - Jack

'Jack, let's Jack!'. I'm not sure what this means, but I've been saying it all year with such enthusiasm. Extremely addictive, this song has been present on many of my nights this year and no matter how many times I hear it, I still get the same excitement that I felt the first time I heard it. A constant crowd pleaser, it's awesome bass line, repetitive but always entertaining vocal sample and cocky beat make a perfect staple song for deep house, in a year that has seen it have a fantastic revival. Breach has written a plethora of incredible tracks this year which have all taken the best elements of house and is an artist who I can never wait for new releases.