As per usual, this is the time of year I crunch the numbers, analyse the statistics and cast my eyes and ears over the year’s albums, to get an overview of my favourite releases. Below you’ll find the Australian (and two NZ) albums that resonated with me the most over the last 12 months.

This week I’ll also post my main list that includes local and international albums in the world of Americana, alt-country, folk etc. Over at my other blog Doubtful Sounds you’ll also be able to peruse my favourite albums across all genres for 2023.

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1. Watty Thompson – Watty Thompson

“It’s a rare thing for an artist to arrive on the scene as fully formed and creatively realised as Victorian Watty Thompson. Most songwriters take a few albums to figure out how to craft their music into its ideal shape. Thompson has done it on his first swing. A reckoning of contemporary Australian country folk and baroque bush rock ’n’ roll… In one sense this debut album is a self help tape for a new generation of young adults grappling with love, self care, staying connected with nature and shaping one’s dreams with positivity and passion. Thompson channels nearly all of that into the 10 minute epic album closer ‘Coming Home’. This is one of the finest releases you’ll hear in 2023. An outstanding opus of passionate existentialism.”

REVIEW

2. Perry Keyes – Black & White Town

“Keyes is a poet as much as a musician and singer. His words describe vivid and moving scenes and vignettes. He doesn’t attempt to paint a rosy picture, instead he sharpens his lens, takes off the filter and zooms in.” REVIEW

3. Mark Moldre – Nambucca Fables

4. Caitlin Harnett & The Pony Boys – All Night Long

“A wider sonic palette with a greater focus on space, tone and texture, a balance of lushness and grit and Harnett’s intoxicating melancholic ache and twang combine with absolutely world class songwriting right across All Night Long.” REVIEW

5. Bud Rokesky – Outsider

“A tall, lanky, dark-haired, truck-driving, songwriting stranger. It might sound like a country music cliche but that’s a snapshot of the enigmatic and supremely talented Bud Rokesky… It’s been a while coming for this late bloomer but Outsider is a very special album.” REVIEW

6. Babitha – Brighter Side Of Blue

“Songwriter/singer/guitarist Imogen Grist stretches the form of folk music, taking it deeper into a full band, folk-rock cul-de-sac that feels decidedly metropolitan – a pastoral trip through suburban streets.” REVIEW

7. David M. Western – On, On & On

“There’s a relaxed and organic feel to all of his songs. Melodies hang and cascade over tumbling Levon Helm styled rhythms (a real feature throughout) and a kind of wonky backwoods country funk and folk rock.”

8. Nick Barker – Exoskeleton

9. D.C Cross – Wizrad

“Wizrad conjures up both the untamed Australian landscape and the contemporary suburban experience, an impressive feat for an instrumental record.” REVIEW

10. Matt Joe Gow – Between Tonight & Tomorrow

“Raw and direct, the album possesses a rich tapestry of tales, tasteful and heartfelt performances. Imbued with elemental Antipodean alt-country stylings, Gow’s world-class songs show once again he is essential listening.” REVIEW

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

• Dan Brodie – The Ballad Of Cowboy Dan
• Nathan Seeckts – Something Rare and Beautiful
• Patrick Wilson – It’ll Be Alright
• Concrete Sea – Australian Dream
• Tiny Ruins – Ceremony
• Al Carr – The Right Dereliction
• Sean McMahon – Victoria
• CJ Stranger – Coming Up For Air
• Chris Carrapetta – Nothing Left To Lose
• Ryan Martin John – Goodness Gracious Graceless
• Mark Lucas & The Dead Setters – Onward Into The Fog
• Minor Gold – Minor Gold
• Matt Malone & The Holy Spirits – For The Term Of My Natural Life
• Henry Wagons – South Of Everywhere
• Levi J Burr – Another Domino Map
• John Flanagan – Manhood Method Actor
• Phil Smith – Into The Night