ATRL Moderator supaspaz Posted March 5 ATRL Moderator Posted March 5 What music truly mattered in 2023? The year began with a surprise release from the prior December still dominating for months. Then a racist country singer whom half the country doesn’t even acknowledge took over the charts with his latest blockbuster record. The top artist in the world was busy re-releasing old albums and embarking on a career retrospective tour, when she could wrest attention away from her new relationship. So here are five potential candidates: the critical favorite whose effusive reviews surpassed all others (Fountain Baby by Amaarae), the pop sensation who smashed all fears of a sophomore slump (Guts by Olivia Rodrigo), the industry darling whose long-awaited ascent was cemented at the Grammys (Jaguar II by Victoria Monét), the indie supergroup that broke through to the major league (The Record by Boygenius), and the man whose surprisingly stratospheric success this era confirmed another golden age of country crossover (Zach Bryan by Zach Bryan). Now it’s your turn to decide. Which of 2023’s biggest and best albums was your favorite? You can help choose the winner by ranking each of these 70 songs on a scale of 1-10 and then sending me your ballot by Sunday, April 14. Please listen to everything again at least once before submitting. I want honest assessments, not scores based on your memory or biases. Up to two decimal points are allowed. Feel free to include commentary if you are so moved. And no trolling or your vote will be tossed. Happy listening! Countdown Spoiler 1. "Bad Idea Right?" Olivia Rodrigo 2. "Alright" Victoria Monét 3. "Not Strong Enough" Boygenius 4. "Get Him Back!" Olivia Rodrigo 5. "Co-Star" Amaarae 6. "Overtime" Zach Bryan 7. "I Remember Everything" Zach Bryan ft. Kacey Musgraves 8. "On My Mama" Victoria Monét 9. "Love Is Embarrassing" Olivia Rodrigo 10. "All-American Bitch" Olivia Rodrigo 11. "Obsessed" Olivia Rodrigo 12. "How Does It Make You Feel" Victoria Monét 13. "True Blue" Boygenius 14. "Angels In Tibet" Amaarae 15. "Pretty Isn't Pretty" Olivia Rodrigo 16. "Sociopathic Dance Queen" Amaarae 17. "Smoke" Victoria Monét ft. Lucky Daye 18. "Ballad of a Homeschooled Girl" Olivia Rodrigo 19. "Good Bye" Victoria Monét 20. "Counterfeit" Amaarae 21. "Wasted Eyes" Amaarae 22. "Satanist" Boygenius 23. "$20" Boygenius 24. "Cadillac (A Pimp's Anthem)" Victoria Monét 25. "East Side of Sorrow" Zach Bryan 26. "So American" Olivia Rodrigo 27. "Come Home to God" Amaarae 28. "Princess Going Digital" Amaarae 29. "Fear and Friday's" Zach Bryan 30. "El Dorado" Zach Bryan 31. "Anti-Curse" Boygenius 32. "Sex, Violence, Suicide" Amaarae 33. "Reckless & Sweet" Amaarae 34. "Hollywood" Victoria Monét ft. Earth, Wind & Fire and Hazel Monét 35. "Tourniquet" Zach Bryan 36. "I'm the One" Victoria Monét 37. "Vampire" Olivia Rodrigo 38. "Stop (Askin' Me 4Shyt)" Victoria Monét 39. "Big Steppa" Amaarae 40. “Jake’s Piano – Long Island” Zach Bryan 41. "Disguise" Amaarae 42. "Ticking" Zach Bryan 43. "Smoke (Reprise)" Victoria Monét 44. "Holy Roller" Zach Bryan ft. Sierra Ferrell 45. "Oklahoman Son" Zach Bryan 46. "Cool About It" Boygenius 47. "Summertime's Close" Zach Bryan 48. "Water From Wine" Amaarae 49. "Aquamarie Luvs Ecstasy" Amaarae 50. "Hey Driver" Zach Bryan ft. The War and Treaty 51. "Party Girls" Victoria Monét ft. Buju Banton 52. "Teenage Dream" Olivia Rodrigo 53. "Emily I'm Sorry" Boygenius 54. "Making the Bed" Olivia Rodrigo 55. "Spotless" Zach Bryan ft. The Lumineers 56. "Lacy" Olivia Rodrigo 57. "Smaller Acts" Zach Bryan 58. "Stranger" Olivia Rodrigo 59. "Fear and Friday's (Poem)" Zach Bryan 60. "Girl I've Always Been" Olivia Rodrigo 61. "Letter to an Old Poet" Boygenius 62. "Leonard Cohen" Boygenius 63. "Tradesman" Zach Bryan 64. "Without You Without Them" Boygenius 65. "The Grudge" Olivia Rodrigo 66. "Logical" Olivia Rodrigo 67. "Scared of My Guitar" Olivia Rodrigo 68. "All My Love" Amaarae 69. "We're In Love" Boygenius 70. "Revolution 0" Boygenius Participants Spoiler @a_d_22 @Into The Void @Alldeezy @4Real @Quicksand @Ewan Chaos @kandicha @creativity. @MP2K @Achilles. @Reverie @greento @glitch @Ace Reject @Suilen @Born to Run 1
glitch Posted March 5 Posted March 5 I'll give this a go. I've heard Victoria, Olivia and some of Amaarae. I feel like other people are hearing something I'm not with Amaarae though, her voice just... isn't for me. Only know the odd song from the other two so this should be interesting listening
ATRL Moderator supaspaz Posted March 5 Author ATRL Moderator Posted March 5 Will be rooting for an “On My Mama” vs. “Bad Idea Right?” showdown at the end.
4th Time Around Posted March 5 Posted March 5 (edited) I did not understand the hype that BoyGenius album received back then and I still don't. I would much rather listen to any of their solo work or even the ep. Edited March 5 by 4th Time Around
Reverie Posted March 5 Posted March 5 This one I shall be participating but Boygenius will be a challenge
Ewan Chaos Posted March 5 Posted March 5 The most RANDOM collection of artists But I get it at least from an Ace payola'd perspective 3 albums will be getting great to amazing scores throughout their albums, 1 album will get mostly middling scores, 1 album will get high and LOW scores ONE popular single will definitely be getting fairly dragged by me. Spoiler Bad Idea Right is the obvious best song from Guts and an easy 10 but I don't really want her winning so maybe I'll sabotage that song sijdisohdioshdiohs
ATRL Moderator supaspaz Posted March 5 Author ATRL Moderator Posted March 5 7 minutes ago, Reverie said: This one I shall be participating but Boygenius will be a challenge “$20” is a great song!
ATRL Moderator supaspaz Posted March 5 Author ATRL Moderator Posted March 5 3 minutes ago, Ewan Chaos said: Hide contents Bad Idea Right is the obvious best song from Guts and an easy 10 but I don't really want her winning so maybe I'll sabotage that song sijdisohdioshdiohs Consider NOT doing that! The OBIRHs are real and it will need all the help it can get.
Katamari Posted March 5 Posted March 5 That time already cmon Ms Monet surprised no troye But I guess only 5
creativity. Posted March 5 Posted March 5 It’s been so long since I’ve participated in a rate. I’ll join
ATRL Moderator Ace Reject Posted March 5 ATRL Moderator Posted March 5 10 minutes ago, creativity. said: It’s been so long since I’ve participated in a rate. I’ll join Yes! My girls are back! 43 minutes ago, Katamari said: That time already cmon Ms Monet surprised no troye But I guess only 5 Troye will be in THIS WAS POP... still looking for a host for that...
worldwide angel Posted March 6 Posted March 6 is this still open? if so, i would like to participate fountain babies make some noise
Into The Void Posted March 6 Posted March 6 I've only heard Victoria and Olivia hmmmmm. I'll listen to the others
ATRL Moderator supaspaz Posted March 6 Author ATRL Moderator Posted March 6 2 hours ago, worldwide angel said: is this still open? if so, i would like to participate fountain babies make some noise Yes, just launched today! Get your ballot to me by March 31. 1
Alldeezy Posted March 6 Posted March 6 Only heard guts and probably only use 3 songs off it But might do it just to check the others out
GreatestLoveofAll Posted March 6 Posted March 6 Not sure I have the time to go over these albums (I didnt even listen to Jaguar in full and havent heard fountain baby) but congrats to all! I need "get him back!" and "I remember everything in the top five pls!
ATRL Moderator supaspaz Posted March 6 Author ATRL Moderator Posted March 6 1 hour ago, Alldeezy said: Only heard guts and probably only use 3 songs off it But might do it just to check the others out I love these rates because they’re a great opportunity to discover new music! I hope you’ll participate. 2
ATRL Moderator supaspaz Posted March 6 Author ATRL Moderator Posted March 6 1 hour ago, GreatestLoveofAll said: Not sure I have the time to go over these albums (I didnt even listen to Jaguar in full and havent heard fountain baby) but congrats to all! I need "get him back!" and "I remember everything in the top five pls! Most of these albums are relatively short. You’ve got nearly a month, but if you need more time, we can always discuss that. 1
Suilen Posted March 6 Posted March 6 I've been meaning to listen to Amaarae's album, and I guess I'm curious about what the deal with boygenius is, but Zach Bryan doesn't interest me in the slightest outside of the song with Kacey. But if these two albums are good enough, I'll push through his and do this.
kandicha Posted March 6 Posted March 6 i listen to all these albums regularly except for zach bryan (whose album i've listened to a couple of times and liked as well), so i'lll do this not a bad album in the mix!
Price of Fame Posted March 6 Posted March 6 this is a good group but how exactly were they chosen anyway fountain baby clears
ATRL Moderator supaspaz Posted March 6 Author ATRL Moderator Posted March 6 29 minutes ago, Price of Fame said: this is a good group but how exactly were they chosen I tried to give an explanation in the OP. The biggest album of the year is a nonentity outside of Ku Klux Klan hotspots and everything else on its level wasn’t even released in 2023. So what new music did matter? I tried to pick a diverse selection that reflected the cultural conversation. 1
greento Posted March 6 Posted March 6 maybe i'll do this. I've listened to Olivia's, Zach's and boygenius' all the way through already and heard a few from Victoria. Nothing from Amaarae though, but I'll probably like it. It's a nice mix of genres and everyone has an even chance really. Although, i know boygenius are gonna get dragged cuz for some reason ATRL hates them
ATRL Moderator supaspaz Posted March 7 Author ATRL Moderator Posted March 7 This really hasn’t even made it to a second page yet? Damn.
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