Top 20 Indie Albums of 2023 (Part I)
Closing out the year with my favourite releases.
Hi Pal,
Genre classification these days is usually a fairly tedious affair as more artists work their creative muscles to create music that draws inspiration from various soundscapes. For this list, Indie describes albums that fall within the indie soundscapes including rock, pop, electronic and experimental interpretations. Streaming links are embedded in the titles.
#20
Jeremi Licata
Dear Prodigal
Dear Prodigal dropped in April and I remember it being a very enjoyable listen. I listened again recently and it remains one of the best releases of the year. #20 might seem like a low position, but I listened to almost 50 albums in the last twelve months in this category alone so I am glad to say that I loved this one.
Personal Recommendation: Midnight Hour
#19
Rob Ray
What’s Wrong?
Rob Ray dropped two short albums this year and they are both quite good. It just turns out that I prefer What’s Wrong? a little more than the other one. It has some catchy indie rock/pop tunes and Rob has a distinct sense of humour and a vivid imagination that shines through.
Personal Recommendation: breaking bread
#18
Iconium
Measurelessness
Iconium is a relatively new project by Tyler Stitt and it's one of the highlights of my 2023. Debut albums have a special place in my heart and this is one that pleasantly surprised me in its execution. I can’t wait to hear more from him in future.
Personal Recommendation: Where Have You Been?
#17
FYR FYTR
THE GLORIOUS IN-BETWEEN
I’ve been listening to FYR FYTR for a few years now and every album is an improvement on the last. It took me a while to completely warm up to THE GLORIOUS IN-BETWEEN, but over time, some of the songs on it have become my comfort tunes for the year.
Personal Recommendation: I Know That It Won’t Be Long
#16
Fepeste
What You Don’t Know
As someone who just stepped into his 30s recently and got married about a year ago, I felt a real kinship with Eric Jett and some of the themes he explored on this album. What You Don’t Know explores fears and hopes spectacularly and has enough shoegaze and indie rock feels to keep me coming back for more.
Personal Recommendation: Don’t Know What You Don’t Know
#15
Mike Mains & The Branches
Memory Unfixed
Mike Mains is one of those artists who understands indie rock and has set a high standard for himself with the quality of his past releases. Memory Unfixed is another brilliant addition to his already impressive catalogue of albums.
Personal Recommendation: Blue Lagoon
#14
Weak Sheep
Mumbling Shame
Every once in a while, I find albums that suit my emotional state for a season and end up becoming triggers for core memories. I have vivid events of my life this year that have become attached to Mumbling Shame and that is the best compliment I can give to it.
Personal Recommendation: Dead Church
#13
Chase Tremaine
Accidental Days
I used to think that my emo days were over but Chase Tremaine’s approach to emo-infused indie/alternative rock dragged me back. It’s difficult not to pay attention to the stories that he tells through his music and listening to Accidental Days for the first time is an experience I won’t be forgetting in a hurry.
Personal Recommendation: Choose
#12
Jonathan Allen Wright
All The Ways That I Fail You
I’m not sure I’ve followed anyone on this list as closely as Jonathan Allen Wright. One conversation with him and I knew that there was something about the creative direction of his music that was going to be worth my attention. I love this album so much and the best thing about it is that I can tell that he can do so much more.
Personal Recommendation: Control
#11
Tina Boonstra
Circle back, start again.
There was a time, earlier in the year when I was sure that this album was going to be on my top five for 2023. I'm still a little surprised that it is here and that just tells you how ridiculously good this year was for indie music. Irrespective of my ranking system, Circle back, start again. is one of the gems of 2023.
Personal Recommendation: Proof of Life
Coming Next: Top 20 Indie Albums (Part 2)
That’s it for today.
Catch you soon!
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