2023 sure didn’t disappoint when it came to dropping some killer tunes, and they’re released in creative vinyl records to boot!
I mean, seriously, the sheer volume of releases last year was wild!
So we did all of us a favor. We rounded up the top 50 albums that rocked our world in 2023.
[ And hey, if you’re a producer or musician reading this, we just want to remind you that we press badass vinyl records and make awesome merch. We did the records of Obama, Fear Factory, and a lot more! So hit us up].
Table of Contents
#50. André 3000: New Blue Sun
André 3000’s New Blue Sun takes you on a wild musical ride! It’s like this awesome blend of soulful tunes and experimental beats that just hooks you in.
Seriously, if you’re into vinyl collecting, this album’s a must. It’s an album that speaks straight to your soul and breaks all the musical rules in the best possible way.
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#49. Sweeping Promises: Good Living Is Coming for You
Sweeping Promises’ Good Living Is Coming for You on vinyl is a total game-changer. It’s like a post-punk explosion meets pure raw emotion.
Catchy hooks paired with that ‘give it all’ attitude make it a must-grab for anyone looking for that high-energy, rebellious sound.
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#48. Purelink: Signs
Purelink’s Signs on vinyl is pure gold! This album is a rollercoaster of vibes, blending genres like nobody’s business.
If you’re into music that’s both catchy and thought-provoking, this record deserves a spot in your collection.
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#47.파란노을 (Parannoul): After the Magic
Diving into Parannoul’s third album is like taking a trip into a deep dream. It’s like an emotional rollercoaster with each track.
And can we talk about the physical packaging? It’s next-level cool, matching the dreamy vibe with both its art cover and vinyl record design.
Related Article:
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#46. Blue Lake: Sun Arcs
Of course, Blue Lake’s Sun Arcs started in a cabin in the woods.
Jason Dungan, the multi-instrumentalist behind the latest album, captured that relaxed, easygoing vibe of a week spent surrounded by nature.
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#45.Tomb Mold: The Enduring Spirit
So, get this—Tomb Mold dropped three albums in three years, then disappeared into the wilderness for the next four. Now, they’ve come back stronger than ever with their fourth album, The Enduring Spirit.
The latest release is like a bold leap into uncharted musical territory for them. But even with all this wild experimentation, The Enduring Spirit still screams Tomb Mold.
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#44. Jess Williamson: Time Ain’t Accidental
Time Ain’t Accidental is the soundtrack of a woman totally owning life and art, doing things her way.
And to flaunt that girl power, Williamson rocked fluorescent pink nail polish on the album cover.
Plus, the vinyl version? It’s matching the vibe with a pink vinyl record.
Related Article:
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#43. Kali Uchis: Red Moon in Venus
Kali Uchis’ Red Moon in Venus is a message of love that expresses longing, heartbreak, faith and honesty.
And about the vinyl—it’s as gorgeous as the music itself. A worthy album to add if you’re into soulful tunes with a celestial twist.
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#42. Youth Lagoon: Heaven Is A Junkyard
Heaven Is A Junkyard is Trevor Powers’ comeback masterpiece after a six-year hiatus. It’s like diving into this emotional rollercoaster exploring love, loss, bouncing back, and seeing beauty in the messiness of life.
Seriously, it’s like a soulful journey through all the feels.
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#41. Sexyy Red: Hood Hottest Princess
Sexyy Red’s Hood Hottest Princess is not just an album, it’s like her sonic crowning moment! Dropped in June 2023, she hit it up with a deluxe edition in December.
The album sealed the deal on her rise as a major player in the hip-hop scene, representing St. Louis.
Related Article:
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#40. Ryuichi Sakamoto: 12
12 is the first ever original album by Sakamoto and it’s a collection of 12 songs handpicked from the musical sketches he recorded as he battled with cancer.
The songs were titled by the date they were recorded and the artwork for the cover is by renowned artist Lee Ufan.
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#39. Liv.e: Girl in the Half Pearl
Girl in the Half Pearl is a mind-blowing trip that dives deep into self-discovery and breaking free.
It’s a mixtape of experimental R&B, psychedelic soul, and chill lo-fi jazz, creating this dreamy vibe that totally matches the album’s whole vibe and message.
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#38.Yo La Tengo: This Stupid World
Yo La Tengo dropped their first full-length album in five years, and dang, they totally nailed it once more!
This Stupid World is this awesome album of feelings and tunes, blending dreamy self-reflection with some real raw and open moments.
This album hits you right in the feels, reflecting on these crazy times we’re living in. And it’s worth checking out its textured vinyl cover—it’s like a well-worn map teasing the deep journeys hidden inside.
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#37. Lonnie Holley: Oh Me Oh My
Lonnie Holley’s Oh Me Oh My isn’t just your regular album—it’s like this crazy mixtape blending blues, soul, avant-garde beats, and even some Afrofuturistic vibes.
It’s like taking a ride through his life—super real and colorful, hitting on stuff like bouncing back from tough times, dealing with pain, finding hope, and how everything’s kinda connected.
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#36. Pangaea: Changing Channels
Changing Channels is the latest jam from the English dubstep pro, Pangaea.
This album dropped on October 6 via Hessle Audio, and it’s his first one since the banger In Drum Play back in 2016.
People are saying the album’s like a wake-up call, you know? Like, just ’cause something’s functional doesn’t mean it’s playing it safe.
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#35. Veeze: Ganger
Veeze from Detroit mixes up hip-hop, rap, electronica, and even throws in some dream-pop vibes for his first ever album, Ganger.
Talk about a total genre mashup! Critics went nuts for this album, calling it a masterpiece and slapping it on their “best of the year” lists. It even hit number 97 on the US Billboard 200 chart!
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#34. Joanna Sternberg: I’ve Got Me
I’ve Got Me is a personal and relatable album that’s all about finding yourself and owning your inner strength.
Critics were all about it, calling it “steadfast” and “ambitious,” but still keeping that down-home, cozy vibe.
And check out the album cover—it’s got this side full of her things while a cartoon Sternberg jams on her guitar, totally matching the album’s themes.
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#33. Model/Actriz: Dogsbody
You gotta feel Dogsbody, not just hear it. It’s like diving headfirst into the rawest, darkest parts of being human, but at the same time, it’s showing off that resilience and raw power we’ve all got inside.
If you’re after something fresh, something that’ll flip your world upside down and give you a wake-up call, this album’s your jam. You might want to get a copy of it pressed on custom 12” white vinyl for a better listening experience.
Check out our custom 12 inch vinyl record pressing
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#32. Ice Spice: Like..?
Like..? is like a whole movement. It’s pumping with that youthful vibe, girl power, and packed with the infectious beat of drill music.
Want something new?
Something that’ll have you grooving along? Like..? is that album for you. Plus, if you’re all about that orange life, you’ll dig the vinyl—12 inches of bright orange goodness, matching Ice Spice’s hair color perfectly.
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#31. Yves Tumor: Praise a Lord Who Chews but Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds)
Praise a Lord Who Chews but Which Does Not Consume, or you can just call it Hot Between Worlds isn’t your typical album. It’s like a rollercoaster ride—exciting, pushing the limits of music genres.
Are you into that surprise factor and want something that’ll make you think?
Dive into Yves Tumor’s wild musical maze. Trust me, you’ll uncover some serious fire simmering between different worlds of sound.
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#30. Avalon Emerson: & the Charm
Avalon Emerson’s & the Charm is an evolution. It’s like diving into Emerson’s world of love, heartbreak, finding yourself, and how music changes everything.
She shows off her true artistry, breaking limits and all. If you’re after something that’s hitting the feels, and just plain mesmerizing, let Avalon Emerson’s latest masterpiece sweep you away in its charm.
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#29. HiTech: Détwat
Détwat is an album that defies categorization.
It’s a party celebrating Detroit’s music roots, but with a fresh vibe. Think old-school beats with a modern kick. Get ready for some serious moves because it’s all about that raw, high-energy vibe.
It’s a ride you won’t wanna miss!
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#28. Jaimie Branch: Fly or Die Fly or Die Fly or Die (World War)
Fly or Die Fly or Die Fly or Die (World War) is not an album for the faint of heart. It’s a challenging and sometimes unsettling listen, but it’s also one of the most rewarding musical experiences of the year.
NPR called it “a musical apocalypse,” while The New York Times described it as “a chaotic triumph”. If you’re looking for a vinyl record to add to your collection then this is a worthy candidate.
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#27. Water From Your Eyes: Everyone’s Crushed
This album got major props for its deep words, chill vibes, and how it nails that feeling of longing and letdown.
Everyone’s Crushed is like a soft hug, reminding us that even when things feel heavy, there’s still something beautiful in there.
It’s all about showing that a tiny spark of hope can grow back, no matter how fragile and impossible it seems.
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#26. Laurel Halo: Atlas
Laurel Halo’s 2023 album, Atlas, is like a bunch of chill ambient jazz mixes that’ll make your mind wander.
If you snag the vinyl, you’re in for a treat—the cover’s kinda trippy, with the artist photographed in a blurry style. And the vinyl’s got this smoky design that fits the whole dreamy vibe of the album.
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#25. Arooj Aftab / Vijay Iyer / Shahzad Ismaily: Love in Exile
Love in Exile was totally loved by critics!
This album got nominated for not just one, but two Grammy Awards back in 2023. People loved how it pushed boundaries creatively, and how it hit you right in the feels.
It’s a game-changer that can’t be boxed into a single category. It has some seriously mesmerizing vocals which is a real testament to how collaboration and art can pack a serious punch.
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#24. Sofia Kourtesis: Madres
Madres rocks as an album! It’s all about love, strength, and how music and community can totally change things up.
Its vinyl edition, with 2LPs, is like a colorful party that captures all those amazing vibes from the album. It’s a total blast worthy to be heard.
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#23. Mitski: The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We
If you want an album that’ll totally tug at your heartstrings and take you on a crazy emotional ride, check out The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We.
It’s brutally real and honest, but also leaves you feeling hopeful about being human in a world that sometimes feels pretty harsh.
Oh, and here’s the cool part—the album’s got collabs with a huge 17-person choir and an orchestra. Trust me, the vinyl version cranks up the depth and epicness of the sound, so you don’t wanna miss out on that added grandeur.
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#22. Jessie Ware: That! Feels Good!
That! Feels Good! is an irresistible invitation to let loose, embrace joy, and dance your worries away. It’s not just for summer—it’s a vibe you can rock any time.
Even when life’s throwing curveballs, this album’s all about keeping that disco spark alive. Seriously, snag your copy ASAP and groove to its tunes.
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#21. Julie Byrne: The Greater Wings
You gotta check out The Greater Wings.
It’s an amazing musical trip that hits you right in the feels, reminding you how love, connections, and our human vibe are just unbeatable.
Oh, and it’s been all over those best-of-the-year lists, showing how Byrne totally nailed it with this game-changing piece.
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#20. Mandy, Indiana: I’ve Seen a Way
I’ve Seen a Way is getting major props for being so dang original, innovative, and just outright bold with its sound.
These guys didn’t just stop at a regular studio—they recorded in caves, crypts, and even shopping malls!
They’re all about flipping expectations and totally shaking up how things are usually done in music production.
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#19. Kara Jackson: Why Does the Earth Give Us People to Love?
Why Does the Earth Give Us People to Love? is seriously hitting hard with its powerful and touching themes. This album really gets into the nitty-gritty of love, loss, and bouncing back.
And get this—they recorded it in Jackson’s old bedroom! That personal touch totally adds to the feels.
It’s like taking a raw and super honest ride through all those moments of loving and losing someone. It’s relatable AF and shows that even when things seem dark, there’s still some beauty and hope shining through.
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#18. 100 gecs: 10,000 gecs
10,000 gecs stirred up some serious debate, just like everyone thought it would. Some folks are all about its crazy innovation and how it flips genres, while others think it’s just too much, like a big gimmick.
But hey, whether it’s your jam or not, you can’t ignore how much it’s shaking things up in music.
So, blast that volume, dive headfirst into the wackiness, and let Laura and Dylan whisk you away on a total hyperpop adventure.
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#17. Kelela: Raven
Kelela’s second album is fire! It’s all about playing with those highs and lows, putting queer Black womanhood front and center with some seriously hot dance beats and chill vibes.
And get this—the album cover is super intriguing. The cover’s in black and white, showing Kelela’s face above water. It’s a totally eye-catching and cool cover you would want to have displayed, so you might want to get a vinyl version copy.
Related Article:
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#16. Boygenius: The Record
The Record is the debut album of Boygenius, that awesome indie rock supergroup with Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus.
These three talents nailed it with their EP back in 2018, and this album was their big comeback.
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#15. Yaeji: With a Hammer
With a Hammer is Yaeji’s bold next step as it shows off her artistic growth. She’s flipping the script big time from her previous dance-floor jams.
And hey, big-name publications like Pitchfork, The Guardian, and Exclaim! gave it major props for being real, raw, and pushing those creative boundaries.
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#14. Olivia Rodrigo: GUTS
Rodrigo got major kudos from critics for stepping up her game as an artist, trying out new stuff, and nailing those real struggles of being a young adult.
Seriously, her album’s like a ride everyone’s been on—messy, magical, and totally relatable. I mean, come on, who hasn’t gone through those wild moments of young adulthood?
Well, except for the little kiddos, of course!
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#13. Noname: Sundial
Noname’s second album, Sundial, is a real game-changer.
It’s not sticking to any one genre—it’s all over the place in a good way. This bad boy is just 11 tracks and 32 minutes long, but man, it’s loaded with so much depth and feeling.
People are loving how raw and honest it is, and it’s stirring up some real talk about important social stuff. Sundial’s like a powerhouse sparking those crucial conversations.
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#12. L’Rain: I Killed Your Dog
I Killed Your Dog is a musical trip through all sorts of vibes and feels.
L’Rain’s voice does some crazy cool stuff—floating through dreamy tunes, dropping spoken word bits, and even throwing in some jazzy twists.
People dig how this album handles tough stuff with such grace and finesse. It’s definitely a solid pick to beef up your vinyl collection.
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#11. Lana Del Rey: Did You Know That There’s A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd
Did You Know That There’s A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd is Lana’s ninth album where she takes you on a trip through places you know and some totally new spots.
What’s cool is Lana’s all about teaming up. She’s got a bunch of talented artists adding layers to her already awesome sound. It’s like a whole sonic adventure you don’t wanna miss.
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#10. Yeule: Softscars
The album title “Softscars” refers to both literal physical scars and the invisible emotional ones we carry. Yeule’s diving deep into all these mixed-up feelings and not sticking to any one box.
The album cover’s pretty wild too. It’s got Yeule’s face split in two, showing this whole journey of embracing opposites and finding yourself. It’s like diving into duality and getting real about self-discovery.
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#9. ANOHNI and the Johnsons: My Back Was a Bridge for You to Cross
The Johnsons got back together for this album after more than 10 years!
And get this—critics were all over it, loving the deep emotions, bold artistry, and Anohni’s killer vocals.
This album’s the type that sticks with you for ages. Once you’ve heard it, it’s not leaving your mind anytime soon.
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#8. Fever Ray: Radical Romantics
Radical Romantics is Dreijer’s comeback after five years, and people are loving it! It’s like a total throwback to Dreijer’s awesome style.
So, lace up those dancing shoes, let your feelings run wild, and jump into the crazy ride of Fever Ray’s Radical Romantics.
This album’s gonna stick around in your head for ages. You’ll be humming these tunes and pondering the whole love mess—it’s that impactful.
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#7. Amaarae: Fountain Baby
Fountain Baby is a total mash-up of sounds.
Forget sticking to just one genre. You’ve got West African beats hanging out with smooth R&B tunes, fancy high-art pop mixing it up with spicy Afrobeat, and even hints of Japanese vibes. And the album cover is on point.
Amaarae’s rocking traditional Ghanaian beads and bright colors, really bringing out her cultural roots and making it pop.
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#6. Sufjan Stevens: Javelin
Javelin ain’t your easy-breezy casual listen, but let me tell ya, it’s worth diving into.
This bad boy’s loaded with raw moments, some wild sound experiments, and in the end, a little spark of hope.
And let’s talk about Stevens—always nailing those lyrics that hit you right in the feels. Critics couldn’t stop raving about how honest it all felt, praising the musical’s big dreams and Stevens’ growth as an artist.
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#5. Nourished by Time: Erotic Probiotic 2
Nourished By Time’s first-ever album, Erotic Probiotic 2, is all about his journey.
It’s told through killer songwriting, ear worm melodies, and storytelling that just pulls you in.
This album got some serious love, popping up on loads of “best of the year” lists, proving Nourished By Time as a rising star in the indie music scene.
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#4. Wednesday: Rat Saw God
Wednesday’s Rat Saw God is an album that gets under your skin and stays there.
It’s a gritty hymn of the little bits of magic in everyday life, finding the awesome in the regular stuff, and reminding us that even the toughest places have their own stories.
If you want the whole deal, scoop up that vinyl—it’s the full ride with this quintet’s vibe.
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#3. Billy Woods / Kenny Segal: Maps
If you want tunes that’ll give your brain a workout and hit you right in the feels, check out Billy Woods and Kenny Segal’s Maps.
It’s all about diving deep into their world—lots of emotions, lots of smarts.
And hey, if you want the full tour experience, grab that vinyl in a cool peachy-red color.
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#2. Caroline Polachek: Desire, I Want to Turn Into You
Desire, I Want to Turn into You was totally loved by critics, getting tons of praises for being unique, deep, and showing off Polachek’s bold style.
Her voice? Pure angelic magic riding over chilled trip-hop vibes, groovy bass lines, and those finger-snap beats.
And guess what? You can enjoy all that goodness in top-notch audio quality because there’s a vinyl version up for grabs.
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#1. SZA: SOS
SOS is SZA’s second album, and it hit the top spot on the Billboard 200—her first album to do that! Plus, it smashed records for R&B album streaming in the US.
This album’s a big deal for a reason. SZA goes deep into the messy parts of love and heartbreak, keeping it super real. She’s open, vulnerable, and that honesty hits you hard.
But in the middle of all that emotion and crazy beats, SOS gives you these beautiful moments where SZA’s voice and lyrics just shine—it’s like an oasis in the chaos.
And that’s a wrap of our long ass list of the 50 best albums of 2023 and their vinyl record albums.
Which ones do you already own? And which ones captured your attention?
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James Hill is a veteran of the music industry. He first worked at Warner Reprise Records then later joined Interscope/ Geffen Records where he managed producers and songwriters and got his first platinum record for Keyshia Cole’s The Way It Is. He is now helping indie artists with branding and manufacturing through his company Unified Manufacturing, a CD/DVD, custom vinyl records and merch company in LA.
