10 best albums of 2023

While this is a little bit later than what we'd hope for, after listening to each record several times, here's our favorite albums of 2023.

1)    Molly Tuttle & The Golden Highway: City of Gold

While this record was released earlier this year, every song on it was a simple joy to listen to from beginning to end. With incredible song writing, vocals and instruments, City of Gold is one of the best bluegrass records in years. It shows everyone that Molly Tuttle's sophomore record proves the group is a powerful new and upcoming force in the bluegrass world.

2) Boygenius: The Record

It's no doubt that anything Phoebe Bridges does is good. However, this year, the ultimate super group of herself, Julian Baker and Lucy Dacus has paved the way yet again for her incredible artistic career. The first record of the supergroup, the talented ladies out do themselves on every track. The song writing is itself the highlight of the record, but the vocals tied into the mesmerizing music is something that will be remembered for years to come.

3) Zack Bryan: Zack Bryan

Another country record that propels its star into different territories, Zack Bryan's self titled record is an absolute joy to listen to. Much more stripped down than his usual music, this record focuses on powerful song writing and acoustic guitar playing from the country star. However, the highlight of the record are his duet songs with Kacey Musgraves.

4) Olivia Rodrigeo: Guts

America's bad girl returns with a sophomore record that's true punk pop and propels her as a great new force onto the music scene. She truly outshines many of other up coming pop stars out there today due to her incredible song writing, which is on display on this record with every tune. It's a great record to listen to from front to back.

5) Paramore: This Is Why

Over their career, Haley Williams and Company have released a great number of records. However, This is Why seems like a breakthrough the band's experienced over the past several records. It's no doubt that the band has changed, but for the good part with this new record. It's also good to see that they still can touch upon their punk new waves origins with multiple tracks with the record. This is perhaps the best Paramore record in many years.

6) Mitski: The Land is Inhospitable and so are we

This is the first year Wildfire Reviews have been introduced to the incredible sound of Mitski, and with that, her new record. The new record maybe one of her best, and it's a complete blast and joy to listen to and keeps you on edge, as all great records should do. Very much like Boygenius, the three women of Mitski proved greatly in sync with this record and it clearly shows one every track of the album.

7) The Rolling Stones: Hickory Diamonds

While it's not their greatest record ever produced, 2023's Hickory Diamonds certainly isn't the worst Rolling Stones record either. Each tune is very enjoyable from front to back, and features a load of special guests stars like Lady GaGa that make the record a bit more exceptional from their last new record release. If this is the Stone's last record, it's a good one to end their extremely full filled career.

8) Sufjan Stevens: Javilin

Another artist Wildfire Reviews was introduced to this year for the first time, Surfan Steven's 10th studio record is an incredible mixture of songwriting and acoustic guitar playing. This is a truly inspiring record from a truly inspiring individual, that focuses on Steven's amazing song writing and acoustic guitar playing on every track.

9) Jaime Wyatt: Feel Good

Country singer songwriter Jaimie Wyatt returns with her sophomore record, Feel Good. The result is an incredible mixture of songs that show cases how Jaime is one of the best up and coming female country sing song writers out of Nashville in recent days. Her song writing puts her much higher than your average country song, with powerful songs about global warming and connections to our beloved planet, Feel Good is a great country record everyone can enjoy.

10) Allison Russell-The Returner

R&B singer song writer Allison Russell returns this year with her sophomore record, The Returner. It's a powerful and emotional 10 songs that will leave you wanting more. Allison's voice is truly magical here on every song, and it's clear the artist put great effort and emotion into this record. It's clear that in only two years, Allison Russell has emerged as one of this generation's most important R&B voices in the music industry.