Written by: nuance Editorial Team

It’s hard to believe but that’s it, folks, 2023 is coming to a close. While we wish you a Happy New Year and send our best wishes for 2024, we thought it’d be a good time to share our 30 Favorite Albums from this past year (in no particular order) before the clock strikes midnight.

Lil Yachty – Let’s Start Here. 

Lil Yachty recontextualizes his career with a stunning escapade into psychedelic space rock on Let’s Start Here. The album sees the once bubble-gum-trap-pioneer set sail through the cosmos through Pink Floyd inspirations and lofty melodies–with experimental soundscapes like “the BLACK seminole.” and irresistible grooves like “drive ME crazy!” For more about the album, click here to read Nuance’s review of Let’s Start Here. 

Zack Bryan – Zack Bryan 

Oklahoma singer-songwriter Zack Bryan proves substantive, home-grown Country music is alive and well in 2023 with his gripping self-titled album Zack Bryan. The album’s home-grown, indie-leaning production sets an intimate barroom scene in which Bryan weaves engaging lyrical tales, “I Remember Everything (feat. Kacey Musgraves)” and “Tourniquet.”

100 gecs – 10,000 gecs

Hyperpop duo 100 gecs hit overdrive on their sophomore album 10,000 gecs. Combining their patently spastic-yet-irresistible glitch-pop production with a heavy dose of mid-2000s alt nostalgia, St. Louis natives Dyland Brady and Laura Les display their mastery of digital chaos and sticky melodies on tracks like “Dumbest Girl Alive,” “Hollywood Baby,” and “mememe.”

Jordan Ward – FORWARD 

One of R&B’s brightest young stars and longtime friend of Nuance Jordan Ward reaches new heights on his second album, FORWARD.  The dancer-turned-singer presents plenty of opportunities to move your feet and sway to light-hearted, sun-soaked tunes with relaxing hip-shaking tracks like “FAMJAM400,” “IDC,” and “WHITE CROCS.”

Hotline TNT – Cartwheel

New York indie project Hotline TNT ignite on their second album, Cartwheel. Led by a strong performance by frontman Will Anderson, the project takes blistering shoegaze guitars to their limit on power-pop anthems that demand to be played at a high volume. To learn more about Cartwheel, read Nuance’s review here. 

PinkPantheress – Heaven knows

UK bedroom pop phenom and internet heartthrob PinkPantheress hits the mainstream with grace on her debut album Heaven knows. The delicately assembled project displays why PinkPantheress is leading a wave of retro dance-pop nostalgia with infectious anthems like “Mosquito,” “Nice to meet you (feat. Central Cee),” and “Another life (feat. Rema).”

JPEGMAGIA & Danny Brown – SCARING THE HOES

In a musical landscape where following sonic trends and appealing to “listenability” are overemphasized, SCARING THE HOES demonstrates the benefits of creating something unique as two of hip-hop’s most eccentric outliers, JPEGMAFIA and Danny Brown, join forces and double down on their weird idiosyncrasies. Going back and forth with deep-fried punchlines and abrasive flows over a showcase of innovative, sample-based production, SCARING THE HOES might be the best rap project of the year. To read more about the album, check out NUANCE’s review here.  

Morgan Wallen – One Thing At a Time

Morgan Wallen's third album, One Thing At a Time, showcases his distinctive voice and storytelling appeal. Songs like “Last Night” and “Thinkin’ Bout Me” blend traditional country sounds with hip-hop production to explore themes of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. Wallen's emotive delivery and catchy tunes make this album a compelling addition to the country scene.

Briston Maroney – Ultrapure

Nashville alternative standout and former Nuance Cover Artist Briston Maroney hits his stride on his sophomore album, Ultrapure. Featuring standout singles like “Body,” “Sunshine,” and “Sunburn Fades,” the project celebrates those experiences you only appreciate in retrospect with sentimental melodies and minimalist indie bliss. 

Veeze – Ganger (Deluxe)

Seven Mile Road native Veeze steals the spot for the next MC out of Detroit with his breakout debut album, Ganger. Featuring a plethora of flows over a diverse array of quirky, uptempo beats that the region has made famous, Veeze makes his distinctive mark and keeps the listener guessing from track to track with bangers like “Not a Drill,” “You know i,” and “Get Lucki.”

Squirrel Flower – Tomorrow’s Fire

Chicago-based indie singer-songwriter Ella Williams, aka Squirrel Flower, impresses with confident vocal performances and atmospheric, reverb-guitar-centered production on her fourth LP, Tomorrow’s Fire. The album's beauty begins with its intelligent songwriting, coming from a genuine place that emotionally connects the listener on songs like “Alley Light,” “I Don’t Use a Trash Can (Tomorrow’s Fire),” and “Stick.” To read more about Tomorrow’s Fire, check out Nuance’s review here. 

BLXST & Bino Rideaux – Sixtape 3

The smoothest romantic West Coast street rap duo since Nate and Snoop Dogg, former Nuance Cover Artist BLXST and Bino Rideaux, team up for their third collaboration, Sixtape 3. With BLXST’s smooth melodies and Bino’s charismatic flows riding over irresistible West Coast hip-hop grooves “Doin Yo Stuff,” it’s a project that begs to be played with the top down on a sunny day. 

Coco Jones – What I Didn’t Tell You 

Lebanon, TN-native singer/actress Coco Jones presents a vibrant mix of R&B and pop on her latest EP What I Didn't Tell You. With tantalizing production and relatable themes, Jones crafts a compelling narrative of love and self-discovery that highlights her powerful vocals and introspective lyrics on tracks like “ICU” and “Double Back.” 

Sufjan Stevens – Javelin 

Sufjan Stevens' tenth studio album, Javelin, delves into poignant realms of grief through intricate indie-folk. The album's evocative melodies and heartfelt lyrics form a moving tapestry, expressing the nuances of loss with haunting beauty. Stevens' musical craftsmanship transforms sorrow into an artful exploration, creating an emotionally resonant and unforgettable listening experience on tracks like “A Running Start,” “Will Anybody Ever Love Me?” and “So You Are Tired.”

Noname – Sundial 

Chicago lyricist Noname returns with intricate flows and socially conscious, thought-provoking lyrics on her long-awaited sophomore album Sundial. Through contemplative soliloquies, visceral imagery, and moving metaphors, Noname immerses her audience into a world of moral quandary and unflinching reflection over a bed of hopeful, soulful production that feels like Chicago in the summertime. Highlights include “black mirror,” “balloons (feat. Jay Electronica & Eryn Allen Kane),” and “namesake.”

Brent Faiyaz – Larger Than Life 

Columbia, MD native Brent Faiyaz displays his compositional prowess on the feature-packed new mixtape, Larger Than Life, the first project released via his own label, ISO Supremacy. Packed to the brim with Faiyaz’s patented knack for cinematic production, the alt R&B phenom holds down slick beats like “Forever Yours” while also setting the stage for a talented array of featured artists like A$AP Rocky, Coco Jones, and Missy Elliot. To check out Nuance’s Top 15 Best Brent Faiyaz Songs, click here. 

Noah Kahan – Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever)

Noah Kahan's third album, Stick Season (We'll All Be Here Forever), unveils a soulful journey through life's intricacies. The album skillfully blends folk and pop, highlighting Kahan's expressive vocals. With thoughtful storytelling and memorable tunes, the record captures the essence of human experience and personal evolution, creating a resonant and enduring musical narrative on tracks like “Drunk Dial” and “You’re Gonna Go Far.”

Key Glock – Glockoma 2 (Deluxe)

One of Memphis hip-hop’s brightest stars, Key Glock, shares his most focused and dynamic effort on his third studio album, Glockoma 2, a masterful display of Glock’s beat selection and patented flow and a testament to Glock’s consistency and old-school approach. The project’s steady barrage of bars and emphatic adlibs over inventive southern production put the listener in an intoxicating trance on tracks like “Dirt,” “From Nothing,” “F**k A Feature.” 

Larry June & Cardo – The Night Shift

The fifth collaborative project from San Francisco MC Larry June and Dallas producer Cardo, The Night Shift, sees the pair perfect their formula of smooth beats and laid-back, image-rich lyricism. June’s relaxing flow perfectly fits Cardo’s slick production on standout tracks like "Chops on the Blade" and "Love of Money,” perfect for a late-night cruise. 

Snõõper – Super Snõõper

On their debut studio album, Super Snõõper (via Third Man Records),  Nashville DIY and “egg-punk” pioneers Snõõper stay local to their blistering sound with an album that delivers catchy hooks and head-banging riffs at breakneck speed as frontman Blair Tramel and guitarist Connor Cummins operate with the precision of a fighter-jet pilot. At 14 tracks in just over 23 minutes, the project is a thrill ride from start to finish.  

Rio Da Yung OG – The F Tape 

Flint, Michigan’s prophet Rio Da Yung OG returns with The F Tape EP, reintroducing the Michigan rapper’s relentless flow, hilarious punchlines, and unique perspective to a rap game heavily influenced by his gritty storytelling and chorus-allergic song structures. The first project since Rio’s incarceration in 2021, the tape is a reminder of Rio’s influence on the region’s current hip-hop resurgence with tracks like “Talkin Craz,” “Gheto Philosophy,” and “Right Now.” Click here to read more of Nuance’s coverage about Rio and the musical history of his hometown, Flint, MI.  

Kali Uchis – Red Moon in Venus 

Columbian-American singer Kali Uchis shares a genre-blending marvel with her third album, Red Moon in Venus, seamlessly fusing R&B, pop, and Latin influences into one captivating blend. Uchis' sultry vocals and the album's lush production create a mesmerizing atmosphere as she crafts a celestial sonic journey that's both bold and enchanting on tracks like "Worth the Wait (feat. Omar Apollo)" and "Moonlight.”

K. Forest – Pray for a Beautiful Sky 

The fifth album from Toronto R&B singer K. Forest, Pray for a Beautiful Sky, is a stunning sonic tapestry blending R&B and soul with introspective lyricism. The album's atmospheric soundscapes and Forest's emotive vocals create a captivating experience. Tracks like "Thug Passion" and "91" showcase his artistic depth, making it a compelling addition to contemporary soul music.

Paris, Texas – MID AIR 

Alternative-rap icons Paris, Texas, do sonic backflips on their highly-anticipated debut album MID AIR–a one-of-a-kind thrill ride that splits the difference between alternative rock and contemporary hip-hop with its mix of angsty guitars and raging 808s. The Los Angeles duo prove their potential with urgency and charisma by anchoring the unique sound palette with their urgent flows and skewed sense of humor on tracks like “BULLET MAN,” “PANIC!!!,” and “Everybody’s Safe Until…”

Cash Cobain – Pretty Girls Love Slizzy

Bronx rapper-producer Cash Cobain shares his most glamorous portrait yet on his sixth album, Pretty Girls Love Slizzy, an intoxicating sonic expansion of the “sexy drill” he’s been pioneering for years alongside frequent collaborator Chow Lee. Trading bars about street violence for romantic, sex-obsessed flows over slick sample chops and hip-shaking Jersey Club rhythms, the LP displays the potential of the distinct sound on tracks like “Slizzy Dialogue,” “Not No Xanax 2 (feat. Chow Lee),” and “Messy (feat. MCVERTT).”

Aminé & KAYTRANADA – KAYTRAMINÉ

Aminé and KAYTRANADA join forces on KAYTRAMINÉ, an electrifying fusion of the Portland MC’s charismatic, lowkey raps and the Montreal Producer’s R&B-infused electro beats. The project balances hip-hop and dance with laid-back lyrical showcases like “letstalkaboutit (feat. Freddie Gibbs)” and hip-shaking anthems like “Sossaup (feat. Amaarae).” 

Ken Carson – A Great Chaos 

Atlanta rage-trap innovator Ken Carson shares his most polished, entrancing project to date on this third album, A Great Chaos. The LP is a sonic whirlwind of blistering flows and experimental, frequency-bending trap production, which Carson anchors with confidence in his abrasive, distorted delivery. Highlights include “Jennifer’s Body,” “Fighting My Demons” and “Paranoid (feat. Destroy Lonely).”

Samia – Honey 

New York singer-songwriter Samia's second album, Honey, explores vulnerability and resilience as he navigates themes of love and self-discovery with raw vocals and poignant lyrics. Tracks like "Kill Her Freak Out" and "Honey" reveal Samia's emotional depth, making this album a compelling and authentic contribution to the indie scene.

Danny Brown – Quaranta 

Danny Brown’s second inclusion on this list is well-earned, as his sixth studio album Quaranta, sees the legendary Detroit MC age gracefully into a more introspective phase with the lyrical mastery of a wiley vet. From the first bar of the cinematic intro, the album unflinchingly unfolds Brown’s struggles with alcoholism, addiction, and fame as he looks back on his historic run since 2012’s XXX. 

Dominic Fike – Sunburn

After a slightly disappointing debut, Dominic Fike makes good on his potential with his sophomore album Sunburn–a saturated, genre-blurring triumph that shines through diverse sounds from indie rock to R&B. The project’s rich production allows Fike’s artistic evolution to shine on tracks like “How Much is Weed?,” “Mona Lisa,” and “Think Fast (feat. Weezer).”

Sexyy Red – Hood Hottest Princess (Deluxe)

It wouldn’t be a list about 2023 without Sexyy Red. Avoiding the one-hit wonder fate after the viral success of her “SkeeYee,” her second mixtape, Hood Hottest Princess, exudes confidence with bold, unapologetic bars and infectious attitude over gritty trap beats. Tracks like “Looking For the Hoes (Ain’t My Fault), "Hellcars SRTS,” and “Bow Bow Bow (F My Baby Daddy)" solidify her as a formidable force to be reckoned with.