1. Lana Del Rey Did You Know That There’s A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd

It’s hard to believe that an artist renowned for wearing her heart on her sleeve can dive deeper into personal terrain, but she continues to bare her soul on her ninth album with stunning results.

2. Boygenius The Record

The indie rock supergroup combines the talents of Julian Baker, Phoebe Bridgers & Lucy Dacus, each celebrated for their respected solo careers. This powerhouse trio crafts stellar songs that perfectly fluctuate between ballads and rock tunes. The album’s standout feature is the gorgeous harmonies that make for a striking full-length debut.

3. Peter Gabriel i/o

“i/o” is a triumphant return, showcasing his unmistakable voice and skillful songwriting. Three decades in the making, it’s his first release of all-new, original material in over twenty years, and it’s worth the wait. The music and the visual arts he incorporates are a testament to his artistry and timelessness that transcends the years.

4. Sufjan Stevens Javelin

Stevens transforms personal tragedy (he was recently diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome and lost his partner earlier this year) into a deeply moving collection that transcends heartbreak and loss.

5. Caroline Polachek Desire, I Want To Turn Into You

The fourth studio album by the singer-songwriter showcases her versatility as she experiments with various genres. The ethereal quality of her voice, reminiscent of Sarah McLachlan, pulls it all together to create a rich array of moods and emotions.

6. Slowdive Everything Is Alive

This is the veteran shoegaze band’s fifth album and their first in six years since reforming in 2014. The songs have an airy lightness to them despite the dark undertones. Their live show was one of the loudest I’ve witnessed, as they made a lot of noise with intricate subtlety.

7. Mitski The Land Is Inhospitable And So Are We

Venturing into softer and more spacious terrain, she employs a diverse ensemble of instruments, including pedal steel guitar, strings, brass, woodwinds, and a choir. The album may be a bit of a departure, but it remains firmly rooted in the essence that makes her music unique and captivating.

8. Jesse Ware That! Feels Good!

Jesse keeps the dance party going with these disco, R&B, house, and soul-inspired songs. Donna Summer, Evelyn “Champagne” King, Teena Marie, Chaka Khan, and the Gap Band are a few of the musical inspirations for the project that proves disco is not dead.

9. Blonde Redhead Sit Down For Dinner

Inspired partly by Joan Didion’s The Year of Magical Thinking, the avant-rock veterans return with their first full-length release in nearly a decade. Simultaneously dark, melodic, and soothing, this album delves into complex themes like aging, death, and mourning.

10. Kesha Gag Order

In the face of legal battles and attempts to stifle her, Kesha rises like a phoenix and reclaims her voice. She worked primarily with producer Rick Rubin, as she exposed a more vulnerable side and explored a range of genres, including art pop, experimental, electronic, and psychedelic. Resilience and confidence never sounded so good.

11. Olivia Rodrigo Guts

In her much-anticipated sophomore release, Rodrigo solidifies her place in pop music with a solid follow-up to her breakthrough debut. The album details the nuances of growing pains and displays a versatile combination of styles handled with vigor. Smart pop with rough edges.

12. Stephen Sanchez Angel Face

The 21-year-old makes a big splash with his debut recording. Drawing inspiration from legends like Roy Orbison and Frank Sinatra, Sanchez showcases an impressive vocal range and the songwriting skills of a seasoned pro.

13. Troye Sivan Something To Give Each Other

This album is a soundtrack that easily transitions from the club to the poolside to an intimate dinner party, creating an infectious vibe that exhibits his versatility as an artist.

14. Natalie Merchant Keep Your Courage

Merchant returned to songwriting for solace after health issues and describes the record as “...an album about the human heart.” Her storytelling is filled with feelings of isolation, political themes, feminism, and womanhood. Remarkably, her ageless voice has never sounded stronger.

15. Feist Multitudes

This is a woman embodying a variety of characters and scenarios through song. It may be her quietest album, but it’s also layered and experimental and might be her most ambitious work thus far.

16. Meshell Ndegeocello The Omnichord Real Book

This record combines elements of jazz, rock, dub, and soul. Ndegeocello creates a genre-defying sound that mirrors the free-flowing energy of her live performances.

17. ANOHNI And The Johnsons My Back Was A Bridge For You To Cross

On their fifth studio album, ANOHNI and the Johnsons (formerly known as Antony and the Johnsons) take inspiration from jazz singers Nina Simone and Jimmy Scott. Anohni stated that she’d like to make a blue-eyed soul record so the uncompromising artist uses her unique voice to explore themes of transphobia, environmental collapse, and social justice.

18. Manchester Orchestra The Valley Of Vision

Lead singer Andy Hull’s distinctive crooning blurs the line between optimism and despair. The EP is cinematic in scope and provides listeners with a more expansive and calmer side of the band.

19. Hozier Unreal Unearth

The album was written during the pandemic and inspired by Dante’s Inferno, which he started to read during that period. He described the album’s sound as “eclectic,” while that may be true, his powerful voice takes center stage as he delves into themes such as sin, redemption, and salvation.

20. Depeche Mode Memento Mori

The album’s title translates to “Remember you must die,” which took on new meaning after the sudden death of original member Andy Fletcher. The result is signature Depeche Mode, which serves as a testament to the fact that music remains a powerful and healing force even in the shadow of grief.

Honorable Mentions

Angel Olsen Forever Means

PJ Harvey I Inside The Old Year Dying

RAYE My 21st Century Blues

Yo La Tengo This Stupid World

Yves Tumor Praise A Lord Who Chews But Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds)

Overlooked Album of 2022

SZA SOS

Top 20 Live Shows of 2023

1. Peter Gabriel (10-30-23 / United Center - Chicago, IL)

2. Taylor Swift (6-23-23 / US Bank Stadium - Minneapolis, MN)

3. Beyoncé (7-29-23 / Huntington Bank Stadium - Minneapolis, MN)