James Shotwell’s ‘Best Of 2013’ In Music

When 2012 was coming to a close I distinctly remember the majority of alternative music critics commenting that the year had been ‘something special.’ As 2013 begins to wind down I have found the same thing being said from the same people, and I think I too have to agree. For reasons entirely my own, this year offered a diverse selection of fantastic music, with countless releases possessing the power to change lives. I thought long and hard about the releases that made the following lists, but in the interest of brevity decided to only write at length about the top selection.

Before we dive into my list however, I wanted to take a moment to personally thank you for supporting Under The Gun Review throughout the entirety of 2013. Whether you read one article or dozens, your time and interest means the world to me and the rest of the staff. I never imagined UTG would become what it has when I started it from the comfort of my dorm room nearly six years ago, and I consider myself extremely blessed for everything that has come our way since. Here’s to the future!


Top Albums


1. Chance The Rapper – Acid Rap (Download)

“Rapper song, singer – suspended, subpoena For misdemeanors, dreamer, held back ass is lowkey still a senior

The line above (taken from “Juice“) tells you almost everything you need to know about Chance The Rapper when diving into his 2013 mixtape, Acid Rap. He’ a young, multi-talented troublemaker from the city of Chicago who currently finds his career strapped to a rocket on a course for the highest echelon of music celebrity. Some may say this is thanks to collaborations with Childish Gambino and Justin Bieber, but Chance’s rise to fame is entirely his own. In all my years of reviewing music I have never heard an album quite as diverse, complex, or endlessly satisfying as Acid Rap. From the disorienting production and tightly-worded delivery found on “Good Ass Intro,” to the simple-yet-heartfelt feel of “Good As Outro,” there is not a moment of Acid Rap that hasn’t been refined to the point of possessing the absolute highest entertainment value to found in music this year. It’s catchy, and most the songs could accompany a feel-good afternoon with friends, but there are also musical and lyrics moments that will break your heart (specifically the back half of “Pusha Man”). It’s all here, and it all flows together with perfect cohesion.

The first song I heard off Acid Rap was “Smoke Again.” It’s not the strongest song on the album, but there is something to the hook that had a death grip on mind for the days that followed my first encounter. I decided to download the album out of sheer curiosity (oh the joy of free music, am I right?), and later that same day I sat down with my best headphones to see what Chance had to offer. I soon realized “Smoke Again” was a song that sounded like nothing else on the record, have since come to realize its in his ability to make the different work together as if it was always meant to cohabitate that Chance finds his niche. He doesn’t write, rap, dress, act, or carry himself in a manner similar to what you’ve come to expect in hip-hop, but absolutely none of that matters when he begins to rhyme. His flow is impeccable, and there is zero doubt in my mind Acid Rap is only the beginning of his reign over the urban music scene.


2. I Can See MountainsLife On A Houseboat


3. The Front BottomsTalon Of The Hawk


4. Pusha TMy Name Is My Name


5. VannaThe Few And Far Between


6. MixtapesOrdinary Silence


7. LordePure Heroine


8. The Wild FeathersThe Wild Feathers


9. One DirectionMidnight Memories


10. DangerkidsCollapse

James Shotwell
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