Editors' Picks: Carter Faith, Zara Larsson, Clipse, ATEEZ and More of Our Favorite Albums of 2025
The best albums of 2023 have been highlighted by two music critics with very different tastes. Assistant editor Nicole Fell focused on pop, while music editor Ethan Millman leaned toward alternative and rap. Their picks cover a wide range of styles from the past year.
Nicole Fell singled out several standout pop releases. Zara Larsson’s Midnight Sun and ATEEZ’s Golden Hour: Part 3 made her list, alongside Laufey’s A Matter of Time and Jade’s That’s Showbiz Baby. None of these albums, however, appeared in Grammy discussions for 2023.
Ethan Millman’s selections spanned alternative music and rap. He praised Carter Faith’s and Cherry Valley’s albums, as well as Wet Leg’s *Moisturizer* and Turnstile’s *Never Enough*. His rap picks included Earl Sweatshirt’s *Live Laugh Love* and Clipse’s *Let God Sort Em Out*.
The two critics showcased the diversity of 2023’s music scene. Fell’s choices reflected mainstream pop trends, while Millman’s list covered alt-country, alt-rock, and rap. Their selections offer a snapshot of the year’s varied musical output.
