2023 was quite the year for pop culture, ranging from the colossal popularity of the “Eras Tour,” films such as “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer,” the writer’s strike and so much more. However, when reflecting on the past year, it is undeniable that the year was filled with the release of exceptional and record-breaking music from all genres. Here is a list overviewing my 10 personal favorite albums released in 2023, ranked by my personal enjoyment of them.
10. “Red Moon in Venus” by Kali Uchis
“Love is the message. [The album] is a timeless, burning expression of desire, heartbreak, faith and honesty, reflecting on the divine femininity and of the moon and Venus,” singer-songwriter Kali Uchis wrote in regards to her album “Red Moon in Venus.” Released on Mar. 3, 2023 and a mix of R&B and pop, Uchis creates a unique sound from the glittering “Moonlight” to the pillowy “I Wish you Roses.” The album dives into the highs and lows of love alongside womanhood, with lovely melodies and complex production complimenting not only the sonic sound but the messages themselves.
9. “Love Songs for the End” by Cafuné
Released Oct. 12, 2023, Cafuné’s “Love Songs for the End” utilizes somber themes and clever production to deliver a unique alternative-indie record. Cafuné, a duo built of Sedona Schat and Noah Yoo, recently experienced massive success when their 2019 single “Tek It” went viral on TikTok, allowing their fanbase to expand and the group to explore new avenues, ultimately leading to “Love Songs for the End.” “[The record] ponders the inevitable conclusion of it all – but not in a doomer-y way,” Yoo said in an interview with BroadwayWorld. “Relationships untangle and disintegrate as quickly as they form. Endings can be sad, but they don’t have to be.”
8. “The Show” by Niall Horan
Though perhaps not as lyrically-complex as his past works, Niall Horan’s “The Show” is a charming record packed with the butterflies that come when falling in love. From the energetic “Heaven” to the tender “Never Grow Up,” the album details loving someone so intensely you cannot imagine your life without them. Released on June 9, 2023, his third studio album is filled with heartful guitar, soulful piano and a solid, delightful vocal performance from Horan himself, leaving listeners enchanted by his artistry.
7. “Petals to Thorns” by d4vd
Houston-based singer David Burke, professionally known as d4vd (pronounced as David), released his debut album on May 26, 2023, featuring hits such as “Here With Me” and “Romantic Homicide.” An album brimming with grunge and raw emotion, d4vd bears his grievances against someone who has wronged him alongside pleads with the person who means the most to him in the emotional, rocky journey that is “Petals to Thorns.” A haunting and impactful debut album from its sweet opening “Sleep Well” to its vengeful closing track “The Bridge,” d4vd recorded it all from his sister’s closet, an impressive feat that only emphasizes how much potential d4vd has as an artist moving forwards.
6. “Midnights (Til Dawn Edition)” by Taylor Swift
Winning both pop vocal album and album of the year at the 2024 Grammys, Taylor Swift’s “Midnights” is a force to be reckoned with. Its “complete” version, “Midnights (Til Dawn Edition)” was released on May 25, 2023, adding more songs to the original album such as “Hits Different” and “Snow On The Beach (feat. More Lana Del Rey).” The album is a haze of pop and synth-pop, with songs such as “Midnight Rain” exploring the past of a relationship whereas tracks like “Karma” emphasize all the good things that can happen to someone. With “Karma” and “Anti-Hero” taking over the charts, it’s no doubt that 2023 has been Swift’s year, with the singer-songwriter additionally embarking on “The Eras Tour,” releasing a film and being chosen as Times’ person of the year. With the recent announcement of a brand new album entitled “Tortured Poets Department,” Swift continues the momentum created by “Midnights” into the new year.
5. “Bewitched” by Laufey
Icelandic-Chinese singer Laufey (pronounced lay-vey) released her second studio album Sept. 8, 2023, and was quickly met with critical acclaim. Creating a sound that meshes elements of pop, bossa nova and jazz, Laufey stands out in the midst of Gen Z songwriters for her gentle melodies and honey-like voice. “From The Start,” “Haunted” and “Second Best” are just a few of the phenomenal tracks found on “Bewitched,” an album that details experiencing love, whether that be for yourself, a romantic partner or friend in its tender melodies paired with Laufey’s emotional vocal performance. Winning best traditional pop album at the 2024 Grammys, Laufey’s “Bewitched” is arguably an unskippable album.
4. “emails i can’t send: fwd” by Sabrina Carpenter
From soft acoustic love songs to full fledged pop with sprinkles of R&B, singer-songwriter and actress Sabrina Carpenter has done it all. Releasing her debut album in 2014, she has continued to release a variety of different projects over the past decade, notably “EVOlution” and “Singular: Act 1,” with her latest release being “emails i can’t send.” The album, utilizing glistening pop melodies alongside cheeky lyrics, marks a new chapter in Carpenter’s career. The project details Carpenter’s stained familial relationships, the turmoils that come with love and reflecting on the past while simultaneously regaining confidence and moving on. The upbeat and lovely “Feather” preaches about leaving an ex in the dust (the lyric “I’m so sorry for your loss” is a personal favorite of mine) while the quiet “how many things” details a deeper, painful side of moving on. Endlessly brimming with personality and sophistication, “emails i can’t send: fwd” is undeniably a standout in the sea of pop records released in 2023.
3. “Angel Face” by Stephen Sanchez
With brimming passion and running off the success of the smash hit “Until I Found You,” Stephen Sanchez released his debut album “Angel Face” Sept. 22, 2023. Oozing with love and inspiration from 1950s idols such as Elvis and Frank Sinatra, the album tells the fictional story of Sanchez’s alter ego, Troubadour Sanchez, as he reaches stardom and meets the girl of his dreams. From the sweet whispers of “Something About Her” to the fervent, buttery “Doesn’t Do Me Any Good,” Sanchez delivers an astounding and diverse vocal performance on each track, paired with enchanting guitar and piano instrumentals. Though upon initial listen the album may not meet the expectations of its stellar singles, each has something unique to offer to its listener.
2. “Something To Give Each Other” by Troye Sivan
Beginning on YouTube and eventually branching into music, Australian actor and singer-songwriter Troye Sivan has made his mark on pop culture with records such as “Blue Neighbourhood” and “Bloom.” However, he marks a truly elevated level in his career with the release of the sultry and effortlessly addictive “Something To Give Each Other,” an album that tackles love, expression, heartbreak and betrayal, neatly wrapped up into nine songs. In a rollercoaster of emotions, Sivan details the ups and downs of love, for instance in “Can’t Go Back, Baby” Sivan sings about coming to terms with the fact no matter how much he may want to, he can’t change the past. In the quiet “Still Got It,” Sivan comes face-to-face with a past love and realizes he still has the things that made him fall in love with him. However, the album has its dance-numbers, from the lively “What’s The Time Where You Are?” and “Got Me Started,” both energetic and solidify the record as a thoroughly exceptional and endlessly entertaining piece of music.
1. “SOS” by SZA
Released five years after SZA’s debut record “Ctrl,” “SOS” earned SZA nine Grammy nominations in 2024 and three wins, making her the most nominated artist at the event. From the vengeful “Kill Bill” to the contemplative “Good Days,” SZA explores themes of broken love, fury in the face of wrongdoing, isolation and incredible reflection. Bold and unflinching, SZA heartbreakingly sings about missing someone who as your other half in the somber “Nobody Gets Me,” asks if she can be given a second chance in “Too Late,” cherishes her love in “Snooze” and pleads for a true, safe love in “Gone Girl.” A stellar project from a stellar artist, SZA’s “SOS,” released in late December of 2022, truly left its cultural mark on pop culture in 2023, making it my personal favorite album of the year.
