Chance the Rapper – Acid Rap: Chance is a special type of artist. He’s got his influences for sure, but he’s created something original with Acid Rap. Not only that, but he created something interesting, entertaining, uplifting, fun, and full of substance. Chance is one of the most talented artists to come up in recent times, between the aforementioned creativity and his skill with rapping/singing. Acid Rap may be a mixtape, but it feels like a full-fledged album, so one can only imagine what he can and will do next…

 

Earl Sweatshirt – Doris: The infamous Earl Sweatshirt of OFWGKTA is finally back with his debut album, and the first project that he’s released since his first mixtape back in 2010. Obviously, this was going to be one hell of a hyped-up release. Did it live up to the hype? Well, it depends on what you were expecting. He’s not the same artist as he was before he left for Samoa, and he certainly isn’t making the same kind of music. He’s an incredibly technically skilled rapper still, and he’s making much more personal music than before. He’s matured faster than anyone else in Odd Future, that’s for sure. He’s dark, introspective, depressed, and he’s better than ever. This kid most certainly has a future in hip-hop if he keeps this up.

 

Delusional Thomas – Delusional Thomas: Delusional Thomas is one of Mac Miller’s alter-egos, and this is definitely not the Mac Miller we thought we all knew at the beginning of 2013. His album, Watching Movies With The Sound Off (which just barely didn’t make this list), showed him going in a darker, more introspective direction. This tape is more in the style of horrorcore, with entertaining (and technically impressive) raps that are very reminiscent of early Earl Sweatshirt, who actually has a verse on this tape. He uses a high-pitched, altered voice throughout the tape, which sort of adds to the persona and the atmosphere, which is important with a release like this. I certainly hope Mac continues in this dark direction, and that we see more of this Delusional Thomas fellow.

 

Sadistik – Flowers For My Father: Sadistik is a rapper from Seattle that could be easily written off as a “backpacker” because of his use of big words, multisyllabic rhyme schemes, affiliation with indie artists, and his serious subject matter. However, that would be a huge mistake, because Sadistik is an amazing rapper with a gift for rhyming, flowing, and writing lyrics. This album as a whole has a very melancholy feel to it, and the emotion put into the tracks is incredible. Sadistik has a style of his own, and I only see him improving from here.

 

The Dillinger Escape Plan – One of Us Is The Killer: The Dillinger Escape Plan have aged like a fine wine. They’ve been making some insanely intense music throughout their entire career, and they aren’t letting up in the least. One Of Us Is The Killer is chaotic, melodic, and everything in between, even more so than Option Paralysis was. The only change that the band has undergone is getting better. After over a decade playing the style of spastic mathcore that they play, I’m shocked they’re still kicking, much less releasing some of their best material. The variation is just as mind-blowing as the song structures themselves, which doesn’t leave room for a single boring moment. This album will not waste your time. I’ve said enough, the music speaks for itself…

 

Anciients – Heart of Oak: Before I heard this album, I was getting tired of metal. Anciients showed me how progressive the genre can still be, as well as how memorable and fun to listen to it can be. Heart of Oak is a fantastic mix of stoner, a lot of prog, and some black metal influence that does more than just strive for perfection; it tries to create a totally new sound of its own. Anciients aren’t quite there yet, but it’s hard to believe that they won’t get there soon when this is what they’ve done in the meantime.

 

Mammoth Grinder – Underworlds: Riffs. Oh the riffs. The misanthropic, sludgy, crushing riffs. The blistering, blast-beat-accompanied, hardcore riffs. That’s what this album is all about. Underworlds is the closest I’ve heard the genre of grindcore come to being catchy this year, and it’s also one of the most adrenaline pumping releases of the past few years. The energy is crazy intense in a way that not many bands seem to get how to pull off. Mammoth Grinder get it, and they execute it perfectly. I still struggle to stay still listening to this after god knows how much I’ve listened to it, and I don’t see that changing soon. Grindcore with replay value? You heard right. You might not be able to after listening to this, though.

Mr. Muthaf**kin’ eXquire – Kismet: Mr. Muthaf**kin’ eXquire came out of nowhere with something nobody expected from him. We knew he could rap, he’s proven himself in that regard time and time again, but this is a cohesive mixtape that could damn well pass for an album. This is more personal and reflective than anything eXquire has done before. He’s still being the dirty, grimy, New York MC he’s always been, but he’s going places with his music that he’s never been before, like creating something of a concept record, since there is sort of a story throughout. He’s maturing as an artist, and he’s gotten off to a phenomenal start with that.

Flatbush Zombies – BetterOffDEAD: So much more than the drug rap that so many people write them off as. Flatbush Zombies are three amazingly talented dudes that really are in a lane of their own. Being part of the beast coast movement, there’s a lot of that psychedelic boom bap kind of sound, but they’re so much more than that. They’re dynamic, trippy, gritty, arrogant, aggressive, and definitely high as f**k. They’re also some of the most interesting hip-hop of recent years, and this mixtape is worth your time as a fan of the genre.

Run The Jewels – Run the Jewels: This group, consisting of the Alanta rapper Killer Mike and Brooklyn rapper/producer El-P, is easily the best thing to happen in 2013. The ferocious, braggadocious rhymes, razor-sharp flows, intense and energetic beats…there really isn’t anything else like this. Killer Mike and El-P are at the top of the game right now, and this album (released for free through Fool’s Gold Records) shows that no one can touch them. You think Kendrick Lamar’s verse on Control killed the rap game? You think he raised the bar and took the crown? You have no idea…