11. Somebody’s Child by Somebody’s Child
Not the typical Twangville fare but I can’t get enough of the infectious and electrifying rock anthems from the debut album by Somebody’s Child, the Ireland/UK group founded and led by Cian Godfrey. (More coverage)
10. End of the World by Wild Child
End of the World is an album of relationships challenged and broken, delivered in a musical package that is melodic, soulful, and intoxicating. (More coverage)
9. Tears You Hide by Jeremie Albino
Tears You Hide oozes confidence in all the right ways, with songs that hearken back to the classic early days of rock and roll but that have a decidedly contemporary sound. (More coverage)
7. That Grand, Old Feeling by William Matheny
A great record of Petty-esque rock and roll courtesy of new-to-me 2023 artist William Matheny. Solid songs and plenty of tasty electric guitar. (More coverage)
8. The Returner by Allison Russell
Russell’s artistic vision and focus on craft is awe-inspiring. Her songs are rich with social commentary and meaning, set against an eclectic, harmony-enriched backdrop. The results are moving for both the mind and the soul. (More coverage)
6. Should’ve Learned By Now by Lucero
Lucero return to their roots with a loud and abrasive rock and roll record. As song titles like “One Last F.U.” and “Nothing’s Alright” suggest, this isn’t an album of happy love songs. But that’s alright – it’s exactly the type of impassioned music that makes the Memphis rockers so beloved. (More coverage)
5. Stand in the Joy by William Prince
Prince continues to command attention with the richness of both his songs and his voice. Stand in the Joy is notable for its warmth and beauty. (More coverage)
4. Sweet Anhedonia by Ben de la Cour
Despite – or perhaps reflective of the title, there’s a quiet beauty to Sweet Anhedonia. De la Cour’s songs are dark but thoughtful, brought to life with textured arrangements that amplify the gravity of his lyrics. Among the lyrical gems: “Just another left foot walking through a right shoe world”. (More coverage)
3. Loser on the Ropes by Brian Dunne
Dunne deliver a potent blend of pop and rock with songs that package together thoughtful lyrics with music that is heavy on melancholy and charm. (More coverage)
2. Boomerang Town by Jaimee Harris
It’s hard to believe that this is only Harris’s second album. Boomerang Town is filled with moving folk songs brought to life with pop arrangements, all of which showcase the maturity of Harris’s talent as both a songwriter and performance is captivating. (More coverage)
1. Nothing’s Gonna Stand in My Way Again by Lydia Loveless
The title alone tells you what lies ahead – a rock album that is uncompromising in its musical and lyrical intensity. One of the finest – so far – of Loveless’ career. (More coverage)
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.