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. Read about some of WVAU‰’s favorite records released in 2013.

Kai Campos and Dominic Maker are intimidating because they are honest. On their second full-length, Mount Kimbie stays strong in the unpredictable electronic world by camouflaging as humble and motiveless while calculated tactics are slyly wining them the game. In the midst of countless acts brought forth since the burst of electronic music in the US in the 2000’s, Mount Kimbie plays their cool as an earlier-formed artist. For these British fellows, making music has always been serious work, and Cold Spring Fault Less Youth makes Mount Kimbie’s ambitions very clear.

Identity always seems to come up when talking Mount Kimbie, yet their answer stays constant. Notably self-aware, Campos and Maker make it a point to vocalize their disapproval of genre labeling in almost every interview as well as through their constantly developing music. Having paid close attention to their early EPs, live sets and 2010’s Crooks & Lovers more than I have to most anything, the brilliance of Mount Kimbie was always still a mystery. But with Cold Spring I have begun to uncover what makes it one of the best. Rather than categorizing their style and growing from it, Mount Kimbie on Cold Spring found success like they have since the start: through experimentation and soft confidence.

Mount Kimbie’s vocal route on Cold Spring not only turned the heads of many at first (myself included), but it made listeners chuckle and nod soon after. To acknowledge any false doubt of the two musicians is to reaffirm the confidence listeners have in Mount Kimbie’s talent. Kai and Dom seem to never fail at pleasantly surprising. The forward-thinking collaboration with King Krule, not only enhances this record’s more introspective feel but it allowed for Mount Kimbie to introduce personal vocals as well as their lifelong appreciation for hip hop. I consider these self-sung lyrics a privilege for they offer fans a new glimpse into the artists‰’ souls.

Considering this year‰’s incredible releases, it is comforting that one of the best electronic artists has been able to keep its feet on the ground and still stand tall above many. Mount Kimbie is by no means an underdog, but they respect themselves enough to make only the sounds that feel right, even if that means testing risky ideas and taking time to remodel how they produce their sound. Still a softly sensual dance record, Cold Spring‰’s confidence in a new direction has definitely taken Mount Kimbie down the right path. To where that is we still cannot be sure. Perhaps King Krule knows, as he sings “I hope this road takes me as far from here as I can go.‰Û