The Honey POP’s Top 50 Albums Of 2023

As another year comes to a close, we’ve once again at THP been armed with the task of picking our favorite albums from the past twelve months. And trust us: it’s not an easy mission! We’ve had another year of incredible releases: from pop to rock, to rap to K-POP, and everything in between, there’s been so much to consume, and we’re still feeling full from the array of records. After some serious hard work in decision-making, we’ve managed to choose our top 50 albums of 2023. Let’s check them out…

The Name Chapter: FREEFALL — Tomorrow X Together

Tomorrow X Together once again excelled this year with two album releases. It was a tough choice but for us, The Name Chapter: FREEFALL just pipped The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION to the post ever so slightly. Serving as the second album in this chapter, FREEFALL is the most mature TXT release to date, seeking rock as the prominent genre. Gone are the days of the band’s innocence, and have since settled into their love-torn state, bearing the wounds of the battle from adolescence to young adulthood and the challenges we face. As the quintet proceeds to make a name for themselves as international K-POP sensations, we continue to see their constant growth as artists, each member confident in their abilities both as singers and songwriters. We are so proud of how far TXT has come in their almost five years since debut, and we believe they will only continue to flourish. – Jazmin Williams

‘Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)’ — Taylor Swift

Few artists can claim to have had a bigger 2023 than Taylor Swift. With the release of Speak Now (Taylor’s Version , 1989 (Taylor’s Version), friendship bracelet fever, and the commencement of record-breaking The Eras Tour, it’s been a year for the history books. Ask any swiftie, and Speak Now will probably score quite high in their rankings, so no wonder this was one of the most hotly-anticipated re-records. And as always, Taylor’s Version only strengthened our love for these songs. Single ‘I Can See You’ is one of our favorite unearthed From The Vault gems to date, and the music video starring actual muse Taylor Lautner is the camp gift-that-keeps-on-giving. – Anna Marie

FACE — Jimin

We all know that the BTS members have killed it with their solo releases this year, but let’s go back to the beginning with the first solo album we got in 2023 – Jimin’s FACE. Jimin has long been an artist who explored ideas of identity in his performances and across BTS songs like ‘Serendipity,’ so it was no surprise to see this exploration expand into his solo endeavors. Despite its short runtime, FACE packs a punch with intense declarations of freedom like ‘Set Me Free Pt.2’ and the escapism anthem ‘Like Crazy.’ We aren’t the only ones who love FACE either; ‘Like Crazy’ hit Billboard Hot 100 number one, and the album sold over a million copies on Hanteo in its first day, making Jimin the first solo artist to hit this milestone. – Anna Marie

GUTS — Olivia Rodrigo

No one is surprised to see Olivia on this list. She has spent the last few years making music that consumes our entire well-being. After the release of SOUR in 2021 we didn’t think that Olivia Rodrigo would be able to shock us again. Boy, were we wrong. Olivia Rodrigo saw our tears and decided to match our tears and add some screams. GUTS is an absolute work of art, and we are beyond ‘obsessed.’ Everything that Olivia does is genius, and GUTS shows that in spades. – Sage Marie Grace

The Show — Niall Horan

After three years, Niall Horan made his triumphant return with his third studio album, The Show. It certainly feels like the irresistible Irishman has found a sound he’s at home with, a more rockish sound blended with synth-pop and a hint of 80s reminiscence. Home to singles ‘Heaven,’ and ‘Meltdown,’ The Show is a beautifully emotional and cohesive album that really captures who Niall is as an artist at present day. Horan is gearing up for his upcoming tour The Show: Live On Tour, and we just know these songs have all the potential to sound incredible live! – Jazmin Williams

Get Up — NewJeans

We obviously had to add this incredible EP to our list! We’re still listening to it on repeat to this day, it truly has aged like fine wine. Get Up has some of the greatest masterpieces NewJeans has made yet. It’s truly classic after classic! The amazing aesthetic that this group has created makes it even more memorable. We’re obsessed with the Powerpuff Girls in the cover art and the videos that make the tracks even more addicting. ‘Super Shy,’ ‘ETA’ and ‘ASAP’ became instant hits. Imagine having so many great songs in your discography; NewJeans can relate! We will be talking to our children about how we experienced Get Up the year it was released! – María Solano

Barbie The Album — Various Artists

2023 was the year of Barbie. With the live-action movie being one of the biggest to release this year, the soundtrack was absolutely killer with a stellar lineup of artists. Barbie is a multi-talented girl with many different sides to her, so it’s no surprise that the album mirrors this with its eclectic sound. From Dua Lipa’s 80s pop ‘Dance The Night Away’ to Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice’s rap ‘Barbie World’ featuring a sample of the iconic 90s hit ‘Barbie Girl’ by Aqua, it’s no surprise that so many songs from the soundtrack did well on the charts. We love listening to this and feeling like Barbie ourselves. – Jazmin Williams

ZONE — Jihyo

Just knowing that we get to live in the same universe as Jihyo makes kick our feet, but seeing her shining even more with ZONE? Literally the best thing ever! Jihyo killed it with her solo album and she gave us her incredible star quality with every track of this project. She does high notes flawlessly, but ZONE has also shown us her pretty lower register with her groovy solo songs. She’s an ace, and she’s not afraid to show it! We vowed to her every single day of 2023, and we will keep vowing to her every day of our lives! – María Solano

The Album — Jonas Brothers

The Jonas Brothers really brought the heat up on our summer with their latest release The Album. Full of bangers, the record is a delicious blend of groovy base, upbeat bops, and sounds reminiscent of the Americana genre. The tracklist is curated of so many fun and upbeat bops that really bring out the serotonin, much like the hotter weather, and with the consistent theme of romance, it made for a top-notch soundtrack for some summer love. This was a fantastic piece of work with their collaborator Jon Bellion who has worked with a plethora of our favorite artists, so it felt right that the only collaboration on this record was with him on the final track. We can’t help but listen to this even in the colder months, feeling nostalgic for the warmer weather. – Jazmin Williams

Endless Summer Vacation — Miley Cyrus

Miley is one of the female artists who has tried so many different music and fashion styles, and she has been an icon with every single one of her eras. Endless Summer Vacation is one of our favorite pop albums of the year! Miley has shown so many emotions with these tracks by not only allowing her to reinvent herself once again, but to be as authentic as she is and to seize the opportunities that life might throw at you. Every time we listen to Miley’s music, we feel so full of joy and pride for being able to see her grow as a musician and as a person. – María Solano

5 STAR — Stray Kids

Stray Kids took the world by storm yet again. And while every single one of their releases blew us away, something simply shifted with the release of their third full-length album, 5-STAR. ‘S-Class’ is one of the most iconic comebacks of the year with its addictive and catchy chorus – and we still aren’t over that choreo. But 5-STAR was also a way for them to explore different genres and themes that we haven’t heard before, such as in ‘Collision,’ or ‘DLC’ and even ‘FNF.’ This third full-length album represents Stray Kids in the best way possible with confident and witty songs such as ‘Hall of Fame,’ ‘Super Bowl’ and ‘ITEM,’ absolute anthems like ‘TOPLINE,’ EDM-driven songs like ‘GET LIT,’ and heartfelt songs like ‘Youtiful.’ It is no wonder this album topped the Billboard 200 chart, making it their third consecutive number 1 — and it would lead them to their fourth number 1 with ROCK-STAR making them the first group to have four consecutive number 1 on the chart since One Direction. Not only was 5-STAR a moment in 2023, but it also has to go down as one of the most important moments in Stray Kids history. – Juu Luquín

the record — boygenius

There’s a reason why boygenius is one of the most nominated artists at the 2024 GRAMMYs! Actually, there are several reasons, but our point is that the record is one of the best alternative albums we’ve heard in a long time. Comprised of Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker, boygenius is a supergroup stacked with talent perhaps only rivaled in the world of K-Pop with acts like SuperM. Three of music’s most exciting minds came together to pen the record, and our hearts (and teeth?!) haven’t been the same since. It’s such a diverse album, as you tumble through screaming guitars and whispered ballads. Some faves we have to shout out are ‘$20,’ ‘Not Strong Enough,’ and, of course, ‘Satanist.’ – Anna Marie

Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent — Lewis Capaldi

It’s been three years since Lewis Capaldi blessed us with his debut album Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent, and we won’t lie; we know the pressure was on for him to top such an incredible album. But of course, the self-proclaimed Scottish Beyoncé went and proved he could do it, just like we believed! Full of tear-jerkers and heart-melters, Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent stays true to that famous Capaldi sound we’ve grown to know and love. The sophomore album is home to the latest hits: rare upbeat bop ‘Forget Me,’ the swoonful ‘Pointless,’ and the heart-wrenching ‘Wish You The Best,’ three songs that have continued the reign of the loveable and humble guitarist we’ll love unconditionally, whether he’s on top of the world or dealing with personal battles. We are truly and endlessly proud of him. – Jazmin Williams

This Is Why — Paramore

Paramore’s 2023 album is a project that we could keep listening to forever, and we will be falling in love with it all over again. It doesn’t matter how many times you replay these tracks. This Is Why is a complete 10/10! If you have been lucky enough to see Paramore this year, you know that goosebump feeling that everyone got when knowing that ‘Crave’ made it onto their live setlist! If you haven’t experienced it, don’t worry! The band will tour South America and Europe on 2024. We can’t wait to listen to their incredible live performances again! – María Solano

D-DAY — Agust D

D-DAY is a special album for BTS’s SUGA, as it marks both his debut studio album as well as the last installment in the Agust D trilogy. D-DAY is here and marks freedom and liberation for the rapper and producer as he finds himself being released from the shackles of his pain and suffering, making peace, and moving on from the past. Title track ‘Haegeum’ refers to both the traditional string instrument and the Korean word for “liberation” and raps about escaping “nonsense” from both online and in person, discovering a new sense of freedom. Meanwhile, fan favorite ‘Amygdala’ sees him relive the most painful moments in his life as he reveals his belief that trauma led him to become a stronger person today. A truly phenomenal album and a bittersweet farewell for Agust D… at least for now. – Jazmin Williams

The Good Witch — Maisie Peters

Maisie Peters has made her way into our hearts song by song and now owns a permanent residence after this newest album. The Good Witch has songs like ‘Body Better’ that are so mesmerizing you can’t help but lay on your floor and listen to the artwork. She is a musical queen, and we’re her humble servants. We are never ready for the beautiful music Maisie creates! – Sage Marie Grace

DUAL — The Rose

Korean rock band The Rose have returned with their sophomore album, DUAL. Split into two sections, Dawn and Dusk, this album really does feel like night and day blended superbly, offering that signature sound of The Rose in a variety of shades and colors as they branch out in experimenting but still holding enough of their initial core value as a band. The juxtaposition of ‘You’re Beautiful’ versus ‘Back To Me’ is truly euphoric to our ears. Each year the quartet outdo themselves and cement themselves further as leaders of the current wave of K-Rock. – Jazmin Williams

So Much (For) Stardust — Fall Out Boy

If we think of the bands that have owned this year, we can’t help but think of Fall Out Boy. It had been 5 years since their last album, MANIA, and they came back with everything they had. From giving us the perfect FOB album to touring and adding some of their old track to the setlist and including, of course, the mystery of the Magic 8 Ball tracks, Fall Out Boy has hands down been one of the biggest highlights of the year. So Much (For) Stardust is the perfect combination of vintage Fall Out Boy with the new, more mature, and modern side of the band. We would go as far as to say that So Much (For) Stardust is one of our favorite Fall Out Boy albums — and that’s a strong statement knowing all the masterpieces and iconic tracks in their discography. The album is the perfect middle point between poignant lyrics that you will want to scream at the top of your lungs, melodies that you will never get tired of, unbelievable vocals and instrumentals to lose your mind to, and songs that will become your entire personality. This is Fall Out Boy at its best. The perfect mixture of pop, rock, soul, and everything that makes music our main source of happiness. It is no short of being the perfect album. So Far (For) Stardust has made 2023 in more ways than we could possibly explain — it’s just that good. – Juu Luquín

UNFORGIVEN — LE SSERAFIM

If we could use a word to describe LE SSERAFIM‘s success, we will use: unstoppable. These girls are truly taking the world by storm with their incredible teamwork and charisma on stage, and we can’t wait to see how they surprise us in 2024! For now, though, let’s talk about the complete UNFORGIVEN world. There are so many genres that you can enjoy the moment you press play on it, from dancing along ‘Fire in the Belly,’ passing by the catchy megahit ‘Eve, Psyche & The Bluebeard’s Wife,’ and relisten to some of the group’s best bops, like ‘ANTIFRAGILE,’ ‘Impurities,’ and ‘FEARLESS (2023 Ver.).’ We’re manifesting that every single fearnot gets to see these incredible performers in person! – María Solano

Subtract (-) — Ed Sheeran

Mr. Sheeran is on a roll this year! Not only did this musical genius bless us with Subtract (-), which is another beautiful mathematic-themed album and is mostly acoustic, but he also released Autumn Variations! Everyone’s favorite ginger has strucken us again with the power of his beautiful voice! We were lucky enough to have 2023 be the end of the math and possibly the start of seasons? Ed, you are ‘Magical!’ – Sage Marie Grace

Guilty — TAEMIN

Honestly, we probably could’ve declared this one of the best albums of 2023 without even listening to it. That’s how consistently incredible TAEMIN is. Whether in his work as a member of SHINee or on his own, he’s been one of K-POP’s most formidable stars for 15 years, and that’s not going to change any time soon. TAEMIN articulates temptation and torment in his work in a way no one else can, and lead single ‘Guilty’ is proof of that. Plus, who else could get away with releasing a hip-hop track called ‘The Rizzness?’ We had to wait two long years between Advice and Guilty, and we’re so glad to be fed again, even if it is with a “poison apple.” – Anna Marie

Revamped — Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato has been making a genre switch in their music, going back to their rock routes but with less of a Disney Channel-approved SFW style and more in the heavier, unfiltered way. Having played an iconic part of our life’s soundtrack for 15 years, Demi took the opportunity to refresh some of her most iconic songs and update them to her current sound in Revamped. The special album sees songs spanning across their discography become more rock-approved with the help of some famous faces, including Slash, The Maine, and Bert McCracken, featuring on different songs. Revamped sees Demi pay homage to their past while also feeling confident in their future, focusing on their new sound and chapter in life. We love seeing Demi’s growth, which is why Revamped is in our Top 50 albums of 2023! – Jazmin Williams

THE WORLD EP.FIN: WILL — ATEEZ

It’s hard to believe that we’ve had ATEEZ in our lives for five years now, and this is only their second full-length album! But our pirate kings never disappoint, and THE WORLD EP.FIN: WILL is everything we dreamed of and more. Title track ‘Crazy Form’ is quintessential ATEEZ in its ferocity and impact, but it still shows us their growth and ever-expanding talent. ‘ARRIBA’ and ‘Silver Light’ show their dedication to experimentation and best of all? We got unit songs! From the softness of Mingi and Yunho’s ‘Youth’ to the power of Jongho’s ‘Everything’ to the intensity of Seonghwa and Hongjoong’s ‘MATZ,’ this album truly gave us everything. And we don’t even wanna talk about Wooyoung, Yeosang, and San’s ‘IT’s You.’ We’re not ready. – Anna Marie

hell is a teenage girl — Nessa Barrett

When Nessa announced hell is a teenage girl, we knew this year was going to be perfect. No one should be shocked when we say that Nessa Barrett has created an amazing set of songs for any occasion. This is her first drop since her album young forever and it is fits so well into her discography. Our personal favorite is ‘plane to paris,’ but every song on the album keeps us locked into our love for this beautiful artist. This EP is an absolute masterpiece. – Sage Marie Grace

DARK BLOOD — ENHYPEN

Whether you’re an ENGENE or not, there’s no denying that DARK BLOOD was one of the strongest boy group comebacks in 2023. Title track ‘Bite Me’ has been basically inescapable all year, which aligns nicely with the song’s narrative: a tale of a boy realizing his fortune is bound to the person he loves. The album weaves themes of destiny, darkness, and temptation seamlessly as ENHYPEN investigates their fates. Heeseung and Niki contributed to the studio directing and choreography of ‘Bite Me,’ showing ENHYPEN’s growth, too. And the lead single isn’t where the treats end! Every DARK BLOOD b-side is sumptuous, but we have to highlight ‘Sacrifice (Eat Me Up) and fan-favorite ‘Bills.’ – Anna Marie

EVERGREEN — PVRIS

Every few years, we are blessed by a new PVRIS album and 2023 was one of those years. EVERGREEN is a new era of PVRIS where they get to explore new themes all while staying true to that PVRIS sound and charm. Teasing the album with the release of ‘ANYWHERE BUT HERE’ and ‘ANIMALS’ late last year, we knew that a new masterpiece was on its way. And indeed. EVERGREEN explores dark themes of love, self-doubt, mental health, among others, all in that very unique way only PVRIS can. And this time, PVRIS engages even more than before in deeper themes, feminism and female empowerment with ‘GODDESS’, where Lynn expresses fully just how iconic she is and how every woman should be celebrated. And of course, the track that gives its name to the album ‘EVERGREEN’ calls out the exploitation of youth in the industry and society in general. With a stronger rock sound, more pop-dance tracks and songs that hit your feelings like rocks, EVERGREEN has to be one of the most addictive albums of the year. – Juu Luquín

Rover — KAI

There are few K-POP soloists who have a better discography than EXO and SuperM’s KAI, and with his third mini-album, released in March, he only added to this iconic catalog. An exploration of fame in the technology age, Rover continues the self-reflection and reinvention seen in all of KAI’s work. Title track ‘Rover’ took over the K-POP industry like no other, and we can guarantee that all your favorite idols were chasing the chance to do the TikTok challenge. As a single, ‘Rover’ showcased both KAI’s dancing skills and his husky vocal tone, proving him to be, once again, one of the most formidable artists in the industry. – Anna Marie

The Maine — The Maine

We’re aware 8123 isn’t actually an angel number, but it definitely is for The Maine. This year they celebrated their sweet sixteens by releasing an album like no other, an album more special than others, their self-titled album. And they released it on no other than August 1st, 2023 — in other words: 8123. The Maine is everything we love about the band: insane pop-rock instrumentals, melodies, and vocals that eat at your brain in the best way possible and lyrics that will haunt you for days. And yet, The Maine continue to be able to reinvent themselves and bring something new with every single release, setting the bar higher than ever before. The Maine is an album we honestly think about all the time (pun intended). Every storyline is unique, every song is perfect, and everything about this album embodies the band we’ve grown up with and that we keep loving more each day. – Juu Luquín

INSENCE — MOONBIN&SANHA

We kicked off the year on the right note with the release of ASTRO’s sub-unit third mini-album with INCENSE. With what arguably is their best title track ever, INCENSE gave us the best of music from the very first month of 2023. ‘Madness’ was the best of both worlds, incorporating what we loved the most about both ‘Bad Idea’ and ‘WHO.’ Included in INCENSE, we also had solo tracks from both Moonbin and Sanha that explored different sides of their musicality – one R&B track with ‘Desire,’ and a more ballad-type of song with ‘Wish.’ And while ‘Madness’ explored the darker, sexier, more mysterious side of MOONBIN&SANHA, their b-sides like ‘Chup Chup’ and ‘Your Day’ showed the bright and happy energy that we love from every ASTRO release. They truly have a unique way to brighten our day, and they have continued to do so no matter what. INCENSE is one of our most precious releases of the year. – Juu Luquín

K1 — Kamille

After a decade of writing a plethora of hits for our faves, GRAMMY award-winning singer-songwriter Kamille has taken to the spotlight with her first mini-album, K1. The self-produced project sees Kamille exploring herself as an artist, producer, and songwriter as she transgresses contemporary pop. Songs like ‘Muscle Memory’ featuring Nile Rodgers and ‘Time To Kill‘ have that iconic 80s-inspired disco, While ‘Options‘ featuring Tamera and Bellah and ‘Don’t Waste My Time’ are fierce feminist bops that are oozing with sass and funk. Kamille is at the forefront of the new UK R&B wave, and K1 is the perfect introduction to Kamille, really capturing the direction she is taking her artistry. – Jazmin Williams

Layover — V

We think it’s probably fair to say that BTS’ V was one of the most anticipated solo albums this year. Even if you’re not ARMY (First of all, what are you doing?), you’re probably familiar with his distinctive, crooning vocals. V, AKA Taehyung, has eclectic tastes, so we had absolutely no idea what direction Layover would take, which is exactly why we were so eager for it! In just five (and a half?) songs, Taehyung introduces us to a kaleidoscope of soft jazz, Mediterranean sunsets, and, of course, ‘Rainy Days.’ Artists often say their albums feel like a window into their soul, and Layover is exactly that. With a music video for every song, Taehyung completely immerses the listener in his world, and ”Don’t tell me it’s over, we can start it over” is us the second that Layover finishes. – Anna Marie

Snow Angel — Reneé Rapp

If Snow Angel hasn’t been one of your favorite albums of the year, you gotta have to relive 2023 all over again. Sorry, not sorry! How can you listen to ”they’d make beautiful babies and raise ‘em up to be a couple of f*cking monsters, like their mother and their father” and not feel like your life has completely changed? Reneé’s pen is both beautiful and painful in ways we cannot describe, but before all that, it’s talented. We could talk about this album and her poetry forever! We can’t think of many albums that can make us feel as much as this one, and we definitely wouldn’t trade it for anything else. We also got the deluxe version of it last month! Snow Angel is just a gift that keeps on giving. We would love to thank Reneé for releasing such a wonderful masterpiece! – María Solano

LOVESTRUCK! — Kep1er

It might’ve been released way back in April, but we’re still ‘Giddy’ over LOVESTRUCK! Kep1er always hit us with the iconic title tracks – after all, these are the girls who gave us ‘WA DA DA’ and ‘UP!’ – but the b-sides in LOVESTRUCK! are definitely worth shouting about, too. ‘LVLY’ and ‘Why’ show a more sultry and sophisticated side to Kep1er, whilst ‘Back To The City’ is the synth-pop song of our dreams! In fact, we’d go as far as to say the 80s-inspired anthem is their strongest song, period. “Oh my gosh, was the best time I ever had” is us talking about the first time we heard the chorus of ‘Back To The City’ kick in. – Anna Marie

ONE MORE TIME… — blink-182

Emos of new and veteran, blink-182 is not done with us and our emotions yet. In October, they released their newest album One More Time, and that’s how we felt listening to it. Every single time we got to the end, we just had to say, “Let’s play it one more time!” Every track is another trip back into the days when emo was on top. (So last week.) What can we say, blink has that effect on us! – Sage Marie Grace

Kill My Doubt – ITZY

ITZY offered us nothing but masterpieces in their 2023 mini-album. KILL MY DOUBT explores sides of ITZY we had never seen before and pushes the idea we had of ITZY even further. There’s nothing these girls can’t do. ‘BET ON ME’ was the first pre-release single, and it showed their vulnerable yet hardworking side as they explored the struggles of being in this industry. ‘None of My Business,’ the second pre-release single, told a whole other story with a smooth, confident, R&B laid-back track. And ‘CAKE’ was iconic from the first second – it was fun, it was witty, it was bright, and we ate it all up. That’s not to say that the b-sides didn’t live up to the title tracks because ‘Psychic Lover’ took a new brighter, and more fun spin to the 2000s sound, and ‘Bratty’ followed the same path as ‘None Of My Business’ – only making it sassier. And how could we forget about the b-side: ‘Kill Shot.’ It was dark, it was addictive, it was everything. With only one Korean release this year, it’s safe to say that ITZY absolutely ate. – Juu Luquín

Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever) — Noah Kahan

Noah, Noah, Noah. How dare you make an album so good that it is all that we think about for an entire year. He has not only influenced our Spotify Wrapped but also the way we live our lives. His voice is a gift to us all, and that gift just keeps on giving. On top of this beautiful deluxe album, Noah has been releasing collabs with some of our favorite names in music like Lizzy McAlpine, Hozier, and Gracie Abrams! Noah knows how to win us over, and he does it by making astonishing music! -Sage Marie Grace

PAGTATAG! — SB19

The kings of P-POP have made a triumphant return this year with PAGTATAG! The record is a stunning concoction of pop, hip-hop, acoustic, and EDM and certainly feels like SB19’s strongest release to date. The hit single ‘GENTO’ has been gaining international traction and performing well on TikTok, with numerous people, including a variety of K-POP idols doing the ‘GENTO’ challenge. This is the first album under SB19’s own label, and they have well and truly made a statement as they continue their journey as a rising boyband. PATATAG! is another slab in SB19 paving the way from the P-POP niche to mainstream music, and we are obsessed! – Jazmin Williams

I’ve Loved You For So Long — The Aces

Many of our favorite bands came back with new albums, and The Aces was one of them with I’ve Loved You For So Long. And yes, we’ve loved The Aces for so long, too, but this third full-length has to be our favorite music the band has ever put out. I’ve Loved You For So Long feels personal, vulnerable, nostalgic yet cozy and comforting. Every song feels like having a conversation with an old friend, looking back on your own life: what made you feel happy, sad, angry, stuck, and every emotion in between. With that indie-pop sound we love from them, The Aces created an album that feels like a best friend in dark times. And while The Aces have always been amazing when it comes to lyrics, I’ve Loved You For So Long takes it to a whole other level. This is an album everyone needs and deserves in their lives. Not a single skip, just love and vibes. – Juu Luquín

THE FIRST TIME — The Kid LAROI

After waiting for what it felt like an eternity, The Kid LAROI released his most complete body of work yet. THE FIRST TIME allows you to go deeper into LAROI’s vulnerabilities and anxieties, such as fame, heartbreak, and feeling like everything that he loves could disappear in the blink of an eye. We could talk about his storytelling for hours, and hours, and hours! He’s one of our favorite songwriters of all time, and he never fails to release beautiful and touching songs that you can relate to. Make sure to listen to it from top to bottom so that you can admire THE FIRST TIME’s world! – María Solano

EXIST — EXO

EXO-Ls waited so long for an EXO comeback, and they did not disappoint us! EXIST is quintessential EXO, with the perfect balance of playfulness and sultry charm amongst perfect vocals and smooth performances. The singles from EXIST are enough to show EXO’s versatility: the tongue-in-cheek, glittering ‘Cream Soda,’ the groovy, funk-inspired ‘Hear Me Out,’ and the yearnful, contemplative ‘Let Me In.’ And that’s before you delve into the magic of their b-sides. EXIST is an exceptionally well-produced album; there aren’t many groups who could try to claim they have better vocal harmonies than EXO. A decade into their career, they’re only getting better. – Anna Marie

The Dark — The Band CAMINO

This drum-heavy album has us hooked! We here at The Honey POP are suckers for a band that bring different elements into everything they release, while still keeping that originality, and The Band CAMINO does that so well in their newest album The Dark. From ‘Told You So’ to ‘Last Man in the World, ’ you’re in for a ride that you will not want to get off. This album is one to love for the ages. – Sage Marie Grace

Loossemble — Loossemble

2023 brought us a lot of good, and a win we have to celebrate and never forget is, of course, the freedom of the LOONA members. The best part of it is getting to see all the girls back doing what they were meant to do: sing, dance and perform, and on top of that, get creative freedom. Loossemble’s debut mini-album is just one of the releases the LOONA members have put out this year, and what a mini-album. This self-titled mini-album can only be described as perfect. ‘Sensitive’ and the b-sides took on LOONA’s early days sound, the perfect mixture between pop and R&B, and added something new, fresh, and even more creative to it. The bright mini-album is the embodiment of a new happier beginning where there is hope and there is magic. Hyunjin, Yeojin, Vivi, Gowon, and Hyeju truly made magic with this mini-album, and it marks a new beginning and a brand new chapter we cannot wait to discover and explore. – Juu Luquín

emails i can’t send fwd: — Sabrina Carpenter

We’ve all had emails that we couldn’t send, and Sabrina blew that out of the water and did one better. emails i can’t send fwd: was a direct insight into the mind of everyone here at The Honey POP. Miss Sabrina Carpenter is no stranger to our love, but this album truly knows no bounds when it comes to our love. We have no doubt in our mind that the next album is going to be as amazing as this one. There’s no doubt in our minds that Sabrina’s light will continue to shine on everyone in the world, and we’re living for it! – Sage Marie Grace

HARD — SHINee

Well, you know what they say… SHINee’s back. And yes, they’re as iconic as ever. It’s SHINee, after all. With Taemin back, SHINee released their eighth-length length-album: HARD. Right with the pre-release single, ‘The Feeling,’ we knew this album would be legendary. The track was nostalgic, it was heartfelt, and emotional and was simply perfect. It was followed by the release of the entire album with ‘HARD’ as a title track. SHINee could just breathe, and it would become iconic, but ‘HARD’… Well, it goes hard. Its chorus still lives rent-free in our minds – it’s catchy, it’s addictive, and we can’t get enough of it. But SHINee are no title track group; every single one of the b-sides had their own energy and are masterpieces on their own. Going from songs like ‘Identity’ to ‘Sweet Misery,’ there is a song for everyone in HARD, and that’s part of the beauty of SHINee’s discography. They truly never fail to deliver varied and diverse albums composed of nothing but masterpieces that feel new and fresh. SHINee’s back, and so is real music. – Juu Luquín

Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va A Pasar Mañana — Bad Bunny

You are guaranteed to get chills the moment you press play during your first listen. This album is for the ones who love Bad Bunny’s trap style! nadie sabe lo que va a pasar mañana not only includes some of the best lyrics by Benito, but it also has some incredible collaborations for basically every mood you can possibly imagine. Need some great verses sung by two of the greatest Latin artists ever? You have ‘THUNDER Y LIGHTING’ with Eladio Carrion. Do you want a bop that makes you dance? Your best choice is ‘PERRO NEGRO’ with Feid! It’s a complete masterpiece! – María Solano

Apocalypse: From Us — Dreamcatcher

Dreamcatcher absolutely slayed last year with the beginning of their Apocalypse series which first installment gave them a win. This year, they closed off this series with its third installment: Apocalypse: From Us. Coming from the important messages of ‘MAISON’ and ‘VISION,’ ‘BONVOYAGE‘ showed us another side of Dreamcatcher with a sweet yet extremely heartfelt and strong song that blended in the rock genre perfectly into a more pop song. While ‘BONVOYAGE’ is the queen of the album, what makes it earn a place in the top albums of the year is how good the entire mini-album is with the impactful and unforgettable ‘Propose,’ the bold and enticing ‘DEMIAN,’ and the emotional, nostalgic pop-rock ballad ‘To. Us.’ There wasn’t a single skip in Apocalypse: From Us, and more importantly: all these songs have accompanied us throughout the entire year. It is yet another example of Dreamcatcher’s seamless blend of rock into K-POP. They never fail to bring something new and fresh to the scene. – Juu Luquín

Unreal Unearth — Hozier

Are we even slightly shocked that Unreal Unearth has made its way to our Top 50? (You shouldn’t be.) Hozier has such an ethereal way of doing things, and we cannot be blamed for being obsessed. We need to play this album every day for the rest of our lives, and we aren’t ashamed. This album has that same comfort that all of his music does, and we love every track. – Sage Marie Grace

GOLDEN — Jungkook

The perfect pop album by our main pop boy! ‘Seven’ and ‘3D’ already changed our lives as we knew them, but listening to a complete project by Jungkook is something that we feel grateful for every single day. He truly has achieved his superstar dream with GOLDEN! Every track includes something so… Jungkook, as ARMY would say. From the outstanding title track (we’re still so addicted to ‘Standing Next To You’) to his amazing vocals, this album is a 10/10. Our golden maknae always knows how to cook some hits! – María Solano 

past // present // future — Meet Me @ The Altar

If you’re looking for an album that makes you wanna jump on your bed with a hairbrush as a microphone, this is the album. Meet Me @ The Altar never fails to serve the absolute best of pop-punk, and this album is just a further example of that! No matter what they do, we know for a fact that it’s going to be a slay. We’re absolutely obsessed with them, and that will be true in the past // present // future! –Sage Marie Grace

NEW DNA — XG

We take stanning XG very seriously, and we’re still obsessed with NEW DNA! Our girls did not disappoint with this project. From perfect transitions between tracks and visuals that represent their badass and fun sides, NEW DNA is exactly what you need if you want to get into XG but don’t know where to start! They always create such amazing concepts and aesthetics; they’re the best breath of fresh air that you need in your playlists! We will definitely be tuned in for every XG release in the years to come! Our hearts (and our on-repeat spots in our streaming services) belong to them! – María Solano

And there you have it! THP’s Top 50 Albums of 2023! Which of these albums do you love? What albums would make your top 50? Let us know down in the comments below or by tweeting us @TheHoneyPOP! You can also hit us up on Facebook and Instagram or come join The Hive!