The 20 best albums of 2013 so far

There have been a dizzying number of high profile releases in the first half of 2013 – it's been explosive in the scope of its anticipation (Justin getting the whole world in a tizzy over a one minute trailer; Beyonce perpetually caught in a will-she-or-won't-she album announcement limbo), campaigns (Daft Punk holding a listening party at the top of the Shard; Boards of Canada holding one in an abandoned waterpark) and reunions (MKS, MKS, MKS!). Here at Dummy HQ we've been frazzled trying to keep up – but as it's all been unfolding, there have been 20 albums that have been constantly spinning in the background. There are the debuts, giving us that tingly feeling you get when you hear a bold, innovative new voice; the striking second albums, that have solidified our love for the artists and collectives who just continue to get better; the concept albums that weave new worlds around us and the dancefloor timebombs that have us itching for Friday night. There have been countless high impact releases in the first half of this year, it's true: but these are the ones we've still got on repeat as we move into the second. 

Click on an album cover to launch the list.