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Let's be honest, this has been an incredible year for music. Whether we're talking about the return of superstars such as David Bowie and Daft Punk or the emergence of new artists like Say Lou Lou and Arthur Beatrice, we've loved every single moment.

Over the past 12 months, every genre has been well represented. Indie fans had incredible albums from Arctic Monkeys, Jagwar Ma, Arcade Fire, Peace, Vampire Weekend, Foals, The National and many more to see them through, and while it wasn't 'the year of the guitar band' so many expected, it's been a fantastic year for a genre that has struggled more than others in recent times.

If there was a sound to define 2013, it was most likely electronic. The music of Disclosure, Flume, Jon Hopkins, James Blake, Moderat, Holy Ghost! and Chase & Status were inescapable this year, with producers and remixers standing side by side with bands when it came to this year's festival season.

The pop world was brilliantly represented too, and while the Mutya Keisha Siobhan comeback fell on its face somewhat, the British trio rank alongside the likes of Oh Land, V V Brown, Swiss Lips and Juveniles in bringing some always-welcome credibility to the scene.

The r&b and hip-hop world had another solid year, with a refreshing lack of RedOne produced 'bangers' making waves. The arrival of Angel Haze was a breath of fresh, if furious, air, joining the likes of A$ap Ferg, Childish Gambino, Janelle Monae, Pusha T and yes, Kanye West in soundtracking the urban side of 2013.

It was probably only when putting together our rundown of the 100 essential tracks of 2013 that we fully realised how much indrecible music has been released in 2013. The most exciting part being the sheer variety and experimental sounds that have hit the mainstream this year.

Check out the 100 tracks we feel have truly defined 2013. If years had feet, 2014 would have some awfully big boots to fill...