10. PRISM by Katy Perry
Katy Perry originally wanted to release a darker acoustic album, but realized that would be, as she calls it, “a career killer.” To our delight, Katy decided to look in on herself and change her outlook, leading to radio-winning songs like “Roar” and “Unconditionally.” The album isn’t all fun and games, however. It takes an honest look at love and recovery and gives us Katy’s best ballad to date, “By the Grace of God,” based on her divorce with Russell Brand. The album is a colorful yet sincere Katy that we hope to see more of in the future.
9. The 20/20 Experience - The Complete Experience by Justin Timberlake
It’s the return of JT, the original smooth-singing Justin. This two-part album reminded us of just how much we miss Future Sex/Love Sounds, but that pressure didn’t cause JT to crack. Instead, he changed his sound, giving us singles that are 8 minutes long (we’re looking at you, “Mirrors”) and performances with JT & the Tennessee Kids (we’re still in love with his performance of “Drink You Away” from the American Music Awards). Plus, his Vanguard Award performance at the VMAs gave us an ‘NSync reunion. We will be forever grateful.
8. Believe Acoustic by Justin Bieber
7. Same Trailer Different Park by Kacey Musgraves
6. Midnight Memories by One Direction
5. The Great Gatsby Soundtrack produced by Jay Z
4. Pure Heroine by Lorde
This New Zealand teen signed a deal when she was 13 and she recently signed a very publishing deal with Songs Music Publishing for $2.5 million. Her single, “Royals,” was #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 for nine weeks, and rightly so. The song, like her whole album, is a reflection of the 21st century’s obsession with the next hot thing while leaving the present in the dirt. It’s like Kanye West, Joni Mitchell, and Disclosure got together and had a love child, then named her Lorde, knowing she would rule the charts. Go ahead and call yourself Queen Bee, Lorde; you deserve the crown.
3. Save Rock and Roll by Fall Out Boy
2. The Civil Wars by The Civil Wars
1. Yeezus by Kanye West
Do you agree with our list? What was your favorite album of 2013?
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