2023 Music: March Radness

The quantity of albums is just to show how much music is really out there if you look for it. The quality of albums, well you’ll find that in the rankings. ❌⭕️❌⭕️

January: 72 February: 75 March: 102

2023 running total: 249

From jazz fusion to black metal to Korean shoegaze, the quest to consume every album this year is alive and kicking. With more albums released this month than any month thus far, I’ve ranked my favorites and had to include honorable mentions with the pool so deep for March. Bon appetit!

1. M83: Fantasy

Ethereal synths and the signature progressive electro sound we’ve some to love from M83, Fantasy delivers another triumphant entry into M83’s already deep discography.

2. Fever Ray: Radical Romantics

Master pitch-shifter and full of theatrics, The Knife’s Karin Dreijer returns under the Fever Ray moniker for another solo album that bolsters their already impressive discography of electro art pop.

3. Kali Uchis: Red Moon in Venus

Oozing confidence with a slight tinge of inevitable human-natured self consciousness, Kali Uchis blesses us once again with an R&B album full of twists and turns and experiments that she makes sexy.

4. Lana Del Rey: Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd

Weird album title, but Lana really comes into her own as a songwriter/songstress with her best album since 2012. Your mom called. I told her you’re fuckin’ up big time.

5. Danny Brown & JPEGMAFIA: SCARING THE HOES

I would venture to say this will go down as album title of the year, no contest. Collaboration-wise, this is such a perfect pairing. Content-wise, they bounce off each other really well, and any song from this album can be your cruisin-in-the-car-volume-on-11 summer anthem.

6. B. Cool-Aid, Pink Siifu, Ahwlee: Leather Blvd.

Neo-soul with some boom bap and hip hop exquisitely woven in on a real deal vibe of an album. Favorite line: during a description of a club and what they offer throughout the week, one of them being Ratchet Nights on Friday and Saturday: “You might conceive a baby in the bathroom.” Vibrate. Vibrate higher.

7. Constant Smiles: Kenneth Anger

Written to play sort of like a Kenneth Anger film, Kenneth Anger (this album) acts as a soundtrack for exploring how creativity and community can aid in psychological healing. Synthy dark dream emo pop for when you’re in a mood. Fans of Father John Misty and the aforementioned M83 will enjoy.

8. 6LACK: Since I Have a Lover

Pronounced “Black,” not six-lack (like Moe Szyslak, as I joked about on our podcast), his third full-length album has cemented his status among the better alternative R&B acts in the game. Fans of Frank Ocean will find similarities in style, but 6LACK separates himself from the rest of the pack on this album.

9. Ne Obliviscaris: Exul

Latin for “do not forget,” this metal masterpiece ranges vocally from guttural to melodic with beautiful ease. Musically, it’s as raw as it is tailored somehow, creating an emotionally compelling experience from beginning to middle to end. Misericorde Parts I and II could quite easily coagulate into a Cirque du Soleil show. This is exactly how I like my metal.

10. City and Colour: The Love Still Held Me Near

Exploring the ability to create beautiful art from tragic loss, this album is 10/10 a case study.

11. Larry June • The Alchemist: The Great Escape

Larry June’s laid back style and Alchemist’s precise production blend together smoothly with appearances by everyone from Joey BADA$$ to Action Bronson to Wiz Khalifa to Evidence to Big Sean and more. Yes. MORE. Get into this.

12. MSPAINT: Post-American

This was admittedly not on my radar until the last day or so of the month, but it hits hard in two places I truly love: punk rock and synths. Finally, you can find both in the same place!

Honorable Mentions

Masego: S/T

Shit, any time we get a re-up on the Cha Cha Slide, I’m cool with it. Standout track: In Style.

Mimi Webb: Amelia

slowthai: UGLY

Haken: Fauna

Tanukichan: GIZMO

Frankie Rose: Love As Projection

Chiiild: Better Luck In The Next Life

MEG MYERS: TZIA

Hit-Boy: SURF OR DROWN

Buzzy Lee: Internal Affairs

Lil Pump: Lil Pump 2

Parannoul: After the Magic

Oh, y’all thought I was frontin’ when I opened this monthly recap talkin’ about some Korean shoegaze?