boygenius - the record
This record has been a staple of 2023 for me, being a fan of each of the their solo material I enjoyed their self titled EP in 2018 but this release really allowed each of their strengths to shine. I was surprised at just how much I listened to this album in 2023, then I intentionally listened to it again and remembered exactly why before the first chorus of "$20" so now I'm back to listening to it every other day... thanks Julien.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - V
The first single from this record was released in 2021, and I didn't think the rest of the album could match "That Life"... then it did. This record will be in my personal rotation for years to come, just like the majority of UMO's catalog.
Altın Gün - Aşk
There is a talent required to pull off modern psychedelic rock, and this record nails it. I don't understand Turkish, so I have no idea what most of the songs are about but the music says everything I need to know.
Slow Pulp - Yard
I was surprised at just how much I listened to this record, the maturation from their debut in 2020 shows in songwriting and production. If I had to pick a release to epitomize "indie rock in 2023" Yard is my choice.
Blondshell - Blondshell
The singles from this record trickled out between 2022 and 2023, ultimately being released in April then getting a deluxe reissue in October this has been a staple of my listening over the year. Her live performances on SHEROES RADIO and for our friends at WXPN ultimately got me hooked.
Margaret Glaspy - Echo the Diamond
Between the stellar songwriting, the perfect production, and the tremendous talent... it's hard not to love this record start to finish. Another artist I fell for after seeing live in 2023.
Slowdive - everything is alive
If you told me in 1993 that Slowdive would put out a record this good in 2023, I'd scoff at the notion. I'd be wrong. And, much like Paramore's latest, I think I like this more than the material from the first tenure... I'm not sure what that says about me.
Beach Fossils - Bunny
This record was exactly the reminder of the early 2010s indie rock that I was looking for, it didn't try to reinvent the wheel but fit exactly into my personal playlist in June (a very important time for me this year, so there may be some bias) and hasn't left.
Caroline Polachek - Desire, I Want to Turn Into You
Back in July '21, I thought "Bunny is a Rider" was a good tune... six singles later and I was kind of surprised at just how much I listened to this album. Catchy, well produced, and not-what-I-usually-like... but here we are.
Paramore - This Is Why
Call it a comeback, call it nostalgia. I wasn't a huge fan of Paramore the first time around but I found myself playing this record (and the remix record that I'm lumping together with it) quite a bit this year.
Fox's Top 10 of 2023
