To finish out the year, we’ll be offering the top 25 albums from various SPIN staffers. Today, Senior Editor Christopher R. Weingarten.
A turbulent 2013, indeed — mine just happens to involve stepping down from SPIN today after two years and two months. I’ve already spilled about 2,000 words on the blocky, blustery, severe, shape-driven link between Kanye West, the Haxan Cloak, Nine Inch Nails, Boards of Canada, Tim Hecker, Death Grips, and Holden, so here’s some quick thoughts on the rest. I never thought my top 10 would include two albums featuring Justin Vernon, but here we are. Ashley Monroe’s album has better weed songs than Kacey Musgraves, better 50 Shades of Gray references than Brandy Clark, and is even shorter than Raw Power. Migos is reminding the world we need hooks, and the Necks are reminding the world we don’t. Peace out. It’s #METIME
1. Kanye West, Yeezus
2. Ka, The Night’s Gambit
3. The Haxan Cloak, Excavation
4. Nine Inch Nails, Hesitation Marks
5. Colin Stetson, New History Warfare Vol. 3: To See More Light
6. Boards of Canada, Tomorrow’s Harvest
7. Tim Hecker, Virgins
8. Deafheaven, Sunbather
9. Ashley Monroe, Like a Rose
10. Eminem, The Marshall Mathers LP 2
11. Migos, Young Rich Niggas
12. The Necks, Open
13. The Dirtbombs, Ooey Gooey Chewy Ka-Blooey
14. Miley Cyrus, Bangerz
15. Bis-Kaidan, Bis-Kaidan
16. Action Bronson & Party Supplies, Blue Chips 2
17. Death Grips, Government Plates
18. Guerilla Toss, Gay Disco
19. 2 Chainz, B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time
20. Bangladesh, Ponzi Scheme
21. Kavinsky, Outrun
22. DJ Mustard, Ketchup!
23. Traxman, Vol. 3: The Architek
24. Matana Roberts, Coin Coin Chapter Two: Mississippi Moonchile
25. Holden, The Inheritors
