These 10 records by Missouri artists helped define a remarkable 2023 in music
From the middle of the middle, Missouri artists turned in another year of remarkable music.
From singer-songwriters to singular bands, nationally-revered rappers to homegrown breakthroughs, the state was humming in 2023. Here are 10 of my favorite Missouri-made records of the year, alphabetical by artist — with a few more for great measure.
Black Bear Boxer, "Tranquilizer" (Columbia)
Bandleader Derrick Cowan fleshed out his musical vision with around 25 collaborators, crafting a record in the vein of great concept albums and rock operas.
Beth Bombara, "It All Goes Up" (St. Louis)
Easily among the best songwriters St. Louis has known, Bombara adds a number of worthy cuts to her personal canon and hints at something like hope for the rest of us at a broken moment.
Enemy Airship, "Emperor Somehow" (St. Louis)
After a series of stellar EPs, these Columbia ex-pats delivered a deeply satisfying full-length, marked by its gliding guitar-rock momentum and artful depth.
Rae Fitzgerald, "Say I Look Happy" (Columbia)
Ever-evolving by degrees, one of Columbia's finest songwriters sifts religious trauma, distinctly American sins and questions of identity against a lush indie-folk backdrop.
Rochara Knight and the Honey Doves, self-titled (Columbia)
On their debut, this local soul collective surrounds leader Knight's rich vocals with rocksteady playing and rich harmonies.
Shady Bug, "What's the Use? EP" (St. Louis)
Led by Hannah Rainey, part of the longtime Columbia sister act Dubb Nubb, this six-song set charges ahead with a dynamic indie-rock approach that recalls the spirit of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Diet Cig and more.
Tech N9ne, "Bliss" (Kansas City)
The king of Kansas City hip-hop unites all sides of himself while delivering one of the most soulful, downright joyous records of his career.
Tri-County Liquidators, "Cut My Teeth" (Columbia)
On their debut full-length, this local five-piece surveys the history of indie rock, uniting collected artifacts to form something completely refreshing.
Van Ghost, "Songs About Feelings" (Columbia)
The Columbia rapper creates a cool-as-the-other-side-of-the-pillow document, both laying back into and getting ahead of the neon blue groove he and his cohorts create.
The Whiffs, "Scratch 'N' Sniff" (Kansas City)
Call them power pop. Call them garage rock. However you brand these 13 songs, they chime like bells, reverberating well past the record's 38-minute run time.
Honorable mention
Many more Missouri records stand out from the year in music. Among them:
Degrave, "Volume" (Columbia); Dragon Inn 3, "Trade Secrets" (Kansas City); Drona, "Keen Eyes with a Grim Smile" (Columbia); John Galbraith Trio, "Anywhere" (Columbia); The Onions, "Coy Pond" (Columbia); Telepathy Club, "Skelly EP" (Columbia); True Lions/Fritz Hutchison, self-titled (Kansas City); Lizzie Weber, "Fidalgo" (St. Louis)
Aarik Danielsen is the features and culture editor for the Tribune. Contact him at adanielsen@columbiatribune.com or by calling 573-815-1731. He's on Twitter/X @aarikdanielsen.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: These 10 records helped define a remarkable 2023 in Missouri music
