ES|PR’s Favorite Albums of 2023
A bit late, but always on time.
In no order, some of the favorite albums heard over the last year.
The hardest thing about these lists? Knowing that there is always some amazing album out there that I did not get the time to listen to. FOMO for the music nerd.
Also, this list is powerfully devoid of House/EDM/Whatever we call it. Gospel too. Afrobeat. Forgiveness in advance.
If you are looking for some good music to explore, here’s a great start.
HIP HOP:
E-40: Rule Of Thumb V. 1 (A moment, if you will: E-40, a legendary rapper, has just released his 27th album, marking a magical and astonishing 37-year music career. With this album he easily establishes himself as one of the greatest MCs of all time. His subject matter inspires me daily, and his solid legacy makes me proud to be part of it. If you're looking for an insight into my life, you should definitely listen to "Does That Make Sense," "High End," "Pickin Up What I'm Putting Down," and "AYE.")
Brittney Carter: 3-Peat (Was lucky to hear this one being recorded. This is a talented human being.)
NONAME: Sundial (What a stellar birthday gift.)
Little Simz: No, Thank You | She could sneeze on the track and it wouldn't matter Ima go listen. Also, the distinctive honor of having one of the best live shows I’ve seen in the last… forever.
Chika: Samson, The Album
Elaquent: REDISCOVERY
Oddisee: To What End?
Open Mike Eagle: Another Triumph of Ghetto Engineering
Manco Wilder: The Phantom of The Corner Store | There Is No Sunrise Yet To Come (2 albums in one year. Both of them amazing with the appearances, production, style, art, concepts. Definitely play these albums.)
ICECOLDBISHOP: GENERATIONAL CURSE (The LA favorite delivers)
LaRussell: How Much Does A Piece Of Mind Cost?
G. Perico: LA Summers 3 (Wow Oakland is going really hard right now, because….)
Larry June | Alchemist: The Great Escape (ORANGE VILLAGE)
Earl Sweatshirt | Alchemist: Voir Dire
Denzel Curry: Live at Electric Lady
Armand Hammer: We Buy Diabetic Test Strips
billy woods | Kenny Segal: Maps
Mick Jenkins: The Patience
Navy Blues: Way of Knowing
Alchemist: Flying High pt. 2
Black Milk: Everybody Good?
Lady London: S.O.U.L.
(Honorable mentions go to:)
Whatever Nas did, doesn't matter
Whatever Megan Thee Stallion does. Yes. I am a hottie.
Flo Milli: Fine Ho, Stay (not out yet, but listen to her other works for fun times)
Maiya The Don
Lola Brooke
Monaleo
Nate Joel
New Quelle Chris project out there somewhere
and that lil yatchy album that had everyone going nuts for some reason
SOUL | R&B:
Lekan: Everything he did for the collective 2022 and 2023 year
Sampha: Lahai
Cleo Sol: Heaven | GOLD
Terrace Martin & Alex Isley: I Left My Heart in Ladera
Victoria Monét: JAGUAR II
Emily King: Special Occasion
Lizzie Berchie: Am I An Adult Yet?
DESTIN CONRAD: SUBMISSIVE
Butcher Brown: Solar Music
Jamila Woods: Water Made Us
Leon Thomas: Electric Dust
Janelle Monae': Age of Pleasure
RAYE: My 21st Century Blues
Quantic: Dancing While Falling
Jorja Smith: Falling or Flying
Mac Ayers: Comfortable Enough
Masego: MASEGO
Maeta: When I Hear Your Name
(Honorable mentions go to:)
Everything my newest client, Eric Jaye is doing. Fun year coming.
Whatever Liv.e did, I'll figure it out later
SAULT: *Listed just for existing*
Natalie Duncan: *Didn't release, but go listen to her song "Devil In Me" and get back*
Whatever Hiatus Kaiyote is getting ready to do
Quantic came back, havent listened but I am SURE IT BANGS
Whatever CARRTOONS is doing, it was an honor to launch that
ROCK:
ALL THINGS BOYGENIUS: THE RECORD AND THE REST
Paramore: This Is Why
Yo La Tengo: This Stupid World
Dolly Parton: Rock Star
PJ Harvey: I Inside the Old Year Dying
Julia Zivic: Live At Guava EP
Meet Me @ The Altar: Past Present Future
Olivia Rodrigo: GUTS
Arlo Parks: My Soft Machine and anything else she wants to do
Bakar: Halo
Yves Tumor: Praise A Lord Who Chews But Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds)
Blondshell: Blondshell
The National: First Two Pages of Frankenstein
Foo Fighter: But Here We Are
YES: Mirror To The Sky
Iggy Pop: EVERY LOSER
Peter Gabriel: i/o
The Murder Capital: Gigi's Recovery
Blur: The Ballad of Darren
Manchester Orchestra: The Valley of Vision
Mutoid Man: Mutants
The Ocean: Holocene
Blonde Redhead: Sit Down for Dinner
Solstice: Light Up
Single Celled Organism: Event Horizon
Filter: The Algorithm
Spiritual Cramp: (eponymous)
Liturgy: 93696
Crown Lands: Fearless
Angie Haze: Time Thief
(Honorable mentions go to:)
Whatever Dan Reeder did. I am going to go play his bass on general principle.
Whatever Fiona Apple did, don't care if it was just feeding her dog, Fetch The Boltcutters warrants this choice
JAZZ:
Corinne Bailey Rae: Black Rainbows (See also, Punk Rock. What an amazing album, journey, experience. Thank you Goddess.)
Cécile McLorin Salvant: Mélusine
Fred Hersch & Esperanza Spalding: Alive at the Village Vanguard
Lakecia Benjamin: Phoenix
Meshell Ndegeocello: The Omnichord Real Book
Allison Miller: Rivers In Our Veins
Alfa Mist: Variables
Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah: Bark Out Thunder Roar Out Lightning
Brandee Younge: Brand New Life
London Brew: London Brew
Mike Reed: Separatist Party
Sullivan Fortner: Solo Game
Andre 3000: New Blue Sun | He could just stand there and I would listen
Jaimie Branch: Fly or Die Fly or Die Fly or Die (Legend releases one of their strongest works, then passes away. Tough, but worth the journey.)
(Reissues | New Discovery Releases)
Vince Guaraldi: Impressions of Black Orpheus
The Dave Brubeck Quartet: Live From The Northwest, 1959
Charles Mingus: Complete Recordings Atlantic 1970
(Honorable Mentions go to:)
All things Samara Joy, Endea Owens, Alexis Morrast.
Hope you find something you love.