What a year for music! There were so many incredible albums in 2023 that I could only narrow it down to my top 35 – and even that was a fierce struggle! As always, my tastes lean toward two extremes: folky singer-songwriter and dark electronic with a healthy dose of indie rock in between.
This list has plenty of all three (and even some fun combos). The COVID-19 pandemic still touched everyone’s lives in 2023, and many of these albums speak to its effects directly. There are synths; there are banjos; there are frogs and birds and crickets. There are multiple songs about ghosts, rainbows, and bunnies — and more than one album on this list was recorded in a cabin. Sometimes, the guitar strings rattle and the piano bench creaks. It’s a good time.
If you’re so inclined, you can listen to a playlist of my top songs from these albums here.
So, without further ado, here are my top 35 albums of 2023!
1. Noah Kahan – Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever) (Mercury Records/Republic Records, June 9)
With a viral TikTok takeover (finally) propelling him to mainstream awareness, 2023 was a big one for Vermont singer-songwriter Noah Kahan — and his rising star is only growing brighter as 2024 begins. Technically, Stick Season came out in late 2022, but an expanded edition with new songs was released in 2023 alongside collaborations galore (Hozier, Post Malone, and Kacey Musgraves, just to name a few).
Kahan creates soulful guitar, banjo, and mandolin music that offers candid and poetic accounts of life in modern times. Stick Season — his third album — has been lauded as a love song for New England, but between references to the COVID-19 pandemic, gentrification, the bleakness (and stark beauty) of winter, therapy sessions, nostalgia for lost loves, Target, smalltown ennui, depression-fueled shopping sprees, creaky porches, and Zoloft, I feel like Kahan is really singing to all of us. Though he’s only 27, he is wise beyond his years. Every song on this album is a gift.
My top songs: “Northern Attitude,” “Strawberry Wine,” and “Dial Drunk.”
Check the album out here.
2. Fences – Bright Soil (Enci Records, September 15)
For Bright Soil, the Seattle-based indie rock band’s fourth album, vocalist and guitarist Christopher Mansfield assembled all of his friends and every obscure instrument known to man. Ryan Lewis of Macklemore fame did some mixing, Wesley Schultz of The Lumineers provided haunting vocals, Felix Pastorius played bass, and the late, great Jeremiah Green of Modest Mouse contributed his legendary drumming shortly before his passing. The album explores lyrical themes of death and rebirth over upbeat and often criminally catchy melodies. Every song is a perfect, hook-filled confection and it’s been in heavy rotation for me since its release.
My top songs: “Werewolf Palm,” “Bright Soil (feat. Wesley Schultz),” “Sun Falls”
Check the album out here.
3. Buzzy Lee – Internal Affairs (Future Classic, March 31)
This isn’t the first time L.A.’s Buzzy Lee, aka Sasha Spielberg of Wardell, has hooked me. Her sassy 2018 song “Coolhand” was definitely on repeat for months. But her latest offering, Internal Affairs, takes things to a new level. This collection of emotional, poppy songs depicting a tumultuous relationship and breakup is positively addicting in the best way. Plus, her voice is just so lovely and captivating. Musically, it glides seamlessly from simple acoustic guitar confessionals to sweeping productions to intimate piano ballads.
My top songs: “When Can I,” “Internal Affairs,” “Can I Have Your Autograph”
Check the album out here.
4. Super Infinity – Palace (CS Press, November 3)
The minimalist side project of The Districts’ vocalist and guitarist Rob Grote, Super Infinity appeared out of nowhere late in 2023 and promptly blew my mind. I’m a sucker for anything raw and stripped down, and that’s this album in a nutshell. With heartfelt vocals, ambient background birds and sirens, and rattly acoustic guitar strings, Grote proves that you don’t need bells and whistles to make incredibly impactful music. Palace has a dreamlike, sweet-but-melancholy quality that reminds me of Elliott Smith. Every intimate offering on this album is just perfect.
My top songs: “Desert Oracle,” “Avoiding the Dull Lights,” “Sadie”
Check the album out here.
5. Nuovo Testamento – Love Lines (Discoteca Italia, March 3)
If you’re in the mood to dance, you’ll want to check out this ítalo disco masterpiece by Nuovo Testamento, a band featuring both American and Italian members. It’s full of songs about love, yearning, and vulnerability deftly sung by vocalist Chelsey Crowley over slick synths and infectious grooves provided by Andrea Mantione and Giacomo Zatti. Not only is this an album you don’t want to miss, but the band puts on a killer live show if you get the chance to witness them in action.
My top songs: “Wildlife,” “Heartbeat,” “Heat”
Read my full review here, and check the album out here.
6. Queens of the Stone Age – In Times New Roman… (Matador Records, June 16)
Vying for “Album Title of the Year,” veteran Palm Desert rockers Queens of the Stone Age return with their eighth album, In Times New Roman… It’s a record filled with catchy guitar riffs, hedonistic lyrics, and vocalist and guitarist Josh Homme’s dangerously smooth vocals. I’ve pretty much enjoyed every album this band has put out and this one is no exception. These rocking tunes are guaranteed to get stuck in your head.
My top songs: “Sicily,” “Emotion Sickness,” “Straight Jacket Fitting”
Check the album out here.
7. Sufjan Stevens – Javelin (Asthmatic Kitty Records, October 6)
Michigan singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens has been making his uniquely stirring brand of indie folk music in various forms for decades, but there’s something even more impactful, affecting, and almost spiritual about his 10th album, Javelin. Stevens has struggled with illness recently. He also dedicated the album to his late partner, Evans Richardson, who passed away in 2023. It’s a beautiful collection of songs that will definitely make you cry at times, but it also manages to find the sunny spots in the clouds as only Stevens can.
My top songs: “A Running Start,” “Will Anybody Ever Love Me?” “Shit Talk”
Check the album out here.
8. Yusuf/Cat Stevens – King of a Land (Cat-O-Log Records, June 16)
Yusuf/Cat Stevens is a legend. And his songs have inspired more than a few of the artists on this list! Famous for taking a long hiatus from making music after finding success as a ‘60s pop star and ‘70s singer-songwriter, Stevens made a triumphant return to mainstream music in 2006 and has been releasing albums ever since. His mellow, predominantly acoustic 17th album, King of a Land, feels a lot like his earlier work, though it’s evident that he is much more at peace today at age 75 than he was in 1975. His delicate arrangements, unique voice, and songwriting prowess are all as strong as ever.
My top songs: “King of a Land,” “How Good It Feels,” “Take the World Apart”
Check the album out here.
9. Joy Oladokun – Proof of Life (Amigo Records/Verve Forecast Records/Republic Records, April 28)
Singer-songwriter Joy Oladokun’s fourth album is full of honest folk, R&B-inspired introspection, and relatable musings on life, change, and personal growth. It’s a collection of songs that she’s referred to as “helpful anthems.” A native of Casa Grande, Arizona, Oladokun pays homage to her desert roots with a colorful, cactus-studded album cover. The record’s music is also a mosaic, featuring spirited upbeat melodies peppered with more sparse and intimate acoustic guitar moments. Oladokun invited many friends to join in on the fun on this record, including Chris Stapleton, Maxo Cream, Mt. Joy, Manchester Orchestra, and Noah Kahan.
My top songs: “Keeping the Light On,” “Changes,” “We’re All Gonna Die (with Noah Kahan)”
Check the album out here.
10. Devendra Banhart – Flying Wig (Mexican Summer, September 22)
There’s just something about this album. It’s a vibe, as the kids say. If you’re familiar with American-Venezuelan singer-songwriter Devendra Banhart’s earlier freak folk work, you might be surprised to learn that most of the songs on his 11th album are swoony and seductive rather than lively and boisterous. The slow pulse of this synth-heavy album, which was produced by Welsh musician Cate Le Bon and recorded in a California cabin, is perfectly suited for a calm sunset drive or perhaps a low-lit romantic night in.
My top songs: “Fireflies,” “Sirens,” “Twin”
Check the album out here.
11. Twinsign – Scry (Self-released, November 17)
The result of a creative partnership between Shaina Broadstone and Jade Puget of AFI and Blaqk Audio, Twinsign is a refreshingly unique electronic art pop duo based out of Los Angeles. Puget brings his established musical prowess to the table, infusing every song on the album with clever hooks, tasteful Cure-inspired guitar riffs, and rich electronic palettes, while Broadstone supplies her enchanting vocals. It’s a dreamy, wistful little album full of instant earworms (and bonus points for adding frogs and crickets to the mix).
My top songs: “Dream Killer,” “Asking for a Friend,” “Rainbow in the Rearview”
Check the album out here.
12. Feist – Multitudes (Polydor Records, April 14)
Feist never disappoints. For her sixth solo offering, the Canadian singer-songwriter delivered the aptly named Multitudes, which is full of stripped-down songs that showcase her expressive voice and candid lyrics. I’m a big fan of songs where you can hear string squeaks and rattles, hands tapping on guitar tops, and background noise, and this album is full of them. It’s a celebration of subtle beauty that boldly asks the question: “Everybody’s got their shit, but who’s got the guts to sit with it?”
My top songs: “The Redwing,” “Song For Sad Friends,” “Hiding Out in the Open”
Check the album out here.
13. Nation of Language – Strange Disciple (Play It Again Sam, September 15)
New York indie synth-pop band Nation of Language has served up an album full of what the kids might call “bangers.” Most of the songs have a high degree of danceability or, at the very least, will have you bopping your head and doing the Harry Burns lip bite. This isn’t too surprising, given that the band’s inception can be traced to Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark’s 1979 jam “Electricity.” Indeed, many of these songs feel straight out of the ‘80s in the best way.
My top songs: “Too Much, Enough,” “Weak In Your Light,” “Surely I Can Wait”
Check the album out here.
14. Meredith Moon – Constellations (True North Records, March 31)
Toronto-based singer-songwriter Meredith Moon’s long-awaited second album serves up masterfully plucked acoustic guitar ditties, bluesy piano numbers, and, of course, her superb clawhammer banjo playing. It’s a diverse album that spans a wide range of emotions, from wistful nostalgia to jaunty optimism and everywhere in between. As always, Moon’s voice provides a warm, soothing resonance throughout. After listening, it probably won’t surprise you to learn that she is the late Gordon Lightfoot’s daughter.
My top songs: “Constellations,” “Broken Wing Bird,” “Mark Twain”
Check the album out here.
15. Generationals – Heatherhead (Polyvinyl Records, June 2)
New Orleans indie pop duo Generationals has been offering up infectious, highly listenable songs for 15 years, and 2023 was no different. This album has a summery, wind-in-your-hair, road trip vibe throughout. It’s chock full of rumbly bass grooves, glistening synths, and New Order-esque guitar riffs. Put it on and cruise!
My top songs: “Dirt Diamond,” “Waking Moment,” “Elena (feat. Sarah Jaffe)”
Check the album out here.
16. Annika Bennett – madwoman EP (Self-released, March 31)
Los Angeles-based songstress Annika Bennett is a relative newcomer to the wider music world, though she has been dabbling in songwriting since a very young age. The seven songs on this EP are tender, delicate, and touching — not to mention ridiculously catchy. Bennett’s ethereal voice and honest, introspective lyrics pair well together. She’s definitely an artist to watch!
My top songs: “Madwoman,” “Every Color of the Rainbow,” “Lose a Friend”
Check the album out here.
17. Mareux – Lovers From the Past (Revolution Records, May 5)
L.A.-based darkwave artist Mareux, aka Aryan Ashtiani, had given up on his music career and was working in healthcare when his 2015 cover of The Cure’s “The Perfect Girl” unexpectedly went viral on TikTok in 2021. He then channeled that success into a Coachella performance and a helluva debut album in 2023. Lovers From the Past is a moody, gothy record with plenty of hooky grooves to keep those black shawls billowing.
My top songs: “Night Vision,” “DTLA,” “Heaven on Earth”
Check the album out here.
18. Tall Tall Trees – Stick to the Mystical I (Joyful Noise Recordings, September 8)
New York’s Mike Savino, aka Tall Tall Trees, is a talented multi-instrumentalist famous for tricking out his banjos and making them do decidedly un-banjo-like things — in a good way. When I saw him perform with Kishi Bashi, he was expertly shredding away on his custom light-up electric banjo. That said, his new album is far from a full-on bluegrass situation, although there are a few nods to it. There are plenty of other musical personalities happening, from electronic grooves to psychedelic jams. It’s incredibly diverse and hard to quantify but certainly makes for a joyous listen. One lyric sums it all up: “It doesn’t really matter what you look like if you feel good.”
My top songs: “Sundrops,” “Feel Good!” “This Is Just a Mountain Song”
Check the album out here.
19. Rhiannon Giddens – You’re the One (Nonesuch Records, August 18)
A native of North Carolina, Rhiannon Giddens is a master of her craft – and that craft is creating highly expressive and soulful modern folk music. Giddens also happens to be a skilled banjoist and fiddler, and while she certainly brings the instruments into the songs on her third solo album, what really stands out this time around is her soaring vocals and jubilant energy. It’s sassy, it’s jaunty, it’s sweet. You just might get up and move around a little.
My top songs: “You’re the One,” “Too Little, Too Late, Too Bad, “You Louisiana Man”
Check the album out here.
20. Body of Light – Bitter Reflection (Dais Records, June 30)
Deemed the “Arizona desert brotherhood,” Body of Light is a synth-pop/EBM duo composed of two brothers: Alex and Andrew Jarson. The pair have been reliably producing intricate electronic music and putting on energetic shows since 2012. For the aptly named Bitter Reflection, the duo’s third album, the Jarsons take a hard look at the past and revel in the nostalgia of it all. Musically, it swings from angry to wistful to optimistic. As always, Andrew’s sonic landscapes are cinematic and Alex’s vocals are mesmerizing.
My top songs: “This Conversation,” “Bitter Reflection,” “Never Ever”
Check the album out here.
21. Royel Otis – Sofa Kings EP (Ourness, March 31)
Australia’s indie pop duo Royel Otis — named for the first names of its members, Royel Maddell and Otis Pavlovic — has a knack for churning out insanely catchy and upbeat songs that sometimes border on surf rock. Following the success of their 2022 jam “Oysters In My Pocket,” the pair released a series of EPs, including this one. If this seven-song collection is any indication, Royel Otis’ debut album, due in February 2024, is going to be a real treat.
My top songs: “Sofa King,” “Going Kokomo,” “Kool Aid”
Check the album out here.
22. James Blake – Playing Robots Into Heaven (Republic Records/Polydor Records, September 8)
English electronic musician and producer James Blake has collaborated with everyone from Bon Iver to Beyoncé, but on his sixth offering, he explores a more solo approach. It’s a diverse album, venturing from trap-like club music to more melancholy explorations of self-worth. Electronic dance elements also occur in varying intensity throughout the album alongside Blake’s signature falsetto vocals.
My top songs: “Loading,” “Fire the Editor,” “Tell Me”
Check the album out here.
23. Hozier – Unreal Unearth (Rubyworks Records/Columbia Records, August 18)
I mean, what can ya say about Hozier that hasn’t already been said? I once argued with an ex-boyfriend about whether or not he would make it back in 2014 when I fell in love with his debut. Let’s just say I won that argument because the Irish singer-songwriter is still going strong. Unreal Unearth is his third full-length album and it delivers plenty of his emotionally-charged Hozier charm – although it might be a little darker than you’d expect, given that it was inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic and Dante’s “Inferno.” So, basically, it’s awesome.
My top songs: “De Selby (Part 2),” “Anything But,” “Unknown/Nth”
Check the album out here.
24. Caroline Polachek – Desire, I Want To Turn Into You (Sony Music/The Orchard/Perpetual Novice, February 14)
Okay, but what can you say about Caroline Polachek that hasn’t already been said in 2023? The art pop musician — formerly of the indie pop duo Chairlift — pretty much took the world by storm with her fourth solo album. It was appropriately released on Valentine’s Day, and it’s a fun one, full of Polachek’s distinctive-but-Enya-inspired vocals, bagpipes, quirky beats, laughing babies, Spanish guitar licks, and exotic bird calls. Put it on when you want to feel good and tackle something.
My top songs: “Welcome To My Island,” “Bunny Is A Rider,” “Sunset”
Check the album out here.
25. Lol Tolhurst x Budgie x Jacknife Lee – Los Angeles (Play It Again Sam, November 3)
Created by a supergroup that combines the musical prowess of former Cure drummer Lol Tolhurst, Siouxsie and the Banshees drummer Budgie, and famed Irish producer Jacknife Lee, Los Angeles features many notable cameos, including Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse, James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem, Bobby Gillespie of Primal Scream, and U2’s The Edge. The project was born when Tolhurst played a few demos for Lee, who was his neighbor, in 2019. It soon evolved into a multi-instrument affair that included AI voice machines and various “found sounds.” Every song features a guest vocalist, who also provided their own lyrics. When it was all said and done, Los Angeles had emerged as a common theme. It’s weird, it’s catchy, it’s wonderful.
My top songs: “We Got to Move (feat. Isaac Brock),” “Ghosted At Home (feat. Bobby Gillespie),” “This Is What It Is (To Be Free) (feat. Bobby Gillespie)”
Check the album out here.
26. Youth Lagoon – Heaven Is a Junkyard (Fat Possum Records, June 9)
Youth Lagoon, aka Idaho-based musician Trevor Powers, returned from retirement with his fourth album: the sweeping, emotional journey that is Heaven Is a Junkyard. Waylaid by an illness that destroyed his voice for the better part of a year, the album understandably explores themes of home, healing, love, family, and longing alongside darker things like suicide and death. Musically, it’s electronic and experimental but also features distinct country elements like saloon piano, harmonica, and lap-steel guitar – a combo that some have called “a portrait of the God-haunted American West” and “mutant Americana.” In any case, it’s evocative and beautiful.
My top songs: “Prizefighter,” “Idaho Alien,” “Trapeze Artist”
Check the album out here.
27. The National – First Two Pages of Frankenstein (4AD, April 28)
Another strong contender for “Album Title of the Year,” The National’s First Two Pages of Frankenstein delivers more of the Ohio indie rock band’s signature brand of soothing music punctuated by Matt Berninger’s baritone vocals and storyteller lyrics and the Dessner brothers’ perfect piano accents and subtle-but-captivating guitar riffs. The band’s ninth album features guest appearances by the likes of Sufjan Stevens, Taylor Swift, and Phoebe Bridgers. Like their previous releases, it transports its listeners to a transcendental world all its own. It feels like wearing headphones in a warm, cozy room while looking longingly out of a rain-streaked window.
My top songs: “Your Mind Is Not Your Friend (feat. Phoebe Bridgers),” “Eucalyptus,” “Ice Machines”
Check the album out here.
28. Johanna Warren – The Rockfield Sessions, Vol. 1 (Self-released, November 17)
Though she’s native to Florida, singer-songwriter, actor, Reiki master, and herbalist Johanna Warren is a voyager of worlds. Her music is delicate, fairylike, and lovely though it often tackles dark themes. The Rockfield Sessions, Vol. 1 sees her at her absolute finest, live and pure in a Welsh studio. Here, Warren performs stripped-down acoustic versions of songs from her extensive catalog (with a few new surprises), showcasing her angelic voice and adept picking. It’s a stunning live revisitation of songs old and new and I can’t wait for volume 2!
My top songs: “Mine To Take,” “Black Moss,” “Cause Or Effect”
Check the album out here.
29. Great Lake Swimmers – Uncertain Country (Deluxe) (Pheromone Recordings, September 29)
Ontario folk rock band Great Lake Swimmers have been making ethereal, nature-centric music for decades. Their eighth release showcases a more complex, layered, and studio-polished side of the band. But the album’s deluxe version sprinkles candid in-studio quips and outtakes throughout and also features a few divine acoustic versions of the album’s songs. It floats from country to folk to indie rock and back again, painting a sharp-toothed but achingly beautiful portrait of both the natural world and the human condition.
My top songs: “Uncertain Country,” “Riverine (Acoustic),” “Swimming Like Flying”
Check the album out here.
30. Lana Del Rey – Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd (Interscope Records/Polydor Records, March 24)
New York singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey is back with more of her classic, cinematic sound – and, as always, I’m here for it. The album’s second single, “A&W,” is a lengthy, ranting song in which she boldly proclaims: “It’s not about havin’ someone to love me anymore/This is the experience of bein’ an American whore.” Del Rey’s ninth album is intimate, personal, and maybe even a touch bitter, but just as grand and enjoyable as her previous offerings. Her vocals are sultry and confronting, presented over a backdrop of electronic beats, off-kilter piano, and collaborations with the likes of Jon Batiste and Father John Misty. As always, listening to it from start to finish is an experience you won’t find anywhere else.
My top songs: “A&W,” “Candy Necklace (feat. Jon Batiste),” “Let the Light In (feat. Father John Misty)”
Check the album out here.
31. Male Tears – KRYPT (Avant! Records, April 28)
Southern California’s electronic dance act, Male Tears, has been making its unique brand of upbeat, gothy pop music since 2021. Known for their heavily made-up glam aesthetic and energetic live performances, the group’s third album, KRYPT, sees them at their catchiest and danciest yet. Full of synths, lovelorn lyrics, and a few strobe-light-worthy industrial moments, you’ll want to break a sweat to this one.
My top songs: “I EXPIRE,” “SLEEP 4EVER,” “SLAY”
Check the album out here.
32. Animal Collective – Isn’t It Now? (Domino, September 29)
New York experimental pop folk act Animal Collective has been busy lately, releasing new songs, EPs, and albums with incredible frequency — which is all the more impressive when you consider the fact that they’ve been going strong for 25 years. The foursome’s fourth album, Isn’t It Now?, clocks in at a shocking 64 minutes long. It was written in a Tennessee cabin back in 2019 (I’m apparently a big fan of music written in cabins), and is just now seeing the light of day. It’s essentially the sister album to 2022’s Time Skiffs, being made up of songs that the group really wanted to explore in person, rather than from their respective COVID-19 quarantines. As such, it’s certainly the livelier and more outgoing sister of the two, full of noisy elements, poppy hooks, crickets, and psychedelic improvisation.
My top songs: “Soul Capturer,” “Broke Zodiac,” “Gem & I”
Check the album out here.
33. Elvis Depressedly – Who Owns the Graveyard? (Self-released, February 24)
North Carolina experimental pop group Elvis Depressedly typically creates melancholy-leaning lo-fi indie pop songs that frequently evolve into sneaky earworms. The group’s fifth full-length album, Who Owns the Graveyard?, leans fairly dark, exploring themes of depression, substance use, and loneliness in an at times satirical manner that makes frequent use of sampled recordings, autotune, and noise elements. Even still, many of these songs will inevitably get stuck in your head.
My top songs: “Say Hi,” “In That Sound,” “Same Old Way”
Check the album out here.
34. boygenius – the record (Interscope Records, March 31)
Indie rock supergroup boygenius, which is composed of Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker, and Lucy Dacus – all successful singer-songwriters in their own right — released their long-awaited full-length debut in 2023, aptly titled the record. The album, which features elements of ‘90s rock, folk, and pop and received songwriting input from Paul Simon, has been widely praised by critics and is deserving of all the love it gets. The three artists prove that sometimes a whole is greater than the sum of its parts (even if those parts are already pretty great).
My top songs: “Cool About It,” “Not Strong Enough,” “$20”
Check the album out here.
35. Unknown Mortal Orchestra – V (Jagjaguwar, March 17)
New Zealand indie rock band Unknown Mortal Orchestra, now based in Portland, Oregon, has returned with their fifth album, V, which is an eclectic mix of quirky tunes that were recorded in Hawaii and the California desert. It’s a collection of songs that fuse elements of ‘70s rock, disco, and offbeat pop while exploring themes of working too much and escaping from the grind. In keeping with this theme, it ebbs from summery funk-infused joy to more brooding, acoustic moments in a way that works well with its diverging themes.
My top songs: “The Garden,” “Layla,” “Weekend Run”
Check the album out here.
Important note on year-end album lists: This is just one person on the internet’s humble opinion about what is good. And while I like to think that I’m alright (sometimes, anyway), I would in no way claim that I know best when it comes to art (which we sometimes forget is what music is all about). This is hardly an exhaustive list of every good album that came out in 2023, and the order in no way indicates that one is superior to another. These are just my absolute must-listens.
Until next year!
