DEAR SWEET AND FLUFFY LORD there were a lot of albums released this year. Too many to count, too many to even know of … far too many altogether for anyone to pretend they know all the best, or the worst.
A lot of them got played at my place, on vinyl and CD, as streams and downloads – but not on cassette: that’s just stupid – and where I could, I wrote about them or the people who made them. But even that “a lot” is a sliver of what’s available, and wholly dependent on my inclinations – and there ain’t no accounting for that!
So if you’re looking for a definitive list of the best 2023, forgedaboutit. But if you want to know what pleased, entertained, thrilled and moved me, and therefore what I’d recommend you listen to, then read on!
As well as 23* favourites, in no particular order, you get 20 more which I can assure you will reward your dollars or your ears, and might on another day have been part of the top 23 list. And if you want to know more, where I reviewed the album or interviewed the artist, you’ll find a link to my scribblings; where I didn’t, there’s a link to someone else’s words.
(*The eagle-eyed among you will detect that while there are 23 artists there are actually 24 albums, but as it’s my house and my rules, I’m including the albums released by The National this year as a single entry.)
Then, as the gift with (no) purchase, or your early Christmas present - no, you're welcome! - here is a link to a playlist featuring tracks from each of the 43 albums so you can begin further explorations and (hopefully) buy them. Preferably from the artist, an independent record store or Bandcamp, but really anywhere you buy is fine, just buy them.
Speaking of playlists …
I've also made a bumper playlist of my favourite songs – the most played, the most enjoyed – of the year. That's seven hours of music, or 110 songs. A lot, I know, but se above reference to how much music came out this year.
If you’ve been tracking the playlists I put up each Monday, some of these will already be familiar, but here they are in one handy location perfect for the long holiday drive, a New Year’s Eve soundtrack, or for secretly boning up on before end of year parties so you can impress* the cool kids.
(*Warning: you won’t impress the cool kids. They will only laugh at you, and me.)
ENOUGH PREAMBLE, MY 23 FAVOURITES START HERE ...
ROMY – MID AIR
Sensual, danceable, euphoric even in pain. Someone’s in love and lust.
Read the review of Mid Air
LEAH SENIOR – THE MUSIC THAT I MAKE
Frank thoughts on need and ambition navigate folk through pop’s hinterland.
PJ HARVEY – I INSIDE THE OLD YEAR DYING
Poetic and practical, spare and out-of-its-time.
JASON ISBELL – WEATHERVANES
A compassionate investigation of how we live, unafraid of anger or tears, guitars or harmonies.
Read the review of Weathervanes
JENNY LEWIS – JOY’ALL
Buoyant but ready to be brutal too, in pop songs laced with country and guarded optimism.
TROYE SIVAN – SOMETHING TO GIVE EACH OTHER
Horny pop meets frisky dance. Repeat. With pleasure.
GLEN HANSARD – ALL THAT WAS EAST IS WEST OF ME NOW
Hard-earned “wisdom” is questioned, soul/folk/rock deployed.
ANGIE MCMAHON – LIGHT DARK, LIGHT AGAIN
How do you come out of despair? Tentatively but with openness and beauty.
Read a review of Light Dark, Light Again
THE NATIONAL – FIRST TWO PAGES and LAUGH TRACK
The restoration of a great band in two parts: first in questioning, then in certainty.
JEN CLOHER – I AM THE RIVER, THE RIVER IS ME
Elemental issues of identity and past explored, with tenderness.
JESSIE WARE – THAT! FEELS GOOD!
Ware as mother, lover, dancer, seeker, baker, maker, shaker – in euphoric mode,
RVG – BRAIN WORMS
Songs arrive first as emotional gut punches, then sneak up as thoughtful sucker punches. Australian Music Prize winner for a reason.
MO’JU – ORO PLATA MATA
Creativity, family and resistance made as soul.
EVERYTHING BUT THE GIRL – FUSE
A fresh-sounding return that connects to the past but feels complex and modern.
CUB SPORT – JESUS AT THE GAY BAR
Transition complete from indie pop and personal exploration to electronic dance and personal wisdom.
BOYGENIUS – THE RECORD
Three minds melded, styles blended, honesty and humour beneath.
SLEAFORD MODS – UK GRIM
Unforgiving and pulsing, both rhythmically and lyrically – a compelling picture.
BILLY NOMATES – CACTI
Moments of smoothness or movement accompanied by ones sharp, painful or pungent.
MARGO PRICE – STRAYS
Genre? Sound? Price goes where she wants, which is everything, everywhere, all at once.
HANNAH CAMERON – HOLDING PATTERN
Rhythmic, intense but low key rock in deep tones.
PERRY KEYES – BLACK & WHITE TOWN
The inner life of the inner ‘burbs, punched up with brass & verve.
SOFIA KOURTESIS – MADRES
Dance deployed as a healer and a spark.
CORINNE BAILEY RAE – BLACK RAINBOWS
Inspired by works of art and archive, Rae digs into Black lives and sounds.
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BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE - 20 MORE ALBUMS YOU SHOULD HEAR
LISA O’NEILL – ALL OF THIS IS CHANCE
FANNY LUMSDEN – HEY DAWN
LLOYD COLE – ON PAIN
CAROLINE POLACHEK – DESIRE, I WANT TO TURN INTO YOU
TINY RUINS – CEREMONY
GENESIS OWUSU – STRUGGLER
RON SEXSMITH – THE VIVIAN LINE
RAYE – MY 21ST CENTURY BLUES
GASLIGHT ANTHEM – HISTORY BOOKS
LORI MCKENNA – 1988
CATHERINE MCQUADE – KISS HIM GOODBYE
SG LEWIS – AUDIOLUST & HIGHER LOVE
CASH SAVAGE & THE LAST DRINKS – SO THIS IS LOVE
MILK CARTON KIDS – I ONLY SEE THE MOON
JESS KLEIN – WHEN WE RISE
BAD//DREEMS – THE HOO HA
HISS GOLDEN MESSENGER – JUMP FOR JOY
ROBERT FORSTER – THE CANDLE AND THE FLAME
BLACKBIRDS – MAGICLANDS
BUD ROKESKY - OUTSIDER
