We count down our top 10 favourite releases of 2023. Not an easy task with how many amazing bands put out music in Ontario this year.
*DISCLAIMER* Very little thought went into the numeration of this list and for all intents and purposes these releases are all just as awesome. I know the internet loves ranking things so I loosely numbered them just for fun. THANKS :)!
10. Twice Bleached - Isn’t it Pretty
Self produced and recorded, Isn’t it Pretty? tells a story of someone coming to terms with the fact that the best years of life may be behind them. Dealing with themes of lost love and damaged friendships, these 9 emotion soaked anthems will leave you humming along for days to come. You'll find inspiration ranging from PUP to Avril Lavigne on this thing, creating a musical smorgasbord of all things Pop and Punk. Highlighted perfectly by opening and closing tracks: Stuck in Transit and Cardinals this album proves itself as one of the catchiest and most conceptual releases in local music this year.
9. Bob Calwell Vanity Project - you don’t suck
Juxtaposing wholesome songs about loving your friends and yourself with ragers about wanting to die and struggling with alcohol abuse, “you don’t suck” is packed with relatable and honest lyricism. The raw vocal delivery and stripped back yet rowdy production add to the sense of authenticity and urgency oozing out of these 10 tracks. Boasting a sound that could be compared to Jeff Rosenstock and The Replacements’ love child, these songs feel fresh yet familiar. It’s 28 minute runtime flys by so quickly it will make your head spin. When the amazing closer and personal favourite “college dropout blues” rings out it’s final notes you’ll hardly believe it’s already over while still being fully satisfied with the experience
8. madfolk - Floor Turned Blue
Toronto darlings, madfolk (formerly Frankie The Pig) have finally dropped their long awaited, fully realized debut LP and it’s no secret as to why it took this long. From the very purposeful and artfully used midi drums in the final verse of “Gordon’s Song” to the ambient synth noises and slide guitars peppered over “Fairy Lit Rooms”, this record is chock full of interesting production choices. Every second of “Floor Turned Blue” feels perfectly executed and artistically motivated. Capped off with a very emotional and beautifully performed Lofi ballad, this album just doesn’t fuck around. Go listen for yourself.
7.Guest Room Status - Like The Weather
I think it’s fair to say that Guest Room Status are not super interested in reinventing the wheel musically. Instead they spend their time honing the art of crafting perfect Emo songs that feel instantly iconic. It’s a miracle that no one wrote “By Now” in the 90s or early 2000s but if they had that shit would be plastered all over /mu and Anthony Fantano would have referenced it by now. The alternating vocals keep things feeling constantly engaging if the incredibly sharp song writing wasn’t enough for you. Not a single second across its runtime is wasted.
6.Sorry Snowman - Say When
The very home recorded sound of this EP just adds to its boyish charm. We talked about this one already but if I had to use one word to describe this EP, just like all of the bands members I would choose: Handsome
5. Roach - No One To Lose
Roach are one of the most original sounding bands in the Ontario scene at the moment. I’d be hard pressed to find a fitting genre with which to describe them or give you any comparable acts, yet their songs always feel refreshingly familiar. Their tongue-in-cheek lyrics such as on “Coca Cola” at the centre of an incredibly tightly knit infrastructure, bode for a memorable and engaging experience. We’ve already talked about this band so I’ll keep this short. Roach in this iteration are a perfect band and “No One to Lose” is the perfect introduction to their music.
4. Life in Vacuum - Lost
Listen to Breathing In and Moving On and try to complain to us about anything other than that this isn’t higher. I dare you.
3.Strawberry Cough - Life is Worth Living
We’ve already ranted and raved about how much we love this EP in our review earlier this year, but just to reiterate there is something magical about this release. The tracks have such a strong sense of sonic unison it’s hard to argue that “Life Is Worth Living” is anything short of perfect. The only complaint I could possibly have with this EP is that it isn’t longer. Also “Can’t Commit” AND "Sad At The Mall" are on this thing, enough said. Listen to it already.
2.Animal Boy - My Love is a Terror
Animal Boy have been known for putting together high energy thematic rock albums for their entire career. These guys understand better than most the art of making a project that feels like more than just a collection of songs. And with that being said, this is their most concise and well put together release to date. The booming bass and glossy vocal effect perfectly complement Tommy’s voice and allow him a sense of clarity deemed necessary for the sheer amount of things he has to say. Sonically, lyrically and stylistically “My Love is a Terror” is a force to be reckoned with, making it one of the most interesting listens of the year.
1.Backseat Dragon - Kick Rocks
This album is so god damn good that I made this whole list just to tell it how it is. Kick Rocks is the AOTY and if you disagree you’re wrong, I’m sorry. The vocal ad-lib that mirrors the drum fill in "Sudoku" and the audio collage of the band and their friends laughing and telling inside jokes in "170 Pretoria Ave", prove that this thing is oozing with character. With all the references to their local scene and personal lives this album just feels so introspective and real that you can’t help but get emotional to these tracks. The band also somehow does a perfect job of getting you in your feels while bringing enough energy to, well, take tequila shots in your backyard to. There is not a dull moment on this entire project. If Kick Rocks doesn’t go down in Emo history I will be shocked, so go listen now so you can feed your underground music knowledge fuelled superiority complex when it inevitably blows up.
HONOURARY MENTIONS:
It was literally painful not to include some of these releases in the list and I consider them all comparable to the aforementioned releases.
Root Cause - Peace Out Chuck!
Static Safari - Stage Invaders
Sunsetter - The best that I can be.
emmersonHALL - emmersonHALL
Ruby Doom - Medium Sized Sweater
Sundried Whales - Socks
Burby - Slatehead
Koroshi - Cause/Casualty
Dart Trees - Consider Two Beers
Judah John - Wander
Captain WildChild X Chris Power- Development Hell
Orson Wilds - This Burning House (We All Fell Asleep In)