The 2023 End of Year music lists thread

aquarium drunkard, RA and NPR lists are ususally good listens

will check out the p4k rap list too

but yeah, it is pretty overwhelming

safe to say more music is released and written abt every year?

idk digging through eoy lists is great, i always find some gems i hadn't heard previously
― ufo, Tuesday, December 12, 2023 11:02 PM (yesterday) bookmarkflaglink

That would mean opening and working through the lists and it sounds like that would take a lot of time and create some sort of Stockholm syndrome

DJ Mag’s top albums of 2023
https://djmag.com/features/dj-mags-top-albums-2023

In 2023, electronic music artists around the world used long-form works to showcase both range and specialism. DJs and producers best known for club-ready works explored personal themes through dream-pop, jazz and ambient, while others returned to the dancefloor with renewed vitality. Among fusions of hip-hop, amapiano, dub, dancehall and R&B we had dialled-in demonstrations of jungle, techno and deep house at their purest. Here, DJ Mag contributors select their personal favourite albums of the year, offering an unranked overview of the sounds that made the past 12 months so memorable for electronic music in all its forms

I think this is where the ILM EOY playlists are helpful.

The Best Pop Music of 2023
https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/best-pop-music-2023/

Opulent disco-pop, R&B hook-up jams, raging hot-mess anthems: These are the songs and albums that defined the year in pop music

TAGS
BEST OF 2023
100 GECS
AMAARAE
ASAKE
OLAMIDE
AVALON EMERSON
CARLY RAE JEPSEN
CAROLINE POLACHEK
CHAPPELL ROAN
CHARLI XCX
CHRISTINE AND THE QUEENS
EASYFUN
FEVER RAY
JESSIE WARE
KALI UCHIS
KELELA
KYLIE MINOGUE
LANA DEL REY
LIV.E
MARÍA JOSÉ LLERGO
MURA MASA
ELECTRONIC
POP/R&B
EXPERIMENTAL

DAZED The 20 best tracks of 2023
https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/61561/1/the-20-best-tracks-of-2023-pinkpanthress-icespice-eartheater

Spotify playlist
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4r7smCV42VU8KABfz5tzJh

recommended listening:

totally blissed out brilliance riyl insides, laika, one dove

14. JAMES K & HOODIE, “SCORPIO”

There’s something very special about “Scorpio” that I can’t really pinpoint. The track, a collaboration between New York artist James K and Hoodie, is a sleepy trip-hop ballad that stays with you in a way that cradles you at your core. In a dream but still wide awake, drifting into digital fragments and buried deep in a memory somewhere. James K’s ethereal vocals are otherworldly and puts me in the kind of wistful mood that you find yourself in when travelling to distant places, led by the beautiful refrain: “So let it go, don’t be a cell to yourself.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX6QWmGxCiE

Listening to new music does indeed take time. While many here are up to the task, I can understand that some don't want to spend the time populating a playlist, looking at the artist's Bandcamp and RYM pages, circling back to reviews, etc. Of all my network of personal friends who are lifelong music geeks, I only know of a couple who bother. I do it so they don't have to, and in my year-end summary I include separate lists with clusters of subgenres to help those looking for certain sounds and styles.

Currently I'm working through the RSTB, as nearly half are new to me. The last two are both Chicago based projects on Drag City that I slept on, the experimental ambient folk of BCMC (Cooper Crain and Bill MacKay) and Axis: Sova. This blurb had my attention: "The fuzz that surrounded the band in the past is burned away with an acid splash of neon glow and chrome glare. Sova brought a vision of Devo, Wire, and Toni Visconti to Segall’s studio door, but the band have also burrowed deep into the android heart of Tubeway Army’s sound, scratching deep into their cauterized soul. Further into the caustic creep of the album, the band slides a few slices of Magazine, Soft Boys, Twinkeyz, and Simply Saucer into the synapses as well."

Abysmal Hymns - the Top 10 Hardcore Albums of 2023
http://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/12/the-top-10-hardcore-albums-of-2023.html

highly recommended

3- Svalbard - "The Weight of the Mask"

track from the album

SVALBARD - How To Swim Down (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd5hh2BfsMM

expansive euphoric ethereal

James K song was also on Crack’s list. Great song very trip hop revival.

happy to see the sam goku record on a list (dj mag) (i discovered it from tim f's list)

Listening to new music does indeed take time. While many here are up to the task, I can understand that some don't want to spend the time populating a playlist, looking at the artist's Bandcamp and RYM pages, circling back to reviews, etc. Of all my network of personal friends who are lifelong music geeks, I only know of a couple who bother. I do it so they don't have to, and in my year-end summary I include separate lists with clusters of subgenres to help those looking for certain sounds and styles.

― Fastnbulbous, Wednesday, December 13, 2023 7:54 AM (two hours ago) bookmarkflaglink

I'm guessing a lot of us here play this role in our social circles

I do but most of my friends are the “only 12 records in my collection” sort of folk. The ones who are more curious have wildly differing taste from my own so it’s fun when we do find an album or artist that we both love but it’s becoming more uncommon as we grow older.

Marissa Moss and Natalie Weiner's top country songs and albums of the year:

https://dontrocktheinbox.substack.com/p/issue-35-our-favorite-songs-and-albums
https://www.stereogum.com/2244742/the-10-best-country-albums-of-2023/lists/year-in-review/2023-in-review/

That Doc Watson Tribute album that Weiner put at number 1 is excellent.
https://iamapilgrim.bandcamp.com/album/i-am-a-pilgrim-doc-watson-at-100

Best Jazz of 2023 (Stereogum)

I wrote this, and also got 18 artists to contribute their favorite albums of the year. Surprised by how many other jazz players loved Meshell Ndegeocello's album (which I admit I didn't even listen to).

Love the format. Didn't know about that Hargrove record, and now I'm checking out the Koma Saxo since I didn't know anything about it. It can be hard to find the right line once you start overtly chopping and editing live takes like this but so far it's done really well.

The 50 best metal albums of 2023 - as voted by the readers of Metal Hammer
https://www.loudersound.com/features/fan-voted-best-metal-albums-of-2023

That Doc Watson Tribute album that Weiner put at number 1 is excellent.
https://iamapilgrim.bandcamp.com/album/i-am-a-pilgrim-doc-watson-at-100

― Indexed, Wednesday, December 13, 2023 11:07 AM (one hour ago) bookmarkflaglink

Should have mentioned that this features a number of ILM favorites: Jeff Parker, Yasmin Williams, Rosanne Cash, Dolly Parton, Steve Earle, Bill Frisell...

...yeah, that Koma Saxo is so good...

The Wire's Releases of the Year 2023
https://www.thewire.co.uk/audio/tracks/the-wire-s-releases-of-the-year-2023

had missed the new Fire! Orchestra album

listening now, sounds great

they are a thrill live

Clash - Albums Of The Year 2023
https://www.clashmusic.com/features/albums-of-the-year-2023/

https://www.albumoftheyear.org/list/2192-clashs-albums-of-the-year-2023/

1. Sampha – Lahai

I listened to that Doc Watson tribute a ton early in the year.

Resident Advisor Top Albums 2023

https://ra.co/features/4293

speaking of country ... Bandcamp's best country (and "country-ish") of 2023:

https://daily.bandcamp.com/best-of-2023/the-best-country-music-of-2023

the fader's songs of the year: https://www.thefader.com/2023/12/14/100-best-songs-2023

Raven Sings the Blues - albums

https://www.ravensingstheblues.com/2023-favorites/

part 3 from Cardiff based, GIITTV

GIITTV: Albums of the Year for 2023, 25-1
https://www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk/2023/12/15/giittv-albums-of-the-year-for-2023-25-1/

https://www.albumoftheyear.org/list/2203-god-is-in-the-tvs-albums-of-2023/

1. Corrine Bailey Rae – Black Rainbows

MAGNET, is this magazine/ music website still going, trad indie rock incoming...

MAGNET's Top 25 Albums of 2023
https://magnetmagazine.com/2023/12/14/magnets-top-25-albums-of-2023/
https://www.albumoftheyear.org/list/2200-magnets-top-25-albums-of-2023/

1. Guided by Voices - Nowhere to Go But Up

Not to be too pedantic, but technically Magnet listed all three 2023 GBV albums as their #1.

Bandcamp - The Best Electronic Music of 2023
By Joe Muggs·
https://daily.bandcamp.com/best-of-2023/the-best-electronic-music-of-2023

Complex - The Best Albums Of 2023
From smooth R&B projects to hard-hitting rap albums and an unexpected project that made its way to the top—these are Complex’s picks for the best albums of 2023.
https://www.complex.com/music/a/j-mckinney/best-albums-2023

1. Gunna, A Gift & A Curse

Wow, Magnet has Blondshell at #2, that's cool

Guardian : best vinyl album covers
https://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2023/nov/29/the-best-vinyl-album-covers-of-2023

Exclaim! : worst album covers
https://exclaim.ca/music/article/exclaim_worst_album_covers_of_2023

Find it funny that there are albums that appear on both lists. That said Guardian’s list is pretty bad.

Wow, those GBV albums are... fine. But to think *all three* are the very best things that came out in 2023--even if your main purview is trad indie rock!--is a sure sign you need to pack it in.

It's probably a gimmick to get people who have been checked out on GBV for a while to pay attention.

Has the 2023 Protomartyr made any year end lists yet?

Irl lol at Whiney’s preamble for best experimental albums on Stereogum

<3

I mean, I'm a huge Pollard stan and I think he's doing some really great work with GBV in recent years, I might argue he's at another career peak, but even I'd have a hard time dropping even just one of those in my top ten for the year.

Protomartyr #7 Loud and Quiet, #9 Ripcord, #15 Fastnbulbous, #49 Beats Per Minute, #73 Piccadilly.

The Quietus Tracks Of The Year 2023
https://thequietus.com/articles/33708-quietus-tracks-2023


nice to see the inclusion of Heartworms, Audiobooks, Max Tundra, Special Interest, Loraine James, Creep Show, Overmono.


The Quietus Tracks Of The Year 2023

1: John Francis Flynn – Mole In The Ground
2: Earth – Angels (The Bug Remix Feat. Flowdan)
3: Heartworms – Retributions Of An Awful Life
4: UKAEA ft. Dali de Saint Paul – Habibi
5: Lunch Money Life – Mother ((feat. Lady Lykez & Suku Ward)
6: Kylie Minogue – Padam Padam
7: Teeth Of The Sea – Megafragma
8: Yaeji – For Granted
9: Hey Colossus – You Laugh At My Face
10: Mclusky – Unpopular Parts Of A Pig
11: Lana Del Rey – A&W
12: Audiobooks – Burnt Pictures
13: Jessica Winter – Funk This Up
14: Jellyskin – Bringer Of Brine
15: Max Tundra – This Woman’s Work
16: Patrick Wolf – The Night Safari
17: Desire Marea – If You Know
18: Special interest – Concerning Peace (Machine Girl Remix)
19: Mandy, Indiana – Pinking Shears
20: Jam City – Times Square
21: Underworld – Denver Luna
22: Aphex Twin – In A Room7 F760
23: Nadine Shah – Topless Mother
24: Shit And Shine – Infinite Shite
25: William Doyle – Relentless Melt
26: Acid Klaus – You’re A Freak (Feat. Philly Piper)
27: HMLTD – The End Is Now
28: Meatraffle – Lovesong Industrial Complex
29: DRIFT. – Red Lights
30: Loraine James – 2003
31: Creep Show – Bungalow
32: Lankum – Go Dig My Grave
33: Overmono – Blow Out
34: Pangaea – Installation
35: In The Trunk – Everything Will Be Alright
36: NewJeans – Super Shy
37: Nicky Wire – Contact Sheets
38: Pole – Stechmück (Sleaford Mods rework)
39: Kelela – Enough For Love
40: Y U QT – Y'All Ready For Dis
41: Lisa O’Neill – Old Note
42: Elvin Brandhi & Lord Spikeheart – Drunk In Love
43: Slowdive – ­The Slab
44: Heinali – Kyiv Eternal
45: Yves Tumor – Echolalia
46: Sealionwman – Giselle
47: The Haxan Cloak – N/Y
48: Minor Science – Workahol
49: Jaaw Rot
50: Fifty Fifty – Cupid
51: Carmen Jaci – Oh Ah Eh Ih Ah Oh
52: Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs – Mr Medicine
53: Astrid – Kostarika
54: Paszka – Jade
55: Manni Dee – For Love & Money
56: Depeche Mode – Ghosts Again (Nik Colk Void Remix)
57: IFS MA – Yaksoq
58: L'Rain – New Year's UnResolution
59: Slauson Malone 1 – Voyager
60: Health – Children Of Sorrow
61: KWARP – New Arising
62: Dragonchild – LTD
63: Olivia Rodrigo – Vampire
64: Tara Clerkin Trio – Marble Walls
65: Alex Zethson – Öja
66: Enchanted Forest – Day Song
67: Klara Lewis & Nik Void – I’ll Always
68. Wacław Zimpel – Train Spotter
69: Sleaford Mods – West End Girls
70: Billy Woods & Kenny Segal – FaceTime (ft. Sam Herring)
71: Enola Gay – PTS.DUP
72: CHAI – Para Para
73: Boris & Uniform – You Are The Beginning
74: Fat White Family – Religion For One
75: WaqWaq Kingdom – Buri Buri (feat. Catu Diosis)

Relentless Melt

Everyone's favorite culture paper of record, The Economist:

https://www.economist.com/culture/2023/12/08/the-best-albums-of-2023-as-chosen-by-the-economist

The best albums of 2023, as chosen by The Economist

“Blomi”. By Susanne Sundfor
“False Lankum”. By Lankum
“Fountain Baby”. By Amaarae
“Gold”. By Cleo Sol
“Guts”. By Olivia Rodrigo
“Heavy Heavy”. By Young Fathers
“Hit Parade”. By Róisín Murphy
“Manzanita”. By Shana Cleveland
“New Vietnam and Singles”. By Civic
“Perfect Saviours”. By The Armed
“The Price of Progress”. By The Hold Steady
“The Record”. By Boygenius
“Scaring the Hoes”. By Danny Brown and JPEGMafia
“Strays”. By Margo Price
“Sundown”. By Eddie Chacon

does the anonymous economist music critic post on ilm?

Lol didn’t expect The Economist to be one of the best lists.

Late Entries
https://fastnbulbous.com/lucky-23/#late

La Rosa Noir is a Chicago band lead by Yeshi Regalado. The Chicana songwriter tells stories of the punk scene, relationships, and the loss of her mother. The dreamy post-punk/surf noir hybrid fits in perfectly with women-lead trip jam (a term I took from Peluché years ago) bands like Body Type, Goat Girl, Mere Women, Groupie and Warpaint. Still waiting for a way to actually buy the album.

1. La Rosa Noir – Arellano
2. Upper Wilds – Jupiter
3. Vanity Mirror – Puff
4. The Treasures Of Mexico – Burn the Jets
5. Volksempfänger – Attack of Sound
6. Sweat – Who Do They Think They Are?
7. Dust – et cetera, etc EP
8. Axis: Sova – Blinded by Oblivion
9. The Toads – In the Wilderness
10. Death And Vanilla – Flicker
11. Catatonic Suns – Catatonic Suns
12. Matthew ‘Doc’ Dunn – Fantastic Light
13. Cornelius – Dream in Dream

London metal record shop Crypt Of The Wizard end-of-year lists:

https://www.cryptofthewizard.com/blogs/news/end-of-year-list-2023

of course the economist would put roisin murphy on their list

Oh shit, I didn't realize Waqwaq Kingdom had a new one!! Downloading post-haste, love them.