Album Awards 2023

Crystalline guitar, a spacey bass line, and wavering tempos give a pendulum effect of deep resonations and freeing reflection. Singer, Thom Yorke's signature falsetto glides effortlessly over the hypnotic instrumental before bursting into flames as guitarist, Johnny Greenwood erupts with a buckling solo. Handsome strings and grounded drumming add to a graceful descent into chaos. Sitting at eight minutes in length, 'Bending Hectic' becomes a trance-inducing Post-Rock song, with the subtlety and depth to keep the listener coming back over and over again.

'Today I Laid Down' is a twenty minute Slowcore excursion into the deepest and darkest corners of young Singer-songwriter, Kai Wesener's mind. Somber acoustic guitar meets waves of heavy distortion and brilliant synths, shoegazing upon one another in existential fashion. Kai's low and steady vocals are eaten by spacey keys and sparkling chimes, becoming a somber, yet blissful juxtaposition. The EP shows the depressive descent of a young heart through the enchanting ascension of glittering Indie Rock; A truly striking six songs.

Rest in Peace, Kai.

A collection of singles from the past year, Lil Ugly Mane's (LUM) 'Singles' essentially functions as a 2023 mixtape release. 'Singles' sees LUM continue to explore the grime of gloomy Slacker Rock seen on his 2021 album, 'Volcanic Bird Enemy and the Voiced Concern.'  With a solitary psychedelic approach and Hip-Hop influences still intact, the sound meshes into a glum, yet surprisingly catchy mix of Emo and Noise Pop. Melancholic lyrics and lethargic guitars meet melodic drum patterns, arranging a bleak, yet incredibly comforting experience.

Arguably the most competitive award, Best Archival Release was a close race between the serene acoustic bootlegs of Neil Young, the mythical explosion of Les Rallizes Denudes and the legendary jam sessions of prime Zappa. Ultimately, the basement jams of 'Hot Rats' era Frank Zappa won out with the posthumous 'Funky Nothingness.' Every aspect of Zappa's greatness is at display on this record, with unbelievably creative Jazz-Rock tunes and epic Blues Rock jams. A conglomeration of many legendary performances, the Zappa family have uncovered a truly exalted list of never before seen improv masterpieces.  

  A gargantuan intertwining of heavy Shoegaze, nostalgic Emo, and expansive Indie Rock grants the ear with unparalleled sentiment. Live instrumentation ricochets and clamors with vigorous rhythm, as distortion warps innovative Indie compositions into surreal atmospheres of melancholia and reminiscence. With a final track up there with the greatest Post-Rock to ever be produced, 'After the Night' stands as the epitome of modern Emo music and lo-fi production as we know it.

Large reverberations of silky vocals, sensual bass, and snappy electronic drum patterns capture a savory smoothness through every second of the twenty minute RnB LP. Tinashe finds an ideal balance between weightless atmospheres and groovy rhythms that usher an intoxicating sultriness. Subtle, yet seductively bold, 'BB/ANG3L' reigns as 2023's Sexiest Record Alive.