You can count on a few things in life to be consistent. My yearly music roundup is one of them (although it is slightly late this time; my apologies). Looking at lists from other publications, I would say mine are far less pretentious. But maybe that’s not true. Who’s to say? My wife says I’m not allowed to be snobby about stuff—but it's not my fault I like good things. All kidding aside, I always say the beauty of music is about how diverse and universal it can be. Having lived in a few different places recently, I have gotten a larger picture of how culture, language, and age are not the barriers in music than you might imagine. I love it. Before I get into the actual music, here are some takeaways from 2023.
The Andre 3000 flute album must be addressed. I hate on it more than most people have, so it’s nice to see some veterans in the hip-hop community clap back at him saying, “I have nothing to rap about at 48.” That’s not true, and other artists are proving that, not just in rap but in rock. Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Blink 182, among others, have recently released killer albums with music that’s just as relevant now as when they first started making it.
Most of you are probably as tired of hearing about Taylor Swift as I am, so I’ll keep it brief. But I’m a little shocked at how she’s yet again catapulted herself into a higher echelon of superstardom. She might be the world's biggest artist. I’ll take folklore and Midnights and likely leave out all the rest.
Speaking of pop superstars. It’s been terrific for Canadians to have a pop princess of our own. On the heels of her album THINK LATER, Tate McRae has seemingly come out of nowhere and become famous, like musical guest on Saturday Night Live famous. I love seeing Canadian artists get their due on the world stage. A few artists on my list this year are homegrown talents, which makes me happy.
My Apple Music Replay (The grownup version of Spotify Wrapped) was inundated with movie scores this year. It was by far my most listened-to genre. Succession, Ahsoka, and Loki all had scores that amplified great television seasons, but the star of the year was Ludwig Goransson with his genius Oppenheimer score. It is absolutely incredible and is highlighted by the technically mind-blowing track “Can You Hear the Music.” But enough of me nerding out over movie scores. Let's get into what you came here for—my favorite albums from 2023.
Electric Avenue
For driving and working out
Vandelux is a Canadian artist starting to get recognition on the global stage. With his debut album, When the Light Breaks, he is cementing himself as a highly talented artist by creating a unique brand of melodic chill house. Similarly, Shallou is an artist who also leans toward a more relaxed style of house music. Combining airy vocals and ambient sounds makes for a very soothing album with In Touch. Both albums are perfect for a little serotonin boost on a Sunday afternoon.
For something completely different, I must talk about Flaws in Our Design, the new EP from Odesza & Yellow House. This EP marks a departure from the classic stadium house tracks we are used to from Odesza. They incorporate pop melodies and alternative vocals for music with an indie feel. The tracks give off a Monsters and Men vibe but with a house twist. If this is a new direction for them, I am very excited.
He Said, She Said
It would be a travesty to overlook these albums
Singer/Songwriters can go unnoticed because of the indie nature of the artists. But, if you’ve been following this list long enough, you'll start to see some of these artists make return appearances. If This Is the End by Noah Gundersen is a continuation of what he does best—profound and emotional lyricism. The instrumentals on this album are stripped back to give focus to his vocals and writing. I like this album because it's raw, like much of his other stuff. And sometimes, sad music is the best.
I always try to listen to new music, but I also love to listen to what I love. One artist who always has me excited about new music is another Canadian content alert—Charlotte Cardin. Her latest album, 99 Nights, is a foray into more upbeat pop music, straying from her indie French-Canadian roots. I love the vibes of “Confetti” and “Jim Carrey”. If you’ve found yourself obsessed with fellow Canadian popstar Tate McRae, you should familiarize yourself with Charlotte and her music. It’s better.
Mitski is an artist who wasn't on my radar before this year. Did I only get into her because she had a song in one of my favorite movies of the year? Possibly. Go watch Past Lives. The Land Is Hospitable and So Are We is an excellent album for spring-boarding your Mitski fandom journey. When gauging how much I like an album, I focus on vocals and lyrics; this album checks all the boxes. She reminds me of Lana del Rey with some jazzier bluesy vibes thrown in. Super talented, and I'm proud to say I’m now a fan.
Everyone's first foray into music is often what their parents listened to. I recall my dad listening to Roy Orbison and Julio Iglesias. It's music I appreciate but don’t often frequent. Hearing Angel Face by Stephen Sanchez immediately took me back. His voice is unique, but I suppose it's only unique to this era. It's powerful and he uses it to create modern songs that sound from another time. I wonder if there's some correlation between an Elvis biopic coming out and then having some artists emerge, like Sanchez and David Kushner, who are known for their deep, full voices.
Vying for the Spotlight
Artists having a breakout year
The newfound (or temporary?) collaboration KAYTRAMINE and the subsequent self-titled album from Aminé and Kaytranada is a vibe. Kaytranada has been around for a while, mostly DJing and making mixtapes. He recently has gained some notoriety from his music, and this album is undoubtedly earning the attention he has deserved for some time. The beats on this album are insane, feeling truly inventive and fresh. They anchor this album and make you eager to hear each new track.
I am rarely a fan of supergroups. But I’ll make an exception for boygenius—the combination of three ultra-talented singer-songwriters, Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker, and Lucy Dacus. All artists are killing it in their own right. Their full-length debut the record vibes like all of them and none simultaneously. They sing like angels, and their harmonies are magic. It’s hard not to appreciate how well their voices fit together. Already well-known individuals, you could ask if it's a breakout. But this album is excellent and being received in a way some of their solo stuff hasn’t. So yeah. I would say so.
You could have a whole genre for big white guys with beards and full, raspy voices. Canadian singer TALK is the most recent artist to stake his claim in the genre with beautiful sound, universal lyrics, and masterful harmonies. Lord of the Flies & Birds & Bees is his debut album after gaining notoriety via TikTok. His song “Run Away to Mars” is one of my favorite songs. If you are a Rag‘n’Bone Man or Nathaniel Rateliff fan, check him out!
Overlooked and Underplayed
You’ve heard of them, but are you paying attention?
Everyone seems only to remember Labrinth when the new season of Euphoria is released. But that soundtrack only exhibits one of the ways he is ultra-talented. If you haven’t, you need to check out his actual albums. Ends & Begins is an excellent window into his style. He has some sounds and flows he likes to stick to, but this album is so intricate with electronic sounds, symphonic melodies, and soaring vocals. One interesting thing Labrinth loves to do is use non-lyrical vocalization to create hooks. It’s a very Gen Z thing. You may love or hate it. But it's certainly an interesting way to create addicting tracks.
It's hard to think of a band as big as The National as overlooked. But it's because of their unique style. They don’t stick to the traditional style of music people are used to. They are seen as critical darlings, yet much of their music flies under the radar. The First Two Pages of Frankenstein feel like a return to a more familiar type of songwriting, reminiscent of their Trouble Will Find Me era. It's everything you want from The National: bright guitars, playful piano leads, and great lyrics, all building an album full of emotional ballads.
If you haven't watched the show Daisy Jones and the 6, you have no idea how great the album is. It's a great show that produced killer music with the album AURORA. The show follows a fictional band in the same vein as Fleetwood Mac. The actual actors learned to play the songs, crushed it, and will hopefully go on tour. The collection of songs were written by artists like Matt Sweeney, Phoebe Bridgers, and Marcus Mumford. Both the show and the album are worthy of your attention.
Daughter falls into the category of artists not everyone knows about, but everyone really should. Consistently great music. Full stop. Everything about Stereo Mind Game is smooth as silk. Songs like “Be on Our Way” build effortlessly. Every track is well crafted, and her voice is perfect. I love her use of reverb on guitars and synths to create dream-like soundscapes on some tracks, yet others are entirely stripped down. Stop sleeping on Daughter and get into it.
Long Live the King(s)
Comebacks galore
Blink is back. I feel it's safe to speak for all fans here when I say that ONE MORE TIME… is the reunion album we all wanted as kids who grew up listening to BLINK 182. It’s a return to their classic sound, and it's personal, relevant, and still fun. It is refreshing when bands you love release music you love later in their career. This is not always the case.
Speaking of a Comeback. The death of a band member is a tragedy a band rarely or fully recovers from. Dave Grohl has done it twice. He has become one of the most prominent voices in the industry and is one person I would love to sit and talk to. With But Here We Are, The Foo Fighters have delivered incredibly personal and meaningful songs tackling grief and the complex emotions that go with it. This is easily their best album of the last decade.
What has only been a four-year break has felt like forever. But the new Hozier album is worth the wait. Not only does he make brilliant music, but I’ve recently listened to a few podcasts with him, and he seems genuine, loving, and intentional. There is a depth to him that comes across in his music, making the songs on his latest album, Unreal Unearth, feel intimate. His music is poetry, and the lyricism he displays on this album is unmatched. His passion and vocal prowess complement his writing and give us a powerful and unforgettable album.
If you’ve spent enough time around me, you might know my mantra about my music preferences. ABC. Anything but country. That’s a sweeping statement that’s not entirely accurate, but you get my drift. So it may be shocking that Higher by Chris Stapleton is on this list, let alone in the top 5. The argument about genres and sub-genres can be saved for a different time. But this album is objectively great. Stapleton is a very talented writer, singer, and guitarist. He brings all these elements to bear in this album, which might be his best yet.
City and Colour must be in the conversation for the best Canadian band. They are in their prime and have followed up 2019's A Pill for Loneliness with another incredible album, The Love Still Held Me Near. Dallas Greens’ brilliant songwriting dives deep into topics of love, loss, and complicated feelings surrounding religion. His voice carries tracks like “Bow Down to Love” to the next level with the power and emotion contained in it. It’s almost as if he can take the heaviness of the topics he is singing about and offer a semblance of freedom and relief by pouring himself into these tracks.
Many of these albums are interchangeable as far as rankings go. I have liked and listened to some more than others throughout the year. However, one has consistently remained above the rest. Out of a hiatus that felt like forever, Sigur Ros reunites and drops Átta. This is one of my all-time favorite bands, and their album Parenthesis is one of my most influential albums. Átta is music to work to, chill to, and even cry to. It's ethereal and moving and, like many offerings from Sigur Ros, utilizes unique experimentation and unusual lyrics. There is no one making music like they are.
There is so much more I could discuss regarding music from last year. But this article is already long enough. Cheers to you if you made it this far. I hope, at the very least, you walk away with some new music to discover!
Until Next Year.
Nathan
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