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If you're not already listening to non-English albums, it's time to broaden your horizons. There's no denying that English has established itself as the lingua franca of music for decades. And while English-language music is still predominant and popular all around the world, non-English-language music is not taking the backseat.
Though always popular on their home turfs and similar, over the last few years especially, artists from non-English speaking countries have been gaining the attention of the mainstream masses not as isolated cases like songs of yesteryear (think “La Macarena,” “Gangnam Style,” or “Ai Se Eu Te Pego”) but as a norm.
In 2023 alone, a total of seven non-English songs managed to snag a spot in the top 10 of Billboard's Hot 100 list, the most ever since the list was created. According to Spotify Wrapped data from 2023, stars the likes of Bad Bunny, Peso Pluma, Feid, and Karol G were among the most-streamed artists on the app globally, with many of their projects also slipping into the list of most-streamed albums in the United States alone.
The numbers show that Latin artists lead the way when it comes to non-English-language music, but there's a whole world out there to explore — quite literally. Below, we have rounded up 15 of the best non-English albums of 2023 — from K-pop to reggaeton and French rap — so you can *add a little bit of spice* to your playlists going into the new year.
Karol G, Mañana Será Bonito
Main language: Spanish
Genre: Reggaeton, Latin Pop
Release date: February 24, 2023
They say the third time's the charm, but in Karol G's case, it's the fourth one. La Bichota's fourth studio album snagged the Album of the Year award at the 2023 Latin Grammys thanks to its 17 tracks, featuring collaborators like Romeo Santos, Quevedo, Shakira, Sean Paul, Sech, and more.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, TIDAL, Deezer
NewJeans, Get Up
Main language: Korean
Genre: K-pop, R&B, Dance, Jersey Club
Release date: July 21, 2023
Since debut, NewJeans have been collecting fans from the K-pop realm and beyond with their mix of Jersey Club beats, R&B, and parred-down glitz. Six-track EP Get Up is their most extensive project to date with their tried-and-true formula, which has brought them as far as Lollapalooza.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, TIDAL, Deezer
Ralphie Choo, Supernova
Main language: Spanish
Genre: R&B, Soul, Latin Trap, Hip-Hop
Release date: September 15, 2023
If you enjoy Frank Ocean and Motomami's experimental compositions, you'll surely enjoy this mix of trap and R&B from Madrid up-and-comer Ralphie Choo featuring collaborations from the likes of Mura Masa and Paris Texas.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, TIDAL, Deezer
YOASOBI, The Book 3
Main language: Japanese
Genre: J-pop, Electropop
Release date: October 4, 2023
YOASOBI know a thing or two about creating hits, and their third Japanese-language EP is no exception. Featuring ten tracks, The Book 3 is rife with synthpop bangers crafted by Ayase and perfectly delivered by Ikura.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, TIDAL, Deezer
Diljit Dosanjh, Ghost
Main language: Punjabi
Genre: Indian Pop, Hip-Hop, R&B
Release date: September 29, 2023
In April, Diljit Dosanjh made history becoming the first Punjabi artist ever to perform at Coachella. In September, he celebrated with the release of Ghost, his first studio album in two years, featuring 22 tracks that provide a smooth, easy listen.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, TIDAL
EXO, Exist
Main language: Korean
Genre: K-pop, R&B
Release date: July 10, 2023
The K-pop veterans put out their first album in five years featuring vocals from all then-active members of the group (minus Lay). Showing EXO's maturity and range, Exist has something for everyone — from velvet smooth R&B to delightful ballads.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, TIDAL, Deezer
Tainy, Data
Main language: Spanish
Genre: Reggaeton, Latin Trap, Latin Pop
Release date: June 29, 2023
Famed producer Tainy's long-anticipated debut LP will be studied in the history of reggaeton. Spanning 19 tracks and almost one hour, the project includes some hits and misses, but with collabs like Bad Bunny, Wisin & Yandel, and The Marías — among many others — it would be very remiss not to add to your playlists.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, TIDAL, Deezer
Pabllo Vittar, Noitada
Main language: Portuguese
Genre: Hyperpop, EDM, Brazilian Funk
Release date: February 8, 2023
Simply put, Pabllo Vittar's Noitada is full of earworms. From explosive opener “Ameianoite” to mellow closer “After,” the Brazilian superstar provides the perfect soundtrack for a night out, complete with standout collabs with Anitta.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, TIDAL, Deezer
Giriboy, Novel
Main language: Korean
Genre: R&B, Korean Rap, Melodic
Release date: October 26, 2023
South Korean rapper and producer Giriboy is known for his clever lyricism and distinctive mix of rap and ballads. His tenth album is exactly that. Spearheaded by What Should I Do (뭐 어떡할까), the album brings Giriboy's crooner sensibilities to the forefront.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, TIDAL, Deezer
King Gnu, The Greatest Unknown
Main language: Japanese
Genre: J-pop, Alt-Rock, R&B
Release date: November 29, 2023
Jujutsu Kaisen fans will surely recognize “Specialz,” the fourth track on King Gnu's new album. The rock-heavy standout has resonated across the world as the theme song of the popular anime's second season, but the rest of the album is also worthy of attention.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, TIDAL, Deezer
Bad Bunny, Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana
Main language: Spanish
Genre: Reggaeton, Latin Trap, Jersey Club
Release date: October 13, 2023
Bad Bunny put out Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana for his “real fans” — but make no mistake, though with a heavier dosage of trap, he's not fully going back to his old ways. NSLQVAPM is perhaps el Conejo Malo at his most experimental sonically and his bluntest lyrically.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, TIDAL, Deezer
Yaeji, With a Hammer
Main language: Korean
Genre: Alternative, Indie, Dance, Synthpop
Release date: April 7, 2023
Anchored by ASMR-esque murmurs and hazy synths, Yaeji's With a Hammer traverses genres without a hitch. With the same ease, she switches seamlessly from Korean to English to craft a uniquely personal soundscape that never sacrifices synths for storylines, and vice-versa.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, TIDAL, Deezer
Peso Pluma, Génesis
Main language: Spanish
Genre: Regional Mexicano, Corridos, Latin Trap, Hip-Hop
Release date: June 22, 2023
2023 has been the year of Peso Pluma and Génesis is the ultimate proof. Waving the flag for corrido music and mixing it with modern elements of trap and hip-hop, Peso Pluma has created a formula that is truly his.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, TIDAL, Deezer
Yamê, Elowi
Main language: French
Genre: R&B, French Rap, Hip-Hop
Release date: October 13, 2023
Self-taught artist Yamê is one of the revelations of 2023. Nine-track EP Elowi showcases the French-Cameroonian's smooth, versatile vocals, going from honeyed falsettos to high-powered rap, further elevated by his self-penned lyrics.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, TIDAL, Deezer
Alex Anwandter, El Diablo en el Cuerpo
Main language: Spanish
Genre: Dance, Chilean Pop, Mellow Rock
Release date: May 26, 2023
If you are looking for the perfect LGBTQ+ disco night soundtrack, look no further than Alex Anwandter's El Diablo en el Cuerpo. Featuring standout collabs with Buscabulla, Javiera Mena, and Julieta Venegas, and synths galore, this album will transport you back to the '80s.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, TIDAL, Deezer
