So here we are! Wrapping up the Top 50 Songs of 2023! Songs must have been released after 1/1/23, and only one entry per artist allowed!
This is Part II! If you missed Part I, you can check it out here.
30. Danger Dog – what if we get sick of each other
Wonderfully wistful and charmingly catchy, the second single from the midwest emo outfit is a fantastically cathartic cut packed with noodling guitars, buoyant rhythms, and scrappy vocals. It’s no surprise Danger Dog have gone on to support big names like Crawlers and tricot already, and it’s hard to see the momentum slowing any time soon.
29. Girl Group – Life is Dumb
This debut single is a post punk masterpiece. From the delightfully acerbic lyricism , to the genuinely stunning harmonies, ‘Life is Dumb’ is a shockingly complex number beneath its simple and insanely catchy veneer. Guaranteed to leave you wanting more from this outfit.
28. Clean Shirt – Clouded
This year saw the emergence of a fantastic new grunge act in the form of Clean Shirt, with their bittersweet, almost whimsical take on the genre providing some gorgeous tunes to enjoy. Their second release, ‘Clouded’ is a heartbreaking number with great guitar work, wonderful melodies, and painfully raw and relatable lyricism.
27. saturdays at your place – tarot cards
Another big Midwest emo anthem for this list, and it’s from one of the big rising stars of the genre with saturdays at your place. The jangly guitars, the rowdy gang vocals, the brilliantly catchy choruses, and self-deprecating lyricism all comes together to culminate in a track that will stubbornly remain stuck in your head.
26. Mia Val – Pretend
We’re bending our rules just a tiny bit with this one. Mia Val of Girl Group not only appeared on a post-punk banger of a track, but this eerie, understated, electronic-led solo piece. From her soft Norwegian lilt that permeates her simply stunning vocal performance, to the gently haunting instrumentation that subtly changes shape as the track progresses, this is a deeply unique and captivating track.
25. Lorelai – Caw
One of two tracks that Lorelai released this year after changing their name from neiman., this is a ferocious punk anthem that marries raucous hardcore style percussion with punchy pop punk riffs, all brought together with raw vocals that walk a fine line between uncompromising spoken word and catchy melodies.
24. pulses. feat. Carson Pace – But It Is
The closing statement of pulses.’s third album is one of their finest tracks to date; a defiant, unapologetic moment which sees the band finally stand up and realise just how important they are to the alternative scene. The spoken word passages in the back end are particularly blood-pumping, adding a real sense of grandeur that shows a band truly doing things how they want to.
23. Creeper – Lovers Led Astray
This year saw Creeper drop their weirdest and wackiest album yet, packed with vampires, ritual sacrifices, and a nine minute ode to Jim Steinmann. However the true highlight was the bombastic darkness of ‘Lovers Led Astray’; the central synth melody is devilish fun, and those whip-crack drum-shots are musical fireworks.
22. Picture Parlour – Norwegian Wood
One of the most controversial rising acts in the British indie scene, Picture Parlour have become the punching bag for old white men insisting that a band cannot be both new and successful. If they had listened to the debut track from this band, however, they would understand just how that is possible. A sublimely cinematic and melancholy cut that packs some genuinely gorgeous lyricism.
21. Spiritbox – Cellar Door
Canada’s greatest export since poutine returned this year with their fantastic little EP ‘The Fear of Fear’, which continued to stretch the boundaries of what one of metal’s biggest names can do. ‘Cellar Door‘ is arguably the heaviest track to date from the band, weaving together the pure aggression of their big hits like ‘Holy Roller’, with the progressive complexities of their deeper cuts. The song also goes down as featuring one of the finest breakdowns of the year.
20. Moodring – WOULDYOUWAITFORME
It’s been a tough year for Moodring, plans held back by medical issues that needed attention. Fortunately for the band, their three track EP more than made up for their absence in other areas, especially with the monstrous track ‘WOULDYOUWAITFORME’. A roiling beast of a song that alternates between walls of shoegaze-tinged noise, and bombastic, full-throttle metal.
19. The Ongoing Concept – Feel Again
After a lengthy disappearance, The Ongoing Concept re-emerged this year with their ferocious fourth album ‘AGAIN’, packed from start to finish with killer tracks that crackle with pure musical electricity. ‘Feel Again’ is arguably the band’s magnum opus; from the insanely catchy choruses, to the explosive verses that implore you to get the fuck up and move, this is everything that makes this band so special.
18. Shefu – Thumb
To say that Shefu are one of the brightest new acts of 2023 would be an understatement. Incredible live performances that took them across Europe, a heavy online presence, and three superb songs released. It is their second release, however, that takes the crown, with its mind blowing vocal performance accompanied by gorgeous, bittersweet instrumentation. Find yourself a suitably rainy day, put this on full blast, and stare out that window.
17. Casey – Puncture Wounds to Heaven
Late last year, Welsh post-hardcore five piece Casey returned from the dead with the incredible single ‘Great Grief’. This year has seen them lay down the route to their third album, with a selection of beautifully emotive tracks that signals a true musical evolution for this outfit. ‘Puncture Wounds to Heaven’ brings together phenomenal lyricism and ferocious heart of the band’s earlier material with their grander modern style to produce something truly worthy of the Casey discography.
16. Save Face feat. Heart Attack Man – Song the Bullets Sing
This year saw Save Face take over the UK as supports for Creeper’s Sacred Blasphemy Tour, before dropping their three track EP ‘…Found Dead At The Murder Scene’. Whilst a fantastic EP all round, ‘Song the Bullets Sing’, featuring Heart Attack Man, goes down as an instant emo classic, with its scrappy, theatrical nature and killer hooks and riffs. The bridge in particular is probably the best on any track released this year.
15. Harm. – the world is merciless, and it’s also very beautiful
The closing statement of Harm.‘s superb sophomore album is one hell of a musical beast. From moments of spacious ambience, to blazing breakdowns that sound like the world is coming to a close, it’s a track that demonstrates just what makes Harm. such a delight to listen to. The usage of multiple vocalists in particular adds such a wonderful sense of progression and depth to the track.
14. Fall Out Boy – Heaven, Iowa
It’s been something of a comeback year for Fall Out Boy, with their best received album in a long time, and sold out arena shows all over the globe. Their finest release, however, has to go to the gorgeously cinematic ‘Heaven, Iowa’; a ballad about mortality, Patrick Stump delivers some of his finest vocals to date on this immense track, especially during those huge choruses.
13. Thornhill – Viper Room
After releasing one of the finest modern metal albums to date with their intense, leather jacket wearing sophomore record ‘Heroine‘, Thornhill returned with a brand new single before heading on tour around Europe with Holding Absence. This thunderous beast of a track is a devilishly catchy affair, with heavily distorted guitars and a particularly phenomenal bass performance layered atop of a charging percussive engine. They just do it better down under.
12. Benefits – Council Rust
Most reviews for Benefits go on to describe their potent and righteous fury that permeates their harsh, noisy style, taking swings at the state of the modern UK. However, the closing track of their debut album goes down as one of the most beautiful and poignant releases of the year, with vocalist Kingsley Hall delivering what can only be described as spoken-word poetry over stunning string-filled ambience. A beautiful ode to working-class Britain.
11. Yard Act – Trench Coat Museum
A baffling release in every regard, but also one that perfectly captures just what it is that makes Yard Act so compelling. This eight minute post-punk behemoth is a brilliant sonic evolution for the band, building upon their roots with tinges of dance music that is hypnotic to behold. On top of that, the band continue to deliver their trademark wry humour through the lyricism that grapples both with our own mortality and the legacy that we leave behind, and just how good a nice coat can make you feel.
Part III (10-1) will be arriving tomorrow, so keep an eye out for that! What did you think of this year? Have you heard any of these tracks, and what would you include in your list? Let me know!
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