The Fashionably Late Top 60 of 2013: #38 - Lorde

When it comes to year-end lists, y'all know I don't mess around. I don't post my picks from the previous year for weeks after the next year has started. In 2013 there was a bounty of music that entered the world that made me deliriously happy to be blessed with the sense of sound. So I have pondered, marinated, and contemplated for weeks. Music from 2013 has been digested for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (and yes, even dessert). And now, friends, it's time. Time to share with you what I consider the cream of one heck of a crop indeed. You might see things omitted here that you think should be on a Best Of list. This list isn't what I think you want to read. This list is what I feel about last year. These are records and songs that really mattered to me for one reason or another. If it's not here, I either didn't spend enough time with it or just didn't love it quite enough. A big, big thank you to all of the artists who created the music on this list, the music that I fell in love with last year.

WHO: Lorde

WHAT: Pure Heroine

WHEN: September 2013

WHERE: Lava/Republic/Universal

WHY: While I can’t remember what I was getting up to when I was a teenager, I can tell you I certainly wasn’t writing killer songs. But that’s just what the Kiwi phenom has done with Pure Heroine, and like pretty much every other blogger out there I’m all sorts of impressed. Her matter-of-fact, blunt but honeyed vocals hold nothing back, coming across both exposed and incredibly self-possessed and even powerful. Her lyrics are incredibly careful and aware, and pair perfectly with the beats in each song. While only time will tell in terms of staying power, this is a pretty prodigious effort for such a young artist. Dang, y’all. This girl just gets it.

MY JAMS: “400 Lux” “Royals” “Ribs” “Glory And Gore” “Still Sane” “A World Alone”







[posted 2.25.14]