tay’s favorite albums of 2023
including: 12 top contenders, honorable mentions, and a 123-song playlist!
i’m officially dubbing this year: the return of my faves! so many of my favorite artists re-emerged in 2023 with amazing albums. not all of them will make this list, but it just had to be said. also, a reminder that i established a rule to only have a list of 12 top albums each year. still, i listen to too much music yearly to not have honorable mentions, so let’s getting started with those before we get into the countdown from 12-1.
honorable mentions
(aka 12 albums that i enjoyed, but i didn’t quite know how to rank and that i will likely rank differently in years to come.)
Cleo Sol — Heaven and Gold
grouptherapy. — i was mature for my age, but i was still a child
Harrison — Birds, Bees, The Clouds & The Trees
Eartheater — Powders
Sirens of Lesbos — Peace
Little Dragon — Slugs of Love
Priya Ragu — Santhosam
Badge Époque Ensemble — Air, Light & Harmony
L’Rain — I Killed Your Dog
Jordan Ward — FORWARD
André 3000 — New Blue Sun
official favorites of 2023
12. Laundry Day — Younger than I Was Before
*“Little Chains of Love”, “The Bus”, “Dysmorphia”, “We All Gotta Find a Reason”
i didn’t even talk about this album in any of my monthly roundups, but as soon as i heard it, i knew its status was sealed. this album is so theatrical and thematic — full of skits and adolescent angst. i ain’t been an OST listener in years, so the drama kid in me revels in moments that recreate that feeling.
11. Kassa Overall — Animals
*“Ready to Ball”, “Clock Ticking” ft. Danny Brown & Wiki, “The Lava is Calm” ft. Theo Croker, “Make My Way Back Home” ft. Nick Hakim & Theo Croker, “So Happy” ft. Laura Mvula & Francis and the Lights
i’ll let these live performances do all the talking!
10. 79.5 — 79.5
*“B.D.F.Q.”, “As I Wait 4 Your Love”, “Our Hearts Didn’t Go That Way”, “Stereo in the Window”, “Long Term Parking”, “Feel Like Dancin’”
this album transports me through different dimensions and visions of myself. i would have loved this record at 19, the same way i did at 29, and i can imagine enjoying it at 39 and beyond.
also, it will never not be iconic to have your second or third album be self-titled as opposed to the debut. whereas their last album Predictions had this beachy, sunny disposition, i see this one as the thunderstorm that leads to a rainbow.
9. Liv.e — Girl in the Half Pearl
*“Glass Shadows”, “Lake Psilocybin,” “Wild Animals”, “Ghost”, “A Slumber Party?”, “NoNewNews!!!”
tasteful experimentation and playful lyrics from one of my favorite modern beat makers.
8. Amaarae — Fountain Baby
*“Big Steppa”, “Princess Going Digital”, “Co-Star”, “Counterfeit”, “Angels in Tibet”, “Sociopathic Dance Queen”
i knew this would be one of my favorites very early on. the build-up of each song always leads to a vibe that meets (then exceeds) your expectations!
7. Olivia Dean — Messy
*“Dive”, “Danger”, “Ladies Room”, “The Hardest Part, “Messy”
as raw as the lyrics are, nothing else about the actual album is messy. the arrangement is so thoughtful and endearing, her voice sweet and soulful. Messy is a superb debut album.
6. Jungle — Volcano
*“I’ve Been in Love” ft. Channel Tres, “You Ain’t No Celebrity” ft. Roots Manuva, “Back On 74”, “Candle Flame” ft. Erick the Architect, “Dominoes”
do yourself a favor and watch a marathon of all the videos for this album. i’m sure you’ll find yourself inspired to dance along.
5. Sampha — Lahai
*“Jonathan L. Seagull”, “Only”, “Spirit 2.0” “Can’t Go Back”, “Dancing Circles”, “Suspended”
i had been hoping for a new Sampha album for years because he’s one of the best to ever do it. i was not disappointed in the slightest and i think this is a beautiful, emotive companion to his last record Process.
4. Corinne Bailey Rae — Black Rainbows
*“He Will Follow You With His Eyes”, “Peach Velvet Sky”,“New York Transit Queen”, “Erasure”, “Put It Down”
i found myself in awe of this album. oscillating between gentleness on tracks like “Peach Velvet Sky” and nearly growling on the heavy hitter “Erasure,” Rae truly delivered and it’s some of her best work yet!
3. Kelela — Raven
*“Closure” with Rahrah Gabor, “Contact”, “Washed Away”, “On The Run”, “Divorce”, “Far Away”
like i said before, Kelela returned when we needed her most! and the way she does reprises is nothing short of masterful.
2. Unknown Mortal Orchestra — V
*“Layla”, “Meshuggah”, “That Life”, “Weekend Run”, “Nadja”, “In the Rear View”
i’ve professed my love for UMO enough to last me until their next release!
Unknown Mortal Orchestra's V
1. Baby Rose — Through and Through
*“Tell Me It’s Real”, “I Won’t Tell” ft. Smino, “Paranoid”, “Fight Club” ft. Georgia Anne Muldrow, “Stop the Bleeding”, “Power”
2023 made me into a Baby Rose superfan. better late than never!
ICYMI: my guest feature on Sad Girl Nostalgia
2023! — the playlist
123 songs that made me feel something this year.