Top 10 Albums of 2023 – Killian Laher

2023 was the first ‘normal’ year for music since 2019, with COVID thankfully being a lot less prevalent than in recent years.  It’s safe to say none of these picks are ‘lockdown albums’ as such.  A strong year for music, it has to be said.

10. bar italia – The Twits
One of the year’s more inventive and exciting albums, many of these short songs have two different parts in their short running time.

9. Joseph Chester – Lucia
Extraordinary guitar playing from Joe Chester on this high-concept collection.

8. Arrivalists – Its Own Time
Blissful, drifting songs from Pat Barrett, on form as ever.

7. Slowdive – Everything Is Alive
Slowdive have really sealed their comeback with this album, if anything it’s stronger than 2017’s self-titled, a really immersive effort.

6. Wilco – Cousin
Arguably America’s most consistent band, this is more on the Yankee Hotel Foxtrot/A Ghost Is Born wavelength, than their more recent albums.

5. Lloyd Cole – On Pain
Lloyd Cole has really succeeded in marrying his classic songwriting with electronic music on this album.

4. Tim Hecker – No Highs
Nervous, twitching instrumental music for nervous, twitching times.

3. Yo la Tengo – This Stupid World
A messy, noisy return for this New York trio.

2. Boa Morte – The Total Space
An incredible, expansive album from Ireland’s finest ambient folk outfit.

1. Cian Nugent – She Brings Me Back To The Land of the Living
Cian Nugent has made the album of his life here, he always was an accomplished guitar player, and now he has the songs to match.