Favorite Albums of 2023
A round-up of the best things to tickle my ears and soul in 2023 A.D.
It’s been a great year for music, so here’s a round-up of the best discoveries I’ve made and added to my vast collection of tunes.
The following albums I’ve already posted about in earlier posts unto themselves, so I’ll start with them.
Previous Music Posts:
Prog & Nordic Wonders » and more Norwegian Wonders »
Soundtrack/Film - Asteroid City »
Here’s the rest:
SEVEN PSALMS is not so much an ‘album’ as it is a suite of poetry, beauty, grace and musings about death and mortality. I won’t post a single track since the whole thing is one big track, but it’s a must-listen.
I love boygenius. Here they are on SNL, introduced by a very stoned Timothee Chalamet.
Also on SNL this year was a new artist I was introduced to: Noah Kahan, whose Mumford & Sons-inspired vibe and clever lyrics are a reminder that music can still be vibrant, energetic and full of joy. (Enjoy this uppity-number now, ‘cause the rest of this post it’s gonna get dark!)
I also love Mariusz Duda because he’s a musical genius, not only concocting solo albums but standing post as frontman for RIVERSIDE and LUNATIC SOUL. Here’s a sample of his latest ambient music album full of melodic mixes to mellow out to.
Finnish Folk Lords HEXVESSEL have done a complete about-face this time around, shedding their flutes, guitars, and acoustic ethereal acid-laced prog ballads and gone further north into the realms of dread. I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite work of theirs but I still listen because I love them so. Plus they still sing about trees.
I love Haken. They came to Vancouver this year and I missed the chance to see them play. I wish I had. Perhaps next time.
SQURL is filmmaker Jim Jarmusch’s musical moniker and I really love his Silver Haze album, a collection of dark and spooky poems and soundscapes.
Steven Wilson, frontman for PORCUPINE TREE, has unleashed another wondrous record. I love it. He’s even made a stop-motion music video for one of the tracks, giving me another reason to think he’s awesome.
Skye Peterson is the daughter of Wingfeather Saga-author and Rabbit Room-founder Andrew Peterson, and she has come into her own last year with not only a wedding but a full-length debut album which is inspired, lovely and fantastic.
I got to listen to live performances and meet Skye and her fiancée (now husband) Thomas Austin in-person at Hutchmoot. They are just as friendly and warm in person as their music would lead you to trust. Here’s one of my favorite tracks.
Just like ASTEROID CITY, one of my other favorite films of the year is partly my favorite because of its soundtrack. Absolutely beautiful.
…and finally, the release of a follow-up album to LOST IN THE CEDAR WOOD by Johnny Flynn & Robert Macfarlane surprised me near the end of the year, and once its opening track got its hooks into me, I was a goner. This track alone might end up being of my favorite songs of the decade.
Listen, rinse, and repeat. Happy listening, friends! I hope you find something here that rocks your world.
This makes me wish I listened to music more often.
Your lists are always so idiosyncratic and full of mysteries worth checking out. Thanks for continuing to broaden my horizons.