As 2023 comes to a close, we asked our dear readers which albums have topped their lists this year.
As if it’s already December! There’s been so much great Australian music this year that we don’t even know where to begin.
The Belair Lip Bombs’ Lush Life, Cub Sports’ Jesus at the Gay Bar, Trophy Eyes’ Suicide and Sunshine… there’s been a whole lot of thunder down under.
Keep up with the latest music news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
With the hopes of sharing a little local love, we put the question to our readers: what were the best Australian albums of 2023? The results showed the wide range of talent coming out of our fair country.
From indie folk charmers to prog rock jams, these are the albums you guys just couldn’t get enough of this year.
Light, Dark, Light Again, Angie McMahon
Clauds: Reads my soul. No skips except for that intense part in Mother Nature. I’ve never loved an album so fully.
Another World, Southern Empire
Joshua: Adelaide-based prog-rockers Southern Empire have already released two albums through UK label Giant Electric Pea to great international acclaim and were all set to release their third album this year when their lead singer abruptly quit the band.
Although he had already recorded all his vocal parts for the album, bandleader Sean Timms decided to use the opportunity to breathe some young air into the band by bringing on board Shaun Holton (AKA Projected Twin) who rose to the occasion by singing his heart out and adding an extra level of emotion to an already musically dense album!
For anyone who thinks Prog Rock is dead (especially in Australia), they need to give Southern Empire a chance to win them over!
Something to Give Each Other, Troye Sivan
Ethan: I just think it’s neat.
Downright Dirty, Persecution Blues
Anonymous: It rocks. PB are one of the most exciting bands in Melbourne, second only to Coco Jumbo. Their live shows are elite and their music is fast and fun. Pintman is a bitch though.
Editor’s note: We cannot verify this claim about Pintman. He seems cool.
Scott Was Here, Willebrant
Amsya: It’s an album that every single song is really good.
Struggler, Genesis Owusu
Anonymous: Just bangers galore. Both the production and the lyrics go insanely hard. It’s the perfect balance of dark and moody and danceable – easily one of the best albums of 2023 to me. I can’t wait to see what this guy does next.
Begin Again, Emily Lubitz
Nick: Great songs, great vocals, great lyrics about [the] everyday contemporary life of a young parent, great musicianship, great recording, catchy tunes.
Editor’s note: This was technically from 2022 but we’ll give it to him.
Fatalism, Polaris
Ollie: Ryan Siew’s magnum opus before his untimely death. His legacy will live on in his music.
Player, Pheobe Go
Lukah: Super raw and honest delivered so delicately and beautifully. Very clever lyrics too. I saw her live at the Curtin Hotel and it was a real highlight of the year, such an intimate performance.
Editor’s note: Also from 2022. But who’s counting?
370HSSV 0773H, Private Function
Cal: I think through this album you can see how the band has evolved and with the expansion of the new members allowed what can only be described as an Aussie punk masterpiece. Not to mention the awesome idea of a scratchie on the album cover and their amazing live performances.
For more on the best albums of 2023, head here.
