Every year we each make a list of our gold star albums: our favourite releases from the previous year. These are our picks for the essential albums of 2013, and would enhance any traditional music lover's collection.

See also: last year and gold star releases from other years.

Gordon's Gold Star Releases for 2013 Pending...

Colin's Gold Star Releases for 2013 Artist Album Label The Full English The Full English Topic Kiérah Stonemason's daughter Self Emily Portman The glamoury Self Quercus Quercus ECM Ten strings and a goat skin Corbeau Self Also outstanding: ⋅ The Beermats ⋅ Cara (Horizon) ⋅ Martin Simpson (Vagrant stanzas) ⋅ Vicki Swan / Jonny Dyer (The Red House)