39. M.I.A. - Matangi

As much as we hoped she would, the eventual savior of world music may be someone other than MIA.  Here sophomore album Kala is revered to this day.  Yet the charismatic girl from Sri Lanka could never shake some questionable contradictions between her revolution-inducing music and her 1% lifestyle.  Matangi gives us more than most people are willing to admit.  The truth is that no one can escape tracks like "Bad Girls" and "Y.A.L.A." because they beg to be listened to.  She's still one of a kind and she still knows how to write great songs.

You Like This If You Like: Other MIA albums

  

40. Earl Sweatshirt - Doris

For such a young kid, Earl Sweatshirt has obtained a pretty mythical status.  After his return from Samoa last year, the internet practically broke itself as news of Earl's new music recordings surfaced.  Doris delivered on the long awaited promise of his 2010 debut by highlighting Sweatshirt as the most accomplished lyricist of the Odd Future crew.  Nasty, real, demented at times but never without some humor, Doris is easily one of the more memorable collections of 2013.

You'll Like This If You Like: Tyler, the Creator, Ol' Dirty Bastard, the Beastie Boys instrumentals

41. Beaches - She Beats

All girl groups were kind of a thing this year.  One of the less appreciated was Beaches.  Their sophomore album She Beats opens like a stadium explosion.  Think hazy beach rock meets Dinosaur Jr.  Heady stuff indeed.  Their sound pays homage to a multitude of rock staples.  Definitely something for everyone here.

You'll Like This If You Like: Pink Floyd, The Smiths, Best Coast, Diiv