Silly of me to think October would live up to last month’s stellar list of releases, but she tried! One thing this month was full of was fantastic concerts featuring some of my favorite current music: Miya Follick, Molly Burch, Chappell Roan, Loyle Carner, and even more to come. It was topped off by a performance by Atta Boy, longtime Noots favorite who has been making music for over a decade and never toured until this month. How lucky are we to have live music!
Colder weather also gives us full permission to be emotional, which was the vibe of many of these forthcoming albums. Listen while you’re huddled up in a #bobdylancore jacket that is too thin for this chill, eyes running because of the wind and definitely not because you’re crying. Here are the highlights!
If you want an instant timeless classic…
Black Pumas’ Chronicles of a Diamond (2023) is shockingly only the second album from this wildly successful psychedelic soul duo. Led by former busker Eric Burton’s delicious vocals, the pair aptly compare their music to “electric church”.
If you listened to the new Boygenius EP…
Angie McMahon, Light, Dark, Light Again (2023) feels like if Lucy Dacus made more uplifting music. I’ve thought a lot recently about how many of this year’s albums would be big favorites if I had more time with them, aka if I wasn’t jumping to a new record everyday. This one reminded me vaguely of Noah and the Whale’s First Days of Spring (2009), so earnest and ready to start over again, bigger this time. Sweet stuff.
If you want to know the Next Big Thing…
L'Rain, I Killed Your Dog (2023). WOw. I can’t even begin to classify this other than a member of my favorite music genre: one that transcends music genres. If context is any convincing, Wikipedia reveals that this Crown Heights born-and-raised artist studied dance at the Ailey School, learned piano/cello/Baroque recorder/bass, went to Yale, and was in an Iron Maiden cover band. Nice. Also L’Rain is touring this month with Brittany Howard, which makes me want to hurl out of infinite yearning.
If you want a reason to believe in love…
Sufjan Stevеns, Javelin (2023). There’s actually not a single part of this album or story that won’t make you emotional. If you’re looking for a reason to pick up the phone, revisit this Instagram caption.
If you’re getting your hair done…
Blonde Redhead, Sit Down for Dinner (2023). I actually did listen to this right after getting my hair done (it has nothing to do with hair). But it was the band’s first release in seven years, and it reminds me of other great shoegaze albums from the ‘90s where I can’t understand a single word they’re saying. Also let’s talk about bands who have several different lead singers! Why is that a thing of the past? Normalize variety.
If you were once an angsty kid who found solace in the backyard…
Slow Pulp, Yard (2023), and Ratboys, The Window (2023), feel like you’re mad at your parents and have to go for a walk to get out of your own head!!! And you walk by your crush’s house and kick dirt because you’ll never be more than friends!!! And you’re pissed off that you’re getting older because you just wanna keep playing in the grass!!! Not speaking from experience or anything, these two just rock.
If you want to hear some “million dollar grammar”…
Maiya the Don, Hot Commodity (2023). She’s lofty and fabulous but she’s also the real deal. And she’s very much like 21 years old. Love this interview that reveals her affinity for Applebees and the story behind her authentic, confident anthems.
If you just want something lovely for sunny fall days…
Meernaa, So Far So Good (2023) has Bedouine, Becca Mancari, almost even Emily King vibes—rich, round vocals over folky funk. Similarly, Helena Deland brings a gorgeous end to warm weather with Goodnight Summerland (2023). Best for listeners of Tomberlin, Madeline Kenney, or Hand Habits, with the vintage feel of Molly Burch. And of course, I’ve said it once, I’ve said it again, I’ll say it one more time: if you write a song about a bug, I’m gonna like it.
If you’re looking for something you didn’t know you needed…
Leo Takami, Next Door (2023). Listening to instrumental music is like going for a walk without any stimulation or destinations. You simply just have to enjoy the vibes around you. Press play for a nice reset button.
If you’re reading this you’re gay (pt. 2)...
Troye Sivan, Something To Give Each Other (2023). I know it’s 2023 and we’ve evolved as a society blah blah blah, but I just want to recognize how cool it is that this gentleman made an album basically about poppers and there are zero skips!
If you’re into… archival recordings of revivalist sermons?
Reverend Kristin Michael Hayter, SAVED! (2023). Mmkay this was wild. I have never purposefully listened to religious music until this, and I still don’t know what kind of performance art this was. TBA on if it is healing or hurting my existing religious trauma, but hey, acceptance is step one!
If you sometimes wish you were trapped in a cartoon…
hemlocke springs, going...going...GONE! (2023). Off the heels of several TikTok hits, hemlocke springs releases her debut album that is especially well suited for anyone who ever selected Princess Peach as their Mario Kart driver.
If you’re looking for a soon-to-be global pop sensation…
Priya Ragu blends pop, R&B, hip-hop, and East-meets-West interplay in her second album, Santhosam (2023). Also, it’s straight up @$$ shaking music? Lmk if you want to catch her on tour at Elsewhere this spring!
If you want the feeling of Bushwick without going to Bushwick…
Sofia Kourtesis, Madres (2023). I was on a 6 train during rush hour coming from UES while listening to this and I was transported to a hip, dim cocktail bar. Like Bushwick, this album was just a bit overhyped for me, but recommended regardless because maybe that’s ur vibe idk u!
If you’re wondering about how these classic rock AI albums are going to sound…
The Rolling Stones Hackney Diamonds (2023). My brothers in Christ, did you just literally press a button for each one of Mick’s notes? It sounds a bit too clean to be true. And don’t even get me started on the album cover design.
If you’re looking for some dark pop to prolong your Halloween season…
Poppy, aka Metal Barbie, returned with Zig (2023), and Duran Duran shared covers and re-releases on Danse Macabre (2023).
If you’ve been following along this year…
It’s now November, or what I assume to be “Q4” for those of you who work for corporations. End-of-year lists will be approaching in one month’s time, so let me/the world know your highlights before then! Pitchfork just released their reader’s poll of favorite albums and songs, and due to their audience demographic, Radiohead and/or Wilco like always ends up at the top of the list somehow. So if you have some more eclectic opinions, make your voice heard! Because, at the end of the day, the true American Dream is getting to listen to whatever music YOU want in this silly little lifetime. Love you.