Favorite Records of 2023: First Half
Algiers – Shook
It may feature a long list of collaborators and cover more stylistic ground than ever before, but the Atlanta band’s ambitious 4th album
Andy Shauf – Norm
Another soft rock masterpiece by the contemporary master.
Billy Woods & Kenny Segal – Maps
This is what you get when two of the most exciting artists in underground hip hop combine forces.
Califone – Villagers
Califone records are intricately-detailed, rustic portraits of the world via which one can get lost within for days.
Dave Scanlon – Taste Like Labor
Although nowhere near as tense and claustrophobic as anything released with his experimental band JOBS, Dave Scanlon’s latest solo record is similarly off-kilter and adventurous, resulting in a totally mesmerizing listen.
Home Is Where – the whaler
At a time when so much indie rock sounds bored with itself, the whaler is a welcome reminder of the genre’s more lively origins.
Indigo De Souza – All of This Will End
On her latest, the Asheville-based songwriter confidently balances pop hooks with an earnest indie rock style, presenting a brutally honest and relatable self-portrait.
Judson Claiborne – Live Active Culture, Vol. 1
An existentialist contemplates over a backdrop of folk and slowcore.
Lankum – False Lankum
Proving that Celtic folk isn’t just drunken sing-a-longs, the latest from the Irish quartet is a droning epic that can at times sound as sinister and depressing as it can be beautiful.
Lonnie Holley – Oh Me Oh My
Oh Me Oh My may feature some high profile collaborators like Michael Stipe and Bon Iver, but there’s no upstaging Lonnie Holley. The idiosyncratic soul singer goes as deep as he can go, taking listeners on a revealing emotional journey.
M83 – Fantasy
A full return to form, the latest dream pop gem from Anthony Gonzalez is pure euphoric bliss.
Man on Man – Provincetown
Unabashedly gay, delightfully catchy, and loaded with synthesizers, the debut album by Joey Holman and Roddy Bottum has all of the hallmarks to be expected from a Bottom project while sounding remarkably fresh.
Meg Baird – Furling
From the subtle majestic arrangements to Meg Baird’s elegant vocals, Furling is a majestic folk dream that’s as comforting as a soft blanket on a cool autumn evening.
Quasi – Breaking the Balls of History
Coming 10 years since the duo’s last album, Sam Coomes and Janet Weiss show no rust, delivering distortion-fuzzed power pop anthems that take aim at post-COVID-19 frustrations with the barbed wit to be expected from the duo.
R. Ring – War Poems, We Rested
Although she’s been overshadowed by her twin sister, Kelley Deal has had her own impressive music career beyond their joint venture, The Breeders. Her 2nd album with Mike Montgomery as R. Ring may just be my favorite release associated with either Deal sister since the turn of the century.
Slowthai – Ugly
Following his collaboration-heavy sophomore release, the UK rapper completely shifts gears, injecting a fair amount of post-punk into his sound, resulting in an exhilarating record that never lets up.
The WAEVE – The WAEVE
Combining forces, Rose Elinor Dougall (The Pipettes) and Graham Coxon (Blur) come across as a perfect match. The pair trade off vocals over a perfectly-construstructed rainy day mix of sophisti-pop and alt-rock.
Wednesday – Rat Saw God
The local favorites make the leap on Rat Saw God, committing fully to a shoegaze-infused country aesthetic that buzzes louder than ever over Hartzman’s tales of southern youth.
Yo La Tengo – This Stupid World
Nearly four decades since their formation, the beloved indie rock legends have delivered an instant classic that features some of Ira Kaplan’s most absorbing guitar explorations.
Young Fathers – Heavy Heavy
The experimental Scottish trio continues to sound like no one else, synthesizing soul, hip hop, pop and rock within an explosive post-industrial package that’s both fierce and jubilant.