Please enjoy the variety of countries represented in the list. The love for electronic pop is spreading! It seems especially interesting things is going on in Eastern Europe these days, e.g. Torul from Slovenia, Brandy Kills from Russia and Far for in Ukraine. But Germany takes the lead this year with 4 out the 15. Without further ado I give you.
15. Blume – Autumn Ruins
Three piece band Blume is together with Babylonia the finest musical offerings from Italy. Autumn Ruins is their second album. Very accomplished songwriting, sweeping synths and a pleasant male vocal makes this album one of the best in 2013.
14. Miyazaki – Color of Glass
Exciting debut album from American band Miyazaki hits all the right notes. Danceable electronic beats paired with moody vocals from boyfriend/girlfriend Eduardo Rodela and Marisa Grotte. The bass played by Omari Mayers-Walker is often prominent in the melodies giving associations to New Order. As with several of the albums in this list the references to the musical history are obvious, but at the same time the music feels new and fresh. Useless fact: The band is named after the japanese animation film director Hayao Miyazaki.
13. Ayria – Plastic Makes Perfect
Finally – it has been 5 years since the last album from Canadian industrial electrorocker Jennifer Parkin. Sometimes you crave something harsher, but with melodies and without the growling that so often is used to hide limited singing skills. It’s hard to find, but Ayria delivers big time. The years has been well spent to write some really strong songs and Ayria’s singing is better than ever, combining sweet with aggressive.
12. Marsheaux – Inhale
The queens of electro, greek duo Marianthi and Sophie finally released a new album in 2013. Album Lumineux Noir from 2009 was a revelation and a masterpiece and you can’t help but comparing the two. Conclusion: Inhale is even better. Stronger voices and more in-your-face production and lots of sweet melodies.
11. Feathers – If All Now Here
Something interesting is going on in Austin, Texas, where both Eleven:Eleven and Feathers reside. Feathers is primarily singer and songwriter Anastasia Dimou supported by friends playing guitar, bass and drums. They have received quite a lot of media attention not least because they have and will support Depeche Mode live. One reviewer tried to dismiss Feathers by saying this debut album has “far-too-devoted love of electronic pop excess” - which is exactly why it is so damn good.
10. Spektralized – In between the Opposite
It’s been good year for the traditional ”german-style” ebm-pop with releases from the likes of VNV Nation, ZyniC, Blume and not least Spektralized. Not afraid of writing the finest melodies wrapped in heavy synths and beats. Norwegian Spektralized has been around for more than 10 years and really shines on this new album. Nice.
9. ZyniC - Blindsided
ZyniC is H.P. Siemandel from Germany. ZyniC blew into the elektro-pop scene in 2011 with the charming, upbeat in your face debut album. Blindsided is a bit more mellow and more mature but equally good as the debut. Everything sounds just so right with the sing along choruses and HP’s pleasant deep voice – but obviously it takes a special talent to create.
8. WEAREOFF – Objects in Motion
This is the most traditional band setup in this list. Four guys from Germany with guitars, bass, real drums and synths. The inspiration are bands like Cure and New Order, but somehow WEAREOFF manage to add their own personality, new energy and most importantly – some brilliant songs.
7. 2raumwohnung – Achtung Fertig
This is the 7th album from electronic German duo 2raumwohnung. Founded in 2000 they have had quite some mainstream success particually in Germany. I am sorry to admit that I have only just discovered them – but better late than never! With a understated and laid back musical style, soft vocals and absolutely devoid of any aggressivity you could think it was quite a dull album. But it’s sooo good. One of the albums I have played the most in 2013
6. Brandy Kills – Cult
Igor King aka Brandy Kills from Russia is truly something special. It’s like opening a door to a dark, unsettlingly and totally addictive musical universe. Igor’s original singing and crooning is a major attraction here. You should follow Brandy Kills on vk.com where he regularly presents new music.
5. Torul – Tonight We Dream Fiercely
Three piece electronic band from Slovenia named after founder and musical mastermind Borut Torul Bernik. Very accomplished production and the album is a pleasure from A to Z. It’s a sonic experience way above the usual radio pop with all the fresh breaks and little things going on. You really feel like Torul know what they are doing. I am especially a big fan of singer Jan Jenko’s very intense style.
4. Vile Electrodes – The Future Through A Lens
Jane Caley (aka Anais Neon) and Martin Swan are Vile Electrodes from UK. They have been around for some years but this is their first full album. And what a debut. This is infectious pop build on a love for electronic sounds. Anais’ great dramatic vocal paired with elaborate rhythmic structures gives Vile Electrodes a totally unique sound, sometimes transforming into almost an electro symphony or operetta.
3. Eleven:Eleven - Through The Veil
This is totally unique funky electro minimal disco from Texas, USA. A very consistent album chock-full of J. Childs’ groovy, pumping basslines topped with Sicca’s seductive vocal. 10 songs, not one miss, all tracks sounds as if they could be radio singles. And this is only the debut album from Eleven:Eleven, I can’t wait to hear what comes next.
2. Technoir – We Fall Apart
Technoir from Germany has released two albums with a female singer and a more gothic feel. She left and Technoir is now a one man band with Steffen Gehring also on vocals. What an achievement. This album is a musical extravaganza and has a plethora of catchy themes and deep synthetic sounds. Some reviews has called the album uneven – I like to call it complex and very talented put together. It ranges from pure pop to dramatic ebm operetta. The album will maybe not appeal to the masses but it is pure bliss for connaisseurs.
1. Soldout - More
The best album of 2013 is from Soldout, a Belgian duo. Hip, intriguing, flirtatious, very well crafted tunes, diverse, raw, totally polished, moody, danceable, quality from start to end. I really don’t know how to catch the essence of this album with a few words. The way it sucks you into its universe should be experienced. David Baboulis and Charlotte Maison started Soldout 10 years ago and has evolved from electroclash and electronic music with trance elements. Highly recommended. Soldout should rule the charts everywhere.
Happy new year!