One of the things I did in 2023 was make an effort to explore Spotify and YouTube Music for bands I wasn’t yet familiar with because of my extended hiatus from writing for music magazines. It used to be that I was sent new records on a daily basis and was always in the know as a result. But I left journalism around 2017 and went years without really exploring new music until this past summer. I’m glad I made the effort to expand my horizons again, though, because several of my favorite albums this year were discovered while I was randomly clicking on album covers out of boredom.
I have to admit, this was another rough one for me. But with a rough year comes a rollercoaster of highs and lows, which means I’ve listened to a wide variety of genre types in 2023. As such, I feel like my “best of” list is pretty diverse this year. You’ll find metal, punk rock, alternative, mainstream pop, hard rock, and everything in between.
This list comes in no particular order.
WSTR – ‘Til the Wheels Fall Off (Life or Death Records)
It took us five years after Identity Crisis for WSTR to return with a full-length of the angst that first put them on my radar with SKRWD in 2015. Though I loved Identity Crisis, it was the band going for something more mainstream and yanking the reins back (greatly) on their lyrics. With ‘Til the Wheels Fall Off, the band went back to their “fuck it” attitude. This is the kind of album you blast when you’re pissed off with the world and its shitty people telling you how to live. And if you’re looking for a redemption story, this might very well be the best one of the year. They’ve struck an addictive balance between anger and melody for some of the catchiest songs I’ve played in a good while.
Sleep Token – Take Me Back to Eden (Spinefarm Records)
Sleep Token was one of those bands I discovered at random this year, and just in time for their latest release. Take Me Back to Eden has a regalness to its metal that some may call progressive or elevated due to its expansive nature and fine-tuning. The writing is varied—sometimes calming, other times explosive—and can span worlds in the space of one track (just take a listen to “The Summoning” for confirmation). This is a wildly subversive record that shouldn’t have any problem sinking its claws into listeners of all types.
Beartooth – The Surface (Red Bull Records)
This is one of those records with a BIG personality throughout, whether it’s hitting hard (“Doubt Me”) or melodic (“Might Love Myself”). Though Beartooth’s previous record failed to leave a lasting impression on me (maybe it was just too hyped after the greatness of Disease), The Surface is just what I’ve been wanting to hear from the band ever since. Like Disease, this record is a well-rounded gym mixtape to pump yourself up against the world.
Atreyu – The Beautiful Dark of Life (Spinefarm Records)
Revealed over the course of the year in three overlapping EPs, the latest from Atreyu covers a lot of ground lyrically without really trying anything new on an instrumental level. But that’s okay because the Beautiful Dark of Life is hard-hitting, thoroughly memorable, and as energetic as ever. “Capital F” is your new anthem for the collapsing enterprise that is the United States, “Dancing with My Demons” is a darkly wonderful reflection on one’s battle with themself, “Gone” hits like an echo to carry with you throughout the day, “I Don’t Wanna Die” seems to call upon a love for Avenged Sevenfold, “(i)” brings to mind the days of The Curse and A Death-Grip on Yesterday with its powerful connection between industrial metal and catchy metalcore, and “Forevermore” creeps and crawls like an old-school Alkaline Trio (believe it or not). There are fifteen tracks here and none of them are a letdown.
Weathers – Are We Having Fun? (Sumerian Records)
Oddly enough, I came across this album thanks to my job playing the radio all day. “ALL CAPS” is a single I heard played at work on a frequent enough basis that I learned who the artist was and looked them up in my free time. And I’m glad I did because Weathers is catchy without playing things safe for the mainstream. Are We Having Fun? is an easy choice when I’m in need of something I can sing along to with my middle fingers up.
AJR – The Maybe Man (Mercury Records, Republic Records)
I feel like I’m going to get hate for this one but I’m an AJR fan and The Maybe Man is a goddamn masterpiece. It fills the large shoes left behind by .fun (come back!) and seems to do so with ease. Of course, there’s the singles that I’m more likely to skip because they were played to death on the radio (“The Dumb Song” and “Yes I’m A Mess”) but there are so many alternative gems here for you to pass on The Maybe Man. I especially connect with the explicit “God Is Really Real”—that is a track that would definitely piss off my parents if they ever heard it.
Youth Fountain – Together in Lonesome (Pure Noise Records)
This was another artist I discovered this year while hopping around on Spotify. They bring to mind Balance & Composure and Title Fit. Their post-hardcore blend is melodic but often darkly, and when things go hard they go hard. A lyrical treasure trove, Together in Lonesome could very well be the emo record of the year. Where’s my early 2000s squad?
The Maine – The Maine (8123, Photo Finish Records)
Here’s a group that got better with age. When they were popular in my teens, they did not sync with my vibe at all. I felt like I was supposed to like them but I didn’t. Fast forward a few years to Forever Halloween and I started paying attention. This is the kind of alternative rock I used to skateboard to all the time in my youth, as strange as that might sound. It’s what I think of as cruising music; it powers you while simultaneously remaining chill. Just collect yourself, burn a cigarette or two, and play “dose no. 2” or “How to Exit a Room.”
Polaris – Fatalism (Resist Records, SharpTone Records)
If you’re in need of something fast and savage, Fatalism is the record for you. Polaris have perfected metalcore here with their brutal breakdowns, soaring choruses, and battle-like anthems. Sprinkle this one through your gym mixtape for a boost of testosterone if you’re cool with snapping your neck from banging it so hard.
Anberlin – Convinced EP (Equal Vision Records)
Oh, what a fantastic return is Convinced! Too bad it’s on an EP, but it has successfully brought this longtime fan back to life. In 2020, Anberlin began marking their gradual return with live recordings of their entire discography, and it was glorious. Then in 2022, they released their first EP of new music since 2014’s Atonement. Though this EP, called Silverline, was more than an adequate tease (“Two Graves” was especially exciting), I think Convinced is even better. “Lacerate” and “Decoder” are both fantastic openers that show Anberlin’s evolution throughout the years. If 2024 gives us their first full-length in ten years, it better follow in this short collection’s footsteps.
Blink-182 – One More Time… (Columbia Records)
Of course, Blink-182 was going to make this list! Even though One More Time… has a couple songs that featured some recordings that were rougher than they should have been, I immediately found myself addicted to this record. I probably listened to it a hundred times during the first month of its release alone. It features such a great mix of styles for the band, including callbacks to the short days of Boxcar Racer with “Terrified” and “Turpentine.” And as silly as it is in the chorus, I absolutely adore “Dance with Me.” I don’t know if I stand alone in saying I actually loved the two records without Tom that came before this, but damn it’s good to have him back. What he brings to the table is obvious when comparing One More Time… with Nine. They are very different records.
Magnolia Park – Halloween Mixtape II (Epitaph Records)
Magnolia Park came to me by way of Instagram targeted advertising early this year or late last year (I forget when exactly). Though punk rock at their core, they do a great job blending styles from the bands they’re likely to tour with. Think of Magnolia Park is the punk rock culmination of the best music you’d find at Warped Tour during its glory days of the early 2000s. Though I’m not sure if volume two is better than the first Halloween Mixtape, it still features some of the best songs of the year from this genre. Once you’ve heard songs like “The Antidote,” “Do or Die”, and “Life in the USA,” I defy you not to become a fan.
Illenium – Illenium (Warner Records)
As big as Illenium is, I didn’t know of him prior to hearing this record. Illenium reminds me of the days I would listen to The Chainsmokers and DJ Snake; there’s a slew of guests that give range to the songs here. In the case of this self-titled effort, you’ll find Skylar Grey, Avril Lavigne, Travis Barker, Spiritbox, All Time Low, Motionless in White, and more. Songs like “All That Really Matters” and “Eyes Wide Shut” have stuck with me for months, and continue to rile me up (in a good way) whenever they play.
Staind – Confessions of the Fallen (BMG Records)
I grew up in the 90s listening to alternative rock and a lot of 80s in the mix. As such, Staind was one of those bands I heard a lot on the radio. When they released their first single “Lowest in Me” earlier this year, I ran laps around the house excited for their return. After more than ten years of silence (I’m not going to count the live recording, It’s Been Awhile), Staind was finally coming back sounding the way they did during Break the Cycle and 14 Shades of Grey. It was something to be celebrated, obviously. And Confessions of the Fallen does not disappoint—these songs transport me back to the 90s when I was developing my varied tastes. Whenever I’m feeling nostalgic, Staind is right up there with my other go-to artists. So, if you were a fan back then, I’d bet this record will do you some good.
Story of the Year – Tear Me to Pieces (SharpTone Records)
After their powerful return in 2017 with Wolves, Story of the Year re-cemented themselves as a rock group (with screamo tendencies) worth following closely. Though Tear Me to Pieces might feel a little safer than Wolves, it’s still a strong selection of hard-hitting anthems like its title track and “War.” And, of course, there are songs that bring to mind the glory days of Page Avenue, including “Real Life.” It’s the kind of record you play on repeat after hearing it for the first time.
Wolves at the Gate – Lost in Translation (Solid State Records)
This might be a strange choice—I wouldn’t normally consider a cover album for any “best of” list—but Lost in Translation is an exceptionally standout love letter to a variety of popular bands like Twenty One Pilots, Linkin Park, and Jimmy Eat World. Wolves at the Gate do such a tremendous job on the majority of these songs (like the hard to pull off “Heathens”) that I couldn’t help but highlight this record. There are some surprises to be found here, that’s for sure.
Conquer Divide – Slow Burn (Mascot Records)
Conquer Divide was one of those bands I’d only listened to in passing over the years before Slow Burn. I knew who they were to an extent but couldn’t tell you any of their songs. However, after hearing this year’s singles (like the awesome “Atonement” and its brutal breakdowns), I quickly made note of the record’s upcoming release. Slow Burn is just the striking boost of angry energy I was in such need of this year. “N E W H E A V E N,” “welcome2paradise,” and “system_failure” are some of the best metalcore songs I’ve heard in 2023.
The Used – Toxic Positivity (Big Noise Records)
I’m a sucker for The Used and have been since In Love and Death back in highschool. Though Toxic Positivity missed out greatly by leaving off their singles “Fuck You” and “People Are Vomit” (two of my favorite songs of the past year), it still continued the great balance the band found with Heartwork during the pandemic. You can hear all of the Used’s faces throughout Toxic Positivity, including reminders of their early days, their experimental days, and their comfort days. I especially enjoy “I Hate Everybody” and “Dancing with a Brick Wall.”
