Music critic Joey Guerra picks best albums by Houston artists of 2023

Houston musicians have made things very difficult.

That’s because there was a wealth of great albums released throughout 2023. Rap and hip-hop, as always, came to the party. There were standouts in multiple genres, from singer-songwriters to pop to Tejano. It made choosing the best a challenge, moreso than in any recent year.

That’s why I expanded from the usual ten to 20. And it still doesn’t seem like enough. I also included a handful of EPs that promise great future things. Please, go to neighborhood shows, stream local music, buy a T-shirt. You can start with these acts. (And read all the way through for a playlist of the best songs.)

Qualls has been releasing music for several years. But this album feels like his arrival as an artist. It’s luminous from start to finish. The lyrics are vulnerable and relatable. The production is clean and polished. He’s not afraid to sing about being happy, in love and fulfilled. (Heartbreak tends to get more attention in music.) But there are moments of loss and difficulty here, too. And he mixes it up on the album’s second-half with a series of dance-pop tracks that complements the singer-songwriter vibe of the first-half. “Feel” is the sound of an artist finally understanding and utilizing his talents. That’s an exciting thing.

Key tracks: “Feel,” “Family Ties” and “Grave”

The silly-serious balance is a precarious one. Too much of either can come off as smug or unfeeling. But Swimwear Department finds the perfect pitch on “The Poolest of the Mall.” They’re still singing exclusively about swimming pools and malls. And taken on surface level, this is a fun collection of nerd rock tunes. But the brilliance is just underwater, where they explore disillusioned youth (“We Need a Place”), capitalism (“Shop!) and gender identity (“Submarine”). And you might get misty-eyed during album closer “Memall,” a sweet tribute to a mall-walking grandmother.

Key tracks: “We Need a Place” and “Memall”

Guilla blazes through nine tracks in just over 22 minutes on ” Obliterated.” It’s a brash and booming album, framed by his love for anime. Opener “Naruto Running in the Gym” is one of the year’s best singles, period. (If you know, you know.) The entire album is a scorcher from start to finish, a seamless fusion of rap and rock. Lyrically, he speaks on exploitative work culture, the U.S. healthcare system and psychologist Carl Rogers. Rappers Roxxy Haze and Fat Tony provide their own excellent verses. “Obliterated” follows “Faceless,” the best Houston album of 2022.

Key tracks: “Naruto Running in the Gym,” “Stapler Music” and “Universal Hellcare”

Don’t let the title fool you. D-Risha’s “Escape from Houston, Texas” is a love letter to the city. “Mechanix (The Slab)” is an ode to local car culture. “Robert Horry” features a blazing verse from the late Gift of Gab (Blackalicious). This is an album that gets better with repeated listens. D-Risha is also a fervent family man, and closer “Making You Proud” features his daughter “Classic” Kiki and honors his late father.

Key tracks: “Mechanix (The Slab),” “Robert Horry” and “Making You Proud”

“Love & Art” is a fitting title for this album from Andrew Davis, who performs as The Aspiring Me. Both qualities are abundant throughout this excellent project, an ode to his life in Houston. Davis is thge son of local hip-hop legend Big Mello, but he’s carved his own path in the scene, working with KTRU 96.1 FM, DiverseWorks and the BIPOC Arts Network. “Love & Art” includes solid assists from Fat Tony, Lil B and one of the most relatable Houston lyrics you’ll ever hear: “When we leave the bar, hit House of Pies up/We at Ruchi’s 2 a.m. got beer in my cup/If it’s Friday night we ’bout to hit that Mai’s up …” Who’s hungry?

Key tracks: “Right On Me” and “Satellite City”

Dreamy bedroom pop is a sound favored by many a Houston band. Coed quintet Blossom Aloe does it really, really well. The band’s second album is even better than its first, an impressive evolution in chemistry and atmosphere.Singer Mia Jane Coyle, who joined the band in 2022, brings an ethereal allure to the music. Several of these songs sound like radio hits.

Key tracks: “LUV,” “Meant to Be”

This pairing brings out the best in both artists. Calico, one of the city’s fiercest rappers, continues his run of impressive releases. He’s smooth and soulful here, the most evolved Calico yet. Mr.380, who owns OneTwoTree Apparel, proves a formidable foil throughout the album.

Key tracks: “Beast,” “Candy” and “Purse 1st”

Like the previous pairing, this one pushes each artist into interesting new spaces. “The HIMalayas” is a funny and soulful collection of songs designed to start the party. SuperFly Mixx and Dash the G.O.A.T. are confident, charismatic rappers. They move through the album with ease and have a smooth chemistry.  SuperFly in particular has a warm, inviting delivery that commands attention. “Hands Up” featuring Bigg Fatts is a standout and contender for a new Houston athem.

Key tracks: “Hands Up” and “Playa Made”

Houston has a wealth of singer-songwriters. It’s easy, and unfair, to take them for granted. Fahl, who has been a mainstay on local stages for years, has crafted a heartfelt, thoughtful album of life musings and sweet stories. It’s brimming with grace, wit and charm. It’s all anchored by his plainspoken delivery and makes it feel like catching up with an old friend.

Key tracks: “Graduation Day” and “Reptile Love”

“Almighty Snako” finally got a proper release this year after some legal wrangling over samples. This is an impeccably produced album, as slick as anything released on a national level. Sludge Von continues to prove himself a formidable, focused talent. He’s developed a signature sound that looks beyond Houston and seems destined for greater things. 

Key tracks: “Almighty Snako” and “Automatic”

11. “Fireball,” Grifter & Shills: Think Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, by way of Houston.

12. Hands on Al: “Just Because it’s Nov. 3 V. 5,” “Gassius Clay V. 2” and “Really into paper V. 2”: A trio of solid releases from this harworking act.

13. Mi Hijo, Mi Angel,” Monico Cortez II: Heartfelt songs from Tejano singer Cortez, whose son died in in 2022 at 24 years old.

14. “Peeps Changed,” Sh***y Roommate: Snarling punk and rock from this seemingly out-of-nowhere act.

15. “Maybe Next Time,” Pax.Tony: This young rapper has a unique delivery and shows lots of potential.

16. “Pleasure in a Fast Void,” Mister Data: Houston five-piece makes an impression with pop-rock debut.

17. “Southside Legend in the Making,” Duck: 2023 had several standout rap releases. This is one of them.

18. “Old News,” Attxla: This one plays like a sonic cousin to Beyoncé’s self-titled surprise album.

19. “Cinema 6,” KAYO Da Konspiracy: Songs titled and inspired by movies, from “Soul Food” to “Driving Miss Daisy.”

20. “Para Empazar a Amar,” Juan Trevino: Latin Grammy-winning album from Tejano songwriter.