The Best Albums, From All Genres, Of 2023
In 2023, music continued to evolve in a landscape defined by accessibility, immediacy, and artistic identity. With physical media coexisting alongside streaming, listeners moved fluidly between playlists, algorithm-driven discovery, and full-length albums that still demanded, and rewarded, deeper attention. Despite the dominance of convenience, the album remained a vital artistic statement, with many artists continuing to prioritise cohesive bodies of work over standalone singles and EP releases.
Creatively, 2023 delivered a broad and confident spectrum of styles, with rock, pop, metal, and singer-songwriter traditions all strongly represented. Rather than a single dominant sound, the defining trait was how assuredly artists refined, reimagined, and expanded established genres. Modern production was fully embedded across releases, yet organic performances, emotional weight, and strong songwriting remained at the core of the year’s best music.
At Subjective Sounds, our Best Albums of 2023 list highlights records that, subjectively, are the best of the best. Not only do they define the era, but their replay value transcends their release year, ensuring that they’re amongst that limited selection of albums that can be considered timeless masterpieces.
Ranked from best to almost the best, but not quite. Although, depending on your subjective preferences, you may prefer a different order, omit some, or even ponder some that are not included. Trust me, I’ve changed the order countless times because determining the best albums often depends on how one feels at any given moment. Either way, let’s simply enjoy the best music that 2023 had to offer.
1. Kenny Rogers – Life Is Like A Song
While Life Is Like A Song undoubtedly stands as a testament to Kenny Rogers' remarkable career, it also serves as an important reminder of his profound musical legacy. Kenny Rogers' ability to tell stories through his songs and evoke genuine emotions is showcased at its finest on this album and if there is a greater gift to Rogers’ fans, following his death, I know of none.
Check out the full review for a more detailed overview of Kenny Rogers’ Life Is Like A Song.
2. Måneskin – RUSH!
If Gene Simmons was right and rock is dead, nobody told Måneskin for RUSH! is a modern rock masterpiece. With a killer rhythm and riffs that are off-the-charts, rock and roll fans will be drawn to this record as RUSH! is tight with a perfect runtime and linear tracking. It is most certainly an album experience and one that should be enjoyed in that context.
Check out the full review for a more detailed overview of Måneskin’s RUSH!.
3. The Rolling Stones – Hackney Diamonds
The Rolling Stones’ Hackney Diamonds is a late-career release that feels anything but complacent, delivering a confident and cohesive album experience that proves the band’s creative spark remains firmly intact.
Despite the absence of Charlie Watts across much of the record, the spirit of The Rolling Stones is present from the very first note, with a sound that blends their unmistakable rock and roll identity with a modern production edge. The result is an album that not only honours their past but stands as one of their most compelling works in decades.
As a collection of songs, Hackney Diamonds is engaging, varied, and unmistakably authentic. Whether it ultimately serves as the band’s final chapter or not, it plays like a fitting closing statement; confident, reflective, and still brimming with that signature swagger that has defined The Rolling Stones for over six decades.
Check out the full review for a more detailed overview of The Rolling Stones’ Hackney Diamonds.
4. Natalie Merchant – Keep Your Courage
Natalie Merchant's 2023 album Keep Your Courage showcases her introspective lyrics, folk melodies, and unique vocals. It demonstrates her longevity and artistic growth, making it her most poignant and sonically pleasing work to date, solidifying it as the pinnacle of her illustrious career.
Check out the full review for a more detailed overview of Natalie Merchant's Keep Your Courage.
5. Tina Arena – Love Saves
Love Saves, Tina Arena’s thirteenth studio album, is a captivating musical journey that showcases the iconic Australian singer's versatile vocals and heartfelt storytelling. Comprised of a collection of songs that revolve around love, compassion, and resilience, Love Saves is Arena’s greatest musical achievement to date.
Check out the full review for a more detailed overview of Tina Arena’s Love Saves.
6. The Cold Stares – Voices
The blues with a healthy dose of rock and roll has never sounded so good! Voices, the sixth studio album from the American rock band The Cold Stares will stun those of you who appreciate blues-based rock and roll for the Indiana based rockers have recorded a modern masterpiece.
Check out the full review for a more detailed overview of The Cold Stares’ Voices.
7. Rival Sons – Darkfighter
Darkfighter successfully combines classic rock influences with a modern touch, resulting in a captivating and diverse collection of songs. The musicianship is top-notch, and Jay Buchanan's vocals are as impressive as any of the greatest vocalists from the rock and roll genre. Subsequently, fans of rock music, from any era, will find much to enjoy when listening to this modern classic.
Check out the full review for a more detailed overview of Rival Sons’ Darkfighter.
8. The 69 Eyes – Death Of Darkness
Death Of Darkness, the thirteenth studio album from The 69 Eyes is a stunning addition to the band's legacy and showcases their signature sound of melodic, haunting, and catchy gothic rock music. Add a touch of country, a little metal, and a dash of punk and The 69 Eyes' Death Of Darkness is just about as compelling as any hard rock album ever hopes to be.
Check out the full review for a more detailed overview of The 69 Eyes’ Death Of Darkness.
9. Bruce Cockburn – O Sun O Moon
Bruce Cockburn's O Sun O Moon is a musical masterpiece that effortlessly blends folk and rock elements to deliver a deeply satisfying listening experience. Each track on the album showcases the artist's immense talent and artistic growth, resulting in one of the best albums you're likely to hear in 2023.
Check out the full review for a more detailed overview of Bruce Cockburn's O Sun O Moon.
10. Avatar – Dance Devil Dance
True to its album title, Dance Devil Dance is Avatar’s most rhythmically melodic groove-based metal album to date. Some may lament the shift from the heavier sound heard on their previous albums, but it’s not a difference so far removed that fans will be left out in the cold. It’s complementary, rather than contrasting, thereby making Dance Devil Dance one of the most compelling releases of 2023.
Check out the full review for a more detailed overview of Avatar’s Dance Devil Dance.
11. James Blunt – Who We Used To Be
James Blunt’s Who We Used To Be is highly compelling, blending his signature emotional depth, while leaning towards modern production trends that occasionally blur the distinctiveness that once set him apart. Yet, this doesn’t diminish the overall quality of the material, which remains a richly rewarding listen.
What truly elevates the experience, however, is the Deluxe Edition. Far from being an afterthought, the expanded track list provides a more complete and cohesive musical journey, ensuring that Who We Used To Be has earned its position amongst the greatest records released in 2023.
Check out the full review for a more detailed overview of James Blunt’s Who We Used To Be.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
These are albums from 2023 that I appreciate but don’t feel are the best of the best. However, there’s some killer music to be heard here, so load up your favourite streaming service and give them a listen, for our music tastes are subjective and you may just come across an album that you consider a masterpiece.
