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.

7 of 21 photo by Communicating Vessels

86The Hypnogogue by The Church

(tied at #13) Best known for 1980s hits like "Under the Milky Way," Australian alt-rock outfit The Church released their 26th (!) album in February, and it's their best release in recent memory. It may be the band's first concept album (with songs linked together by a dystopian sci-fi setting), but the sound will be familiar to longtime fans.

“That The Church remain so vigorous and vibrant is a delightful surprise indeed.” —Classic Rock Magazine

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