BEST NO SKIP EPS/ALBUMS OF 2023
BY BRENESSA ROACH | DECEMBER 9, 2023
2023 had many amazing album and EP releases and it was so hard to narrow my favourite ones down to just 15. However, these 15 albums were fully no skip albums for me, meaning I listened to the album from start to finish multiple times.
Before starting, I just want to say congratulations to all these artists for putting out such beautiful albums/EP’s!
Released on: November 17th, 2023
Zack Tabudlo is an artist that I have admired since early this year. With the release of his tracks “DELULU” and “Victim”, I was so excited for the release of this album.
3rd Time’s A Charm is Zack’s most personal and vulnerable album till this day. There are 17 tracks that share 17 stories that shaped him to be who he is today. Of course this album is a no-skip one, but I really loved the song “LOVE IS DEAD” the most. I also had the opportunity to celebrate the release of this album with Universal Music Canada and Zack at a private showcase and I heard “LOVE IS DEAD” and “Victim” which were amazing live.
Check out Zack Tabudlo on Instagram: @zack.tabudlo
Released on: October 19th, 2023
Alex Porat is a singer I have been listening to since her first album in 2021 and I was very excited for this EP. As the years go on, Alex just keeps making more and more amazing and relatable songs. Lovesick is an EP that I wish was longer because the songs were just a vibe.
Since every song is so good, it was hard to choose a favourite, but I do really love “HATELOVE” and “Bar Is On The Floor”. Really hoping to see Alex Porat live soon and I cannot wait for what 2024 holds for her.
Check out Alex Porat on Instagram: @alexandraporat
Released on: January 27th, 2023
This album was one of the best K-Pop album comebacks in my opinion. Although the album is only 5 songs, from start to finish it had me bopping my head. I also loved the visuals and concept photos in the music videos and album promo teasers.
My favourite song on this album has to be “Farewell, Neverland”. I had this song on repeat for weeks.
Check out TOMORROW X TOGETHER on Instagram: @txt_bighit
Released on: August 18th, 2023
Keenan Te is another artist I started listening to this year after discovering him on Spotify Radio. I absolutely loved this EP from start to finish, but my favourite song definitely is “overthinking about you”.
Check out Keenan Te on Instagram: @keenante
Released on: January 11th, 2023
This was one of the first albums I listened to this year and I knew it was going to make it in my top albums of the year. Sylo is such an amazing singer and songwriter and I have been a fan of him since early 2022. After hearing “AIR” in 2022, I was so excited for this album to come out.
Although “AIR” is my favourite song, I really love “What’s Left?” too.
Check out Sylo on Instagram: @sylooo
Released on: October 6th, 2023
Fact Check was such an amazing comeback this year and I loved every single song! It’s also probably the last album with Taeyong until he comes back from the military so, it holds a special place in my heart.
Despite loving every single song, I constantly had “Angel Eyes” on repeat for weeks.
Check out NCT 127 on Instagram: @nct127
Released on: February 3rd, 2023
This year was filled with many releases from hanuel, but this EP that he released early on in 2023 stayed in my most played for the year. I love the vibes of this EP and every single song is my style of sound. “MOON” with myno is definitely my favourite song on the EP, but a close second would have to be “NOT U IM MISSING”.
Check out hanuel on Instagram: @nayahanuel
Released on: April 21st, 2023
This was one of the albums I was impatiently waiting for. Agust D also known as Suga from BTS, is one of my favourite lyricists and producers so, I knew this album would be a no-skip. Absolutely love the vibes of this album and I especially love the song “Snooze” with Ryuichi Sakamoto and Woosung from The Rose. I also really love “AMYGDALA”.
Check out Agust D on Instagram: @agustd
Released on: August 4th, 2023
This is another EP that I was very excited for as I’ve gotten the opportunity to see these songs performed live quite a bit. All of the songs except MIDNIGHT were released throughout the year and I listen to every single song almost daily.
This is one of the EP’s that I cannot choose a favourite because each song puts me in a different mood. However, I will say that “LIPSTICK” is a song that I thought about so often after I heard it live in September 2022 at the JUNNY concert in Toronto when Koven opened. Then, when it came out, that song just lives in my head rent free.
Check out Koven Wei on Instagram: @kovenwei
Released on: July 31st, 2023
GEMINI is yet another album that I was so excited about. With the release of “BUBBLY” in February, I knew this album would be one of my favourites this year. Each song is in the R&B/Dark R&B genre, but they all sound different and unique. “UNREQUITED” is definitely one of my most played songs from this EP.
I really love Ethan’s vocal style and lyricism as well. I’ve had the opportunity to see this album performed live a few times too and hearing it live is just as amazing as the DSP version.
Check out Ethan Low on Instagram: @_ethanlow
Released on: April 7th, 2023
tanny ng is an artist I discovered this year after he reached out to Behind The Beat and I am so thankful he did. tanny is one of my favourite artists I started listening to this year and this EP is one of my favourites from his discography.
The amount of times I replayed this EP is insane. I just think it’s an EP that is very versatile depending on moods, when I was sad or in my feels, I’d put it on and when I wanted to relax and be cozy, I’d put it on.
I love every single song, but my all time favourite from this EP is “wait”.
Check out tanny ng on Instagram: @tannyng
Released on: September 13th, 2023
I discovered MICO early last year and I have loved every single one of his releases since. This EP is so far my favourite collection of his releases as it’s just an EP that reflects on MICO’s stories and growth. I especially love the song “peaked”.
I got to see this EP performed live just a few days ago on the 7th in Toronto and it was such an amazing night. I loved hearing all these songs live.
Check out MICO on Instagram: @micotoronto
Released on: May 12th, 2023
My 3rd favourite EP release of this year is could you call me tonight? by melatonin boy – another artist I started listening to this year. I absolutely love this EP so much because of the vulnerability and emotions that melatonin boy portrayed throughout this EP.
Every song is so unique and different, but my favourite is “breathe”. I also got to see these songs performed live back in April and it was just amazing to be able to see how melatonin boy performed with emotions.
I also had the opportunity to interview melatonin boy about this EP so, if you would like to read more about it, read it here.
Check out melatonin boy on Instagram: @melatoninboy
Released on: September 22nd, 2023
Despite this album coming out only a few months ago, it has become my second favourite album of this year. I absolutely love every single song as each one has a different meaning and each song puts me in a different mood.
I think Townewest has such a unique sound and their lyrics are always so meaningful. I got to interview them about this album so, if you want to learn more about the meaning, read it here.
It’s very hard to choose a favourite song from this album, hence why it’s my second favourite in this list. However, my most replayed songs are; “green hills”, “ANTYHING” featuring BU-WAN, “MAKE UR MIND UP” featuring BU-WAN and Bachyard Ghost and “dear universe,”.
Check out Townewest on Instagram: @townewest1
Released on: September 22nd, 2023
Finally, the number one album of the year for me is DUAL by The Rose. I am a huge fan of The Rose and every single one of their songs always put me in a great mood.
I especially love this album because The Rose explored with different genres and elements. For example, the song “Alive” has EDM blended into the Indie-Rock genre. My most played song on the album has to be “Eclipse”.
I got to see the songs performed live and it was amazing! I even got to do a press coverage for the concert which you can read here.
Check out The Rose on Instagram: @official_therose
You can find all 15 albums mentioned in this article on our Spotify playlist below:
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