This time of the year every music writer’s fancy turns to the ubiquitous quest for the best of/favorites of the year. We start with a list of albums and singles we played on YTAA at least three or four times. Then we consider what songs and records slipped into our consciousness and we spent more time simply thinking about that song, that album — those words. If there is a pattern to what we loved in 2023, it is a bit hard to pin down. If we take a wild stab at an answer, 2023 was a year of amazing music from powerful, strong, thoughtful women musicians. From the incredible voice of Sarah Rudy in Hello June to the authenticity of Kim Ware and Van Plating across to the irresistible guitar tones and perfect singing of Tamar Berk, Blondshell, Beth Bombara, and Lydia Loveless, so many outstanding records were made outside of the men’s club this past year — and that is a welcome change.

Every writer, just like every music fan, has styles and sounds that they are irresistibly pulled towards. Clearly, Dr. J loves guitar. For some writers the list is likely to be diverse, reflecting a fusion of genres and innovative production techniques. And that is fine. With the continued influence of technology, some writers are drawn to artists who experimented with new sounds and collaborate across musical boundaries, creating a sonic outcome that resonates. For other writers, the search for a pure direct authenticity of instruments lead them to the streets where the music is painted without electronics. Acoustic and stripped down arrangements played on traditional equipment bring gratitude to the heavens for that music from some writers.

When crafting a list of favorites from the year, some writers will consider representation. Genres such as indie pop, electronic, and hip-hop may continue to dominate, with emerging artists bringing fresh perspectives and pushing creative boundaries. Collaborations between mainstream and indie artists could lead to unexpected yet captivating musical experiences. Shoegaze, for example, has made many returns after some commentators spilled tremendous amounts of ink over the idea that shoegaze had come and gone. Music in the year 2023 saw several bands who represented that style.

Lyrically, many of the themes explored in 2023 revolve around social issues, personal growth, feeling whatever the artist needs or desires to feel, perhaps some of the “Best” representations for the year are the songs that grab and do not let go of the human experience. Artists may use their platforms to address pressing matters, providing listeners with thought-provoking content that goes beyond mere entertainment and that might be the magic that some writers are drawn to when considering all the records and songs that came out during one trip around the sun.

There are some ‘off limits,’ ‘don’t walk on the grass’ ideas for us here at Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative. Sure, the rise of virtual and augmented reality experiences may revolutionize the way music is consumed, offering immersive and interactive performances that redefine the traditional concert experience. But for us, human beings need to be part of the creation and experience of music. Streaming platforms might incorporate cutting-edge technologies to enhance the listener’s engagement with the music and while we can and should debate the lack of compensation, which is only going to get more challenging in 2024, AI generated melodies, tones, and arrangements of notes are not considered for inclusion on our favorites of the past year.

The best albums of 2023 could be those that not only showcase exceptional musical talent but also tell compelling stories or provide a unique perspective on the world. Artists who successfully blend innovation with authenticity may find themselves at the forefront of critical acclaim and commercial success and, to be entirely transparent, will immediate draw our attention for a favorites of the year.

Ultimately, the best music of 2023 will likely be a subjective experience, as individual tastes vary widely. However, it is important to consider this a reflective exercise. Every year is poised to be an exciting time for music enthusiasts, with a plethora of sounds and styles to explore, pushing the boundaries of what we thought possible in the world of music. Every year is full of promise. No annual march of the calendar is without merit and new experiences. So, to create a list of the music that moved you in 2023, is not to close the door to new auditory love but to remember we break our hearts so we can fall in love again with songs and albums we have not even heard yet.

The list below is our start on our favorites from this past year. A longer set of articles will come out exploring what it was that caught our attention in these albums and songs.

Favorite record for us in 2023:

Hello June – Artifacts

You can read our review of this fantastic record!

This music transcends time and place, resonating with listeners in their quest for meaning and understanding. The lyrics serve as a mirror, reflecting the innermost thoughts and emotions that often remain unspoken. Hello June’s “Artifacts” is a sonic masterpiece — and we are prepared to die on that hill to defend that assertion — that deserves a place in the hearts of all music fans. It is a timeless record that captures the essence of the human experience, a treasure chest of emotions waiting to be discovered with each listen. 

In no particular order of importance but records that we believe were mightily impressive:

The 1984 Draft – Best Friends Forever

The Replacements – Tim Let It Bleed Edition (Ed Stasium Mix)

Tamar Berk – Tiny Injuries

Smug Brothers – In The Book of Bad Ideas

Elephants and Stars – Get Your Own Army

The Nautical Theme – Get Somewhere

Palm Ghosts – I Love You, Burn in Hell

Van Plating – Orange Blossom Child

Lydia Loveless – Nothing is Gonna Stand In My Way Again

Kim Ware – Homely

Bottlecap Mountain – O Fantastik Melancholy

Beth Bombara – It All Goes Up

Nicholas Johnson – Shady Pines Vol. 2

The Pretty Flowers – A Company Sleeve

The Connells – Ring (Deluxe Edition)

Black Belt Eagle Scout – The Land, The Water, The Sky

Blondshell – Blondshell

Achilles Tenderloin – Tincture for Trouble

Mike Bankhead – I Am Experienced

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – Weathervanes

Some of our Favorites of 2023:

Arthur Alexander – …Steppin’ Out!

Mommy – Be Your Own Pet

Frankie Rose – Love as Projection

Cold Expectations – Static Reactions

Connections – Cool Change

The Connells – Set The Stage

Dolph Chaney – Mug

En Attendant Anna – Principia

Graham Parker & The Golden Tops – Last Chance to Learn the Twist

Guided By Voices – Nowhere to Go But Up/Welshpool Frillies

H.C. McEntire – Every Acre

Jess Williamson – Time Ain’t Accidental

John P. Strohm – Ready for Nothing

Jphono1 – Invisible Futures and Make Believe Pasts

Louise Post – Sleepwalker

Love Rat – Howl at the Moon

Matt Moran – Heartache Kid (Acoustic)

The Radio Field – Don’ts and Do’s

Shannon Clark & The Sugar – This Old World

Special Friend – Selkie

Tino and DJ Marrrtin – La Pie Bavarde

Trapper Schoepp – Siren Songs

Singles

No One Sphere – Fingerz to Lips

Elephants and Stars – Bled Out At The Scene

David Payne – Best Intentions

We Met In Paris – Mont Blanc Massif

The National – Eucalyptus

sparkle_jets uk – He’s Coming Out

The Well Wishers – So Important

Tod Weidner – Raising Pain

Mike Bankhead – Latent

Given Names – Makin’ Eyes

Cowboys in The Campfire – Here We Go Again

Teenage Fanclub – Foreign Land

Hannah Jadagu – Lose

High on Stress – Over-Thru

Jeremy Porter and the Tucos – Five-Foot-Three and Tiger Eyes

Tyler Childers – Rustin’ in the Rain

Kurt Lee Wheeler – We Will Travel

Honorable Mentions

Yo La Tengo – This Stupid World

Amber Hargett – Coal Mine Canary

Brainiac – The Predator Nominate EP

Quiet Signals – Quiet Signals