Top 25 Albums Of 2023

Here are my Top 25 Albums of 2023! Like last year, I didn’t bother with putting them in any particular order. Enjoy.

PS – In case the embed is being weird, the Spotify playlist is HERE.

Alex Lahey – The Answer Is Always Yes

At this point I’m essentially attached to the hip of Alex Lahey – I just greatly dig everything she does … so yeah, I guess “the answer is always yes.”

Awakebutstillinbed – Chaos Takes The Wheel

A primo emo album from Awakebutstillinbed.

Baby Queen – Quarter Life Crisis

This one from Baby Queen came to me pretty late in the year, but it immediately grabbed with me its frenetic energy (and catchy pop numbers, of course).

Being Dead – When Horses Would Run

If you’re into art pop, then you need to be all over this album from Austin’s own Being Dead.

Bully – Lucky For You

This may be the best alt-rock album of the year. Nicely done, Bully.

Chai – Chai

What an infectious set of alt-pop tracks from Chai.

Daiistar – Good Time

Daiistar’s debut is my favorite album out of Austin this year.

Explosions In The Sky – End

I began so, so many days with this immaculate post-rock effort from Explosions In The Sky.

Feeble Little Horse – Girl With Fish

There’s a lot of clever songwriting at play on this album from Feeble Little Horse.

Geese – 3D Country

This album from Geese is unhinged and groovy and just fun to listen to.

Hotline TNT – Cartwheel

A shoegaze-leaning affair from Hotline TNT that’s worthy of the highest volume setting on your stereo.

Indigo De Souza – All Of This Will End

This is a more than worthy follow up to 2021’s Any Shape You Take. Indigo De Souza is a big-time favorite of mine right now.

Island Of Love – Island Of Love

Raucous work here from Island Of Love.

Jess Williamson – Time Ain’t Accidental

Jess Williamson has never sounded better than she does on this album. What an alluring set of folk/country tracks.

Lewsberg – Out And About

There’s something just so weirdly comfortable about this album from Lewsberg.

The Lost Days – In The Store

Tony Molina and Sarah Rose Janko are The Lost Days, and this album of theirs is 13.5 minutes of indie pop bliss.

Margaret Glaspy – Echo The Diamond

There’s a very genuine sound and feel to this Margaret Glaspy effort that really works for me.

MSPAINT – Post-American

MSPAINT with a punch to the senses.

The National – First Two Pages Of Frankenstein / Laugh Track

I put both of The National’s 2023 releases together because they pretty much sound like extensions of each other anyhow. On another note, I wasn’t sure if they were going to call it quits or what after 2019’s I Am Easy To Find, so I love (and appreciate) that they’re still going strong.

Protomartyr – Formal Growth In The Desert

Protomartyr continue to be one of the best post-punk bands around.

Ratboys – The Window

An endlessly accessible indie rock affair from Ratboys.

Screaming Females – Desire Pathway

It’s a real bummer that this turned out to be Screaming Females’ final album, but hey, at least they went out on a high note.

Shame – Food For Worms

Shame really changed up their sound here, especially when compared to Drunk Tank Pink – their post-punk blast from 2021 – but this mix of alternative, punk, and psych rock definitely works for the band.

Slow Pulp – Yard

Slow Pulp with a hooky set of 90s-leaning indie tunes.

Squid – O Monolith

This is a sprawling, sometimes weird effort from Squid, but I sure like getting lost in it.