Aen’s Top Ten Albums of 2023

• “Mercurial World” by Magdalena Bay (Synthpop)
  • This album is so good… Matt’s production is amazing, Mica’s voice is perfect for this genre, and every song is almost perfect. Highly recommended if you like synthpop, electropop, or anything related to that genre.
  • Favourite song: Dreamcatching
• “Sometimes I Might Be Introvert” by Little Simz (Hip Hop, Neo-Soul)
  • So many good songs on this. Little Simz is great at writing, and Inflo’s production is impeccable as always. This album is actually the first one that introduced me to a type of hip hop that I would actually like.
  • Favourite song: I Love You, I Hate You
• “Promises” by Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders, & London Symphony Orchestra (Classical, Electronic, Jazz)
  • This album is beautiful. There’s one repeating melody across the entire album, and every song (or movement) uses that melody and adds to it. Please listen to this.
  • Favourite song: Movement 6
• “Nurture” by Porter Robinson (Electropop)
  • In a dark time, this album brought me joy. In my saddest moments, it lifted my spirits. This album is joyous, catchy, and so authentic. Listen for happy vibes 🥰!
  • Favourite song: Mother
• “Lahai” by Sampha (R&B, Neo-Soul)
  • I’m running out of words to describe albums… this album is beautiful. Everything about this… the vibes, the production, the vocals… it’s amazing.
  • Favourite song: Jonathan L. Seagull
• “I Didn’t Mean To Haunt You” by Quadeca (Sad Emo Hip Hop)
  • I’m surprised by how good this album is. It’s a full narrative, dealing with our protagonist’s pain and anguish after discovering he’s become a ghost. Some songs are beautiful, some depressing, and some both. Highly recommend that you watch the film Quadeca made if you want to listen.
  • Favourite song: fantasyworld
• “STRUGGLER” by Genesis Owusu (Punk(?), Neo-Soul, R&B)
  • This guy one of the only good things to come out of Australia. He sings existential songs from the perspective of a bug (hear me out…). I think it’s punk, or post punk? There’s also some R&B and neo-soul. It’s a great album.
  • Favourite song: Freak Boy
• “Ooh Rap I Ya” by George Clanton (Chillwave)
  • Super nostalgic, vaporwavey, synthy music. Those words aren’t words but I don’t care. The production is amazing…
  • Favourite song: For You, I Will
• “Homogenic” by Björk (Art Pop)
  • I have 2 Björk albums on this list, and I’m not even sure if that’s enough. I’m kicking myself for never listening to Björk before, because her music is exactly what I’m looking for - catchy but abstract, avant-garde but accessible, endlessly playable. Her vocals are amazing, the production is amazing, everything is amazing. This album is a masterpiece. If you haven’t listened to it before - listen to it now. If you have, then listen to it again.
  • Favourite song: Bachelorette
• “Vulnicura” by Björk (Art Pop)
  • Like I said, lots of Björk albums here and the next list. This album is just as beautiful as Homogenic, in my opinion. While Homogenic is very electronic, this one is less so, but still very pretty. It also sounds like a very personal album.
  • Favourite song: Stonemilker

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