Top 10 Albums of 2023
The Crimson Arts Board presents its musical favorites of 2023, from "Barbie The Album" to "For all the Dogs."
10.“For all the Dogs” (Drake)
Drake’s eighth studio album “For all the Dogs” is a stand-out among his extensive discography. Consisting of 23 tracks, the album, although lengthy, has a little bit of something for everyone. Each song provides a distinct tone and style, creating a dynamic musical journey that never stalls. The album’s wide range is similarly seen in its standout collaborations with artists such as SZA, J. Cole, and Bad Bunny. One of the album’s most memorable tracks is actually its first. “Virginia Beach,” starting with a sample of Frank Ocean’s unreleased song “Wise Man,” uses the sample to create a comforting nostalgic tone, contrasting Ocean’s somber lyrics with the song’s rhythmic beat. While not closely aligned with the nature of older Drake albums, the album is undeniably reminiscent of the older Drake — pleasing older fans while still providing new, refreshing additions to Drake’s sound. — Monique I. Vobecky
We reviewed “For All The Dogs” and gave it 3.5 stars.
9.‘The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We’ (Mitski)
Mitski’s seventh studio album, “The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We,” is another triumph for the indie singer-songwriter. Known for her atmospheric melodies and emotionally gut-wrenching lyrics, Mitski builds on her established sound while dipping into a previously unexplored Americana aesthetic. This is an album of exhilarating highs and devastating lows, from the gospel chorus backing “Bug Like an Angel” to the quiet meditation of “My Love Mine All Mine.” In “The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We,” Mitski crafts a sonic landscape that is simultaneously intimate and her most expansive yet. —Samantha H. Chung
We reviewed “The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We” and gave it 4 stars.
8.‘Kaytraminé’ (Aminé and KAYTRANADA)
I listened to this album in its entirety for the first time on the day of its release — a week removed from the spring semester, lounging at the beach and desperately in need of some tunes to inaugurate summer. Rapper Aminé and DJ KAYTRANADA, the album’s eponymous authors and titans in their respective genres, could not have delivered better. Subtle and intricate, bouncy but smooth, “Kaytraminé” deftly synthesizes the strengths of each artist, as well as those of its big-name features, including Big Sean and Snoop Dogg. “4EVA,” the album’s third and perhaps strongest track, boasts a charmingly nonchalant flow from Aminé set alongside vocals from co-producer Pharrel Williams over a signature, afrobeat-inspired baseline from KAYTRANADA. Opening and closing tracks “Who He Iz” and “K&A” capture the duo’s grasp on the art of relaxed groove, bookending the ideal soundtrack for a summer day. My only qualm with this delightful collaboration is that I’m left wanting more. —Charles W. McCormick
7. ‘Something to Give Each Other’ (Troye Sivan)
While the infectious hooks and intoxicating instrumentals of lead singles “Rush” and “Got Me Started” left many fans expecting an upbeat dance album, “Something to Give Each Other” turns out to be a far more complex exploration of love, lust, and longing. While Troye Sivan’s music has always centered on exploration and celebration of gay romance, the growth between 2018’s “Bloom” and this project is evident. Sivan brings both lyrical maturity and a new-found confidence to the project even when grappling with the weight of regret and insecurity on tracks like “Can’t Go Back, Baby” and “One Of Your Girls. Aside from catchy hooks and thoughtful storytelling, the album is also supported by some of the most innovative and polished production of the year. At just 10 tracks, the album is just long enough to leave listeners satisfied but still craving more. — Jen A. Hughes
We reviewed “Something to Give Each Other” and gave it 4 stars.
6.‘Endless Summer Vacation’ (Miley Cyrus)
Ever since the release of her 2013, instant-classic album “Bangerz,” Miley Cyrus has been patiently waiting for her moment in pop music’s famously fickle spotlight. Despite releasing three excellent albums (including our top ten pick for 2020, “Plastic Hearts”) in the decade following “Bangerz,” the music world at large remained content and unmovable in its foolish decision to overlook one of its greatest living voices. Until now. Beginning with the January release of “Flowers,” the pop song par excellence that transcends the label of a global sensation, it was clear that Miley was back in a big way. So big, in fact, that “Flowers” became Spotify’s most streamed song of 2023 across the globe — a big achievement that Smilers (myself included) will not soon forget. But one song does not an album make, and “Endless Summer Vacation” delivers a sublime pop experience across each of its 14 unique tracks. Showcasing her ability to swing from genre to genre like a musical Spider-Woman, Cyrus furnishes audiences with all kinds of tracks — from pop to country, dance to ballads. Far from being a weakness of the album, the tonal variety of its songs — which still masterfully cohere into one exquisite project — is perhaps its greatest strength. Among its tracks, “Jaded” stands out as the strongest song on “Endless Summer Vacation,” a worthy addition to Cyrus’s canon of classics thanks to its breezy beat and unforgettable chorus that instantly transport listeners to the beach on a sunny day. By the time Cyrus invites fans to “Stay awhile with me” in “Violet Chemistry” (another highlight of the work), the answer is already a resounding yes. —Brady M. Connolly
5.‘the record’ (Boygenius)
‘the record’ is the first full-length album from the indie rock trio Boygenius. Consisting of members Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus, ‘the record’ is a unification of three voices into one transformative whole. Each singer-songwriter shines throughout the album, touching on themes of love, history, insufficiency, femininity, and friendship. The a cappella track “With You Without Them” unites the trio to each other with their harmonic vocals and also to their past and future, while “Not Strong Enough” explores the duality of self-hatred alongside a god complex. Backed by dynamic drums, the choral refrain “always an angel, never a god,” transitions into “I don’t know why I am the way I am,” illustrating this struggle and capturing the feminine rage at being relegated to a lesser station: always the angel, never the god. The album’s sonic range is evident from Dacus’ soft vocals on “We’re in Love,” to Baker’s adventurous verses, and Bridgers’ guttural screaming on the outro of “$20.” With intricate storytelling and a wide spectrum of instrumentation, it’s no surprise “the record” has been nominated for Album of the Year in the 2024 Grammy Awards and peaked at number 2 on the U.S. Billboard 200. “the record” is sure to live on as an emotionally devastating, but beautiful, work of art. —Anna Moiseieva
We reviewed “the record” and gave it 4.5 stars.
4.‘nadie sabe lo que va a pasar mañana’ (Bad Bunny)
The Crimson named Bad Bunny’s “Un Verano Sin Ti” the top album of 2022, and it is no surprise that we’ve decided to include his newest album among the best of this year. Though it begins on a similarly soft note, “nadie sabe lo que va a pasar mañana” represents a massive shift in tone for the Puerto Rican artist, who leans more heavily on hard-hitting trap and reggaeton tracks that are reminiscent of his first studio album, “X 100pre,” and the features that put him on the map early in his career. Indeed, fans of the old Bad Bunny will be happy with his newest album — the only difference between then and now is that Bad Bunny has been able to leverage the experience that he has since gained to churn out an album that outdoes his oldest works. Take, for instance, “MONACO,” which combines high-energy, boastful lyrics with a punchy beat built on a genius sampling of Charles Aznavour’s “Hier Encore” that even non-Spanish-speakers could well appreciate. Or consider “PERRO NEGRO,” a classic Bad Bunny reggaeton track of the likes of “Moscow Mule” that features Feid, one of the hottest names in the genre at the moment. As a catchy cousin of “Dos Mil 16,” “NO ME QUIERO CASAR” deserves a listen in its own right; so do “FINA” and “HIBIKI,” which feature prototypical performances from Young Miko and Mora, respectively. The bottom line: Bad Bunny is back doing what he does best, and the world is better off for it. —Daniel S. de Castro
3.‘Unreal Unearth’ (Hozier)
With his third studio album, Hozier has created nothing if not beauty — per usual. With a collection of 16 tracks that span just over an hour, "Unreal Unearth" commanded both the charts and the audience’s hearts, showcasing a musical prowess that seamlessly blends artistry and depth without compromise. The album, littered with literary references to mythology, is the story of a descent to hell. Poetic lyrics like “If the wind turns, if I hit a squall / Allow the ground to find its brutal way to me” from “I, Carrion (Icarian),” and “You called me ‘angel’ for the first time, my heart leapt from me / You smile now, I can see its pieces still stuck in your teeth” from “Unknown/Nth” help contribute to this theme through their references to the stories of Icarus and Dante’s “Divine Comedy.” This album, coming 4 years after Hozier’s last release “Wasteland, Baby” in 2019, has exceeded all expectations with its charm and emotion. Listening to this album feels like dying — and being reborn, surrounded by beauty. —Najya S. Gause
Read our coverage of Hozier’s performance at Sound on Sound 2023 here.
2.‘GUTS’ (Olivia Rodrigo)
It’s hard to follow up a debut album success. It’s especially hard when that album had four songs with over 1 billion streams. While “GUTS” — Olivia Rodrigo’s sophomore studio album — may not reach the same stratospheric streaming heights that “SOUR” did, “GUTS” in its own right displays an enrapturing world that Rodrigo has skillfully curated for us willing listeners. Songs like “love is embarrassing” expand on her repertoire of electric-guitar-driven headbangers, while mellower ballads like “lacy” beautifully and articulately lament her ever-relatable issues regarding gender, age, and love. Furthermore, “GUTS” stands as proof of her and producer Daniel Nigro’s invincible partnership: The vintage synth drops in “making the bed” and the lucid intros in “teenage dream” highlight their sonic compatibility to create an album that stands out as a wonderfully fluid experience. “GUTS” is not the album we deserved, but it’s the one we needed. —Alessandro M. M. Drake
We reviewed “GUTS” and gave it 4.5 stars.
1. ‘Barbie The Album’ (Various Artists)
Barbie defined 2023. From the film itself to the cultural phenomenon of Barbenheimer, Barbie was inescapable — in no small part thanks to its phenomenal soundtrack, “Barbie: The Album.” Several tracks, including Dua Lipa’s upbeat disco hit “Dance the Night” and Charli XCX’s hyperpop track “Speed Drive,” exploded onto the music scene, their inescapable melodies quickly making their way into the mainstream throughout the summer. The artist lineup on the album is a who’s who of the music industry with features from Lizzo, Sam Smith, PinkPantheress, The Kid Laroi and HAIM, just to name a few. Aside from crossover hits, several songs are also narratively important to the film. Ryan Gosling shines on “I’m Just Ken,” an over-the-top and instantly memeable musical number with a genuinely catchy chorus. On the opposite side of the spectrum, Billie Eilish’s signature breathy vocals and vulnerability stun on “What was I Made For?” a poignant reflection on expectation, womanhood, and new beginnings. Of course no Barbie album could be complete without a callback to Aqua’s 1997 hit “Barbie Girl” which is reimagined with verses from Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice on “Barbie World.” “Barbie: The Album” is a genre-spanning odyssey that music producer Mark Ronson carefully weaves together, somehow creating a cohesive work out of the chaos that is aptly tied together with a Barbie pink bow. — Jen A. Hughes