My 10 Favourite Albums Released in 2023
By Lea Faivre
There is something special about listening to music in the album format, letting the artist tell you a story in the order that they chose. A lot of great records were released in 2023, and as hard as it was to pick only 10 albums, I tried my best!
10) Bubblegum - Biig Piig
Biig Piig’s first mixtape, an alt-pop record with syncopative bass lines and soft dreamy vocals, is my favourite bedroom pop album of this year. The tracks flow together, while the production does a great job at alternating between vibey, sensual songs like ‘Ghosting’ and dancefloor worthy tracks like the single ‘Kerosene’, my favourite of the album.
9) Unreal Unearth - Hozier
Man, who gave Hozier the right to be such a talented lyricist? This man is a poet. Always carrying a cosy and recomforting feel to it , Hozier’s music uses melodies that feel familiar even though you have never heard them before, and is influenced from a large range of genres. Whilst listening, I encourage you to pay attention to the lyrics and to the inspiration behind the album: Dante’s Inferno and its nine circles of Hell.
8) Something To Give Each Other - Troye Sivan
Of course Troye’s album is in my top 10. I am a pop girlie, what did you expect? This is such a fun listen; colourful, hot, and will get you dancing. The singles are perfectly chosen: gay club anthem ‘Rush’, melancholic vocoder-tinted ‘One of Your Girls’, and prime example of a bold but efficient sample ‘Got Me Started’, they give a perfect first tease of the record, but the full thing is definitely worth a listen. Catchy melodies and groovy basslines, the album is perfect for a late city night walk (or strut, depending on what you call it).
7) Desire, I Want To Turn Into You - Caroline Polachek
Caroline Polacheck does not use autotune. Her voice just… does that. This is a perfectly crafted art-pop album, with new-age and electronic elements. It includes a few fun surprises that keep you on your toes when they suddenly pop up in your ears, like a bagpipe in ‘Blood and Butter’, a Spanish guitar in ‘Sunset’, or a children’s choir in ‘Butterfly Net’.
6) The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess - Chappell Roan
Mark my words: Chappell Roan is the next big popstar, she deserves to be. Catchy melodies in every song, out-of-this-world vocals, and a KILLER production, this album is ear candy. It’s fun, cleverly written and unashamedly horny. It feels good to have some sapphic sexy representation in pop! If you’re going to listen, do it in order, ‘Femininomenon’ is the perfect album opener.
5) In The End It Always Does - The Japanese House
Amber Bain’s sophomore album came out on the last day of June, and it was exactly what I needed this summer: sunset roadtrip tunes , melancholic beats, bedroom dancing jams, soft acoustic ballads that make your soul levitate and your heart ache. The song ‘Morning Pages’, featuring MUNA, is my favourite collaboration of the year.
4) Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd - Lana Del Rey
Lana cannot make a bad album. So, when you have collaborations with Father John Misty (I’ve loved them working together since ‘Buddy’s Rendezvous’), Jon Batiste, Tommy Genesis, or Bleachers, you can only get hypnotised once again by her dreamy vocals and piano. When you know you know. ‘Margaret’ is one of my favourite songs of the year.
3) Live At Radio City Music Hall - Bleachers
I saw Bleachers live for the first time this year and it is very clear how much they love performing. Springsteen influenced with crispy saxophones mixed with Jack Antonoff’s iconic synths and infectious energy. Expect anthem-like choruses celebrating sadness, grief and hope. This is my favourite live album of the year, if you close your eyes, you could almost believe you’re in the room with them.
2) the record - Boygenius
The Boys are back in town! Boygenius reunited to save the year by releasing the record, their first full-length project after their self-titled EP in 2018. Indie rock and folk, magic happens when Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus work (and sing) in harmony. With cleverly heart-wrenching lyrics, written by the ensemble of three master lyricists, the record is a beautiful tale of love and friendship. Screaming “always an angel, never a god” from ‘Not Strong Enough’ at Gunnersbury Park in London with 25,000 people was one of the highlights of my year.
1) My 21st Century Blues - RAYE
“Please get nice and comfortable and lock your phones, because the story is about to begin” RAYE is an incredible lyricist and storyteller; she takes you through her story exploring different themes of love, addiction, body dysmorphia, abuse and anxiety, whilst narrating her journey through life and the music industry.
Bringing in the influences of Nina Simone, Jill Scott and Amy Winehouse from RAYE’s jazz singer background, this album has a track for everyone. You’ll find funky guitars and brass sections in groovy ‘Worth It’, hazy dance-pop in club-worthy ‘Black Mascara’, or a joyful gospel choir in ‘Buss It Down’. Add in a bit of bluesy BB. King influence with ‘The Thrill is Gone’, R&B hip-hop rapped songs like ‘Flip A Switch’ or ‘Escapism’, blues ballads and soul vocals in ‘Mary Jane’, and you have a masterpiece of an album. It is a true musical experience and my Album of the Year. She was ROBBED of a Grammy nomination, I am so mad. Additionally, I would recommend listening to the live version of the album, recorded with a symphonic orchestra at Royal Albert Hall, it’s a piece of art.
Special Mentions go to Jungle’s Volcano, Dominic Fike’s Sunburn, and Berlioz’s jazz is for ordinary people.