My annual list of my top 3 LPs and Singles that were released in 2023. The criteria for the singles are that they are from LPs or single releases which don’t feature in the top 3 LP list.
LPs
- Casisdead – Famous Last Words
- Lord Of The Isles & Ellen Renton – My Noise is Nothing
- The National – First Two Pages of Frankenstein / Laugh Track
The National released both LPs within a short time of eachother, and it felt like a single album. Others on the shortlist were by Aesop Rock (Integrated Tech Solutions), James Blake (Playing Robots Into Heaven), bar italia (tracey denim), Soft Landing (Art School Girlfriend) and Prize (Rozi Plain).
Singles
- bar italia – yes i have eaten so many lemons yes i am so bitte
- James Blake – Tell Me
- Chase & Status – Say The Word (feat. Clementine Douglas)
Others on the shortlist were Name of God by Mustafa, Gatsby by Meshell Ndegeocello and Fool Me As Many Time As You Like by Daudi Mitsako.
Spotify playlist
Live performances
Live highlight of the year was seeing The National (for the fifth time!) at Alexandra Palace on the first night of their two night run there. They went deep into their back catalogue and played different tracks on each night, wish I’d known as I would have definitely gone to the second night!
Mixes
Early in the year, I discovered the Sampa The Great mix on NTS which was on regular rotation for a good while. Also, I’ve not listened to a lot of Drum and Bass since the golden era, but really felt the energy of the Chase and Status Boiler Room.
Radio
2023 was the year that BBC 6 Music launched the New Music Fix show hosted by Tom Ravenscroft and Deb Grant. This became a regular fixture for me, introducing me to some brilliant new music.