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Music is all about individual taste so choosing the best music albums of 2013 is an unenviable task.

Many times, the most popular music isn't always the best. The best music isn't always the most popular.  The following list of best music albums of 2013 doesn’t seek to necessarily exclude, or include, albums based on “popularity” as a criteria.

For instance, Daft Punk’s 'Random Access Memories,' which set a Spotify record for stream volume is a top contender for its genuine listenability and impeccable production value (hey, it took them parts of five years to produce it).

Here are our choices for the best, and most diverse, music albums of 2013.

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    The Next Day

    David Bowie

    David Bowie might be 66 years old, but that doesn’t mean the iconic glam rocker is done creating music. Bowie released “The Next Day” this year, which was his 24th studio album. The album might not be as legendary as his Ziggy Stardust days, but it did still piss off the Catholic Church. It's one of the best music albums of 2013.

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    9

    Kveikur

    Sigur Ros

    Sigur Ros has been going strong since 1994 and 'Kveikur,' the Icelandic band’s latest album, only adds to their impressive discography. Their iconic ethereal sound hasn’t gotten old, but has evolved into an album that could be listened to casually—as opposed to during a bender of some sort.

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    8

    True Believers

    Darius Rucker

    For those who listened to a lot of music in the 1990s, it’s still a little jarring to witness Darius Rucker, who was the lead singer of popular band Hootie and the Blowfish, become a big deal country star. Regardless, Rucker’s cover of 'Wagon Wheel' is one of the hottest songs for country and non-country fans alike. All these years later, "Hootie" has one of the best music albums of 2013.

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    7

    It's Up to Emma

    Scout Niblett

    If solemn chick music is your bag, then you will love Scout Niblett’s new album 'It’s Up to Emma.' Even though the album features strong original songs like 'Gun' and 'Can’t Fool Me Now,' the collection is perhaps overshadowed by a cover of TLC’s classic 'No Scrubs.'

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    6

    Wakin on a Pretty Daze

    Kurt Vile

    Kurt Vile produces music that is so unpretentious and easy to listen to that he perhaps doesn’t get the credit he deserves. Well, here’s the credit: he's made our list of the best albums of 2013. The track 'Wakin on a Pretty Day' embodies the sleepy (in a good way) vibe that Vile’s album, 'Wakin of a Pretty Daze,' exudes. Have a listen and relax.

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    5

    Push the Sky Away

    Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

    After thirty years together, how much more could Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds say? The answer: plenty. “Push the Sky Away” is the band’s 15th studio album, but it’s the first one without founding member Mick Harvey. Regardless, the Australian band produced another gem.

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    4

    Unorthodox Jukebox

    Bruno Mars

    Bruno Mars’ 'Unorthodox Jukebox' currently ranks thirteenth on Billboard’s hottest album of the week and singles 'Treasure' and 'When I Was Your Man' ranks eighth and 26th, respectively. With a voice that resembles this generation’s Sting, it’s hard to hate on Bruno Mars’ latest album.

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    The 20/20 Experience

    Justin Timberlake

    Whatever Justin Timberlake touches, turns to gold. And that's a fact. 'The 20/20 Experience' is no different. Timberlake’s blend of retro pop and present-day hip hop is a success in his third solo album. His song 'Tunnel Vision' is perhaps the best example of this.

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    Modern Vampires of the City

    Vampire Weekend

    Even if you’re not a fan of Vampire Weekend’s first two albums, you might still like 'Modern Vampire of the City.' The tracks 'Step' and 'Diane Young' are easily two of the best alternative rock / pop songs of 2013.

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    Random Access Memories

    Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams

    While compiling the list of the best music albums of 2013 was daunting, choosing the best album was a rather easy task. Daft Punk might have hit the jackpot with single 'Get Lucky,' but considering it cost Sony and the group over a million dollars to produce and promote the album (which also took five years to make), they really needed it to. Semantics aside, 'Random Access Memories' is an album featuring a unique mix of songs that will undoubtedly be pumped for years to come.

    What do you think was the best album of 2013? Let us know in the comments.

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