First Drafts: 2438 Miles

First Drafts is a sorta-new series I'm starting where I post the first draft of a premise and see if it sticks. Thank you for reading these rough drafts. Any and all notes are welcome.

~~~

Like JPEGMAFIA once sang, “Jesus forgive me, I’m a thot.”

I don’t yearn for companionship often, but I do love attention. It’s the only reason I still use dating apps. I log on bi-weekly or when I’m in a new part of town and await a lover of bears or black men to strike up a conversation - or more realistically they “woof” or “flame” me. It’s amazing to realize queer men are keeping the legacy of the “Facebook poke” alive.

~~~

The breeze jostles the flowers decorating a small garden in a northern California backyard balancing out the blazing sun and allowing for a pleasant day to relax, away from the stress of renovating the kitchen. The hammock swaddles Nathan as his husband paces inside and consults on the phone with a contractor about a missing part. His white skin reflects the sun as he plays with his slight but evident bulging belly. Being an aging twink never occurred to him until now. He had no one else to compare himself to, his husband always joking that they looked like the number 10 side by side. However, since moving coast to coast, they were more like the number 100, having recently added a second bear to their relationship. Javier started out as a friendly tour guide, but Nathan and Pete’s open relationship was all but too inviting. Investing in a king size bed was wise for sleepovers.

Using his phone to block the sun, Nathan checks to see if Javier responded yet. Nothing. It’s not surprising, he thinks, Javier’s a horrible texter. Bored, he opens Scruff; the same boring grid of San Fran gays stare back at him. Yearning for something different, he taps on his saved favorites. Then he sees a familiar profile, the green circle in the lower right hand corner. He taps it and sends a “woof.” As he waits the three hour time difference, Nathan reminisces.

It was a regular Saturday night. He was out running an errand when Pete texted him, “Come home, I have a surprise for you.” Like a Sim, Nathan canceled every other command and returned to his husband immediately. The house was quiet, only the kitchen light turned on. Their special bourbon for guests sat on the kitchen island. He peeked through the kitchen window into the backyard and saw Pete talking with a black man somewhere between their builds. The profile seemed so familiar, but it wasn’t until he turned his head to laugh that Nathan recognized him as Terry: the handsome neighbor he had been flirting with the last six months but was too timid to invite over. Simultaneously, he grew excited at his husband taking charge and the opportunity to finally enjoy a man of his dreams.

Spying Nathan through the window, Pete winked at him and motioned his head toward the bedroom. Ever responsive, Nathan ran upstairs and prepared himself. Within minutes, he was joined by his husband and Terry. They stripped and their bodies merged together, each husband eager to be fucked by their guest. It became clear to Nathan that Terry was mostly there for him, especially as they passionately grinded against each other and came together. His partner hid his disposition well by offering to get the towel. Months later, the two of them sold the house in Baltimore to pursue a job opportunity for Pete.

“Hey handsome,” Terry responds. “Long time.” 

Nathan smiles. “I know. You look bigger.”

“The pandemic treated my frame well. I’m a proper bear now.”

“Good. I love being mauled.”

Terry laughs. “I bet you do. Tryna add me to your collection.”

“I’m sure you’ll be the one in charge.” The two continue to flirt as Nathan checks inside the house. Pete is still frustrated on the phone. 

~~~

I can’t take my eyes off my phone. Every time I respond, he replies with something hornier, nastier, more perverted. I love it. Suddenly I have my keys in my hand, shoes on my feet. I walk towards the door. I check his profile again. 2437 miles, I’m already closer to him. The lengths queers will go to for connection is astonishing. 

-Word

My Totally Biased 23 Best Albums of 2023

 Well, well, well. Look who's returned. ...me. I have returned.

After having a very "I wish I knew how to quit you!" year with writing, I'm back to torture myself with compiling my favorite albums of 2023 for your (hopeful) enjoyment. Do I have any guarantee you won't just skip over all this delectable meal of reviews that took a whole week to cook up to enjoy the dessert that is my Totally Biased Playlist? Nope, but maybe I do it for me, to assure myself I still got it: both with writing and my passion for music. Getting older really warps your preconceived notion of yourself... but perhaps this is a topic for a blog post next year.

So what did this year sound like overall? For me, surprisingly overwhelmingly h'white. Not in a bad way - nor was it totally devoid of color. Yes, for the first time in a long time, this list consist of a majority of white artist, but ya gotta throw em a bone when they deserve it. This year was a great resurgence for pop and 00s punk rock. I mean, who could have called both Fall Out Boy and Blink-182 returning the same year; Zoomers have never been so pissed to see Millennials back in their bag. Still, the 20-something pop and rock girlies came with some emotional lyrics and bops, too. Shit, even a handful of former college classmates dropped some tracks this year I couldn't deny (not that I ever really wanted to).

So, how the hell did I narrow myself down from over 100s albums to our top 23 this year?  As always, I did so with the help of my handy criteria: 

1. Does the album have a thesis and support it?
2. How much does the album knock? 
3. Does this album speak to me/the masses?  
4. How many tracks standout vs fade into the background? 
5. How does the album stack up against its genre peers?
6. Does it help me forget about the state of the world?

That said, this year's list may have the most newcomers since the early iterations of my compilations, with only eight artist previously charting (excluding Honorable Mentions). I hope what I've settled on as the best of the best is as much a gust of fresh air for you as it was for me. If I missed any great albums or you disagree, please let me know. My very biased, gay, black opinion-based self-fallatio is always intended to start a conversation. As always, we start with those that nearly missed my full love but still desire attention.

Honorable Mentions

35) Kali Uchis' Red Moon in Venus (R&B/Neo-Soul)

34) Jon Winslow's I'm Here Now (Indie Rock)

33) Jung Kook's Golden (Pop)

32) SG Lewis' AudioLust & HigherLove (Dance)

31) SBTRKT's THE RAT ROAD (Electronic)

30) Disclosure's Alchemy (Dance)

29) Kim Petras' Problematique (Dance-Pop)

28) IDK F65 (Rap)

27) KAYTRAMINE's Self-Titled (Hip-Hop/House)

26) James Blake's Playing Robots Into Heaven (Electronic/Experimental)

25) Jaboukie's All who can't hear must feel (Experimental Rap)

24) The Barbie Soundtrack (Pop/Rap)

*~if song has a hyperlink, it leads to a music video~*

23) Paramore’s This Is Why

Release Date: February 10

Runtime: 36:12

Tracks: 10

Genre: Pop-Punk/Alternative Rock

Oooo weee, I've been waiting for the day I'd finally have the honor to have THE Hayley Williams on my list. A band that's stayed relevant since their rise to popularity in 2007, Paramore releases their sixth album - their first in six years. Known for rock vocals that captures the ears of white and black listeners alike, Ms. Williams voice continues to amaze as she waxes on about the state of the world and not wanting to engage with it. This Is Why does what Paramore's fourth and fifth albums couldn't and goes beyond the catchy singles that have kept the band a mainstay in pop culture. This album is an evolution and a return to form all in one go; the front half of the album gives us hesitant growth while the back half instills an earned confidence. And the lyrics keep up! Though it pains me to phrase it like this, Paramore truly presents themselves as "The Best of the Old School," or perhaps better said "Best of the 'XD' School."

Hit Single:

This Is Why

Breakout Tracks:

The News

Crave

22) Burna Boy’s I Told Them…

Release Date: August 25

Runtime: 41:35

Tracks: 15

Genre: Afrobeats/Rap

That's right! I finally got into Burna Boy, and all it took was a Brandy sample. In all honesty, Burna has been circling my hemisphere for a while. I'm not the biggest fans of afrobeats, but if you're gonna try your ear at it, Burna Boy's a great place to start. I Told Them... is his seventh studio album. It features a mix of "oh yeah, when I think of an afrobeat beat, this is what I think of" and clever production styles and samples to lull an ignorant American into a cultural experience. The urge to wind your hips will be strong whilst listening. Burna's voice is deep and melodic, a sexiness that exudes "I wear sunglasses at night, and you won't care." With tracks accompanied by skits, we get depth into Burna's mindset for the album: proving his worth and intelligence. And honestly, it shows. He only shows his ego a tad by titling his album I Told Them... and not finishing it with "I Was A Genius."

Hit Single:

Sittin On Top of the World (feat 21 Savage)

Breakout Tracks:

Tested, Approved & Trusted

If I’m Lying

21) Miley Cyrus’ Endless Summer Vacation

Release Date: March 10

Runtime: 39:44

Tracks: 12

Genre: Pop/Rock

We can all agree Miley Cyrus hasn't had an easy career. From Disney to multiple hits to scandals and controversies, she's grown up in front of our eyes. With Endless Summer Vacation, Dolly Parton's goddaughter presents her next evolution: songwriter. Though fed to us through the vehicle of pop, Miley Cyrus delivers some of her strongest lyrics to date. Choosing to open the album with a certified breakup/over-him anthem, she sings each following track with passion and grit she only started showcasing on her last album. Endless Summer Vacation allows her to fully slide between rock, pop, and singer-songwriter, with a perfectly arranged track list that allows us to experience a day in Miley's life from dawn to midnight. Her eighth album is its strongest towards the middle, where the production and lyrics are perhaps the most married (or maybe it's because I'm a huge fan of synths). It's truly an honor to see Miley become a full fledged pop-rock vocalist.

Hit Single:

Flowers

Breakout Tracks:

Used to Be Young

Violet Chemistry

20) Travis Scott’s UTOPIA

Release Date: July 28

Runtime: 73:27

Tracks: 19

Genre: Rap

Have you ever wanted a trap-version of Yeezus without any of that pesky Kanye guilt? Well, Travis Scott has you covered with his fourth studio album. Easily regarded as sequel to Astroworld, Utopia exhibits Travis' phenomenal bars yet again. Splitting the lead of the album's production with James Blake, he enlists producers like Boi-1da, Justin Vernon, Buddy Ross, the Alchemist, Metro Boomin, and so many others to round out the trap, hip-hop, and rocks sounds on Utopia. But the list doesn't end there. Out of the 19 tracks on the album, Travis only goes solo for five of them, having convinced 21 Savage, Young Thug, Kid Cudi, SZA, Bad Bunny, and other huge names to join him. Bitch, even Beyoncé graced him with a feature. With this impressive list, Travis easily earns "Collaborator of the Year." The longest album on the list in an era of artists trying to get out in 45 minutes or less, Utopia is a great album to play as a "set it and forget it" option.

Hit Single:

K-POP (feat Bad Bunny and the Weeknd)

Breakout Tracks:

THANK GOD

DELRESTO (Echoes) (feat Beyonce)

19) Teezo Touchdown’s How Do You Sleep at Night?

Release Date: September 8 

Runtime: 39:37

Tracks: 14

Genre: Experimental Hip-Hop

At first glance, Teezo Touchdown seems like one of those left-field industry plants that's easy to ignore, but here's been everywhere this year, most notably on tracks with Travis Scott, Drake, and SBTRKT. So imagine my surprise when I listened to his debut album and actually liked it; my surprise tripled when I found out he was 31. Parented by a DJ, Teezo takes musical inspirations from all genres of music, sighting Rick James and Prince as huge points of reference. Framed mostly as a rapper, most of the tracks on the album teeter more on the rock or R&B side. How Do You Sleep at Night? feels very rebellious, like a black teen who loved anime and straightened his hair without fully knowing how to use a flatiron growing into a man trapped in a system he wants to escape. Chances like that are what makes this record exciting. It's moody and fun, complex in ways it doesn't realize. Most critics panned this album, but I dare you to take a chance and feel the vibes Teezo puts out into the world.

Hit Single:

Familiarity

Breakout Tracks:

UUHH

Mood Swings

18) Renee Rapp’s Snow Angel

Release Date: August 18

Runtime: 36:34

Tracks: 12

Genre: Pop/Pop-Rock

A-five, six, seven, eight! Sorry, I couldn't resist. Renee Rapp may have gotten her start on Broadway, but she's a full-rounded performer tackling as many platforms as possible: stage, television, and now streaming. Rather you know her from the show The Sex Lives of College Girls or Mean Girls: The Musical (stage and soon on film) or not at all, Renee promises to be in the industry for quite some time. Her debut album Snow Angel is a delicate yet fun record featuring strong, soulful vocals. She approaches ballads with a fierceness reminiscent of the early 00s. A proud bisexual, the young star isn't afraid to flirt on her songs as heavily as she does in her live shows. Lyrically, Snow Angel contains your typical viewpoints on love, heartbreak, and growth, but they're relatable nonetheless. With production on the album done mostly by Alexander 23 borrowing sounds from pop, R&B, and rock, this record is easy to listen to and perfect for a Thursday afternoon singalong.  

Hit Single:

Snow Angel

Breakout Tracks:

Talk Too Much

Tummy Hurts

17) Doja Cat’s Scarlet (Deluxe)

Release Date: September 22

Runtime: 51:45/56:56

Tracks: 15/17

Genre: Hip-Hop/R&B

Every two years, like clockwork, she returns! Mildly problematic and sick of the media, our girl Amala hesitantly reprises her role as Doja Cat to drop her fourth studio album Scarlet, a lowkey sequel to Hot Pink. However, where her last album saw her embrace more of her Pop side, Scarlet is nearly all bars and R&B vocals cause she was sick of yallz mouths saying she couldn't spit. Ready to prove herself while not giving a fuck about critics, Doja releases some of the best raps of her career. Of course, it wouldn't be a Doja Cat album without her comedy shining through. With sampled songs from Troop, Dionne Warwick, 10cc, and Luke, the production is able to transform the old and reinvent them as hits in their own right. Overall, Scarlet balances between aggressive and sexy in a way that only she can accomplish. It feels like your back in the '00s listening to well produced Hip-Hop from an artist that cares about the finished project.

Hit Single:

Paint the Town Red

Breakout Tracks:

Shutcho

Agora Hills

16) Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s V

Release Date: March 17

Runtime: 60:01

Tracks: 14

Genre: Psychedelic-Rock/Indie-Rock

You kids like vibes? Quiet as kept, I've been a fan of Unknown Mortal Orchestra for years now, and they've finally managed to land a spot on my list with their fifth collaborative effort. A band that evolved into a family project between two brothers, their father, and a dope friend, Ruban Nielson leads the Orchestra through a safari of sounds. Recorded in California and Hawaii, the laidback nature easily translates sonically. Guitars lick every centimeter of your eardrum in various ways and effects. This album is so chill, some of the songs don't even have lyrics. But when it's time for words, Ruban spares no metaphor or word. He has a tendency to sing with a very bouncy effect, so the lyrics can be hard to catch but are chuckle worthy once you do. My ideal atmosphere for listening to this album: dusk in a semi-warm but not hot climate, on a balcony or beach, chilling off an edible or jay, watching your friends dance to the music until they force you up to join them.

Hit Single:

That Life

Breakout Tracks:

Meshuggah

Layla

15) Jessie Ware’s That! Feels Good!

Release Date: April 28

Runtime: 40:22

Tracks: 10

Genre: Disco/Funk

I'll be the first to admit, I was a lil heartbroken back in 2020 when Jessie departed from her alternative, emotional roots to pursue the revival of disco. However, sometimes you have to let an artist grow into who they want to be, and I'm glad I stuck with her. Back with her fifth album, That! Feels Good! deserves every exclamation mark in its name! First off, Jessie's vocals are phenomenal, powerful, and soulful as ever. While the album may lack a little "substance," working with a core group of five writers helps solidify the vibe and feel of the album: one of celebration, jubilation, and revelation. Mixing elements of disco, funk, house, and soul, That! Feels Good! firmly delivers on what's promised. If you aren't dancing around your apartment like an inebriated auntie to this whole album, what are you doing? Donna Summer and Donny Hathaway would be proud of their influence on this piece of work.

Hit Single:

Free Yourself

Breakout Tracks:

Pearls

Hello Love

14) Sufjan Stevens’ Javelin

Release Date: October 6

Runtime: 41:59

Tracks: 10

Genre: Indie Folk

Longevity. Innovation. Genius. You may not like all of his styles, but Sufjan Stevens' rarely misses. Back for the tenth time as a soloist, Javelin revisits the chaos of Ascension while integrating the sweetness of Carrie and Lowell. Dedicated to his late partner Evans Richardson, Javelin features themes of yearning and pain. What many have called a return to "singer-songwriter" mode, Sufjan channels his talents into the lyrics and instrumentation of this record with the preciseness of someone who's been harnessing the power of their emotions for over two decades (along with a cover of Neil Young's "There's a World"). While there is pain in the music, it is almost overshadowed by beauty and grandness. Listening feels as if you're dancing around a grand ballroom dressed in your finest clothes with the ghost of the person you miss the most levitating you midair, all whilst a giant javelin is sticking out of your back. Through this album, like Sufjan, you'll find the strength to carry on, too. 

Hit Single:

Will Anybody Ever Love Me?

Breakout Tracks:

Genuflecting Ghost

So You Are Tired

13) Mitski’s The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We

Release Date: September 15

Runtime: 32:21

Tracks: 11

Genre: Folk/Orchestral-Pop

Arguably the best album title of the year (and you'll see there are some great ones later on this list), The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We is a heartbreaking yet warming album about love and self-loathing. I was introduced to Mitski by a friend years ago; she's always had a talent for penning obsession-level craving and admiration to a scary degree. With her seventh album, Mitski takes inspirations from spaghetti westerns and incorporates a 17-person choir and full orchestra to produce a beautiful sounds. It's grand and understated, simple yet complex. At times, the instrumentation leaves something to be desired, but it's only to give way to Mitski's powerful lyrics. I rarely do this, but one such lyric goes, "Now I'm taken, the night has me/You won't hear me singin'/You're a cage without me/Your pain is eased, but you'll never be free for/Now I'm taken, the night has me." For this lyric and nearly every other on this pain-striking album, Mitski wins this year's "Poet Laureate of the Year."

Hit Single:

My Love Mine All Mine

Breakout Tracks:

Bug Like an Angel

I Don’t Like My Mind

12) Sampha’s Lahai

Release Date: October 20

Runtime: 40:53

Tracks: 14

Genre: Alternative Soul/Electronic 

Amazingly back with only his sophomore album, Sampha reclaims another seat at the Totally Biased table. Named for his grandfather (and Sampha's own middle name), Lahai tackles his relationship to fatherhood and grief as a man who's lost both parents. He channels his orphan wails into beautiful music for us to enjoy. His vocals are unique and passionate; he sings like he has hot grits in his mouth but is still coherent. Don't let him add a little repetition in; you'll be in a trance. A true master of his craft, Sampha also challenges himself to marry live music with his electronic work, knowing when the occasion calls for live drumming over an 808. Each track plays off the last, furthering his thoughts and process. Introspective and ever curious about the world, he allows his other interests to influence his work like Afrofuturism and particle physics. Play this when you wanna lay on your bedroom floor in contemplation but still wanna pop your ass a lil bit.

Hit Single:

Only

Breakout Tracks:

Suspended

Can’t Go Back

11) Chappell Roan’s The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess

Release Date: September 22

Runtime: 49:08

Tracks: 14

Genre: Alt-Pop

I stumbled upon Chappell Roan completely by chance. After a night of dancing, some Zoomers followed my friends back to my place to post-game, and we hit it off. A week or two later on Instagram, one posted a song of Chappell's, and I was immediately intrigued. Imagine dropping nine singles over the course of four years that would eventually all end up on your debut album. Well, that was Kayleigh from Missouri's path to stardom, being picked up and dropped by Atlantic records and having to work her way back to LA. The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess is more than an appropriate title. Balancing between soft party anthems and great emotional ballads, rock guitars to synths, Chappell finds a great way to pen catchy lyrics and hooks you'll catch yourself singing at 4pm on the clock waiting to get off and enjoy your night. If you forced me to compare her to other artists, I'd be stressed to find a direct comparison. A young woman who knows how to mix the fun of the 80s with the melodrama of the 2020s, Chappell Roan is a up-and-coming queer icon to watch.

Hit Single:

My Kink is Karma

Breakout Tracks:

Red Wine Supernova

Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl

10) Jungle’s Volcano

Release Date: August 11

Runtime: 44:34

Tracks: 14

Genre: Disco/Dance

I truly love just how funky London can get sometimes. Have you seen their music videos?! Josh Lloyd and Tom McFarland are just a couple of blokes tryna get us moving again. Smartly enlisting Lydia Kitto - who helped plenty on their 2021 effort - to take lead vocals on Volcano adds a divine feminine energy that perfectly balances the pair's pitched up voices. Becoming more and more of an ensemble, J & T were still able to take charge over production and deliver a seamless 45 minute jive fest. While the tracks effortlessly flow into each other, they are also unique enough to be distinguishable. Having artists like Channel Tres, Bas, Roots Manuva, and more add their talents definitely helps. I hate to compare them to the Gorillaz, but between their avoidance for the public eye and ear for great new talent, it's hard not to. While there were plenty of eligible candidates this year, with this fourth album that's sure to lead to a few conceptions, I must name Jungle "2023's Kings of Dance."

Hit Single:

Back on 74

Breakout Tracks:

I’ve Been in Love (feat Channel Tres)

Holding On

9) Laufey’s Bewitched

Release Date: September 8

Runtime: 48:19

Tracks: 14

Genre: Jazz-Pop

Move over Stefani, Tony Bennett's about to come down from heaven to meet his new favorite modern jazz singer. Jokes aside, Laufey is the great 2020s lounge singer we didn't realize we longed for. Hailing from Iceland, she comes from a family of classical trained violinist, home-sourcing her sister as her creative director. The jazz inspirations on Bewitched range from classical to swing with production assistance from the Philharmonia Orchestra; listening to this sophomore album on anything but vinyl honestly feels like an injustice. Laufey sings with a deep maturity much beyond her years, experienced but light, not airy or breathy in any way. Without a doubt she has "The Most Gorgeous Voice of the Year." Writing this album with collaborator Dan Wilson, she muses about the magic of being in love - romantic, platonic, and worldly - nothing groundbreaking yet wholly relatable. So come; allow yourself to be transported to the softest cloud in the sky while Laufey's voice guides you across the horizon.

Hit Single:

From the Start

Breakout Tracks:

Second Best

California and Me (feat Philharmonia Orchestra)

8) Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS

Release Date: September 8

Runtime: 39:12

Tracks: 12

Genre: Pop/Rock

Listen, it was impossible to deny her this year. Olivia Rodrigo was young and green before, but with her sophomore album GUTS, she's certified herself as not only a mainstay in pop culture but as a damn talented songwriter, too. Finally exiting her teenage years, Olivia and her multi-instrumentalist producer Daniel Nigro come together to write songs about adulthood, maturity, love, and silly mistakes that are so recognizable and relatable it pains you. It's like going home to visit your nieces and nephews, and they drop an undeniable truth of life you hadn't thought of forcing you to lie like it's something all adults know. That mixed with slight nods to 90s/00s pop rock in songs like "bad idea right?" and "get him back!" allows GUTS to have universal appeal. Round that out with a solid collection of ballads like "lacy," "logical," and "the grudge" (even if it does oddly sound like Drivers License) and you might have a contender for best album of the year. ...but this is my Totally Biased list, and I have unique taste. 

Hit Single:

vampire

Breakout Tracks:

ballad of a homeschooled girl

making the bed

7) Caroline Polachek’s Desire, I Want To Turn Into You

Release Date: February 14

Runtime: 45:25

Tracks: 12

Genre: Alternative Pop/Art-Pop

Do you remember that calm, computer generated meadow background that came standard on most Windows PCs in the 00s? Well cross that with MC Escher, throw in a few bagpipes, and that's what you can visualize as you listen to Desire, I Want To Turn Into You. Her second solo studio album, Caroline Polachek is no stranger to the industry, having released two independent projects under different names and leading the band Chairlift during the 2010s. (Give the song "Crying in Public" by Chairlift a listen if you never heard it.) Along with Danny L Harle, she writes and produces an album that is catchy, rhythmic, and haunting. Using chants, unique instruments, and elements of trip-hop and electronic music, we are treated to a mix of sounds that keeps us on our toes. A great mix of slow-, fast-, and mid-tempo songs, Desire, I Want To Turn Into You allows us to experience a full range of emotion without ever becoming bored: a rare treat in Pop these days.

Hit Single:

Bunny is a Rider

Breakout Tracks:

Sunset

Butterfly Net

6) The Drums’ Jonny

Release Date: October 13

Runtime: 50:57

Tracks: 16

Genre: Indie Rock

For the longest time, I only knew The Drums from their 2011 single "Money." As a recent college graduate, hearing a song about having no funds at all truly resonated with me. It wasn't until Spotify added them to their All New Indie playlist earlier this year that I considered revisiting them. Clearly, I'm glad I did. Down to just one member since 2016, Jonathan Pierce decides to get semi-autobiography with the band's sixth album Jonny. He spends a majority of the album reflecting and processing his uber-religious past (he met his former co-founding bandmate at bible camp) while finding a way "to honor each and every part of you," as he puts it. Through his charming surf-rock vocal stylings into haunting ooos and wails, his pain and story come through. While this is the main theme, the album manages to be relatable in a broad sense with songs about love and belonging while Jonathan plays all the beachy inspired licks and beats. So if you've ever felt the need to be a lil emo while you dance like one of those goth kids from South Park, well do I have the album for you.

Hit Single:

Obvious

Breakout Tracks:

Be Gentle

Green Grass

5) Janelle Monae’s The Age of Pleasure

Release Date: June 9

Runtime: 31:59

Tracks: 14

Genre: Soul/Afrobeat

Our last returning face of the year and back with their fourth album, Janelle Monae has entered the chat! It's no secret; after Beyoncé, Ms. Monae is my second favorite artist and vocalist. With The Age of Pleasure, they continue their work from Dirty Computer minus the cyber fantasy of Cindy Mayweather and brings us queerness, sex, and liberation. Featuring sexual icons like Grace Jones and Nia Long along with newcomers Doechii and Amaarae, we're treated to a feminist treat from a non-binary icon. Released during the summer and borrowing sounds from afrobeats, we are treated to perhaps their vibiest and danciest album yet. The tracks and interludes are short - with only two over three minutes - and transition smoothly into each other. The Age of Pleasure leaves you longing for more, an album that's easy to leave on repeat. My only critique is that it's not *as* excellent or conceptually strong as Ms. Monae's previous work, but that's a privilege you can take when your only competition is yourself.

Hit Single:

Lipstick Lover

Breakout Tracks:

Phenomenal (feat Doechii)

The Rush (feat Nia Long & Amaarae)

4) JPEGMAFIA & Danny Brown’s SCARING THE HOES (+DLC Pack)

Release Date: March 24

Runtime: 36:19/51:32

Tracks: 14/18

Genre: Alternative Hip-Hop

Get up! Get on up yo mothafuckin seats! But please, stop scaring the hoes. Produced entirely by JPEGMAFIA, SCARING THE HOES sees two titans of "weird nigga" rap come together to dominate the scene. Though Danny Brown has been around for over a decade, I rarely gave him a chance, finding his voice grating. Maybe it's my "middle" age, but he's really grown on me. His cartoonish exclamations are balanced with JPEG's nonchalant yet passionate bars. Most tracks primarily consist of the two emcees spitting back and forth, wasting next to no time on hooks outside of a fire breakdown here and there. What helps them stand out are titles like "Steppa Pig," "Shut Yo Bitch Ass Up," "Kingdom Hearts Key," and my fav "Jack Harlow Combo Meal." This was never meant to be a commercial success, and that's why it shines.  Add in JPEG's production skills - incorporating 808s, Bmore beats, trumpets, and samples from 00s black classics - and you've got more than enough reason to bounce of the walls as you host a mosh pit party of one. Without a doubt, JPEGMAFIA & Danny Brown have earned the title of "Most Rappingest Niggas of the Year."

Hit Single:

SCARING THE HOES

Breakout Tracks:

Fentanyl Tester

God Loves You

3) BOYO’s Science Fiction + Expansion Pack

Release Date: January 9/May 20

Runtime: 25:00/47:47

Tracks: 8/18

Genre: Indie Rock/Alternative

Back during the dark ages of the panini-press, I scrolled TikTok nightly (and maybe I still do). One of the people I would watch until I was lulled to sleep was a daily comic book aficionado called Perfect Dodge. Soon, I found out he made music, and it was actually good. Then I found out he was also the guitarist/bassist for a band named BOYO, the brainchild of Rob Tilden. Together as a trio now, BOYO released Science Fiction at the top of the year, and I haven't been the same since. With their sounds changing by the album, Science Fiction finds Rob channeling frontmen like Julian Casablancas, Bradford Cox, and Mark Linkous. His voice ranges from a distorted baritone to a tight head-voice'd falsetto as he writes some of the most artistically melodramatic lyrics you've heard in years. The album is a true ode to the indie rock of the (you guessed it) 00s while being inventive and fresh for the current era. Sentimental chord progressions and warped production rounds out the sound of Science Fiction. With the addition of the Expansion Pack - a collection of the album's B-Sides found under Compilations on Spotify - more depth and appreciation for the band's talents are achieved. BOYO is by far the best band I discovered because of an internet crush.

Hit Single:

NPC Divorce

Breakout Tracks:

Depression Naps (Alternate Version)

Vacations

2) Victoria Monet’s JAGUAR II

Release Date: August 25

Runtime: 35:31

Tracks: 11

Genre: R&B

Apparently this year's theme is "Reminds Me of the 00s," but honestly, is that such a bad thing? But Victoria Monet manages to do something special and takes us through a trip through the decades of R&B all the way back to the 70s. The sequel to her EP of the same name, JAGUAR II marks her official debut into the mainstream. In an age of SZA imitators and vibe enthusiast, she sings with gusto and soul as if she's one of the last singers raised in the church. Being a typical R&B album, it of course tackles love and lust and everything in between, but Victoria also takes time to write about motherhood and fame. Having penned most of the album herself, she leaves a majority of the production to D'Mile who manages to arrange a string of hits and jams for her; the only exception being "Alright" produced by Totally Biased favorite Kaytranada. It's also comforting to know that while her label pushed her collaborations with Lucky Daye and Buju Banton for her first singles, her biggest hit is her solo effort "On My Mama." With that said, it gives me much honor to award Ms. Monet this year's "Best New Artist."

Hit Single:

On My Mama

Breakout Tracks:

How Does It Make You Feel?

Hollywood (feat Earth, Wind & Fire and Hazel Monet)

1) Troye Sivan’s Something to Give Each Other

Release Date: October 13

Runtime: 33:40

Tracks: 10

Genre: Pop/House

I am BEYOND excited to not only finally have Troye on this list but to present him the number one spot, and well earned at that. Always in the spotlight, Troye started singing as a young lad in Australia, even making television appearances. In his teens and 20s, he become a popular Youtuber before returning to music. While his singles always attracted me, his first two albums weren't cohesive enough to warrant widespread appeal. That all changed the day he decided to fully embrace his inner (and outer) twink.

The roll out for Something to Give Each Other is one of the best I've seen in a while. It's been ages since an artist has dropped three singles that made a buzz in pop culture, and all for different reasons: one for being the new twink international anthem, one for being the first to secure the allusive "Shooting Stars" sample from Bag Raiders, and the last for not only turning out a fierce drag look but also perfectly capturing what it feels like to pine after a "straight" boy who's only toying around with you.

Writing all of the songs on the album with the assistance of Brett McLaughlin and Oscar Gorres, Troye explores what we have to give each other, rather it be joy, love, heartbreak, experience, etc. He makes uses of interesting vocabulary and makes it flow into pop songs effortlessly, subconsciously teaching a generation new words and emotions. Something to Give Each Other has the perfect mix of dance and mellow tracks, allowing you to catch your breath with enough time for a good cry. Even through the tears, it's all a celebration of life. 

So here's to Mr. Sivan, not only "Queer of the Year" but champion of this year's Totally Biased Games!

Hit Single:

Rush

Breakout Tracks:

One of Your Girls

Can’t Go Back, Baby

And just like that, the 11th  Totally Biased wraps. To think this all start almost exactly 10 years ago. Thank you again for rocking with me all these years. So, what'd you think of this year's lineup? Did I rank something too high or low? Did I miss your favorite? Please let me know; I love new music, if you couldn't tell.

Oh, don't forget, you can check out my back catalog 

here: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, and 2013.

And of course, a playlist of this year's picks can be found below.

Word