It may be bit early for “Best of 2013” lists, but it‰’s the middle of 2013 and we‰’re excited to share our most-repeated new albums from the last six months. This week, read about some of WVAU‰’s favorite records released in 2013.

Our favorite hippie/freak folk/sex god is back! After three years, Devendra Banhart presents one of the best and most eccentric albums of 2k13. Devendra shows on Mala a mature side to his musical career, but still manages to experiment in his surreal world — characterized by his romantic and bohemian nature.

Banhart tries to leave aside his well-known organic, folk aura by playing with new electronic sounds. These new sounds are done perfectly during “Fur Hildegard Von Bigen‰” and “Your Fine Petting Duck,‰” with rare changes into synth-pop melodies. “Your Fine Petting Duck‰” and “Never Seen Such Good Things‰” shine over all the album, balancing out Devendra‰’s new experimental phase, lovely lyrics and his alternative folk tag. Yet nothing beats Devendra‰’s Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon, as his past album encompasses Barnhart‰’s true essence: eclectic passion.

It‰’s hard to compare Devendra‰’s Mala to other albums released this year due to its uniqueness. But at the same time, that is why it’s one of the best 2013 releases yet, because it stands out over the generic garage/alternative/psych/indie rock. The founder of the “new weird America‰” genre is still growing musically, showing us he is much more than baroque sounds, sex appeal and a gypsy paradise.