Even though there’s still an entire month left of the year, many publications such as Rolling Stone, Gorilla vs Bear, Mojo, Rough Trade, and Uncut have already shared their best of 2023 lists. Spotify has also prematurely shared what we’ve all been listening to for the past eleven months. I’ll share mine as we get closer to the actual end of the year as there are still a few weeks of new releases to come and this week includes some big highlights.
After releasing every track as a single over the past year, this week Peter Gabriel finally shared his new full-length album in its entirety. It’s his first in over twenty years and while much of it has been out for a months, it’s exciting nonetheless to have a new album from such a legendary act.
For fans of things on the heavier side, you’re in luck! The collaboration from Full of Hell and Nothing results in a blistering combo of grindcore and shoegaze that should split some ear drums and get your heart racing with surging, explosive guitars. There’s also a new record from Panopticon to further satisfy black metal enthusiasts looking for more punishing material.
Khruangbin have been steadily releasing live albums over the past year and this week they’ve shared their show from Sydney’s iconic Opera House. While other live albums in the series have featured other artists such as Toro y Moi and Nubya Garcia, this one is a double LP of just the trio doing what they do best.
The one and only Minor Threat released their iconic and groundbreaking EP Out of Step in 1983. To celebrate the 40th anniversary, the band has revamped three songs that were recorded during the initial session, but largely forgotten about until now.
Coinciding with the release of her theatrical concert film Renaissance, Beyoncé has dropped an electro-pop banger called “MY HOUSE” and it’s an intense and in your face thrill ride of a song that goes off the rails with club rocking beats and a visceral delivery from the queen herself as she attacks the mic with extreme purpose.
Noise-pop pioneers The Jesus and Mary Chain will celebrate their 40th anniversary next year with the release of a new album which the Reid brothers have detailed as sounding exactly like you’d expect a JAMC record to sound like and it’s led by the buzzing single “jamcod.”
Jangle-pop rockers Ducks Ltd. will release their sophomore album next year and in addition to recent single “The Main Thing,” the record will also include their new track “Hollowed Out.” New Jersey indie rock group Real Estate have also announced a new album, their sixth, which will be out next spring. It’s led by the breezy and pleasing new song “Water Underground.”
One of the year’s best debut albums belong’s to LA’s Militarie Gun and this week they shared two new versions of tracks from the album, both of which steer away from their hardcore sound for something a bit more accessible and one features guest vocals from grunge act Bully.
Today is the final Bandcamp Friday of the year and while the future of Bandcamp seems uncertain, it’s a great opportunity to give back to artists while you still can so if there’s anything that’s been on heavy rotation this year, consider purchasing it from the band/artist directly.
Albums:
Full of Hell / Nothing | When No Birds Sang
Peter Gabriel | i/o
Panopticon | The Rime Of Memory
Clark | Cave Dog
Khruangbin | Live At Sydney Opera House
Minor Threat | Out Of Step Outtakes EP
Songs:
Beyoncé | “MY HOUSE”
Ducks Ltd. | “Hollowed Out”
The Jesus and Mary Chain | “jamcod”
Real Estate | “Water Underground”
Militarie Gun | “Very High - Under the Sun” / “Never Fucked Up Twice” (ft Bully)
Yard Act | “Petroleum”
Chelsea Wolfe | “Tunnel Lights”
Future Islands | “The Fight”
박혜진 Park Hye Jin | “Foreigner”
If you’re a Spotify user, you can listen to these songs (and more from 2023) here!