In no way derogatory, "The Outcasts" works as an umbrella category of sorts, regrouping projects that don't necessarily neatly fit into one themselves, and is one of the few list categories that survived my last minute re-arranging of end-of-year posting :
1.) Algiers - "Shook" :
A brilliant sense of narrative, character, purpose and intent behind a kaleidoscopic soundscape that breathes life into the album's very concept. There is a lot to enjoy here and come back to!
2.) The St.Pierre Snake Invasion - "Galore" :
The Bristolians conjure up an exciting ruckus that sees rock n' roll swagger become angular, mechanical mayhem and vice-versa to the point where the line becomes blurred.
Fun, clever and fiery!
3.) Intercourse - "Halo Castration Institute" :
The world isn't getting any better, and in recent times especially, the amount of reasons to become overwhelmed, pessimistic and pissed off have rocketed.
This almost feels like a passing of the torch for "most unhinged album of the year" after Chat Pile's "God's Country" the year before. Ugly music for ugly times, in the best possible way.
4.) Full Of Hell x Nothing - "When No Birds Sang" :
Perhaps THE most unexpected and unlikely collaborative album to come out in 2023, both bands perfectly bring their defining characteristics together to create something new and different yet still familiar.
5.) PoiL x Junko Ueda - "PoiL Ueda" :
Okay, scratch that, maybe this is the actual most unlikely marriage of styles after all. Zeuhl/noise rock meets traditional Japanese medieval storytelling and it somehow works?
A very unique and compelling listen to be sure!
6.) Tunic - "Wrong Dream" :
Angular, dissonant and discomforting ; "Wrong Dream" is the sonic equivalent of an impending panic attack, take it or leave it.
7.) Squid - "O Monolith" :
A deeper exploration and development of the sound introduced on their debut two years ago, Squid find a remarkable balance between broader appeal and outlandish experimentation.
8.) Nicole Dollanganger - "Married In Mount Airy" :
Lana Del Rey this, Taylor Swift that; bro I'm just tryna feel like the ghost of Scarlet O'Hara fr. Haunted dark academia cottage-core folk for all my revenants out there.
Goofs aside, this album provided a nice little break from the predominantly heavy and aggressive stuff I've been listening to this year and feels like some sort of secret retreat despite the ghosts that occupy it.
9.) Oxbow - "Love's Holiday" :
Although they've been around for decades by now, it's only through Lingua Ignota's contribution on one of the album's tracks that I discovered Oxbow this year.
Better late than never as they say!
"Love's Holiday" is an interesting slow burn that occasionally reminded me of some of David Bowie's final work. The main reason for it being ranked so low upon making this list is that I haven't spent too much time with it or dug too much into the lyrics and whatnot but I'm hoping to do so in the future!
10.) Toumaï - "Tempus Fugit" :
Perhaps the most underground entry on any of this year's lists, "Tempus Fugit" is the swan song of this French fusion-funk/prog metal/mathcore band whom I would have loved to see enjoy more of the spotlight and who take me back to the end of my high-school days.
It has its flaws but there's some really fun, creative musicianship in there, animated by a strong eco-conscious message.