Best of 2023
It’s always tough (but fun) putting these lists together. Despite listening to several thousand tracks over the year, I’ll always discover something that should have been on the previous year’s list in January or February of the next year (or decade).
The latest music industry number of tracks going up daily on streaming services is around 100K. That’s more than most people listen to over several years. It’s impossible to keep up with it all. I have my own well-honed system and solid sources which have worked reasonably well over the years. The only downside is that I don’t listen as widely as before, and tend to stick to broad genres and artists (and those in close algorithmic proximity) that I like. It’s not altogether a bad thing. Also, not looking for songs for the next DJ set changes how one listens…but now it’s all about imaginary soundtracks.
This is simply what I liked that I came across in 2023. If you find one new or cool track on these lists, then it’s job done! Please follow/like the playlists on Spotify, Apple Music, or Deezer.
Spotify and Deezer playlist links are at the end featuring the albums below and other BEST OF 2023 tracks of which there were plenty.
In no particular order:
HEALTH – Rat Wars
A fairly long-time fan of HEALTH, but always late. This album strongly connects to that early 90s industrial/metal sound. Adler (Lamb of God) and Justin Broadrick (Godflesh) feature. (there is a new Godflesh album out this year too). This album wouldn’t be out of place on the Alcatraz dancefloor.
Mandy, Indiana – I’ve seen a way
Experimental electronic/dance recorded in a cave, a crypt, and a shopping mall with all vocals in French.
Boygenius – The record
A supergroup of sorts made up of Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus who have all featured on my lists before. It’s also got 7 Grammy nominations which is highly unusual for the music I listen to.
Sigur Ros – atta
Their 8th album and first in 10 years. Icelandic post-rock, but you knew that…
Reverend Kristin Michael Hayter – SAVED!
With Lingua Ignota laid to rest, this is Hayter’s new project. There were hints of this in her previous work (she did a video project where one of the tracks was about Jimmy Swaggart). Avant-garde Southern gospel – it works for me.
Slowdive – alife
Vintage shoegaze from one of its originators.
Fever Ray – Radical Romantics
Unmistakable voice while still electronically shape-shifting and pushing boundaries. ‘Even it out’ has a wonderful Sex Gang Children snarl about it.
Daughter – Stero Mind Game
3rd studio album from Sweet Indie Folk Depressives.
OXN – CYRM
Features Radie Peat from Lankun (also has an album out in 2023). Loved this dark moody Irish take on old folk ballads and Scott Walker’s ‘Farmer in the city’.
The Inward Circles – Before we lie down in the darknesse
Haunting, glacial, and moody. I find at least one album like this every year among my ‘imaginary soundtrack’ additions.
Spotify and Deezer (links below) feature tracks from the albums above along with all the other music I found interesting in 2023. Music by Yeah Yeahs, Morena Leraba, bar italia, Chelsea Wolfe, Lucy Kruger, Crow Baby, Brutus, PJ Harvey, WITCH, Godlfesh, Death Valley Girls, Sleater-Kinney and more.
https://deezer.page.link/gfEMgwweff8VukAD8
https://deezer.page.link/71bGhA7ZNX2x9z7s7
Apple Music link to CHASING ISLANDS
Apple Music link to SLOW DANCING
This year, we have ‘Santas in ufos’ on our Christmas tree, hence the cover artwork theme. As usual, one is for dancing or swaying spasmodically (Chasing Islands…) and the other is more introspective (Slow dancing…)
