Here comes the end of another year, and all can be said is that 2003 has been one hell of a rich year, with labels such as Warp, Rephlex and Leaf enjoying a particular good one, with no less than four albums in our top ten for Warp only.

Topping our list is the excellent Brooklyn-based Animal Collective, our discovery of the year, with the most artisanal album we’ve heard this year. Far from the cocooned world of a studio, the band set to record Campfire Songs on a screened-in porch on three mini-disc players. With street noises continuously threatening the fragile sound constructions, this album, released in limited quantity, is a clear winner. But this year’s been so varied and excellent that our top 20 features people as diverse as Twine, Victor Gama, Broadcast, Maja Ratke, Luke Vibert or Leafcutter John. This doesn’t pretend to be the ultimate list for 2003 (despite what’s said above!); it is only our favourite records for this year, but God we love them!…

1. ANIMAL COLLECTIVE Campfire Songs
CPR716 - Catsup Plate Records

Definitely the discovery of the year, Animal Collective are a weird and wonderful bunch of artists with a common vision and a desire to break free from the rigours of any scene. The rough recording process of this album gives it its fragile aspect and beauty
What we said then 07’03
Despite the extra field recordings added later on a couple of tracks, the absence of technical trickery and the regular external sonic interferences perceptible give this record an uncanny density. Conscious that the slightest disturbance could jeopardise the fragile balance of sound, it is impossible not to get entirely absorbed by the musical context on offer here.

2. TWINE Twine
GI18 - Ghostly International

Twine have constantly progressed in their search for sound and ambiences, and this album is their most accomplished to date. Simply stunning.
What we said then 11’03
Twine transcend more than ever the electronic nature of their music, basing the almost entirety of these nine tracks (ten on the LP) on guitars and pianos, creating elegant moody structures on which vocals components get trapped, looped and deconstructed to become simple components of the compositions.

3. LUKE VIBERT YosepH
WARPCD112 - Warp Records

One of the surprises of the year, Luke Vibert’s first album to expose his acid compositions in all their splendour. An album that looks at the past, yet sounds resolutely modern and fresh.
What we said then 11’03
Luke Vibert sets the record straight. Acid is neither dead nor irrelevant. But, don’t be mistaken. This album is not a nostalgic journey into late eighties dance music. Quite the opposite. Vibert might have played around with his 303 for years, but YosepH is resolutely modern.

4. VICTOR GAMA Pangeia Instrumentos
CAT135CD - Rephlex

Victor Gama took to building his own musical instruments because he didn’t have a guitar and felt the need to stark making sounds whichever way he could. Pangeia Instrumentos is a delicate and fascinating piece of recording on which Gama mixes African and Western influences in a totally unique way.
What we said then 09’03
Creating delicate structure, often based on one or two instruments, Gama presents here some incredibly dense and atmospheric constructions, evocative not only of the cultures and traditions they are based on, but also of a more modern Africa, willing to adapt to new challenges.

5. BROADCAST Haha Sound
WARPCD106 - Warp Records

Following their first proper album, The Noise Made By People (2000), Haha Sound builds on the soundscapes of its predecessor and shows the band at its most mature and focused.
What we said then 07’03
Broadcast’s sophisticated vision of pop music is not as elitist as it may seem. Fruit of a much less complicated creative process, Haha Sound is far more opened and airy than its predecessor, demonstrating that Broadcast can also have some fun.

6. CHRIS CLARK Empty The Bones Of You
WARPCD107 - Warp Records

Two years after his very promising debut, Chris Clark returned this year with a much more mature album, confirming that he is one of the most impressive new talents to have emerged in the last few years.
What we said then 08’03
If, for most, the second album is often a difficult affair, in Clark’s case, it is quite the opposite. Where Clarence Park appeared disjointed, Empty The Bones Of You is consistent, mature and bloody captivating.

7. MAJA RATJKE Voice
RCD2028 - Rune Grammofon

It is with all female Norwegian improvisation combo Spunk that Maja Ratkje came to the attention of most. Yet this international award-wining artist proved with this solo release that her talent goes far beyond the playful ground of her band. Entirely built around her voice, this album is simply stunning.
What we said then 03’03
Exposed in its most minute details, twisted, filtered, lacerated, layered, the voice becomes drone, beat, texture or wave, deflected from its natural course to rise above its organic structure or crash in convulsive distortions.

8. PREFUSE 73 One Word Extinguisher
WARPCD105 - Warp Records

The long-awaited second Prefuse 73 album didn’t only smash expectations, but also set new boundaries for others to dream of pushing even further. This album, and its companion EP, Extinguished Outtakes, proved if it was still needed that Scott Herren is an incredible precursor.
What we said then 04’03
Barely allowing any breathing space between tracks, Herren constantly changes focus, alternating between short interludes and longer sequences. Yet, as the soundscapes remain tightly held together, Herren processes anything from jazz, funk or soul to dirty beats and glitches into one gigantic festival of sounds and atmospheres.

9. MANITOBA Up In Flame
BAY26CD - The Leaf Label

With his second album, Manitoba, aka Canadian-born Dan Snaith, has gone back in time almost literally, taking his sound on a psychedelic journey through seventies rock, jazz and pop. Yet, this album feels far more modern than it could first sound, as he ultimately takes everything that was good on his debut release and magnifies it.
What we said then 04’03
The variety of tones developing all the way through goes against the majority of the current electronic releases and places Manitoba in a very singular position, in which he is able to pioneer new grounds for the post-electronica generation.

10. DM & JEMINI Ghetto Pop Life
LEX010CD - Lex Records

Has far as hip-hop records are concerned, this is one hell of a challenge as MC Jemini teams up with producer extraordinaire Danger Mouse to produce this roller-coaster ride of ambiences, borrowing from jazz, country, classical, rock and soul to tackle serious issues with a good pinch of humour.
What we said then 08’03
DM carves an impressive collection of funky soundscapes with great ease, always ensuring he maintains the fine balance between convincing grooves and party atmosphere.

THE REST OF THE BEST

11. FREEFORM Human (Skam)
12. CHRIST. Metamorphic Reproduction Miracle (Benbecula)
13. GOLDFRAPP Black Cherry (Mute)
14. µ-ZIQ Bilious Paths (Planet Mu)
15. AUTECHRE Draft 7.30 (Warp Records)
16. LFO Sheath (Warp Records)
17. MATT ELLIOTT The Mess We Made (Domino Recordings)
18. LEAFCUTTER JOHN The Housebound Spirit (Planet Mu)
19. FOUR TET Rounds (Domino Recordings)
20. COLLEEN Everyone Alive Wants Answers (The Leaf Label)

BEST SINGLES

1. LFO Freak (Warp Records)
2. GOLDFRAPP Strict Machine (Mute)
3. MURCOFUlysses (The Leaf Label)
4. AMEN ANDREWS Vol. 2 (Rephlex)
5. LUKE VIBERT I Love Acid (Warp Records)
6. MANITOBA If Assholes Could Fly This Place Would Be An Airport (The Leaf Label)
7. 310 Opposite Corners (The Leaf Label)
8. BROADCAST Pendulum (Warp Records)
9. CHUNGKING Making Music (Tummy Touch)
10. CINEMATIC ORCHESTRA The Man With The Movie Camera EP (Ninja Tune)