2023: ALBUMS OF THE YEAR

2023 has been an insane year for music. The team at Square One are here to share our albums of the year with you!

20. YOU ME AT SIX - TRUTH DECAY

You Me At Six’s Truth Decay is truly a record for everyone. It’s an album that finds the band being more intimate, going back to their basics, and continuing their streak of big-chorus, massive-melody rock that pen heavier material in terms of their topics (‘Deep Cuts’, ‘Mixed Emotions (I Didn’t Know How To Tell You What I Was Going Through)’, ‘After Love In The After Hours’ and ‘No Future? Yeah Right’).

You may pick up on the fact that some of its lyrical content is quite simple, very simple in fact, but paired with fun, hypnotic beats reminiscent of The Kooks and YMAS’ earlier work (2011’s Sinners Never Sleep), it’s undeniable that the record is charming and, arguably, showcases a band breaking free of conventions they previously put on themselves.

19. MOVEMENTS - RUCKUS!

The name of Movements’ new album, RUCKUS!, is spot on because that's exactly what you'll find in the album - pure, delightful, ruckus. The album's title is paradoxical because, despite its heavy bass and abundant noise, it's meticulously crafted with thoughtful lyrics and execution.

You might pick up on the fact that the deep, soul-stirring emotions that used to take centre stage in their earlier albums are not as prominent here. It's as if the band has embraced love and found a sense of inner calm, which is truly something we all hope for them. While the emotions are still there, it's evident that the band had a much more enjoyable and optimistic creative approach while making this album than others.

18. JAMES MARRIOTT - ARE WE THERE YET?

James Marriott’s Are We There Yet? Is such a beautiful piece that listeners can easily find themselves getting lost in. A mix of happy and melancholy tracks helps to keep the listeners drawn in, and Marriott’s voice perfectly fits with the tracks and ideas he’s trying to portray.

The more upbeat tracks aren’t overbearing in any sense. They are easy for one just to want to dance and vibe to while the softer, more serious songs are done so in such a calming way that listeners can take in everything being said and conveyed within the story.

17. REAL FRIENDS - THERE’S NOTHING WORSE THAN TOO LATE

Real Friends have been such a staple within the pop-punk community for years, and their latest release, There’s Nothing Worse Than Too Late is no exception. Holding the band’s second most popular song, ‘Tell Me That You’re Sorry,’ the album shares a lot of the ideas and elements that the band is known for while branching out into new themes that listeners seemed to have picked up like finding that someone close to you has become toxic and the struggle with realizing life is better without them.

The album ends with acoustic versions of both ‘Tell Me You’re Sorry’ and ‘Alway Lose’ and offer a softer tone to the song overall, further pushing the message they’re trying to convey of feeling hurt by someone and wanting to take the steps to fix it and feel better.

16. HOZIER - UNREAL UNEARTH

Unreal Unearth reminds people of why they became hooked on Hozier in the first place. It’s a record that makes no effort to shy away from darker subject matters, something that the Irish folk singer is known for, and such topics never derail the album.

Capturing what Hozier is as an artist, his latest record is fearlessly earnest. It explores his eclectic takes on love, despite being inspired by Dante’s Inferno, and follows a journey of greed, insatiability, and desire, resulting in an out-of-body listening experience, making it an album you must listen to if you haven’t already.

15. MITSKI - The Land Is Inhospitable And So Are We

Mitski’s great return shines a light on her impeccable songwriting and heart-wrenching musical storytelling abilities. Weaving through elements of classic Americana, The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We is beautiful, gut-wrenching, and mesmerizing all at once. A stark contrast from her previous synth-heavy album Laurel Hell, the singer-songwriter had us all convinced that retirement was on the horizon. As an artist who typically creates music to turn to when you feel lonely, hopeless, insecure, or depressed, this new record provides a glimpse of hope that is seldom found in Mitski’s previous work.

The hit song ‘My Love Mine All Mine’ describes her relationship with love as something that is not only all around her but always within her as well. As she sings “Moon, tell me if I could / Send up my heart to you? / So, when I die, which I must do / Could it shine down here with you?” we are filled with hope that love will always be with us, even after the end.

14. miley cyrus - endless summer vacation

Miley Cyrus' latest release, Endless Summer Vacation, stands as an exceptional contemporary breakup album, revolving around her divorce from Liam Hemsworth. It exudes a powerful aura of self-sufficiency, embodying the essence of undeniable resilience.

The album resonates widely due to its relatability—capturing the universal theme of finding strength within oneself during challenging times. Cyrus describes Endless Summer Vacation as her "love letter" to LA, the city pivotal to her career's launch during her teenage years on Disney's Hannah Montana. Divided into distinct parts, the 'AM' opening reflects the morning's vibrancy and potential, while the 'PM' closing section embodies a gritty yet glamorous allure.

13. HEART ATTACK MAN - FREAK OF NATURE

Heart Attack Man had their biggest release yet with Freak of Nature. The album helps to portray some of the hardships of being unsure where you belong, but also feeling like maybe it’s better to not belong at all. The lyrics mixed with the upbeat, heavier music help to drive the idea home.

They have not been one to steer away from ideas that some may deem unconventional, or inappropriate, using imagery like the Kennedy assassination in ‘Like A Kennedy’ to show that the writer is currently at a low point. The release, musically, has been some of Heart Attack Man’s best work and is easy to listen to on repeat and even dance to.

12. MEET ME @ THE ALTAR - PAST // PRESENT // FUTURE

With a hint of nostalgia and an air of maturity, Meet Me @ The Altar blew a lot of people’s minds with their debut album, Past // Present // Future this year. The energetic blend of catchy lyrics and chorus-driven power chords gives us a taste of the new wave of pop-punk.

Standout track ‘TMI’ discusses the feeling of imposter syndrome with an infectious guitar solo that just hits the right spot, while ‘Thx For Nothing’ displays vocalist Edith Victoria’s effortless in switching up between vocal styles. The slowed-down acoustic of ‘A Few Tomorrows’ showcases the band’s ability to go from hard-hitting pop punk to heart-wrenching authenticity.

11. RENEE RAPP - SNOW ANGEL

One of many promising debut albums of 2023 came courtesy of Mean Girls: The Musical star Reneé Rapp with her many tales of heartbreak on Snow Angel. ‘Tummy Hurts’ is a captivating and catchy story of karma whilst ‘Talk Too Much’ is a shouty telling of Rapp’s innermost thoughts and feelings that let us into her world from the jump of the record.

Fans of Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift will love Rapp’s blend of intricate songwriting with captivating, dreamy vocal performances. ‘Snow Angel’- the song- is the gem of the album- a huge rock ballad with crashing guitars and drums over incredibly raw and intense vocals, the song acts as a pre-interval track on the album: almost ushering in a huge round of applause in the middle of the project. More fun, playful moments come from tracks such as ‘Poison Poison’ which is a dark but smart number similar to Billie Eilish’s ‘Billie Bossa Nova’.

10. WATERPARKS - INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

The newest era of Waterparks has come with tons of surprises. From the band selling single CDs with their bite marks to having their first song with a feature since their EP days, Waterparks continue to wow their listeners with experimental sounds and strong lyrics.

Intellectual Property shares a lot of themes around religion and finding where one lies in the world, even paying homage to their earlier years by including a sound bite from their first-ever interview in the album’s last track, ‘A Night Out on Earth’ as well as heart aching tracks like ‘Closer,’ while at the same time, talking on the hardships of being in the public eye and having people criticize your every move.

9. Holding Absence - Noble Art Of Self Destruction

Holding Absence's latest album, The Noble Art of Self Destruction, made an indelible mark on the pop-punk landscape this year. Fronted by the exceptional vocals of Lucas Woodland, the album seamlessly blends modern flair with the genre's roots, earning widespread acclaim from fans.

This 10-track masterpiece serves as a poignant exploration of life's ever-evolving journey, with a thematic focus on self-improvement. Drawing metaphorical inspiration from Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, and Michelangelo's iconic sculpture, David, the album beautifully reflects on the profound notion that our imperfections contribute to the unique essence of our being.

8. Pierce The Veil - The Jaws Of Life

Pierce the Veil entered 2023 with the release of their fifth studio album The Jaws of Life. This marked their return after seven years and is a more than welcome addition to their discography.

Following their December tour across the UK, this album allowed the band to grow in many ways as artists, as well as avoid the pitfalls of releasing music solely stemming from nostalgia. The Jaws of Life is a step forward for Pierce the Veil not only in terms of their maturity but also their sound, encompassing elements that are not only surprising but also quite fascinating.

7. Taylor Swift - 1989 (Taylor's Version)

The original 1989 served as a key turning point for Swift’s career, as this album represented her official pivot from country to pop, and featured some of her most successful singles of all time. With a cult fanbase behind it, Taylor’s Version of 1989 was met with lots of expectations from long-term fans, most of which were exceeded. The five vault tracks, including the strikingly named ‘Slut!,’ brought bold lyricism and dark synth-pop that was not highly explored in the original album.

With production choices that feel reminiscent of her most recent project Midnights paired with specific lyrical choices that shine a spotlight on older relationships, each vault track further develops the plot intriguingly and unexpectedly. With only two albums left, Taylor Swift’s Taylor’s Version project has served as a nostalgic journey for fans new and old alike, allowing everyone in the Swiftie community to both reminisce and reclaim at the same time.

6. FALL OUT BOY - SO MUCH (FOR) STARDUST

Fall Out Boy released their 8th album So Much (For) Stardust this year, and it feels like a merge between some of their original content and their newer sythy heavy music, in the best way possible. It is a masterful return to form project for Fall Out Boy.

The iconic guitar and melody that was their claim to fame from the start took center stage while being perfectly supported by the synth that they’ve also become known for. So Much (For) Stardust is a must-listen album thanks to their musical genius and Wentz’s creative lyrics.

5. boygenius - the record

Indie Supergroup Boygenius consisting of Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridger and Lucy Dacus released their debut full-length album this year. The Record consisted of 12 perfectly crafted songs, four of which had previously been released. This album reinforces that Baker, Bridger and Dacus are very talented songwriters who aren’t afraid to experiment with different sounds.

Songs such ‘$20’ & ‘Satanist’ have hard-hitting grunge riffs while other songs like ‘Cool About It’ carry the indie folk sound that their fans are used to. Their lyrics are beautifully written, and in some ways depressingly so, the lyrics of The Record showcase all three of the members perfectly, which brings a sense of familiarity to old fans who are joining Boygenius from their other projects. The Record does not disappoint, and it comes together beautifully to make you feel so much emotion in a short 42 minutes.

4. olivia rodrigo - guts

Guts is Olivia Rodrigo’s second album, following her wildly successful debut Sour. While the ballad-filled Sour detailed the melodrama of teenage heartbreak, Guts is Sour’s more mature older sister. Guts recounts stories of bad exes, nights out and social anxiety. It is the perfect soundtrack to a Generation Z coming-of-age film. Highlights of the record include the opening track ‘all-american bitch’, showcasing Rodrigo’s use of more complex imagery on this album.

Rodrigo even took a college poetry class, which helped her create the song ‘lacy’. Guts has songs about heartbreak and insecurity, but Rodrigo tackles these issues with the more light-hearted and wise view of someone with a couple more years of experience up her sleeve. Ultimately, Rodrigo has proved she is not a one-hit wonder and is shaping up to be a leading voice of her generation.

3. troye sivan - something to give each other

After a decade in the industry, Troye Sivan’s third studio album Something To Give Each Other feels like the album he’s always been destined to make. With tracks that build upon each listen – constantly growing in your affection with their nuances and subtle moments like in the magical ‘In My Room’ and the sun-kissed ‘Honey’. Sivan’s vocals sound more mature than ever but fun is never sacrificed as a result, with the entire run being a giddy romp.

The three singles taken from the album all frame the project’s run perfectly. ‘Rush’ is a euphoric punch of chaotic energy with a chorus ready to be yelled across arenas globally on Troye’s upcoming 2024 tour. ‘Got Me Started’ is the meme-sampling smash that divided opinion with its unique interpolation – the song however could never be faulted on its smooth factor – with its effortless performance and weird production choices cementing Sivan’s name as an innovative artist in the game. Finally, ‘One Of Your Girls’ is the internet-breaking hit that took the world by storm thanks to its visuals presenting Troye’s drag alter-ego dance seductively around former Disney-star Ross Lynch. Whilst at first, the song is catchy and delightfully vocoder-drenched- the lyrics tell a desperate and sad story about a younger version of Sivan desperate for attention from people who could never reciprocate the feelings back.

2. SLEEP TOKEN - TAKE ME BACK TO EDEN

Sleep Token morphed into a dominant force this year with the release of their third studio album, Take Me Back to Eden. Further growing in popularity through the release of the songs chosen as singles, Take Me Back to Eden signalled a turning point for the band as they jumped from mid-capacity level venues to headlining RADAR Festival and selling out the OVO Arena in Wembley.

The album itself is exceptionally made and encompasses the band’s identity in full force. No song sounds the same yet each of the 12 tracks presented on this record intertwine and root themselves into Sleep Token’s lore and overarching story between Vessel and the entity known as ‘Sleep’.

Whether it be through the heavier cuts the likes of ‘Vore’, ‘The Summoning’ and ‘Chokehold’ or the Jazz and R’n’B influenced ‘Ascensionism’ and ‘Aqua Regia’, there is something for every kind of listener, proving that Sleep Token genre-fluidity not only works but could seemingly be the way forward for many bands in the industry who are willing to experiment with their sound to such a degree. Take Me Back to Eden is a phenomenal record and one that is bound to shape the scene for years to come with its sonic experimentation and heart.

1. PARAMORE - THIS IS WHY

There’s no denying that Paramore have topped 2023 and if This Is Why isn’t one of your top albums of the year, politely, what have you been doing? The record, which hones in on the slick sounds of the ‘80s, is an exciting foray into post-punk, riddled with a new set of anxieties against a hardened exterior, and fans couldn’t have hoped for more.

From tackling the feeling of being in your late twenties/earlier thirties to focusing on anxiety and rage, This Is Why is bookended by futility and fuelled by a belief that, as a society, we’re screwed. With that, and some hypnotic vocals by Hayley Williams detailing relatable experiences for many, what better way to sum up the year?

Square OneJanuary 1, 2024