2023 – Underground Bee

1. Lankum, False Lankum

This Dublin band channels old Irish folk music through drones and other alien elements, giving it an unusual power and intensity. I was so enchanted by this album that I haven’t had much time to familiarize myself with Lankum’s three earlier records, so I have some catching up to do. But in a strong year with many noteworthy records, this was the one that cast a spell on me more than any other. https://lankum.bandcamp.com/album/false-lankum

2. Brennen Leigh, Ain’t Through Honky Tonkin’ Yet

There’s a sparkling wit and spirit in Leigh’s old-fashioned country songs, which are all pretty darn catchy. https://brennenleigh.bandcamp.com/album/aint-through-honky-tonkin-yet

3. PJ Harvey, I Inside the Old Year Dying

Quiet, atmospheric songs with beautiful but sometimes inscrutable lyrics (sometimes using the Dorset dialect). No one else but PJ Harvey could make this music. https://pjharvey.bandcamp.com/album/i-inside-the-old-year-dying

4. Robbie Fulks, Bluegrass Vacation

As the title indicates, Fulks leans toward the bluegrass end of the folk-country spectrum on this album, but really, it’s just another sterling collection of his terrific songwriting. https://robbiefulks.bandcamp.com/album/bluegrass-vacation

5. Asher Gamedze, Turbulence and Pulse

Like most of the jazz I’ve enjoyed lately, this album is strongly rooted in African culture, opening with a fascinating little lecture on time signatures and then vividly demonstrating the power of those rhythms. https://intlanthem.bandcamp.com/album/turbulence-and-pulse

6. Wednesday, Rat Saw God

This record is bracing, with explosive energy, but more than anything, it’s the lyrics by singer Karly Hartzman that stick in my mind. She’s one of the great rock poets of this moment. https://wednesdayband.bandcamp.com/album/rat-saw-god

7. Sparklehorse, Bird Machine

It’s something of a miracle that this album exists. Mark Linkous left behind these recordings when he died in 2010, but it took meticulous effort to piece them together and complete them; the result sounds like an honest-to-goodness true Sparklehorse album, which is a wonderful thing to have in the world. https://sparklehorse.bandcamp.com/album/bird-machine

8. Natural Information Society Community Ensemble,
Since Time Is Gravity

Joshua Abrams’ group has been one of my favorite Chicago musical outfits for the past decade, and this record ranks among its best work. The addition of tenor saxophone Ari Brown steers the music slightly closer to traditional jazz, but it remains focused on endlessly circling patterns and meditative drones. https://eremiterecords.bandcamp.com/album/since-time-is-gravity

9. Arvo Pärt, Tractus

The Estonian composer announced he was retiring in 2021, so this album doesn’t feature new compositions, but it does have new arrangements of some old pieces. It’s a beautiful collection of his serene and soulful music, performed by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, and Tõnu Kaljuste. https://ecmrecords.com/product/arvo-part-tractus-estonian-philharmonic-chamber-choir-tallinn-chamber-orchestra-tonu-kaljuste/

10. Mike Reed, The Separatist Party

This drummer (and jazz club owner) is a driving force in the Chicago music scene, so it isn’t surprising that his album feels like a collaborative sample of the city’s creativity, stirring together elements like Marvin Tate’s spoken word and Bitchin Bajas’ groovy grooves. It all feels so alive. https://astralseparatistparty.bandcamp.com/album/the-separatist-party