The AllMusic 2023

Year
In
Review

Strong rhythms, impassioned vocals, and genre-defying directions all are hallmarks of our global and Latin favorites this year. Explore the world with Rodrigo y Gabriela, Peter One, Bad Bunny (pictured), African Head Charge, and Yumi Kurosawa.

Adriana Calcanhotto

Errante

On her stylistically diverse debut for Modern, the Brazilian singer/songwriter delivers a musically astute meditation on wandering the world.

A Trip to Bolgatanga

African Head Charge

A Trip to Bolgatanga

Optimistic and encouraging Afro-dub from Bonjo Iyabinghi Noah's long-running ensemble.

Altin Gün

Ask

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

Ane Díaz

Despechada

On her Jim White-produced debut album, the singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist innovatively re-envisions 20th century Venezuelan folk songs.

Antonio Secchin / Tunico

Tunico

The eponymous debut by Tunico (Antonio Secchin) is a colorful, diverse collection of homegrown rhythms, funky fusion, and jazz.

Asake

Work of Art

The Nigerian Afrobeats star sounds relaxed and effortlessly confident on his sophomore set.

Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana

Bad Bunny

Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana

The Puerto Rican star's fifth studio album sees him wrangling with the reins of fame in a bold and conflicted return to his trap roots.

Bombino

Sahel

The Tuareg singer/guitarist makes an album as diverse and complex as the region of its namesake.

Bunbury / Enrique Bunbury

Greta Garbo

Returning after a three-year break, the Spanish songwriter and a new band return to straight-ahead, hooky rock & roll.

Burna Boy

I Told Them...

The Nigerian star takes something of a victory lap on his confident but pleasingly eclectic seventh set.

Caixa Cubo Trio

Agora

For the first time, the Brazilian futurist jazz fusion trio enlists an international guest list in a program of jazz-samba, soul, and groove.

Colmillo de Leche

Carin León

Colmillo de Leche

On his fifth studio album, the Mexican singer/songwriter pulls out all the stops, blending his trademark rancheras with pop, salsa, soul, and more.

Chouk Bwa & the Ångströmers

Somanti

Second album of exhilarating voodoo dub from the Haitian roots ensemble and a duo of Belgian experimental producers.

Hostile Environment

Creation Rebel

Hostile Environment

The first effort from the U.K. roots-dub reggae ensemble in four decades is a triumphant comeback.

Cyro Baptista

Chama

The belated return of the Brazilian composer and percussionist as a bandleader is full of killer chops and delightful surprises.

Daniel Villarreal

Lados B

On his second International Anthem release, the drummer re-enlists guitarist Jeff Parker and bassist Anna Butterss from his debut.

Diana Baroni / Ronald Martin Alonso / Rafael Guel Frias

Mujeres

Chamber renditions of Latin American folk songs delve deep into cultural threads.

Domenico Lancellotti

SRAMBA

With multi-instrumentalist Ricardo Dias Gomes, the Brazilian singer and songwriter delivers a compelling example of his "machine samba."

Behind the Tea Chronicles

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.

Happy Hour in Dub

Hollie Cook

Happy Hour in Dub

An adventurous dub version of the British reggae star's bittersweet 2022 full-length.

Direct-To-Disc Sessions

Islandman

Direct-To-Disc Sessions

The Turkish instrumental trio and guests create a euphoric meld of Central Asian and Balearic folk, electronica, improv, and rock in the moment.

My Heart Speaks

Ivan Lins

My Heart Speaks

Resonance issues an a lush, elegant approach to the songwriter's career with performances of iconic and rare songs and world-class guests.

Emotions Run Dry

Jake Ferguson

Emotions Run Dry

The Heliocentrics co-founder steps out with an instrumental music library set and gets assistance from his bandmate Malcolm Catto.

Mañana Será Bonito

Karol G

Mañana Será Bonito

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

Luciana Souza / Trio Corrente

Cometa

A warm collaboration between the Brazilian singer and the acclaimed São Paulo ensemble.

Brazilian Match

Luíz Millán

Brazilian Match

Peopled by a world-class guest list, this is a serious attempt to get the gorgeous music of Brazil's best-kept secret to international audiences.

Maria Jose Llergo

Ultrabelleza

On her debut long-player, the Spanish singer and songwriter breaks down boundaries between indie, dance-pop, and flamenco.

Pachyman

Switched-On

The Puerto Rican-born dub musician incorporates vintage synthesizers, lovers rock sweetness, and his own vocals into his unique hybrid sound.

Pantayo

Ang Pagdaloy

The all-women Canadian-Filipina band continues to impress with their wild indie kulintang mashup.

Peso Pluma

Génesis

Corridos tumbados' newest star, right off the back of an explosive year of singles, arrives with his most cohesive statement yet.

Come Back to Me

Peter One

Come Back to Me

A heartfelt comeback from a former African folk star, now based in Nashville.

In Between Thoughts...A New World

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.

Shakti

This Moment

On their first studio album in 46 years, the quintet offer an updated sound to carry their transcendent global fusion to both old and new listeners.

Sinikka Langeland

Wind and Sun

The Norwegian folk-jazz mystic sets the poetry of countryman Jon Fosse to music on this ephemeral album.

Stephen Marley

Old Soul

The fifth solo album from the storied reggae artist explores mellow acoustic styles while enlisting help from Jack Johnson, Bob Weir, and others.

Tinariwen

Amatssou

The Tuareg collective weathers the pandemic in an Algerian desert camp with Daniel Lanois producing from afar.

Tony Allen JID018

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.

Ecuatoriana: El Universo Paralelo de Polibio Mayorga

Various Artists

Ecuatoriana: El Universo Paralelo de Polibio Mayorga

Killer collection of diverse, danceable music by Polibio Mayorga, a prolific hitmaker from the late '60s through the early '80s.

The Forest in Me

Xylouris White

The Forest in Me

Recorded continents apart before and during the pandemic, this set manages to offer an even more intimate and adventurous musical language.

Yumi Kurosawa / Yumi Kurosawa Trio

Metamorphosis

Deep, constantly shifting fusions between Japanese koto music and a variety of Western sounds.

Rodrigo y Gabriela

← Favorite Pop Albums

Favorite Classical Vocal Albums →