Best Music of 2023: Albums and EPs

Heady Metal EP by Divorce
These guys were doing their thing before 2023 but this year really does feel like the moment where everything fell into place and the momentum was truly behind them. Their new EP Heady Metal was released last month and I knew it would be their best yet as soon as I heard the singles that were released beforehand - from the soaring Birds (pun intended) to the grooving bassline of Scratch Your Metal, which will truly scratch an itch in your brain, and the electric chemistry between Tiger Cohen-Towell and Felix Mackenzie-Barrow as they split the role of vocals on Eat My Words, a track with a chorus so catchy that fans were already singing it back to them at their live shows before it had even been officially released. 

Speaking of their live shows, they have just been on a sold-out headline tour of the UK, including a show at our very own Rescue Rooms, and they have support slots with The Vaccines and Bombay Bicycle Club coming up in 2024. And with the backing of BBC Radio 1 and BBC 6 Music, I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re selling out bigger venues like Rock City in no time. But for now, stream Heady Metal and check out our interview with the band from this month’s issue to find out more - we promise that they’re poised for huge things. Gemma Cockrell

Meridian EP by Drew Thomas
Drew Thomas has a real talent for writing determined, powerful and unapologetically anthemic songs, and his latest EP provides a great showcase for that talent. Over the course of Meridian, he wrestles with some very relatable themes: getting older, navigating the highs and lows of relationships, insecurity and emotions. Life, in other words.  Each song on this record is engaging and catchy, and it's all held together beautifully; it sounds complete, coherent and consistent. 

Twenties and All My Friends hold the EP together neatly, acting as the key points on that meridian the record is named after. In each song, Drew explores, acknowledges - and comes to celebrate - his feelings as he gets older. All his friends are having babies, but Drew "just can't quit"... so get used to it. But the record finishes with the more reflective, yearning ballad I Wish I'd Met You Earlier.

Smoke is the anchor-point at the centre: there's a great contrast between the rhythmical verses, supported by chugging guitars and wavy synths, and the almost raucous chorus. In both parts, and across the rest of the EP, Drew's voice is the key focus. He sings firmly and always with full passion, often soaring way above the rest of the music.

The local references here are brief but winning for anyone who's spent any part of their life in Nottingham. In Ivory White, Drew conjures up that intangible feeling and atmosphere of life in the city. The song opens with "I took a walk to your old Hockley place," goes on to implore a loved one to "open the blinds, the world's been passing you by," and later comments, "and now I'm drunk in this Bodega bar."

Drew describes himself as "emerging from Nottingham" and he's a star we can be proud of. Phil Taylor

SUCKER EP by bexx
Ever since discovering Notts-hailing, synthpop superstar bexx through a support slot for Fickle Friends at The Bodega in early 2022, she has been on a roll of banger after banger. From her incredible breakout single Hard To Love complete with soaring eighties-tinged guitar solo, to more recent efforts like the extremely catchy One More Night and body positive, rock anthem Prettier, bexx has shown her knack for writing addictive, resonant pop songs is as good as anybody in the genre right now.

Taking a big step forward in 2023, bexx released her debut EP SUCKER which is just the perfect showcase for her talent. Five songs about the eternal search for human connection and the stumbling blocks along the way, it’s an EP filled with irresistible tongue-in-cheek humour and packed wall-to-wall with cathartic, anti-love songs. From the wry opening title track, the inescapably catchy Stupid to the palpable rock energy of standout cut Bad For Each Other, this is “unserious, heartbreak pop” of the highest order and it makes for one of the most joyously fun EPs of the year. Karl Blakesley

Beacons of the Wilderness by Ben McElroy
First up, this was a really difficult and close decision, with some other great releases put out this year including the debut single Vinyl and Heck by Pretty Windows in June, the outstanding album Synesthese by Chris Miggells in August and the hugely impressive debut album Red Sport International by Stuart Pearce in July. However, I understand the rules of this game and that there has to be a number one choice, and so my best release from a Nottingham artist this year goes to (drumroll)... Ben McElroy and his album Beacons of the Wilderness, released in September. 

Ben had a tough challenge, to bring out a better album than the one he did in 2022 - How I Learnt To Disengage From The Pack which was made Folk album of the month by The Guardian. Somehow he managed to improve on last year's release and Beacons of the Wilderness is the perfect album to listen to over Christmas; indie folk songs with fragile and experimental lo-fi music, alongside the ever present hypnotic drone sounds. Put the fire on, close your eyes and give this album many listens over the festive holidays. Bassey

Artichoke EP by Catmilk
To say that Catmilk’s debut EP Artichoke was highly anticipated would be a gross understatement. This delightfully soft-sounding collection is equally as sweet as the band who created it: a folksy four-piece who are leading a new generation of Nottingham-based artists.

The four tracks take their listener on a wonderland-esque journey of meandering paths and emotional highs and lows. Featuring delicate spoken-word passages from lead vocalist Alex Milne, the EP lies at the intersection of folk and dreamy, indie-pop. Maddie Dinnage