Best Music 🎵 of 2023!

[Turbo]

As I look at the year that was, I can't help but have mixed emotions as it has not been an easy one for me...losing my Dad suddenly on Father's Day was probably the most difficult thing I have ever experienced One can never be prepared for the unexpected death of a loved one (parent) and with Xmas fast approaching I am struggling to find peace and joy this holiday season

I was also on strike for over a month this past spring and that took a huge toll on my morale and mental health not to mention my bank account

On another note, I moved in with my best friend, partner, soulmate and lover this past August, and that has brought me much needed happiness as life would not be the same without her and quite honestly I don't know how I would have survived the year without her by my side Her unwavering support is what keeps me going...

All that said, 2023 was a great year for music discoveries and releases in general! Even though, I found myself listening to less albums than usual this year, there was enough to keep my ears happy and my heart and soul full!

Recurring themes for me were grief and loss pain, love, self-acceptance and resilience and as a result it has help shape my AOTY list which I NOW present to you.

My 41 Favourite Albums of 2023:
View attachment 191074

Nice, 7 overlaps with me!

Canadian high-five!

 

[avecigrec]

Best of 2023, up to and including November:

View attachment 189130

My semi-local finally got the Alva Noto but it sold out in under 10 minutes

 

[Joe Mac]

Look how hard the guardian tried

The 50 best albums of 2023

Lankum’s roaring reworking of Irish folk stunned, there was unprecedented invention from Young Fathers and Caroline Polachek offered an oblique angle on pop in our critics picks of the year

www.theguardian.com

The 50 best albums of 2023, No 1 – Lankum: False Lankum

Wrangling Irish folk into expansive new territory, the group’s stunning harmonies lead us through delicate beauty and nightmarish cacophony

www.theguardian.com

Lankum’s Daragh Lynch on making the album of the year: ‘We finally nailed what we wanted to be’

Guardian writers have voted False Lankum 2023’s best record. The band’s guitarist explains how they overcame Covid, boredom and their ‘gruelling’ creative process

www.theguardian.com

Also, irregardless of this the guardian list has always been my favourite since I outgrew the NME.

 

[avecigrec]

Spoiler: The List

BRUIT ≤ – Apologie du temps perdu, Vol. 1
M.E.B. – That You Not Dare To Forget
Vivat Virtute – June First

Chat Pile & Nerver – Brothers in Christ
Blue Rumble – Blue Lightning/Brasas
Birdmask – Tristan

Federico Albanese – Days Of Passage
Tashkezar – Ew’aa
Hualun – The Minor Trio I

 

[Kris]

View attachment 191145

Spoiler: The List

BRUIT ≤ – Apologie du temps perdu, Vol. 1
M.E.B. – That You Not Dare To Forget
Vivat Virtute – June First

Chat Pile & Nerver – Brothers in Christ
Blue Rumble – Blue Lightning/Brasas
Birdmask – Tristan

Federico Albanese – Days Of Passage
Tashkezar – Ew’aa
Hualun – The Minor Trio I

I didn’t know Frederico Albanese had a new one this year! I just discovered the previous one due to Marika Hackman singing on it. Can’t wait to check this out!

 

[avecigrec]

I didn’t know Frederico Albanese had a new one this year! I just discovered the previous one due to Marika Hackman singing on it. Can’t wait to check this out!

He's got a new album in the pipeline for 2024 according to the Wrapped video I got from him on Stupify. I always look forward to anything he does!

 

[DownIsTheNewUp]

It's always Line of Best Fit for me. Interestingly, this is the furthest I've ever been from Pitchfork. Or at least since 2010, 11ish.

Look how hard the guardian tried

The 50 best albums of 2023

Lankum’s roaring reworking of Irish folk stunned, there was unprecedented invention from Young Fathers and Caroline Polachek offered an oblique angle on pop in our critics picks of the year

www.theguardian.com

The 50 best albums of 2023, No 1 – Lankum: False Lankum

Wrangling Irish folk into expansive new territory, the group’s stunning harmonies lead us through delicate beauty and nightmarish cacophony

www.theguardian.com

Lankum’s Daragh Lynch on making the album of the year: ‘We finally nailed what we wanted to be’

Guardian writers have voted False Lankum 2023’s best record. The band’s guitarist explains how they overcame Covid, boredom and their ‘gruelling’ creative process

www.theguardian.com

Also, irregardless of this the guardian list has always been my favourite since I outgrew the NME.

 

[jdr2187]

Just realized I never posted my list. Merry Christmas everyone!

1. The Sons of Rainier - Take Me Anywhere
2. Dean Johnson - Nothing For Me, Please
3. John R. Miller - Heat Comes Down
4. Bella White - Among Other Things
5. Hiss Golden Messenger - Jump For Joy
6. Dougie Poole - The Rainbow Wheel of Death
7. Cactus Lee - Caravan/Big Red
8. Margo Cilker - Valley of Heart's Delight
9. Kassi Valazza - Kassi Valazza Knows Nothing
10. Willy Tea Taylor - The Great Western Hangover

11. Vincent Neil Emerson - The Golden Crystal Kingdom
12. Jeffrey Martin - Thank God We Left The Garden
13. Sunny War - Anarchist Gospel
14. Rose City Band - Garden Party
15. Skyway Man - Flight of the Long Distance Healer
16. The Pink Stones - You Know Who
17. Logan Ledger - Golden State
18. Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit - Weathervanes
19. Graves - Gary Owens: I Have Some Thoughts
20. Tre Burt - Traffic Fiction

21. Cut Worms - S/T
22. Bonnie Prince Billy - Keeping Secrets Will Destroy You
23. Florry - The Holey Bible
24. Nat Myers - Yellow Peril
25. Fust - Genevieve
26. Ryan Davis & The Roadhouse Band - Dancing On the Edge
27. A. Savage - Several Songs About Fire
28. Wiki - 14K Figaro
29. Esther Rose - Safe To Run
30. Anna St Louis - In The Air

31. Noname - Sundial
32. Geese - 3D Country
33. Joanna Sternberg - I've Got Me
34. Jess Williamson - Time Aint Accidental
35. Hayden Pedigo - The Happiest Times I Ever Ignored
36. Country Westerns - Forgive the City
37. Buffalo Nichols - The Fatlist
38. Doug Paisley - Say What You Like
39. Stella Kola - S/T
40. Protomartyr - Formal Growth In The Desert

41. Bonny Doon - Let There Be Music
42. Duff Thompson - Shadow People
43. Small Paul - Come Alive & Live Again
44. The Natvral - Summer of No Light
45. Jamie Wyatt - Feel Good
46. Maybel - Gloam
47. Bobby Lee - Endless Skyways
48. Nick Hans - Crooked Line
49. Jackson and the Janks - S/T
50. Max Bien Kahn - When I Cross It Off


Five more that all came out in December. Felt weird putting any of them on the list over some of the others considering they’ve all been out such a short amount of time, but I feel pretty certain all of these would have been on my list somewhere with more time.

1. Michael Nau - Accompany
2. Muireann Bradley - I Kept These Old Blues
3. The Felice Brothers - Asylum On The Hill
4. Austin Leonard Jones - At The Polo Club
5. Lee Bagget - Echo Me On


And just for fun my favorite shows I got a chance to attend this year.

TK & The Holy Know Nothings, Kristina Murray - 3rd and Lindsley
The Deslondes, Esther Rose - Dee's Lounge
Sons of Rainier, Zach Bryson - Bobby's Idle Hour
Vincent Neil Emerson, Valley James - Exit In
Hiss Golden Messenger, Adeem the Artist - Brooklyn Bowl
The Deslondes, Emily Nenni - Dee's Lounge
Margo Cilker - 3rd and Lindsley
John R. Miller, Tommy Alexander, Todd Day Wait, Leo Rondeau, Willy Tea Taylor - Dee's Lounge
Billy Strings - Bridgestone
Wilco, The A's - Ryman
The Deslondes, Banditos - Post82
John R. Miller, Kristina Murray - The Basement East
Big Thief, Buck Meek, Twain - Ryman
BJ Barham - Bluebird Cafe
Riley Downing, Low Water Bridge Band - 3rd and Lindsley
Willy Tea Taylor - Dee's Lounge

 

[Matt M]

Just realized I never posted my list. Merry Christmas everyone!

1. The Sons of Rainier - Take Me Anywhere
2. Dean Johnson - Nothing For Me, Please
3. John R. Miller - Heat Comes Down
4. Bella White - Among Other Things
5. Hiss Golden Messenger - Jump For Joy
6. Dougie Poole - The Rainbow Wheel of Death
7. Cactus Lee - Caravan/Big Red
8. Margo Cilker - Valley of Heart's Delight
9. Kassi Valazza - Kassi Valazza Knows Nothing
10. Willy Tea Taylor - The Great Western Hangover

11. Vincent Neil Emerson - The Golden Crystal Kingdom
12. Jeffrey Martin - Thank God We Left The Garden
13. Sunny War - Anarchist Gospel
14. Rose City Band - Garden Party
15. Skyway Man - Flight of the Long Distance Healer
16. The Pink Stones - You Know Who
17. Logan Ledger - Golden State
18. Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit - Weathervanes
19. Graves - Gary Owens: I Have Some Thoughts
20. Tre Burt - Traffic Fiction

21. Cut Worms - S/T
22. Bonnie Prince Billy - Keeping Secrets Will Destroy You
23. Florry - The Holey Bible
24. Nat Myers - Yellow Peril
25. Fust - Genevieve
26. Ryan Davis & The Roadhouse Band - Dancing On the Edge
27. A. Savage - Several Songs About Fire
28. Wiki - 14K Figaro
29. Esther Rose - Safe To Run
30. Anna St Louis - In The Air

31. Noname - Sundial
32. Geese - 3D Country
33. Joanna Sternberg - I've Got Me
34. Jess Williamson - Time Aint Accidental
35. Hayden Pedigo - The Happiest Times I Ever Ignored
36. Country Westerns - Forgive the City
37. Buffalo Nichols - The Fatlist
38. Doug Paisley - Say What You Like
39. Stella Kola - S/T
40. Protomartyr - Formal Growth In The Desert

41. Bonny Doon - Let There Be Music
42. Duff Thompson - Shadow People
43. Small Paul - Come Alive & Live Again
44. The Natvral - Summer of No Light
45. Jamie Wyatt - Feel Good
46. Maybel - Gloam
47. Bobby Lee - Endless Skyways
48. Nick Hans - Crooked Line
49. Jackson and the Janks - S/T
50. Max Bien Kahn - When I Cross It Off


Five more that all came out in December. Felt weird putting any of them on the list over some of the others considering they’ve all been out such a short amount of time, but I feel pretty certain all of these would have been on my list somewhere with more time.

1. Michael Nau - Accompany
2. Muireann Bradley - I Kept These Old Blues
3. The Felice Brothers - Asylum On The Hill
4. Austin Leonard Jones - At The Polo Club
5. Lee Bagget - Echo Me On


And just for fun my favorite shows I got a chance to attend this year.

TK & The Holy Know Nothings, Kristina Murray - 3rd and Lindsley
The Deslondes, Esther Rose - Dee's Lounge
Sons of Rainier, Zach Bryson - Bobby's Idle Hour
Vincent Neil Emerson, Valley James - Exit In
Hiss Golden Messenger, Adeem the Artist - Brooklyn Bowl
The Deslondes, Emily Nenni - Dee's Lounge
Margo Cilker - 3rd and Lindsley
John R. Miller, Tommy Alexander, Todd Day Wait, Leo Rondeau, Willy Tea Taylor - Dee's Lounge
Billy Strings - Bridgestone
Wilco, The A's - Ryman
The Deslondes, Banditos - Post82
John R. Miller, Kristina Murray - The Basement East
Big Thief, Buck Meek, Twain - Ryman
BJ Barham - Bluebird Cafe
Riley Downing, Low Water Bridge Band - 3rd and Lindsley
Willy Tea Taylor - Dee's Lounge

Feel like that 50 would be great in a playlist to just hit random and go out on the road!

 

[Endtro]

Just realized I never posted my list. Merry Christmas everyone!

1. The Sons of Rainier - Take Me Anywhere
2. Dean Johnson - Nothing For Me, Please
3. John R. Miller - Heat Comes Down
4. Bella White - Among Other Things
5. Hiss Golden Messenger - Jump For Joy
6. Dougie Poole - The Rainbow Wheel of Death
7. Cactus Lee - Caravan/Big Red
8. Margo Cilker - Valley of Heart's Delight
9. Kassi Valazza - Kassi Valazza Knows Nothing
10. Willy Tea Taylor - The Great Western Hangover

11. Vincent Neil Emerson - The Golden Crystal Kingdom
12. Jeffrey Martin - Thank God We Left The Garden
13. Sunny War - Anarchist Gospel
14. Rose City Band - Garden Party
15. Skyway Man - Flight of the Long Distance Healer
16. The Pink Stones - You Know Who
17. Logan Ledger - Golden State
18. Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit - Weathervanes
19. Graves - Gary Owens: I Have Some Thoughts
20. Tre Burt - Traffic Fiction

21. Cut Worms - S/T
22. Bonnie Prince Billy - Keeping Secrets Will Destroy You
23. Florry - The Holey Bible
24. Nat Myers - Yellow Peril
25. Fust - Genevieve
26. Ryan Davis & The Roadhouse Band - Dancing On the Edge
27. A. Savage - Several Songs About Fire
28. Wiki - 14K Figaro
29. Esther Rose - Safe To Run
30. Anna St Louis - In The Air

31. Noname - Sundial
32. Geese - 3D Country
33. Joanna Sternberg - I've Got Me
34. Jess Williamson - Time Aint Accidental
35. Hayden Pedigo - The Happiest Times I Ever Ignored
36. Country Westerns - Forgive the City
37. Buffalo Nichols - The Fatlist
38. Doug Paisley - Say What You Like
39. Stella Kola - S/T
40. Protomartyr - Formal Growth In The Desert

41. Bonny Doon - Let There Be Music
42. Duff Thompson - Shadow People
43. Small Paul - Come Alive & Live Again
44. The Natvral - Summer of No Light
45. Jamie Wyatt - Feel Good
46. Maybel - Gloam
47. Bobby Lee - Endless Skyways
48. Nick Hans - Crooked Line
49. Jackson and the Janks - S/T
50. Max Bien Kahn - When I Cross It Off


Five more that all came out in December. Felt weird putting any of them on the list over some of the others considering they’ve all been out such a short amount of time, but I feel pretty certain all of these would have been on my list somewhere with more time.

1. Michael Nau - Accompany
2. Muireann Bradley - I Kept These Old Blues
3. The Felice Brothers - Asylum On The Hill
4. Austin Leonard Jones - At The Polo Club
5. Lee Bagget - Echo Me On


And just for fun my favorite shows I got a chance to attend this year.

TK & The Holy Know Nothings, Kristina Murray - 3rd and Lindsley
The Deslondes, Esther Rose - Dee's Lounge
Sons of Rainier, Zach Bryson - Bobby's Idle Hour
Vincent Neil Emerson, Valley James - Exit In
Hiss Golden Messenger, Adeem the Artist - Brooklyn Bowl
The Deslondes, Emily Nenni - Dee's Lounge
Margo Cilker - 3rd and Lindsley
John R. Miller, Tommy Alexander, Todd Day Wait, Leo Rondeau, Willy Tea Taylor - Dee's Lounge
Billy Strings - Bridgestone
Wilco, The A's - Ryman
The Deslondes, Banditos - Post82
John R. Miller, Kristina Murray - The Basement East
Big Thief, Buck Meek, Twain - Ryman
BJ Barham - Bluebird Cafe
Riley Downing, Low Water Bridge Band - 3rd and Lindsley
Willy Tea Taylor - Dee's Lounge

I really dig that Dean Johnson album and it almost made my list. Glad to see it get some love.

 

[jt4527]

So here it is, The Best of 2023, A List!

 

[Rip_City]

Merry Christmas, y'all.

2023 made for an enjoyable year of music, though I'm on the fence with how many of these I'll return to throughout the decade. Pop held it down with some solid tunes, same with hip hop and ambient. Seen 14 of these live this year, with a few of them in my top10 concerts of 2023. Might post that list as well when time allows.

Here's my top50:

Spoiler: List

Tier I [Excellent]

1) James Brandon Lewis - Eye of I [avant-garde jazz, spiritual jazz]
2) Julie Byrne - The Greater Wings [singer/songwriter, chamber pop]
3) billy woods & Kenny Segal - Maps [abstract hip hop, jazz rap, experimental hip hop]
4) RAYE - My 21st Century Blues [alt-pop, UK hip hop, contemporary R&B]
5) Model/Actriz - Dogsbody [dance-punk, noise rock, industrial rock]
6) Caroline Polachek - Desire, I Want to Turn Into You [art pop, alt-pop, UK garage]
7) Lucinda Chua - YIAN [ambient pop, modern classical, art pop]
8) Sofia Kourtesis - Madres [Latin house, deep house, microhouse]
9) Jonny Nash - Point of Entry [ambient, Balearic, new age]
10) JPEGMAFIA & Danny Brown - Scaring the Hoes [experimental hip hop, industrial hip hop, hardcore hip hop]

Tier II [Great]

11) Sprain - The Lamb as Effigy [noise rock, totalism. no wave]
12) Jess Williamson - Time Ain't Accidental [Americana, singer/songwriter, country pop]
13) Kate NV - WOW [sequencer & tracker, post-minimalism, art pop]
14) maya ongaku - Approach to Anima [psychedelic folk, new age]
15) Lankum - False Lankum [avant-folk, Irish folk, drone]
16) Lana Del Rey - Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd [singer/songwriter, art pop]
17) µ-Ziq - 1977 [ambient, ambient techno]
18) Greg Foat & Gigi Masin - Dolphin [chamber jazz, ambient]
19) Geese - 3D Country [indie rock, alt-country, art punk]
20) Jessy Lanza - Love Hallucination [electronic, UK bass]
21) Armand Hammer - We Buy Diabetic Test Strips [abstract hip hop, experimental hip hop]
22) yeule - softscars [ambient pop, shoegaze]
23) underscores - Wallsocket [hyperpop, glitch pop]
24) Liturgy - 93696 [black metal, avant-garde metal]
25) Maria BC - Spike Field [ambient, psychedelic folk]
26) Alabaster DePlume - Come With Fierce Grace [spiritual jazz]
27) Ana Frango Elétrico - Me Chama De Gato Que Eu Sou Sua [sophisti-pop, Balearic, boogie]
28) L'Rain - I Killed Your Dog [neo-psychedelia, psychedelic soul, art pop]
29) Susanne Sundfør - Blómi [art pop, chamber pop]
30) Great Falls - Objects Without Pain [noise rock, sludge metal, mathcore]

Tier III [Good]

31) McKinley Dixon - Beloved Paradise Jazz! [jazz rap, neo-soul, boom bap]
32) Tinashe - BB/ANG3L [alternative R&B, UK garage, electronic]
33) Tim Hecker - No Highs [ambient, drone, post-minimalism]
34) Lemon Quartet - ArtsFest [ambient jazz, ambient, avant-garde jazz]
35) Khotin - Release Spirit [downtempo, ambient]
36) Carly Rae Jepsen - The Loveliest Time [electropop, synthpop]
37) Puma Blue - Holy Waters [alternative R&B, neo-soul]
38) Brendan Eder Ensemble - Therapy [ambient]
39) 100 gecs - 10,000 gecs [hyperpop, alternative rock]
40) Sampha - Lahai [UK bass, alternative R&B]
41) Cleo Sol - Gold [contemporary R&B, neo-soul]
42) Spektral Quartet, Julia Holter & Alex Temple - Behind the Wallpaper [modern classical, soundtrack]
43) Arooj Aftab, Vijay Iyer & Shahzad Ismaily - Love in Exile [chamber jazz, ambient]
44) Anagrams - Blue Voices [ambient jazz, ambient]
45) Parannoul - After the Magic [shoegaze]
46) Takashi Kokubo - Music For a Cosmic Garden [new age, ambient, environmental recordings]
47) MIKE - Burning Desire [abstract hip hop]
48) Honestly Same - Hot Plate Only [avantgarde, ambient]
49) Jeff Rosenstock - HELLMODE [pop punk, power pop]
50) Saloli - Canyon [ambient, progressive electronic]

In addition, below is my Spotify playlist containing a standout track from each of these albums in descending order:

 

[avecigrec]

Fuck yeah, James Brandon Lewis!!!

 

[avecigrec]

Usually I'm a stickler for holding out until the last possible minute, but barring any surprise drops over the next six days, I don't see this changing...

Spoiler: The List

ALBUMS
Czarface – Czartificial Intelligence
Blue Öyster Cult – 50th Anniversary Live: First Night
G's Us – What Them Dogs Don't Know They Know
Elephant Gym – World
Blu & Nottz – Afrika
Piers Faccini – Songs I Love Volume II
Saint Malo – Saint Malo
Willie Nelson & Various Artists – Long Story Short: Willie Nelson 90 Live At The Hollywood Bowl
John Ellis & His Quartet – Bizet: Carmen in Jazz
EPs
DJ Haram – Handplay
Ludovico Einaudi - Winter Nights
Joe Armon-Jones & Mala – A Way Back (Versions)

 

[avecigrec]

Spoiler: The List (alphabetical by title)

50th Anniversary Live: First Night by Blue Öyster Cult
Afrika by Blu & Nottz
Allen Ginsberg’s The Fall of America Volume II by Various Artists
Blue Voices by Anagrams
Chiaroscuro by Closet Witch

CYRM by ØXN
Czartificial Intelligence by Czarface
For Chaching Taphed by sneaky jesus
Get The Blessing by Pallett
The Great Western Hangover by Willy Tea Taylor & The Fellership

HYbr:ID II by Alva Noto
Integrated Tech Solutions by Aesop Rock
Les Jardins Mystiques Vol.1 by Miguel Atwood-Ferguson
low key, low pressure by Session Victim
Löwenzahnhonig by Löwenzahnhonig

Magg Tekki by Assiko Golden Band De Grand Yoff
Quaranta by Danny Brown
Red Hot & Ra : SOLAR - Sun Ra In Brasil by Various Artists
The Silver Cord (Extended Mix) by King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
Spine by Myrkur

Thank God We Left the Garden by Jeffrey Martin
They Live by Pleasurewood
What Them Dogs Don't Know They Know by G's Us
When The Roses Come Again by Daniel Bachman
World by Elephant Gym

 

[Joe Mac]

5 Irish albums in this top 10 folk albums of 2023

The 10 best folk albums of 2023

Irish label Nyahh captured the sounds of rowdy pub backrooms, the Gentle Good reimagined folk songs from the National Library of Wales and a legend revisited her past

www.theguardian.com

 

[avecigrec]

Spoiler: The List

RAYE - My 21st Century Blues
Aesop Rock – Integrated Tech Solutions
Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit – Weathervanes
Tō Yō – Stray Birds From the Far East
Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah – Bark Out Thunder Roar Out Lightning
James Brandon Lewis – Eye of I
William Tyler & The Impossible Truth – Secret Stratosphere

ØXN – CYRM
Zulu – A New Tomorrow
Alva Noto – HYbr:ID II
McKinley Dixon – Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!?
Black Thought & El Michels Affair – Glorious Game
Rae Spoon – Not Dead Yet
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – The Silver Cord (Extended Mix)

jaimie branch – Fly or Die Fly or Die Fly or Die ((world war))
Blackbraid – Blackbraid II
Paris Texas – MID AIR
James Brandon Lewis | Red Lily Quintet – For Mahalia, With Love
Matana Roberts – Coin Coin Chapter Five: In The Garden...
Jeffrey Martin – Thank God We Left the Garden
sneaky jesus – For Chaching Taphed

Lankum – False Lankum
Dead Pioneers – Dead Pioneers
OSEES – Intercepted Message
Irreversible Entanglements – Protect Your Light
Sissoko | Segal | Parisien | Peirani – Les Égarés
Macy Gray & The California Jet Club – The Reset
Angel Bat Dawid – Requiem For Jazz


M(h)aol – Attachment Styles
boygenius – the record
KAMAUU – Lacuna in the House of Mirrors
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – PetroDragonic Apocalypse; or, Dawn of Eternal Night: An Annihilation of Planet Earth and the Beginning of Merciless Damnation
Janelle Monáe – The Age of Pleasure
billy woods & Kenny Segal – Maps
Pallett – Get The Blessing

Sunny War – Anarchist Gospel
Killer Mike – Michael
McKowski – Notes From The Boneyard Vol 1
Closet Witch – Chiaroscuro
Defcee – The Golem of Brooklyn (Original Soundtrack)
Gabriels – Angels & Queens
Matthew Herbert x London Contemporary Orchestra – The Horse

Alexandra Stréliski – Néo-Romance
Moundabout – An Cnoc Mór
Kofi Flexxx – Flowers In The Dark
PoiL Ueda – PoiL Ueda
Löwenzahnhonig – Löwenzahnhonig
Assiko Golden Band De Grand Yoff – Magg Tekki
Black Duck – Black Duck

 

[Nee Lewman]

No Depression’s best of:

CRITICS POLL: No Depression Writers’ Favorite Roots Music Albums of 2023 - No Depression

In 2023, there was a lot of common ground between the favorite roots music albums picked in our annual readers poll and critics poll, with the same album topping both lists.

www.nodepression.com

 

[Nee Lewman]

5 Irish albums in this top 10 folk albums of 2023

The 10 best folk albums of 2023

Irish label Nyahh captured the sounds of rowdy pub backrooms, the Gentle Good reimagined folk songs from the National Library of Wales and a legend revisited her past

www.theguardian.com

Taking trying too hard to ludicrous lengths.

 

[avecigrec]

View attachment 191505

Spoiler: The List

RAYE - My 21st Century Blues
Aesop Rock – Integrated Tech Solutions
Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit – Weathervanes
Tō Yō – Stray Birds From the Far East
Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah – Bark Out Thunder Roar Out Lightning
James Brandon Lewis – Eye of I
William Tyler & The Impossible Truth – Secret Stratosphere

ØXN – CYRM
Zulu – A New Tomorrow
Alva Noto – HYbr:ID II
McKinley Dixon – Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!?
Black Thought & El Michels Affair – Glorious Game
Rae Spoon – Not Dead Yet
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – The Silver Cord (Extended Mix)

jaimie branch – Fly or Die Fly or Die Fly or Die ((world war))
Blackbraid – Blackbraid II
Paris Texas – MID AIR
James Brandon Lewis | Red Lily Quintet – For Mahalia, With Love
Matana Roberts – Coin Coin Chapter Five: In The Garden...
Jeffrey Martin – Thank God We Left the Garden
sneaky jesus – For Chaching Taphed

Lankum – False Lankum
Dead Pioneers – Dead Pioneers
OSEES – Intercepted Message
Irreversible Entanglements – Protect Your Light
Sissoko | Segal | Parisien | Peirani – Les Égarés
Macy Gray & The California Jet Club – The Reset
Angel Bat Dawid – Requiem For Jazz


M(h)aol – Attachment Styles
boygenius – the record
KAMAUU – Lacuna in the House of Mirrors
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – PetroDragonic Apocalypse; or, Dawn of Eternal Night: An Annihilation of Planet Earth and the Beginning of Merciless Damnation
Janelle Monáe – The Age of Pleasure
billy woods & Kenny Segal – Maps
Pallett – Get The Blessing

Sunny War – Anarchist Gospel
Killer Mike – Michael
McKowski – Notes From The Boneyard Vol 1
Closet Witch – Chiaroscuro
Defcee – The Golem of Brooklyn (Original Soundtrack)
Gabriels – Angels & Queens
Matthew Herbert x London Contemporary Orchestra – The Horse

Alexandra Stréliski – Néo-Romance
Moundabout – An Cnoc Mór
Kofi Flexxx – Flowers In The Dark
PoiL Ueda – PoiL Ueda
Löwenzahnhonig – Löwenzahnhonig
Assiko Golden Band De Grand Yoff – Magg Tekki
Black Duck – Black Duck

Some numbers:

Excluding EPs and Reissues, but including live albums and non-reissue compilations, this year I've listened to 1256 new releases (averaging just under 3.5 per day), with 2 additional albums released by one of my Honourable Mentions acts (that I only just learned of this week) remaining in my queue.

December was definitely the slowest month with 41 new releases, followed by July and August with 88 apiece. September was the biggest month with 153.