The Top 33 Albums Of 2013

A bit lacking in ambition in parts but properly incred­ible in others.

In which Little Boots answers the perennial “look are you going to be Kylie or Hot Chip?” question by saying “actually I’ll just be Little Boots if that’s alright with you”. And it was alright with us.

About three times better than the Daft Punk album.

In a parallel universe this was a platinum-selling chart­mauler. But we live in this universe: a cruel, merciless universe in which Emeli Sandé steals all Vicko's sales.

Straightforward pop moments, future R&B moments, Nicki Minaj X2 and the best album artwork of the year. Worth the wait.

Splendid from beginning to end.

X Factor bands aren’t really supposed to make excellent albums but ‘Salute’ is an impress­ive second album from Little Mix. Could have done with a ‘DNA’ or two but there you go.

In and out in ten tracks, no messing around, job done: a bril­liantly unusual debut album from the anti-Pitbull.

A mas­ter­class in smart electropop.

This veered a little too close to pop’s all-consuming EDM black hole, and we’re sad that some of the spikier moments from its earlier Swedish release were jet­tisoned, but the high points are tremendous.

The best bits of every Deep Heat com­pil­a­tion thrown into one album, and further proof that it’s impossible to go wrong with a bit of rave piano.

As well as filling a hole in a year without a Rihanna album ‘Bangerz’ marked the chaotic arrival of a new pop superstar. One of these per year would be great thanks.