Lo Mejor De 2023. Top 50 Albums. 41 - 50

And now, when all the preparations are done and all the introductory statements are said, let's start the countdown.

BC = Bandcamp, SP = Spotify

50. Látigo Mantra "Fisura" 

BC

Grunge-tinged alt rock from a Madrid-based band is utterly melodic and effervescently energetic.

49. Hola Lis "Foravila"

BC

Elisa Bernal, half of the quiet folk duo Hibernales, writes songs that are equally sad and heartwarming, transmitting trauma and hope at the same time. Sonically it's a total opposite to the previous entry.

48. Gonzalo Fuster "Valentía, Lealtad Y Dignidad" 

BC

Also known as El Ser Humano, Gonzalo goes through personal turmoil. "Trauma and hope", vol.2

47. Antiplancton "Otros Cuerpos" 

BC

A missing link between León Benavente's "Vamos A Volvernos Locos" and Havalina's "Muerdesombra" is better than both referential albums.

46. Garrafa Nadal "Disputa" 

SP

It seems like there is some kind of indie rock belt conveyor installed in Manacor, Mallorca. Roig!, Jorra Y Gomorra, Da Souza, to name a few, came from the same location. Garrafa Nadal wear these connections on the sleeves but they've got enough personality for not to be mixed up with the better-known compatriots.

44/45. Coherence "Unilateral" 

BC

wud "Meant To Collide" 

BC

These two Catalan bands play post-hardcore in slightly different ways (wud are more inclined to melodic angularity while Coherence find their comfort in sonic textures) but the result is equally enjoying.

43. Katovit "Cosas Que Nunca Te Dije" 

BC

Lo-fi/ 90's indie rock finest - let's put it as simple as it gets.

42. Joaquín Pascual "Baladas Para Un Atraco"

BC

I've read a string of mixed reviews on this one, but for me this is undoubtedly the best effort by former Surfin' Bichos co-founder/ Mercromina frontman. The quite limited instrumentation only emphasizes the case of "less is more".

"El Accidente" is one of the best songs of the year.

41. Pandan-Lagl "Teatro Del Absurdo" 

BC

Juan Carlos and Cristina from El Relevo Aleman go synth-pop without abandoning their signature angular melodies more appropriate for Midwest emo. An unexpected but highly satisfying encounter of two rarely mixed genres.

An Introduction

31 - 40

21 - 30

11 - 20

01 - 10

Pandan-Lagl “Teatro Del Absurdo” (p)2023 Repetidor

Pandan-Lagl are José Carlos Peña, Cristina Arroyo (both of El Relevo Alemán) and multiple drum machines. The new effort wears all the hallmarks of José Carlos’ modus operandi on its sleeves, that includes angular guitars and introspective vocals typical for post-hardcore and 2nd wave emo. Additionally, it’s Codeine and Bedhead who probably influenced the slower tracks "El Tratado De Versailles" and "El Sol Se Pone En El Somme". The mixture of post-hardcore, sadcore and programmed drums sounds pretty fresh and even danceable at times ("Los Modernos"). The album as a whole sounds in line with all the previous JC Peña’s efforts (Estoikov, El Relevo Aleman, Tremolino) - and simultaneously it looks like a new chapter, or the plot twist.    

BNDCMP 

Best of 2017. Albums 41-50

Every year it becomes more complicated. It takes more time to listen to much more music and then to peel much more really great albums off of the final Top50. Fifth year in a row - I present you the list of the best albums of the year. And I bet you this list is not like any other (though it never was an intention).

50. Atras Tigre "Fainos Salir" (p)Triunvirato 
The catchy synth-driven indie pop with strong melodies and twee aroma that skips back the decades and wraps you with the vintage 60's atmospheres. Atras Tigre are one of the discoveries of this year, I have never learned of them before.
BANDCAMP

49. Sierra "A Ninguna Parte" (p)Sonido Muchacho
Sierra's pure indie rock (in the 00's meaning of the term) outdoes many of more renowned competitves within the frames of the genre. For example, you can't find such the consistent album in The Maccabees back catalogue.
BANDCAMP

48. Proyecto Solaz "Propaganda" (p)
A harsh, angry, disturbing record. To listen to it is not a pleasure, rather it's a trial. So if you want some sweet music to befriend you and embace you, you'd better pass along. But if you want some solid mass to punch you in your face - you're welcome!
BANDCAMP

47. La Iaia "Tornar A Ser U" (p)Right Here Right Now
Strangely captivating folk/indie pop album from Catalunya. The singer sounds like he's tracking the vocals for the child cartoons tunes - but it hardly could be a problem (even if you've never been much into the Tullycraft back catalogue).
OFFICIAL SITE

46. Jay "Fuimos Nosotros" (p)Matapadre
Read full review

45. Maresme "Golden Coast" (p)Foehn Records
If you need some medicine to ease the pains of longing for the new Oso Leone release (my case) or sedate yourself off of living in the cold unfriendly country (my case as well) - there is much to dig out in Foehn's roster, and the Maresme debut album could be your perfect choice.
BANDCAMP

44. Karen Koltrane "Album" (p)Foehn Records
"Album" effectively creates the mood that slowly takes you away from reality like if you dive deeper and deeper into the sea. Moreover, it has probably the best cover design of the year.
BANDCAMP

43. Autumn Comets "Realejo" (p)Records del Mundo/ La Estanquera
When I listen to Autumn Comets I always think of what if Smashing Pumpkins came another way after their resurrection. Now they might produce records like this instead of that shit what they really produce now…
SPOTIFY

42. Me And The Bees  "Menos Mal" (p)La Castanya
This album (arguably the best in Me & The Bees' career) is full of short ultra-melodic 60's Merseybeat songs with jangling guitars and bright young male/female vocals. The most optimistic album of the year that resembles The New Pornographers and - especially - The Apples In Stereo.
BANDCAMP

41. Pandan-Lagl "Pandan-Lagl" (p)Gran Tigre
The lo-fi side of El Relevo Aleman's Jose Carlos and Cristina. Recorded with the drum machine, the album delivers everything I like in El Relevo Aleman in more stripped-down and intentionally underproduced way.
BANDCAMP

31 - 40 >>>
21 - 30 >>>