ThisIsTheMusic

2023 has been a great year for the indie/new music scene and as fans we’ve been treated to some fantastic releases this year.

I’ve compiled 40 of my favourite single releases in 2023, covering 31st December 2022 to 1st December 2023 and I’ve agonised over which artists to include. Have a read below and hopefully you mind find an artist that you’ve not come across before. As always continue to support the independent scene, share their music and catch them at a gig if you can and maybe buy some merch too!

1. The Window View – Sunset Paradise

Ok this song was released on 31st December 2022, but I had to include the debut single from the west Cumbrian 3 piece. Sunset Paradise has a glam rock meets shoegaze vibe about it and a scintillating guitar solo.

2. Rosa Caelum – The Lovers Were The Last Ones To Leave

Having spent 2022 relentlessly rehearsing and releasing some demons, Rosa Caelum crashed into 2023, with their debut single. It explodes out the blocks, full of screaming guitar riffs and thunderous drum beats, and hits you like a runaway express train. It’s full of attitude, energy and is a high octane stadium filling rocknroll.

3. The Columbians – Running For Cover

With its sizzling guitar riffs, welsh 4-piece The Columbians released an indie anthem full of swagger and thunderous drumming that packs a punch. A song that makes you want to jump around.

4. The Lutras – Siren In The Wind

Full of melodic, chiming guitar hooks and a fantastic vocal and plenty of energy and drive making this is a song that will have you tapping those feet.

5. Skylights – Rebellion

Rebellion is what Skylights do best. Fist thumping, energetic rocknroll, with soaring guitar riffs that leave you wanting more. A class band, with one of the most loyal fan bases around. 2024 is going to be even bigger and better.

6. The Silver Lines – Blow Dry

Sounding like punk meets Britpop, BlowDry explodes out of the blocks and rattles along at a thunderous pace and is driven by supercharged drumming, gritty guitar riffs and a melodic vocal, which mixed together is a truly infectious song that you can’t ignore.

7. The Malakites – Morning After

Welsh 4-piece have caused a stir with their live gigs this year and with Morning After it’s easy to see why. Huge energetic vocals and anthemic lyrics that instantly hooks you in.

8. The Chase – You’re The Encore No One Asked For

Encore is what The Chase do best: Energetic, sizzling, soaring hooks and anthemtic lyrics. You won’t be able to stop yourself bouncing to this song.

9. The Heavy North – Where Are You Now?

Explosive, energetic, blues rocknroll, full of thunderous drumming, groovy bass-lines and electrifying guitar riffs. A track that will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Brilliant.

10. LOCK-IN – Do You Like Good Music?

With its bouncing melodies and infectious guitar hooks, this is a swaggering, toe-tapping indie anthem that shows exactly why LOCK-IN are going right to the very top.

11. Siracuse – Saviour

A melodic indie anthem, encapsulating high energy guitar riffs reminiscent of 90’s legends, Oasis, The Charlatans and Ride, layered over a Stone Roses style groove and funky sounding drums. What’s not to like?!

12.Tivertons – Pay The Fine

Celestial hooks, razor-sharp lyrics and one of the best vocals you’ll hear. A band that we predicted big things for at the start of the year are well on their way to becoming one of your favourite new bands.

13. San Quentin – Serotonin

If 2022 was San Quentin’s breakout year, 2023 was proven they are the real deal. The release of their debut EP, Feed The Ego, went down a storm. Lead single Serotonin is rousing anthem, with a strong emphasis on heavy guitar riffs and dynamic drums to drive the song forward, creating a powerful sound.

14. Alright – Dresscode

A band who have made their first major UK festival appearance and continue to sell out bigger headline shows. Bouncing infectious melody, with crisp catchy guitar hooks that add an upbeat fill to the song. A real foot tapper.

15. Blooms – Pikehall

Undoubtedly one of the debut singles of the year. Catchy riffs, relatable lyrics and a singalong chorus. A band to very much watch in 2024.

16. Northern System – Slow Down

Blistering, energetic rocknroll, driven by a gritty guitar riff, thumping bass lines and pounding drums that screams attitude, energy and possess plenty of swagger.

17. Basic State – To Feel Alive

Welsh band have really made a mark this year, with the release of A psychedelic odyssey that’s full of groove that sounds like early The Verve. Absolute classic.

18. Issy Sutcliffe – Baby Bye

Debut single from one of Manchester’s rising female solo artists. Full of swagger chaos, attitude, dirty guitar hooks and a thunderous bass line that will have you pressing repeat on this track.

19. Pastel – Your Day

Big roaring riffs, pounding drums and dreamy shoe-gazing textures, provide the backdrop to a song that’s full of hope and optimism. A band destined for big things.

20. The Mucks – I Don’t

Debut single from Coventry 5-piece, full of swaggering guitars, an anthemic chorus and a glorious vocal. A band who will be ones to watch in 2024.

21. The Rogues – Skinny Dipping

Glorious upbeat melodies and jangly guitars see the Newport band release an anthem to soundtrack the summer. The Coral would be proud of this track.

22. The Shed Project – Ghost Town

Bolton’s finest rocknroll band return with a taster from their forthcoming second album and it’s an instant classic. Relatable lyrics about the demise of a northern town under successive governments (it could be written about any town in the country), jangly guitars and frontman Roy Fletcher’s finest vocal yet!

23. Abbey Moon – Getaway Car

A vibrant uplifting track, full of energy and great jangly guitars with a highly infectious chorus that you’ll be singing all day.

24. Megan Wyn – Familiar Faces

Megan Wyn’s second single is an incredible anthem full of swagger that packs an almighty punch and continues Megan’s unstoppable rise to the top of the music industry.

25. Subterrania – Shine

An effortless anthem, that most bands long to write. It’s full of swagger and soaring stadium ready guitar solos. A band who will be on everyone’s lips on 2024.

26. The Ritz – Give Me A Sign

Epic, euphoric second single, from Burton on Trent 4-piece It’s an energetic, swashbuckling display of rocknroll, that will ensure their rise up the indie ladder is inevitable.

27. Lunarca – Touch of Gold

Instant rocknroll classic that will have you bouncing around. Tapping into all rocknroll music across the decades, this is a riff laden, swaggering anthem, that’s truly mesmerising and hypnotic.

28. Northern Hospitality – Runaway Like Me

Scintillating, explosive second single from the Hartlepool 4- piece that screams attitude, energy and has plenty of swagger. It packs a real punch and you should turn the volume up to the max.

29. Vida – Different Storm

Biblical comeback single, from one of the great Scottish bands. Full of great melodies and swagger. It’s great they are back.

30. Plastic Heart – The Giver Of Stars

Plastic Heart latest single The Giver Of Stars is an energetic powerful and rip roaring rocknroll anthem. With catchy singalong choruses this Mancunian 5 piece are a band to well and truly keep an eye on in 2024!

31. Red Remedy – Wait

2023 has been a real breakthrough year for the north east 5 piece. Their debut single is a driving rock anthem, full of roaring guitars, a soaring vocal, scorching chorus and huge melodies that pack a real punch. Their debut EP is out now and is one you need to get on your radar.

32. Darlings – Life Could Be So Simple (If You Want It)

A band who continue to release great singles. Their latest release is an exuberant indie anthem, full of powerful drumming and is just the sound of a band that oozes class. Ones to get on your live radar for 2024.

33. Fiona Lennon – Dreaming

Liverpool solo star continues her rise to stardom with this captivating folk-rock infused song full of dreamy guitars and gorgeous melodies. Dreaming captures exactly why Fiona is a once in a generation talent.

34. Dovegate – Contagious Lies

Jangly indie guitar pop with a glorious melody and soaring guitar riffs. Liverpool 3-piece are heading to the very top.

35. Crook on The Wall – Imperial Mind

Spine tingling debut from Manchester new boys that features a powerful vocal, thought provoking lyrics that bring a different vibe to the indie scene.

36. Ben Walker – Just A Boy

Heartfelt and emotional stomping gem from the rising Scottish solo star, who is currently on tour with The View. Gone under the radar so far, that will change in 2024.

37. Marseille – Only Just Begum

Jangly, psychedelic guitars from a band who just continue to deliver with every release. A band who are going all the way to the top.

38. Matilda Shakes – Fever Dream

An infectious rocknroll anthem that packs a real punch. Combining explosive choruses and blistering hooks, it’s easy to see why Matilda Shakes are set to headline The Leadmill next year.

39. BilloBuckers – Sweat And Alcopops

A rip-roaring song about a night out on the town. Energetic, fast paced indie rocknroll that will have you dancing around.

40. Maze – Actions

Stunning and euphoric masterpiece it’s upbeat and absorbing making it highly addictive and a chorus that you’ll be singing along too.

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