The 20 Best Albums of 2023 So Far

by Jason Dietz, Metacritic Features Editor – July 6, 2023

Which albums impressed critics during the first half of the year? In the gallery on this page we rank the highest-scoring LPs released between January 1, 2023 and June 30, 2023. Albums are ranked by their Metascores as of July 3, 2023 and must have at least 7 reviews from professional critics to be eligible. Resissues, EPs, live albums, and compilations are excluded.

11 of 21 photo by Captured Tracks

87 Everything Harmony by The Lemon Twigs

(#10) Everything is the self-produced fourth studio LP from the New York indie-rock duo of brothers Michael and Brian D'Addario. It may be a clear homage to Pet Sounds-era Beach Boys (and other bands of the late 1960s and '70s), but critics praised the pair's timeless songwriting.

“Their enthusiasm truly does show. And with tracks as catchy as these, it's pretty clear that the brothers have done their homework through the years and then some.” —No Ripcord

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