Are your playlists getting a bit stale? Trying to break out of your current listening patterns? We got you. Here, we present 25 up and coming bands and musicians to look out for in 2023. Your next roadtrip playlist will thank you.
1. Wednesday
The hottest band of the moment – well, if you’re into vintage t-shirts and Levi 501s. But in all seriousness, with heavy riffs and wrenching vocals, Asheville, North Carolina’s Wednesday is ending up on best of lists across the internet (including this one) for a reason. Their debut album Rat Saw God sounds like its name – and yeah, we think that’s pretty tight.
2. Glyders
Chicago-based Glyders are a welcome addition to the modern psychedelic landscape. Signed to Drag City – so, you know, respect right there – their debut album Maria’s Hunt is a twisty, spiraling record that recalls heroes of rock history while offering a buoyant and transformative sound.
3. MJ Lenderman
Sometimes, simplicity is best. MJ Lenderman is based out of Asheville, North Carolina, making chugging, swirling alternative rock that sounds like it fell out of an issue of SPIN from 1994. His newest album Boat Songs is filled with wry, observational lyrics that feel nostalgic for something that never really existed anyway. (He also plays guitar in Wednesday; not bad, eh?)
4. Special Interest
New Orleans punk band Special Interest deserves your attention. Their rattling album Endure is a pulsing, bursting record that will keep you and the pals up late, doing things you shouldn’t be doing, and then doing more of those things. Rippers.
5. Wet Leg
British indie rockers Wet Leg recall a time that feels simpler. Their self-titled album is funny, chaotic, and bouncing – a youthful record that captures fleeting moments of irresponsibility. After all, music’s supposed to be fun, right?!
6. Goose
Jerry is dead. Phish sucks. Get a job. Right? Well, Connecticut rock band Goose would like a word. These new kids on the jam band block bring a frightful, pulverizing energy that’s got the scene on fire. You gotta see it to believe it.
7. Rosali
Omaha rocker Rosali is built upon some true Midwestern pride. Backed by David Nance – another brilliant musician from Omaha – her album No Medium is a cosmic, alternative collision of dirty concrete and riding horses in pastures. The best.
8. Omar Apollo
Looking for a new charming heartthrob in your life? Say hello to Omar Apollo, the music world’s latest dreamboat. With his slippery and exciting debut album Ivory, he nabbed a Grammy nod for Best New Artist, on his way to true stardom.
9. Billy Strings
Whew. Billy Strings might be one of the most exciting guitarists we’ve had arrive in the music world in over a decade. With his latest album Me | And | Dad, he showcased where it all came from – charming bluegrass at its g*ddamn finest.
10. Faye Webster
Dreamy, spacey, and a bit ironic – that’s Faye Webster, the Atlanta indie rocker who guides us into the clouds for the rest of time. Her album I Know I’m Funny haha is a delicate and simple swan song, one that makes any situation sound better.
11. Petey
Let’s have some fun, eh? Petey captured fame during the pandemic for his viral absurdist comedy on social media, but he’s effectively flipped that into a cool indie rock career. His music is filled with wry lyrics, wiggly beats, and passion. We agree – you gotta lean into life!
12. Cactus Lee
Cactus Lee captures the spirit of classic country music. Prolific, proud, and Texan, Kevin Dehan relentlessly released multiple albums and EPs over the last couple of years, all perfect for a little honky tonk dance with the person you love.
13. Dougie Poole
With his new album, The Rainbow Wheel of Death, Brooklyn country musician Dougie Poole – and we’re using “country” as a light descriptor here – established himself as one of the most innovative songwriters working right now. Listen to “High School Gym” and don’t think about every mistake you’ve ever made – but somehow be fine with it? That’s just the way it goes. Thanks, Dougie.
14. The Japanese House
Dreamy and ephemeral, that’s how we’d describe East London’s The Japanese House. The musical project from Amber Bain is as gorgeous as it is spacey, capturing beautiful and fleeting moments of time before they escape into the past.
15. boygenius
Let’s hear it for the best new supergroup, boygenius. Bringing together indie rock stalwarts Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker, and Lucy Dacus, the group released their debut album the record earlier, and it broke hearts across the globe.
16. The Armed
One of the stranger groups in modern rock ‘n’ roll, Detroit’s The Armed claim to be more of a cult than a band, and their new album Perfect Saviors makes a strong argument for joining. Transformative, pulsating, and brilliant. Salute to true musical innovation and originality in an era that doesn’t seem to care.
17. 100 gecs
The world is weird these days – and that means there are some weird musicians, such as 100 gecs. With their debut 1000 gecs and their follow-up 10,000 gecs, the experimental duo appears to’ve fallen out of a William Gibson fever dream, bringing a hedonistic blend of cyberpunk, rap, noise, and a… whole lot more.
18. The Tubs
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? That’s how The Tubs view rock ‘n’ roll. Trouble in Mind’s latest band released their debut album Dead Meat earlier this year, and the jangly album is a pulsing, modern spin on classic punk.
19. Plains
“Go west, young man,” they said. Plains, the country project from Waxahatchee’s Katie Crutchfield and Jess Williamson, is perfect for those who love The Dixie Chicks, old Ford Broncos, and long drives towards the sunset. Go west, indeed.
20. Paul Dally
Singer-songwriter Paul Dally’s music is made for road trips, for yearning, for late night conversations about things you won’t remember. “Back of a Cab” and “Runaway” make you wonder about what could’ve been, even if you’re not sure what that means.
21. GracieHorse
With L.A. Shit, GracieHorse bucks west coast stereotypes while leaning into their reality. The Wharf Cat artist offers swinging, country-tinged alternative rock at its finest. Excuse us while we grab our cowboy hats.
22. MSPAINT
Mississippi’s MSPAINT just rip. Their debut album Post-American combines fuzzy riffs with chaotic synths, capturing a unique and strangely blissful frenetic energy you can only find in basement punk shows.
23. beabadoobee
English rocker beabadoobee brings a pop flavor to the rock space. Her latest album Beatopia combines big riffs with catchy refrains, blending together for a smooth form of rebellion.
24. Charley Crockett
Charley Crockett has been busking around America for over a decade, so he’s not really “new.” But he only started to catch the public’s attention over the last year or so, offering a nice serving of whimsical songwriting and classic country. (And yes, he is distantly related to Davy Crockett, which feels worth mentioning for some reason.)
25. Yves Tumor
Warp Records artist Yves Tumor creates experimental music that’s fearless, loud, and melodic, as seen on their latest album, Praise a Lord Who Chews but Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds). Yes, the music is just as brilliantly strange as the title.
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