10 top Milwaukee albums to hear in October 2023, from Buffalo Nichols, Grace Weber, more

A pair of nationally renowned blues artists with Milwaukee ties are among the local artists behind 10 top new albums and EPs to check out in September.

Here are my picks, listed in alphabetical order.

'Come 414Shop,' MarijuanaXO

Major love for Milwaukee's scrappy and creative hip-hop scene continues with extensive features in August in Pitchfork and Wired — and MarijuanaXO is a central figure in both profiles. Offering the lo-fi sounds and knockout punchlines prevalent in the street rap scene, MarijuanaXO on his latest album still sets himself apart from his peers, his casual flow inexplicably making his confident tone all the more commanding, while a grimy song like "Free Thugger" aspires for grandeur with strings and a children's chorus surrounding blown-speaker beats.

'Gardening Is a Practice, Not an Idea,' Blacktop

There's a Zen-like sonic aesthetic to Austin Wood's self-proclaimed (and aptly described) "indie surf folk." But there's emotional turmoil behind the sweet serenity, whether he's "falling in the blue" on "Flowers in the Garden," "staring at the ceiling" in the paralyzing "Expectations" or struggling to be more present in "Sunflower." By the album's end for "Real Life," Wood gently sings about a weight finally lifting off his shoulders — although his uncertainty over whether he's truly found solace, or is just imagining it, leaves a lingering uncertainty that's hard to shake.

'Joey,' Joe Quinto

A mother's cry for "Joey" over ambient sounds of children playing on "Days in a Daze" brings simultaneous warmth and sadness to this three-song EP, as Quinto, missing the simpler, happier times of childhood, struggles to break free from aimless uncertainty and find his voice. By the tender finale "More Than Love," it's clear he's on his way.

'Lost in Limbo,' Shontrail

The former emo rapper gets into his feelings in a new way, trading hip-hop for post-punk on his latest album. The angst pierces through the lo-fi guitar-and-drum haze of "When I'm Alone I Get Real High" and "Red Rabbit." Emotionally he may be "Lost in Limbo," but Shontrail seems assured by his new artistic calling.

'No Things Permanent,' Rose of the West

Gina Barrington's moody synthpop outfit offered one of the strongest debut albums from a Milwaukee band in recent years with its self-titled 2019 release. There is no sophomore slump here; "No Things Permanent" enhances Barrington's haunting voice and former GGOOLLDD member Thomas Gilbert's absorbing synths through soul-baring gems like the New Order-inspired "Come and Find Me." It all builds to grand finale "Every Bad Dream" where Barrington's whispered, withering truths pack as much punch as a wrecking ball.

'Paperflower,' Grace Weber

Long a proven talent with a golden voice, Weber went through an artistic awakening on her 2021 album "A Beautiful Space," finding glistening production from Chance The Rapper's production and songwriting team The Social Experiment that pushed Weber to her boldest expression. That growing confidence continues on her latest album "Paperflower," a radiant collection of R&B gems that draws its power from striking vocal restraint and Weber's infectious self-confidence.

'The 4th Album,' The Record Company

"I ain't ever giving up," Milwaukee music scene veteran Chris Vos says on album opener "Dance on Mondays." But their label gave up on them: Concord Records dropped the Grammy-nominated Los Angeles-based trio while they were working on their fourth album. Their loss: The Record Company (now with Round Hill Records) still has plenty of things to say — and rousing blues-rockers to burn, from Vos' sassy harmonica licks for "I Found Heaven (In My Darkest Days)" and his smoky guitar chops for "Patterns" to his inspired ode to self-improvement on "Working."

'The Fatalist,' Buffalo Nichols

Should we be concerned that Carl Nichols named his sophomore Buffalo Nichols album "The Fatalist" after he moved back to Milwaukee from Texas? "I am not in control of my own destiny," he sings with a smoky baritone on "The Fatalist Blues." "If I had my way, I would turn my whole life around." Nichols may be struggling to live his best life even in his hometown, but as an artist, he's taking matters into his own hands, via bold acoustic blues guitar picking and some inspired 808 beats. As a listener, it's a privilege to revel in that fleeting freedom.

'The Hiatus EP,' Dramatic Lovers

When bands go on a hiatus, their listeners are left on a lurch. But Dramatic Lovers, featuring past members of breakout local bands the Promise Ring, Decibully and Maritime, planned ahead with this aptly titled EP. The yearning synths, New Wave bass grooves and B.J. Seidel's emotive voice suggest there's plenty of creativity to tap when Lovers reconnect.

'The Man For You EP,' Dan Lepien

Evidently a savvy marketer along with a superb country singer-songwriter, Lepien tapped into Wisconsin's Kwik Trip pride with "God Bless Kwik Trip," his twangy ode to the gas station's "6 pack of dunkers, Angus cheeseburgers, Sweet Karuba Coffee" and other delicacies. It turned heads, sure, but it's clear that Lepien's love is pure, and four other classic-country-style songs on this EP show he needs no gimmicks to make a mighty impression.

"Must-Hear Milwaukee Music" runs on or around the first of every month in the Journal Sentinel and at jsonline.com. If you have a new album, EP or song coming out, contact Piet Levy at plevy@journalsentinel.com for review consideration. Follow him on Twitter at @pietlevy or Facebook at facebook.com/PietLevyMJS.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 10 top Milwaukee albums for October 2023, from Buffalo Nichols, more