Hello, and welcome to YEAR 15 OF THE JESTER ONE MUSIC TOP 20 COUNTDOWN.
Sorry for shouting.
Hard to believe, isn't it? What started so small bubbled into a year-long quest for new music and sonic greatness. What began as a way to keep track of the new music I had heard throughout the year has become an ultimate chronological catalogue of musical excellence. Fifteen years! I genuinely cannot believe it myself. Especially since Pete (the man who planted the idea in my head with his year-end lists) doesn't even blog anymore! *hint hint*
In all seriousness, I thoroughly enjoy doing this, because it compels me to find more new music and in doing so, I find more music to love! There have been a few years recently where I almost called it off, but then I'll be 2 or 3 months into the next year and I'll say something like "oh my gosh, this is already my favorite song of the year!" And then everything starts whirring again.
I needed no help in 2023, as my favorite album of the year was released at the very end of 2022, and I wanted to see how everything played out with the coming year. I've also become very fond of seeing locals crack the countdown, and with that in mind let's look back on 2022's edition.
20. Halestorm - The Steeple
19. Bad Omens - Like A Villain
18. The Foxies - Overrated
17. Grumpy Plum - i don't care
16. Silent Planet - Panopticon
15. TRUSS - Drown
14. The Regrettes - Anxieties (Out of Time)
13. Judah & The Lion - scream!
12. Coheed and Cambria - The Liars Club
11. The Weeknd - Gasoline
10. Andy Mineo - Been About It (ft Lecrae)
9. Ghost - Spillways
8. Spiritbox - Sew Me Up
7. Best Foot Back - Give It A Go
6. YUNGBLUD - The Funeral
5. Silversun Pickups - Alone on a Hill
4. Truslow - Abbey Dear
3. Ronnie Martin - From the Womb of the Morning, The Dew of Your Youth Will Be Yours
2. Rammstein - Lügen
1. Forever Unknown - sad people, blue eyes
Yeah! Two locals in the top 5, 4 total including #1. Pop artists like Yungblud, The Weeknd and Ronnie Martin that I never assumed would be on the Top 20, and returning favorites like Rammstein. A pretty solid year for music, if I do say so myself. What does 2023 bring? Well, as always we start with the songs that just missed cracking the top 20. I had a lot to choose from this year!
Inhaler - Love Will Get You There
Album: Cuts and Bruises
This song had a fun journey in 2023 - initially I found it annoying, then it grew on me, and slowly as the year passed by it faded back out. The album actually ended up being really good, which I think spurned on my continual revisiting.
Nas - Pistols On Your Album Cover
Album: - Magic 2
I've always enjoyed Nas, but I don't think I ever pictured him cracking the Top 20. Rap doesn't jump up my scales much these days, but this album nailed me hard.
Slipknot - Yen
Album: The End, So Far
I had very little expectations after Slipknot released their clunkiest and (IMO) worst album yet, but The End, So Far surprised me. I've accepted that they'll never be the same band that released their first 3 albums, but I had basically said that I would be content if they called it a career on releasing new stuff. Even though they just lost another member, they still have a little creative flair left in them.
Fury In The Slaughterhouse - Better Times Will Come
Album: Hope
When I saw the name "Fury In The Slaughterhouse", I definitely did not expect an alt-rock outfit. I would not have even clicked on their name when I saw it come across my "new release" folder if that were the case. As much as I initially enjoyed this song, the album wore pretty quickly and at this point of the year they're almost a rearview thing. That's honestly why I do the Top 20 though - to not forget about songs like this!
Rome - New Flags
Album: Hegemonikon - A Journey to the End of Light
Rome legitimately releases an album every year (he released 2 in the last 11 months!) so there's always a chance he'll pop back up on here. I enjoyed this record and the one released late this year (maybe you'll see it later on the countdown...?) more than the last two albums he put out. New Flags surprised me because it was more synth-heavy than anything else, but still a very enjoyable song.
Honorable Mention: Lost Droid Records ft Kristin Gramza - Nowhere; The Blue Stones - Good Ideas; Lamb of God - Nevermore; Post Malone - Chemical; NF - Happy; 3Teeth - Merchant of the Void (ft Mick Gordon); The Anix - See Nothing; Don Drapery - The Best We Can; Grumpy Plum - but if im happy; A Tiger Made of Lightning - Tonight, We Come To Life
