One of the axes of the record 2023 that is now ending is the unstoppable female presence with brilliant works like those reviewed here, but also others by Jessie Ware, Kali Uchis, Cat Power, Miley Cyrus, Lucinda Williams or Lana del Rey . Other pillars of this – always subjective – selection would be the ever-wider miscegenation in the national scene (flamenco, transoceanic or especially current rhythms) or the permanence of venerable rock names, starting with the Rolling Stones.
one
Desire, I want to turn into you
Caroline Polachek
The one who was the leader of the New Yorkers Chairlift stars in a great work that points out what pop should be today and that, astride a commendable decision and desymbolization, dialogues with electronics, Latin aromas, pop pop and addictive rhythm . Halfway between the best Kate Bush and Madonna?
2
Riders of the Canyon
Riders of the Canyon
Led by the voice, guitar and spirit of vigatana Joana Serrat, the quartet’s North American-rooted folk rock acquires a dimension on their first album that has motivated unanimous praise on a global scale. A long premiere in which the melodies rule, the classic reading of the genre (on the theme Downtown ) and the voice without intermediaries.
3
Ultrabelleza
María José Llergo
The music and singer from Córdoba, which has musical roots in Barcelona, ??takes a magnificent step in the key of fusion, sound opening (rap) and deep respect and delivery. Everything he does shows commendable bravery and the results can be enjoyed in subjects like Learning to Fly or Superpower.
4
The record
Boygenius
The American superband formed by Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker offers their debut album – not at all opportunistic – an infallible compote of power-pop, folkie tranquility or guitar rock, but above all they teach us how to function as a whole
5
Hackney Diamonds
The Rolling Stones
The first album with new own material in 18 years ends on an excellent note, in which, in addition to conveying a desire to share, Ses Sataníques Majestats (the ones that are left…) offer material of a high standard and, above all, unstoppable delivery when interpreting it. And they do what they do best, unpolished soca-rel rock and roll, as they exhibit from the start with the powerful Angry, although they also embroider it when they delve into gospel with Stevie Wonder and Lady Gaga in the theme Shine a light.
6
M ountain baby
Amaarae
With her second album, the Ghanaian and American singer and musician dispels doubts and establishes herself as one of the princesses of the r
7
Javelin
Sufjan Stevens
Sonority at times with bombastic crescendos and at other times melodically delicate, but always commanding beauty. It invites optimism despite the fact that the musician suffers from a rare neurological disease.
8
Roneo Funk Club
The Plazuela
This Grenadian couple, El Indio and El Nitro, send us a refreshing and fresh breath of air, thanks to an attractive and elaborate combination of rumbas, precise generational lyrics and sound architectures of today.
9
Hit parade
Roisin Murphy
Extra-musical reasons (some transphobic opinions) have caused an impeccable album to be ostracized for a long time. Skilled flirtations with infinite styles, but closer to the experimentation that has made him great.
10
My back was a bridge for you to cross
Anohni and The Johnsons
The musical lament of Anohni (formerly Antony) that has made him unmistakable continues to be dressed in sweet and also shuddering beauty when he shares his personal transformation or reflects on humanity or ecology. But also, watch out, he signs humming tunes again.
11th
Nobody knows what will happen tomorrow
Bad Bunny
An album that, beyond the wave of trap and reggaeton that has made him so great, shows him as the great composer he is in the field of the Spanish language. Here he opens up like never before and is honest to the core like Vuelve Candy B, Nadie sabe or the boastful Gracias por nada.
12
pyramidal disorder
The last on the line
Manolo and Quimi return to the studio for the time being to give new life to two dozen classics. Transparent in intentions and feelings, they now mostly offer simpler versions, cleaner sounds and, consequently, more real in the feelings/sensations to be shared, as in the always intense A veces se enciende.
13
A lifetime, one day
Silvia Perez Cruz
In his possibly most conceptual work, Palafrugell offers an x-ray in the form of 21 songs divided into five movements, like chapters of life that go through the natural cycle of existence and life in stages in a dedicated and captivating way.
14
Why does the earth give us people to love?
black jackson
In possibly the most remarkable international debut album of the year, the one from Chicago offers a pairing of blues, folk and a bit of soul with highly recommended effects.
15
Supernova
Ralphie Choo
, Choo’s civilian identity, has exploded this year in the national urban scene, as also reflected in this bright Supernova , where he is again accompanied by usual accomplices such as Rusowsky, Mori or TRISTAN!, who have been added stars of the genre such as Mura Masa or Wet.
16
Tears for another day
Dellafuente
An intense and fruitful year for the Andalusian, who continues to expand his capacity for sound abduction, said in its most positive sense. Humbly making his own an urban panorama that attracted him from the beginning, he associates both with the aforementioned Ralphie Choo and immerses himself in Mexican aromas. Closing the circle, a few weeks ago he released, together with Morad, the Zizou ep, unreleased material in which their respective styles brilliantly converge.
17
Fuse
Everything but the Girl
Return of the legendary British duo, which breaks a silence of 25 years, with similar ingredients and as effective as ever: melodic beauty, elegance, emotion and electronic subtlety.
18
Cousin
Wilco
The Chicago band returns with an album full of strength and with more consistency and experimentation than their recent works, thanks to the unusual production of the Welshman Cate Le Bon, which makes them gain layers, and in which a Jeff recovers Tweedy in compositional fullness (listen to Evicted and we talk about it).
19
L
Renaldo
The captivating voice of Clara Vinyals remains one of the most important attractions of this proposal, in which she finds an excellent balance with the electronic layer that surrounds her voice and lyrics. A way to make the pop that has already gone to school (and a good one) for these verals.
20
Guts
Olivia Rodrigo
In the second album of the ex-Disney star, the two sides of the same coin coexist: one with a more guitar player, with rocker muscle (All-American bitch), and another with tearful love/heartbreak songs that reach her army of ‘unconditional’ (Making the bed).
21
Trinchera pop
Ivan Ferreiro
Collage of styles and sound echoes that invite memory, awareness and, above all, enjoyment. Ferreiro demonstrates his level with lyrics in which metaphors go hand in hand with abundant references of all kinds, and gives the end a certain melancholic aftertaste. All this created together with his great colleagues, Ricky Faulkner and Amaro Ferreiro.
22
PO2054AZ (Vol. I)
Sen Senra
With the registration number of a Peugeot 205 as a title, the Galician looks at his existence with rather gloomy aspects, in which the muscle that invites vigor coexists with the rather painful reflection, and exemplifies a fascinating maturity.
23
Tomorrow
Karol G
The Colombian star signs his most remarkable pop work to date, the axis of which is significantly self-acceptance.
24
Beautiful house
Cala Vento
The duo from Empordà comes directly to the listener with few instrumental weapons, but unstoppable rock energy, in addition to some lyrics that gravitate around posturing and the need to find that beautiful house where you can enjoy happiness.
25
Somebody from Badajoz
Gecko Turner
The extremist continues to affirm his status as the best ace up the sleeve of mixed music produced in Spain for two decades. He remains faithful to his proposal, which is rooted, in his own way, in soul and Afro-American rhythms. Often infallible, even if he remains a great unknown.