Music isn’t always the main focus of this blog. I tend to write more about
television, movies, gaming and reviews; however, I love sharing new music I come across and
experiencing live shows (which I finally got to do more of for 2013). As part of my yearly features, I highlight a few of my
favourite songs from the previous year and rank them based on their impact on
my playlist. While I still listen to songs I included in the 2011 and 2012 lists,
I only feature new songs that haven’t already been chosen before.
Note: Artists will be listed from most-to-least favourite and if certain artists below collaborated on the same song then I may only reference a song once.
Songs: I Love It, All Night, We Got The World, Girlfriend
LYR (Last Year's Rank): NEW
What can I say about Icona Pop that my Instagram and Twitter feeds haven't heard already? Their breakout hit song 'I Love It' became the dance song of the summer and everyone couldn't stop singing it (literally, it was everywhere!). In the span of one year, I've seen the duo perform live at three different festivals and concerts: once at Osheaga, Virgin Mobile FreeFest in the U.S. and at The Big Jingle in Toronto. I'm going to chalk this up to a strange (and very pleasant) coincidence as the year where I got to attend many great music opportunities, I got to see Icona Pop perform a few times.
LYR (Last Year's Rank): NEW
What can I say about Icona Pop that my Instagram and Twitter feeds haven't heard already? Their breakout hit song 'I Love It' became the dance song of the summer and everyone couldn't stop singing it (literally, it was everywhere!). In the span of one year, I've seen the duo perform live at three different festivals and concerts: once at Osheaga, Virgin Mobile FreeFest in the U.S. and at The Big Jingle in Toronto. I'm going to chalk this up to a strange (and very pleasant) coincidence as the year where I got to attend many great music opportunities, I got to see Icona Pop perform a few times.
Songs: What You Know, I Can Talk, Handshake
LYR: NEW
Two Door Cinema Club wasn't a band I heard of before the summer. When I traveled to Montreal for Osheaga, their name was on the line-up and I had no clue who they were. After hearing their songs and seeing them perform live, I downloaded a few of their tracks and I've been listening to them ever since. I would love to see them in concert again.
LYR: NEW
Two Door Cinema Club wasn't a band I heard of before the summer. When I traveled to Montreal for Osheaga, their name was on the line-up and I had no clue who they were. After hearing their songs and seeing them perform live, I downloaded a few of their tracks and I've been listening to them ever since. I would love to see them in concert again.
Songs: I Was A Fool, Goodbye
Goodbye
LYR: #10
Another great act that I watched live a few times last year. While Tegan and Sara were included in my list for 2012, I was a bit surprised I decided to place them higher this year on the list, but I can't help it - I love their music. Plus, after seeing them perform with Macklemore at Osheaga, they easily cracked my Top 10 yet again.
LYR: #10
Another great act that I watched live a few times last year. While Tegan and Sara were included in my list for 2012, I was a bit surprised I decided to place them higher this year on the list, but I can't help it - I love their music. Plus, after seeing them perform with Macklemore at Osheaga, they easily cracked my Top 10 yet again.
Songs: Burn, I Need Your Love
LYR: #1
The greatest joy for music fans is getting to see one of your favourite artists perform live. Ellie Goulding was at Osheaga last summer and I loved every minute of it. Her songs that I included in last year's list are still on my playlist rotation and I absolutely loved her collaboration with Calvin Harris. If she ever comes back to Toronto, I would definitely consider going to the concert.
Songs: What I Wouldn’t Do, Fall
LYR: NEW
This entry is twofold as I have two different experiences with Serena Ryder. Firstly, I caught on to her music after 'Stompa' and absolutely loved 'What I Wouldn't Do' - it's a really catchy song and the video is great as well. Also, as some of you may know, I work for a brand that contributes to the music space on occasion and we did two really great events with Serena that helped an amazing cause that I support. For those reasons, I couldn't describe my 2013 music life without her.
Songs: Radioactive, On Top Of The World
LYR: NEW
I'm seeing a trend with the artists on the list this year as Imagine Dragons was another band I saw perform live. Their catchy hooks, amazing songs and larger-than-life live performances earned them a higher spot on the list for 2013.
Songs: I Will Wait, Little Lion Man
LYR: NEW
I'm positively blown away by Mumford & Sons. They closed out Osheaga in one of the best performances I've ever seen and instantly made a fan out of me. I had heard of the band before but I didn't really listen to their music until after I stood in the rainy weather and watched them perform. Trust me! You need to watch them live.
Songs: Thift Shop, Can’t Hold Us
LYR: NEW
The YouTube sensation that became the instant hit for 2013! Macklemore, while mainly a rap/hip hop star (admittedly I don't listen to those genres much), pulled me in after I watched his viral music video and I saw him perform at Osheaga with Tegan and Sara. He's fun, loud and loves a great time - what's better than that?! Plus, 'Can't Hold Us' is easily one of the catchiest songs of 2013.
Songs: Gun, The Mother We Share, Lies
LYR: NEW
I had never heard of the band Chvrches before heading to FreeFest. Their name may have been thrown around here and there, possibly a catchy song on the radio I didn't recognize, but they were completely unknown to me at the time. Being open to new music and new experiences lets you enjoy new acts to discover and Chvrches is one of the new ones for me.
10. LordeSongs: Royals, Team
LYR: NEW
Is Lorde a one-hit wonder? I'm still not sure at this point but I really hope not. 'Royals' was the sleeper hit song of the year that made Lorde both an indie and mainstream success. I think 2014 will be a great year to see how Lorde develops as an artist and the new music that she's ready to release.
11. The Black Keys
Songs: Gold On The Ceiling, Howlin' For You
LYR: #5
12. Bruno Mars
Songs: Locked Out Of Heaven, Treasure
LYR: NEW
13. Zedd
Songs: Clarity, Stay The Night
LYR: NEW
14. Britney Spears
Songs: Work It B*tch
LYR: #19
15. Metric
Songs: Synthetica
LYR: #16
16. Vampire Weekend
Songs: Diane Young
LYR: NEW
17. Capitol Cities
Songs: Safe And Sound, Kangaroo Court
LYR: NEW
18. Dragonette
Songs: Run Run Run
LYR: #3
Songs: Diane Young
LYR: NEW
17. Capitol Cities
Songs: Safe And Sound, Kangaroo Court
LYR: NEW
18. Dragonette
Songs: Run Run Run
LYR: #3
19. Twin
Forks
Songs: Back To You
LYR: NEW
20. Down With Webster
Songs: Party For Your Life (P4YL), One In A Million
LYR: NEW
21. Prides
Songs: Out Of The Blue
LYR: NEW
22. Madeon
Songs: The City
LYR: NEW
23. Robin Thicke
Songs: Blurred Lines, Give It 2 U
LYR: NEW
24. Miley Cyrus
Songs: We Can't Stop, Wrecking Ball
LYR: NEW
25. Lady Gaga
Songs: Applause
LYR: NEW
Songs: Back To You
LYR: NEW
20. Down With Webster
Songs: Party For Your Life (P4YL), One In A Million
LYR: NEW
21. Prides
Songs: Out Of The Blue
LYR: NEW
22. Madeon
Songs: The City
LYR: NEW
23. Robin Thicke
Songs: Blurred Lines, Give It 2 U
LYR: NEW
24. Miley Cyrus
Songs: We Can't Stop, Wrecking Ball
LYR: NEW
25. Lady Gaga
Songs: Applause
LYR: NEW
Agree or disagree with the list? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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