The AllMusic 2023

Year
In
Review

Each year at AllMusic, our editors look back through the albums that made the biggest impact, broke new ground, and just all-out moved us. We begin with our overall best-of list, and will explore a different genre each weekday until the new year. These are our 100 favorite albums of 2023.

100 gecs

10,000 Gecs

The sophomore album from this always chaotic hyperpop duo includes experiments with third wave ska, nu-metal, computerized pop punk, and so much more.

Aesop Rock

Integrated Tech Solutions

More reflective and impressionist than dystopian, the mainly self-produced effort is themed around technology's impact on humanity.

Algiers

Shook

The band's stunning, often harrowing fourth album eloquently expresses their deep-seated, righteous anger.

Altin Gün

Ask

Casting aside the synth pop of recent albums, the group revisit the raucous, more energetic psychedelic sound of earlier recordings.

Anna Lapwood

Luna

A beautifully executed crossover organ album knits diverse and fresh materials into a lyrical, almost mystical whole.

April March / Staplin

April March Meets Staplin

This collaboration between like-minded artists takes the singer to new realms -- trip-hop, noise rock -- while delivering plenty of French pop delights as well.

Arlo Parks

My Soft Machine

The singer/songwriter follows her Mercury Prize-winning debut with a more emotionally urgent, stylistically varied second album.

Baby Rose

Through and Through

Rebounding with Secretly Canadian after a major-label phase, the contemporary soul contralto returns with a striking and dreamlike second album.

Bethany Cosentino

Natural Disaster

The Best Coast singer embraces a fearless honesty and twangy pop/rock sound on her debut solo album.

Blur

The Ballad of Darren

An unexpected, understated Blur reunion album colored by hints of loungey melancholy and middle-aged regret.

Bonnie "Prince" Billy

Keeping Secrets Will Destroy You

A hushed and deeply focused solo outing from this rusty-voiced songwriter recalls elements of his most celebrated earlier work.

Boygenius

the record

Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker, and Lucy Dacus emphasize their unified voice on this bracingly immediate album.

Brandee Younger

Brand New Life

The harpist blends '70s-style soul-jazz with her own boldly contemporary aesthetic.

Brandy Clark

Brandy Clark

Producer Brandi Carlile helps the country singer/songwriter reconnect with the unvarnished spirit of her debut 12 Stories.

Caroline Polachek

Desire, I Want to Turn Into You

The former Chairlift singer embraces a euphoric, '90s and early-2000s electronic pop and trip-hop vibe.

Christian Dillingham

Cascades

The organic and creatively engaging debut album from the Ohio-born bassist.

Clark

Sus Dog

For the first time, the producer adds his own voice -- as well as Thom Yorke's and Anika's -- to his music, with creatively liberated results.

Corinne Bailey Rae

Black Rainbows

Swinging from punk to jazz to house, a daring if natural artistic departure that developed from an artist residency at Chicago's Stony Island Arts Bank.

Cécile McLorin Salvant

Melusine

The singer imbues the folktale of a half-serpent maiden with layered meaning and blends French chanson, jazz, Baroque music, and Afro-Latin traditions.

Danny Brown

Quaranta

The Detroit rapper's sixth album takes on a melancholy tone as he examines deep regrets, self-doubt, and a full spectrum of undiluted emotions.

Depeche Mode

Memento Mori

Rocked by a pandemic and a founding member's death, the now-duo forge ahead with one of their most heartfelt and engaging albums yet.

Duran Duran

Danse Macabre

Designed as a soundtrack to the ideal Halloween party, this blend of covers is winningly silly and spooky.

Durand Jones

Wait Til I Get Over

A striking solo debut from the Indications frontman, this goes in many unexpected lyrical and sonic directions.

Ed Motta

Behind the Tea Chronicles

The "Colossus of Rio" chose a Brazilian band, recorded horns in Detroit, vocals in L.A., and strings in Prague for his most ambitious recording.

Emile Parisien / Vincent Peirani / Vincent Segal / Sissoko Segal Parisien Peirani / Ballaké Sissoko

Les Égarés

An enchanting and playful collection from this French-Malian ensemble that uses kora, cello, saxophone, and accordion.

En Attendant Ana

Principia

The Parisian indie combo comes into their own on their confident yet surprisingly poignant third record.

Faten Kanaan

Afterpoem

The New York composer's fifth album is a delight of shape-shifting melodies and enchanting cyclical moods.

Feist

Multitudes

Developed at a series of intimate concerts, the songwriter's first album in six years takes on profound subject matter with an experimental bent.

Fever Ray

Radical Romantics

Featuring production by their brother/Knife bandmate Olof, Karin Dreijer's third album pares their music down to its most revealing essence.

Fred Hersch / Esperanza Spalding

Alive at the Village Vanguard

An intimate yet dazzlingly playful and improvisatory duo performance captured at the iconic Greenwich Village club.

Gabriels

Angels & Queens

All seven songs from 2022's "part one" are augmented by five new ones and a thumping hybrid of gospel-disco-funk, "Love and Hate in a Different Time."

Genesis Owusu

Struggler

The hard-to-define Australian's second LP is a wild, nervy concept album of defiance and existentialism.

Gustavo Dudamel / Los Angeles Master Chorale / Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra

Thomas Adès: Dante

The epic tale of the Divina Commedia is given new life in the first ballet by composer Adès.

Iris DeMent

Workin' on a World

The acclaimed songwriter returns with a poignant and graceful album addressing the issues of the day.

Jaimie Branch

Fly or Die Fly or Die Fly or Die ((world war))

The posthumous final album from the maverick trumpeter and singer is an exuberant encapsulation of her punk-jazz ethos.

Jenny Lewis

Joy'all

Jenny Lewis consciously chooses joy on this warm, country-tinged evocation of 1970s radio.

Jessie Ware

That! Feels Good!

Accurately titled, this is suited for a disco bigger and more opulent than the one evoked on the singer's preceding LP.

John Southworth

When You're This, This in Love

An understated, gorgeously written set that plays almost like an anthology of the singer's various modes.

Julie Byrne

The Greater Wings

The Vashti Bunyan and Joni Mitchell disciple's follow-up to 2017's Not Even Happiness manages to raise the stakes in artistry.

Kacey Johansing

Year Away

A poignant 2020-penned album whose themes of grief and isolation are elevated by its lush musicianship and Bacharach and Nilsson inspirations.

Kaisa's Machine

Taking Shape

A dreamlike blend of post-bop jazz and contemporary fusion mark the sophomore album from the bassist's group.

Kali Uchis

Red Moon in Venus

The highly concentrated third album from the Grammy-winning singer is flush with supple slow jams and celestial ballads.

Kara Jackson

Why Does the Earth Give Us People to Love?

A stark and captivating debut LP from the onetime National Youth Poet Laureate.

Karol G

Mañana Será Bonito

The Medellín star's fourth set embraces the here and now in a light, sun-flecked LP.

Kelela

Raven

The progressive R&B singer/songwriter and producer returns from a lengthy absence with a potent, emotionally open, sometimes pointed second LP.

Kenny Segal / billy woods

Maps

A vivid travelogue inspired by the rapper's touring experiences.

King Tuff

Smalltown Stardust

King Tuff gets mellow and nostalgic with help from Sasami Ashworth on this beautiful -- and non-rocking -- singer/songwriter outing.

Kvelertak

Endling

A lively black metal throwdown that cements the validity of the Norwegian band's second act.

Kylie Minogue

Tension

Euphoric 16th album from the Australian dancefloor queen that carries the party from the disco to the club.

Lana Del Rey

Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd

The depressive pop superstar's ninth album finds her returning to the level of songwriting and atmosphere cultivation she achieved on her best work before it.

Lankum

False Lankum

A nihilistic and almost comically bleak trek into the dark heart of folk music.

Laura Groves

Radio Red

Interior art-pop ballads from the British singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer formerly known as Blue Roses.

Lawrence English / Loscil

Colours of Air

Using a 19th-century pipe organ as a source, the composers deliver a rainbow's worth of ambient pieces ranging from soft to all-consuming.

Liv.e

Girl in the Half Pearl

Expansive yet introspective second full-length from the boundary-pushing R&B artist.

Marnie Stern

The Comeback Kid

On her first album in ten years, this guitar virtuoso sounds positive and self-assured without losing the controlled frenzy that made her early work pop.

Mary Lattimore

Goodbye, Hotel Arkada

The ambient harpist turns in her most richly nuanced album to date, with help from members of Slowdive, the Cure, and other collaborators.

Melenas

Ahora

The Spanish quartet upgrade from jangling garage rock to bubbling indie rock with vintage synths while upping their melodic craft in the bargain.

Meshell Ndegeocello

The Omnichord Real Book

The singer/songwriter and bassist's stellar first album as a leader for Blue Note, produced by Josh Johnson.

MIKE

Burning Desire

The rapper/producer turns in one of his most accessible and musically nuanced albums while maintaining his roughly hewn, dreamlike style.

Mitski

The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We

In a sharp left turn, our indie anti-heroine follows the quasi-synth pop Laurel Hell with a quasi-country set that still can't find peace with love.

Mozart Estate

Pop-up! Ker-ching! And the Possibilities of Modern Shopping

Following in the novelty pop with politics footsteps of Go-Kart Mozart, this is another warped and wonderful transmission from the brain of Lawrence and friends.

Nathaniel Hackmann / Sierra Boggess / John Wilson / Sinfonia of London

Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma! [Chandos]

A hand-picked orchestra and ensemble deliver a rousing success in this complete score recording premiere.

Nation of Language

Strange Disciple

The turn-of-the-'80s-inspired synth pop act seem to hit their stride on a catchy, anxious third LP that incorporates occasional live instruments.

Nickel Creek

Celebrants

Arriving after a nine-year gap, this album is a rangy and satisfying return to form.

Nina Persson / The Second Hand Orchestra / James Yorkston

The Great White Sea Eagle

Lovely and moving harmony-heavy indie folk from a redoubtable team of musicians who play and sing with subtle grace.

Norwegian Soloists Choir / Grete Pedersen / Ensemble Allegria

Bent Sørensen: St. Matthew Passion

A fascinating rendering of the St. Matthew Passion, with texts by various poets interleaved with biblical words.

Olivia Rodrigo

GUTS

The singer/songwriter exits her teens by honing her soul-baring ballads and spiky pop-punk manifestos with confidence, humor, and bravery.

Paramore

This Is Why

An artfully raw post-punk vibe and candidly straightforward lyrics mark the Nashville group's sixth album.

Parannoul

After the Magic

Dazzling, ambitious third album from the anonymous South Korean emo/shoegaze musician.

Pearl & the Oysters

Coast 2 Coast

The duo's first album made in California is typically bright and bubbly pop that balances familiar warmth with adventurous arrangements.

Peter Gabriel

i/o [Bright-Side Mix/Dark-Side Mix/In-Side Mix]

The art rocker returns with his first album of original material in 20 years: a probing collection filled with empathetic new beginnings.

PinkPantheress

Heaven Knows

The pop visionary follows her mainstream breakthrough with an intense, creative debut album exploring themes of obsession, trust, and self-worth.

PJ Harvey

I Inside the Old Year Dying

Based on Harvey's epic poem Orlam, her spellbinding tenth album contemplates the transition from childhood to adulthood with hallucinatory folk, rock, and electronics.

Queens of the Stone Age

In Times New Roman...

QOTSA strip down to their essence, sometimes sounding vulnerable underneath their roar.

Raphaël Pichon / Perrine Devillers / Pygmalion / Céline Scheen

Claudio Monteverdi: Vespro della Beata Vergine

A glorious recording of the Vespers, bringing to life all the strands Monteverdi wove together in this masterpiece.

Rodrigo y Gabriela

In Between Thoughts...A New World

On their ninth studio album, the pioneering guitar duo add subtle electronics and orchestral elements to their ambitious compositions.

Sampha

Lahai

After years of background work and featured appearances, the singer/songwriter returns with a stirring follow-up to his Mercury Prize-winning debut.

Skyway Man

Flight of the Long Distance Healer

James Wallace (aka Skyway Man) delivers another endearing and offbeat set of celestial pop songs for the Psilocybin Age.

Sleaford Mods

UK Grim

The duo follows the success of Spare Ribs with hilarious, furious, and musically adventurous responses to a post-pandemic U.K.

Slowdive

everything is alive

The band's second post-reunion album is a brilliant evolution that sees them incorporating electronics, post-punk, and even big pop melodies into their shoegaze sound.

Sofia Kourtesis

Madres

A vibrant set of house tracks that serve as poignant reflections, celebrations, and peaceful protests.

Sufjan Stevens

Javelin

Love, both human and divine, is examined in all its complexity and necessity in one of the songwriter's most affecting works.

Susanne Sundfør

Blómi

The Norwegian singer/songwriter hits another career peak on this uplifting and philosophical set.

The Art Ensemble of Chicago

The Sixth Decade: From Paris to Paris

Recorded at the Sons d'hiver Festival in 2020, this amazing gig featuring 21 musicians commemorates AEC's arrival in Paris in 1968.

The Clientele

I Am Not There Anymore

Typical autumnal heartbreak, this time folding in elements of jazz, psychedelia, and electronic music while still sounding perfectly like themselves alone.

The Coral

Sea of Mirrors

Designed as a soundtrack for a lost spaghetti Western, the band nimbly add strings and some country-rock along the way to another triumph.

The Go! Team

Get Up Sequences, Pt. 2

Typically thrilling performances and insistently hooky songs from the long-running group, played here with extra verve -- and emotion.

The Kills

God Games

Combining apocalyptic love songs and pleas for salvation with dub, disco, and plenty of guitars, the duo delivers some of their most exciting music.

Tony Allen / Adrian Younge

Tony Allen JID018

A set of simmering Afrobeat and deep funk tunes built on rhythms from one of Afrobeat's creators, recorded before his death in 2020.

Trio Karénine

Suk - Dvořák

Exceptional performances that grasp the essence of Dvořák's big Piano Trio No. 3 in F minor, Op. 65.

Turnpike Troubadours

A Cat in the Rain

A triumphant return from the seminal Red Dirt country band.

Tyler Childers

Rustin in the Rain

The progressive country singer/songwriter cuts away the fat on this vibrant and vital album.

Vanishing Twin

Afternoon X

The group's first album as a trio adds a shifting, shadowy mystique to their experimental electronic pop.

Victoria Monét

Jaguar II

Long-anticipated debut album from a progressive R&B singer/songwriter known most for her Grammy-nominated work with Ariana Grande and Chloe x Halle.

Water from Your Eyes

Everyone's Crushed

The Brooklyn duo's consistently gripping sixth album delivers skronky noise pop, subtle melodic gestures, deadpan wit, and surprising emotional depth.

Yaeji

With a Hammer

The Korean-American electronic artist's debut album is a mixture of self-reflection, protest, and nostalgic fantasy.

Yo La Tengo

This Stupid World

America's quintessential indie rock band embrace a new level of D.I.Y. with an album reflecting the mastery of their process.

Young Fathers

Heavy Heavy

Joy and purpose amid turbulence are conveyed throughout the Scottish trio's first album in five years.

Yunchan Lim

Yunchan Lim, Live from the Cliburn: Liszt - Transcendental Etudes

Astonishing virtuosity from a still-teenager pianist as he excels in the highest of high-pressure settings.

Yussef Dayes

Black Classical Music

The drummer/composer's debut studio album is a sprawling 19-track musical autobiography wedding electric jazz to R&B, funk, reggae, and Afrobeat.

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Blur