My Top 5 Albums of 2023
the year of R&B and house
2023 was one hell of a year, huh? What seems like the first normal year post-pandemic, we have been spoiled with yet another year of beautiful music, especially in the latter half of the year. My end of year lists tend to have themes: 2021, pop and soul; 2022, rap; and this year, 2023, R&B, often with house and 90’s influences. The names of most of my selections are hyperlinked with my review of the albums I’ve done over the year. Without further ado, my honorable mentions, Hall of Shame, and top 5 albums of the year.
Honorable Mentions
Obsidian by Naomi Sharon:
This album grew on me quickly as Naomi Sharon put together a solid effort with the resources of OVO. This was one of many R&B projects that ensnared my ears this year and for good reason. Sharon’s chill-inducing, high-flying vocals leave nothing to be desired, only that she would never stop. I’ll be interested in seeing where she goes from here and whether she will carve a spot for herself in the R&B scene or be another name stuck in Drake’s shadow.
Favorite Tracks: Another Life, Definition of Love, Hills
Masego by Masego:
Leaning into his strengths with a saxophone in hand, the neo-jazz prodigy finally seems to have found his sound. The self-titled album is well-rounded, consistent, and a better experience than his previous effort as he expands his repertoire. Traversing through fame and the struggles of self-identity, Masego shines on tracks with simpler production. While the lows are forgettable, the highs of Masego are beautiful.
Favorite Tracks: You Never Visit Me, Sax Fifth Avenue, Remembering Sundays
How Do You Sleep at Night? by Teezo Touchdown:
The echo-chamber that is Twitter, X, whatever, would have you believe this was one of the worst albums of the year. Personally, I enjoyed it. It definitely reminds me of a cheesy, dramatic teenage coming-of-age movie in the best way possible. Teezo has pipes, and people have sort of overlooked that. I think Teezo made the album Lil’ Yachty thought he made (no hate to Yachty tho) in that it expanded beyond a singular genre more often, at times better than Lets Start Here.
Favorite Tracks: Sweet, You Thought, Familiarity
Hall of Shame
For All The Dogs by Drake:
The effort just isn’t there anymore. A lot of the inadequacies of FATD were addressed in the expansion pack of the album in Scary Hours 3, but the fabled “old” Drake has faded into a wisp of the early digital era, his initial fanbase now soured to his infantile antics. Would another album of this quality capsize Drake’s credibility? No. But like Celtic’s Shaq and Wizard’s Mike, it hurts to watch a legend, who shone every night in crunch time, only show flashes of the flair that was so prevalent in their prime.
Kaytramine by Kaytranada & Aminé:
Good, not great. Mostly redundant, lacking any real meaning that we know Aminé is capable of. Incredible production as expected but very much a moment in time type of album that fails to leave any lasting imprint beyond the temperament of 90 degree weather and drunken beach days. I expected more.
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