ATRL Moderator supaspaz Posted March 5 ATRL Moderator Share 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 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 Fountain Baby “Angels In Tibet” “Co-Star” “Counterfeit” “Sociopathic Dance Queen” Guts “All-American Bitch” “Bad Idea Right?” “Ballad of a Homeschooled Girl” “Get Him Back!” “Love Is Embarrassing” “Pretty Isn’t Pretty” “Obsessed” Jaguar II “Smoke” ft. Lucky Daye “Alright” “How Does It Make You Feel” “On My Mama” “Good Bye” The Record “True Blue” “Not Strong Enough” Zach Byran “Overtime” “I Remember Everything” ft. Kacey Musgraves 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glitch Posted March 5 Share 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATRL Moderator supaspaz Posted March 5 Author ATRL Moderator Share Posted March 5 Will be rooting for an “On My Mama” vs. “Bad Idea Right?” showdown at the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4th Time Around Posted March 5 Share 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reverie Posted March 5 Share Posted March 5 This one I shall be participating but Boygenius will be a challenge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ewan Chaos Posted March 5 Share 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATRL Moderator supaspaz Posted March 5 Author ATRL Moderator Share 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATRL Moderator supaspaz Posted March 5 Author ATRL Moderator Share 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katamari Posted March 5 Share Posted March 5 That time already cmon Ms Monet surprised no troye But I guess only 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creativity. Posted March 5 Share Posted March 5 It’s been so long since I’ve participated in a rate. I’ll join Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naval23 Posted March 5 Share Posted March 5 bad idea right? vs. get him back showdown pls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATRL Moderator Ace Reject Posted March 5 ATRL Moderator Share 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... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
worldwide angel Posted March 6 Share Posted March 6 is this still open? if so, i would like to participate fountain babies make some noise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Into The Void Posted March 6 Share Posted March 6 I've only heard Victoria and Olivia hmmmmm. I'll listen to the others Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATRL Moderator supaspaz Posted March 6 Author ATRL Moderator Share 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alldeezy Posted March 6 Share Posted March 6 Only heard guts and probably only use 3 songs off it But might do it just to check the others out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreatestLoveofAll Posted March 6 Share 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATRL Moderator supaspaz Posted March 6 Author ATRL Moderator Share 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATRL Moderator supaspaz Posted March 6 Author ATRL Moderator Share 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suilen Posted March 6 Share 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kandicha Posted March 6 Share 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Price of Fame Posted March 6 Share Posted March 6 this is a good group but how exactly were they chosen anyway fountain baby clears Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATRL Moderator supaspaz Posted March 6 Author ATRL Moderator Share 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greento Posted March 6 Share 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATRL Moderator supaspaz Posted March 7 Author ATRL Moderator Share Posted March 7 This really hasn’t even made it to a second page yet? Damn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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