Esquire's 20 Best Albums of 2023

From André 3000's experimental 'New Blue Sun,' to the return of the Stones—and yes, Olivia Rodrigo's 'GUTS'—this year has birthed a surplus of great albums.

Published: December 01, 2023 13:30 Source

# 1

Volcano by Jungle

Album • Aug 11 / 2023 Nu-Disco

# 2

GUTS by Olivia Rodrigo

Album • Sep 08 / 2023 Pop Rock Singer-Songwriter Alternative Rock

# 3

Unreal Unearth by Hozier

Album • Aug 18 / 2023 Singer-Songwriter Pop Soul Pop Rock

# 4

Hackney Diamonds by The Rolling Stones

Album • Oct 20 / 2023 Pop Rock Blues Rock

# 5

Kaytraminé by KAYTRAMINÉ + Aminé + KAYTRANADA

Album • May 19 / 2023 Pop Rap West Coast Hip Hop

# 6

My 21st Century Blues by RAYE

Album • Feb 03 / 2023 Contemporary R&B Pop Rap UK Hip Hop

# 7

MICHAEL by Killer Mike

Album • Jun 16 / 2023 Southern Hip Hop Conscious Hip Hop

# 8

Higher by Chris Stapleton

Album • Nov 10 / 2023 Contemporary Country

# 9

AudioLust & HigherLove by SG Lewis

Album • Jan 27 / 2023 Dance-Pop Nu-Disco Synthpop

# 10

HEROES & VILLAINS (Villains Version) by Metro Boomin

Album • Feb 17 / 2023 Trap Southern Hip Hop

# 11

Ends & Begins by Labrinth

Album • Apr 28 / 2023 Alternative R&B Electropop

# 12

Endless Summer Vacation by Miley Cyrus

Album • Mar 10 / 2023 Pop

# 13

Let’s Start Here. by Lil Yachty

Album • Jan 27 / 2023 Neo-Psychedelia Psychedelic Rock

# 14

Zach Bryan by Zach Bryan

Album • Aug 25 / 2023 Americana Singer-Songwriter Country Red Dirt

# 15

Good Riddance by Gracie Abrams

Album • Feb 24 / 2023 Singer-Songwriter Alt-Pop

# 16

New Blue Sun by André 3000

Album • Nov 17 / 2023 New Age Ambient

# 17

the record by boygenius

Album • Mar 31 / 2023 Singer-Songwriter Indie Folk Indie Rock

# 18

My Soft Machine by Arlo Parks

Album • May 26 / 2023 Bedroom Pop Alt-Pop

# 19

This Is Why by Paramore

Album • Feb 10 / 2023 Post-Punk Revival

# 20

Did you know that there's a tunnel under Ocean Blvd by Lana Del Rey

Album • Mar 24 / 2023 Singer-Songwriter Art Pop