2013’s Best Albums (So Far): Idolator Editors Pick Their Favorite 10

Robbie Daw | June 28, 2013 5:20 am

Charli XCX, True Romance Released: April 16

It’s taken nearly half-a-decade for Goth-pop indie darling Charli XCX to release her full-length LP, but the London-bred club kid finally made it in happen in 2013 with her brilliant debut, True Romance. Teaming up with today’s most forward-thinking producers with their fingers — err, cursors — on the e-pulse, including Ariel Rechtshaid and J£ZUS MILLION, the rising pop princess carved out a truly unique sound with dozens of visual and musical influences, resulting in something like what Tumblr might sound like if melded down and pressed on wax. True Romance is moody and haunting, but shimmers with a spectacular smack of pop: Everything from the springy ’80s electro bounce of “Nuclear Seasons” and “Black Roses,” to the yelping, ’90s rock howls of “Set Me Free,” to the modern hip-hop strut of “Cloud Aura” with Internet darling Brooke Candy. With its oft-menacing beats, blood-soaked lyricism and strange textures, Charli XCX’s might feel chilly and distant at first. But upon deeper exploration, you’ll discover there’s a lot of heart buried within the hazy beats, resulting in what is undoubtedly one of the year’s most impressive records. — BRADLEY STERN