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offbeatmusicuk · 27 days

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Albums Of 2023: 50-26

Well, this one was a bit late, huh? I was so behind on my listening I couldn't do a list in time, some binge listening to catch up was in order.

My criteria: If it is 9 or more tracks, it is an album. If it is 8 tracks or less and 30 mins or longer, it is an album. Any less than that, it is an EP or a mini-album and not eligible for this list. No compliations, best ofs, re-recordings of older material are included. Nor are live albums where the songs are available on other studio albums.

Honourable mentions to some artists whose albums very nearly made the list but just missed out:

TURQUOISEDEATH, †††, Beartooth, Concrete Castles, Romy, Stitched Up Heart, Subface, Detalji, Hackcore, Ray Keith, Delerium, Franky Wah, Zahna, Public Memory & Siskin .

Let the countdown begin.

50.

The Nearly Deads "We Are The Nearly Deads"

Quality pop-punk, led by the charming vocals of Theresa Jeane.

49.

VOIID "Watering Dead Flowers"

Aussie 4-piece meshing punk, grunge and a smidgen of shoegaze. All very 90s sounding.

48.

As December Falls "Join The Club"

Joyous pop-punk from Nottingham, fronted by the charismatic Bethany Curtis. Their 3rd album smashed them into the UK album charts for the first time, debuting at number 11.

47.

Rews "Meridians"

Shauna Tohill brings us the third REWS album, and while nothing here is as instantly classic as many of the songs from the brilliant debut album, there are plenty of strong, catchy pop-rockers here.

46.

Blink-182 "ONE MORE TIME..."

Tom DeLonge returns, and while I'd argue this album isn't actually as good as the couple from the Matt Skiba era, it certainly sounds a bit more like classic Blink, and there are a handful of new classics within.

45.

The Subways "Uncertain Joys"

It could be down to timing, evolution of taste, or just that it may be better, but this, the fifth album from UK rock band The Subways, connected with me more than any of their albums since their fantastic debut. They've tended towards straight forward rock 'n' roll in the past but this collection is more varied, some more mid-tempo tracks, some poppier tracks, all good stuff.

44.

EarlyRise "Home"

8 years after their second album, comes Orly Lari and co's third. Taking the alt-rock of their earlier work, and mixing it with more acoustics and a heavy dose of Israeli and Middle Eastern influence, to create something quite magical.

43.

nthng "There Is A Place For Me"

A mesmerising collection of soundscapes, utilising ambient, breakbeat, trancey elements, glitchy beats and haunting atmospheres, for a mostly chilled experience.

42.

Woodes "The Great Unknown"

Singer-songwriter & producer, Woodes releases her second album, of what I would label as art-pop. There is a spacial ethereal nature to both her music and her incredible voice. Many different styles are present though. The opening title track is magnificent, almost breakbeat and widescreen, while catchy. Second track "Don't Look Back" has a feel of traditional Viking music, with glitchy electronic beats, and pop hooks. It's not all this experimental, there are some simpler acoustic led tracks, and standard adult pop fare. But it is all beautiful.

41.

Paramore "This Is Why"

They were pop-punk, then a bit more epic alt-rock, contrasting with some jangly pop (on the same album). After further line-up changes they went a bit new wave and 80s synthpop. Now, on their sixth album, they've gone somewhat post-punk. It's a solid album, that has swayed some of the longterm naysayers. Just where will they go next?

40.

Gunship "Unicorn"

Synthwave was a cool genre when it first unleashed, but I got bored of it quite quickly, for the most part it was all very samey. Gunship however try their best to keep it fresh and interesting, no more so than on this, their third album. Yes it is still synthwave at its core, but they have some cracking vocals (many of them featured guests, like Lights, Gavin Rossdale or their Fightstar bandmate Charlie Simpson), the production is deeper, and goes at times into heavier electronic elements. Then there is "Blood For The Blood God" featuring HEALTH, instantly my favourite Gunship song, with its trancey synths, breakbeat-esque drums and electronic energy.

39.

GusGus "DanceOrama"

GusGus' ode to the dancefloor through the decades. Hints of techno, trance, italo-disco, house and pop but all delivered in GusGus' unmistakable sound.

38.

Lastlings "Perfect World"

Spacious, laid back electronic songs, with lush vocals, some breakbeat, some house, some glitchy. Quality second album from the Aussie brother-sister duo.

37.

The Goa Express "The Goa Express"

Frantic, catchy, retro leaning (sometimes 90s, sometimes 60s) indie. I can see many of these tunes filling the dancefloor at indie club nights up and down the country.

36.

Furious Monkey House "Oneiric"

These Spanish young uns have released a couple of albums of catchy, punky rock, but with their third here, the show they are growing and maturing. The pace is a bit slower, the sound way more spacious. Electronic elements and production, meet shoegazey stylings, but still with very catchy hooks and riffs. This band could really be going places.

35.

Phantom Elite "Blue Blood"

Heavy, chugging riffs, blast beat drumming, the occasional synth or breakbeat, the occasional growl, and plenty of soaring choruses (that wouldn't be entirely out of place from a symphonic metal band), and yeah a couple of more acoustic ballad-y ones, but this is a solid and at times thrilling record.

34.

The Chemical Brothers "For That Beautiful Feeling"

Initially, I was very disappointed with this album, as a follow up to the magnificent "No Geography" (Offbeat's Album Of The Year 2019), there are weird, wobbly, out of tune, vertigo-esque sounds in more than one track, and little of it is as instantly catchy. But man, is it a grower. Breakbeats, pounding four to the floor, funk, hip hop, spacey pop, Beck, all in a distorted acid blender, as only the Chems know how.

33.

Cyan Kicks "I Never Said 4Ever"

You know those pop acts that use guitars and tend to be a smidge edgier than the bubblegum fare? Well, take that and beef it up a bit, and you have Cyan Kicks. Catchy hooks in abundance, pop-dance synths, the occasional breakbeat, guitars, and joy.

32.

Wargasm "Venom"

Well, they are called WARGASM, the precursor to this, their debut album, was a 7 tracker called "Explicit: The MiXXXtape" and featured songs called "Fukstar" and "D.R.I.L.D.O", and you can summise what a lot of their lyrics are about. Their genre melting pot of sound (chunky riffs, pounding electronic beats, singing, screaming, rapping etc etc), sounds like they are living a life of debauchery and we are invited.

31.

Holding Absence "The Noble Art Of Self Destruction"

Formerly tagged as post-hardcore, that now seems limiting for the Welsh band who have delivered an album of such soaring, melodic and widescreen rock. A triumph.

30.

In This Moment "Godmode"

After a few disappointing albums in a row, In This Moment hit form again. Heavy, chunky guitars, sleazy, dark atmosphere and with plenty of earworms. Their best album in over a decade.

29.

CLT DRP "Nothing Clever, Just Feelings"

How to describe CLT DRP.... electro-punk? There are guitars and drums and squelchy electronics and dance beats. It's messy and noisy and exciting and enthralling. I catch a few hints of Yeah Yeah Yeahs in there but in many ways CLT DRP are quite unique.

28.

Sextile "Push"

Post punk meets dance? Guitars and electro pulses. Jungle breakbeats, acid squelches, four to the floor pounding beats. And yet no matter how electronic it gets (100% at times), it always sounds like a band.

27.

Simon Doty "Universal Language"

Label Anjunadeep continue to release quality records, and this is absolutely no exception. A blend of classic house sounds with modern deep house, and just so much groove. The bass lines are huge but warm, the vocals atmospheric and the sound timeless.

26.

Crowd+CTRL "Smoke & Mirrors"

Trance producers ReOrder & Jordan Tobias join forces for their debut collaborative album. They take their trance knowledge, apply some deep/progressive house elements, and end up with a sound they call "uplifting techno". Yes, at times it's a bit repetitive, but some of the harmonies / melodies are spine-tinglers, and the overall atmosphere of the album is quite captivating.

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Part 2 (numbers 25-1) including links to Spotify and YouTube playlists for the Top 50 is here:

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baldwinboy5ive · 5 years

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Good Times: Playlist for Endless Summer, Book One

Expand the post for all the book snippets and YouTube links to individual songs, but here is the link to listen to the whole playlist:

♪ listen here ♪

Here are the individual tracks:

Dirty Heads, Rome - Lay Me Down You slip off your shoes and step onto the beach, the fine, smooth sand warming your toes… Quinn twirls across the sand, laughing. “This must be heaven.” Raj spreads his arms and falls backward into the sand with a deep sigh. “Yuuuuup, I’m just staying here all week. I’m never ever moving again… Could someone get me a beer?” “Isn’t this wonderful? It’s like our own private paradise, [MC]!“ Book 1, chapter 1

Zac Brown Band - Castaway “Wooooooohooooo! We’re alive!” “Wow… [MC], you’re gonna want to check out this view.” “Get a good look now, ‘cause we’re coming in fast! Welcome to La Huerta.” Book 1, chapter 1

Michael Jackson - Dangerous “There’s something… off about her… Think about it. We’d been told that ten students from our college had won this trip, right? But count us off. Not including the pilot or the guide… She makes eleven.” You look in the girl’s direction once more… and this time she’s staring directly back at you. Your eyes lock. Book 1, chapter 1 “We’ve all got secrets.” Book 1, chapter 2

Rebekah Del Rio - No Stars Her hair falls gently across her face but doesn’t stop her dark eyes from reflecting the shimmering stars overhead… Estela gazes up at the sky, where countless stars glitter across the dark. “Where I’m from, people don’t do things for you without expecting something in return.” You exhale, your breath coming out in a cloud in the cold night air. “You’re cold too.” Book 1, chapter 2

Nikki Cleary - Summertime Guys You make your way back down to the party. Just then, you hear someone bellow from nearby! “Woo! Let’s do this!” Craig climbs the nearby gazebo and perches at the edge, readying to jump into the pool! “Craig, that’s clearly against the pool regulations!” “Oh yeah? I don’t see anything that says ‘No Badasses Allowed’!” Craig launches himself into a cannonball and slams into the pool! A tsunami of water soaks everyone standing by the poolside! Diego putters out a mouthful of water. Book 1, chapter 2

Tiffany - I Think We’re Alone Now Everyone looks around, dumbstruck… from the charred, broken plane… to the ice-breathing fox… to the fleeing saber-toothed tiger. “Guys… where on earth are we?” Book 1, chapter 5

Rocco DeLuca and the Burden - Colorful You and Jake yank off the tarp to reveal… “Oh my god, we have jet skis. I repeat, we have jet skis.” “You look like a natural already. All set?” Soon, you are Jake are speeding across the glittering sea, side by side. The island vanishes into the background, and you’re surrounded by nothing but the most vibrant, shimmering blue you’ve ever seen… You look over and see Jake, who’s watching you with a warm, goofy grin. Time seems to slow down as he waves to you. Book 1, chapter 6

Big B - Good Times “Look, my grandmother had this saying. Words make war… but pies make peace.” …Within minutes, the feast is underway! Everyone is laughing, grinning, telling stories and jokes… Book 1, chapter 7

Team Me - Weathervanes and Chemicals “Fine. Why the hell not? As if this place wasn’t dangerous enough. Let’s go climb an active volcano!” Your expedition trudges through the sweltering rainforest, passing by the emergency shelter on your way toward the mountains. Book 1, chapter 8

Chris Stapleton - When the Stars Come Out You lie down beside Jake, both on your back, staring up at the glittering stars. “Wow. Back home, you definitely can’t see this many.” “Yeah. In the city, it’s easy to forget they’re even there. It’s a big sky, but we just block it out… make our own lights.” He looks over at you. “You can get closer. I don’t bite.” Book 1, chapter 9

Ronald Jenkees - With Water and Light “Gotta say, [MC]… if there’s anyone I’m happy to be trapped in a dark, creepy, maybe-deathtrap with… it’s you.” You turn to the far end of the room, where small lights have started glowing along the edges of the wall. The lights grow, brighter and brighter… and suddenly, a dazzling holographic display appears, projected in the air around you! Stars swirl in dazzling clusters as galaxies spin and whirl. Shooting stars streak by, while distant supernovas pulse and burst. Book 1, chapter 10

Fightstar - Dive You try to swim, to push your way to the surface, to air, to life… But something, some strange invisible force, drags you down to the depths… You press together, your bodies the only warmth against the ocean’s cold, as you plunge down, down, down. You know that this is it. Your final moments on earth, wrapped up in Jake’s arms. You press your mouth to Jake’s… Together, intertwined, you sink down into the depths… Book 1, chapter 12

Zebrahead - Battle Hymn “Well, whoever these… these ‘Watchers’ are, they’re coming for us. And we’ll be ready.” … “What is all this?” “Isn’t it self-evident? We’re setting traps.” “Like Home Alone! Dude, that movie was super violent if you think about it.” Book 1, chapter 13

Slash, Myles Kennedy - Starlight “This might well be our last night on Earth, [MC]. What better time than now?” You look out again at the lobby… and decide Diego’s right. This is the time. The time to take this all the way. Who do you invite back to your room? Book 1, chapter 14

Lupe Fiasco, Sarah Green - Real “But I had to do it. I had to. My momma, bless her soul, couldn’t take that step. So I had to do it for her. So I had to get it together. I had to be good, to be faithful, to do the right thing. To put them first, always. My father came damn close to destroying my family. I spent the last seven years rebuilding it.” Book 1, chapter 14

Until the Ribbon Breaks - One Way or Another “There’s nothing else we could’ve done. If [MC] hadn’t saved us, all of us would’ve been grabbed.” A silence falls over your group. You all look out into the darkness of the forest, wondering if he’s out there somewhere… if he’s still alive. “Diego…” Book 1, chapter 16

#endless summer #playchoices #choices playlist #pixelberry #endless summer playlist

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