Rough Trade staff reveal their top music picks of 2023

06 December 2023 - Press release

56 company team members have selected their top music picks

Favourite titles include Lisa O’Neil’s ‘All Of This Is Chance’ and Osees’ ‘Intercepted Message’

 

Rough Trade staff have shared their favourite music of 2023, with 56 company team members naming their top picks.

Featuring a mix of debut albums, amazing returns, hidden gems, and highly anticipated releases, the list highlights the independent music store chain’s appreciation for the eclectic works of 2023 and extends beyond the recently revealed Albums of the Year.

Rough Trade Nottingham staff’s top picks included Sigur Ros’ ÁTTA, PVRIS’ EVERGREEN, Tanya Tucker’s Sweet Western Sound, Romy’s Mid Air, The Japanese House’s In The End It Always Does, Egyptian Blue’s A Living Commodity, and Decisive Pink’s Ticket to Fame.

Jono Beard, Assistant Manager at Rough Trade Nottingham, commented on his pick, Tanya Tucker’sSweet Western Sound: “Sun-dappled production dripping in lush pedal steel compliments hard-won grit, grace and good-humoured self-deprecation in this lean late career masterpiece from a slightly unsung country music legend.”

Meanwhile, Rough Trade’s 22 staff members at their London locations selected their choices, with highlights including Andre 3000’s New Blue Sun, Sufjan Stevens’ Javelin, Osees’ Intercepted Message, Jessie Ware’s That! Feels Good, and Lankum’s False Lankum.

Assistant Manager at Rough Trade West, Jack Harris, commented on Osees’ Intercepted Message : “A surprising left turn from Dwyer and the boys but still keeping that classic Osees sound that we all know and love.

“Just when I thought Proggy Osees was my favourite era - we have a new contender.”

At Rough Trade Bristol, the top choices included Say She She’s Silver, Quade’s Nacre, and A.S.O’s self-titled debut album A.S.O.

The store’s General Manager, Adrian Dutt, spoke on his choice, : “A woozy and moody reflection of the past 12 months. All dreamlike and hazy like a smoky wander through the city at night.

“A bit Mazzy, a bit AIR, there's even some Lana in there too, but A.S.O have their own thing going on and I love it.”

Among team members at Rough Trade’s UK office, this year’s top choices include Sampha’s LAHAI, ML Buch’s Suntub, Mega Bog’s End of Everything, Avalon Emerson’s And The Charm, Joanna Sternberg’sI’ve Got Me, The Golden Dregs Of Grace & Dignity, En Attendant Ana’s Principa, Hot Mulligan’s Why Would I Watch, Lisa O’Neil’s All Of This Is Chance, Tirzah’s trip9love…???, and Geese’s 3D Country.

Rough Trade Director Nigel House chose Lisa O’Neil’s All Of This Is Chance.

He said: “I was never a Peaky Blinders fan so her cover of Dylan's All The Tired Horses passed me by until I saw her play in a church.

“She played for almost 2 hours (and I rarely give anyone that long) but she was incredible, finishing with that cover.”

At the record store chain’s EU office, top picks were narrowed down to Wednesday’s Rat Saw God, BC Camplight’s The Last Rotation of Earth, Supershy’s Happy Music, Depeche Mode’s Memento Mori, Swans’The Beggar, and Avalon Emerson’s And The Charm.

Team members in the Rough Trade warehouse and stores selected Incendiary’s Change The Way You Think About Pain, Movements’ RUCKUS!, Fiddlehead’s Death Is Nothing To Us, BDRMM’s I Don’t Know,Alien Tango’s Kinda Happy, Kinda Sad, Beach Fossil’s Bunny, and Pale Jay’s Bewilderment.

Emily Waller, Head of Brand and Content at Rough Trade UK, commented: "Rough Trade is nothing without the passion of our staff and their diverse listening tastes.

“Our year end wrap-up of favourite albums is testament to all the dedicated and vibrant personalities who work behind our counters and is a list that travels beyond our headline Albums of the Year campaign."

You can view the full list of Rough Trade staff top picks of the year here.