Top 10 Best Albums of 2023
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Did You Know that There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd - Lana Del Rey
This is rightfully #1! I am glad it passed Guts.
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That! Feels Good! - Jessie Ware
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72 Seasons - Metallica
This album was just a great comeback for Metallica.
This is great. It's amazing. For a sell-out, it's great.
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Scaring the Hoes - Jpegmafia & Danny Brown
This album is insane! Two of the most beloved underground rappers creating an album together based on the internet's desire. The production is fire, the lyrics are densely crafted, and the vibes are like no other.
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Unreal Unearth - Hozier
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Guts - Olivia Rodrigo
Olivia Rodrigo outdid herself on so many levels in her sophomore album. Sour was a particularly astonishing debut, especially coming from a teenager, but Guts is light years away from being a sophomore slump. Her songwriting and vocals have significantly improved, and she proves once again that she's the voice of a generation and is here to stay.
While the heartbreak theme is still present in her lyrics, they also deal with her rise to fame, her insecurities, and her doubts about entering early adulthood, making it probably the most gut-wrenching and euphoric pop album of the year. Trust me, guys, if you're into pop edginess, whether you're a teenager or an adult, this album is a must-listen, even more so than her debut. Well done, Olivia!
Note: 9.5/10
Best songs: "Vampire", "Bad Idea Right?", "Get Him Back!", "Lacy", "Teenage Dream", "Pretty Isn't Pretty"
Worst songs: NONE!
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This is Why - Paramore
An excellent return to form for Paramore. It looks like their extended hiatus was highly beneficial to them. Instead of jumping into the pop-punk/emo-pop revival bandwagon like Avril Lavigne or Simple Plan, they come back with a raw but more adult sound influenced by post-punk and bands such as Talking Heads and Bloc Party, and it works extremely well.
They've reached maturity in their sound where bands of their generation failed. I really love this new direction by Hayley Williams and her bandmates, and I can't wait to hear more.
Note: 9/10
Best songs: "This Is Why", "C'est Comme Ça", "Running Out of Time", "Big Man Little Dignity", "Figure 8", "Liar", "Crave", and "Thick Skull"
Worst songs: NONE! It's an excellent album!
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Memento Mori - Depeche Mode
Amazing comeback album by Depeche Mode following the death of Andrew Fletcher. This is probably their best album in 25 years, which is incredible considering that Dave Gahan and Martin L. Gore are now in their 60s. I hope their tour will be just as good.
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Diamonds & Dancefloors - Ava Max
Out of all three of the most compared pop queens (Kim Petras, Carly Rae, and Ava), probably Ava Max is in the middle in terms of being the most experimental with dance tracks.
Carly and Kim are also good musicians as well.
~ nomasila
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The Loveliest Time - Carly Rae Jepsen
Carly continues her streak of amazing B-side albums. I love all but two of the tracks on The Loveliest Time, and the production stands out as some of her best yet. I go back and forth on whether this one or Emotion is my favorite of her albums, but this is the one I replay the most.
It is a breath of fresh air to have someone as consistently good as Carly. She is a true student of what makes pop music great and could write an insanely catchy bop in her sleep at this point.
I personally think this is the best album of the year. It is a masterpiece. 10/10
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Rites of Percussion - Dave Lombardo
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Alma - Nicki Nicole
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The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess - Chappell Roan
This album unexpectedly slaps! It has a great mix of dance-floor bangers, piano ballads, and a bit of a Midwestern twang. It's even better than GUTS by Olivia Rodrigo. Folks, you should definitely give it a listen!
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Confessions of the Fallen - Staind
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Rebirth: Greatest Hits - Old Gods of Asgard
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Endless Summer Vacation - Miley Cyrus
A great new album by Miley Cyrus. I really like the sunshine and psychedelic vibes on most of the tracks. It looks like Miley is finally finding her way. I hope she'll keep being this good.
Note: 8/10
Best songs: "Flowers", "Jaded", "River", "Island", "Handstand", "Violet Chemistry", "You", "Thousand Miles" (feat. Brandi Carlile)
Worst song: "Muddy Feet" (feat. Sia)
Probably her best album so far. She matured so much.
What a great album. The songs are nice.
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Pizza Supreme - RichaadEB
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Desire, I Want to Turn Into You - Caroline Polachek
How was this album not here yet? This is hands down the best album of the year so far. Every song on this album feels like an odyssey and covers a wide variety of genres. Caroline's vocal performance is outstanding throughout the album. This is far from being a sophomore slump and a fantastic art pop album overall. Thank you, Caroline!
She's kind of underrated.
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Pastel Painted People in Candy Coloured Crowds - The Arcana
Just discovered this band. Amazed at how good they are.
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Everything Harmony - Lemon Twigs
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Maps - Billy Woods & Kenny Segal
Another excellent album by Billy Woods. The jazz-rap blends are extremely well executed, the lyrics are great, and the performances are fire. One of the greatest albums of the year so far for sure!
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10,000 Gecs - 100 Gecs
Hyperpop perfection
~ nomasila
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In Times New Roman... - Queens of the Stone Age
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Truth Killer - Sevendust
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The Unknown - Evile
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Ouroboros (A Metal Tribute to Xenoblade Chronicles 3) - Gabocarina96
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But Here We Are - Foo Fighters
This has to be Foo Fighters' greatest album in a long, long time. The songwriting is so hauntingly beautiful, and every hook and chorus is extremely solid. This is probably the 21st century's Back in Black. Also, RIP Taylor Hawkins.