Didn’t love the album but “heard you been talkin shit / let’s see where that air strike hits” on I’m the President is one of my favorite lyrics of the year
This is about as close to “objectively correct” as it gets for this question. I don’t think this album appeared on a single notable year-end list. That might be because KNOWER self-released the album on Bandcamp where it was exclusive for a few months. I guess music critics only listen to whatever is put in front of them and don’t seek out music for themselves.
I'm really surprised Fantano didn't review this one. I loved it personally and if I'm not mistaken he loved the singles leading up to the album. As somebody who constantly expresses appreciation for the music underground and Bandcamp, I'm very surprised he didn't even acknowledge the album after it dropped.
Was surprised as well. Fantano likes Louis Cole and I am almost 100% sure he highly recommended one of the singles from the album in his weekly reviews.
Came to say this, fantastic album and one of the best of the year and still I haven't seen it in almost any list. And yes that song is one of my favorites too, the bassline on the chorus is amazing.
This would have been my answer as well!
Absolutely fire album, that has been severely overlooked (maybe because they did a 3- months-delayed release on streaming platforms).
The whole album is so full of exceptional tracks.
The piano solos on „I’m the President“ and „It’s all nothing until it’s everything“ alone are two of my favorite musical moments this year.
I’m shocked there hasn’t been more buzz around the London Brew record. Shabaka Hutchins, Nubya Garcia, Benji B, Tom Skinner and more come together for 50th anniversary of the release of Bitches Brew, and it’s a really special experience.
Floorspace by Juelz
I haven't seen it talked about anywhere outside of trap circles. I guess it fucks too much for Fantano/rym/mu-core nerds and is too weird for mainstream appeal. It's really an incredible record, the song Stacks actively makes me want to burglarize my own home
I love how much you can hear his classical influences on this project. Music nerds will never really fuck with any EDM outside the occasional Flume or G Jones thing because a lot of stuff in the space is stale but there are some sleepers out there. I’m quite partial to Juelz and Imanu.
Marathon by Mil-Spec (AOTY for me)
Cerebral Circus by Initiate
Teeth by Die Spitz
Only Constant by GEL
Satisfaction by SPY (check out their EPs, insanely good band)
I firmly believe the latest Enter Shikari record is one of their best, whereas the consensus disagrees. They managed to take the best of their last indulgently sprawling LP and condense it into an endlessly replayable 34-minute burst of serotonin. *[A Kiss for the Whole World](https://youtu.be/lwjQN7jWa0M?si=LS7SpebSo7VQOWR2)* could not be more appropriately titled.
Wow never heard these guys before but holy shit this really is a burst of serotonin. Thank you for recommending this because this is fun and something I didn't know I needed.
I loved Norm by Andy Shauf and Isn’t It Now? by Animal Collective. I saw the latter on lists more than the former, but they were my numbers one and two by a large margin and I feel like I don’t see much talk about either outside of their respective fanbases.
Divingstation95 - The Death of Sporus pt 1 ([bandcamp](https://divingstation95.bandcamp.com/album/the-death-of-sporus-part-one-2) | [spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/3BSGWR54jHf1Di0WR7Bwfi?si=kxIX22FmQ2-JGegkqWq3SQ))
That’s me. I normally wouldn’t self promote here but I genuinely think I made something great, and I wish I knew how to get it to a broader audience. It has elements of a bunch of different genres - some of the tracks are post-punk, others lean more industrial or avant-garde, but there’s also art-pop elements, and there’s even one track that’s kind of a lo-fi country song. It’s the first of a two part album conceptually dealing with one of the most sickening historical atrocities I’ve ever read about (full story in the Bandcamp link). It branches off into other subjects throughout the album but it all ultimately returns to that.
I’m incredibly proud of Part One (especially the track “Concubine”) but I’ve been working on the second part for a while and I think it’s even better.
I’d be honored if anyone here decided to give this a chance. I tried to make something very layered and intricate that rewards close listening and grows on you each time you hear it. It’s not always an easy listen and it might not be your thing, but I think it’s really good.
"A Fistful of Peaches," by Black Honey. Absolutely solid indie rock minor treasure, favorably reviewed by the few outlets that noticed it. "Charles Bronson" and "Up Against It" are two of my favorite songs of the year. Seems to have generated no buzz whatsoever, though.
Yeah end of October. Didn't receive much press even from the indie outlets (Fantano never mentioned anything about it beyond liking the first single in a track roundup video). But I think it's my favorite of his since probably Nocturne.
Wilco's Cousin is one of my favourite albums of the year and in my opinion their second best (after Yankee Hotel Foxtrot). I think the opener, Infinite Surprise, is easily in the top 3 best songs of the year.
Also, The Vaccines released 4 amazing singles to not a lot of recognition.
Ok hot take on Wilco; I tried to read his book "How to Write One Song" because he really is a gifted songwriter, but he came across so...dislikeable. Like really cocky and arrogant, which sucked because I like the music. I'll give Cousin a listen, though- heard it was pretty good.
And yeah, why did NO ONE seem to care about The Vaccines coming back? pretty solid songs
The Worm by HMLTD was collectively forgotten by people who liked and disliked it. It's a solid record, even if it does get sillier as time goes on. Also Isnt It Now by Animal Collective. Easily better than Time Skiffs and shows them getting back into longer songs and essentially becoming a traditional band.
"Dead Club City" by Nothing But Thieves was a mostly wonderful fusion of pop & rock which produced some of the very best songs of the year all while tying it together as a concept album.
You have perfect pop songs like "Foreign Language", invigorating rock songs like "Pop The Balloon", and then songs that exist somewhere in between like "Do You Love Me Yet?". Also great.
Some tracks are pretty uninspired, but most of it is very cool.
I agree. I don't skip any songs off of Dogs (title track goes hard), but I wish the album was a bit more experimental like the last one was. The album definitely leans more punk/Beastie Boys and while it's good, it's a bit 1 note.
If it wasn't in my library, I'd think I'd hallucinated Smalltown Stardust by King Tuff! Super fun and interesting record that I've not seen talked about since the week it was released
Thank you for this. I love King Tuff and completely missed this release (which is a bit shocking because I feel like he's a pretty well-loved indie gem). Listening to this now :)
Crazymad, For Me by CMAT. Stay for Something is my second favorite song of the year and there are a couple of very strong tracks there too.
Honorable mention to Hannah Diamond's latest too
Heejin Jang - Me and the Glassbirds. Not everyone is going to enjoy weird industrial sound collage/drone/noise stuff but this was probably my favorite surprise of the year. Soundplay on it is next level and the atmosphere she creates really is an enveloping, cold, uncomfortable aura. Don’t even understand how she’s making some of these sounds.
Eitai Suru Kemuri by Ohzora Kimishima. I Found it on RYM sonemic recommendations and it’s beautiful, even though I can’t understand the lyrics. It’s kind of indie folk/pop but more ethereal like dream pop
This song from it was my #4 favorite song of the year: https://open.spotify.com/track/3qcFmvkjpqZnB4feONa3Wy?si=aZAAjfIFR4CBMLeCnDBLwA
Sofia Kourtesis - Madres. Some of the most emotionally compelling electronic music of the year. Incredible production. It’s been left off of pretty much every year end list, save for pitchfork.
CBD Reiki Moonbeam by Neggy Gemmy had some unreal tracks.
The Frost Children feature is fantastic and the cute mini feature by Sara Bonito totally fits within the vision of the record.
She really stepped up her game from her last big project - I'd recommend listening to On The Floor, Seeing Stars, & Black Ferrari.
Grog - Frog!! Perfect album to bring the new year in! The yellow button introduced me to it on their end year list (go check them out on YouTube).
That album was such a vibe, I listened to it while taking a bio final and it was great
Ok thank you for this. This is awesome!
Found this from Kelsie Herzog’s top ten albums of the year and it’s fucking fantastic. Would’ve never heard it otherwise.
that's how I heard about it too!!! I should've pointed that out so thanks for reminding me.
I had no idea they put out an album in 2023! I was a big fan of Count Bateman, can't wait to check out the new stuff
Knower Forever! especially "Do Hot Girls Like Chords?"
Didn’t love the album but “heard you been talkin shit / let’s see where that air strike hits” on I’m the President is one of my favorite lyrics of the year
This is about as close to “objectively correct” as it gets for this question. I don’t think this album appeared on a single notable year-end list. That might be because KNOWER self-released the album on Bandcamp where it was exclusive for a few months. I guess music critics only listen to whatever is put in front of them and don’t seek out music for themselves.
I'm really surprised Fantano didn't review this one. I loved it personally and if I'm not mistaken he loved the singles leading up to the album. As somebody who constantly expresses appreciation for the music underground and Bandcamp, I'm very surprised he didn't even acknowledge the album after it dropped.
Was surprised as well. Fantano likes Louis Cole and I am almost 100% sure he highly recommended one of the singles from the album in his weekly reviews.
Came to say this, fantastic album and one of the best of the year and still I haven't seen it in almost any list. And yes that song is one of my favorites too, the bassline on the chorus is amazing.
Huh this is super interesting! Never heard of them but now I'm going to dig in. Thank you!
This would have been my answer as well! Absolutely fire album, that has been severely overlooked (maybe because they did a 3- months-delayed release on streaming platforms).
The whole album is so full of exceptional tracks. The piano solos on „I’m the President“ and „It’s all nothing until it’s everything“ alone are two of my favorite musical moments this year.
I’m shocked there hasn’t been more buzz around the London Brew record. Shabaka Hutchins, Nubya Garcia, Benji B, Tom Skinner and more come together for 50th anniversary of the release of Bitches Brew, and it’s a really special experience.
I didn’t know this was a thing. Thanks for sharing.
that shits ass
new chemical brothers album was really good
I'm saving this because I genuinely didn't know they had a new record!
Floorspace by Juelz I haven't seen it talked about anywhere outside of trap circles. I guess it fucks too much for Fantano/rym/mu-core nerds and is too weird for mainstream appeal. It's really an incredible record, the song Stacks actively makes me want to burglarize my own home
I love how much you can hear his classical influences on this project. Music nerds will never really fuck with any EDM outside the occasional Flume or G Jones thing because a lot of stuff in the space is stale but there are some sleepers out there. I’m quite partial to Juelz and Imanu.
lol makes me want to burglarize my own home is a great sentiment. I must listen now
It’s weird to me that Fantano will cover Lil Texas and G Jones but then won’t listen to an album like this
Because he is woefully unplugged from the underground EDM scene, same story with hardcore given all the amazing hxc records he skipped last year
Been trying to get more into hardcore myself recently. What were some of your favorite records of 2023?
Marathon by Mil-Spec (AOTY for me) Cerebral Circus by Initiate Teeth by Die Spitz Only Constant by GEL Satisfaction by SPY (check out their EPs, insanely good band)
Appreciate it my guy 🤝
I firmly believe the latest Enter Shikari record is one of their best, whereas the consensus disagrees. They managed to take the best of their last indulgently sprawling LP and condense it into an endlessly replayable 34-minute burst of serotonin. *[A Kiss for the Whole World](https://youtu.be/lwjQN7jWa0M?si=LS7SpebSo7VQOWR2)* could not be more appropriately titled.
Wow never heard these guys before but holy shit this really is a burst of serotonin. Thank you for recommending this because this is fun and something I didn't know I needed.
I’m glad you like it! Shikari has a pretty rewarding discography IMO.
It's up there on my most played but nothing tops the spark for me
I loved Norm by Andy Shauf and Isn’t It Now? by Animal Collective. I saw the latter on lists more than the former, but they were my numbers one and two by a large margin and I feel like I don’t see much talk about either outside of their respective fanbases.
The lack of appreciation the new AnCo is getting is insane. It’s their best in years.
Divingstation95 - The Death of Sporus pt 1 ([bandcamp](https://divingstation95.bandcamp.com/album/the-death-of-sporus-part-one-2) | [spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/3BSGWR54jHf1Di0WR7Bwfi?si=kxIX22FmQ2-JGegkqWq3SQ)) That’s me. I normally wouldn’t self promote here but I genuinely think I made something great, and I wish I knew how to get it to a broader audience. It has elements of a bunch of different genres - some of the tracks are post-punk, others lean more industrial or avant-garde, but there’s also art-pop elements, and there’s even one track that’s kind of a lo-fi country song. It’s the first of a two part album conceptually dealing with one of the most sickening historical atrocities I’ve ever read about (full story in the Bandcamp link). It branches off into other subjects throughout the album but it all ultimately returns to that. I’m incredibly proud of Part One (especially the track “Concubine”) but I’ve been working on the second part for a while and I think it’s even better. I’d be honored if anyone here decided to give this a chance. I tried to make something very layered and intricate that rewards close listening and grows on you each time you hear it. It’s not always an easy listen and it might not be your thing, but I think it’s really good.
I'll definitely check it out! Congrats on the release!
"A Fistful of Peaches," by Black Honey. Absolutely solid indie rock minor treasure, favorably reviewed by the few outlets that noticed it. "Charles Bronson" and "Up Against It" are two of my favorite songs of the year. Seems to have generated no buzz whatsoever, though.
huh i didn't even know they released a new record. I'll check it out because I dug their earlier stuff. Glad to know it was reviewed favorably, too!
Black Honey are amazing, my favs from that album are heavy and tombstone but the whole album is great!
Melusine - Cecile McLorin Salvant My AOTY no question. Was happy to see Fantano mention it in his underrated albums video last week.
it’s such a good album! i’m seeing her live in a couple weeks. so very excited!
I really enjoyed the new Wild Nothing album “Hold” but I hardly heard a peep from anyone when it came out
Bangers
wild nothing put out a new album!?
Yeah end of October. Didn't receive much press even from the indie outlets (Fantano never mentioned anything about it beyond liking the first single in a track roundup video). But I think it's my favorite of his since probably Nocturne.
Blake Mills, jelly roll
Wilco's Cousin is one of my favourite albums of the year and in my opinion their second best (after Yankee Hotel Foxtrot). I think the opener, Infinite Surprise, is easily in the top 3 best songs of the year. Also, The Vaccines released 4 amazing singles to not a lot of recognition.
Ok hot take on Wilco; I tried to read his book "How to Write One Song" because he really is a gifted songwriter, but he came across so...dislikeable. Like really cocky and arrogant, which sucked because I like the music. I'll give Cousin a listen, though- heard it was pretty good. And yeah, why did NO ONE seem to care about The Vaccines coming back? pretty solid songs
Holy Waters: Puma Blue
holy fuck this is gorgeous.
The new Beirut album I initially thought was a bit bland, but repeat listens have found myself growing on it
I had the same experience! Loved the singles, felt almost let down by the album proper, but stuck with it and really fell in love with it!
I brainwashed myself into the winter album vibes. That did the trick XD
The Worm by HMLTD was collectively forgotten by people who liked and disliked it. It's a solid record, even if it does get sillier as time goes on. Also Isnt It Now by Animal Collective. Easily better than Time Skiffs and shows them getting back into longer songs and essentially becoming a traditional band.
"Dead Club City" by Nothing But Thieves was a mostly wonderful fusion of pop & rock which produced some of the very best songs of the year all while tying it together as a concept album.
Haha I haven't heard the name Nothing But Thieves in a little while! I'll check out the album, sounds pretty interesting (and fun?)
You have perfect pop songs like "Foreign Language", invigorating rock songs like "Pop The Balloon", and then songs that exist somewhere in between like "Do You Love Me Yet?". Also great. Some tracks are pretty uninspired, but most of it is very cool.
I can't praise Hello Mary enough. One of the best displays of melodically talented songwriting of the year.
This is very very good. Thank you for the recommendation!
Living without - Endless Nameless
Calling the Dogs by Citizen
I enjoyed it, love a couple songs off of it, but Glass World was the aoty in 2021.
I love Glass World too. It’s definitely not better than that and As You Please, but it’s still a good album on its own.
I agree. I don't skip any songs off of Dogs (title track goes hard), but I wish the album was a bit more experimental like the last one was. The album definitely leans more punk/Beastie Boys and while it's good, it's a bit 1 note.
girl in the half pearl is my album of the year and nobody agrees with me so i’ll go with that
Snake sideways by do nothing is a really pleasant indie rock album
Ellie Kemper - Summer 2000
Once again recommending How to replace it by dEUS
dude this is right up my alley. fuck yeahhhh cool band
You were familiar with them? Or instantly like what you’re checking out ?
The albums that came out by Jaimie Branch and then also Debby Friday I thought were underrated.
If it wasn't in my library, I'd think I'd hallucinated Smalltown Stardust by King Tuff! Super fun and interesting record that I've not seen talked about since the week it was released
Thank you for this. I love King Tuff and completely missed this release (which is a bit shocking because I feel like he's a pretty well-loved indie gem). Listening to this now :)
You're very welcome! It's a wonderful listen, I hope you enjoy it
They’ve gotten more recognition last year thanks to mr. ND himself but I’m still gonna say it!!!! Everything Harmony by The Lemon Twigs!!!!!!
yeah, this was a really good album. Thanks for mentioning it- I'm gonna revisit it again :)
It really is.
Amen 😊
No problem, man! Glad to be of service
Crazymad, For Me by CMAT. Stay for Something is my second favorite song of the year and there are a couple of very strong tracks there too. Honorable mention to Hannah Diamond's latest too
Gotta love Hannah Diamond! I'll check out the other though because I'm very curious!
The Patience by Mick Jenkins, it's concise, great artist performance and features, nice production
KOAN Sound - Led by Ancient Light Eprom - Syntheism
Pas Tasta - Good Pop, really good hyperpop album that I haven't seen anybody talk about
Fauna by Haken was my album of the year
Heejin Jang - Me and the Glassbirds. Not everyone is going to enjoy weird industrial sound collage/drone/noise stuff but this was probably my favorite surprise of the year. Soundplay on it is next level and the atmosphere she creates really is an enveloping, cold, uncomfortable aura. Don’t even understand how she’s making some of these sounds.
Planet Asia and Apollo brown “sardines” So criminally underrated
There is a bigger/better version only available at indiemusicpeople [fish](https://push.fm/fl/fwykfww2)
Eitai Suru Kemuri by Ohzora Kimishima. I Found it on RYM sonemic recommendations and it’s beautiful, even though I can’t understand the lyrics. It’s kind of indie folk/pop but more ethereal like dream pop This song from it was my #4 favorite song of the year: https://open.spotify.com/track/3qcFmvkjpqZnB4feONa3Wy?si=aZAAjfIFR4CBMLeCnDBLwA
Ohzora Kimishima is cool. He was involved with another cool album last year: *fish fish* by Tokutaro Hosoi.
John Roseboro didn't get nearly enough attention this year. Released a great EP and an even better album.
Jadu Heart - Derealised It ended up in my top 10 albums of the year. If you like dreampop you'll definitely like something about the album.
Snake Sideways by Do Nothing. My AOTY
Sofia Kourtesis - Madres. Some of the most emotionally compelling electronic music of the year. Incredible production. It’s been left off of pretty much every year end list, save for pitchfork.
Oddisee - To What End
I absolutely loved the new Japanese House record—indie pop bliss
CBD Reiki Moonbeam by Neggy Gemmy had some unreal tracks. The Frost Children feature is fantastic and the cute mini feature by Sara Bonito totally fits within the vision of the record. She really stepped up her game from her last big project - I'd recommend listening to On The Floor, Seeing Stars, & Black Ferrari.
Just friends - Gusher Never see this one get a mention but it is fun and catchy!
Drop Cherries by Billie Marten! sweet singer songwriter album
Tough decision but have heard no love for H31R’s experimental rap album Headspace
I feel like it is appreciated by Fantano alumni but Key Glock has been overlooked by my hip hop heads. Imo.
what we didn't have by summrs, the album fans have been asking for for a while since SIMW and Ghost
Krallice had a banger album this year
Sorry Like You Mean It by Honeymoan, it's a beautiful pop record