5. Covet- Catharsis
Noone plays guitar quite like Yvette Young, and this might be the best work her band has put out to date. A lot of that comes from just how tight the album is, at a slimline 28 minutes, all the fat has been cut down and there isn’t a single moment where these (mostly) instrumentals meander or get repetitive. The production is immaculate, bringing new elements such as shoe-gaze into Covet’s already formidable blend of math rock. This is an album that I found myself playing over and over all year, it’s a really satisfying and rewarding listen. Excellent.
4. Wednesday- Rat Saw God
This album is a massive step up for Wednesday on all levels, truly one that demands your attention from start to end. It’s loud, it’s chaotic, but somehow it’s also super intimate and beautiful. It’s rare that I’ve heard a band balance a perfect balance of noisy and melodic like this. The album is structured almost haphazardly, with a gigantic 8 minute epic “Bull Believer” hitting in at only the second track. The more the album is revisited, the more little layers reveal themselves, there’s just so much to love here- whether it be the country tinged spill your guts “Chosen to Deserve” or two minutes of pounding guitar that is the opener “Hot Rotten Grass Smell”, there’s not a single dud. I enjoyed it when it first dropped, but I absolutely adore it months later. Absolute winner.
3. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard- PetroDragonic Apocalypse; or, Dawn of Eternal Night: An Annihilation of Planet Earth and the Beginning of Merciless Damnation
This album is King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard’s second full foray into metal, and it just about expands and improves on Infest the Rat’s Nest in every way. Every song is a banger, from the ridiculously catchy lead single “Gila Lizard” to the roaring closer “Flamethrower”. I’ve played this album from end to end so many times it’s ridiculous. The thing that really makes the album standout from other metal this year is the amount of love behind it- sure the concepts and themes here are oftentimes bleak and apocalyptic, but the delivery is so refreshingly haphazard and carefree that it’s hard not to smile while listening to it. It’s addictive, heavy, tight and most of all- fun. Don’t miss it!
2. Laufey- Bewitched
“She’s so perfect blah blah blah” might well be my favorite line in any song all year. Laufey’s breakthrough sophomore album has been pretty much impossible to avoid. But don’t let it’s viral nature dissuade you; what’s here is solid and ‘real’ as it gets- Laufey has created perfect classical pop here, it’s so easy to pick up and enjoy, but also very rewarding if you keep it on repeat. Her playfulness and optimism on social media also crosses into her music, and it’s hard not to absolutely fall in love with. I expect this will be on a lot of people’s faves this year, and it’s easy to understand why. I love this album.
1. Mitski- The Land Is Inhospitable And So Are We
Finally, my favorite album of 2023 goes to Mitski’s 7th record, “The Land is Inhospitable and So Are We”. Not only was it another great Mitski album, in my opinion it’s now her greatest work to date. There’s not a single second here that goes to waste, and there’s moments here that still give me goosebumps even after many, many listens (the choir on ‘Bug Like an Angel’, the outro of ‘I’m Your Man’ to name two).
Mitski’s evolution continues to flourish, her songwriting reaching the point that very few come close to, her lyricism untouchable. The production is flat out amazing, it’s strikingly ambitious with the amount of instruments, yet still feels personal and intimate.
It also happens to have my favorite single of 2023, the absolutely gorgeous, heart melting “My Love Mine All Mine”, which has become her biggest hit to date- with good reason. It’s a simple song about leaving your love behind after you depart this world- but that sentiment is so universal and put across so endearingly, it’s impossible not to feel it deep in your soul. Mitski has truly delivered her best album with this one, an instant classic for me. Hence, my album of the year.
deadgrandmablog 