Chicago Albums of the Year 2023
It’s a buzzer-beater, but we made it! As is tradition, Chicago’s abundance of talent made it extremely daunting to narrow our Chicago Albums of the Year list down to just 25 projects. And yet, we felt that the city was notably underrepresented in national end-of-year discussions, underscoring the responsibility we felt to capture the vital work that was released by artists in and from the city. While the list can’t be universally perfect by default, it is a substantial sample of our staff’s favorite releases and the Chicago music scenes we were able to experience. Dive in, listen to the records, and tell us what you think we missed.
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I NOW KNOW.
Ausar
In I NOW KNOW., Ausar connects the dots between life's lessons and a deep appreciation for the journey towards self-discovery, best exemplified by the opening lines of the final track: "I've come so far, but still I've got a way to go." Throughout the album, the South Side rapper delves into the nuances of maturation, the relationships sacrificed in pursuit of his goals, the importance of community, and fulfilling his dreams. Ausar not only conceptualized a compelling narrative but executed it with finesse, thanks to his community of artist friends and the sharp storytelling skills that he's been honing over the years.
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Duffle Bag Girl
Cece BKE
Bold, witty, and charged with electric energy, Cece BKE’s Duffle Bag Girl is an eight-track project blending modern-day drill and party anthems. Featuring hits like “Ehn Ehn,” “Let Me Bang” and “Trick,” Duffle Bag Girl established Cece as one of our favorite new rappers in a year when Chicago women took over street rap.
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Hotel 1105
D2x
D2x continues to pour layers of optimism and hope that have become synonymous with his lyricism on his sophomore album, Hotel 1105. The Chicago native’s self-released 10-track project further builds on his Dilla-esque looped soul sample choice of production with every lyric coming directly from the light that’s illuminated the deepest and darkest holes the 26-year-old emcee has had to navigate through on his life journey. Full of self-reflection and a sheer sense of determination that shreds off every word he speaks like tenderized meat falling from the bone of perfectly smoked ribs, stories of childhood trauma, estranged family relationships, and moments of clarity all simmer into a deeply personal project that still feels relatable to any underdog who knows their earned moment of glory is soon to come.
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The Golem of Brooklyn Original Soundtrack / It's Always A Time Like This
Defcee & Messiah Musik / CRASHprez
As the official soundtrack to —and inspired by—Adam Mansbach’s The Golem of Brooklyn novel, Defcee’s record saw him dissect and grapple with the nuances of Jewish-American culture with his methodological penmanship and detailed storytelling over Messiah Musik’s production. Earlier in the year, he teamed up with CRASHprez as defprez once again and continued their streak of exceptional lyricism, solidifying the duo as artists who seamlessly navigate profound cultural narratives and personal enlightenment.
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Princess Forever
Dreamer Isioma
Dreamer Isioma continues his Afrofuturism journey with the equal parts funky and trippy, Princess Forever. Mostly produced by Frankie Scoca and Saint Lewis, this album propels R&B and afrobeats traditions into a futuristic realm of pop as Dreamer traverses love’s multi-terrain landscape.
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Free Samples Vol. 1 & 2
femdot.
After a relatively quiet 2022, femdot. roared back with two projects: Free Samples Vol. 1 & Vol 2. From vivid storytelling (“NCAA Rules”) to hype anthems (“Bobby Portis”) to the infectious vibes of "Missy Elliott" and "Pelle Pelle," Fem offers a captivating snapshot of Chicago through his pencil-written scriptures.
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YOUR PAIN IS MINE
Gold Haze
In YOUR PAIN IS MINE, Gold Haze sheds the beatmaker label to embrace his identity as a fully-formed, artist, producer, and rapper. Bringing to life an ambitious vision over soulful samples and immersive soundscapes, Gold Haze not only navigates but excels in his role, extracting the best from himself and his collaborators to crafting a compelling narrative around perseverance and working towards your dreams.
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CASI ANGELES <3
Heartgaze
Glitchy, vulnerable, and extremely of the moment, Heartgaze’s CASI ANGELES <3 is an exciting excursion into the world of the Argentinian-raised, Chicago-based musician. The dynamic and textured production features neck-breaking breakbeats, spaced-out synths, distorted bass, acoustic guitars, and high-pitched vocals that collectively create the musical bedrock for Heartgaze to belt his heart out in Spanish.
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BRANCHED OUT!
Heavy Crownz
Through a West Coast bounce and lush sound, Heavy Crown takes us on a unique tour of Englewood, offering a novel perspective on his neighborhood. With a voice cloaked in a subtle haze over light and breezy beats (provided by Kid Breeze himself), there's an inherent coolness to Heavy's rhymes. Though he never shies away from the challenges his neighborhood faces, his message consistently revolves around aspirational raps, focusing on the betterment of self and community.
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Bittersweet EP
J.Y.N.
A moody and blistering listening experience, J.Y.N.’s Bittersweet EP offers 17 minutes of rock deconstructing and trying to make sense of a tumultuous relationship. The melancholic tone in J.Y.N.‘s voice, coupled with swirling guitar riffs and strums, creates a mesmerizing sense of daze as the narrative unfolds. It’s rare to find a project from any artist that’s J.Y.N.’s age that sounds as full and authentic, yet Bittersweet achieves it and delivers with genuine emotion.
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Water Made Us
Jamila Woods
Jamila Woods' Water Made Us presents a sweet allegory between love and water, drawing parallels between their fluid and shape-shifting nature. The songwriting here delves even further inward than any of her previous work, revealing a heightened level of introspection and vulnerability within warm neo-soul, R&B, and pop melodies, alongside her voice's enduring charm. Exploring the intricacies of her relationships, the album strikes a balance between the good, the bad, and the ugly, inviting listeners into a shared space of intimacy, comfort, and genuine human experiences.
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HEAVY
Jean Deaux
Known for her cinematic vision, Jean Deaux's HEAVY is an EP that unfolds like a blockbuster action movie, complete with high-speed chases, suave sophistication, and Jean confidently asserting herself against her adversaries. Clocking in at just under 20 minutes, HEAVY is a mesmerizing mix of rap, alternative, and R&B, delivering a tightly-packed sonic experience that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
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Why Does The Earth Give Us People To Love?
Kara Jackson
In her debut album, Kara Jackson delivers a striking and fully realized body of work that seamlessly blends introspection and raw emotion. The profoundly personal folk songs provide an intimate window into Jackson's world, where her songwriting compels listeners to confront uncomfortable truths and typically hushed confessions. The sparse album feels whole through her voice and sweltering live instruments. Why Does The Earth Give Us People To Love? stands as a poignant tribute to a departed friend of Kara, delving into the profound theme that love can evoke grief while also help endure it with remarkable resilience.
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It Was Fun While It Lasted / UNITL HIS BURIAL
Kayo
On the heels of becoming a Chicago Artist to Watch in 2023, Kayo released not one but two great rap projects. It Was Fun While It Lasted & UNITL HIS BURIAL both spotlight his aspirational and personal rap style, unified by his characteristic wit, sharp pen, and undeniable swagger.
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SOUTHEND LEGEND
KingTrey
Wasting no time claiming his stake as a SOUTHEND LEGEND in his debut album, KingTrey impressed us with robust rapping skills that coupled with a cohesive theme rooted in his neighborhood showcase a distinctive musical identity. Noteworthy collaborations with artists like Mick Jenkins, Black Svm, and femdot. elevate the project, establishing the ambitious rap echelon KingTrey envisions for himself.
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Beloved! Paradise! Jazz?
McKinley Dixon
Beloved! Paradise! Jazz? is a concise and exquisite jazz-rap record from the Chicago-based artist McKinley Dixon. The vibrant live instrumentation breathes life into the 28-minute album —seamlessly complementing the inventive and poetic songwriting influenced by the works of Toni Morrison—making the overall sound expansive and rich in texture. The album skillfully weaves together personal history and community ties to dissect the present moment we’re living McKinley’s aspirations for the future.
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The Patience
Mick Jenkins
Emerging from the constraints of a frustrating label situation, Mick celebrated his emancipation with an acerbic record where his sharp lyricism shines over a backdrop of jazzy production. Across ten tracks stacked with double entendres and vivid imagery, every bar carries weight and his voice resonates with newfound clarity and determination. Mick’s delivery packs a punch, pummeling rivals with the same intensity of the drums, establishing him as one of the foremost culture commentators. Mick's ability to navigate a song with purpose is unmatched, and his prowess is sharper than ever on this release. Enlisting fellow all-star spitters Freddie Gibbs, Benny The Butcher, JID, & Vic Mensa, The Patience showcases his mastery of lyrical craftsmanship and the bar we should all set for rappers.
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Sundial
Noname
Noname's long-awaited new album experienced a series of conceptual shifts over the five years since her last record, with moments of contemplation about not releasing it at all. However, when Sundial finally arrived, it not only reaffirmed her standing as one of the most crucial voices in music but also emphasized her undeniable connection to Chicago. In this release, Noname skillfully wields incisive prose to address topics that many actively avoid, but doing so with the warmth and tact reminiscent of conversing with a close friend. Whether she's addressing Jay Z, Rihanna, or turning the spotlight inward, Noname's candidness is infused with empathy, a relentless pursuit of knowledge, and a commitment to self-accountability. It might leave some taken aback, but Sundial is perfectly tailored to the unflinching spirit of Chicagoans.
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The Window
Ratboys
The Window is an epic-sounding indie rock album by Ratboys, a Chicago group with over a decade in the music scene, marking a significant statement in their discography. Produced by Chris Walla (of Death Cab for Cutie fame), this collaboration serves as a watershed moment for the quartet, pushing the boundaries of their sonic explorations.
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Resavoir
Resavoir
Resavoir is the brainchild of esteemed producer and composer Will Miller, and its eponymous record swells and floats through a mix of soul-jazz, ambient music, and the sound of 2010s indie Chicago hip-hop —which he once helped shape. This is Will at his most freeing, collaborating seamlessly with some of the best musicians in Chicago to create a contemplative and tranquil musical experience.
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CLUSTERFUNK
Ric Wilson
Released at the top of the year, this funky and vibrant record—produced by A-Trak and Chromeo—is extremely versatile and boasts a delightful sense of fun even as it tackles serious topics. Its biggest success lies in approaching these subjects thoughtfully, avoiding an overly didactic tone. Ric has already proven he can glide and slide over dance records, but he further showcases his skills here.
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Diagnosis
Sen Morimoto
Sen Morimoto, a pioneering force in Chicago's music scene, reemerged this year with Diagnosis, a record that seeks to reconcile the relationship between pure artistic expression and the gutwrenching feeling when music caters to exploitative systems. Through a prism of genres, instruments, and personal stories, Diagnosis is a cathartic outlet pushing back against the interplay between commercial demands and artistic integrity.
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MOODY UMBRA
Shawnee Dez
Ethereal and mesmerizing, Shawnee Dez's MOODY UMBRA immerses listeners in a blend of alternative R&B that serves as a catalyst for introspection and enlightenment. Each ballad within the album carries a weightiness that lingers, providing a canvas for Shawnee's voice to swell and ebb, skillfully guiding the listener toward its intended emotional destination. Experiencing this record in a live setting amplified its evocative nature, underscoring the meticulous production that brings the album’s title to life.
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Yard
Slow Pulp
Slow Pulp’s Emily Massey first started writing the demos for what would become their second album, Yard, secluded in a Wisconsin cabin. This solitary retreat became a fertile ground for her creative exploration, leading to an intimate vibrancy that permeates the entire album through rock that’s a little bit dreamy, a little bit punk, and a little bit Americana. All in pursuit of self-acceptance.
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A.G.N.B
SONNY
SONNY usually functions between two distinct modes —the nonchalant flow and the set-the-world-ablaze energy; both always make him sound like the coolest person in the room. His latest release, A.G.N.B, serves as a testament to the emcee’s adept ability to seamlessly balance these two styles, highlighting his innate versatility and magnetic presence.
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Our 100 Favorite Chicago Songs of 2023
Coming Soon