The 10 Best Indian Albums of 2023

India’s music scene has been booming this year, and we’re here to show you the absolute best albums that made everyone groove and feel some serious vibes. From classic melodies to brand-new sounds that’ll get you dancing, these albums are the crème de la crème.

10. Bulli Bainbridge – Seasons (feat. Various Artists)

After teasing his debut album with two singles at the end of 2022, Mumbai-based producer Zain Calcuttawala, aka Bulli Bainbridge, dropped his seven-track album Seasons at the top of 2023. The record includes a host of collaborators such as vocalist Shalmali Kholgade, rapper Bob Omulo aka Bobkat (from reggae/hip-hop group Bombay Bassment), singer Anusha Ramasubramoney aka Nushious (one half of singer-songwriter duo Second Sight), seasoned vocalist-producer Siddharth Basrur, multi-faceted artist Trichia Grace-Ann Rebello, vocalist-guitarist and producer Ankit Dayal (from alt-rockers Spud in the Box) and Nigerian producer Ade. Calcuttawala’s vision mixed with his collaborators’ exceptional talent shape the record into an immersive listen that is filled with elegant orchestral arrangements, slick R&B moments, striking hip-hop offerings, as well as wholesome ballads. — D.B. 

9. Ankur Tewari – Akela

A pandemic album—music that was written or had its origins in the isolation period of lockdowns—should hardly be relevant any longer, considering we’re all roaringly celebrating being out and about, right? Ankur Tewari finds a way to take us back to the universality of that time without too many specific references on his album Akela. With the deft, atmospheric production touch of Rohan Ramanna, Tewari’s usually acoustic sound gets melancholy and soul-searching, best heard on the title track and songs like “Parwaana” and the eight-and-a-half-minute closer “Sawaal.” The flittering guitars on “Ik Dooje Ke Liye” adds a new dimension to Tewari’s songwriting. He’s arguably had one of his best years creatively, being part of soundtracks like The Archies, Made In Heaven Season 2, Kho Gaye Hum Kahan and the project Coke Studio Bharat. – A.T. 

8. Jamna Paar – Strangers from Past Life

New Delhi bassist Gaurav Balani (from rockers Parikrama and electro-rockers Inalab) and flautist Shashank Singhania’s electronica duo Jamna Paar released their debut eight-track full-length album Strangers from Past Life this year. The pair packs in plenty of soundscapes throughout the record, from drum n bass to Indian classical and more. The album also includes a host ocollaborators such as Apeksha Dandekar, Aditi Singh Sharma, Saptak Chatterjee, and others to help bring the songs to life. — D.B. 

7. Dreamhour – Now That We Are Here

Debo Sanyal aka Dreamhour, the Siliguri-based producer-singer, keeps finding new ways to make synthwave exciting, and there are perhaps only a few who can stick to a niche the way he has. With his latest album, Now That We Are Here, there are more elements of soul and pop mixed in with retro synths and more. With a few assists from vocalist Dokodoko, there are indefatigable synth-pop cuts like “It’s A Song,” “She’s Everything” and “Own Tonight.” Dreamhour sticks to more indulgent retro-wave as well, on songs like “Pulp Motel” and the Bollywood synth-era informed “Rajdoot.” – A.T. 

6. Dhanji – RUAB

Just like its hard-to-define title, Ahmedabad artist Dhanji’s debut album RUAB defies genres, thematic expectations within desi hip-hop, and more across 11 songs and 46 minutes. It’s funky, it’s raging, it’s resolute, and everything in between lives up to the prolific hip-hop artist’s underground cred. Dhanji raps, scowls, and stretches the linguistic boundaries of Hindi, Gujarati, and English in his care-a-damn way heard on previous mixtapes, but makes it even darker yet glorious. “RVAB” is funk-rap perfection, while “Magaj Ka Bimari” flitters like the many sides of Dhanji’s mind, while the collab-heavy “What Would the Credit Department Do?” brings in Siyaahi, Arpit Bala, Faizan, Bagi Munda and more for killer verses. – A.T. 

5. Gutslit – Carnal

Mumbai metallers Gutslit’s latest album, Carnal is an unrelenting sonic assault that reaffirms the band’s status as torchbearers of extreme metal in India. The album showcases Gutslit’s uncompromising aggression and technical prowess. With blistering guitar riffs, thunderous drumming, and guttural vocals, Carnal unleashes a visceral onslaught that encapsulates the essence of the group’s sound. The band’s mastery in crafting intricate compositions is evident, creating a relentless and chaotic atmosphere throughout the album. The record is a testament to the band’s unbridled ferocity and musical precision. — D.B. 

4. Komorebi – The Fall

New Delhi producer-vocalist Tarana Marwah, aka Komorebi, crafts a sonic journey that transcends genres on her seven-track album, The Fall. This avant-garde body of work is a testament to Marwah’s innovative prowess. The album’s ethereal blend of electronic, indie, and experimental elements creates a mesmerizing soundscape that captivates from the first note. Marwah’s distinctive vocals, coupled with intricate production, weave a narrative that is both introspective and expansive. The Fall is not just an album; it’s an immersive experience that challenges musical boundaries. — D.B. 

3. Sandunes – The Ground Beneath Her Feet

Mumbai producer Sandunes’ latest album, The Ground Beneath Her Feet, is a captivating sonic odyssey that unfolds with immersive brilliance. Through the record, Sandunes juxtaposes electronic, ambient, and various other soundscapes into a seamless tapestry of melodies. Each track is a meticulously crafted sonic landscape that takes listeners on a journey of reflection and emotion. The intricate production, coupled with Sandunes’ evocative musicality, creates an otherworldly experience. The Ground Beneath Her Feet is a testament to Sandunes’ artistic evolution, solidifying her position as a trailblazer in the realm of electronic music and captivating audiences with her innovative compositions. — D.B. 

2. Indian Ocean – Tu Hai

On their first album since 2014’s Tandanu, New Delhi fusion stalwarts Indian Ocean still carry their protest music torch high, albeit in their own way. Tu Hai is focused more on humanity’s ecological footprint and all the other things that manipulate them. Through a rousing chorus of voices, they bat for hope on “Jaadu Maaya,” take on an enriching saxophone-aided excursion with “Jungle” and invite veteran percussionist Vikku Vinayakram on the playful “Iss Tan Dhan.” Cavernous fusion-psychedelic experiments abound as well, on the two-part title track and “Rebirth,” proving that Indian Ocean are still doing it their way amid changing times. – A.T.  

1. Seedhe Maut – Lunch Break

We can argue all day about quantity vs quality in Desi hip-hop, but Seedhe Maut are apex predator when it comes to both. Their mixtape Lunch Break may have been intended as an offering to fans to hold them over until their next album arrives—the follow-up to Nayaab—but it’s now found its place in the Indian hip-hop canon. From Badshah to Bandzo3rd to KR$NA and Faris Shafi, Seedhe Maut blurs boundaries and delivers 30 tracks spanning 85 minutes of stories about growing up but never leaving the past too far behind. In a year that gave us stellar Hindi hip-hop albums across the board – Yungsta’s Meen, Dakait’s Dev Nagri Aur Main, and of course, KING’s New Life—Seedhe Maut showed they’re one of the most prolific in the country. – A.T.