Top 50 Albums of 2023

Reflecting on the music of 2023 has been an interesting experience the last few weeks. It never felt like there was any one singular new album or artist that have captured the charts or critics’ lists like in years prior. Hell, the biggest artist of the year was Taylor Swift who didn’t even release an album of new material in 2023. That being said, there were several projects that personally impacted me throughout the year. Some were predictable, others completely shocked me. While I wasn’t constantly cutting albums from this list, the 50 I settled on have all stuck with me pretty much since they came out. So, now that everyone is heading home for the holidays, here’s a long list of music you might want to discover, or rediscover, from the last year. As always, hope you enjoy!

50) Morgan Wade – Psychopath

In hindsight, there was no reason for me to omit Morgan Wade’s last album Reckless from my 2021 list. Not only was that record was a wonderful introduction to Wade, it also featured “Wilder Days” which has become one of my favorite country songs of the decade. For as great as that album was, Psychopath is every bit as enjoyable. Wade recruited a long list of accomplished songwriters to make some of the best pop country songs to not make it to country radio this year. The 400 Unit’s Sadler Vaden also makes sure these songs have a good bit of bite to them, adding some needed edge to Wade’s messy lyrics. Morgan Wade is the type of artist who is begging for a mainstream breakthrough and if she keeps making music like this, I think she just might get the success she deserves.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. Losers Look Like Me
  2. Meet Somebody
  3. 27 Club
  4. Psychopath
  5. Domino

49) Earl Sweatshirt & The Alchemist – VOIR DIRE

At this point, you should know if Earl Sweatshirt’s music is for you. Even with The Alchemist’s production, Earl is sticking to what has always worked best for him. Cold, monotone flows with complex lyrics that can be difficult to latch onto but ultimately rewarding if you allow yourself to get lost in them. The Alchemist’s smooth, warm production works surprisingly well with Earl’s voices, giving us some of the best sounding songs of either of their careers. The few features on here are also perfect, not wasting a moment of this album’s brief 26 minute length. Even if neither album is out of their comfort zone here, their styles compliment each other and do plenty to satisfy both of their fans.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. The Caliphate (feat. Vince Staples)
  2. Mancala (feat. Vince Staples)
  3. Free the Ruler
  4. Sentry (feat. MIKE)
  5. Dead Zone

48) Trousdale – Out of My Mind

If there was anyone in pop that deserved more attention this year, it was Trousdale. The trio draw a lot of influence from groups like The Chicks and Haim, but still manage to feel unique. For one, the hooks on these songs are catchy across the board. The production is clean and fun, making this album genuinely refreshing. Each member rises to the occasion, with their harmonies being one of the biggest selling points here. I only discovered this debut from a recommendation and I’m afraid that it will fly under the radar for many in the same way it almost did for me. Definitely get on board with this group as soon as possible.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. Out of My Mind
  2. Can’t Get Your Love Back
  3. If You’re Hurting
  4. Bad Blood
  5. Go There

47) Algiers – Shook

When Algiers first broke through, their sound was wildly fresh. The mix of punk and industrial production with gospel vocals was unlike anything anyone had heard before and thankfully they had the content to back it all up. Now, eight years later, the group needs to find new ways to build on their sound. Shook is easily the band’s most ambitious project, not only with its length, but with its experimentation with different genres and a long list of high-profile features. The whole thing comes together pretty seamlessly, with each artist backing up the band’s explosive and revolutionary songs. This is a band that I am thankful has no intentions of slowing down any time soon.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. Bite Back (feat. Billy Woods & Backxwash)
  2. I Can’t Stand It! (feat. Samuel T. Herring & Jae Matthews)
  3. Irreversible Damage (fear. Zack de la Rocha)
  4. A Good Man
  5. Green Iris

46) The Tubs – Dead Meat

Adding to the list of wonderful debuts in 2023 is The Tubs, a band that feels it is pulled straight from another time. Fans of classic British rock and folk acts from the 70s and 80s will instantly fall in love with their sound, paying homage to many favorites of the era. The pleasant, nostalgic sound almost covers up how brilliant the writing is throughout the album. The lyrics take a vivid look at the impacts of mental illness to make this seemingly simple record shockingly complex and powerful. The Tubs are able to do so much with such a short debut and it would not be shocking to see them grow much further on their next release.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. Sniveller
  2. Illusion, pt II
  3. Wretched Lie
  4. Two Person Love
  5. Round the Bend

45) Black Country, New Road – Live at Bush Hall

So much has happened since Black Country, New Road dropped last year’s Album of the Year Ants from Up There. The band’s lead singer left the group meaning they either had to carry on without him or disband altogether. Not only did they stick together, but they quickly went back on the road to tour new material. While I would usually not consider a live album for this list, this is all new material and it sounds great separate from the live setting it was recorded in. Many of the core aspects that made Black Country, New Road’s material work is still intact and the new singers all do great, even if Isaac Wood’s voice is irreplaceable. It is encouraging to see this band stay so resilient during this time and continue making powerful and engaging art rock.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. The Boy
  2. Across the Pond Friend
  3. Turbine/Pigs
  4. Up Song
  5. Laughing Song

44) Janelle Monáe – The Age of Pleasure

Janelle Monáe’s musical career has become famous for the big, conceptual ideas she has across her albums. On The Age of Pleasure, she defies those expectations and releases some of the most relaxed, breezy music of her career. As the title would imply, this album is focused on free living and loving, a vibe that Monáe sells with complete ease. Each track flows seamlessly into the next as she sings over smooth Afrobeats production. This album might not have the same lyric complexities of its predecessors, but it makes up for it by perfectly capturing the summery tone that Monáe clearly wanted. Even when listening to this in December, I feel like I’m by a pool on a warm July afternoon.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. Know Better (feat. CKay, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80’)
  2. Lipstick Lover
  3. Float (feat. Seun Kuti & Egypt 80’)
  4. Only Have Eyes 42
  5. The Rush (feat. Nia Long & Amaarae)

43) Anohni and the Johnsons – My Back Was A Bridge For You To Cross

There are dozens of record that attempt to make grand political and social statements each year. Even Anohni’s last album Hopelessness was a blatantly political album. What makes this record stand out from the crowd is how much heart Anohni puts into these ballads of despair. These songs have just as much fury and bite as any political rock or punk album, but Anohni chooses to slow things down and convey her emotions with powerhouse vocals. Each track is made better with luscious production that ties together the themes of environmentalism perfectly. Even if it is a bit slow, the message here is too important to go unnoticed and unrecognized.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. It Must Change
  2. Why Am I Alive Now?
  3. Rest
  4. Sliver Of Ice
  5. You Be Free

42) Bully – Lucky for You

Bully has always had a fun energy around them, but it was not until Lucky for You that the band fully clicked for me. That’s not to say this album is breaking new ground in alternative rock or making any hugely profound statements. Instead, the group honed in on their strengths and delivered by pushing them forward. This tight, 10-track record flies by with electrifying performances, memorable hooks, and a surprising amount of lyrical introspection. This is an album that knows exactly what it wanted to be and does not waste a second of its time, giving you a short, sweet, and emotionally resonate listen from end to end. 

Top Five Tracks:

  1. Change Your Mind
  2. Hard to Love
  3. How Will I Know
  4. All I Do
  5. Days Move Slow

41) Gabe Lee – Drink The River

Fans of country music really were spoiled in 2023. For once, country artists were ruling the charts and many of them didn’t pander to mainstream sounds to do so. Sadly, one country artist who has been continually overlooked this year is Gabe Lee. Drink The River might not sound like anything new, but when you dig deeper there is a special album in here. The production is full, with every instrumental flourish fully realized. This helps pull out every bit of emotion from Lee’s heartfelt and brutally honest lyrics. If you have 35 minutes, do yourself a favor and give Gabe Lee some of the attention he absolutely deserves.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. Merigold
  2. Drink The River
  3. Lidocaine
  4. Hearts Don’t Break
  5. The Wild

40) Blondshell – Blondshell

Of all the incredible debut albums to drop in 2023, Blondshell’s impressed me most with its confidence. These are not simple indie rock ballads, Blondshell adds real grit and passion behind these songs to make them really pop. The production is sharp, going hard when it should and holding back when it needs to. Blondshell’s songwriting is also absolutely perfect, giving us a taste of her sharp wit and bitterness. It all comes together to create a fun, personable record with killer highlights. If this is how Blondshell is starting her career, I will gladly follow her wherever she goes next.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. Kiss City
  2. Veronica Mars
  3. Salad
  4. Sober Together
  5. Olympus

39) L’Rain – I Killed Your Dog

I first discovered L’Rain at a music festival this summer where they opened up some of my favorites artists. It would have been so easy to ignore anyone and stay focused on the headliners, but L’Rain’s stage presence was magnetic. After months of waiting, this album was finally released and the same magic was captured in the studio. While still experimental, this album flows together smoothly with songs flowing through you with ease. At its heart, it is still an emotionally powerful record. L’Rain’s beautiful voice only adds more weight to these tracks and holds you even during the dreamiest of moments. This is one of 2023’s best discoveries for me and I hope I’m lucky enough to see them perform again.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. Pet Rock
  2. I Killed Your Dog
  3. New Year’s UnResolution
  4. 5 to 8 Hours a Day (WWwaG)
  5. r(EMOTE)

38) Reverend Kristin Michael Hayter – SAVED!

Much like Kristin Hayter’s previous alias Lingua Ignota, this is not an easy listen. While Lingua Ignota was a brutal exploration into Hayter’s past traumas, this project is more focused on healing and finding salvation. It is still every bit as harsh as her other work, with noisy, lo-fi projection that has been heavily distorted. And when I say heavily distorted, I mean this album feel like a found footage horror film. This is the hardest album on this list to recommend to anyone, you will likely know in the first 20 seconds if this is at all something you can stomach. But if you’ve been following Hayter’s music up until now, this will be an emotionally engaging experience.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. THE POOR WAYFARING STRANGER
  2. ALL OF MY FRIENDS ARE GOING TO HELL
  3. IDUMEA
  4. HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING
  5. I’M GETTING OUT WHILE I CAN

37) Young Fathers – Heavy Heavy

For as strange as Young Fathers music can be, something about Heavy Heavy has been very easy to return to. This short album is packed with grandiose production, elevating already strong choruses into an electric collage of sounds and styles. Moments like “Tell Somebody” and “Ululation” have fantastic, almost cinematic production that are easy to get lost in. Songs like “I Saw” and “Sink Or Swim” also mesmerize with their raw, infectious energy. This is an excellent return from this group, who always leave a strong impact whenever they come back with new music.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. I Saw
  2. Geronimo 
  3. Tell Somebody
  4. Drum
  5. Sink Or Swim

36) Mitski – The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We

After feeling underwhelmed by last year’s Laurel Hell, I was worried that Mitski’s time as an indie darling was waning. Sure, she had never been more popular, but the music itself left much to be desired. Thankfully, Mitski eased those concerns on her latest album which is a step towards making grander, orchestral pop with a bit of a country flare. It is a new sound that works well with Mitski’s voice and helps elevate the emotions in the sad girl indie she’s become known for. This record confirms that Mitski is the dynamic artist we had hoped she would be when she first broke out and has me excited to see which direction she takes her sound next.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. Star
  2. I Don’t Like My Mind
  3. When Memories Snow
  4. I’m Your Man
  5. Heaven

35) Squid – O Monolith

Squid’s debut Bright Green Field was a refreshing, fun album when it came out a couple years ago. It was released around similar sounding releases from Black Midi and Black Country, New Road, but was able to feel distinct and was arguably the best of those three releases. Now, on their sophomore album, Squid kept their sound fairly streamlined without sacrificing any of the chaotic energy that made them great to begin with. The production also feels bigger and more dynamic. I haven’t had a chance to check this band out live, but I can only imagine how great these songs would translate. It’s the kind of messy punk album that is meant to be played as loud as possible to fully take in how great it is. Another hit from one of the most fun young punk groups.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. Undergrowth
  2. Siphon Song
  3. After the Flash
  4. Green Light
  5. The Blades

34) Armand Hammer – We Buy Diabetic Test Strips

Its taken me awhile to commit to Armand Hammer, but after falling for billy wood’s Maps earlier this year (spoiler: it’s coming later) I figured it was finally time to give this duo a shot. This was a perfect starting point for me, considering some of my favorite producers contributed to this project. JPEGMAFIA, El-P, Kenny Segal, and a dozen others come together to give this album a distinct, but not overwhelming sound. These songs run together surprisingly smooth while still staying varied. And billy woods and Elucid deliver intense and entertaining bars that match the manic energy of these songs. This is an album that could easily get lost in its own noise, but stays focused enough to keep you engaged. This is more than just a victory lap for billy woods, it is further evidence that he is one of the best rappers out right now.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. The Gods Must Be Crazy (feat. El-P)
  2. Trauma Mic (feat. Pink Siifu)
  3. Empire BLVD (feat. Junglepussy & Curly Castro)
  4. Woke Up and Asked Siri How I’m Gonna Die (feat. JPEGMAFIA)
  5. When It Doesn’t Start With A Kiss

33) Genesis Owusu – STRUGGLER

If you listened to Genesis Owusu’s brilliant 2021 debut Smiling With No Teeth, you know exactly how he rolls. Owusu’s strength has always been how he has been able to blend genres like hip-hop, R&B, and punk together to create a manic sound that is only elevated by his electric vocal performances. This sound worked wonders on Owusu’s debut and on Struggler he focused it to make a more streamlined album that still makes the most of it’s high-concept lyrics. This is exactly where I was hoping Owusu would take his sophomore record and an encouraging sign of things to come.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. Balthazar
  2. The Roach
  3. Leaving The Light
  4. Freak Boy
  5. Stuck To The Fan

32) The National – First Two Page of Frankenstein/Laugh Track

I couldn’t pick between these two albums so they’re both taking this spot. It is honestly impressive that The National had enough material for one, let alone two albums this year. After helping Taylor Swift make two of her best albums, the Dessners return with more ballads that will hit you straight in the heart. Speaking of Taylor Swift, she is one of several guests to appear on these records. It is clear The National are trying to expand their sound and audience and I think they pull it off remarkably well. “Tropic Morning News” was also one of my most listened to songs this year, quickly solidifying itself as one of the bands best tracks to date. The National is certainly not for everyone, but if you loved folklore and evermore and are willing to give this legendary group a shot, these albums are a great entry point.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. Tropic Morning News
  2. Weird Goodbyes (feat. Bon Iver)
  3. Alien
  4. Smoke Detector
  5. Eucalyptus

31) 100 gecs – 10,000 gecs

The wait for 100 gecs’ sophomore album felt long and concerning. Gecs had broken onto the scene with a wild hyperpop sound that was unlike anything that came before or has come after. Four years later, the charm of that debut is only amplified on an album that delivers everything we wanted from this duo. In just 27 minutes, 100 gecs treats us to one noisy blast of sound after another, combining several genres into a freakish mess that is still wildly entertaining to listen to. This is the kind of music that could get grating in less capable hands, but 100 gecs are focused on keeping these tracks feeling carefree and fun.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. Dumbest Girl Alive
  2. mememe
  3. Hollywood Baby
  4. The Most Wanted Person In The United States
  5. Billy Knows Jamie

30) Creeper – Sanguivore 

Whether it has been at the gym or on the subway, Creeper has been there for me with this album. After seeing so many artists minimize their sound during the pandemic, it is welcomed to see a band like this go out of their way to expand their already grandiose sound. There is no overselling just how big this gothic rock opera sounds and how well the band pulls it off. They’ve always been happy to display their Meat Loaf influences, but on Sanguivore they really reach for that level of rock and roll grandeur. Creeper are now on an insane hot streak of albums that shows no signs of slowing down and their ideas are only getting more wild.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. Further Than Forever
  2. Sacred Blasphemy
  3. More Than Death
  4. Cry To Heaven
  5. Lovers Led Astray

29) Travis Scott – UTOPIA

After years of anticipation, Travis Scott is finally back with another massive, star-studded project. This might not seem like anything surprising from Travis Scott, everyone knew we would get a big collection of bangers with crazy production, but in 2023 this feels unlike anything else in mainstream hip hop. Much like on Astroworld, Scott’s production creates an energetic atmosphere filled with highs and lows. Most of the guest features fit into their songs flawlessly, even giving Drake a solid verse. And in the few moments this album slows down, we are treated to some of the finest moments in mainstream hip hop all year. This is one of the year’s most entertaining releases and I have no shame admitting it was my most played record of 2023.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. MY EYES
  2. TELEKINESIS (feat. Future & SZA)
  3. DELRESTO (ECHOES) [feat. Beyoncé]
  4. TIL FURTHER NOTICE (feat. James Blake & 21 Savage)
  5. MODERN JAM (feat. Teezo Touchdown)

28) Ruston Kelly – The Weakness

Ruston Kelly has never been afraid to put his emotions in the forefront of his art. 2020’s Shape & Destroy was a brutally honest look at sobriety and now The Weakness is his response to his very public divorce from Kacey Musgraves. Kelly’s writing is extremely blunt, sparing no detail into his journey moving on from losing your partner and trying to move forward. Whether it is in the darkness of “The Weakness” or the odd humor of “Michael Keaton,” Kelly perfectly captures the anxieties and depression of a divorce. The album is another beautiful journey towards healing and one that Kelly delivers excellently.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. Michael Keaton
  2. Wicked Hands
  3. The Weakness
  4. Breakdown
  5. Mending Song

27) Geese – 3D Country

Fun fact: there is a way to do Led Zeppelin in 2023 without it being embarrassing. This is probably underselling how great Geese actually are. On 3D Country, they certainly wear their 60s and 70s rock influences on their sleeves. But what makes this album, and this band, so special is how they twist the sound in new ways to feel fresh for the modern age. Much of 3D Country doesn’t just sound like a drug-fueled trip, but a disturbing one that goes in every direction. It’s a chaotic ride through blues and Americana that is only made better with some magnetic vocal performances. This is a young band that is already making an impact with a very unique take on a familiar genre.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. 3D Country
  2. I See Myself
  3. Domoto
  4. Crusades
  5. 2122

26) Boygenius – the record

I’m no stranger to sad girl indie music. In fact, I’ve included each member of Boygenius on past Album of the Year lists. Expectations were through the roof for this project and somehow this album was able to meet them. Miraculously, no member of the trio gets lost in these songs. Each singer has a chance to shine vocally and lyrically, with one rarely overshadowing another. They all play into each other’s strengths to help really bring out the emotions of many of these tracks. If you’re a fan of one of these artists, odds are you love all three and have been listening to this album nonstop since it came out. Sad music rarely has this level of replay value, but somehow Boygenius keeps having you come back for more.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. Not Strong Enough
  2. $20
  3. Satanist
  4. True Blue
  5. Anti-Curse

25) Model/Actriz – Dogsbody

Many debuts from punk or noise rock bands can feel a bit stale or redundant. There might be some flashes of something interesting that get lost in predictable tropes. Model/Actriz has done the opposite here and blow away any expectations. Not only are the tracks on Dogsbody varied, but they grab and stay with you long after they’re over. The fuzzy guitars and danceable riffs do an excellent job of worshipping groups like Nine Inch Nails while offering plenty of new ideas. This is a dark, exciting release from a band whose charisma is bursting through their edgy exterior. If Model/Actriz are able to build off of this debut, they could very quickly become one of the best bands in this lane.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. Mosquito
  2. Pure Mode
  3. Donkey Show
  4. Maria
  5. Sun In

24) Danny Brown – Quaranta

This has been a hell of a year for Danny Brown. After putting out some killer features, putting out one of the best collaboration records in years (we’ll get to it), and going through rehab, Brown has finally put out his long-awaited ode to being in his 40s. Similar to 2011’s XXX, Quaranta is a reflection of where Brown is in his life and career. Brown mostly abandons the drugged-out, nutty energy of his earlier projects and instead embraces something a bit more personal, giving him a chance to rap about his struggles with his relationships and in the music industry. It is a unique side to Danny Brown, one we have rarely seen, and he pulls it off with ease. Despite being 42, Brown has not lost any of his talent as a writer or performer and delivers exactly what his fans have been hoping for.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. Dark Sword Angel
  2. Hanami
  3. Y.B.P (feat. Bruiser Wolf)
  4. Ain’t My Concern
  5. Celibate (feat. MIKE)

23) Amaarae – Fountain Baby

It sometimes takes a little bit of push to get me to check out the latest R&B records. I had no expectations for Fountain Baby outside a couple solid features I had heard from Amaarae. Nothing could have prepared me for just how special this album would be. First, the production on here is wild and unpredictable in a way that makes this stand out from similar records. There is energy and intensity that keeps these songs moving at a brisk pace and will have you coming back immediately after it ends. Amaarae’s voice is also so unique, walking a fine line between being delicate and self-assured, never getting lost in the beats. The hype behind this one is absolutely real and I look forward to seeing Amaarae’s star continue to rise.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. Counterfeit
  2. Sex, Violence, Suicide
  3. Angels in Tibet
  4. Come Home To God
  5. Co-Star

22) Wednesday – Rat Saw God

This might be Wednesday’s fifth album, but for myself and so many others this was their breakout debut. The group’s brand of indie rock with a country edge is the exact type of sound that I can get behind and unsurprisingly this record was an immediate hit with me. When indie rock bands can feel a dime a dozen, Wednesday does a great job of separating from the pack with their ambitious scope and sound. These songs really cut deep, whether it be the noisy production or deeply vulnerable lyrics. This band has a way of sounding both big and intimate, which is rare for most in the indie scene. I’m grateful to have finally gotten into this band in 2023 and I am confident there will be much more to hear down the line. Also, “Chosen to Deserve” is one of the best singles you will hear all year.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. Chosen to Deserve
  2. Bath County
  3. Bull Believer
  4. TV in the Gas Pump
  5. Quarry

21) Chappell Roan – The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess

There has been an ongoing narrative that the music industry has not been able to come out with impactful new pop stars. With a few exceptions, you can understand the argument. What I can’t understand, however, is how so many people are letting artists like Chappell Roan go unrecognized. This might be Roan’s debut, but she has been putting out great music for years and this album is a perfect encapsulation of that hard work. Roan’s voice is unique, adding a bit of grit and edge to some of the most infectious pop bangers you will hear in 2023. From the opening track, Roan takes you on an adventure of dancing and heartbreak. Her confidence as a performer is already clear and Dan Nigro’s production only amplifies her amazing talents. This is a bandwagon you are going to want to jump on as soon as possible.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. My Kink Is Karma
  2. Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl
  3. Femininomemon
  4. Naked In Manhattan
  5. After Midnight

20) Underscores – Wallsocket 

This album completely blew me away after my first listen. Hyperpop has always been an easy sell for me, anyone who reads these lists knows that, but Underscores takes the genre’s unpredictable and chaotic energy and transforms it into something entirely unique and personal to her. The production ranges from electronic to metal to folk and each sound plays perfectly in the world that Underscores crafts. The variety gives the album a larger-than-life scope that is only elevated by Underscores’ writing and storytelling that adds extra dramatic weight. For an artist so young, Underscores has already proven herself to be equally ambitious and talented and with more exposure and support I believe she will be able to build on this for a long time to come.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. Locals (Girls like us) [feat. gabby start]
  2. Geez louise (feat. henhouse!)
  3. Johnny johnny johnny
  4. Cops and robbers
  5. Old money bitch

19) Foo Fighters – But Here We Are

After the Foo Fighters lost drummer Taylor Hawkins, it felt like the band might be done for good. Shockingly, the band didn’t just come back, but did so relatively quickly and with one of their finest works to date. After over a decade of lackluster projects, everything about this record feels refreshing. Dave Grohl and company put genuine care into these lyrics, processing their feelings of grief in heartbreaking detail, while still focusing on a hopeful future. There is a real sense of catharsis across these songs, creating the most emotional engaging songs of this band’s long discography. Even with the serious subject matter, the band does not sacrifice their iconic rock sound. This album flows with heavy riffs and memorable hooks that make the tough moments go down with ease. The circumstances surrounding this record are tragic, no band should have to make an album like this. That being said, Foo Fighters rose to the occasion and put out one of their best records to date.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. The Teacher
  2. But Here We Are
  3. Rest
  4. The Glass
  5. Hearing Voices

18) Paramore – This is Why

There are few bands that I have felt have evolved with my own tastes as much as Paramore. Like everyone my age, I fell in love with the group when they were making some of the edgiest stuff a middle schooler could listen to. But now, after nearly two decades, Paramore is making the kind of mature post-punk that I love. They’ve taken the energy of their early work and brought it to a new sound that has strong riffs, sticky hooks, and the best songwriting we’ve seen from the band. It would have been so easy for Paramore to stick to what worked for them for years but between this and 2017’s After Laughter they’ve proven that whatever they set their minds to will come out incredible. 

Top Five Tracks:

  1. This is Why
  2. Figure 8
  3. The News
  4. Thick Skull
  5. Big Man, Little Dignity

17) Home Is Where – The Whaler

Like any good emo album, The Whaler is as captivating as it is depressing. The record loosely grapples with the question “what is 9/11 happened every day?” This is the kind of idea that obviously hits a bit harder in recent years as we are expected to get up and make it through a world filled with horrific trauma and tragedy. Home is Where captures that feeling with wildly varied production and deeply personal writing. Brandon MacDonald’s vocal delivery only adds more weight to each song as she really pours her soul out on each song. Even with the dark and depressing subject matter, the band finds plenty of grooves to create memorable riffs that make these 10 tracks go by with relative ease. This band was a great discovery in 2023 and dominated in a year filled with some terrific emo.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. Yes! Yes! A Thousand Times Yes!
  2. Everyday Feels Like 9/11
  3. Skin Meadow
  4. Floral Organs
  5. Daytona 500

16) McKinley Dixon – Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!?

In just 29 minutes, McKinley Dixon was able to make an album that is packed with more to talk about than record twice its length. Every aspect of this album is fully realized, from Dixon’s vivid storytelling to the colorful, jazzy instrumentation that gives this record a strong personality. The complex layers of each track demands one listen after another to try and pick apart every musical note and lyrical detail. Between this and his criminally underrated For My Mama and Anyone Who Look Like Her, Dixon has proven to have an ear for some absolutely stellar production and he makes the most of the short tracklist. Despite its small size, this album moves mountains and stands above nearly all the hip hop that came out this year.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. Tyler, Forever
  2. Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!? (feat. Ms. Jaylin Brown)
  3. Sun, I Rise (feat. Angélica Garcia)
  4. Dedicated to Tar Feather (feat. Anjimile)
  5. Live! from the Kitchen Table (feat. Ghais Guevara)

15) Jeff Rosenstock – Hellmode

We are now at the point where it seems Jeff Rosenstock will never miss with an album. Without ever drastically changing his punk aesthetic, Rosenstock is able to find new ways to make similar albums in a way few artists can. On Hellmode, we get a more introspective look at Rosenstock maturing and living in the post-Covid era. These are themes that could feel corny and redundant if someone who wasn’t Jeff Rosenstock was tackling them. Instead, the amount of genuine heart and energy he puts into each song makes this record feel miles better than most of the year’s punk records. His voice is never lost and is only getting more defined as he gets deeper into his career. 

Top Five Tracks:

  1. Liked U Better
  2. 3 Summers
  3. Graveyard Song
  4. Will U Still U
  5. Healmode

14) The Mountain Goats – Jenny from Thebes

I know every year I put a Mountain Goats album on this list, but I swear this one is especially deserving to be ranked among the year’s best. I’ll admit, this might be because this album is a bit of fan service, but I really do think this is one of the bands best albums in years. It’s a sequel to my favorite Mountain Goats album All Hail West Texas, telling the story of Jenny, a recurring character in the band’s songs. Hardcore fans will obviously be thrilled catching all the references to past songs and will surely love digging into this album’s narrative. Even if you’re more of a casual fan, the songwriting and production is absolutely worth checking out. John Darnielle is in top form again, leading a crew of accomplished musicians for a larger sound that gives this rock opera the scale it deserves. Love Mountain Goats or not, this is a great project and another high point in their discography.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. Fresh Tattoo
  2. Murder at the 18th St. Garage
  3. Jenny III
  4. Only One Way
  5. Cleaning Crew

13) Zach Bryan – Zach Bryan

If last year’s American Heartbreak put Zach Bryan on the map, this self-titled album confirmed he is going to be here for years to come. Even with such a fast turnaround, Zach Bryan delivers an album that is every bit as powerful as its predecessor. There was every incentive for Bryan to come through with a cleaner, more polished collection of radio hits, but he decided to stick to his Americana roots and create something more natural for him. Each song sounds raw, with hints of indie rock and folk, like they were recorded in Bryan’s home. Bryan’s songwriting continues to impress, giving his own personal touch to every moment on here. It’s the kind of personable writing that makes every intimate moment feel lived in and relatable. There are few artists in mainstream country, or country in general, that feel as genuine as Zach Bryan. I am so glad to see this album and Bryan blow up this year. There has never been a better time to dig into this guy’s work.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. East Side of Sorrow
  2. Jake’s Piano – Long Island
  3. Smaller Acts
  4. I Remember Everything (feat. Kacey Musgraves)
  5. Oklahoman Son

12) Lana Del Rey – Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd

In 2019, Lana Del Rey shocked me and several others when she dropped Norman Fucking Rockwell, the album that finally shed light onto what made her music so special to so many people. It was a beautiful record and was also far better than anything Lana Del Rey had done at that point. There were worries that those heights would not be able to be reached again. Now, just a few years later, Del Rey has once again outdone herself with another ambitious collection of powerful ballads. This record is not as immediately accessible, it actually took a few listens for me to even start to connect to it. But once this album sucks you in, it will hold onto you tight and not let go. This is a much darker album, with Del Rey never being afraid to dwell deep into her most vulnerable thoughts and memories to paint a vivid image of herself. This is the type of bold statement that feels like a true follow-up to the raw emotion of Norman Fucking Rockwell and at moments even surpasses that album’s excellence.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. A&W
  2. Fingertips
  3. Let The Light In (feat. Father John Misty)
  4. Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd
  5. Grandfather please stand on the shoulders of my father while he’s deep-sea fishing (feat. RIOPY)

11) Jessie Ware – That! Feels Good!

As someone who very rarely goes out dancing, this album made me want to go to the club. What makes That! Feels Good! work so well is that it knows exactly what kind of album it is and does not stray from that at all. Jessie Ware set out to make maximalist, sexy, danceable disco songs and she did just that and the results are pure joy. The moment this album starts you’ll want to start moving and singing along with Ware’s magnetic vocals. While this album takes obvious influence from classic disco records, the production team is able to do enough to make this feel fresh and unique to 2023. Jessie Ware has always been great at crafting retro dance cuts, but on this album she really steps it up and makes the best work of her already phenomenal career. 

Top Five Tracks:

  1. Hello Love
  2. Free Yourself
  3. Pearls
  4. Lightning
  5. Begin Again

10) Caroline Polachek – Desire, I Want to Turn Into You

Caroline Polachek has always been an artist I’ve been late to the party on. I missed out on Chairlift during the height of their success, then I let 2019’s Pang totally slip by me. Thankfully, I got on track just in time for Polachek’s career-best work here. Desire walks a fine line with its sound, both pushing for big soundscapes while still feeling intimate. The result is unlike anything I’ve heard from a pop album all year. The intricate and varied production mixed with Polachek’s commanding voice instantly pulls you in and has you picking apart every small detail. It manages to do all this while still staying true to itself as a pop album. The hooks across the board are big and danceable, making this a rare album that feels appropriate for nearly any occasion. No other pop record stuck with me in the way this one did. I might have gotten onto the Caroline Polacheck bandwagon late, but I am so glad I didn’t miss it.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. I Believe
  2. Bunny Is a Rider
  3. Fly to You (feat. Grimes & Dido)
  4. Billions
  5. Sunset

9) Sampha – Lahai

It has been six long years since Sampha graced us with his debut Process. Since then, he largely vanished, only giving us an occasional feature. It turns out that during that time Sampha had his first child, something that he reflects deeply on over this project. As someone who lost his parents, Sampha details the anxieties of raising his daughter and wanting to be there for her as long as possible. It is a beautiful reflection of life and fatherhood, told in delicate detail by Sampha’s mesmerizing vocals. And as expected from Sampha, the electronic production creates dreamlike soundscapes that adds to an already powerful listening experience. As much as I hate to think about waiting another handful of years for another project, if this is the level that Sampha is going to continuing working at, I am more than happy waiting for him.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. Evidence
  2. Spirit 2.0
  3. Only
  4. Can’t Go Back
  5. Dancing Circles

8) Hot Mulligan – Why Would I Watch

This is an album I only needed to hear once before knowing I was about to listen to it nonstop for the rest of the year. Sure enough, Hot Mulligan became one of my top artists of 2023. Fans of emo have certainly heard music like this, Hot Mulligan is not breaking the mold on this album, but I have not had this much fun with an emo album in years. Soaring hooks, intense vocal deliveries, energetic riffs, this album has everything you can dream of and its all turned up 200%. Once you press play on the first track, this album grabs you and pushes you through with one killer song after another, piercing you with big sounds and big emotions. Despite what the song titles would have you believe, the writing is shockingly mature and packs a hell of a punch when you sit with them. This is everything I want from an emo album condensed into 37 minutes of pure enjoyment. This is an album I know will stick with me for years to come, whether on a run or a late subway ride, and will never fail to hit with the same intensity it did when I first heard it.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. No Shoes in the Coffee Shop (Or Socks)
  2. And I Smoke
  3. John “the Rock” Cena, Can You Smell What the Undertaker
  4. Gans Media Retro Games
  5. It’s a Family Movie She Hates Her Dad

7) awakebutstillinbed – Chaos Takes the Wheel and I Am a Passenger

Many of us wonder what life as a musician would be like. Going city to city, show to show, far from your home and the people you love. On their sophomore album, awakebutstillinbed reflect on reaching that level of success in a way that is brutal and exhausting in the best possible way. Each song has pure raw emotion behind it, as Shannon Taylor reflects on her lonely, desperate, and introspective thoughts across long emo epics that hit you directly in the heart. Emo is known for drifting into melodrama, but this album grounds each of its most dramatic moments with so much human emotion that it is impossible not to get caught up in. Taylor’s intense vocal delivery can switch on a dime, launching you from one feeling to another all within the same song. This album got to me in a way very few did. This is one of the most personal releases of the year and earns every second of its length.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. Airport
  2. Streamline
  3. Enough
  4. Bloodline
  5. Redlight

6) billy woods & Kenny Segal – Maps

Similar to awakebutstillinbed’s new album, Maps is also an exploration of life on the road as a musician. We follow billy woods as he navigated the chaos of going from one city and hotel room to another, all with a dizzying amount of detail. The writing makes this album feel massive, taking you through a disorienting journey around the country. woods’ delivery only helps you buy into the experience, perfectly conveying the intense and exhausting environment these songs were written in. Kenny Segal’s production is also pitch-perfect for each song. It will put you at ease and then uncomfortable, mixing up styles and instrumentation, adding to this project’s chaos. This is easily the most heartfelt album I have heard from billy woods. He finally put together an album that has production and themes that match his clever and vivid storytelling. This is one of the best underground hip hop albums of the decade and a career high for both billy woods and Kenny Segal.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. Year Zero (feat. Danny Brown)
  2. FaceTime (feat. Samuel T. Herring)
  3. Waiting Around (feat. Aesop Rock)
  4. NYC Tapwater
  5. Soundcheck (feat. Quelle Chris)

5) Spanish Love Songs – No Joy

I’ll be honest, I put an unreasonable amount of expectation behind No Joy. Spanish Love Song’s last album Brave Faces Everyone is probably my top album for the decade and has only gotten better since 2020. Despite these high expectations, Spanish Love Songs still delivered yet another collection of brutal, pressing punk tracks that blew me away. The band pushes their sound to incorporate more pop-leaning production with synths, a move that has sank many rock groups. Instead, it just makes these dark, depressed songs stand out even more. The group doesn’t use this sound to distract from the pain, but to further emphasize it while still making something you’ll want to blast on repeat. There are many similarities to Brave Faces Everyone, but No Joy focused less on crumbling societies and looks inward at depression and the push to keep moving forward. Even if they don’t reach the same heights as their last record, Spanish Love Songs have now solidified themselves as one of the best punk bands out now and a group that I can now count on to deliver one classic after another.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. Haunted
  2. Clean-Up Crew
  3. Re-Emerging Signs of the Apocalypse
  4. Lifers
  5. I’m Gonna Miss Everything

4) JPEGMAFIA & Danny Brown – Scaring the Hoes

It is relatively easy to know who to recommend this album to. If you like JPEGMAFIA and Danny Brown’s solo work, but wish they got even crazier with their sounds, well I got an album for you. From the artists attached to the album title, this record comes exactly as advertised. One song after another, JPEGMAFIA and Danny Brown trade irreverent bars with wild energy over some of the most chaotic production you will hear on a hip hop album this year. Each song sounds blares like a collage of samples that might drive listeners insane, but the more I heard these tracks the more the production became crucial to every moment. It is honestly mind-blowing to see what JPEGMAFIA was able to get cleared for this. Everything from Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga and Kelis’ “Milkshake” make their ways into these beats. The sound is so overwhelming you almost miss many of this duo’s laugh-out-loud hilarious bars. That being said, there are very few artists who could rise to the occasion of being heard over this production and both JPEGMAFIA and Brown do it with ease. Their natural chemistry comes better than advertised and it makes me hoping we get more of these collabs in the years to come.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. Burfect!
  2. Fentanyl Tester
  3. Orange Juice Jones
  4. God Love You
  5. Kingdom Hearts Key (feat. redveil)

3) Lil Yachty – Let’s Start Here.

Going into 2023, the odds of Lil Yachty making a top 50 list, let alone the top 3, were incredibly low. Pretty much the only way Yachty could’ve impressed me this year was making a psychedelic opus along the lines fo Let’s Start Here. Now I am more than aware there are probably psych rock purists who will say this is a cheap imitation of the real thing and this is not as impressive as it looks from the outside. My response is simply that I don’t care because this is one of the best listening experiences I’ve had in 2023. What makes this record work is despite being a huge change from the rest of Yachty’s discography, he still keeps the personality that made even his weaker projects seem charming. The obvious highlight of this project is the production, which was assembled by an impressive list of talent. From Unknown Mortal Orchestra to Magdalena Bay, some of the best names in the genre come together to make a sound that flows naturally from track to track. Moments like “the ride-“ and “sHouLd i B?” deliver sticky pop hooks that are groovy and danceable while songs like “drive ME crazy!” capture surprisingly R&B excellence. Lil Yachty’s classic auto-tuned vocals stay at the forefront and never feel out of place in the mix. It is impossible to say what an album like this means for Lil Yachty. Whether it is a shift into a new career or a one-off experiment, it will always stand out as a massive moment in his career. There have been few artists who made a left turn this dramatic and even fewer who did it so well.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. the ride-
  2. IVE OFFICIALLY LOST ViSiON!!!!!
  3. the BLACK seminole.
  4. drive ME crazy!
  5. sHouLd i B?

2) Sufjan Stevens – Javelin 

This is unfortunately an album that is difficult to discuss now that we know the tragic circumstances surrounding it. Sufjan Stevens dedicated this project to his late partner, who passed away earlier this year, casting an inescapably heavy cloud over this album. Despite this unimaginable pain, the album does not feel hopeless. Stevens clearly set out to make a record that does not dwell on loss, but celebrates life and love. The result is one of the most powerful artistic statements Stevens has made in his long career. His songwriting walks a thin line between personal and universal, making these songs feel especially intimate as he lets you into his deepest emotions. And even though this album was put together by Stevens at his home, it feels grandiose. These songs feel cinematic in scale, soaring to great emotional peaks, refusing to stay dark and quiet. This expressive instrumentation only pulls more emotion out of Stevens’ soft vocals. As always, he feels at ease and personally connected to each word he sings. There was not a moment on this project that did not have me reflecting on my own life and my relationships with the people in it. This is the kind of deeply introspective album that might not be fun to dive into, but will reward anyone who chooses to. A perfect companion to Carrie & Lowell and a new benchmark in Stevens’ discography.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. Will Anybody Ever Love Me?
  2. Shit Talk
  3. My Red Little Fox
  4. Goodbye Evergreen
  5. So You Are Tired

1) Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit – Weathervanes

When reflecting on 2023, I was tempted to overthink the best album of the year. Jason Isbell has long been one of my favorite singer-songwriters so it almost felt predictable for him to top this list. But the more I listened to Weathervanes, the more it was undeniable that nothing was coming close to it for me. For the last decade, Isbell has been on a legendary run of albums. Across that time he has focused on his sobriety, his complicated role as a husband and a father, and the world that surrounds him. On Weathervanes, Isbell acknowledges the limitations of his influence to fix those around him. Whether he is reflecting on his personal relationships or the latest mass shooting, he shows a vulnerable side to himself, knowing he can only do so much. Even the album’s most tender moments are accompanied by lyrics highlighting Isbell’s flaws with pure honesty. It is not just the songwriting that feels raw, but the production as well. Isbell takes back producing responsibilities, moving on from longtime producer Dave Cobb. As much as I love Cobb’s production work, Isbell’s work is much more vivid, adding real weight to the instrumentation. This extra heft only makes these songs feel all the more personal, drawing out every feeling from Isbell’s performances. I have always held 2013’s Southeastern as a modern country classic, it has helped me get through some of the darkest moments of my life. That being said, Weathervanes just might surpass it to be the greatest album Isbell has ever put out. There are hours upon hours of material to be drawn from this. Not a single moment feels out of place or unsuccessful. In a year where country and southern rock have never been bigger, this album felt like it came at a perfect time to blow everything out the water. There is not a person I wouldn’t feel comfortable recommending this to. You could be a longtime fan of Isbell’s work or just now discovering country, either way there will be plenty for you to fall in love with on here.

Top Five Tracks:

  1. Death Wish
  2. Miles
  3. King of Oklahoma
  4. Save the World
  5. When We Were Close

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