Council Meeting Memo #073 — Will Stubbs’ Top 10 for 2023

Will Stubbs’ Banging Beauties of 2023

Lisa O’Neill: Old Note (Rough Trade)
The cello drones, feathered friends take flight and Ireland’s Fairy Queen of modern folk claims her throne. Just perfect.

Barry Can’t Swim: Sunsleeper (Ninja Tune)
I rarely go clubbing, but if I did I’d insist this was played on repeat. Unstoppable piano banger.

Jonas Brothers: Vacation Eyes (Republic)
A very good year for pop. Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor and Harry bawled in stadiums, but this snuck in unannounced from the bros Jonas. Slinky and summery.

Bon Entendeur feat. Emma Peters: Le coup d’soleil (Warner Chappell Music France)
Reminds me of sandy French beaches and my wife singing loudly in the car. Joyous things.

Boygenius: Cool About It (Interscope)
All-girl hipster supergroup? Ugh, right? Actually, rather brilliant. And a lovely nod to Simon & Garfunkel’s The Boxer.

Everything But The Girl: Caution to the Wind (Buzzin’ Fly Records)
Ben and Tracey returned to slay us with their haunting grooves and make one of the albums of the year. Stellar.

David Brewis: Surface Noise (Daylight Saving Records)
Imagine Nick Drake singing Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks. Yes, it’s that good.

Margaret Glaspy: Act Natural (ATO Records)
I adore this track, which couldn’t get more early 90s if Winona skateboarded through in a lumberjack shirt stuffed with stolen goods.

Bleachers: Modern Girl (Dirty Hit)
Not content with being a mega producer to EVERYONE, Jack Antonoff dropped this sax stormer that would make Huey Lewis smile from ear to ear.

Beirut: Hadsel (Pompeii)
Released just in time for the season of chilly damp darkness, this is choral music for atheists. Glorious.

Will is a writer who loves surfing, acting and a good portal story.
Will’s Spotify playlist.