With the end of the year and Consequence’s Annual Report looming, October gave us plenty of great albums to consider. There was a terrific return from Sufjan Stevens with Javelin, heartfelt offerings from Jamila Woods and Angie McMahon, and a Troye Sivan album that still has us dancing. Meanwhile, strong follow-up works from the likes of L’Rain, Squirrel Flower, and Sampha reminded us why we fell in love with those artists in the first place. Listed in alphabetical order, here are what our Consequence writers and editors think are the best albums from October 2023.
Reverend Kristin Michael Hayter — SAVED!
“I’M GETTING OUT WHILE I CAN,” the opening song from Reverend Kristin Hayter’s SAVED!, is bruised and bloody — literally. To achieve the song’s eerie crackles, pops, distortions, and imperfections, Hayter dragged the song’s tape around the studio, untangled it, re-recorded it to cassette, ran it through a broken tape player, and finally translated it back to tape (see visual evidence of the crime scene here). It’s the most out-there the record gets, as SAVED! dials back the raw intensity of Hayter’s previous work as Lingua Ignota, but successfully sets the tone for an album that’s as unsettling as it is beautiful.
The following 10 tracks, many of which are covers of Christian hymns and folk tunes, almost take the shape of a dusty, warped, intensely spiritual 12″ that was left at the bottom of a stack of records somewhere in the rust belt. It’s an utterly enrapturing sonic journey, one that draws you in no matter how resistant to old religious tunes you might think you are. — Jonah Krueger
Husbands — Cuatro
Oklahoma City indie rockers Husbands are back with their second album in two years: Cuatro. Clearly, the band is feeling a little prolific right now — after their eclectic 2022 album Full-On Monet came out last January, the band played Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits, nabbed some major opening tour slots, and returned this month with new music. The more oddball elements of Full-On Monet return, while also hearkening back to the classic, boyish hooks from their breakout third album After the Gold Rush Party. The band’s commitment to vocal harmonies — which can range from sedative and gentle to downright anthemic — is a major asset to their sound, making songs like “Old Town” and “Can’t Do Anything” as irresistible as ever. — Paolo Ragusa
L’Rain — I Killed Your Dog
Taja Cheek’s third record as L’Rain, I Killed Your Dog, reflects heartbreak and grief from the perspective of hurting those we love the most. The multi-instrumentalist and composer describes it as an “anti-breakup” album. “Our Funeral” is a soulful and serene tune that observes the end of a relationship. The synth-driven track, “Pet Rock,” looks at identity and expectations. “I Hate My Best Friend” is a humorous song about resenting your pals for wanting you to get help. The project showcases the complexities of heartache and pain. — Sun Noor
