Best New To Me Of 2023

This is the best album of 2023, IMO. It doesn't really break a lot of ground in Sufjan's discography, but the songs are irresistible. I would say this is probably his fourth best album overall; however, in Sufjan's case, that's not an insult, it's a compliment. I love Javelin, and I wish Suf the best of luck with his recovery and grief.

Mitski has always gotten rave reviews and, frankly, I have never really understood what the fuss was all about. But this album converted me. This is a great record! It is a little more acoustic and a little more earthy than her previous work. Maybe that's what finally spoke to me. I love every song on this album.

NEW TO ME:

This was my most listened to album of the year. It's such a weird mix of improvisation, ambient, and instrumental composition. I think it's amazing. I heard about it from an interview with Rick Ruben. He said it was "thrilling", so I had to see what he meant. I don't know if Thrilling is the word I would use, but I really liked it a lot.

The Lemon Twigs album, Everything Harmony, was my album of the Summer. I know (because I've recommended this to a few people over the course of the year) that it is not for everyone. But I love it! Listen to Corner Of My Eye to get a sense for what they're doing. Also, New To Me is totally beautiful.

This is one 33 minute track, broken into seven pretty distinct movements. For me it was very nostalgic. I have been a devoted fan since I was about 21 years old. I have heard Paul Simon sing about girls, getting high, going to the zoo, getting married, putting his kids to bed, politics, and travel. Now I'm listening to him sing about dying. It was very moving to me.

Note that the second half of this album is much stronger than the first half. And Edie Brickell, who comes in at about 23 minutes or so, really puts it over the top.

I liked, but didn't love, Julie Byrne's previous albums, but this one really struck a chord with me for some reason. It's mostly travis picked guitar or piano. Very spare. Pretty mellow for the most part. But the melodies start to stick after a few spins. It's mostly about the death of one of her best friends who helped produce her previous albums. I turn this on, often, when I have nothing else I want to listen to it and always delivers.

This was written while Sakamoto was recovering from a major cancer surgery. It feels intimate. It's a mix of ambient soundscapes and melodic compositions. It's pretty amazing if you're in the mood.

NEW TO ME

I had a conversation with a friend that lead me to this new-to-me album this year. I was a Depeche Mode fan in the 80s. I bought their albums, I saw them live in Oakland in 1985, but I stopped keeping up with them after Some Great Reward. It turns out I bowed out too early. Violator is their best album by a pretty long shot.

This album doesn't break any new ground at all, but every song is excellent! I pretty much love everything The Yo does. This is an album that never disappeared for me. I just kept listening to it all year.

I thought this album was good, but not great. But then I saw them perform live in a giant crowd of superfans and it was a transcendent experience! It was one of the best shows I've ever seen in my life! I don't really see myself pulling this up five years from now, but boygenius was a big part of 2023 for me.

This is going to sound like pandering, or nepotism, because my brother is in the band, but it's a fact that I listened to the three Blue Birthdays songs this year about fifty times each. All three are deadly catchy and beautifully constructed. I hope these guys become the next Alvvays or the next The Sundays or the next Japanese Breakfast. They are really good.

I loved Vulture Prince from a couple of years ago. Love In Exile is not as good, but it's still pretty great. I listened to it on a loop for a few weeks.