Somehow, we’re at the end of the first quarter of this year, and it’s time to share our favorite releases of the first three months of 2023. I know I know, you’re still trying to get used to writing ’23 instead of ’22 when dating signatures. But here we are. And despite the fact that Q1 may have been a blur, there have been some killer drops. In no particular order, these are Tuned Up staff’s favorite albums released since January.
Ray Cobra
-Zulu
Zulu-A New Tomorrow
This is the future of hardcore. Zulu have done exactly what they said they were going to do with their debut album. I love that it has elements from hip-hop, jazz, and spoken word. This is a powerful album, and I am excited to see what’s next for them. They are going to follow in the footsteps of Knocked Loose and Turnstile, as the next big hardcore band.
Recommended Track: “Who Jah Bless, No One Curse”
Lucero-Should’ve Learned By Now
This is a band that has been putting out good records for 20 years and they are not showing any signs of slowing down. Their latest has that classic Lucero sound that many have come to love. The lyrics on this album are some of the best that Ben Nichols has written. If Alt-Country is your poison and you have not listened to this release, you need to.
Recommended Track: “Macon If We Make It”
Resignation-You Are More than Right Now
This is easily the best post-hardcore of 2023 so far. It is a throwback album of sorts to the golden era of the genre, and I am here for it. These are some of the best lyrics I have heard in awhile. And the passion this band has is uncanny. So, if you are into bands like Samiam, boysetsfire, and Hot Water Music, then this is for you.
Recommended Track: “Eddie Kingston”
Korine-Tear
This Philly darkwave/electro pop act is fairly new to me. I discovered them last year around this time and was instantly a fan. While there is already a band that uses the tagline, “music for mall goths,” that very well applies to Korine. If I had discovered them when I was 14, they would have been that band for me. This album is fun, catchy, and dark at the same time. It makes this writer incredibly happy. And on a side note, they are part of what will no doubt be the best weekend I have this year. I see them on a Saturday and the next day I see The Cure. What a beautiful weekend.
Recommended Track: “Mt. Airy”
Liars Academy-Ghosts
This is Liars Academy first album in 19 years, and they have not missed a beat. It is like they never left us. I for one am glad they decided to release another album. They were part of that amazing post-hardcore wave in 2000-2004 along with Fairweather, This Day Forward, Bear Vs Shark, and Thursday that I loved so much. This is an album I expect to see on a few year-end lists in December.
Recommended Track: “Only One”
Phil Hawkins
-Manchester Orchestra
Project 86-OMNI: Part 1
I have been a fan of P86 since I heard their self-titled album for the first time. Their sound has shifted over the years, but OMNI feels like it is a culmination of everything Schwab has been trying to accomplish over the tenure of his career. If this (with Part 2 in tow) truly is the final album then P86 will definitely end on a high note. Recommended Track: “Metatropolis”
Manchester Orchestra-The Valley of Vision
This one was a bit of a surprise as there had been no real mention of new material prior to the announcement roughly 3 weeks before the digital release. It should be noted that The Valley of Vision is a visual album and is intended to be experienced in long form from start to finish. It is fully immersive and I cannot get enough of it still. Recommended Track: “Capital Karma”
HolyName – Holyname
This was a sleeper hit for me as I have never been a big fan of Tommy Green’s previous efforts in Sleeping Giant. It just never clicked or resonated with me. However, HolyName hit at just the right time and I found myself going back for repeat listens more frequently than I would have ever anticipated. Recommended Track: “Fall On Your Knees”
Earth Groans-Tongue Tied EP
Admittedly, I have not listened to Earth Groans much prior to the release of Tongue Tied. Despite the short run time, Tongue Tied is visceral and brutally honest. This one was a breath of fresh air within a seemingly crowded genre. Recommended Track: “Overgrown”
Nathaniel Fitzgerald
-Narrow Head
Narrow Head-Moments of Clarity
The 90s revivalists have been combining the best threads of shoegaze, grunge, and space rock for a while, but Moments of Clarity shows a fluency that outpaces even their best work. The band feels the most self-assured they ever have, even when stretching into heavier territory. Recommended Track: “Moments of Clarity”
Blanket Fort-Rejoice!
Rejoice! is one of those records that needs to be taken on its own terms. The production is intentionally obtuse, covering the vocals and instruments in a nigh impregnable sheen of tape modulation and reverb effects. But if you squint through the fog long enough to bring the edges into focus, you’ll find an incredibly personal and immaculately crafted lo-fi record that will make you wish you never stopped producing your zine or stopped DJing the 11pm slot at your college radio station. Recommended Track: “Fulton County Jail Blues”
They Grieve-To Which I Bore Witness
“Intimate” isn’t typically a word you’d use to describe drone metal. But on They Grieve’s debut record, the crackle of guitar distortion and the rattle of resounding cymbals sound as close and personal as a songwriter whispering over an acoustic guitar. And in a genre that often comes off as deliberately impersonal and abrasive, it’s a breath of fresh air. Recommended Track: “Wither”
Casey Gallenberger
-Glowbug
Glowbug-VHS
Daniel Anderson continues his indomitable pace of releasing records, and VHS is a welcome addition into his thorough catalog. This record presses heavily into the “how we think the 80s sounded” territory and definitely includes plenty of standout tracks. I personally enjoy “Perfect Day” and its nice pairing of an incredible chorus with lyrics about untimely demise. Read the review here. Recommended Track: “Perfect Day”
Instant Empire-Standing Eight Count
As a fan of piano rock and lyric-driven artists, Instant Empire definitely scratches the itch left in the void of bands like Straylight Run. There’s a nice mix of indie, alternative rock, and maybe even some traces of emo, all presented through songs that read like short stories of tales of life that often feels like a losing fight; even so, the protagonists keep standing back up. It’s definitely a weightier album, but it’s one I find particularly helpful during this season of my life. Read the review here. Recommended Track: “The Palace Thief”
Shayfer James-Shipwreck
James’ take on turn-of-the-century pop combines Timbaland-esque production techniques with his usual cabaret fare to powerful effect. While I’ve enjoyed his previous work, I’m pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoy this album. It’s consistent. It’s equally parts Justin Timberlake and Novo Amor, telling a story of lovers engaged in pursuit and mutual destruction. Read the review here. Recommended Track: “700 Days”
Ryan Getz
-M83
M83-Fantasy
Staying true to the name, M83’s album Fantasy is a return to the anthemic, shoegazey synth anthems the artist became known for in the early 2010s. While there aren’t any songs here that are instantly iconic, there don’t need to be any. Fantasy is a fun, transcendent listen that will have you feeling pensive and nostalgic at the same time. Recommended Tracks: “Amnesia,” “Laura”
Andy Shauf-Norm
It’s hard to make a record that’s both suitable for early morning coffee and late night drives. Andy Shauf has accomplished exactly this in Norm. Now, if you’re feeling wound up I suggest you go relax into those grooves, pronto. Before I casually appreciated Andy Shauf. Norm made me a fan. Recommended Tracks: “Wasted On You,” “Catch My Eye”
Colony House-The Cannonballers
The first track on this release is titled “Landlocked Surf Rock” and feels like a mission statement from the band. It’s certainly one that I can relate to. I’m a kid of the suburbs and like a lot of basic things, but my brain often lost elsewhere. These are fun rock anthems for the suburban dreamers. Recommended Tracks: “I’m Not Dyin’,” “Cannonballers”
FYR FYTR-The Glorious In-Between
I never would have guessed I’d discover one of my favorite new indie bands on a playlist from an organization affiliated with preacher John Piper, but here we are. The North Carolina based indie project is a bit hard to classify, but its new release is a collection of 10 nifty tunes – many of which are collaborations with other artists. It’s a nice balance of whimsy and familiarity. And, of course there’s reverence here too. Recommended Tracks: “Story of Our Nation,” “I Know That It Won’t Be Long (ft Chris Miller, Zambroa)”
Alex Dye
-Skech185
Oozing Wound-We Cater To Cowards
Oozing Wound is Chicago’s more palatable answer to last year’s breakout band Chat Pile. Fusing noise rock, sludge, and metal, Oozing Wound crafted something heavy, grimy, and fun at the same time. Hopefully as the public eye has focused on this underappreciated genre, this band will be the next to blow up. Recommended Track: “Total Existence Failure”
Skech185 x Jeff Markey-He Left Nothing For The Swim Back
Backwoodz Studioz released four of my favorite releases last year, hip-hop or otherwise. And their latest, a collaboration between rapper Skech185 and producer Jeff Markey, easily joins their incredible pantheon, cementing them as an independent studio to follow. Skech185 was totally unknown to me; he has released an album since 2011 and has maintained a pretty low profile. But the dude drops straight fire bars. And Markey’s production fits in with the unique profile that BWS has developed over the last several years. HLNFTSB is a mouthful to say, but worth every second of listening. Recommended Track: “He Left Nothing For The Swim Back”
+CAREGIVER+-Emptiness Is Form
Bandcamp recommended +CAREGIVER+ to me after I purchased a mewithoutyou tribute tape that featured the band’s rendition of “Disaster Tourism.” I don’t always check out the Bandcamp recommends, mostly because I get too many emails and they are easy to skip over. I clicked the link on a whim, and it was the best decision I made this year. +CAREGIVER+ channel the visceral, unpolished nature of original screamo, or skramz in some circles, that recalls early Thursday recordings. The music feels dangerous because it’s always on the edge of devolving into pure emotional chaos. The EP reminds me of sweaty Friday nights at DIY shows in VFW halls and the bliss of discovering an unknown band that is immediately captivating. If Emptiness Is Form is an indication of things to come, this will be a band to follow closely. Recommended Track: “This Is Not for You.”
JPEGMAFIA x Danny Brown-SCARING THE HOES
JPEGMAFIA and Danny Brown are superheroes in the underground hip-hop world. And this is the most exciting collaboration since Batman and Superman joined forces. Peggy recently went independent, again, and tried his hand at production as well as rhyming. The results are phenomenal. The beats on SCARING THE HOES are frenetic, glitchy, hyperpop which somehow works as a backdrop to the incredible bars from both emcees. Danny Brown’s nasally delivery is one of my favorite voices in hip-hop, and he’s perfectly balanced out by Peggy’s more traditional sounding cadence. The album is funny, irreverent, socially pointed, and blazes some new trails in the world of alternative hip-hop. Recommended Tracks: “Lean Beef Patty,” “Scaring the Hoes”
SPACESHIPS-Ruins
On Ruins, post-hardcore outfit SPACESHIPS has released their heaviest album to date, both musically and lyrically. Reflecting the schisms that formed in society in the wake of the pandemic, SPACESHIPS holds a mirror up to our fractured society and forces us to come to terms with what we’ve done to each other. The album is sonically complex, with intricate layers and an engaging mixture of heavy and light elements. Despite the tracks running long (a hallmark of the post-hardcore genre) it’s easily replayable. Ruins is one of the most emotionally engaging albums I’ve listened to this year; expect to see it on my end of the year list. Recommended Tracks: “Spillt,” “Measure”
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