{"id":2651,"date":"2023-12-28T13:35:39","date_gmt":"2023-12-28T18:35:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/?p=2651"},"modified":"2023-12-28T13:45:45","modified_gmt":"2023-12-28T18:45:45","slug":"favorite-music-of-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/2023\/12\/28\/favorite-music-of-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"favorite music of 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>2023 saw my continuing drift toward esoteric sounds validated by no less than Andr\u00e9 3000, who released his album of flute-based ambient soundtracks only six years after my own band had been plundering that sound. Also of musical significance: this is the year my sprawling album and CD collection became my 14-yo son&#8217;s collection too. (Yay, I get to add more record shelves!)<\/p>\n<p>Black Belt Eagle Scout \u2013 The Land, The Water, The Sky<br \/>\nMy &#8220;indie&#8221; album of the year, deep and resonant.<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Black Belt Eagle Scout - Spaces [Official Music Video]\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KS8rNmuox60?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>L&#8217;Rain \u2013 I Killed Your Dog<br \/>\nTaja Cheek continues her streak of exciting experimental R&amp;B and gave my favorite concert of the year.<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"L&#039;Rain - New Year&#039;s UnResolution (Official Audio)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/QNWA_rD-1Mk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Jonathan Wilson \u2013 Eat The Worm<br \/>\nAnalog producer extraordinaire records a magnum opus of fantastic arrangements and old-man diatribes.<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Jonathan Wilson - Marzipan (Official Music Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jxzeOELVjkc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>PJ Harvey \u2013 I Inside The Old Year Dying<br \/>\nEver the model of multidisciplinary ambition, now directed toward obscure horizons befitting someone our age.<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"PJ Harvey - A Child&#039;s Question, August (Official Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LvYMlixvzHM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Protomartyr \u2013 Formal Growth In The Desert<br \/>\nConsistent quality remains their thing, but the Detroit group added a pedal steel player to designate formal growth.<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Protomartyr - Polacrilex Kid (Live - Official Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Gz2G5fymqTM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Bella White \u2013 Among Other Things<br \/>\nThis Canadian bluegrass artist recorded my favorite Jonathan Wilson-produced album, duking it out with his other 2023 recordings for <a href=\"https:\/\/angelolsen.bandcamp.com\/album\/big-time\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Angel Olsen<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/samburton.bandcamp.com\/album\/dear-departed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sam Burton<\/a>.<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Bella White - \u201cBreak My Heart\u201d (Official Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/G3dg6tc3Qhs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Billy Nomates \u2013 Cacti<br \/>\nI won\u2019t overthink the charms of this record, except to propose that Nomates crosses Sheryl Crow and PJ Harvey with remarkable inspiration. (See, I overthought it.)<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Billy Nomates - spite\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/i-cJH_byJ3Q?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Irreversible Entanglements \u2013 Protect Your Sun<br \/>\nBig move up (to Impulse Records) for the spiritual jazz\/spoken word ensemble.<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Irreversible Entanglements - Our Land Back (Visualizer)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jMjmaIx4674?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Vasilis Dokakis \u2013 Lotus<br \/>\nThanks to marrying into the Greeks, my radar spotted this Athens-based artist and his beautiful, delicate album.<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Vasilis Dokakis - Amazing (Official Audio)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/F6639mKZ6z0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Tanith \u2013 Voyage<br \/>\nMiddle-aged classic metal revivalists jam econo. Sounds like a life goal!<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Tanith - Snow Tiger (OFFICIAL VIDEO)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/REGBNku29GY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Kalia Vandever \u2013 We Fell In Turn<br \/>\nThis had me at &#8220;ambient trombone&#8221;.<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Kalia Vandever: &quot;Held In \/ Stillness in Hand&quot;\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2t7Rev1jj8g?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Decisive Pink \u2013 Ticket To Fame<br \/>\nKooky krautrock for post-pandemic times.<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Decisive Pink - Ode To Boy (Official Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/B8vDsOJSpxQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Margo Price \u2013 Strays<br \/>\nMy favorite of the &#8220;hardly country music anymore\u201d artists, although I see you <a href=\"https:\/\/jellyroll615.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jelly Roll<\/a>.<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Margo Price - Been To The Mountain (Official Music Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/OoxGsS4PMd8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>bar italia \u2013 Tracey Denim<br \/>\nHow do they do so much with so little?<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Nurse!\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9dP8M3yvcl4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Most Serene Congress \u2013 June 4, 2023, Kingston, NY<br \/>\nGotta say: for this multiple-camera filmed improvisation (opening for our noise-duo pals Satan&#8217;s Black Acid), my avant-dad trio killed it \u2014 with flute-based ambient soundtracks.<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Satan\u2019s Black Acid, Most Serene Congress, June 4, 8 PM, Green Kill Sessions\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/C5LgtAEPqkQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>2023 saw my continuing drift toward esoteric sounds validated by no less than Andr\u00e9 3000, who released his album of flute-based ambient soundtracks only six years after my own band had been plundering that sound. Also of musical significance: this is the year my sprawling album and CD collection became my 14-yo son&#8217;s collection too. (Yay, I get to add more record shelves!) Black Belt Eagle Scout \u2013 The Land, The Water, The Sky My &#8220;indie&#8221; album of the year, deep and resonant. L&#8217;Rain \u2013 I Killed Your Dog Taja Cheek continues her streak of exciting experimental R&amp;B and gave my favorite concert of the year. Jonathan Wilson \u2013 Eat The Worm Analog producer extraordinaire records a magnum opus of fantastic arrangements and old-man diatribes. PJ Harvey \u2013 I Inside The Old Year Dying Ever the model of multidisciplinary ambition, now directed toward obscure horizons befitting someone our age. Protomartyr \u2013 Formal Growth In The Desert Consistent quality remains their thing, but the Detroit group added a pedal steel player to designate formal growth. Bella White \u2013 Among Other Things This Canadian bluegrass artist recorded my favorite Jonathan Wilson-produced album, duking it out with his other 2023 recordings for Angel [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":308,"featured_media":2652,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[43659],"class_list":["post-2651","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-music-criticism"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2651","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/308"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2651"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2651\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2658,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2651\/revisions\/2658"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2652"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2651"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2651"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2651"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}