In the year 2023, thousands of albums were released by various artists, ranging in genres of pop, hip hop, R&B, and more. From garage artists to superstars such as SZA and Travis Scott, various artists once again marked their presence in the music industry by releasing new albums for fans to cherish. As the year comes to an end, here are our personal picks for the five best albums of the year, based on their musical poise, success, and overall mood.
- Bewitched by Laufey
Bewitched is Icelandic singer Laufey’s second album. With a rise to popularity through TikTok, Laufey has made a name for herself through short covers and original music on the platform. In Bewitched, the singer went for a jazzy style of songs along with her soothing vocals that represents Laufey’s trademark tender style. The songs in the album can be described as part of a bigger whole, working together to create the ultimate jazz song. The lead single, “From The Start” has become a trending TikTok sound since its release and explores a girl’s yearning for love. Laufey’s rise to fame is a perfect example of a benefit that social media has brought into our lives.
- Get Up by NewJeans
After suddenly entering the K-pop scene last year with Extended Play (EP) “New Jeans” and single “OMG,” the contemporary K-pop group is back with their second EP “Get Up.” Featuring lively dance music, NewJeans has again found popularity in the relatable girl-next-door music style. In the lead single of the EP “Super Shy,” the five-girl K-pop group sings about a love that they are shy to admit. Through the catchy accompanying songs like “ETA” and “New Jeans,” NewJeans has been continuing to take the K-pop industry by storm with their ultra-contemporary K-pop style.
- Never Enough by Daniel Caesar
In the Canadian R&B singer’s third album release, Daniel Caesar experimented with different schemes of love songs and calm ballads. Through his usual mixture of calm drums, synthetic piano, and guitar, Caesar once again showcases his abilities to create melancholy yet soothing melodies with his angelic voice. The album is a perfect combination of Caesar’s favorite “beats to sing” and lyrics that he seems to have craved to let out for a long time. What’s especially charming about the songs are their extended intros and outros, giving a spacious mood as the album transitions from one song to another. In particular, “Always” has been the most successful song from the album.
- UTOPIA by Travis Scott
The long-awaited album from the renowned rapper was immediately met with attention upon its release. Travis anticipated the album to reach a bigger audience as his songs are filled with features from superstars, such as Drake, 21 Savage, Beyonce, The Weeknd, and so much more. Apart from collaborations with these artists, another prominent talking point was the introspective lyrics of the songs, offering insights into Travis’ personal struggles or worries. Many of the lyrics, fans have found, connect to Travis’ personal life, such as ‘MY EYES,” which alludes to his past struggles with his ASTROWORLD concert and his complicated relationship with Kylie Jenner. Overall, the songs met (or to an extent, exceeded) fans’ high expectations as many adored the diverse rhythms and melodies in the refreshing energy of the album.
- SOS by SZA
Although it was published in December 2022, SOS by SZA takes the top spot in our top five albums of 2023. Debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 and containing songs with a combined total of 6.2 billion streams on Spotify, SZA made a triumphant return to the R&B world after her previous certified triple platinum album Ctrl (2017). SOS has found success through unique instrumental introductions to every song and catchy, relatable lyrics. The album induces feelings of nostalgia and reminiscence. Through the album’s hit single “Kill Bill,” SZA flippantly expresses her antipathy towards her ex-boyfriend, and the song has amassed over 1.5 billion streams on Spotify. Other notable songs include “Good Days” and “Snooze.
