Top 5 albums of 2023

Happy 2024 everyone! I hope everyone has had a nice start to the new year, and that you have accomplished everything you set out to at the beginning of 2023. Last year was a crazy year in music, so I figured I would share the five projects I enjoyed listening to the most. While there were many other amazing albums that came out in 2023, I found these five to be the albums I would most consistently come back to. Truly, all of the albums on this list are excellent and I am excited to celebrate them! I  will say this a number of times during throughout this review, but I seriously recommend taking the time to give each of these projects a listen if you have not already. 

5. i was mature for my age, but i was still a child - grouptherapy.

This is a fun debut album from the California based grouptherapy, and a follow up to past projects this is not the album., there goes the neighborhood., and Truth Be Told. One thing that I think really stands out about this album is the variety -- the group displays their range through the different sounds and tempos on this project. I think its really cool that the group fit songs like "still alive" and "American Psycho" so well together. The project is reminiscent of Saturation-era Brockhampton sonically, and draws from the personal experiences of each of member of grouptherapy. The two songs I mentioned previously, "American Psycho" and "still alive" speak to the artists personal experiences facing the pressure of societal expectations and surviving in defiance of these expectations. I really appreciate the composition of each of the songs. The interpolation of Tyler, the Creator's "Where This Flower Blooms", on "smiles :)" is a really cool sample that was expertly incorporated into the song. Ultimately, would strongly recommend listening to this project because it is a fun album that really embodies the personality of the artists.

Best Songs: American Psycho, how i'm feeling, thastmycheck, still alive

4. Quest for Fire - Skrillex

When people normally think of Skrillex, the first thing that comes to mind is his early-2010s hits, such as "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites", "First of the Year (Equinox)", and "Bangarang." However, I think Quest for Fire should really the first thing that comes to mind when . This album does a really good job combining different artists and genres to produce a high-energy project that is extremely fun to listen to. Listening front to back gives the atmosphere of going to a rave and dancing all night. In addition to being a nice listen, the range of sounds that you hear on this album really cement it as one of the best of 2023. On "RATATA", Missy Elliot's flow is complemented by Skrillex's production on one of the best bangers of the year. I also really enjoyed Swae Lee's rapping on "TOO BIZARRE (juked)", another up-tempo song that really energizes you. Songs like "Butterflies" and "Supersonic (my existence)" do a good job of refining mainstream EDM sounds while also pushing them further into something innovative  Ultimately, this is another excellent album with banger after banger that I would strongly recommend people listen to.

Best Songs: RATATA, Butterflies, TOO BIZARRE (juked), Supersonic (my existence)

3. PetroDragonic Apocalypse; or, Dawn of Eternal Night: An Annihilation of Planet Earth and the Beginning of Merciless Damnation - King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard

It took 24 albums, but King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard have finally put a lizard on one of their album covers. The Australian rock band came this time with a fiery metal album that absolutely blew my ears out of the water. The project tells the story of a world plagued by natural disasters brought upon by the worship of petroleum, and the creation of a lizard monster who completes this destruction over some of the most powerful and intense guitar riffs I have heard in the past few years. Every song on PetroDragonic Apocalypse sounds like an insane jam session between all of the band members. The guitar riffs on songs like “Dragon” and “Witchcraft” are fast paced and really clearly depict that end of days and the prayers of a witches' coven summoning lizard to bring upon that end. Lead vocalist Stu Mackenzie's vocal performances on “Gila Monster”, and “Flamethrower” also play into this destruction that underlines the story told by the lyrics. This one-two punch of quality instrumentals and vivid storytelling really left a lasting impression on me and confirmed that this project was one of the best of the year.

Best Songs: Motor Spirit, Gila Monster, Dragon, Flamethrower

2. Live at Bush Hall - Black Country, New Road

I am not sure what else I can say about this album that I have not already mentioned in my review. This is a beautiful project that sees BCNR continue to produce top-notch music following the departure of guitarist and vocalist Isaac Wood. Despite me playing this album ad nauseum, the instrumentals continue to amaze me and never get old. “Across the Pond Friend” is one of the best songs I have heard this year. The storytelling and emotion on songs like “Laughing Song” feel very genuine and make it easy to connect with the singer and understand their feelings and experiences. Conceptually, “Pigs // Turbines” is a masterpiece in self-growth and finding your place. I also love the instrumental on this song and how it follows the build up of the lyrics. For the album to come together at the end on a reprise "Up Song (Reprise)" is a testament to the artistry of Black Country, New Road, and a demonstration of their mastery of their craft. For sure you don’t want to miss this album. 

Best Songs: Up Song, Across the Pond Friend, Laughing Song, Turbines / Pigs

1. Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!? - McKinley Dixon

Of all of the new projects that came out this year, Beloved!, Paradise!, Jazz!? was my #1 album of 2023. McKinley Dixon first caught my attention with his 2021 release For My Mama And Anyone Who Look Like Her, another project that I thoroughly enjoyed. When he dropped the singles “Run, Run, Run”, and “Tyler, Forever” in March, I was thrilled to get a sneak peek at another project of his. This album is hard hitting with spectacular instrumentals. “Dedicated to Tar Feather” has this wonderful string melody that draws me in every time the song comes on. The choir vocals are another high point for me. “Live from the Kitchen Table” demonstrates Dixon’s ability to compose beautiful songs with these excellent vocal performances deftly woven in. Dixon brings a powerful emotion on songs like “Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!?”, that clearly illustrate his relationships with family and friends. The intro song and interludes of poet and essayist Hanif Abdurraqib reading Toni Morrison are a really nice homage to Morrison and her influence on Dixon and this project. Overall, Beloved!, Paradise!, Jazz!?  is extremely well executed and it is no surprise to me that this album came out on top. The lyrics, instrumentals, and vocal performances all really shine and come together for this masterpiece of a project.

Best Songs: Live! from the Kitchen Table, Dedicated to Tar Feather, Beloved! Paradise! Jazz?!

What were your favorite albums to come out in 2023? Did they make this list or were they different projects entirely? Comment below.