Anthony Fantano introduces the final edition of list week for 2023, featuring his top 50 favorite albums of the year.

• Fantano has been listing his favorite albums for over a decade.
• He presents the concept of narrowing down many loved albums to a top 50 list.
• The process of creating the list is described as normal despite its inherent challenges.

Fantano begins the countdown with albums ranked from 50 to 41, offering a quick overview of each.

• Number 50 is Navy Blues' 'Ways of Knowing', a hip-hop album with a cute cover.
• Number 49 features Jesse Ware's punchy disco sequel 'What Feels Good'.
• Other albums include George Clanton's 'Uraya', Key Glock's 'Glaucoma 2', and Joanna Sternberg's singer-songwriter album.

Fantano continues his list with albums 40 to 31, highlighting their distinct musical styles.

• At 40, Colin Stetson's conceptual album 'When We Were That What Wept for the Sea' stands out.
• Tanache's 'BB Angel' at 39 offers a series of beautiful R&B and pop cuts.
• The list includes a variety of genres such as experimental Latin music, death metal, and folk.

The countdown progresses with albums ranked 30 to 21, showcasing a mix of indie, hip-hop, and experimental sounds.

• Squid's 'O Monolith' and Feeble Little Horse's 'A Girl with Fish' offer quirky and experimental sounds.
• Olivia Rodrigo's 'Guts' improves upon her debut LP 'Sour'.
• Model Actress's 'Dog's Body' features dark, groovy, and mesmerizing tracks.

Fantano breaks into the top half of his list with albums 25 to 16, highlighting their unique qualities and standout features.

• McKinley Dixon's 'Paradise Jazz' offers dense lyricism and grand jazz instrumentals.
• Lonnie Holly's 'Omi Omai' feels otherworldly with topical themes.
• Group Therapy's debut is praised for seamlessly blending various genres.

The detailed exploration of Fantano's top 25 albums continues with albums 15 to 6.

• Amar Ray mixes Afro beats and dream pop on 'Fountain Baby'.
• Liturgy's '9369' is praised for its epic and crushing display of music.
• SAA's 'Laigh' is noted for its conceptual depth and improved vocal performances.

Fantano announces his top 5 albums of the year, providing in-depth insight and personal reflections on each.

• Billy Woods and Kenny Segal's 'Maps' is commended for its esoteric lyrics and creative production.
• Sufjan Stevens returns to form with 'Javelin', an emotionally charged indie folk album.
• Lana Del Rey's 'Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Boulevard' showcases her growth as an artist.

Fantano reveals his number one album of the year, explaining his personal connection to the music and its thematic resonance.

• Jeff Rosenstock's 'Hell mode' tops the list for its emotional depth and punk spirit.
• The album is characterized by its themes of self-care, healing, and personal growth.
• Fantano describes 'Hell mode' as a punk opus that combines catchy melodies with invigorating rock journeys.