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The small fonts, Tacoma, WA (2026)

02/17/2024

Early each year, I come across an amazing album from the previous year that I didn’t know about that year, and thus couldn’t include in my top albums of the year lists. I’ve decided to find good luck in these gyms and consider them as the mood-setter for the year ahead. This year’s lucky rabbit’s foot is “Grand Salon” by Dan San (Belgium, vintage folk, chamber folk, psychedelic folk). On my first listen, there just was some *je ne sais quois* about it that I couldn’t quite identify. On the second go-around, I realized that I was strongly drawn in by the main vocals. Such a creamy voice, and that light accent, what was it? I narrowed my hunch down to Belgian and Danish, then looked the band up and saw that IT’S GOT THAT BELGIAN GOOD-GOOD!! (I become very satisfied and proud of myself when I correctly guess where a band is from). But seriously y’all, Belgian music is like crack. They are operating in some highly-evolved timeline while the rest of us peons fumble through this one. Peppered with wind instruments, nods to 70s folk, and visceral vocal harmonies, the sounds by this sextet provide a tummy-fluttering experience that is tinged with the colors of warm light, honey, and wood paneling. It is so delicate and dreamy that I can’t stop hitting “play” for another shot of dopamine. I will end with some information: if an album holds my attention long enough for me to listen through it 3+ times consecutively before moving on to my next discovery, that album is DARN GOOD. Now go listen!
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01/10/2024

Finally, taking the number 1 spot in my top 10 albums of 2023 is “True Entertainment” by Dutch Uncles (UK, Math Pop, Art Pop, Art Rock). If you know me well, my pick for number 1 is no surprise. If you were at my house for a party or small gathering this year, you probably heard some of this album because I was playing it with the discreet intention of incepting Dutch Uncles love into your psyche. I waited a long 6 years for this album, and it was worth the wait. I immediately knew it would be my number 1 after the first time I listened to it. The Uncles are still going strong with their completely unique and addictive sound. They linger a bit more in the minimalist zone with this record, leaving ample space for layered synths and Duncan Wallis’s iconic vocals. I’ve said this many times before and I’ll say it again: I am completely obsessed with Duncan’s voice. There is none other like it, and I will never get enough of it. There are several prime vocal moments in the album, such as the last few “never”s in “Damascenes”; the frenetic vibrato at the end of phrases in “I’m Not Your Dad”; the intro to “Tropigala (2 to 5)” that I can only describe as absentmindedly quiet-singing to oneself; and the high energy of the chorus in “Dead Letter”. Besides the legendary vocal work, there is plenty more musical excellence to feast on: mathy undertones, guitars with a dark energy, angular melodies, clever and cryptic lyrics, and catchy beats that are plenty danceable. Just gobs and gobs of talent that will likely require multiple listens to fully absorb. So read my muppet lips, folks: this band is more than worthy of your attention and admiration. Slap on those headphones and see for yourself. And maybe help bring them to our neck of the woods so I can see them live before I die or before they retire. K thanks!

01/09/2024

Resting strong at number 2 in my top 10 albums of 2023 is “Rêve Party” by Robbing Millions (Belgium, Math Pop, Progressive Pop, Jazz Pop). For a record third time since I started making these lists, Robbing Millions has effortlessly earned a high ranking in my Top 10 albums of the year. Just like the two albums before it, this 3rd LP delivers with unapologetic force a collection of bangers that are equal in brilliance, complexity, and infectiousness. They are all formulated with so much creativity, each of them delicately laced with jazz guitar, pleasing chord progressions, and catchy choruses that manage to stay accessible to all ears without getting too technical (while also being quite technical). Lucien Fraipont, the mastermind behind this project, is easily one of the greatest songwriters of this day and age, yet he lies way below so many radars. But maybe that’s a good thing, as he’ll stay a special little secret that way. Get in on this well-kept secret and indulge in the goldmine that is Robbing Millions!

01/08/2024

Sneaking in at number 3 in my top 10 albums of 2023 is “L’idiophone” by Forever Pavot (France, French Psychedelic Pop, 60s French Pop, Soundtrack). This entire album is basically a soundtrack for some non-existant 1960s crime drama. Each track is dripping with danger around every corner. It smells of to***co, cognac, and money and contains a lot of dark back alley scenes. I believe the plot centers around a bank robbery. There are a lot of car chase scenes. There’s an element of mysticism to it as well, perhaps involving dark witchcraft and evil doings. The protagonist is a somber and serious cop with a dark past and a generous mustache. He’s too focused on his work for romance, despite the fact that the ladies throw themselves at him anytime he enters a room. He MUST take down the corrupt organization that is behind this, once and for all. In a nutshell, this album is an absolute banger, and it will transport you to this world or something similar with its brilliant musical storytelling. Put this one on and experience your own unique mind-movie!

01/06/2024

Number 4 of my top albums of 2023 is “An Inbuilt Fault” by Westerman (Greece/UK, Experimental, Contemporary, Soft Rock). I would consider this one as the dark horse of the group, as it slowly sauntered its way into my heart over a long period of time over the course of the year. Anytime I would play my growing “2023 Albums” playlist on shuffle, various tracks from this album would come on, and I would become enchanted by the gorgeous voice and provocative compositions I was hearing. Each occasion would have me looking at my phone to see who the artist was, and each time, it was Westerman. Once I finally devoted time to listen through the album in its entirety, I became hopelessly enthralled with all the visceral emotions, the shapely layers, the complex rhythms, and the sheer, vulnerable beauty contained within it. It gives major Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel energy, and I am here for it. When it comes to albums written during the pandemic, I think this is the most relatable one yet. If there’s one good thing that came from that time, it’s the art that it inspired.

01/05/2024

Sitting pretty at number 5 in my top 10 albums of 2023 is “Hagata” by TEKE::TEKE (Montreal, 60s/70s Japanese Psychedelic Rock, Experimental Rock). This band and album hold huge significance for 2023, as I had the pleasure of seeing them live a whopping three times, and they are the only band featured in my top 10 that I saw live in 2023. After experiencing them in-person, TEKE::TEKE easily secured a spot as one of my favorite bands of all time. Every performance I experienced gave me chills at some point. Hearing “Yurei Zanmai”—a song about ghosts—live for the first time in a former mortuary in Olympia sent me into another dimension. There is just so much to admire about them: the high energy, the ridiculous talent of each band member, the coordinated costuming that is 100% on-point, the interplay between the petite flautist and the very tall trombonist, and the hopelessly adorable quirk of vocalist Maya Kuroki. In their smashing sophomore album, TEKE::TEKE presents an assortment of eccentric songs about trash, lemons, “fun ghosts”, and alternate lives that was born in late-60s Japan, but exists in the future. I advise that you run, don’t walk, to your preferred music-playing method and experience this brilliant psychedelic masterpiece for yourself.

01/05/2024

Riding into number 6 of my top 10 albums of 2023 is “When Horses Would Run” by Being Dead (Austin, Frontier Rock, Surf Rock, Experimental).

This album is absolutely darling. It sounds like it’s 1962 and Oklahoma has a beach with a lot of cowboy surfers. It’s giving Spaghetti Western starring Roy Rogers and The Beach Boys. I love all of the quirky diversions that these songs take, showcasing the wide range of talents that these three bandmates possess. My favorite moment of quirk is “We Are Being Dead”, which is essentially an introduction of themselves to the audience/listener, and words cannot explain just how awkward and endearing it is. In a nutshell, this record is a hell of a lot of fun to listen to, and the songwriting is clever and effective. If you need an energetic pick-me-up this winter, be sure to include this one in your rotation.

01/04/2024

Ranked at number 7 in my top 10 albums of 2023 is “DK.01” by Das Koolies (UK, Electronic Rock, MIxed Genre).

This Super Furry Animals offshoot debut wins the prize for “Most Perfect for the ADHD Brain”. It starts off giving the impression that it’s a fairly standard electronic album, but it promptly spins off into about a dozen directions as the tracks progress. This album has everything: psychedelic grooves, snazzy synth hooks, art-poppy riffs, new wave nods, and more—all orbiting around an electronic core. During my first listen, I could not believe I was still listening to the same album as I made my way through the generous 17 tracks. Every tune manages to be different, unique, AND infectious, making for an engaging listening experience that is sure to keep you entertained from start to finish. Be sure to give it a spin.

01/03/2024

Coming in at number 8 is “Echo Palace” by Iguana Death Cult (The Netherlands, Post-punk, No-Wave, Psychedelic Punk).

This one snuck its way into my radar pretty late in the year, and it felt like a breath of fresh air as I was a bit hungry for something that had a strong hook to it. This album met that need 100%. Every song is a tasty blend of 70s psychedelic rock and synthy new-wave goodness. It sounds like a road trip through some exotic desert in a beat-up VW Bus. But then that vehicle goes off course and ends up in a small basement venue in a big city. And then it gets lost and finds itself in the 80s, partying with Devo and the like. And finally, the bus takes a U-turn and is suddenly back in the desert at sunrise, with Devo in tow. It’s a pretty wild ride, folks. Fasten your fraying seatbelts and have fun.

01/01/2024

Number 9 of my top 10 albums of 2023 is “O Monolith” by Squid (UK, Experimental Post-punk, Post-Brexit, Crankwave, Art Punk).

The sophomore album by this groundbreaking poster child of the British post-punk scene feels like a transition from teenager to adult. Whilst “Bright Green Field”, their debut, was generally quite wacky and playful, “O Monolith” takes on a more stern and serious tone. It sinks to darker waveforms and contains a sort of heaviness that wasn’t present as often in the quirk-heavy debut. The juxtaposition between the two albums forms a complete picture of the stupendously wide range that this band is capable of. It gets me very excited about how they will continue to evolve over their career. One thing remains consistent about these guys: the level of skill, range, and brilliance in their songwriting is from a highly gifted place.

12/31/2023

Finally here we are, my top 10 albums of the year! For whatever reasons, this year was a lot more challenging for me in terms of finding albums that really impressed me. I listened through just as many as previous years, but I brutally slashed a lot of them from the cut because they just didn’t invoke that “spark”. I’m not sure if that was a “me” thing or if the music just wasn’t that special. Regardless, this all led to a situation in which these top 10 albums just sort of “chose” me, rather than me choosing them. Anyway, let’s get started!

Number 10 is SPELLLING & The Mystery School by SPELLLING (Oakland, Art Pop, R&B, Neo-Soul). First of all, I adore this artist. She truly exists in her own plane, creating music that is fantastical and enchanting, yet deeply soulful. I was on the fence about including this album in the top 10 because it is comprised of reworks of songs from previous albums. However, I ultimately decided to include it because it is SUCH a solid piece of work. And it happens to be that I relate very strongly to the desire to revisit and elevate existing work as you grow and evolve. Compared to the previous versions, these tracks contain many complex layers of instrumentation that require headphones to process fully. A delicious array of synths adds a galactic element that compliments Tia Cabral’s sweet vocals and piano so beautifully well. Tia is also very gifted in the art of lyricism. “Boys at School” in particular is haunting, visceral, and painfully relatable (cw: su!cidal !deation), yet so extremely gorgeous that you just can’t turn away. Let’s face it: SPELLLING is a multi-talented powerhouse that deserves your attention. Get her in your rotation today!

12/30/2023

We have reached the final category! The same caption for the Art Rock category applies to this one: Here lies the craziest of talent, creativity, innovation, and technical skill. In the weird and unconventional work of these artists, I find most of my joy and artistic inspiration. I hope you find the same feelings. These are my top 12 Art & Experimental Pop albums of 2023:

1. Decisive Pink (NY/Russia)—Ticket to Fame
2. abracadabra (Oakland)—shapes & colors
3. Sign Libra (Latvia)—Hidden Beauty
4. Water From Your Eyes (Brooklyn)—Everyone’s Crushed
5. Genevieve Artadi (LA)—Forever Forever
6. Kate NV (Russia)—WOW
7. Son Lux (NY)—Alternate Forms
8. Liela Moss (UK)—Internal Working Model
9. Kikuo (Japan)—Kikuo Miku 7
10. Katie Gately (CA)—Fawn/Brute
11. Arthur Moon (Brooklyn)—Chaos! Chaos! Chaos! (Side B)
12. Lowly (Denmark)—Keep Up The Good Work

The small fonts

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