The 10 albums I jammed to the most in 2023, ranked. Plus a song from each, so you can check them out for yourself!
10. Avenged Sevenfold - Life Is But a Dream...
Genre: Avant-garde metal, progressive metal
Release Date: June 2, 2023
"Nobody" was my #9 most listened-to song this year. Its music video (below) is also an artistic masterpiece.
Favorite tracks: "Nobody," "Easier," "Mattel"
9. Rebelution - Reflections
Genre: Reggae rock, roots reggae
Release Date: May 12, 2023
A very chill album. My husband and I listened to it a lot on our road trips this year, putting Rebelution among my most listened-to artists in June.
Favorite tracks: "Settle Down Easy," "Lay My Claim," "More Than Ever," "Trap Door," "More Love"
8. 3rd Secret - The 2nd 3rd Secret
Genre: Alternative rock, folk rock, grunge
Release Date: June 22, 2023
I had never heard of 3rd Secret before I read a review of this album. In case you haven't either, members include Matt Cameron (Soundgarden, Pearl Jam), Krist Novoselic (Nirvana), and Kim Thayil (Soundgarden). The band is great and I encourage you to check them out. This album made 3rd Secret my third most listened-to artist in November.
Favorite tracks: "Her Disease," "State of Mind," "Climb Aboard," "Gift From Above" (featuring Taylor Momsen), "So Close"
7. Ayron Jones - Chronicles of the Kid
Genre: Blues, grunge, rock, soul
Release Date: June 23, 2023
I've been a fan of Ayron Jones for a couple of years now. Chronicles of the Kid is a fantastic follow-up to 2021's Child of the State. I saw Ayron Jones in concert opening for Shinedown last year. He's an extremely talented musician and I love his blend of blues and grunge. Chronicles of the Kid showcases his unique musical style from beginning to end. This stellar album made him my most listened-to artist in July and among my top five most listened-to artists in August and September.
Favorite tracks: "My America," "The Title,"""Filthy,"" "The Sky Is Crying," "Blood in the Water"
6. Aliah Sheffield - These Songs Are for Anyone Sick of Earth
Genre: R&B, Neo-Soul
Release Date: June 9, 2023
I'm so glad I discovered this album and Aliah Sheffield. She's a fantastic musician and her songs are extremely relatable. "Earth is Ghetto" was my #8 most listened-to song this year and she was among my most listened-to artists throughout the year. I love this album and I'm excited to see what is in her future!
Favorite tracks: "Earth is Ghetto," "I Don't Like People," "Some of Your People," "Good for the Money," "Anti-Hero"
5. Nita Strauss - The Call of the Void
Genre: Heavy metal, hard rock, instrumental metal, deathcore
Release Date: July 7, 2023
This is such a damn good album. Like, OMG. Nita is so talented. I love both her instrumentals and her collaborations with other artists equally. Truly a stunning album. "Through the Noise" (featuring Lzzy Hale) was my #7 most listened-to song this year. Halestorm is also one of my favorite bands so I really loved that collaboration. A lot of powerful women in metal collaborating on this album.
Favorite tracks: "Through the Noise" (featuring Lzzy Hale), "Victorious" (featuring DOROTHY), "Monster" (featuring Lilith Czar), "Scorched," "Kintsugi," "Dead Inside" (featuring David Draiman and Disturbed)
4. Foo Fighters - But Here We Are
Genre: Alternative rock
Release Date: June 2, 2023
The Foo Fighters are my favorite band. I was devastated when Taylor Hawkins died. He was not only a member of my favorite band but also a drumming hero for me. Dave and the remaining band members masterfully turned their pain and heartbreak of losing not only Taylor last year but Dave's mom as well, into a heartwrenchingly beautiful album. Much like the Taylor Hawkins Memorial Concert last year, this album feels like a mass mourning for both the band and the fans. It's beautiful. Josh Freese does an amazing job of stepping into a very hard-to-fill role. "Rescued" was my #2 most listened-to song this year. It's so honest and bright and hopeful. The Foos were among my most listened-to artists nearly every month this year.
Favorite tracks: "Rescued," "Under You," "Hearing Voices," "But Here We Are," "Nothing At All"
3. Queens of the Stone Age - In Times New Roman…
Genre: Alternative rock, stoner rock
Release Date: June 16, 2023
I've been a Queens of the Stone Age fan for a long time, but this album exceeded my expectations. It truly rocks from beginning to end. The album kept the band consistently among my most listened-to artists over the summer.
Favorite tracks: "Made to Parade," "Paper Machete," "Emotion Sickness," "Obscenerey," "Straight Jacket Fitting"
2. Janelle Monáe - The Age of Pleasure
Genre: Afrobeat, reggae, soul
Release Date: June 9, 2023
I've been a Janelle Monáe super fan since 2018 when I first heard Dirty Computer. I was so excited for this album and it did not disappoint! Amazing from beginning to end. They were among my most listened-to artists for six months consecutively this year, claiming the top spot two of the six. "Float" (feat. Seun Kuti & Egypt 80) was my #3 most listened-to song this year.
Favorite tracks: "Float" (feat. Seun Kuti & Egypt 80), "Haute," "Champagne Shit," "Lipstick Lover," "Phenomenal" (feat. Doechii), "Paid in Pleasure"
1. HIGH LEAF - Vision Quest
Genre: Stoner rock, grunge
Release Date: May 5, 2023
I've been excited about this album since I heard that the band formed a couple of years ago and it was worth the wait! The album claimed the #1, #4, #6, and #10 spots of my most listened-to songs this year with "Green Rider," "Hard to Find," "Painted Desert," and "Vision Quest," respectively. The band was my most listened-to artist in May, and among my most listened-to artists for most of the year. I am a huge grunge fan and HIGH LEAF is the best band I have heard in a long time, easily. I love their introspective, self-empowering lyrics and pretty much everything about their sound. In my opinion, Corey Presner is one of the most talented vocalists there is. Check out their single, "Green Rider" below. If you want to support them, you can purchase their album here.
Favorite tracks: "Green Rider," "Hard to Find," "Painted Desert," "Vision Quest," "Dead Eye," "March to the Grave"
I made a playlist based on this list. You can find it here. If you're not a Tidal user, I'm pretty sure there is something you can use to copy a playlist from one streaming service to another, though I'm not sure what it is. I hope I introduced you to some great music!
Comentarios