The best music albums of 2023

We have also been won over by the second album by American singer Olivia Rodrigo. Unlike her first album, 'Sour' (2021), on 'GUTS' we find a much more mature Olivia Rodrigo, with a more diverse, rock-influenced pop.

In the soundtrack of 2023, which we have put together based on critical and public acclaim, we find artists from all kinds of genres and styles, starting with Lana del Rey, who once again opens up in 'Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd', her ninth studio album, where she combines themes such as sex, love and emotional deprivation as only she knows how.

With their eleventh studio album, released on 2 June 2023, the Foo Fighters are back. This is the first album since their drummer, Taylor Hawkins, died in Bogotá in March 2022. That's why the pain of loss is latent in this album, with hard chords that dig deep into your soul.

On 7 April, the fifth album by the American rock band Wednesday hit the market. And it did so to critical acclaim. If we HAD to choose between all the songs on the album, we would choose 'Chosen To Deserve'.

On February 14, Valentine's Day, we received this album by the electrifying American artist Caroline Polachek. And sure enough, it struck a chord, as critics and fans alike fell in love with the songs on her new album, 'Desire, I Want to Turn into You', which includes gems such as 'Billions', 'Sunset' and 'Welcome to My Island'.

In 'The Record', the debut album by indie band Boygenius, we see the power of the friendship of three friends, Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus, who, despite having different personalities, complement each other perfectly. Some of the videos for their singles have been directed by Kristen Stewart herself and, for the 66th Grammy Awards, they received seven nominations in categories such as Album of the Year and Record of the Year. There is no doubt that this is one of the albums of 2023.

Paramore fans have had to wait six years (since the release of their last album, After Laughter, released in 2017) to enjoy new songs from the acclaimed American band. And the wait has been worth it, as shown by their nominations for "Best Rock Album" and "Best Alternative Music Performance" at the 2024 Grammy Awards.

Sufjan Stevens returns to more intimate folk on 'Javelin', which he recorded himself in his own home studio. This tenth album is dedicated to his partner, Evans Richardson, who passed away in April 2023. "This album is dedicated to the light of my life, my dear partner and best friend Evans Richardson, who passed away in April," he said on his social media.

Puerto Rican songwriter Tainy's first solo studio album does not disappoint, featuring collaborations with artists such as Bud Bunny, J Balvin, Daddy Yankee and Julieta Venegas.

Featuring LGBTQ+ activist Marsha P. Johnson on the cover of their new album, Anohni and the Johnsons return to the music scene with their fifth studio album, which moves and moves with vintage soul.

Chappell Roan, or Kayleigh Rose Amstutz (Willard, Missouri, 1998), has made her mark on the pop scene, as she has demonstrated with her debut album 'The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess', full of bold, vibrant and sensual songs, a mix between drag and the influence of the great pop divas.

Influenced by greats such as Nina Simone, Missy Elliott and Toni Morrison, rapper Noname surprises once again with powerful, thought-provoking lyrics. According to Noah Barker in The Line of Best Fit "her surprising lyrical flow has become more relentless".

With universal critical acclaim, 'Fly or Die Fly or Die Fly or Die Fly or Die (World War)', the posthumous studio album by the acclaimed American jazz trumpeter Jaimie Branch, was released in August 2023.

‘The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We’, the new album by the Japanese-American artist Mitski conquers with a minimalism and simplicity that highlight the value and strength of her lyrics. Based on the opinion of 24 music critics, it received a score of no less than 90 out of 100 on the review aggregator Metacritic.

In February 2023 Scottish indie band Young Fathers released their fourth album, entitled, 'Heavy Heavy', which invites you to stop suppressing your impulse and let yourself be carried away by their catchy and inspiring melodic structure.

Influenced by the gay clubs she attended as a teenager, English artist Romy, a member of xx, releases her first solo album in which we find influences from artists such as Calvin Harris and tracks in which we find both pain and the euphoria of a dance floor.

Becky G surprised many people in 2023 with her new album, in which she pays tribute to her Mexican roots and to music she has listened to since she was a child, but with her "flow" touch. We also find collaborations with Chiquis or Ángela Aguilar and Leonardo Aguilar.

Five years after her previous album, Kelela's second album stands out for its polished ambient sounds and for the calmness of the 15 tracks on this album full of carefully crafted lyrics that speak of love, eroticism and farewells. A resounding yes.

With an 82/100 on Metracritic, Bad Bunny has won over critics with 'Nadie sabe lo que va a pasar mañana', his fifth studio album, in which he returns to his Latin trap roots while exploring other genres such as jersey club, drill and house.

With a psychedelic rock influence, Lil Yachty surprises with his fifth studio album, 'Let's Start Here', which sounds like a good idea.

Equally universally acclaimed by critics was 'Maps', the collaborative album by rapper Billy Woods and producer Kenny Segal, which was released on 5 May 2023.

In August 2023 came the second and final installment of US artist Monét's Jaguar series, 'Jaguar II', earning nominations in several categories at the 2024 Grammys, including Best R&B Album.

Karol G has been one of the most outstanding Latin artists of 2023 with her album 'Mañana será bonito', which was released in February 2023 and won Album of the Year at the 24th edition of the Latin Grammy Awards, held in November in Seville (Spain). According to The Guardian, "Karol's skill lies in evocative melodies that transcend any language barrier".

Probably the most intimate and sincere Juanes can be found in this, his tenth studio album, entitled 'Vida Cotidiana', written during the Covid pandemic and in which he returns to his rock roots.

In 'EADDA9223', the Argentinian artist Fito Páez re-records the songs from one of his most legendary albums, 'El Amor Después Del Amor', with the likes of Antonio Carmona, Elvis Costello, Estrella Morente, Nathy Peluso and Nicki Nicole.