Another year is over. You yawn wearily as January beckons, trying to remember what your job is and clinging onto those hastily-made new year's resolutions. Maybe one of them was to listen to more new music this year?
Better slow down there, buddy. Before you start diving into 2024, you need to catch up on what you missed last year. Thankfully, Scene Point Blank's staff have got you covered. We've painstakingly—and democratically—assembled the definitive list of the best music released in 2023. No editorialising, no nudging our personal choices further up the list (or demoting that one band you hate). Each staffer writes their own list (see page three for these), we smush them all together (a technical term), and what you see below is the result.
Check out our top 30 albums released in 2023 below – and if you're a Spotify user, there's a playlist here that's just shy of 24 hours long. Go on, give yourself a day to take in all the great music from last year. Then you'll be well set to keep up with the great music still to come in this year. Now read on!
Overall list
1
Rancid
Tomorrow Never Comes
Epitaph
Other write-ups I see of Tomorrow Never Comes are basically calling this Rancid V, Part 2. While there is some merit to the comparison, I think that description is misleading. This record absolutely shares that style of short, repetitive, and angry punk songs but it has an equal balance of melodic, pop-tone songs that don’t fit the spitting, vitriolic vibe of Rancid’s 2000 album. The overall feel is hard-hitting and angrier than your average Rancid record, but more with peak, high energy moments of fury mixed in tandem with melody and flow. I’d call this the follow-up we’d hoped for after V and Indestructible.
Highlights include the irresistible singalong refrain of “Devil in Disguise,” the return to more harmonies throughout, and Tim Armstrong’s sharper vocals, bringing real emotion on songs like “New American” and “Hear Us Out.”
Rancid, thematically, is all about unity and coming together and that’s also what makes their records work. All the members are in tandem, literally sharing the mic, on the lead track and it just keeps going from there. Their sound pulls from ’77 punk with elements of street punk, ska, oi, and more, but the success of their albums is how those elements meet and carry through over 15-plus songs.
It’s the little things that separate one punk band from another. Rancid sounds reenergized on Tomorrow Never Comes and it was overdue. Let’s hope it continues.
– Loren
2
Screaming Females
Desire Pathway
Don Giovanni
The lead song and first single on Desire Pathway” is “Brass Bell,” a fine song that’s indicative of Screaming Females’ general sound. That said, it’s really the second song, “Desert Train,” which gets this album rolling for me. It’s a fierce guitar song that’s hard and driving. Just like its name, it’s steeped in classic rock but with modern twists. Namely, it’s concise (just three minutes) and it pulls in a lot of other elements too. I hear some ‘90s alt-rock, modern post-metal tones and even a bit of video game rock. But, at heart, it’s the power of the guitar and a tangible energy that sets the tone, not just for “Desert Train,” but through the full album afterward.
The music really drives the tone and emotional pull of the record. The lyrics are important, but for me this album is all about how it feels: which is emotional yet strong, frustrated yet empowered. Psychedelic rock is often about feeling lost. This record takes that foundation, but it’s more about finding your way (see: album title).
I highly endorse Screaming Females’ live show. But their recorded output matches that power too. True passion comes through, whether live in person, over headphones, or blaring through plastic Bluetooth. Play it loud.
– Loren
3
Lankum
False Lankum
Rough Trade
Dedication to tradition is tricky business. On one hand, adhering to existing norms carries on the legacy. On the other end, can this result in something novel? Folk music is, by definition, rooted in tradition. And while many have pushed its boundaries, they are instead labeled as experimentalists or neofolk. Anyone who pushed the boundary is considered an outsider. But, how about Lankum? The Irish act laid down its foundations deep with the Celtic folk sound, celebrating their native tradition through renditions of cheery street songs or heartbreaking ballads. Yet, there was always a forward-thinking approach that infected this point of view. So, after two excellent previous works, they make a glorious return with False Lankum. And from the very start, it feels like this work is special, as the beautiful a capella performance of Radie Peat comes in with “Go Dig My Grave.” Lankum manages to produce a transcendental work, and one that defies categorizations. Under all its layers of experimentalism and daring change, False Lankum is undeniably a folk record. Or rather, it is a great folk record.
4
The Telescopes
Experimental Health
Weisskalt
There has been a lot of excitement about The Telescopes’ latest record, Of Tomorrow, and rightly so. Yet earlier in the year, the historic act from England put out another record through the small, independent Aussie record label Weisskalt. Experimental Health is the ying to Of Tomorrow’s yang, tilting much more towards the experimental side of the band, but without forgetting their post-punk and shoegaze roots. The introduction with “Because They Care” is a stunning example of these two worlds merging. The dream pop-infused vocal delivery, surrounded by walls of noise and intricate sound design, creates a warm ambiance. An industrial repetition further defines this pensive, yet soothing procession as the mantra hypnotically repeats. It features this elegant balance, not just between different forms of music, but between different eras of The Telescopes. To package so much history, so many different sides of themselves in one record is quite an accomplishment, and it shows in the end result.
5
Dodheimsgard
Black Medium Current
Peaceville
Listen, I’m not going to pretend to know what the hell is happening on Black Medium Current, or with Dødheimsgard in general -- I'm just here to talk about good records. These Norwegians have been laying waste to the musical landscape for longer than most and each time they release a new album it signals a rebirth, a renewal and a reenergising of their sound. The weirdness that permeates their work is still present, however, and Dødheimsgard are not shy about injecting their music with curious sound patterns or bizarro vocals -- courtesy of Vicotnik -- while keeping a delicious sense of melody. We are able to embrace the end with grace and poise, rather than anger and Dødheimsgard prove once again that they are more than a band, they are a lifeforce.
6
Worriers
Trust Your Gut
Ernest Jenning
Worriers, fronted by Lauren Denitzio, is an ongoing evolution. It’s earnest, personal and explorative, and the newest album Trust Your Gut continues that journey as Denitzio puts everything out there for their audience. The music is consistently emotional and relatable while being clearly rooted in personal experience. The magic of the entire Worriers catalog is how Denitzio manages to be both personal and relatable. You’re sometimes listening to a journal, but you can feel everything in your heart, not just your ears. Painting with a wide brush, this record shares a lot of harsh world experiences, concluding with a simple, three word philosophy and title: Trust Your Gut. The album is about how we manage hardships. Not how we fix them -- because we don’t. Life is going to continue to steamroll you, so you need to find your place, your strengths, and your comfort zone. It preaches lukewarm positivity in a hopeless sea. It acknowledges the pain and suffering of the world, but has enough resolve to stand tall as the next wave comes crashing toward you. Sort of like Springsteen, these are songs about working through life’s struggles while finding some positive elements within them.
– Loren
7
Bankrupt
Illiberal Holiday
Independent
Bankrupt is a Hungarian pop punk band from Budapest. Illiberal Holiday is their sixth full length release. Quite a feat for a band in a scene where a lot of bands don’t stick around too long. Bankrupt however has been around for 25 years. Illiberal Holiday is my introduction to the band. I have checked out their past releases and can only conclude that this band grows stronger with each release. There is a cool upbeat vibe with ska-inspired parts, and there's a certain light, careless vibe hanging around the songs. “Andromeda” sounds a bit futuristic. Eighties futuristic that is, with its synths and more robotic vocals and the post-punk influences coming in around the two minute mark. Album closer "Pekingi Nyár" is what I would define as a pop punk ballad. A nice touch and the perfect album closer. All in all this is a great album and I would really recommend you checking it out. If you value understanding the singer go for the English version, if you prefer a slightly better flow (and are okay with not understanding the singer) check out the Hungarian version.
– Dennis
8
The Crimson Ghosts
Forevermore
Ring Of Fire Records
The Crimson Ghosts have been around twenty years now. In that time they have released six albums and a couple of splits. The first five albums are chock full of high quality horrorpunk. Every album has at least a couple of instant hits. This German band's trademark is strong vocals (with a lot of harmony between the lead singer Vlad and the backing vocals by guitar player Jackal) over a metallic punk sound. Where previous albums had a certain immediacy, this album is more a grower. After the first spin I felt a wee bit disappointed. This record has all the ingredients I expect from the band: a really strong production, heavy guitars, strong vocals, a lot of “whohoho”-ing going on. This is not exactly a progressive album, but there is something about the songwriting that asked a bit more of me than their previous releases.
– Dennis
9
The Brokedowns
Maximum Khaki
Red Scare Industries
As musicians grow older, they have less time to play live, to tour, and to write. It’s been five years since Sick Of Space. The world may have changed, but The Brokedowns have not. Maximum Khaki may nod to their middle-age in the title, and songs like “I’m Sore,” reinforce that, but at heart The Brokedowns are still some goofy but angry punk kids from Illinois who mask their pain with sarcasm. Sure, this record may have taken a while. But the band isn’t slowing down. I’d argue each record from The Brokedowns gets a little better. And not many bands can say that after playing the game this long.
– Loren
10
Queens of the Stone Age
In Times New Roman
Matador
Since the decayed hands of time turned the page into a promising new decade, a whole lot has happened in this world. It’s been a harder road traveled for some of us than others. There’s been love and loss. Sickness and wellness. Dark and light. Like many, Josh Homme knows this all too well. Having weathered the very public, very ugly dissolution of his marriage to Brody Dalle, to his cancer diagnosis and subsequent surgery, to the loss of, amongst others, legendary vocalist, friend and one time member of Queens of the Stone Age, Mark Lanegan. There’s a warm familiarity to In Times New Roman that doesn’t sacrifice any of the forward momentum the band has carefully cultivated over the years. Cases in point being “Sicily” and “Straight Jacket Fitting”, two epic songs that are guaranteed to be the highlight of shows to come.
11
Meet Me @ The Altar
Past // Present // Future
Fueled By Ramen
Meet Me @ The Altar has been THE pop-punk trio pushing us to the edge of our seats in anticipation of their debut LP, Past // Present // Future. The trio’s aptly named album is not only breaking boundaries within the pop-punk realm, but it’s bridging the gap between nostalgia and the present-day scene. MM@TA explores pop-punk in a way that not only pulls influence from nostalgic Warped Tour bands like Paramore and Yellowcard but also more pop-forward artists via the Disney Channel like Demi Lovato and the Jonas Brothers—this exploration on Past // Present // Future is what I find the most fascinating as the band explores ALL facets of pop-punk with no stone left unturned. Through the combination of nostalgia, genre exploration, and adding their own unique grit, MM@TA are proving why their looks aren’t the only reason they are a rarity in the pop-punk scene—and it’s refreshing as fuck.
Overall, this truly is one of the best pop-punk albums currently released. MM@TA is often described as a rarity within the pop-punk scene, but I hope people truly understand the deep meaning behind that. Choosing to form a pop-punk band as women of color isn't just a badass move, it's been needed for decades now. And not because bands like MM@TA didn't exist, but because the world didn't care about them existing. It would have meant so much to not only see women playing the music I loved in my youth, but women that looked like me and my friends would have truly blown my mind then, and still does now. For MM@TA to exist on the platform they have, I personally and sincerely hope it only continues to grow from here and never stops.
12
Spanish Love Songs
No Joy
Pure Noise
I saw Spanish Love Songs before I ever dove into their catalog. And it was immediately clear they’re the type of band where fans really connect, singing along to every word, not just the choruses. In truth, the band doesn’t really use choruses much, but that’s not really the point here. Their sound is rooted in melodic and emotional midtempo punk that’s deeply personal and introspective. For the most part, the band adopts the punk rock road warrior vibe more than indie rock’s academic tone. It’s sometimes a fine line to straddle both elements, but I think that tenuous stance is what works for Spanish Love Songs.
– Loren
13
Harsh Realms
CVLT
Shield Recordings
For some reason I never checked this band out, even though they always had a spot on my to check list. After several years they got lower and lower on that list. CVLT, their new album after six years of silence and nine years after their debut album catapulted them to the top of my list. Could they win me over? Hell yes, they could! I can not believe it took me so long to finally give them a shot now that I finally took to give their records a spin. With good production in place, what makes this record stand out? That’s an easy answer. It is their songwriting skills. These songs are true ear-worms. Some are memorable after just one spin (“Circles” is a prime example), others will refuse to leave your head after having heard them two or three times more (“Restless Minds” is one of those).
– Dennis
14
Chain Whip
Call of the Knife
Neon Taste
It’s hard to keep the classic genre styles sounding fresh, which is what makes a band like Chain Whip so vibrant. The Vancouver hardcore band play tough-sounding, angry, loud, and fast punk – the type that makes yoo want to punch things. Heck, they named the band Chain Whip and the record is called Call Of The Knife. It’s aurally and thematically violent stuff, for sure. Fortunately, when you listed closer, it doesn’t embrace the problematic issues with the hardcore of yesteryear, though. While this is rooted in hardcore, the band mixes up the formula lot, culling from oi! and street punk too. The rumbling bass is prominent throughout, giving a stomping feeling that pauses for the vocal tradeoff where you let it all out. Because, ultimately, that’s what Chain Whip is doing. It’s a grounded outlet to let out a whirlwind of frustration and anger at messed up world, with some underlying working class tones. If you’re into any of the styles I’ve namedropped but don’t necessarily vibe with the subcultures those scenes draw, Chain Whip is the perfect fit. It’s brutally angry punk that slots into the margins between several styles without succumbing to their flaws.
– Loren
15
Lamp Of Murmuur
Saturnian Bloodstorm
Not Kvlt Records, Argento Records
The energy on Saturnian Bloodstorm is urgent, feral almost, as though M. is desperately trying to keep back from the abyss and is using every ounce of their being to be able to break free from the chains of bondage and stop from being pushed deeper into the darkness. Darkness has long been a large part of the Lamp Of Murmuur sound, yet here it feels as though it is being used as an instrument rather than as atmosphere. M. uses the darkness that surrounds him personally to drive the songs into new territories for the band as “Seal of the Dominator” demonstrates through a different vocal approach than we are used to from the band.
– Cheryl
