Crucial Tracks is growing up fast! New domain and website is live. Stop by and check it out. New issue is going out soon, so it’s a perfect time to subscribe. 🤘✌️

My official 2023 year in review for music is up on Crucial Tracks. Lots of good music to check out. Enjoy!

Adjustments have been made to my end of year album list on Album Whale, as well as the corresponding draft of next week’s Crucial Tracks issue focused on 2023. Good things happening over at Crucial Tracks – if you are a music fan, be sure to subscribe!

The second issue of Crucial Tracks just went out. This issue features the other half of the team, Chris Fritton aka The Itinerant Printer. It’s a genre spanning opus and an amazing introduction to his life with music. Check it (and subscribe to not miss a future issue!)

In case you missed, here are Apple Music and Spotify playlists for the first issue of Crucial Tracks, my newsletter focusing on the impact of music on your life.

Come read my music-focused origin story on Crucial Tracks. The first issue just posted!

(And finally) Some albums that didn’t make my 2023 favorites, but were still enjoyed… Hip Hop edition:

  • To What End by Oddisee
  • And Then You Pray for Me by Westside Gunn
  • Scaring the Hoes by JPEGMAFIA & Danny Brown
  • Sundial by Noname
  • Indiana Jones by Boldy James & RichGains

Some albums that didn’t make my 2023 favorites, but were still enjoyed… R&B Adjacent edition:

  • The Age of Pleasure by Janelle Monae
  • Red Moon in Venus by Kali Uchis
  • Falling or Flying by Jorja Smith
  • Fountain Baby by Amaarae
  • Raven by Kelela
  • Heaven by Cleo Sol
  • My Soft Machine by Arlo Parks

Some albums that didn’t make my 2023 favorites, but were still enjoyed… Hardcore/Punk edition:

  • Slogan Machine by Gumm
  • Living Proof by Drain
  • Consume Me by Big Laugh
  • Hellmode by Jeff Rosenstock
  • Walk the Wheel by Truth Cult
  • Would You Miss It? By Koyo
  • Of Days Renewed… by Magnitude

Some albums that didn’t make my 2023 favorites, but were still enjoyed… Alternative/Indie edition:

  • Pure Music by Strange Ranger
  • Infinite Spring by Superviolet
  • s/t by Liquid Mike
  • In the End It Always Does by The Japanese House
  • Lucky for You by Bully
  • Careful of Your Keepers by This is the Kit