Written by Kirk
At the end of every year, we get flooded with lists of favorite albums. But what about those beloved songs that didn’t make it onto a full-length record? What about the tracks that got left on the cutting room floor or were left to stand on their own? That’s right, I’m talking about the singles. They deserve love, too, and I’m going to tell you my favorite single of 2023.
Before I start going through my list, let me explain something: I don’t rank my releases. There are two categories—LOVED and HONORABLE MENTION—and I think they’re pretty self-explanatory. Also, I list them by release date, because that’s the order in which they entered my ears. So, without further ado, here are the singles of 2023 that I LOVED:
Oceanator — Part Time (May 30)
I’ve been a casual fan of Polyvinyl Records for some years now, but this year I finally decided to show my true fandom and subscribe on Bandcamp. This was my first introduction to Oceanator, but it certainly left an indelible mark. You see, as much as I love heavy metal and punk and noise and experimental music, there’s a big part of me that’s deeply rooted in alternative rock. Give me a good new wave record, and I’m a happy guy. This standalone single is catchy, fun, and full of energy. If your foot isn’t tapping along to the beat writhing the first 30 seconds, check your pulse; you might be dead.
Momma & Narrow Head — Sunday / Medicine (Oct. 31)
I think the only thing better than a split between two bands is a split between two bands on two different labels. That sense of camaraderie is beautiful, especially in an industry as competitive as the music business. This time we find Polyvinyl teaming up with Run for Cover for a one-two punch of grungy shoegaze from Momma performing “Sunday” on the A-side while Narrow Head slides in on the B-side with “Medicine”, which is sure to give you the serotonin boost you need with all its late-‘90s indie rock vibes. This split is just what the doctor ordered.
Yeah, okay, that’s not a very long list of single I loved this year, but, in my defense, I only came across a handful of singles, so it’s not my fault. And while I only fell in love with two singles this year, a have a few more that caused me to turn my head so fast it pinched a nerve in my neck. Here are my HONORABLE MENTIONS for 2023:
STRFKR — Running Around (Skeletron Mix) (Feb. 1)
If you’re at all familiar with electropop, you are probably already familiar with STRFKR. They took that early MGMT sound and turned it into a career creating some of the most infectious electronic grooves around. And while it’s been a hot minute since STRFKR dropped an album, they lit up this year with singles. The A-side, “Running Around”, is the musical equivalent to riding on a cloud, a light, ethereal, dream-like song that will elevate any mood. And the B-side, “Waited for It”, is an equally delicate affair, like the sensation of floating down from those clouds after a lofty escape. In other words, a perfect escape.
Tangled Horns — Pissing in the Wind (June 23)
This year will probably be remembered (at least for me) as the year I discovered that stoner grunge is a thing. And you know what? I kinda like it. I’m probably the stoner rock guru of the Noob Heavy team, and that’s a badge I’ll wear with pride. Give me a good stoner rock record and I’m a happy guy. That being said, if you’re a fellow stoner rock aficionado and not keeping an eye on Polderrecords, you’re doing it wrong. They are the hub of the stoner rock scene in Belgium and acquiring quite the lineup of bands. One such band is Tangled Horns, who have an album coming out next month but managed to drop five singles this year. All were good, but “Pissing in the Wind” really caught my attention with its infectious sing-along chorus and overall grit and attitude. This is one of those “raise a glass” kind of songs that feels like a great big middle finger to a year that offered some great music but kinda sucked otherwise (the death of Henry Kissinger notwithstanding).
Laura Jane Grace — Dysphoria Hoodie (Oct. 4)
Maybe it’s because I’m Old, but I don’t really go for the whole acoustic punk rocker thing. When I think of a troubadour shouting down the vultures of our society, I think of a young Bob Dylan armed with just an acoustic guitar and a harmonica weaving tales of warning about a world ready to swallow us whole. That being said, this new single from Laura Jane Grace is nothing if not a throat punch to my expectations. A raw, stripped down, and visceral jaunt, it’s the kind of song that will haunt you long after its 2:34 runtime ends. It’s not easy shouldering the burden of being the voice of a generation, but Laura makes it look easy. Effortless. And she does it with style.
Gore Goat — Jesus Cuts in Line for the Roller Coaster (Nov. 14)
If I’d known we were going to get new Gore Goat this year, I would’ve made sure to dress for the occasion. As irreverent as ever, this track is absolutely guaranteed to raise the eyebrows of everyone who hears it, which—let’s face it—is entirely the point. Gore Goat isn’t here to make friends, they’re here to topple pillars and liberate your minds. My only hope is this song at least causes you to crack a smile, because I sure did.
Shout-out to all the bands who released singles this year. This year has been jam-packed with ups and downs, but the quality of music that crossed my path was one of the biggest ups of them all. Hopefully you readers see something in my list of singles that catches your eye and turns you on to something new. Because sharing music is one of my biggest loves in life.
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