The Best Albums You Should Be Listening To In 2023
We’re only a few months into the year and already there are so many amazing albums to listen to, which are available at your fingertips thanks to the likes of Spotify, Apple Music, and Soundcloud.
No matter what audio streaming service you use, or if you’re someone who prefers the old fashioned vinyl, you need to check out our guide with the best albums you should be listening to in 2023.
We know music tastes are subjective, which is why we’ve included something every music lover will have on repeat.
Get your headphones at the ready and get listening to these no-skip albums!
1. Endless Summer Vacation – Miley Cyrus
First up for the best albums of 2023 so far is Endless Summer Vacation, the eighth studio album by American singer Miley Cyrus.
Since the first single “Flowers” from the new album was released back in January, people across the globe have been singing along to the ultimate self-love anthem which supposedly is about her past relationship and marriage to Liam Hemsworth.
For years now Miley has gone from one era to another, and she kicked off yet another music era with her concept album that is described as “a love letter” to Los Angeles, where she recorded the album.
The album was released in early March and combines pop and dance-pop with rock, country and experimental songs with the likes of “Jaded”, “River” and “Thousand Miles”.
Be sure to check out the Disney+ music event Backyard Sessions to hear Miley perform several songs and provide insight to the new album.
This may just be the sound of the summer!
2. Desire, I Want to Turn Into You – Caroline Polachek
After something new to listen to, which gets the feel-good vibes flowing? Get Desire, I Want to Turn Into You on full blast.
Since the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter and producer Caroline Polachek was announced back in December 2022, fans have been eager to discover an album which stood out from the rest, and this one certainly does.
Polacheck has always had amazing vocal talent, she spent most of her musical career as one half of the indie-pop band Chairlift, but has since come into her own and we’re so grateful for it.
The record offers 45 minutes of art pop, alternative pop, electronic, rock and trip-hop tracks, with a stand out being “Welcome to My Island” as well as “Bunny Is a Rider” and “Billions”.
We’ll let you decide for yourself what your favourite tracks are though, so get listening on whatever streaming platform you prefer!
3. Cracker Island – Gorillaz
English virtual band Gorillaz are back with their eighth studio album Cracker Island, and if you haven’t had it on repeat on the daily, what are you doing?!
Blur frontman Damon Albarn and animator Jamie Hewlett brought in Stevie Nicks, Bad Bunny, Tame Impala, Thundercat and other incredible artists for their new album which was released in February 2023.
As with any of Gorillaz’s releases, the album is full of upbeat and genre-expansive tunes like “New Gold”, “Oil”, “Tormenta” and “Skinny Ape”.
The record is energetic from start to finish so, it’s no wonder it was the first to reach number one on the UK Albums Chart since Demon Days (2005).
You can’t help but be hooked in by this one, make sure to give it a listen.
4. This Is Why – Paramore
This Is Why is the first studio album from American rock band Paramore since 2017, consisting of ten pop-punk tracks.
Paramore have undoubtedly had a huge impact upon alternative culture since they rose to fame back in the early 2000’s, and it’s safe to say, the multi-platinum rock band are still revolutionary in 2023.
The title track of the album perfectly captures the feelings of isolation associated with the pandemic, but it’s not all doom or gloom with more up beat tracks like “You First”, “Figure 8” and “C’est Comme Ça”.
Despite being just 36 minutes, This Is Why is an album which works really well, and is something you’ll be listening to throughout 2023, or at least you should be!
5. Gigi’s Recovery – The Murder Capital
Gigi’s Recovery is the second studio album by the Irish band The Murder Capital, and is a must-listen for avid fans of the post-punk genre.
The Murder Capital are one of the most exciting indie bands currently on the scene, having released their debut album back in 2019, the five-piece band are back with yet another record which explores the darker side of society.
Released on January 20th, Gigi’s Recovery features powerful and poetic tracks like “Existence”, “Exist” and “The Stars Will Leave Their Stage”.
No matter what music you’re into, prepare to be taken on an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish throughout the 10 track cycle.
6. Heavy Heavy – Young Fathers
Heavy Heavy is the long-awaited fourth studio album by Scottish indie trio Young Fathers, which was released in February.
Written and recorded over three years, the Edinburgh based trio offer a record with a plethora of different styles from soul to rap to pop, with their tracks like “Rice”, “Tell Somebody” and “Be Your Lady”.
The record truly is a unique listen and is one of the best albums released this year so far, who’s doing it better than Young Fathers? No one!
Whilst it isn’t particularly long, spanning just 32-minutes, Heavy Heavy is an album which will leave you hitting the play button again and again.
7. Let Her Burn – Rebecca Black
If you told us a few years ago that one of the most highly anticipated albums in 2023 would be by Rebecca Black, we probably wouldn’t have believed you.
The American singer-songwriter gained popularity with the music video for her 2011 single “Friday” which reached more than 150 million people and certainly made a stamp on pop culture.
Whilst she has released several other singles and EPs in the time since then, her debut self-released studio album was only put out in February of this year.
Rebecca Black stated: “a pretty poignant theme of my upcoming album is perception of self and how performance holds multiple pieces of my life”.
A few of our favourite tracks from the hyper pop album are “Crumbs”, “Sick To My Stomach” and “Doe Eyed”.
8. Rush! – Måneskin
The Italian rock band Måneskin have become a global sensation after winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 2021, and there’s no chance of them slowing down with their third studio album Rush! receiving critical acclaim.
This no-skips-needed record is composed of fourteen tracks in English and three in Italian, spanning 52 minutes.
It’s hard to choose just a few highlights from this album, but the stand outs for us are “The Loneliest”, “Gossip” and “Supermodel”.
The best part? You don’t just have to listen to this in your student flat, the band have just released a world tour in support of the album.
So, you can watch it live if you love it as much as us!
That’s the end of our guide of everything you should be listening to in 2023.
We’re sure there’ll be plenty more amazing records to come as we move further into the year!
Let us know your standout album for 2023 @urbanstudentlife.
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