2023 Best: Albums

I am a music nerd, but I nearly forgot about it.

After years of being consumed by election cycles, breaking news updates, every ridiculous tweet from D*nald Tr*mp, undiagnosed ADHD , and just not keeping up with music like I used to — I made more space for creative pursuits this year and started obsessively listening to new music again. And the amount of good music released this year was overwhelming.

I’m hoping this space becomes a place to rediscover what I liked about writing about music and pop culture in 2024. And what better way to start than writing about my top 20 favorite albums of 2023, along with too many honorable mentions? Let’s get into it:

20. Wilco: Cousin

I have to admit, this record really didn’t move me after the first listen. I was underwhelmed after the second listen too. But I was immediately struck by the subtlety, and the persistent feeling of tension that many songs on this album share — building to a crescendo that never opens up into a classic Wilco jam. Nowhere is that more evident than on the opening track, “Infinite Surprise.” But by the third listen, everything made sense, including the left-field pop sensibilities that Cate LeBon injected into this record as producer. Jeff Tweedy’s vocals and lyrics are some of his most anxious and introspective yet. “I love to take my meds / Like my doctor said
But I worry / If I shouldn’t instead” I’m so grateful that Wilco is still pushing boundaries and making incredible music after all of these years. Highlights: “Levee” and “Cousin” | Bandcamp

19. Jess Williamson: Time Isn’t Accidental

“Is it a one-time dream or a country queen that you take me for?” It seems appropriate that I was driving while listening to the jaw-droppingly beautiful and sparse Time Isn’t Accidental for the first time. Lyrically, I feel like I entered the brain of someone alone with their thoughts while driving the vast expanse of West Texas, contemplating love lost. The propulsive piano of “Hunter” echoed in my head for months. Long may Queen Jess Williamson reign the nighttime country/folk/pop ballads. Highlights: “Hunter” and “Topanga Two Step” | Bandcamp

18. Armand Hammer: We Buy Diabetic Test Strips

It is currently 46 degrees and foggy on Christmas Eve in Michigan as I write this. Our state of geopolitical affairs is a nightmare. We Buy Diabetic Test Strips is the moody, apocalyptic rap album for our time, with tracks titled like “Woke Up And Asked Siri How I’m Gonna Die,” “The Gods Must Be Crazy,” and “Don’t Lose Your Job.” This album is unsettling, but at many times beautiful, and evoked that same it’s-all-gonna-end-isn’t-it feeling of listening to UNKLE’s 1998 debut album Psyence Fiction for the first time. If the world ends soon, at least we have one hell of a soundtrack to listen to while watching it burn. Highlights: “Woke Up And Asked Siri How I’m Gonna Die” and “The Key Is Under The Mat” | Bandcamp

17. Spencer Cullum: Spencer Cullum’s Coin Collection 2

If it weren’t for a Bandcamp feature, I never would have discovered this beguiling, timeless, and charming-as-hell record from pedal steel guitar virtuoso Spencer Cullum. Spencer Cullum’s Coin Collection 2 is a love letter to psychedelic British folk ala Robert Wyatt. The instrumentation is absolutely gorgeous (let’s hear it for the woodwinds!), and the lyrics are endlessly clever (ala Wyatt, XTC, etc.) and feel like something from another time. Simply put, this record is unlike anything else out there right now. Highlights: “Kingdom Weather” and “Out of Focus” | Bandcamp

16. Yaeji: With A Hammer

This was a year of albums that sounded like nothing else, and With A Hammer is no exception. It’s a 13-song journey through a bouncy, cathartic, and playful pastiche of pop, house, hip-hop, and trip-hop goodness with breathy, dreamy vocals, introspective lyrics, and minimal but incredible instrumentation and production. If this is how she’s exploring rage, then she’s having a really fun time doing it. Highlights: “Submerge FM” and “Happy” | Bandcamp

15. Feeble Little Horse: Girl With Fish

“I know you want me, freak” is the opening line of the year. For a self-recorded and self-produced album, the 26-ish minute runtime of Girl With Fish sounds BIG, crisp, and confident — but also fuzzy, unsure, glitchy, aptly feeble even. Vocalist Lydia Slocum’s delivery is lackadaisical but also pissed off. While the 90’s slacker, shoegaze-inspired fuzz and distortion seem to increase with every track, there’s still this feeling of tension that they’re holding back — and it’s perfect. Highlights: “Tin Man” and “Sweet” | Bandcamp

14. Olivia Rodrigo: GUTS

I don’t think I’ve ever encountered an album that has so perfectly captured the rollercoaster of emotions that is your late teens/early twenties, especially when it comes to dating…until GUTS. Olivia Rodrigo just hits the sweet spot of early aughts pop-punk, clever girl-fronted Britpop ala Elastica, and saccharine riot grrrl for me. Her lyrics are clever and wise beyond her years. I much prefer it when she’s rocking out, but even the ballads start growing on me with repeated spins of this record. If Olivia is sounding this damn good on her sophomore record, then I can’t wait for her third. Highlights: “bad idea right?” and “pretty isn’t pretty” | Spotify

13. 12 Rods: If We Stayed Alive

I had zero previous knowledge of Twin Cities cult-darling 12 Rods, but this album smacked me in the face upon first listen with its hazy, muffled hooks and 80’s dreamlike bedroom pop production. Ryan Olcott’s vocals took some getting used to for me personally, but after two listens I couldn’t imagine these songs fronted by anyone else. “Private Spies” is a gut punch of distinct chord progressions that continues to blow me away. There’s just no bad song on this record. Highlights: “Private Spies” and “Twice” | Bandcamp

12. MIKE: Burning Desire

Is there anything MIKE can’t do? The rapper dropped THREE albums within the span of the year, and while I’d consider them all to be top-tier, this concept album about a masked killer seeking revenge (“Michael Myers but with dreads”) is his most ambitious, creative, and engaging release yet. Under normal circumstances, I’d roll my eyes at the 24-track, nearly hour-long runtime, but with the introspective and downright funny lyrics and dreamy earworm samples, I find myself disappointed that this totally engrossing album ends too soon. It’s also worth noting that Burning Desire features the best damn cover art of the year. Highlights: “plz don’t cut my wings” and “Sixteens” | Bandcamp

11. L’Rain: I Killed Your Dog

I Killed Your Dog is decidedly an album’s album, best appreciated when listened to in full. Blurry, abstract, dreamy, and haunting, this album defies simple categorization, running the gamut of R&B, psychedelia, soul, dream pop, and ambient music. Yet, it stands out as Taja Cheek’s most accessible and cohesive release yet. “New Year’s UnResolution” is my favorite album closers of the year, with the repeated line, “Will you forget me along the way?” haunting my psyche as we hurtle toward another rotation around the sun. Highlights: “5 to 8 Hours a Day (WWwaG)” and “New Year’s UnResolution” | Bandcamp

10. PYNKIE: Songies

Described by the New Jersey-based Lindsey Radice (aka PYNKIE) as “songs that are relatively short, sweet, and to the point ~ they’re a little *weird* while also being very song-y,” Songies is a sweet summer breeze of dreamy, lo-fi bedroom pop perfection. I simply love Lindsey’s vocals. A little twee, a little shoegaze, a little Liz Phair — the only knock against this record is that it’s over too soon but endlessly repeatable. Highlights: “Unsee” and “Plz” | Bandcamp

9. Wednesday: Rat Saw God

Rat Saw God was my first introduction to this band, and boy did it hit. Call it grunge, call it shoegaze, call it country, call it “countrygaze” (apparently one of my most frequently listened to genres of the year per Spotify) …. this is just a really great indie rock record. The muscular, nearly deep-fried guitar licks wash over like Michigan humidity on a late summer evening, and the lyrics paint a clear picture of this Asheville, North Carolina band wearing its Blue Ridge Appalachian hearts on their sleeves. Highlights: “Got Shocked” and “Quarry” | Bandcamp

8. JPEGMAFIA & Danny Brown: SCARING THE HOES

Is this the rap supergroup version of 100 gecs? Calling this record SCARING THE HOES is right on the money, as this is a glitchy and simply insane listen from front to back …. which may scare some hoes. JPEGMAFIA and Danny Brown are truly on the same level lyrically but often have clashing flow styles that frankly fit the Adderall-fueled vibe of this record. The samples are all over the map, moving seamlessly from N*Sync to Kelis and a Nextel chirp. This is probably the most fun I had listening to a record this year. Highlights: “Steppa Pig” and “Kingdom Hearts Key” | Bandcamp

7. Yo La Tengo: This Stupid World

I was recently talking to my husband about the trend of bands (particularly bands that started out in the indie realm) dragging on their output for too damn long — releasing major-label-radio-friendly albums that are a mere watered-down shadow of their finest work. Yo La Tengo formed in Hoboken forty years ago as of 2024, and This Stupid World is proof they’re still at the top of their game. There’s classic YLT loud droning on here, but also plenty of beautiful, understated moments. It’s also always a pleasure to get bassist James McNew on lead vocals on “Tonight’s Episode.” How do all three members of this band possess some of the most calming and charming vocals out there today? Highlights (I couldn’t NOT pick 3): “Fallout,” “Aselestine,” and “Apology Letter” | Bandcamp

6. Núria Graham: Cyclamen

Early on in her career, Irish-Catalan musician Núria Graham responded to a question about influences that “nothing specific” inspired her but that “everything inspired me at the same time.” That’s exactly what Cyclamen sounds like — an ambitious, cohesive collection of 13 tracks that build a surreal universe of baroque folk and pop, hypnotic vocals, and beguiling lyrics buttressed by lush strings and woodwinds. I’m reminded of Jon Brion, some of Sufjan Stevens’ early work on Michigan and Seven Swans, and even a little PJ Harvey (especially on “Disaster in Napoli”). It’s hard to believe this was released back in January because it sounds completely new upon every listen. Highlights: “Fire Mountain Oh Sacred Ancient Fountain” and “Gloria” | Spotify

5. Sampha: Lahai

Like Wilco’s Cousin, Lahai is a slow sipper that didn’t quite hit upon the first listen, but by the third listen, I was completely and utterly entranced. This record feels so calming, light, and floaty while full of rich textures, shifting beats, introspective lyrics, and piano loops that feel transcendent. It is absolutely no wonder that Sampha is one of the most sought-after collaborators in hip-hop, soul, and R&B right now. This is an absolute stunner in every way, and words are failing me to express how much I fell in love with this record in the last few weeks of the year. Highlights: “Suspended” and “Evidence” | Bandcamp

4. Hotline TNT: Cartwheel

Another 2023 record that packs an absolute gut punch of hooks in a tight 33-minute runtime. I’ve followed Hotline TNT for a few years now, and it’s honestly a delight to hear Will Anderson’s vocals more prominently in the mix. This album is big, bright, hopeful, and surprisingly jangly at moments. The classic shoegaze tones and earworm hooks make Cartwheel really stand out from the modern shoegaze revival, clearly unafraid of venturing into pop and power pop territory. It’s a major evolution from previous releases while staying true to their existing body of work. An instant classic. Highlights: “Son In Law” and “Stump” | Bandcamp

3. Andy Shauf: Norm

Imagine my surprise when I found out that this absolutely gorgeous folk/chamber pop record is told from the perspective of three narrators — a stalker named Norm, God, and an ex. Andy Shauf is a master of storytelling and smart musical arrangements, and Norm is no exception. There are absolutely beautiful things happening in every moment of this record, and Andy’s voice is a soothing balm for the dark turns this ambitious concept record takes. Understated, yet one of the most epic records I spent time with this year. Highlights: “Halloween Store” and “Don’t Let It Get To You” | Bandcamp

2. Double Wish: Light Split Sparkle (Expanded)

“All bangers all the time,” in the words of Succession’s eldest boy Kendall Roy, is how I would best describe the Ocean County-based band’s Light Split Sparkle. Self-described purveyors of “dark sunshine pop,” this release was sunshine on a gloomy Midwestern afternoon in March. In August, Double Wish released an expanded version of the EP with two new tracks. This album is dream pop perfection, with those chimey guitars I love and plenty of late ‘90’s alt rock flair mixed with a little early aughts indie pop. Any of these songs — but especially “Edge to Edge” — sound like something I would have loved in 2003. And guess what? I still love it now. This was probably my most frequently played record in 2023. Really looking forward to whatever killer hooks these guys are cooking up next. Highlights: “Sugary Plum” and “Pleasure” | Bandcamp

1. Kelela: Raven

It’s appropriate that Raven feels like jumping in a sea of swirling synths, hypnotic beats, icy vocals, and reverb because it sounds like this album was recorded underwater in a submarine. Upon first listen this album hit me as hard as Frank Ocean’s Blonde or Solange’s When I Get Home—it’s a fully immersive R&B and dance record, best listened to in full. It’s sexy. It’s as emotional as it is distant and cold.

I find it difficult to get through an album with a runtime of over an hour these days, but I so easily get lost in the sonic landscape that is Raven, and that’s why it was an easy choice for my album of the year. Highlights: “Bruises” and “Enough for Love” | Bandcamp

You can find a playlist featuring my favorite songs from each album in the top 20 here:

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Honestly, any record in this category could have made the top 20, and I think what all these records have in common is the fact that I just didn’t get enough time with them. In no particular order:

• En Attendant Ana, Principia | Bandcamp
• Liv.e, Girl In The Half Pearl | Bandcamp
• Dari Bay, Longest Day Of The Year | Bandcamp
• Protomartyr, Formal Growth In The Desert | Bandcamp
• Carly Rae Jepsen, The Loveliest Time | Spotify
• King Krule, Space Heavy | Bandcamp
• El Michels Affair & Black Thought, Glorious Game | Bandcamp
• Laura Groves, Radio Red | Bandcamp
• Marnie Stern, The Comeback Kid | Bandcamp
• Salami Rose Joe Louis, Akousmatikous | Bandcamp
• The Tubs, Dead Meat | Bandcamp
• Sharp Pins, Turtle Rock | Bandcamp
• Drop Nineteens, Hard Light | Bandcamp
• Lucinda Chua, YIAN | Bandcamp
• Rozi Plain, Prize | Bandcamp
• Sofia Kourtesis, Madres | Bandcamp
• KNOWER, KNOWER FOREVER | Bandcamp
• Loraine James, Gentle Confrontation | Bandcamp
• Larry June & The Alchemist, The Great Escape | Spotify
• PACKS, Crispy Crunchy Nothing | Bandcamp
• Ratboys, The Window | Bandcamp
• Julie Byrne, The Greater Wings | Bandcamp
• @, Mind Palace Music | Bandcamp
• Lil Yachty, Let’s Start Here. | Spotify
• Hello Mary, S/T | Bandcamp
• Diners, DOMINO | Bandcamp
• Frankie Rose, Love As Projection | Bandcamp