Probably the last person to put one of these out, but that’s just how you know I took my time with it. 822 albums from 2023 were considered in the making of this list. Think my 2015 MacBook Air almost exploded from the weeks long process of putting these end of year posts together, this machine was never intended to play Ken Carson when it was designed.
Listen to this post in the playlist below that collects my standout track from all 100 albums, and includes the honorable mentions and favorite EPS from yesterday’s list!
My Favorite Projects, 2023:
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY
and without any more delay, my 100 favorite albums of 2023!
100. Doom Singer - Chris Farren
Genres: Rock, Alternative, Pop
Recommended For Fans Of: Jeff Rosenstock, Cheekface, Jay Som
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
Another perfect album by Chris Farren.
99. NSFW 2: I Like Girls - Rob Apollo
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: Zach Fox, Rico Nasty
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE
The debauchery and shenanigans continue on the follow up to last year’s NSFW.
98. Water Made Us - Jamila Woods
Genres: R&B, Soul, Indie
Recommended For Fans Of: Mereba, Noname, OSHUN
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
The Chicago singer’s latest is tender and cozy, musing on growth and self-love.
97. Wallflower - Hadji Gaviota
Genres: Alternative, Anti-Pop, Hip-Hop/Rap, R&B
Recommended For Fans Of: BLACKSTARKIDS, Junior Varsity, Groupthink
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
Read my writeup on this catchy and vulnerable project here!
96. Let’s Hope Heteros Fail, Learn and Retire - Alice Longyu Gao
Genres: Hyperpop, Punk, Electronic
Recommended For Fans Of: Dorian Electra, A.G. Cook, 100 Gecs
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
A bizarre and rowdy blending of music’s most abrasive sounds.
95. Notorious Dump Legends, Vol. 2 - Mach-Hommy & Tha God Fahim
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: Roc Marciano, Boldy James, Rome Streetz
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
What basically seems like throwaways from these two is still better than a lot of rappers in their same lane.
94. Supermodels - Claud
Genres: Indie Rock, Alt-Pop
Recommended For Fans Of: Phoebe Bridgers, Arlo Parks, Hannah Jadagu
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
Claud contiunes making bright and sad indie pop on this confessional sophomore album.
93. After the Magic - Parannoul
Genres: Indie, Electronic, Post-Rock, Shoegaze
Recommended For Fans Of: Jane Remover, Model/Actriz, Black Country New Road
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
The Seoul artist is carving out their own lane of post-rock on this exceptional new album.
92. The Coming Of Gaze - Kabeaushè
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap, Alternative, Abstract, Experimental
Recommended For Fans Of: Teezo Touchdown, Montell Fish, EXUM
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
Check out my feature on this one of a kind compilation album out of Uganda here!
91. Free the Birds - 4kmicheal
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: ICECOLDBISHOP, Luke Bar$
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
The Baltimore rapper uses vocal stacks to his advantage on his catchy and introspective second album.
90. Bunny - Beach Fossils
Genres: Dream Pop, Indie
Recommended For Fans Of: Cigarettes After Sex, Beach House, Slowdive
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
Stellar jangly dream pop is back on the menu with Beach Fossils’ first album in six years.
89. the record - boygenius
Genres: Alternative, Rock
Recommended For Fans Of: Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, Julien Baker
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
Feel like the parts are greater than the sum with boygenius, but they still come together to make some pretty great tracks here.
88. LVL5 P1 - Bktherula
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: Hook, Babyxsosa, Bbymutha
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
Not many are rapping like Bktherula right now, and it feels like she’s just getting started.
87. With A Hammer - Yaeji
Genres: Electronic, Alternative
Recommended For Fans Of: Shygirl, Tirzah, No Rome
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE
Yaeji continues to make endlessly creative and original electronic pop on their second album.
86. Ready When You Are - Planet Giza
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap, R&B, Alternative
Recommended For Fans Of: The internet, Mick Jenkins, Saba
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
The alt-Hip-Hop/R&B trio takes major strides on their excellent sophomore album.
85. But Here We Are - Foo Fighters
Genres: Rock
Recommended For Fans Of: Pearl Jam, Queens Of The Stone Age, Weezer
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE
The Foo Fighters are still rocking hard as they grapple with the tragic circumstances around this album’s subject matter.
84. The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess - Chappell Roan
Genres: Pop, Dance
Recommended For Fans Of: Lady Gaga, Carly Rae Jepsen, Kim Petras
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
Chappell Roan knows how to make a catchy pop anthem, as she proves time and time again on this replay-friendly debut album.
83. UTOPIA - Travis Scott
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: Drake, Playboi Carti, Metro Boomin
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
Think this album is disappointing when compared to the rest of Scott’s discography, and feels more like a rehash of ideas he’s already done, but ultimately still has great songs and moments throughout the bloated tracklist.
82. Good People - Majid Jordan
Genres: R&B, Soul
Recommended For Fans Of: Sade, Naomi Sharon
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
Idk what’s in the water at OVO that’s making their artists trend towards 70s/80s R&B this year, but I’m eating it up.
81. More Better - Cisco Swank
Genres: R&B, Funk, Indie
Recommended For Fans Of: Steve Lacy, Matt Martians, Mndsgn
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
Swank’s solo debut after the collab album with Luke Titus I featured last year, steps in an even funkier direction.
80. STARFUCKER - Slayyyter
Genres: Pop, Dance, Electronic
Recommended For Fans Of: Charli XCX, SOPHIE, Kim Petras
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
The pop music savant relishes in a Hollywood celebrity lifestyle with her provocative new project.
79. Radical Romantics - Fever Ray
Genres: Electronic, Alt-Pop
Recommended For Fans Of: Blood Orange, Björk, Bat For Lashes
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
The latest solo project from 1/2 of electro-pop duo The Knife delivers haunting other worldly alt-pop like no one else.
78. Gold - Cleo Sol
Genres: Soul, R&B
Recommended For Fans Of: SAULT, Solange, Jazmine Sullivan, Mereba
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
SAULT member Cleo Sol dropped two exceptional soul albums back to back this fall, with the second one Gold being my favorite.
77. KARPEH - Cautious Clay
Genres: Jazz, R&B, Soul
Recommended For Fans Of: Chiiild, Daniel Caesar, Still Woozy
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
Cautious Clay dons his government name as he gets jazzy and personal with his family history.
76. This Is Why - Paramore
Genres: Rock, Pop-Punk
Recommended For Fans Of: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Fall Out Boy, Meet Me @ The Altar
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
The iconic band’s first album in six years tries to make sense (and hits) out of post-pandemic anxieties.
75. Sunburn - Dominic Fike
Genres: Alternative, Pop
Recommended For Fans Of: Kevin Abstract, Wallows, Weezer
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
Dominic Fike impresses and takes a big step forward with his sophomore album. Though I’m still trying to figure out how someone gets tied to an ant pile.
74. We Buy Diabetic Test Strips - Armand Hammer
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: Mach-Hommy, MIKE, Earl Sweatshirt
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
It’s a crazy flex for Billy Woods to be rapping the way he is on this album, and for the general consensus to be (or it’s debatable at the very least) that this isn’t even his best album of this year.
73. Past // Present // Future - Meet Me @ The Altar
Genres: Pop-Punk, Rock
Recommended For Fans Of: Paramore, Demi Lovato, Pinkshift
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
The Orlando pop-punk group makes their rage sound so much fun on this endlessly entertaining debut album.
72. Bliss Station - Flamingosis & Ehiorobo
Genres: Electronic, R&B
Recommended For Fans Of: Sampha, NxWorries, Toro y Moi
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
Jersey producer Flamingosis and indie R&B singer Ehiorobo prove to be a formidable duo as they come together to make their self-titled debut as Bliss Station, full of fun electronic R&B.
71. The Gutter - ALEXSUCKS
Genres: Rock, Alternative
Recommended For Fans Of: The Strokes, The Hives, The Vaccines
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
I’m all in favor of early 2000s NY, ‘meet me in the bathroom’ core rock having a revival.
70. The Patience - Mick Jenkins
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: JID, Saba, Isaiah Rashad
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
The Chicago rapper sounds as poised as ever on his latest offering.
69. Spiritual Cramp - Spiritual Cramp
Genres: Rock, Punk, Alternative
Recommended For Fans Of: Pardoner, Sports Team, Militarie Gun
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
A last minute listen before I started getting everything in order to make these lists, Spiritual Cramp is a bombastic detour I’m very happy I took the time for.
68. THE RAT ROAD - SBTRKT
Genres: Electronic, R&B, Dance
Recommended For Fans Of: Sampha, George Riley, Toro y Moi
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
Sampha & SBTRKT both blessing us (separately) with their first projects since 2016/17 was one of the biggest W’s of 2023.
67. GENERATIONAL CURSE - ICECOLDBISHOP
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: Kendrick Lamar, GRIP, Ben Reilly
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
ICECOLDBISHOP proves himself as an artist and storyteller on his ambitious debut album.
66. Soul,PRESENT - Q
Genres: R&B, Soul
Recommended For Fans Of: Childish Gambino, Daniel Caesar, The Internet
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
Q took his time with his latest album, and as a result took a huge leap forward as an artist.
65. Something To Give Each Other - Troye Sivan
Genres: Pop, Dance
Recommended For Fans Of: Dua Lipa, Charli XCX, Jim-E Stack
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
Sivan’s breakout album is well deserved as his subdued vocals compliment the warm and full synth dance pop production beautifully.
64. Post-American - MSPAINT
Genres: Rock, Punk
Recommended For Fans Of: Militarie Gun, Soul Flo, DRAIN
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
An epic imagining of a world post-America in this punk rock album with no guitars.
63. Erotic Probiotic 2 - Nourished By Time
Genres: R&B, Bedroom Pop, Electronic
Recommended For Fans Of: Prophet, Yaya Bey, L’Rain, Shamir
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
Nourished By Time’s unique vocals lead the way on this one of a kind bedroom R&B project.
62. BARE SUGAR - Ragz Originale
Genres: R&B, Alternative
Recommended For Fans Of: Jordan Ward, Bakar, John Glacier
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
An exciting debut of slick upbeat R&B sets the UK singer up as one to watch going forward.
61. 10,000 gecs - 100 gecs
Genres: Hyperpop, Electronic, Rock
Recommended For Fans Of: Dorian Electra, A.G. Cook, Underscores
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
10,000 clearly isn’t enough still, WE NEED MORE GECS!!!!
60. 3m t3ars - Tony Velour
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: Tony Shhnow, Dylan Brady, JPEGMAFIA
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
Tony Velour is merging electronics and hyperpop with rap in such an exciting way that just 10 songs in 14 minutes is still enough to captivate.
59. Ooh Rap I Ya - George Clanton
Genres: Electronic, Chillwave
Recommended For Fans Of: Hatchie, Neggy Gemmy, ESPIRIT
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
George Clanton turns everything up, and lets the results wash over you with his superb sophomore album.
58. Yard - Slow Pulp
Genres: Alternative, Indie Rock
Recommended For Fans Of: Momma, Ratboys, Blondshell
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
Slow Pulp doesn’t fix what ain’t broken with more fuzzy washed out heat.
57. flounder - quinnie
Genres: Alternative, Indie Rock
Recommended For Fans Of: Samia, Ethel Cain, Beabadoobee
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
This delightful debut album is packed with delicate indie pop anthems.
56. I Was Mature For My Age, But I Was Still a Child - grouptherapy.
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap, Alternative
Recommended For Fans Of: Brockhampton, AG Club, Tyler the Creator
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE
I featured their debut album in 2021, and the trio takes a huge step with the followup.
55. Lucky For You - Bully
Genres: Alternative, Rock
Recommended For Fans Of: The Beths, Best Coast, Cloud Nothings, Courtney Barnett
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
Bully keeps their grit while pulling back on the grunge influence, to get one of their best albums yet.
54. Scarlet - Doja Cat
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap, Pop
Recommended For Fans Of: Saweetie, Nicki Minaj, Cardi B
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
Doja Cat continues to prove herself as a certified hitmaker.
53. The Great Escape - Larry June & The Alchemist
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: Curren$y, Jay Worthy, Dom Kennedy
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
June’s laidback motivational bars sit perfectly in the pocket of these luscious Alchemist beats.
52. Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd - Lana Del Rey
Genres: Alternative, Pop
Recommended For Fans Of: Mitski, Billie Eilish, Feist
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE
At kind of a crossroads with this album where I don’t think it’s the crown jewel of her discography as most critics are pinning it as, that still goes to NFR in my eyes or even the debut album over this one (the ultimate ‘you had to be 15 years old and be there’ take). But at the same time I agree this definitely has some of the best and most mature/complex songs she’s ever put out.
51. Microphone Fiend - Zelooperz
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: Danny Brown, 454, Pink Siifu
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
Zelooperz continues to sound consistent while always pushing his sound in new directions. In a league of his own.
50. Everything Harmony - The Lemon Twigs
Genres: Soft Rock, Twee Pop
Recommended For Fans Of: The Bee Gees, Carpenters
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
The Lemon Twigs created an album that feels like it should have come out 50 years ago, but never once feels dated.
49. The Age of Pleasure - Janelle Monáe
Genres: Pop, R&B
Recommended For Fans Of: Beyoncé, Rihanna, Victoria Monét
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
Monáe bares all as she flaunts across this carefree fun summer pop project.
48. Ganger - Veeze
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: Lucki, Dc2trill, Lil Yachty
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
One of the best rap albums of the year, and one of the best ‘listening to this feels like the album cover’ albums of the year.
47. Blondshell - Blondshell
Genres: Alternative, Rock, Indie
Recommended For Fans Of: Anna Burch, Wet Leg, Julien Baker
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
One of the breakout stars in alt-rock this year, and for very good reason.
46. Light Is Gone 2 - Field Medic
Genres: Indie Rock, Folk, Alternative
Recommended For Fans Of: Lomelda, Adrianne Lenker, Hovvdy
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
The seasoned songwriter leans into some autotune and new ideas as he reflects on mental health and sobriety.
45. homeless n**** pop music - Jim Legxacy
Genres: R&B, Electronic, Hip-Hop/Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: MorMor, Dave, PinkPantheress
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
R&B, DJ set like electronics, and rap are blended beautifully in a way no one else is doing right now as Jim Legxacy croons and raps the pain away.
44. Desire, I Want to Turn Into You - Caroline Polachek
Genres: Pop, Electronic
Recommended For Fans Of: Charli XCX, SOPHIE, Rina Sawayama
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
Polachek packs big emotion into these massive open world pop tracks.
43. The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We - Mitski
Genres: Alternative, Rock
Recommended For Fans Of: Lana Del Rey, Japanese Breakfast
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
Mitski has consistently proven herself to put out rock music with more lyrical depth than almost anything else right now, this is no exception.
42. My Soft Machine - Arlo Parks
Genres: Alternative, Indie Rock
Recommended For Fans Of: Orion Sun, boygenius, Japanese Breakfast
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
A touching album that plays out like a journal, and is a fantastic listen as well.
41. In The End It Always Does - The Japanese House
Genres: Alternative, Indie Pop
Recommended For Fans Of: MUNA, The 1975, Wet
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
Be ready to dance as The Japanese House gets sad, sexy, and intimate on this first album since 2019.
40. Nothing Bigger Than The Program - Jay Worthy & Roc Marciano
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: Action Bronson, Boldy James, Westside Gunn
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
Two underground greats team up with exceptional results, nothing bigger than the program!
39. Red Moon In Venus - Kali Uchis
Genres: R&B, Pop, Funk
Recommended For Fans Of: Omar Apollo, Tyler the Creator, Summer Walker
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
Kali’s latest album dips back into that In Isolation sound while still moving her music forward and maturing as an artist.
38. NEVER ENOUGH - Daniel Caesar
Genres: R&B, Funk
Recommended For Fans Of: Omar Apollo, Frank Ocean, Steve Lacy
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
The Toronto singer’s third album showcases all the different styles he shines in.
37. SPEED RUN - Frost Children
Genres: Electronic, Pop, Hyperpop
Recommended For Fans Of: The Dare, Babymorocco, Blaketheman1000
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
If this is Indie Sleaze then I’m a sleaze ball.
36. Semblance - MorMor
Genres: R&B, Alternative
Recommended For Fans Of: Shamir, Mustafa, Orion Sun
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
This late December ‘22 release was highly anticipated after I featured the music video for Far Apart as one of my favorites from last year.
35. Playing Robots Into Heaven - James Blake
Genres: Electronic
Recommended For Fans Of: Sampha, SBTRKT, Four Tet
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
James Blake leans back into the droning electronics that got he got his start making on this rejuvenating album.
34. Burning Desire - MIKE
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: Wiki, Earl Sweatshirt, Mavi
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
Feel like I say this with every album MIKE releases, but I think this is the best album he’s ever put out.
33. Quaranta - Danny Brown
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: Billy Woods, JPEGMAFIA, Death Grips
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
Raps journeyman continues to dazzle with age, sounding as good as ever on the eleven year followup (in a sense) to XXX.
32. Wallsocket - underscores
Genres: Hyperpop, Electronic, Rock
Recommended For Fans Of: Jane Remover, 100 Gecs, 8485
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
Seeing their sold out show in NYC this fall definitely gave me a greater appreciation for this album, made for screaming and sweaty mosh pits.
31. Let’s Start Here - Lil Yachty
Genres: Alternative, Psychadelic, Indie Rock
Recommended For Fans Of: Tame Impala, Teezo Touchdown, When A$AP Rocky made that Sundress song that one time
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
This is an album that got absolutely destroyed by the online discourse, both from the praisers and the haters. But if you can shed all that noise away there’s a pretty good album here that a variety of talented musicians came together to make under Yachty’s direction. Diana Gordon’s contributions are the MVP for me.
30. Raven - Kelela
Genres: R&B, Club
Recommended For Fans Of: FKA Twigs, ABRA, Tinashe
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
The PS5 scammer emerges from her six year hiatus with a fresh batch of silky sweet club ready R&B tunes.
29. GUTS - Olivia Rodrigo
Genres: Pop, Alternative
Recommended For Fans Of: Billie Eilish, Nessa Barrett, Conan Gray
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
While the sound doesn’t change all too much from the explosive debut, it’s definitely more refined and perfected this time around.
28. Voir Dire - Earl Sweatshirt & The Alchemist
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: MIKE, Wiki, Vince Staples
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
The legendary rapper & producer both rise to the occasion on this long-rumoured project with very high expectations.
27. Gumbo - Young Nudy
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: Pi’erre Bourne, Valee, Ken Carson, Songs named after food
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
Young Nudy is a rapper molded by his consistency, and this might be his most consistent project yet with front to back heat.
26. Derealised - Jadu Heart
Genres: Alternative, Indie Rock
Recommended For Fans Of: The xx, Blood Cultures, Bearcubs
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
The UK duo was one of my favorite acts I heard for the first time in 2023 with their fourth album Derealised.
25. STRUGGLER - Genesis Owusu
Genres: Alternative, Indie Rock
Recommended For Fans Of: Injury Reserve, Eyedress, Tkay Maidza
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
Owusu is progressing as an artist exactly how many hoped after his breakout debut album Smiling With No Teeth.
24. Let Me Update My Status - Tisakorean
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap, Ringtone Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: Soulja Boy, Playboi Carti, 2010
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE
Ringtone rap is back in the silliest possible way!
23. Girl with Fish - feeble little horse
Genres: Alternative, Rock, Indie
Recommended For Fans Of: Wednesday, Hotline TNT, Geese
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
I’m still trying to figure out what this sub-genre of rock is called, but I know feeble little horse (along with Wednesday) are making some of the absolute best of it.
22. Girl In The Half Pearl - Liv.e
Genres: R&B, Jazz, Neo-Soul, Hip-Hop/Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: Keyiaa, Erykah Badu, Earl Sweatshirt
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
Liv.e takes a major step up from the already impressive debut album that was featured in the first ever edition of Death By Algorithm in 2020!
21. Honey - Samia
Genres: Indie Pop, Alternative
Recommended For Fans Of: Snail Mail, Lucy Dacus, Caroline Polachek, King of the Hill
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
Sweet intimate indie pop tracks highlight the follow-up to her 2019 debut The Baby. Particularly love when she sprinkles autotune as an effect throughout.
20. Larger Than Life - Brent Faiyaz
Genres: R&B, Hip-Hop/Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: Phabo, PARTYNEXTDOOR, A$AP Rocky
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
The DMV influence looms large on what might be Faiyaz’s best album to date.
19. Sundial - Noname
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: Saba, Jamila Woods, Ravyn Lenae
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
Noname returns ready to challenge everything, including herself, on this poignant first project since 2018.
18. Obsidian - Naomi Sharon
Genres: R&B, Soul
Recommended For Fans Of: Sade, Majid Jordan, Snoh Aalegra
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
Naomi Sharon’s debut is coated in gorgeous Sade inspired nostalgia, while putting her own modern style on top of everything.
17. Aperture - Hannah Jadagu
Genres: Indie Rock, Alternative
Recommended For Fans Of: Arlo Parks, MICHELLE, Claud
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
After recording her 2021 debut EP entirely on iPhone, Jadagu shows what she’s capable of with a full studio at her disposal.
16. Heaven Knows - PinkPantheress
Genres: Pop, UK Garage, Electronic
Recommended For Fans Of: Shygirl, Coco & Clair Clair, Take Van
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
PinkPantheress proves she’s here to stay with an excellent followup to her breakout debut album.
15. Maps - Billy Woods & Kenny Segal
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: Quelle Chris, Mach-Hommy, Ka, MIKE
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
The rapper and producer further display their incredible chemistry on their second collab album.
14. HELLMODE - Jeff Rosenstock
Genres: Rock, Pop-Punk
Recommended For Fans Of: PUP, Chris Farren, Parquet Courts
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
I keep waiting for Jeff Rosenstock to miss, and I think I’m going to die waiting.
13. FORWARD - Jordan Ward
Genres: R&B, Indie, Soul
Recommended For Fans Of: Lucky Daye, PHABO, Ambré
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
Listening to this album felt so refreshing, don’t even know how to describe it. An early March release from 2023 that stuck with me all year.
12. How Do You Sleep At Night? - Teezo Touchdown
Genres: Alternative, Hip-Hop/Rap, Rock
Recommended For Fans Of: Tyler the Creator, Kevin Abstract, Jordan Ward
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
I love watching a complete weirdo just get full budget and creative control to do whatever they want from a major label.
11. MID AIR - Paris Texas
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap, Indie, Punk
Recommended For Fans Of: Kenny Mason, Jean Dawson, JPEGMAFIA
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
A mature and chaotic debut of punk-tinged raps.
10. Blanket - Kevin Abstract
Genres: Alternative, Rock
Recommended For Fans Of: Alex G, Eyedress, Sunny Day Real Estate
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
As a big KA fan since the MTV days, this stylistic change took me by surprise, but ended up really loving this direction for him.
9. SCARING THE HOES - JPEGMAFIA & Danny Brown
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: Death Grips, Injury Reserve, getting the aux taken from you
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
This seems like it’s either a love it or hate it type of album for most people, and boy do I love it. JPEG’s production especially is what does it for me.
8. Javelin - Sufjan Stevens
Genres: Folk, Indie
Recommended For Fans Of: Angelo De Augustine, Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, Crying
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
A devastatingly incredible listen, what else would you even expect from Sufjan?
7. Praise A Lord Who Chews But Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds) - Yves Tumor
Genres: Rock, Alternative, Punk
Recommended For Fans Of: Arca, Eartheater, Prince, George Clanton
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
The always evolving rockstar gets even more off the wall with their latest album.
6. ROACH - Miya Folick
Genres: Pop, Alternative
Recommended For Fans Of: Lorde, Empress Of, Angel Olsen
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
Tender alt-pop bangers that grow and shrink between gentle to sprawling in scope.
5. softscars - yeule
Genres: Grunge, Alternative, Electronic
Recommended For Fans Of: Smashing Pumpkins, Parannoul, Grimes
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
This incredibly explosive cyborg-fairy grunge album packs a powerful punch.
4. Fountain Baby - Amaarae
Genres: Pop, Hip-Hop/Rap, Afropop, R&B
Recommended For Fans Of: Odunsi (The Engine), Cruel Santino, Tems
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
Amaarae’s unique voice highlights one of the best listens of the year, full of sleek, slick, and undeniably original pop music.
3. Lahai - Sampha
Genres: R&B, Electronic
Recommended For Fans Of: SBTRKT, James Blake, Solange
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
After 6 years, Sampha delivers an intricately beautiful album that was well worth the wait.
2. Rat Saw God - Wednesday
Genres: Rock, Alternative
Recommended For Fans Of: feeble little horse, Momma, Indigo De Souza
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
The Asheville, North Carolina band goes all in on their weird brand of alternative-emo-country with ‘nails on a chalkboard’ guitars. It’s hard as fuck.
1. All of This Will End - Indigo De Souza
Genres: Alternative, Indie Rock
Recommended For Fans Of: Japanese Breakfast, Snail Mail, Mitski, boygenius
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
If Indigo De Souza has a million fans, then I am one of them. If Indigo De Souza has ten fans, then I am one of them. If Indigo De Souza has only one fan then that is me. If Indigo De Souza has no fans, then that means I am no longer on earth. If the world is against Indigo De Souza, then I am against the world.
That’s a wrap on 2023! Stay in touch for more new music to come in 2024, hope it’s a great year for you all