The Top 25 Albums of 2023: 25 - 21
2023 was a bizarre year, especially when it came to albums. Perhaps that came down to me exploring new musical avenues, and the lack of any music from some of my favorites, but 2023's album list is a mix of some 2022 discoveries and some new favorites. I also appreciated the album as a united art form quite a lot this year. Thus, let us look into the rules for this list.
- The albums must have been released between January 1 to December 31, 2023.
- It must contain at least four new or unique songs or at least twenty minutes.
- It can be from anywhere in the world.
25. Jessie Ware - That! Feels Good!
Disco might be on the decline once again, but Jessie Ware has at least one more disco classic left and That! Feels Good! provides exactly that. Even if the album is not lyrically deep, Ware's anthemic melodies are perfect for a sweaty dance party.
24. SHINee - Hard
It takes momentum to have your most commercially successful album fifteen years after debut, especially as a K-Pop boy band returning from back-to-back military hiatuses, but of course, SHINee could pull it off. Hard is far from the group's best, but it still has its highlights, particularly that stretch of pure pop songs from tracks 4-8. (Full Review)
23. Bl4ck M4rket C4rt - Today I Laid Down
It is hard to hear Today I Laid Down, as the album largely serves as the purest, most unfiltered look at the intense pain of depression. A pain that would take Kai Wesener, AKA BL4ck M4rket C4rt's life a few months after its release. Today I Laid Down is a tragic look at a fantastic artist who didn't live long enough to have a lengthy career of incredible music. I just hope he is doing better, wherever he is.
22. TVXQ - 20&2
20&2 is a little too new to judge in terms of its long-term quality. For now, however, it remains a bumpy ride, with a few fantastic songs, a few duds, and the rare masterpiece such as Rebel. With a little bit of reworking it could top the list, but the good does outweigh the bad.
21. Olivia Rodrigo - Guts
Olivia Rodrigo's debut in Sour showcased disappointment and rage as a teenager in contemporary America, which makes it impressive that follow-up Guts takes a subset of that album, youthful, feminine rage, and expands it into an even better full-length record. Everything Rodrigo did right before is improved on Guts, from the deep cuts, to her vocal performance, songwriting, and production.
The second-third of Shinee's album was SOO GOOD! I was baffled by the combo of 'The Feeling', "Like It', and 'Sweet Misery'.
ReplyDeleteThat five track run from Satellite to Sweet Misery is pretty much perfect!
DeleteSorry for the late reply, life really kept me busy.