As usual, mainstream music had a rough year in terms of quality. However, it was an outstanding year for music somewhat under the radar, especially soul music. Here is mine in no paricular music.

-- Black Pumas (Chronicles of a Diamond) - A must listen to those who think there is no new good soul/funk/R&B music.

--Hozier (Ureal Unearth) - His best album. Unbelevable vocals and pathos.

--Sufjan Stevens (Javelin) - I like all his work but this is his most straightforward album in terms of his need for interpersonal connection. He just lost his partner tragically at 40 years old.

--Raye (My 21st Century Blues) - Though SZA has gotten more praise and success with her release this year, I prefer Raye who is from the same genre and was a tour mate in Europe.

--Peter Gabriel (i/o) - Comeback album of the year. A must for anyone who has liked his music in the past.

--Allison Russell (The returner) Her previous album received album of the year from the NYT, but this one is perhaps more enjoyable for this roots/soul artist.

--Weyes Blood (In the Darkness, Hearts Aglow) - So unique for current music in that it reminds you of a 70s singer song writer backed with a psychodelic chamber music sound. Listened to this as much as anything during the year.

--Amthyst Kiah (Wary + Strange) - modern bluesy soul music at its best.

--Boygenius (The Record) - Though overhyped by Rolling Stone as a "masterpiece" and "supergroup", this is damn good alternative folk/rock music by three woman who have had a good track record as solo artists.

What were your favorites?

Love your list. Know most, but not all, will try them...

Here randomly on top of my head, what I liked from this year's releases...

Come around and love me - Jalen Ngonda - modern take on classic soul

On. & On - Jose James - if only for his version of Gone Baby Don't Be Long

Pieces of Treasure - Rickie Lee Jones - so fragile, so precious

Billy Valentine and the Universal Truth - same - good gracious, what a legend - and love his take on SOTT

Sweet sounds of Heaven - The Rolling Stones - not so sure about the album, but this track in its long version is very nice - great Lady Gaga contribution

Higher - Chris Stapleton - his voice is just awesome, full of grit and soul

AA Side-Single - Brooklyn Funk Essentials - this brought a smile to my face

Momento Mori - Depeche Mode - did'nt think they had another good record in them - they did...

Lotus Grow - Adi Oasis - warm and mellow...

Krid said:

Love your list. Know most, but not all, will try them...

Here randomly on top of my head, what I liked from this year's releases...

Come around and love me - Jalen Ngonda - modern take on classic soul

On. & On - Jose James - if only for his version of Gone Baby Don't Be Long

Pieces of Treasure - Rickie Lee Jones - so fragile, so precious

Billy Valentine and the Universal Truth - same - good gracious, what a legend - and love his take on SOTT

Sweet sounds of Heaven - The Rolling Stones - not so sure about the album, but this track in its long version is very nice - great Lady Gaga contribution

Higher - Chris Stapleton - his voice is just awesome, full of grit and soul

AA Side-Single - Brooklyn Funk Essentials - this brought a smile to my face

Momento Mori - Depeche Mode - did'nt think they had another good record in them - they did...

Lotus Grow - Adi Oasis - warm and mellow...

Thanks for your response. You have listed some interesting and diverse selections as well. I didn't know Rickie Lee Jones had released anything this year. I'll have to check it out. I saw her this past Spring and she was "fragile and precious".

On the groove/disco side of things, I've really enjoyed:

"That! Feels Good!" by Jessie Ware

"Let Loose" by The Shapeshifters

"Last Man Dancing" by Jake Shears

"Tension" by Kylie Minogue

kevinpnb said:

kevinpnb said:

On the groove/disco side of things, I've really enjoyed:

"That! Feels Good!" by Jessie Ware

"Let Loose" by The Shapeshifters

"Last Man Dancing" by Jake Shears

"Tension" by Kylie Minogue

Just got the Tension LP in the mail today--can't wait to check it outl.

gandorb said:

ea1313 said:

Krid said:

At the OG - just listened non-stop to Allison Russel - didn’t know her - what an artist!!!! Really cool and diverse record - thx

Excellent! I am not sure why more people don't know about her. I guess she just doesn't fully fit into any easy music format.

kevinpnb said:

On the groove/disco side of things, I've really enjoyed:

basket random

"That! Feels Good!" by Jessie Ware

"Let Loose" by The Shapeshifters

"Last Man Dancing" by Jake Shears

"Tension" by Kylie Minogue

"Tension" for me is a masterpiece. I absolutely love it.

I had never listened to Kylie before. I am not particularly drawn to frothy dance pop (though I imagine this may not be a fair description), so I never checked her out. With the responses here, I checked out the Tension album. I actually really like it. There is a bunch of sweetners in the album, but they work beautifully to draw you in an addictive way. I am always looking for exercise music, and this fits the bill beautifully.

Not a lot of great stuff in 2023, sadly.

Khruangbin Live albums w/special guests (the guitarist is probably the best guitarist on the planet at the moment) super fun stuff, love these guys live.

Gorillaz Cracker Island

Janelle Monae Age of Pleasure

Smashing Pumpkins Atum (a few good tracks)

Little Dragon Slugs of Love (a couple good tracks)


Blondeshell "Kiss City" - single, really good

10,000 Gecs "Frog on the Floor" - Single, fun and stupid


A sleeper from 2022 - Everything Everything Raw Data Feel, one of my favorite bands, good stuff on all of their albums.

My favorite album of 2023 is Caroline Polacheck's Desire, I Want to Turn Into You.



Runner up is Lana Del Rey's Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd.

Krid said:

At the OG - just listened non-stop to Allison Russel - didn’t know her - what an artist!!!! Really cool and diverse record - thx

Just read a really interesting article in the Rolling Stone about Allison Russell. She lists Prince, Joni, Mavis, and Tracy Chapman as her inspirations. Wendy Melvoin was playing for her for a concert at the legendary Levon Helm home in Woodstock. Allison and Wendy as well as three other femal musicians hung out for several days getting ready and forming a bond, and now stay connected through a text thread Wendy named Vulvatron .