With 2023 just beginning we are buzzing for all the new music releases it brings with it. It’s also time to celebrate all the albums with big birthdays this year whether they are turning 5, 10, 15 or 20 years old! Here is our list of iconic albums we adore years later and why they are still (and perhaps always will be) in our rotation.
Random Access Memories – Daft Punk
With the announcement that Daft Punk were putting away their keyboards and robot heads for good back in 2021 many fans of the French House pioneers were distraught. This iconic duo brought us dance tune after dance tune and their four studio albums will influence electronic music for decades to come. Their last and most daring album, Random Access Memories, turns 10 later this year. The album was released on 20th May 2013 and featured impeccable guest such as Panda Bear, Julian Casablanca, Nile Rodgers and of course Pharrell Williams – it’s no wonder it was such a huge success with critics and fans alike. Random Access Memories sat at number one on the UK Album Charts for two weeks and also won Album of the Year at the 2014 Grammys. The flawless ‘Get Lucky’ will forever be in our hearts and our playlists.
Pure Heroine – Lorde
The New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde redefined pop music with her debut album Pure Heroine ten years ago in 2013. The album, whose birthday is on the 27th September, features luscious double-tracked vocals with deep dark bass set to electronic drum beats. It is regarded as one of the best albums of the 2010s by critics and has fans in artists such as Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, Dave Grohl and the late David Bowie as well as influencing the music of Conan Gray and Olivia Rodrigo. Chart-topper ‘Royals’ had a hold on all of us in our teen years and it continues has a hold on us now. “We don’t care/ We aren’t caught up in your love affair!”
Paramore – Paramore
With Paramore scheduled to return with their sixth studio album This is Why on 10th February 2023 it seems fitting that their eponymous 4th album should be turning 10 years old on the 9th April this year. The album was a huge success for the band being ranked as among the best of the year as well as of the decade. ‘Ain’t It Fun’ also won the group a Grammy for Best Rock Song. Paramore featured the pop punk singles ‘Now’, ‘Ain’t It Fun’, ‘Still Into You’, and ‘Daydream’ that still have us jumping up and down in our bedrooms as they did back in 2013.
Vaudeville Villian – Viktor Vaughn – 16th September 2003 – Turning 30 This Year
The late great MF Doom, Daniel Dumile, had a lot of aliases he released music under, one of them being Viktor Vaughn. Although he only released two albums under Viktor Vaughn Vaudeville Villain is certainly one of his finest. Released on the 16th September 2003 the album, which turns 20 this year, is a masterclass on how to make interesting, fun and off the wall hip-hop. Viktor’s flow is smoothly transfixing and the production on the album is perfect with great samples that create a dark and intriguing sound. Whilst Doom may be gone his music still has a magical effect on his listeners.
Be The Cowboy – Mitski
Japanese American singer-songwriter Mitski Miyawaki solidified herself as the coolest girl in indie rock with her fifth studio album Be the Cowboy released on the 17th August 2018. This year we celebrate its 5th birthday. The album was universally acclaimed by critics and was Mitski’s first album to feature on the Billboard 200 and charted in the UK, Canada, and Ireland as well as the US. Combining joyful pop with brooding lyrics about feeling unloved and damaged Mitski’s music speaks to young women globally. The tracks ‘Washing Machine Heart’, ‘Nobody’, and ‘Me and My Husband’ exploded on TikTok and encapsulates the female angst as Fiona Apple’s music did for women in the 90s.
Dirty Computer – Janelle Monáe
The multitalented queen of the androids Janelle Monáe’s album Dirty Computer will turn 5 on 27th April this year marking 5 years since we were last blessed with her music. The album features several familiar artists such as The Beach Boy’s Brian Wilson, Zöe Kravitz, Grimes, Pharrell Williams, and most notably Prince who collaborated on the whole album before his death in 2016. As ‘Make Me Feel’ is the ultimate pop anthem and ‘Pynk’ is a sweet sexy number we can’t stop playing – there’s no doubt that the album holds up. Whilst Janelle has been busy with her acting career starring in the Knives Out sequel Glass Onion, horror film Antebellum, and the live action/CGI remake of Disney’s Lady and the Tramp we hope that she finds time to make more funky music soon!
Isolation – Kali Uchis
Isolation by R&B star Kali Uchis is another album turning 5 this year. The album, which came out on the 6thApril 2018, features a bundle of talented artists such as Bia, Steve Lacy, Jorja Smith, Reykon, Gorillaz, Tyler, The Creator, and Bootsy Collins resulting in fun, cool, playful, laidback tracks that demands attention. Since its released Isolation has been certified as gold in the US having sold more than 500,000. This timeless R&B album continues to bring joy to our lives and playlists. ‘Dead to Me’ and ‘After the Storm’ in particular bring the vibes we just love.
Wolf – Tyler, The Creator
Speaking of Tyler his second studio album Wolf turns ten in 2023. The ground-breaking alternative rapper turned heads with Wolf, released on the 2nd April 2013, which combined the witty lyrics on tracks like ‘Domo23’ with blunt honesty demonstrated on ‘Lone’ and ‘Answer’ where on the latter he expresses the desire to talk to his estranged father. The album features stars such as Frank Ocean, Pharrell Williams, Domo Genesis, Earl Sweatshirt, and legendary R&B singer Erykah Badu. With so much variety on one record Wolf still holds up as one of the best rap albums of the 2010s.
Frank – Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse will always be one of Britain’s biggest icons. Her death in 2011 crushed the nation but her fiery spirit lives on through her hugely influential soulful music, bold style, and selfless charity work. Nearly 20 years ago, on the 20th October 2003, gained attention with her jazzy debut album Frank. Smooth, seductive, and just oozing charism and charm Amy secured herself as the artist to watch for the noughties and stole our hearts. We still love sticking this album on and chilling out with Amy as she croons sultry ballads about the woos of her love life.
Oracular Spectacular – MGMT
MGMT supplied us with the perfect bangers for our house parties, seshes, and club nights when they flooded on to the indie scene with their debut album Oracular Spectacular back in 2008. The American duo released the album on the 22nd January with positive reviews from critics and the catchy yet melancholic tune ‘Time to Pretend’ won the group an NME award in 2009. Whilst ‘Kids’, ‘Time to Pretend’, and ‘Electric Feel’ are instantly recognisable bops those who aren’t familiar with the rest of the album should absolutely check it out for some funky psychedelic tracks that still sound fresh 15 years later.
Words By Molly Sutherland
Header Image : @whoismgmt Instagram
