Top 50 Records of 2023

Here we go again. “Best of” lists all over again.

But first and foremost I’ll start this roundup with the highest compliment possible to Indonesia’s thriving indie scene who’s starting to grab international audiences’ attention: Grrrl Gang’s debut studio album “Spunky” named one of the best albums in 2023 by NME, Indigo Moiré deemed “better” than some US “atmospheric heavy indie rock thing”, and lastly emo(?) spearheads eleventwelfth and Cubfires collaborating with CHON’s Mario Camarena and The Wonder Years’ Dan “Soupy” Campbell, respectively.

Then off to the list. I had a rather hard time making this list amidst the never-ending year-end workload, and lots of qualities here on top of that. But yeah here we go without further ado:

50. Milledenials — The Peak of Youth Life (EP/self-released)
51. Morgensoll — Eternal (album/self-released)
52. Spangle Call Lilli Line — Ampersand (album/felicity)
53. muque — Design (EP/A.S.A.B)
54. kaneyorimasaru — わたしのノクターン/Watashi no Nocturne (album/Victor Entertainment)
55. Leo Ieiri — Naked (album/Victor Entertainment)
56. NewJeans — Get Up (EP/ADOR)
57. Militarie Gun — Life Under the Gun (album/Loma Vista)
58. Trophy Eyes — Suicide and Sunshine (album/Hopeless)
59. Periphery — Periphery V: Djent is Not a Genre (album/3DOT)
60. Looprider — Metamorphose (album/Call and Response)
61. nakigoto — NAKIGOTO. (compilation/[NOiD]/murffin discs)
62. Home Is Where — The Whaler (album/Wax Bodega)
63. チリビーンズ/Chilli Beans. — Welcome to My Castle (album/A.S.A.B)
64. Koyo — Would You Miss It? (album/Pure Noise)
65. Beachside Talks — Marble Town (EP/Dead Funny)
66. ハク。/haku. — 僕らじゃなきゃダメになって/bokurajanakyadameninatte (album/SPACE SHOWER MUSIC)
67. 羊文学/Hitsujibungaku — 12 hugs (like butterflies) (album/F.C.L.S.)
68. kiki vivi lily — Blossom (EP/Nippon Columbia)
69. Pasocom Music Club — Fine Line (album/HATIHATI PRO)
70. 水槽/suisoh — 夜天邂逅/Encounter (album/self-released)
71. ZUTOMAYO — 沈香学/Jinkougaku (album/Universal Music)
72. illiomote — I.W.S.P (EP/SPILD)
73. Uilou — In My Mind (EP/self-released)
74. Loma Prieta — Last (album/Deathwish)
75. Free Throw — Lessons that We Swear to Keep (album/Wax Bodega)
76. mophing people — MPPP (album/Soundflat)
77. Dreamwell — In My Saddest Dreams I am Beside You (album/Prosthetic)
78. Origami Angel — The Brightest Days (album/Counter Intuitive)
79. Jaydawn — Sekte Air Mata Odin (album/Grimloc)
80. Laufey — Bewitched (album/AWAL)
81. Settle — Adult Connection (album/self-released)
82. Hot Mulligan — Why Would I Watch (album/Wax Bodega)
83. Slowdive — everything is alive (album/Dead Oceans)
84. Caroline Polachek — Desire, I Want to Turn to You (album/Perpetual Novice)
85. Indigo Moiré — How Do I Keep My Head Above Water? (album/self-released)
86. IRI — Private (album/Victor Entertainment)
87. Yellow Flower Living Water — The Great Unconformity (EP/Jonotify)
88. Fireworks — Higher Lonely Power (album/Funeral Plant Collective)
89. MSPAINT — Post-American (album/Convulse) 10. L’Alphalpha — Kelak, Kelam ‘Kan Berpendar (album/self-released)

Source: Instagram

For me, L’Alphalpha is just like Frieren from 葬送のフリーレン in which their transformation is somehow unnoticed but it’s always there. This album is the culmination of L’Alphalpha’s fantastic transformation from their rather minimalistic-cum-ambient era back in 2011 to a full-throttle indie-pop record. Another plus point for this record, L’Alphalpha is one of the best in the scene in writing relatable, heart-on-sleeve odes.

Favorite track(s): Tempuh, Lingkar

9. Drop Nineteens — Hard Light (album/Warf Cat)

Source: Bandcamp

Drop Nineteens’ first full-length album in 30 years, which means their previous one was released when I wasn’t even born. Hard Light sounds much more softer compared to their early 90s records, but somehow still falls within the scope of “shoegaze”, however you define it. And I always love Drop Nineteens’ “romantic” guitar riffs, a perfect record to accompany you in a lonely midnight ride through the highway.

Favorite track(s): Scapa Flow, The Price Was High

8. Fiddlehead — Death is Nothing to Us (album/Run For Cover)

Source: Bandcamp

This is THE album where Fiddlehead becomes Fiddlehead, not just Have Heart-meets-Basement. Absolute banger one after another, and I’m still amazed at how Pat Flynn continues to deliver optimism-induced heart-wrenching lyrics. Truly an icon.

Favorite track(s): Sullenboy

7. Citizen — Calling the Dogs (album/Run For Cover)

Source: Bandcamp

Another great record that consists of one banger after another. The addition of Ben Russin (dearest Title Fight, seriously come back pls) in the percussion sector gives a punchier feeling to each song, me likey.

Favorite track(s): Hyper Trophy, If You’re Lonely

6. Subway Daydream — Ride (album/RAINBOW ENTERTAINMENT)

Source: Instagram

I fell in love at first sight with this record. Ride is ready to fill your energy 24/7 through their youthful tunes. If you like Japan’s pop rock powerhouses JUDY AND MARY or Homecomings, you should absolutely listen to this.

Favorite track(s): Radio Star, Stand by Me

5. boygenius — The Record (album/Interscope)

Source: xboygeniusx.com

The Record is THE record we’ve all been waiting for and it certainly does not miss. What else there is to say?

Favorite track(s): Not Strong Enough

4. eleventwelfth — SIMILAR (album/Angular//Momentum)

Source: Bandcamp

Best Indonesian record this year. A record that best defines post-Barefood era. An absolute classic.

Favorite track(s): another night awake with you on my mind. (ft. Adeliesa), Destined (To Fade), Every Question I Withhold, Every Answer You Never Told, The More I Try To Trace You Forthwith, The Less I Want To Know Where To Find You (pardon the long list, I really LOVE this record)

3. Øjne — Sogno #3 (EP/Through Love)

Source: Bandcamp

Øjne’s first record in six years, Sogno #3 is what you’re looking for in a proper skramz: smooth shifts between clean and fuzzy guitar riffs, dynamics, crescendo, a singer that sings at the top at their lungs. Well, “proper” is the keyword.

Favorite track(s): Occidente, Le Vite Degli Altri

2. Kerosene Heights — Southeast of Somewhere (album/No Sleep)

Source: Bandcamp

This record reminds me of You Blew It! that listening to it almost brings mist to my eyes. A true-blue midwest emo record. End of story.

Favorite track(s): Salty Eyes, Mission Valley Shopping Center

1. Homecomings — New Neighbors (album/PONY CANYON)

Source: homecomings.jp

Well, I put Subway Daydream’s record high in this list so Homecomings is supposed to be higher. This record reflects their maturity, evolving from university club members into a Japan’s pop-rock icon. And they played the ending track of one of my favorite anime series this year, on top of that.

Favorite track(s): Lapse, Euphoria

Additionally, you can find my top 100 songs in 2023 here.