K. Mazur

Artist of the year, Taylor Swift, performs at her record breaking international tour, “The Eras Tour.”

Music has a way of telling people’s stories, creating connections between people, and serving as an outlet for self-expression. From Taylor Swift to Drake, 2023 was defined by music. Here are 13 albums that encapsulate the story of 2023. 

13. “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” by Taylor Swift

Swift’s fourth re-recorded album, “1989 (Taylor’s Version)”  included five tracks “From The Vault” which were previously unreleased. Unlike her original version, “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” shows her growth in the pop genre, with the album having a more natural, down-to-earth sound. Her initial version had been one of her first steps out of country music.

12. “Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever)” by Noah Kahan

2023 had a lot in store for Noah Kahan, after going viral for his songs “Stick Season” and “Northern Attitude” on TikTok. Since then, he has collaborated with various artists such as Post Malone, Hozier, Gracie Abrams, and Lizzie McAlpine. His album, “Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever),” includes 21 songs with a New England feel that no music artist has captured as well as Kahan has. 

11. “Zach Bryan” by Zach Bryan

Zach Bryan’s self-titled fifth album quickly gained traction in the country music world and he was named Top New Artist by Billboard Music alongside artists such as Ice Spice and Bailey Zimmerman. “Zach Bryan” shares the story of longing in a unique country-rock style. The lyric, “All the love I’ve had worth giving is all spent on my songs,” describes the yearning tone of the album perfectly.

10. “For All the Dogs” by Drake

Featuring ten artists including Lil Yachty, Yeat, J. Cole, SZA, and Bad Bunny, “For All the Dogs,” debuted on Billboard’s Top 200. The album is a good mix of pop and rap with quick tempo changes and an overall laid back beat. While critics had mixed feelings, “For All the Dogs” is consistently solid throughout all the tracks.

9. “Like..?” by Ice Spice

“Like..?” has an overall eclectic energy, perfect for a pregame hype playlist or even just a morning drive. While the album only has seven tracks, each one carries a similar vibrancy of confidence.

8. “Unreal Unearth” by Hozier

Hozier’s first album release in five years, “Unreal Unearth,” was written during the COVID pandemic but was only just released in the summer of 2023. The album encapsulates  a rainy day during  summer, with a strong beat and captivating instrumentals.

7. “Lucky” by Megan Moroney

Featuring her top-streamed song, “Tennessee Orange,” Megan Moroney released her studio debut album, “Lucky,” in the spring of 2023. “Lucky” shares the story of falling in love, with all the good and the bad included. It also includes the aftermath of a relationship, a popular theme in country music.

6. “One Thing at a Time” by Morgan Wallen

With 36 tracks, “One Thing at a Time” features artists like Eric Church and HARDY. The album brings a popular modern twist to country, while still keeping the core feature of a country song, a narrative Southern story.

5. “THINK LATER” by Tate McRae

Tate McRae’s sophomore album, “THINK LATER,” includes the song “greedy” which gained popularity on TikTok and created a highly anticipated release for the album. “THINK LATER” is a product of her recent breakup and many of the songs have a vengeful tone with classic pop production.

4. “Something to Give Each Other” by Troye Sivan

Known most for the music video of “One of Your Girls,” Troye Sivan’s album “Something to Give Each Other” is a combination of pop and R&B. As his first album released in five years, it was labeled “unapologetically queer” and became an immediate hit. The album has an upbeat pop vibe with a quick beat and lyrics full of temptation.

3. “Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd” by Lana Del Rey

Known for her lyricism, Lana Del Rey’s newest album, “Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd,” did not disappoint. Unlike her previous albums, “Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd,” has a more personal feel to it, and the songs tell stories in a reflecting and unhurried way, with sweeping, soft lyrics.

2. “Midnights (The Til Dawn Edition)” by Taylor Swift

Swift’s tenth studio album, “Midnights” took the music world by storm and broke several records in 2023. Several songs such as “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve,” “Dear Reader,” and ”Bigger Than The Whole Sky,” all share a regretful yet vindictive energy. Other tracks like “Paris,” “Bejeweled,” and “Hits Different,” carry an upbeat and bright tone.

1. “GUTS” by Olivia Rodrigo

The second studio album from Disney star, Olivia Rodrigo, “GUTS” brought 2023 a mix of 2000s modern rock with an alternative addition. The album details Rodrigo’s transition from being a kid to growing up and the effect of the modern world’s expectations for girls. “GUTS” brings a teenager-like rebellious feel to 2023.