2023 is almost in the books, and it will be one of those years people look back on (then again, aren't they all). In terms of music being released, there has been a lot of really good stuff released. I'm also pleased to report that all of the new music I've listened to, there has been very little I've actively disliked. Lets talk some stats (because that is why you are here, right?)
New albums listened to - 280
Total listens - 627
Average score - 6.56
This is the first time I've done this for albums (my ranking system in previous years has been ramshackle at best). The 627 total listens have been not been evenly spread amongst the 281 new albums (there was no way I was listening to the Dave Lombardo album more than once). 6.56 as an average rating seems low considering I said there has been a lot of good albums released. There have, but there have been more that I'd say were fine or good, rather than absolute stinkers or incredible. I also did the same thing for EPs as well, but truthfully I listened to far fewer EPs:
New EPs listened to - 33
Total listens - 85
Average score - 6.94
It is interesting that the EP average score isnt that dissimilar to the album one. Obviously there is a much smaller sample size, but still. Anyway, lets talk about some EPs. The honourable mentions for both lists are in alphabetical order.
EPs - Honourable Mentions
Jamie Lenman - Iknowyouknowiknow - A companion piece to the excellent album from last year The Atheist (which I had in my top 20 albums last year at 15, but could well have been higher if I had more time with it). I very much enjoyed getting to hear more of this style of Jamie Lenman's output.
KIDS - Love + The City - I saw this band opening a little show in Portsmouth and thought they sounded cool. The EP is an extension of that, it sounds cool!
Lambrini Girls - You're Welcome - I almost went to go see Lambrini Girls play in Brighton with Currls and congratulations, and didn't because I got tattooed the day before and I didn't then want 3 gigs in 3 days, which actually turned out to be just 1 on the Saturday. Basically, what I am saying is I regret that decision. A big part of the regret is not getting to hear some/all of these songs live because the EP is good. Also, while we're talking about it, on the song Terf Wars, the band tell Terfs to fuck off...and that is a sentiment I am on board with.
SNAYX - Weaponized Youth: Part 1 - This EP served as a very nice introduction for me to SNAYX. I really like this. I will be sad if I can't see them at Takedown festival next year.
Terminal Sleep - Chapter 2: Elicit Fear - This was a cool EP. I will say, I went into this blind having not (and still have not) listened to Chapter 1
The Manatees - Dream In Colour - This EP's vibe is very chilled. I definitely hope to hear more by this band.
The Meffs - Broken Britain Pt. 2 - A decent little slab of punk, this
Turnstile, BADBADNOTGOOD - New Heart Designs - Not entirely sure if this counts as an EP, because on Spotify it is listed as a single. Whatever, it is here. It is remix of 3 great Turnstile songs and it is remarkable how well these songs work with a laid back vibe.
EPs - Top 10
10. Bleeding Maw - Endless Punctures
The Nirvana worship on this EP is very evident, and I don't say that as a criticism because Nirvana are ace. Caved clearly wear their influences on their sleeve, but they aren't just a clone.
As a fun note, in doing a little bit of research for this, I've seen they have just released a new album (on 20th December). It won't edit my list below but I'm looking forward to listening to it!
I've had less time with this EP than their other one released this year (more on that later) but I've enjoyed this every time I've listened to it.
7. Pretty Please - Discount Wax Museum
This is a great EP that to me gave off vibes of a more-grungy version of The Wildhearts. I am somewhat of a fan of The Wildhearts and am partial to grunge, so my liking this was a sure thing.
6. Bat Sabbath - Masters of Duality
Cancer Bats put out their second Black Sabbath covers EP under their Bat Sabbath moniker. It is Cancer Bats playing Black Sabbath, therefore it is ace.
5. The Hope Conspiracy - Confusion/Chaos/Misery
This EP was the most recent entry into the list for me because I only listened to it for the first time this month (or maybe at the very end of November). I had no idea of the history of this band, and how this was their first release in 14 years. I also didn't know there was someone in this band also in Paint It Black, who released a cool album this year as well. This EP is a fraction over 10 minutes and absolutely slaps. More listens could have put it higher, but it deserved to go straight in towards the top end here. I 100% need more from this band!
congratulations are ace live (I am still a little bit sad I was injured when their headline show rolled into town). Anyhow, they put out this EP and it is really good. The music is good on this EP, and I know it is even better live. You love to see...hear it? One of them.
3. Scowl - Psychic Dance Routine
Scowl put out a 15 minute album in 2021 called How Flowers Grow, and while at the time it wasn't one I put in my end of year list, it was one I kept finding myself going back to. The same is true of this EP - I've gone back to it many times this year. Seeing them perform a 25 minute headline set in Southampton earlier this year was wild, and this EP is great.
HotWax were due to support The Pearl Harts in Portsmouth earlier this year, but alas due to illness in the band, they were unable to. I very much enjoyed Pearl Harts that night, but HotWax sold me the ticket. I listened to this EP on or around the time they were announced for that show and have just constantly gone back to it. I 100% want to see them live, sadly they are on the half of the DIY next tour that isn't going to Southampton. Something there will be something around this way later in the year!
1. Better Lovers - God Made Me An Animal
I was a sad panda when the news of Every Time I Die breaking up was confirmed. I had tickets to two of the shows on the tour with them, The Bronx, Jesus Piece and Sanction, but mainly I was sad because ETID's music was incredible. When I heard that a new band was coming from the ashes of ETID, I was of course curious. That band being fronted by Greg Puciato was an entirely different concept. The first song from the band (and this EP), 30 Under 13, is my most listened to song of 2023. This EP soon followed and it is just stunning. Later in the year, they would do a brief UK run, in which the whole EP was performed live (alongside a since released single) and it was a superb show (to read my words about it and other favoured shows, you should click right here). Better Lovers will hopefully be around for some years to come, and I am fully onboard.
Last year, I thought I overdid it with the honourable mentions on top of a top 20. This year I know I have overdone it! You'll see...
ALBUMS - Honourable Mentions
100 gecs - 10,000 gecs - This album is like 26 minutes long and is really varied. I never checked out 100 gecs debut album but I heard it was quite divisive
Baroness - Stone - Baroness are great, this album is great. End of.
Blood Command - World Domination - All of these albums were at one point in consideration for the top 20, but this is the one that was mostly recently the closest to making it in. I saw them live at the Joiners, a gig which was a lot of fun but gave me a new appreciation for this album, which slaps!
Bury Tomorrow - The Seventh Son - Bury Tomorrow have been on a roll since Black Flame, and this album is a continuation of that roll.
CVC - Get Real - I only discovered this band because they played Portsmouth, and I thought to check them out to see if I wanted to go. I did go, and I really enjoy this album. It was another that was very close to the top 20.
Ellie Goulding - Higher Than Heaven - I listened to this a lot in anticipation of seeing Ellie Goulding at an album release show in a small room in Southampton, and then I got Covid so I didn't go. The album is good though!
Fucked Up - One Day - This is one of the early albums I listened to this year, and I like Fucked Up, so I was sure I was going to be favourable to this. I didn't revisit it too much throughout the year, but whenever I did I was given a good reminder it was good.
Immortal - War Against All - I was surprised at how much I liked this album. I went in with no expectations and yeah, it was a surprise. That's the best way to live life, have no expectations and then you can't be disappointed (I'm fine).
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - Weathervanes - I really enjoyed this album when I listened to it, but in truth those occasions were few and far between due to how long it was.
Militaire Gun - Life Under The Gun - This is another one I stopped going back to, but whenever I did, I always enjoyed it.
The Dirty Nil - Free Rein To Passions - The Dirty Nil are criminally underrated. I'm not sure if this album is as good as Fuck Art, but both albums are seriously good.
The St Pierre Snake Invasion - Gloria - I've liked TSPSI for a little bit now, and I would say this album is my favourite of theirs (no shade on Caprice Enchante though, which is very good!)
WIll Haven - VII - I've never really listened to Will Haven before this album, but have heard more than once that they are an incredible band. This album served as my introduction and what a way to be introduced - this album is great
ALBUMS - TOP 20
20. Carly Rae Jepsen - The Loveliest Time
I listened to this album on a whim not long after it was released, and it was another pleasant surprise at how much I enjoyed it. What was also a surprise was learning that this album is a B Sides album to 2022's The Loneliest Time - an album as of this writing I have not yet listened to. I was very impressed by this album and each time I went back to it, I realised it was definitely in conversation for this list.
The Ocean are a great band, Holocene is a great album. I've enjoyed getting reacquainted with The Ocean over the last couple of years, and this album is definitely a part of that.
18. Burner - It All Returns To Nothing
Burner are a band I saw open for Employed To Serve in 2022 in Southampton and I remember thinking they sounded good. They were talking about releasing an EP, which they did and was good. If memory serves, that talk was not only about an EP though (which was done at that point), but also about releasing an album. This is that album, and I can see why they were excited to get it recorded. It is quality. I'm looking forward to hearing more from this band, and hopefully seeing them live again!
A year with new Metallica music, for me, is better than most. Lux Æterna was released in 2022 and was a great introduction to the album. If Darkness Had A Son and Screaming Suicide followed. I can't remember which one of these songs it was, but I remember it took me longer to get into it than I anticipated - I got there in the end though. There are good parts of this album I am looking forward to seeing live. Here's the thing, based on my feelings towards the other Metallica albums, this is probably one of my least favourite albums they've released. I still enjoy it though, to the point that I have included it here.
Tigercub were absolutely one of my favourite discoveries of the year. I can't remember how that happened, but it did and I am delighted it did (it might have been after they announced their Portsmouth show and I saw they had a new album, but I'm not sure). Regardless, I listened to the album for some reason and that was a very good call. The album is great, the show was great. Ace.
Therapy? are a band who appear to consistently release music no worse than 'good'. A good new album by Therapy? is almost something you can set your watch to. This album is not a 'good' new Therapy? album. It is an excellent new Therapy? album. It is quality from start to finish, and also (for what it is worth) sounds very good live!
14. Pest Control - Don't Test The Pest
I don't know if Pest Control would appreciate being called party thrash. That is the vibe I get when I listen to them. Either way, this album is a short sharp burst of really good thrash metal. I've seen them twice since they released this album and both times have been great. I hope another opportunity presents itself. This is a great introduction to the band.
13. The Lottery Winners - Anxiety Replacement Therapy
A friend of mine, who shall remain nameless, told me that this band sounded weird when they played Victorious Festival. I don't remember why I didn't see them that day, but I didn't so I was unable to corroborate what had been said. I then didn't listen to them again until they were announced as the main support for Frank Turner's 2023 UK tour. I gave them a listen and thought they sounded decent and I would make my own mind up when seeing them at that show. They were excellent that night, and they were talking about making their album number one, so that was exciting. I listened to it not long (possibly release day) when it came out and almost immediately bought a copy from the iTunes store to help do my bit to get them to number one (which they succeeded in doing). The album is really good from start to finish. I am hoping to see them live again - they are playing a more prominent spot at Victorious 2024 on one of the days I'll be there, so if possible I'll try and get towards the front for them and I am sure I will have a lovely time.
GEL's 16 minute album is blistering. It had almost the exact same impact on me as the Scowl album from 2021. It is short, it is fast and heavy and for the most part doesn't fuck around. Due to its run time, it is the album I've listened to the most this year and have loved listening to it. When I say for the most part it doesn't fuck around, it is 16 minutes long and 2 minutes of that (ish) are fans leaving voice notes (presumably). It is a choice, and I'm not a fan of that. That aside, this album would be flawless. I got to see them support Municipal Waste earlier in the year, and I would like more please!
11. The Gaslight Anthem - History Books
Over the years, I would say my relationship with The Gaslight Anthem has been limited, which is a surprise to me as I would have thought they are right up my street. I don't know why it hasn't yet clicked entirely. I think this album will help that happen though as it is brilliant. The title track with Bruce Springsteen is one of the best individual songs released in 2023. This album is more than that one song though, it is great throughout. I was hoping Gaslight Anthem might support The Boss at Hyde Park, which sadly didn't happen. I don't think he brings support acts to his own shows, but were he to, then them appearing at Wembley would be excellent!
10. Foo Fighters - But Here We Are
I did not expect to see Foo Fighters appear on one of these lists. The context for this album is of course deeply tragic. Out of that tragedy, Dave Grohl has written a truly spellbinding album. I would put this album up there with their best albums (not at the very top, admittedly). It is an excellent piece of work, and I really like it.
Underneath was comfortably my favourite album of 2020 (well, I say comfortably, it was in the top 2 with RTJ4). Underneath was a game changer for me in terms of Code Orange. Earlier in the year, they released What Is Really Underneath? which for a companion piece was fine. Bands like Nine Inch Nails released companion piece albums, some of which were ace and some weren't - I like that Code Orange did this as well. This album came out and it was immediate for me that I liked it. Another listen confirmed that I really liked it. What I like about it is that Code Orange didn't just redo Underneath, they've created an album that nods to Underneath while at the same time expanding on their sound again in the same way Underneath expanded significantly on Forever. Code Orange are an exciting band, and I am here for them continuing to release excellent new music.
I was introduced to Genesis Owusu around the release of Smiling With No Teeth, an album that I thought was good but never really went back to. As I remembered liking that one, when I discovered this was out, I had to give it a go. I still haven't revisited SWNT, but this album stuck with me a lot more so I am confident in saying I like it more. I think by it being 8th in this list (and some of the albums that have already gone) is an indicator of how much I liked this album. I was surprised by how much I liked it. I love it when music surprises me.
7. Svalbard - The Weight Of The Mask
I really don't have a massive amount to say about this album other than this - Svalbard released a superb album 3 years ago called When I Die, Will I Get Better?. This album is just as good if not better. The singles released ahead of time are all excellent, and the rest of the album is varying degrees of great. I can't wait to hear more of these songs live.
Urne's debut album is quality. When a relatively new band release a debut album that good, you can't help but be excited about what will come next, and if they will be able to live up to the high bar they set themselves. Urne set themselves a high bar, and with this album vaulted over that bar with some ease. This album was produced by Joe Duplantier from Gojira, and you can hear his influence on this album. The album has so many strengths. My favourite song is the first single, Becoming The Ocean, but there are so many great songs on this album. This fact was highlighted by their recent UK headline run - I was at the London show as my last gig of 2023. They played a 9 song set list, and 6 of the songs came from this album (an album that only has songs as is) - not only were 6 played but the interlude penultimate track was played on tape before the encore. This album is incredible, and Urne deserve all of the plaudits for it.
5. Green Lung - This Heathen Land
My introduction to Green Lung came when they were announced for the Damnation festival I went to. I listened, and liked what I heard. I was able to see them, and I also liked them live. Without wishing to disrespect anything Green Lung had previously released, this album for me is not only my favourite of theirs but also their best work to date. I saw them live on this tour and the material on this album is mega. I would be astonished if, on their next big tour through the country, if they are playing the same size rooms. Albums as good as this will be in part to thanks for that.
I am confident of all albums on this list, this is one I do not need to provide a link to share to - I am sure most people will be aware of this album and how easily to access it. Olivia Rodrigo's second album is a masterpiece, sitting alongside her debut album SOUR. I was shocked at how much I liked Olivia's debut album, as while I like pop music it has been rare for me in recent years to be bowled over by new music of that genre. Liking this one as much as I did was less of a surprise as a result, but I did not expect for the follow up to be as good as the debut. Just like the debut, there are nods to several genres throughout the album, but the album never sounds disjointed as a result.
This album is without doubt one of my favourites of this year, just as SOUR was one of my favourites from 2021. I hope music never fails to surprise me.
My relationship with Black Metal is complicated in that there is some stuff I think is great, and some stuff I think is dire. It is also alarming how the links between the black metal scene and Nazism persist. Anyway, that wasn't a concern with Blackbraid, who released their first album in 2022 and I remember listening to it and thinking it was decent, though not being an album that was in consideration for my end of year list. I saw some good things about this follow up, so decided to check it out. Seeing it was nearly double the length of the debut, I figured I would just give it the one listen and then leave it alone. What actually happened was my being gripped by this album. It is 66 minutes long but it doesn't feel like an hour has passed when listening to it, which is definitely a plus. This is the finest black metal album I've listened to in some time.
Pupil Slicer's debut, Mirrors, was really quite something. I listened to it because a podcast I like recommended doing so, and how could a band with the name Pupil Slicer not at least be intriguing to someone who is already in on forms of heavy and extreme music. I remember tweeting about enjoying the album:
https://twitter.com/MikeTyler0/status/1370310300319285257
I went back to it frequently, so when it was announced a new album was coming out (alongside the release of the title track), I was excited. Blossom (the song) was different to anything on Mirrors but still sounded like a solid Pupil Slicer song. A couple more singles came out (No Temple and Momentary Actuality if memory serves) and the excitement for the album did not wain. I immediately liked it - the three singles were standouts, but so was the very different The Song at Creation's End.
Blossom, while arguably not as experimental as Mirrors, is an excellent sophomore album. After it was first released, I was wondering if it might be my favourite album of the year. It did come close.
1. Hundred Reasons - Glorious Sunset
No-one is more surprised than me to be writing these words after declaring the latest Hundred Reasons album is my favourite album of the year. Before this year, I basically had no relationship with this band other than being aware of them. I have seen them live once before, at Sonisphere 2014, and these are the words I wrote:
"This feeling of sitting down was replicated and improved upon after Stampin’ Ground had finished because I sat watching Hundred Reasons (6) on the Saturn stage for a brief moment (2 or 3 songs I think but I can’t remember – was good though) whilst eating GBK. I don’t know who said “let’s bring GBK to festivals”, but that person deserves a sturdy handshake (at the very least, possibly even a pat on the back as well)."
I WAS MORE EXCITED ABOUT A BURGER THAN THE BAND! The band, by the way, were playing Ideas Above Our Station in full, an album which is also a bit alright! I guess what I am saying is, when I heard this album was out, I gave it a listen because I was listening to new albums and thought it might be alright. Immediately after listening I knew this was better than alright. I didn't go back immediately but when I did, I remember thinking I would be shocked if the album wouldn't be in consideration for this list. Every time I then went back, I knew it would be towards the top and then as we approached the end of the year, it has become more obvious that this is my favourite album of the year.
The title track opens this album and frankly is massive. New Glasses is a great song but it is sandwiched between two massive songs in the title track and It Suits You. Replicate is lush (in a good way). Done is great and is followed by Right There With You, which I adore. Insultiment and So So Soon are both great, as is The Old School Way. 3 great songs in a row is about as low as this album gets, which is still great. Wave Form closing out the album though is superb. This album has no weak moments for me and that is why it is my favourite album of the year.
And that, as they say, is that. 2023 has seen a lot of great albums and EPs be released. I am looking forward to seeing what comes out in 2024. Until this time next year, I guess!
