The Best of Instrumental Pop Music in 2013
Contents
A look at the best of what instrumental pop music had to offer in 2013. From up-and-comers to established artists, there was something for everyone.
Introduction
Instrumental pop music–or “easy listening”–often gets a bad rap. It’s seen as background music, devoid of emotion or feeling. But there are plenty of great instrumental pop songs out there–songs that are soulful, moving, and memorable.
Here are ten of the best instrumental pop songs from 2013:
1. “Bruises” by Chairlift: This haunting song features a simple piano melody that is both beautiful and sad.
2. “Flume” by Bon Iver: The opening track from Bon Iver’s album 22, A Million, “Flume” is a gorgeously restrained song that slowly builds to a soaring climax.
3. “iii.” by John Luther Adams: This atmospheric piece features bowed strings and ethereal electronics, creating a soundscape that is both meditative and beautiful.
4. “Marrow” by Mount Eerie: This minimalist folk song features little more than acoustic guitar and Phil Elverum’s fragile voice, but it is somehow both deeply personal and universal in its emotional impact.
5. “New Slang” by The Shins: This classic indie rock song features a lovely mellotron melody that perfectly complements James Mercer’s voices.
6. “Oh! Mighty Engine” by Craig Finn: The driving force behind the Hold Steady, Craig Finn writes songs that are equal parts literary and rock ‘n’ roll, and “Oh! Mighty Engine” is one of his best. Featuring a thumping piano line and some of Finn’s best storytelling, this song is impossible to forget.
7. “Retrograde” by James Blake: A spiritual successor to Burial’s game-changing dubstep masterpiece Untrue, Blake’s debut album featured this standout track, which marries dubstep’s signature half-time groove with Blake’s angelic vocals and piano playing.
8. “Somnium” by Nox Arcana: Nox Arcana is known for their dark, gothic soundscapes, and “Somnium” is one of the best examples of their work. Featuring sweeping strings and ethereal chantes, this song painta a picture of a dark night taht is both beautiful and foreboding.
9.”The Wilhelm Scream” by James Blake: named after one of Hollywood’s most famous sound effects (used in such films as Star Wars), this track features some of Blake’s most inventive production work, with chopped up vocal samples laid over a minimal electronic backing track.
10.”Wake Up” by Arcade Fire: One of the defining tracks from Arcade Fire’s classic album Funeral, “Wake Up” is an anthemic call to arms that just happens to be instrumentals–save for the occasional group sing-along during the chorus.”
The Best of Instrumental Pop Music in 2013
Instrumental pop music provides the perfect blend of melody and rhythm, making it one of the most popular genres of music. 2013 was a great year for instrumental pop music, with many artists releasing chart-topping hits. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best instrumental pop songs of 2013.
“Get Lucky” by Daft Punk
“Get Lucky” is a disco-influenced pop songrecorded by French electronic music duo Daft Punk for their fourth studio album, Random Access Memories (2013). The song features vocals by American singer Pharrell Williams and is co-written by the duo, Williams, and Japanese musician Nile Rodgers. It is the lead single of the album and was released on 19 April 2013.
The song peaked at number one in 27 countries, including France, Spain and the United Kingdom. In the US, it became Daft Punk’s first single to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking there for four weeks; it also peaked at number one on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart. “Get Lucky” won Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards (2014). The song received several other awards and nominations, including Best Dance Recording at the 2014 Grammy Awards.
“Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke
Instrumental pop music reached a new level of popularity in 2013, with several artists releasing chart-topping hits that featured little to no vocals. Among the most popular of these songs was “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 12 weeks.
Featuring a simple, catchy melody and an infectious beat, “Blurred Lines” was an instant hit with listeners. The song’s success was due in part to its catchy hook, which was performed by rapper T.I. and singer Pharrell Williams. The two artists provide the only vocals on the track, with Williams also contributing the song’s opening rap verse.
While “Blurred Lines” was undoubtedly the year’s biggest instrumental pop hit, it was far from the only one. Calvin Harris’ “Feel So Close” and Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” both topped the charts in several countries, while other instrumental hits included M83’s “Midnight City” and Avicii’s “Wake Me Up.”
“Mirrors” by Justin Timberlake
“Mirrors” is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake for his third studio album, The 20/20 Experience (2013). It was written and produced by Timberlake, Timothy “Timbaland” Mosley and Jerome “J-Roc” Harmon, with additional writing from James Fauntleroy. An autobiographical song about Timberlake falling in love with his wife Jessica Biel, “Mirrors” is a mid-tempo R&B ballad that contains elements of electronic music.
“Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons
“Radioactive” is a song recorded by American rock band Imagine Dragons for their major-label debut EP Continued Silence and later on their debut studio album Night Visions, both released in 2012. “Radioactive” was first sent to modern rock radio on October 29, 2012, and then released to mainstream radio on April 9, 2013. The song gained airplay and popularity quickly, eventually reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the band’s first single to enter the top 10 of the chart. “Radioactive” received positive reviews from critics, who praised both its production and lyrics. It won two American Music Awards for Favorite Alternative Artist and Favorite Rock Artist. “Radioactive” was also nominated for Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Best Rock Performance, winning the latter.
“Royals” by Lorde
In 2013, a number of excellent instrumental pop songs were released. Here are some of the best:
“Royals” by Lorde is a haunting song with a minimalistic instrumentation. The song’s popularity likely stems in part from its simple, yet effective, melody.
“Get Lucky” by Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams is an upbeat track with a catchy guitar riff. The song’s use of synthesizers gives it a futuristic sound that helps it stand out from other tracks released in 2013.
“Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke feat. T.I. & Pharrell is another catchy pop song with a distinct guitar riff. The use of electronic instruments gives the track a modern feel, while the old-school R&B vibe makes it truly unique.
Conclusion
So there you have it – The Best of Instrumental Pop Music in 2013. This list is by no means exhaustive, but it does represent some of the best that the genre has to offer. If you’re a fan of instrumental pop music, then you’re sure to find something on this list that you’ll enjoy.
