Artist Awards 2023

With the release of his tenth studio album, 'Javelin,' Sufjan Stevens has torn at the heart strings of tens of millions of listeners through his delicate Folk tunes and deeply personal lyrics. Dedicated to Stevens' late partner, 'Javelin' is a heart wrenching Indie project that acts as a beacon for love and loss, highlighting everything that makes the singer-songwriter such a well-loved artist.

Beginning the year with less than one thousand monthly Spotify listeners, What Is Your Name? has catapulted themselves into the Indie music scene through the release of three LPs and one EP under two different pseudonyms: WIYN? and 2 0 2 1. A mix of dense Indie Rock, Midwest Emo, Folktronica, and Breakbeat make WIYN? one of the most diverse and creative artists in the entire Western hemisphere, let alone within the niche sections of Indie they operate. There's no doubt that WIYN?/ 2 0 2 1 will continue to innovate as their distinct style reaches more ears. An artist to look out for in the coming years.

Already known for his unique production style of tight hi-hats, glitchy drum patterns and eccentric sampling, Peggy has taken Hip-Hop production to an entire new level with the release of his collaborative album and EP with rapper Danny Brown. 'Scaring the Hoes' is a step into the uncanny, with an oddball lineup of samples masterfully manipulated into some of the most energetic and hard-hitting Hip-Hop beats ever made. Peggy is a one of a kind producer paving the way for just how exciting Hip-Hop manufacturing can sound.

On her fourth studio album, Caroline Polachek displays every aspect of her standout vocals. Whether its through a silky smooth Pop cadence, an exasperating pitch range, or her signature operatic vibrato, Polachek pulled out all the stops in 2023. Clean, precise, and utterly beautiful is the Art Pop singer's voice; a truly isolated incident of dynamism that exudes an addictive confidence.

Following an eighteen year hiatus and a disappointing return in 2019, Jeromes Dream returned to form in 2023 with the release of their fourth album, 'The Gray in Between.' With a new producer and an even more aggressive sound, the Screamo quartet found an annihilatory energy one would never expect from a 26 year old band. 'The Gray in Between' mirrors the tension surrounding the group's time away and previous performance, acting as an emancipation of built up ire, finally delivering on the near two decade wait.

Hailing from Seoul, South Korea, Parannoul has revolutionized the Emo and Shoegaze genres within the last few years. A distinct combination of glowing electronics and surging noise, coupled with a complex density of distortion and bright rhythm foster a truly powerful catharsis. His third solo studio album, 'After the Magic,' (released in January) was more of the same, taking a gentler and more calculated approach. Then, in March, Parannoul released his first ever live album, in 'After the Night.' This record would redefine his sound, being the first look at multiplex Shoegaze instrumentals being played by real instruments, rather than a Midi production. As a result, 'After The Night' shines as a monstrous release of melancholia, fashioning a remarkable delicacy in abrasiveness. With the newfound subtlety of 'After the Magic' and the monumental performance that is 'After the Night,' Parannoul has crafted an irresistibly creative and emotive sound, cementing himself as 2023's Artist of the Year.