A varied menu for you this month, pop, soul, country, electronica, rock, jazz, but hopefully cohesive, nevertheless. Fewer albums than normal, instead a number of interesting singles, perhaps previews of albums to come. And for the nostalgic, two albums that will never fade, from Eagles and Paul McCartney & Wings.
If you want to go straight to the list, follow the Short List below. If you miss tracks from previous blog posts, click on the The Long List. And if you want to listen to a specic reviewed album and suggested single, click on the title.
This is already a contender for top ten albums of the year. Such confidence of two brothers and their band! San Fransisco Cronicle said it better than I can: a novel sound with the «heavy sadness of Towne Van Zandt, the light popo concision of Buddy Holly, the tuneful jangle of the Beatles, the energy of the Ramones.»
Amanda Mammana became a star on Americ’s Got Talent, with her story of how her speech impediment, stuttering, limited her in every way except singing and performing. Her debut album with her major hit, Back to Life, must surely be inspiring to everyone with a similar infliction.
Remi Wolf is a feisty artist, performing what she herself calls funky soul pop, an accurate description in mye view. This is music bursting with mood enhancing energy and exhaltation.
The Bygones are Allison Young and Joshua Lee Turner, two musicians stuck in the past, and thank god for that. Their mostly original music stretches from the sound of the 1930s to country to South American bossa novas.
A fairly new genre that emerged from the democratization of recording music, is bedroom pop. Social Media is full of examples, and some artists make the transistion to an even larger format. deClair is one of them, and one of the most interesting.
One of my favourite voices belongs to Richard Hawley, a Sheffield boy, who has collaborated with bands like Pulp, Elbow and scores of others, but he is in his home territory on his solo albums, with his silky Roy Orbinsonesque rockabilly sound. I can’t get enough of this, and love his latest album.
Tucker Harrington Pillsbury, started his professional career as a rapper, but realized he was a better singer than rapper. We should be very happy he changed from the artist Tucker to the artist Role Model. Kansas Anymore offers spicy pop with some really catchy tracks. You’ll find them in the playlist.
I discovered the talented pianist Steve Dobrogosz when he collaborated with Radka Toneff in the 1980s. Their Fairytales is still one of my favourite albums of all time (coming soon to a playlist near you, I imagine). Dobrogosz has continued recording, mostly giving us new versions of popular music. His latest album, Relived, is no exception. I love how he uses familiar themes, but presenting them to us, often in a totally new way. I bet you’ll recognize most songs from the album.
This 1976 album by the American group Eagles is considered by many to be one of the best albums of all time. I don’t think it is, there are quite a few run-of-the-mill tracks on it. But I still consider it ground breaking and a true classic, with its allegorical lyrics that will keep any drunken afterparty debate alive for hours. The title track is the most memorable, but I take great pleasure in a number of lesser known tracks, all of wich are in the playlist.
Can you believe it is 50 years ago? Half of the music press who hated McCartney who they blamed for the Beatles breakup, suddenly agreed with the other half that this album was McCartney’s masterpiece. Recorded in Lagos, Nigeria, it is truly great and so impeccably produced it is almost like a symphony, with repeating themes and a wholeness to it that lacks in most other albums.
50 years ago this month, the Carpenters siblings made it to the top with their singles collection. There are virtually no tracks on that record that one wouldn’t consider true classics 50 years later, including Yesterday Once More. Karen’s silky voice and Richard’s backing vocal arrangements were trademarks of their music that no-one could copy. Perhaps a bit overused today, but still worth listening to properly. You’ll find eight songs from the album in this month’s playlist.
Yesterday Once More is a good title for the playlist this month, for both new and old artists have looked back to yesterday for either inspiration og actual tracks
No, it is not Don Henley of the Eagles, it is Dylan LeBlanc from Louisana, with a concept album – rare these days, Coyote, a story of a man on the run. It was not the story itself that drew me to this album, but the pure quality of the music, an exceptional country rock album that reminds me of Eagles in more ways than the vocals.
Great songwriting is the trademark of Real Estate’s 6th album Daniel as well. Although some of the tracks are a bit bland, most of the album is enjoyable, with its soft rock feel, melodic and sunny.
Blog followers know I am a fan of Gaby Moreno, even when she lacks a certain direction, like on her new album, Dusk. At least you’re never bored, as Gaby jumps from latin to pop to rock and back, and she does it all in style, with her warm and expressive voice, whether she sings in English or Spanish.
Everything I Know Kai WarriorHold The Girl Rina Sawayama
There’s a bit of direction confusion on Rina Sawayama’s second album as well, Hold The Girl. But as with Moreno, perhaps it doesn’t matter that much. I am at least glad she has added more ballads and less run-of-the-mill r&b this time. It is a daring move, she could easily be up there with the Lady Gaga crowd, but like Gaga she refuses to stay on track. I will keep listening.
There is considerably less punch in Kai Warrior’s voice, and that’s the point. The songs on Everything I Know were mostly written in their bedroom and sounds like it, but they are lifted by a band that surrounds and embraces the fragile songs.
Bombay Bicyle Club from England has released a new EP, Fantasies, a happy album with catchy tunes and great harmonies.
ITEIAD Sessions The Japanese HouseHurray For The Riff RaffGruff Rhys
In the end it always does is the name of The Japanese House’s album of 2023, and she (yes, her real name is Amber Mary Bain) has rerecorded some of the songs on ITEIAD Sessions, including a unlikely and different version of Super Trouper by ABBA, defintely worth listening to.
Another artist that performs as a band is Alynda Segarra, aka Hurray for the Riff Raff. Although the theme of The Past is Still Alive is quite sombre, about growing up under difficult circumstances, the music is feisty and positive indie with a touch of Americana.
Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals has issued nearly as many solo albums as with his more famous band. On his latest, Sadness Sets Me Free, the songs are again built around his dark and introvert voice, with a calming effect, at least on me. But if you’re looking for fireworks, go elsewhere.
We end this month’s album reviews with three albums that defintely look back at yesterday. Nouvelle Vague is a French band specializing in covers of New Wave music but with a very different take. They could have fitted right in at a night club with music that wouldn’t be there otherwise. Should I Stay or Should I go contains tracks that extend from the interesting to the bizarre.
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland’s brilliant big band stay on the rails when recreating some of the great songs of the big band and rock’n’roll era on Swing Fever. No surprises here, just hipswinging, delightful rhythms, with Stewart’s crooner voice at its best.
Joe Jackson goes one giant leap further, flawlessly recreating the music hall sound on What a Racket!, even creating an alter ego in Max Champion, a performer from that era. I love artists who allows themselves to leave the safe area that have created their fame. Jackson had a number of major pop hits as far back as in 1979, like Is She Really Going Out with Him.
New Singles
I have put a lot of enjoyable singles in the jukebox for you, from Florence + The Machine’s almost hypnotic White Cliffs of Dover to Walter Trout and Beth Hart’s power ballad Broken, with a guitar solo the way they used to make ’em. And the rest covers more genres than you can name: ballads, classic piano, world music, country, rock’n’roll, latin… I’ll stop there. Just jump in.
One of my favourite singers, Kirsty MacColl, recorded Tropical Brainstorm in 1999. The songs had a true Cuban/Latin feel, but the lyrics were feisty, funny and literate, mostly about men who didn’t match up to MacColl’s standards. Like with all albums I call classics, I never tire listening to Tropical Brainstorm, but always with a certain sadness of what could have been. Kirsty MacColl was killed only months after its release, by a speedboat in Mexico while out swimming with her two sons. She probably saved her son’s life by pushing him out of the way, but died instantly after being hit by the boat. Because this album turned out to be her last, it is even more precious to me.
1974
I wrote about this amazing album in the intro. But even Singles 1969-1973 brings out a certain sadness in me when I listen to it, because Karen Carpenter, like Kirsty MacColl, also suffered a premature death, a heart failure at 32 following a long fight with anorexia, probably caused by dealing with fame. Richard’s career as a superstar also in effect ended with her death, although he continues to perform and produce.
I can’t get Turn the Lights Back On out of my head, so it’s abolutely this month’s ear worm, the first release from Billy Joel in 17 years, and I would argue one of his best songs ever, co-written with Freddy Wexler. It is an amazing, well-written ballad that feels true and real, whatever meaning you decide to give it. The video, directed by Wexler, is equally amazing, using AI to recreate Billy Joel from the 70s (when I saw him perform) the 80s, the 90s and today.
Unless we are to wait until January to release the best albums of the previous year (perish the thought!) , we have to accept that a «year» in blog terms will run from about December to November. So this short list – as wonderful as it is – contains songs from last calendar year. Naturally. Enough said.
New year requires new feature. Well, it was kind of introduced last year in the «best of»- blog : Ear worms, but from this month I’ll test it out on you on a more regular basis, songs that stick in your ear – in a good way.
I am leaving to others to review this time, a kind of army of substitute reviewers. I promise to return with my own reviews soon, when I have more time on my hands…
I do hope you still enjoy the new look and the slightly altered way of presenting the music to you. The links to Spotify are now found in the text itself.
Jazz group Come Shine’s return after many years, with Coming Home, reviewed by Jazzlandrec, «Come Shine is always on the hunt for a new way into an old song, finding small keys to unlock big doors»
Jonathan Wilson’s new album Eat the Worm, reviewed by No Depression «Fearlessly experimental and deeply immersive, Eat the Worm is the distillation of a true artist in all his wacky, visionary glory.»
Randi Tytingvåg Trio’s Hjem (Home), Norwegian folk/Americana, reviewed in Norwegian by Stavanger Aftenblad. «Do you need comfort? Try this.»
Chanteuse Emeli Sandé’s new album How Were We To Know, reviewed by Pop Passion, «Full of fresh new sounds, How Were We To Know mixes elements of dance, reggae, and gospel music with commercial pop.»
The National is already out with a suprise new album Laugh Track, reviewed by The Guardian, «it’s challenging to write about middle-class malaise and make it sound so gripping»
Delara’s Shahrazad, reviewed by Intersect, «a rising multifaceted artist with a rich Iranian heritage and a global perspective, has created a distinctive musical identity and emerged as a local sensation.»
Tate McRae’s THINK LATER, reviewed by Irish Times, «not one track you wouldn’t want to hear again.»
Sondre Lerche’s Understudy, reviewed in Norwegian by Puls, «a cover album that in every way makes it an original Sondre Lerche album. Overwhelmingly, overwhelmingly good.»
Finally Krissy Mary’s Americana album, Virago, reviewed in Norwegian by Aftenposten, «The best album you missed last year came from Krissy Mary.»
As has become a yuletide custom, I give you a list of the ten albums that I have enjoyed the most in 2023, albums which I have kept coming back to throughout the year. The value of music, as the value of any art, lies in the eye of the beholder, so my list may not necessarily be equal to your list. Still, I hope it inspires many of you to listen to albums you might otherwise have missed.
80% of of all the listening on Spotify is supposedly to no more than 20% of the tracks available. Which means you are probably missing a lot of good stuff. The whole purpose of my blog is to bring to the forefront new music that wouldn’t normally get the attention it deserves. As my logline says: I hunt the best music so you don’t have to. (I have added Metacritic’s total rating out of 100 and Pitchfork’s out of 10, when available. The fact that only a fraction of the albums are universally reviewed, tells a story of how difficult it is to break through for an artist or an album that doesn’t break the surface. And hopefully proves the point that a blog like mine serves a purpose)
Below you will find a number of great runners-up albums (in alphabetical order) , followed by my final 10. Click on the album cover, and you will be taken directly to the whole album on Spotify. I have also put together a separate playlist with the top 10 albums, found HERE
Blómi Susanne Sundfør Metacritic: Not Rated Pitchfork: Not rated
Late Developers Belle and Sebastian Metacritic: Not Rated Pitchfork: 7.6 of 10
Love And Money Kate Melua Metacritic: Not Rated Pitchfork: Not Rated
Luna Ingrid Jasmin Metacritic: Not Rated Pitchfork: Not Rated
My Mind Wanders and Sometimes Leaves Completely Lola Young Metacritic: Not Rated Pitchfork: Not Rated
Seraph Tine Thing Helseth & Ensemble Allegria Metacritic: Not Rated Pitchfork: Not Rated
Studio Ghibli Anime Music Joe Hisaishi Metacritic: Not Rated Pitchfork: Not Rated
Then on to my special favourites. Albums that stood out and that I enjoyed more than anything else I have listened to this year.
So, these are my top ten choices of 2023. (Some of the albums were released in 2022, but reviewed by me in 2023. )
To see how others review the album, I have added quotes from other blogs and publications.
You’ll find a link to the individual albums by clicking on the cover.
Sensibility Bill Cantos Metacritic: Not Rated Pitchfork: Not Rated
«Featuring artistic collaborations with legends like Burt Bacharach and Johnny Mandel, Bill Cantos’ latest album ‘Sensibility’ takes you on a journey into the beautiful realm of Brazilian-infused pop and jazz symphonies. This phenomenal album is a tapestry of Cantos’ original pieces as well as soulful renditions of tracks like “No Halfway” and “This Can’t Be Love”, and a stirring cover of Cole’s song “That Sunday That Summer”. Rooming the mastery of various talents, this magical house, crafted over the past few years, boasts an exceptional team of musicians that bring a diverse range of elements to the table. Bill Cantos has breathed new life into the album.»
Muse Chronicle, August 3, 2023
Gullokk Solveig Slettahjell Quartet Metacritic: Not Rated Pitchfork: Not Rated
For many vocalists around the globe, it has been a natural exercise to pay The Great American Songbook a visit at one time or another during their career. Slettahjell has also done it – in her own way. It can be heard, among other things, on «Live at Victoria». Now she has made a totally great twist on this concept and created a songbook album that is totally unique both in terms of repertoire and way of interpreting it. Slettahjell, with a voice that is very much her own… has covered several of her favourite Norwegian and Swedish songs and spiced them up with two of her own.
Tor Hammerø, Nettavisen, February 2023
First Two Pages of Frankenstein The National Metacritic: 79 og 100 Pitchfork: 6.6 of 10
«First Two Pages of Frankenstein is yet another dose to remind you why – and how – the band have managed to carve their own special place out in the cultural landscape»
Apr 27, 2023 The Line of Best Fit
Voice Notes Yazmin Lacey Metacritic: 89 of 100 Pitchfork: Not Rated
Voice Notes is conceptually and musically accomplished, flourishing with inspired narratives and sensuality at every turn. It seamlessly blends jazz, soul and electronica without overpowering the singer-songwriter’s supple vocals. There’s so much to love and savour.
The Observer 18 April 2023
I Don´t Know What Love Is Stacey Ryan Metacritic: Not Rated Pitchfork: Not Rated
I Don’t Know What Love Is is a strong and unique debut from Stacey. It melds elements of jazz, pop, and R&B together flawlessly. Creating her own distinct sound and niche in the pop scene, the six tracks feel and sound similar to a few of the tracks on Ariana Grande’s debut album, Yours Truly (2013). Something back in 2013 was rarely heard and seen as unique. It still hasn’t been replicated at all since that particular album -until now. Unquestionably, this debut from Stacey Ryan is not a copy of anything in the past but an ode to her upbringing of influences. Stacey Ryan is rising in popularity as the days go by.
Samuel Stephens, Crucial Rhythm, April 2023
TIMBRE Salvador Sobral Metacritic: Not Rated Pitchfork: Not Rated
«Salvador Sobral, the Portuguese winner of Eurovision 2017, has made a comeback with his latest album, TIMBRE. This album features 11 songs that blend a unique mixture of genres: jazz, soul, and alternative music. Compared to his previous releases, TIMBRE exudes a more joyful and experimental vibe. Salvador provided a glimpse of this new direction with his heart-warming previous release, «pedra quente» (hot stone)… Notable collaborations are also featured on the album. Salvador collaborates with Mexican star Silvana Estrada on «de la mano de tu voz» (from the hand of your voice), he joins forces with the globally recognized Uruguayan singer Jorge Drexler on “al llegar” (arriving), reunites with his sister and composer of his Eurovision entry, Louisa Sobral, on “a distância não é lugar” (distance is no place), and teams up with the French artist Barbara Pravi, who represented France in ESC. «
Ruxandra Tudor, Wiwibloggs
Driven Gilbert O’Sullivan Metacritic: Not Rated Pitchfork: Not Rated
In the decades after his mid-’70s commercial peak, Irish singer/songwriter Gilbert O’Sullivan maintained a prodigious output of well-written, quirky piano pop records, somehow sticking it out long enough to enjoy a career renaissance with his self-titled 2018 album…. His 2022 follow-up Driven is, if anything, an even better record. At age 75, O’Sullivan sounds half his age, delivering sharp-witted rockers like «Love Casualty» and «You Can’t Say I Didn’t Try» with infectious energy and zeal. Produced this time by Andy Wright (Simply Red, Simple Minds), Driven retains some of the fuzzy, laid-back ’70s charm that characterized his 2018 set while also harking back to the tasteful soft rock orchestrations of his heyday, especially on standouts like the marvelous «Blue Anchor Bay» and the piano-and-strings ballad «If Only Love Had Ears.» Driven also benefits from an inviting group energy with lively backing vocal interactions, a nimble rhythm section, and scintillating guitar leads«.
Timothy Monger, AllMusic July 2023
Be the Wheel Theo Katzman Metacritic: Not Rated Pitchfork: Not Rated
Opening an album with the title track is a bold move, a statement that you’ll start strong and only get better. For his fourth studio album, Theo Katzman takes the menagerie of ballads and rock classics he’s known for, and refines them into a masterclass of storytelling through song.
Jonah Lefkoff, WRBB March 2023
Everything Harmony Lemon Twigs Metacritic: 87 of 100 Pitchfork: Not Rated
«The songwriting never dips below classic. The teen stars of the late 50s would have coveted the midtempo ballad Any Time of Day, with its ripe key change; What Happens to a Heart’s period-detail harpsichord builds to an orchestral chorus that puts it among the most gloriously histrionic breakup songs ever written; In My Head reminds us that in an age of copyright lawsuits, there are still so many new and perfect songs waiting to be written. In love with the past but making the present so bright, the Lemon Twigs are, in the end, timeless.»
Marina Hyde, The Guardian
The Reset Macy Gray & The California Jet Club Metacritic:Not Rated Pitchfork: Not Rated
«Her new album, The Reset, is her best and rangiest work in years, with a renewed sense of purpose and a mix of styles that gives plenty of scope for her outsized personality to shine.»
Alan Pedder, Best of All Fit
«The Reset reveals 360 degrees of Macy Gray at her lyrically introspective and vocally exuberant best. The trio of Tamir Barzilay, Billy Wes and Alex Kyhn wraps around Macy like a glove. And she, in turn, provides them full license to shine as bright as front of stage spotlights… The album is titled The Reset because Macy, like so many of us, feels like that’s what this awkward, often painful period is like to live through. “God is telling us to rethink the things that we are doing… How we’re livin’. Like Pandora’s Box, a lot of things have sprung out that people had stopped paying attention to. The world is having a reset. Whether it’s a good one or a bad one, we’ll find out. I use to believe everything happens for a reason. Now…I just don’t know.»
Ronnie Scotts review
Earworms 2023
As an added feature this year, I would like to introduce you to the songs that more than any others have stuck in my ears this year. Earworms are considered a nuicance by some, but I am not implying that these songs are annoying, rather that they are brilliant and will outlast the year. The five songs have a common theme: love. Perhaps the best theme to bring with us into 2024, together with a sense of community, security and freedom.
