Before I list my favourite “Albums of the Year 2023”, an apology.
I have been inundated this year with new music, new albums, requests for reviews and features. First, I’m happy that there is so much great music out there and that I’m party to being able to hear and share that new music, but secondly, a huge apology to many bands and artists whose music I’ve loved and planned to review/feature but it hasn’t happened. I’d love nothing more than to spend my life listening to and writing about music (and the book I keep meaning to finish), but that doesn’t pay the bills. Work and life get in the way most of the time. I do have a list of albums I still want to write about, so there may be several retrospective reviews if work and life permits.
Just because I haven’t written about an album, doesn’t mean I haven’t loved it. Hence there are several albums in my top 30 (I had to stop somewhere) that haven’t (yet) appeared in the blog.
Bubbling Under 30 – 20
In no particular order are several albums that have been on heavy rotation in GQ towers. Sweat – Who Do They Think They Are? bring the retro sounds of bands like Heart into the 21st century, while the furious electro punk of Glasgow duo Comfort on What’s Bad Enough?have plenty to say, Thee Effits – Psychic Coffee Shop features Tarbeach Records supremo Walt alongside shining lights of the NYC music scene (full review to follow) with a vinyl release in 2024, Kohla – Romance has a swathe of delicate and shimmering gossamer smooth slices of dream pop perfection, and with Ian M Bailey – We Live in Strange Times following up his earlier releases with another selection of melodic jangly pop, he has released perhaps the cream of his releases to date, Harry Stafford & Marco Butcher – We Are the Perilous Men fills the gap in Gallon Drunk fans lives with their dramatic gothic tinged songs, House of All and their self titled debut defies the criticism dealt out by some stalwart Fall fans achieving a remarkable debut, Bela & the Lugosis – Blinding Red Sunglow (review) continue to delight with their Bowie/Bauhaus tinged goth/glam, Drunk Gods – The Immortality Project (review) was a most welcome return from the Lanarkshire band (well Ewan McGhee), Benefits – Nails bristles with brio and with fury and finally The Bluebells – In the 21st Century is an absolutely stellar return from the band.
I deliberately haven’t included any re-releases or compilations in the top 30, too many to mention – well – Trashcan Sinatras – Cake, The Bathers – Unusual Places to Die and The Filthy Tongues – Black Valentine being three of the best.
20 to 11
20 Hifi Sean & David McAlmont – Happy Ending – in a year when Sean made a comeback with The Soup Dragons, he was also in partnership with the heavenly vocals of David McAlmont to create the extraordinary Happy Endings album, which they are set to play live in 2024
19 Joe McAlinden – When the Clouds Go Swimming – the former Superstar creates yet another collection of perfect pop music, McAlinden has an intuitive knack for producing heart rending pieces of music, to match his stunning vocal, each song a mini masterpiece of its own.
18 Dream Wife – Social Lubrication – perhaps my favourite of all Dream Wife’s albums to date, I look forward to hearing these songs live in 2024
17 The Kidney Flowers – Burn Your Furniture (Album launch gig review) – another missed review opportunity, The Kidney Flowers remain one of Glasgow’s premier garage rock acts, the album launch gig was a riot.
16 Duncan Reid and the Big Heads And It’s Goodbye From Him (Interview) – I was convinced I’d reviewed this, but clearly not. I’ve included the link to an interview with the man himself as he bowed out of music in 2023 with this fitting final album.
15 Teenage Waitress – Your Cuckoo (full review) – Daniel followed up his debut with another superb collection of songs.
14 The Bucky Rage – Living in a Cult (full review) – I think I said all I can about this album in the review. I’m in the cult.
13 Carla J Easton – Sugar Honey (full review) – perhaps Carla’s strongest, most powerful album to date, both lyrically and musically
12 Diablofurs – Welcome to the City of Fun (full review) – A band high on my “must see live” list, Diablofurs once again produced a glimmering set of vivacious electro pop smashes to bring sunshine to the darkest of days.
11 The Hedrons – Tired of Taking (full review) – Amazing to have The Hedrons back with their long awaited second album, well worth the wait, and an album launch gig with FO Machete to look forward to in 2024
Top 10
10 Lusty – I’m Going to Make Your Death All About Me
An intensely personal, emotional journey on Lusty’s latest release, I’m Going to Make Your Death All About Me. At times a difficult listen, not because it isn’t a great album, but because of the personal nature of the lyrics. Not an album to listen to if you’re feeling down, this is a raw, visceral listen.
9 Savage Cut – Holes in the Mind
Savage Cut have pulled it out of the bag once again on this tremendous collection of inspired collaborations, with something for everyone here, dipping their toe into different genres, while retaining the overall Savage Cut sound.
8 Syvdoh – Gentlemen
This band can do no wrong, there is no-one out there making music quite like Syvdoh do. Immerse yourself in the sounds of Gentlemen and thank me later
7 Blue Aeroplanes – Culture Gun
A welcome return from the Bristol based collective, who have lost none of their spark or genius-tinged song-writing in the intervening years, with Culture Gun being one of the early year highlights.
6 Carol Hodge – Vertiginous Drops
GQ namesake, Carol Hodge (no relation) remains one of the UK music scene’s top singer songwriters with another selection of epic tunes with often personal and always thought provoking lyrics.
5 Brenda – Brenda
There is no-one quite like Brenda. If you’ve followed my blog for a while you’ll be fed up of me bangin’ on about them, but listen for yourselves. A unique synth pop sound with stunning three part harmonies. Sure As is one of the (non single) songs of the year.
4 Slime City – Slime City Death Club
Worth the price for Glasgow’s a Shitehole alone, the whole album is a masterpiece, Slime City are one of those bands who can inject wry humour into everything they do without ever becoming a comedy/joke band. And they excel in the live arena…
3 Keeley – Floating Above Everything Else
I’ve been obsessed with the music of Keeley since I first heard it, as obsessed possibly as she is dedicated to the cause of the subject of all her songs, Inga Maria Hauser. Any other year this would have been my album of the year, if it wasn’t for two utterly outstanding albums at one and two. I’m always anticipating new music from Keeley, here’s to 2024.
2 Young Fathers – Heavy Heavy
Probably my most listened to album of the year, just pipping Sirenesque due to when it was released. I’ve no idea why I haven’t reviewed it? Life must have got in the way at the time. Anyway, there is not a weak moment on here, Stunning from start to finish. And live – just wow! (I’ve included live review link above in lieu of album review).
1 The Bathers – Sirenesque
I called it at the time. Album of the year from first listen. So good to have new music from The Bathers. I don’t think I’ve managed to listen to this album yet without something getting in my eye, if you catch my drift. Icing on the cake was hearing these songs live along with classics from Friends Again. Complete and utter bliss.