Best Albums of 2023

I am the most humble man in the world, so my musical opinions are truly important. After skipping out on new music last year, I made it my New Year's resolution to listen to more freshness. I listened to 102 new albums and only dropped five for being hot garbage. Here's my top ten, not including remasters (sorry, fellow Swifties).

10.) Avatar - Dance, Devil, Dance
9.) Girlschool - WTFortyFive
8.) 69 Eyes - Death of Darkness
7.) Ne Obliviscaris - Exul
6.) Queens of the Stoneage - ...Times New Roman

5.) In Flames - Foregone
In Flames has been pretty meh since before I was Mormon. But who knew an almost entirely new lineup would revive the band in the middle of their third decade? But it's the long term singer, Anders Fridén, who has kept me returning to this album since February. His clean vocals sound better than ever and make the lyrics pop.
Favorite Song: A Dialogue in b Flat Minor

4.) Ignea - Dreams of Land Unseen
I listened to 102 albums this year (and stopped listening to 5), and one thing I've learned is that I have an infatuation for women who can sing like a pop star one second and then turn into a Cannibal Corpse tribute act the next. Add in some folk instruments, heavy progressive guitars, and catchy melodies and lyrics, and you get a concept album about a woman who sailed the world! Slava Ukrani!
Favorite Song: Incurable Disease

3.) Screaming Females - Desire Pathways
I don't like indie rock, but I fell in love with Screaming Females. Marissa Paternoster is a great guitarist, so maybe her chord progressions made me realize how great the genre could be. Catchy lyrics that are easy to sing to might also be why this album was in constant rotation throughout the year.
Favorite Song: Brass Bell

2.) Gorillaz - Cracker Island
My YouTube Music Recap said I was in the top 0.7 percent of listeners of Gorillaz, and it's entirely because of this album. I've said catchy in every other review, but Cracker Island is full of those hooks. Lyrically and melodically. Ya gotta love bands that get better after 25 years.
Favorite Song: New Gold

1.) Katatonia - Sky Void of Stars
It's catchy, but it's hard to see why. Katatonia's brand of progressive metal means guitar riffs or drum beats don't always line up with vocals. It's complicated and trips me up, so it (apparently) clicks with me. The mix of it all makes every listen a new but familiar experience where you see something new. And all that under the weird drone like vocals of Jonas Renske and his (presumably) meaningful lyrics that kept me intrigued, there are so many reasons I've been listening to this album all year.
Favorite Song: No Beacon to Illuminate Our Fall