We’ve reached the end of yet another year. As time passes, kids grow up, and people pass on, the new releases just keep coming. Here at 360°Sound, we’ve had the pleasure of covering a number of outstanding artists this year. Mr. David Hopper and I have heard a lot of great stuff and we’re excited to present, in no particular order, our year-end round up of the 10 best bits released in 2023 by artists we’ve covered.
The Lemon Twigs – Everything Harmony
Long Island’s The Lemon Twigs are fronted by brothers Brian and Michael D’Addario. Both brothers sing, write songs, and play multiple instruments. Their fourth studio album, Everything Harmony, was released in May to critical acclaim. Their indie pop sound and lovely harmonies recall The Beach Boys, ‘60s AM pop, and ‘70s yacht rock. The Twigs lean into the retro sound and look, as you can see from the “Corner of My Eye” video. –David Hopper
Overcoats – Winner
Overcoats are a duo, JJ Mitchell and Hana Elion, and describe their sound as “harmony-driven ranch pop.” For Winner, they enlisted producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and Grammy-award winner Daniel Tashian to produce. Multi-instrumentalists themselves, JJ and Hana collaborated with Tashian to create all the music on the album at Nashville studio The Study. Winner is groovy as hell and drenched in the aforementioned vocal harmonies. “Never Let You Go” is a highlight, and my favorite song of the year. Check out our interview with JJ & Hana -Chris Bisha
The Tiarras – “La Negra Tomasa”
Latina power trio The Tiarras consists of sisters Tori Baltierra (vocals/guitar), Tiffany Baltierra (bass) and Sophia Baltierra (drums). Born and raised in Austin, the Mexican-American band has a unique sound, drawing from rock, soul, reggae, blues, and cumbia. “La Negra Tomasa” is a cover of the classic Cuban song written by Guillermo Rodriguez Fiffe and popularized by the Mexican rock band Caifanes. Tori rips some hot guitar solos on this groovy track. Check out our interview with The Tiarras –D.H.
The Orielles – Tableau
The Orielles, based in Manchester, UK, began their career as a lo-fi dream pop group, but with Tableau, the group are now experimenting with more electronics and deep house grooves. There’s still guitar, bass, and drums, but with this album they’ve made a stratospheric leap akin to Radiohead’s progression from The Bends to OK Computer. Expressionist waves of sound swirl and churn, as the vocal melodies warble and sigh, while the drums map out a path that’s liberated from time. But no worries, hooks still abound. Tableau is a challenging and approachable recording; it’s contemplative and meditative and groovy as hell. Check out our interview with vocalist/bassist Esme Hand-Halford -C.B.
Michigander – It Will Never Be the Same
Michigander is the indie rock alter ego of Jason Singer, a Midland, Michigan native now residing in Nashville. The six-song EP, It Will Never Be The Same, dropped in March. It features the radio hits “Superglue” and “Stay Out of It,” both of which feature his blend of confessional lyrics, sugary riffs, and irresistible hooks. While we got shut out of the band’s packed gig at SXSW, Chris Bisha had the pleasure of catching Michigander’s set in Detroit last summer. –D.H.
Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs – Land of Sleeper
This ungodly racket sounds like cattle being slaughtered, but it’s actually a drove of Pigs. Their music is heavy as fuck, mesmerizing. Aligned with doom, psych rock, and noise rock, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs just call it hard rock and leave it at that. Think Black Sabbath, Motorhead, Stooges, as well as Soundgarden. “Big Rig” is a post-apocalyptic landscape spiked with hope that features my favorite line ever in a metal song, “I plant the seed and wait to see what will become of routine watering and the magic of the sun.” Check out our interview with front man Matt Baty -C.B.
Michael Lington – Looking Ahead
Contemporary (read: smooth) jazz saxophonist Michael Lington started his career in Bobby Caldwell’s R&B band. Solo since 1997, he has 12 full-length albums to his credit. This year, he released an EP and it’s some of the best music of his career. According to Lington, “The prospect of doing more of the same didn’t excite me. Musically, I had to go back and re-listen to some of the things that got me into music in the first place.” As a result, Looking Ahead has echoes of Grover Washington Jr., David Sanborn, and the great recordings produced by Creed Taylor for CTI. This recording is funkier and a little ballsier than his recent stuff. Check out our interview with Michael -C.B.
Red Rum Club – “Black Cat”
UK indie rock band Red Rum Club’s music has been described as “Mariachi Merseybeat.” These Liverpool lads feature a trumpet atop their anthemic rock music, which at times could pass for a spaghetti-Western score. Their energetic set at Mohawk during SXSW 2023 was a highlight for me. The group released the rockin’ single “Black Cat” in 2023, from their forthcoming album, Western Approaches, which drops early this year. Check out our interview with the band –D.H.
Peter Gabriel – i/o
Peter Gabriel released a new tune from i/o each month at the full moon, with an alternative mix released at the new moon. The complete album dropped on 1 December in physical formats. Make no mistake, this is some of the strongest material of Gabriel’s illustrious career. Back to his more pop-ish sensibilities, you’ll certainly get snagged by some hooks, but this material is also haunting and thematically heavy, as Gabriel stares down the end of the road. He sounds great, his voice having lost very little, even at the tender age of 73. Tony Levin is on bass, leading a phalanx of world-class musicians. Check out our review of the album & the tour. -C.B.
Urban Heat – “Like This”
Synth-heavy Austin post-punk band Urban Heat was one of ATX’s most buzz-worthy bands of the year. Released in 2023, “Like This” is the catchy first single from their forthcoming second full-length album, The Tower, set for a 2024 release on Artoffact Records. Urban Heat is a must-hear for fans of darkwave and moody synth-driven ‘80s music à la Depeche Mode. Check out our interview with front man Jonathan Horstmann –D.H.
We hope you had a reasonable 2023, and we wish you good health, peace, and prosperity in 2024. 360°Sound will be back at SXSW this year, and we’ll keep scanning the globe for the constant variety of recordings, film, books, and performance. Thanks for hanging with us this year!
