Pensamiento Aleatorio: December 2023

This time only 4 years between posts... it's getting better! This year I didn't listen to as much new music as I normally do. The kids getting control of the music while driving, podcasts (although a lot of them are music related!) and an album of the week group that got me listening to all sorts of interesting, but old music.

Having said that, I did enjoy some new music this year and I am sharing my top 5 albums this year. I was lucky enough to see 2 of these artists live this year with another one from the list coming early in 2024.

boygenius - the record

First full length release after their 2018 EP from the group formed by Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus. Really good album from begining to end, but for me they are strongest when they meld their music styles together on songs like Not Strong Enough and Cool About It. Lucky enough to have seen them live. I hope they continue releasing music as a group alongside their solo projects

the record on Spotify

Mitski - The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We

If you have been following Mitski since the early days, you might not have expected an album like this one. Sonically speaking it is as far away from the noisy guitar and angst music from her early material, but no less engaging. I have been lucky enough to have seen her twice live during her last 2 tours. Can't wait for next year's gig.

The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We on Spotify

Peter Gabriel - i/o

First album of original material in 22 years. Released a track a month during the whole year and when we finally got the album, three different mixes to enjoy. Best one for me is the In-side mix when listening on headphones and Dark-side mix anywhere else. Well worth the wait. Lucky enough to have seen him during the i/o tour. His voice stills sounds as amazing as always after all this years!

i/o on Spotify

In-side mix (Atmos) available in Apple Music or Amazon

Sufjan Stevens - Javelin

I jumped on the Sufjan Stevens bandwagon late. This is a well produced album full of raw emotions. I don't know much about Sufjan's music, but this album is worth diving into, and I am hoping I can spend more time with his music in 2024.

Javelin on Spotify

Steven Wilson - The Harmony Codex

The latest album from the Porcupine Tree frontman, but this is nothing like PT. Genre spanning album with touches of electronica, jazz, pop and even som prog rock, this is very difficult to describe but worth an in depth listen.