2013 was the year of Pharrell. A decade ago Williams was everywhere, one half of production duo The Neptunes, whose magic touch accounted for 20 per cent of the records played on British radio (43 per cent in the US). Williams never faded completely from view, but appearances on Daft Punk's Get Lucky and Robin Thicke's Blurred Lines , as well as his own Happy single brought him firmly back centre stage. G I R L is cut from similar cloth to Happy, an album of slick, sweet, soulful pop with the odd nod to the minimal funk of his previous capers with The Neptunes and N*E*R*D. A couple of superstars make appearances, but the real pleasure is in listening to Williams open those laidback grooves, add space and sunshine and fire them up again. Between the likes of Hunter, Come Get It Bae, Brand New and Happy, it's a fine snapshot of what pop music sounds like right about now. pharrellwilliams.com
Download: Happy, Brand New