A strong year for some good albums was eclipsed by a Chinese/Icelandic modern jazz singer called Laufey Lín Jónsdóttir, Laufey to us. The Best Album of 2023 is in 24-bit, 48kHz Hi-Res on Qobuz and is titled Bewitched. Nothing like Bjork, but just as talented, this album just hit the nail on the head on its release in September and it was captivating to the ear.  Coinciding with the thirty thousand pounds Hylixa Signature loudspeakers here at HF&MS and the Musical Fidelity Nuvista power amplification, the detail and production in this album are captivating, bewitching, no less.  Notable tracks include Dreamer, Second Best and California and Me….. and From The Start and Promise….

Bewitched by Laufey

The album was given a strong run for its money notably in the last week by the mesmerising new release Songs of Silence by Erasure’s Vince Clarke. A product of lockdown, this album is just music to get lost in and again, it is beautifully produced.

Songs of Silence by Vince Clarke

Other notable albums this year definitely include Philip Selway’s Strange Dance not to mention The Smile’s A Light for Attracting Attention, both products of Radiohead side projects.

A Light for Attracting Attention by The Smile

Strange Dance by Philip Selway

I would have given the Mercury Music Prize this year to Loyle Carner for his album Hugo, released last year.  His Glastonbury set this year was pure class and very poignant and moving.

Other notable albums this year included those from, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and the Easy Star All-Stars reimaging of the Bowie classic Ziggy Stardust, just genius.  I guess it has to be said that ‘subract’ was a fairly decent end to Ed Sheeran’s mathematics project, you can’t fault the guy, brilliant.

The Ballad of Darren by Blur

Ed Sheeran’s ‘subtract’

Ziggy Stardub, by the Easy Star All-Stars

Council Skies, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds