5. The Menzingers – Some Of It Was True

Favorite Track: Try

Our favorite Scranton band, The Menzingers, dropped their seventh album, Some Of It Was True, on the 13th of October, 2023. But unlike After The Party, we aren’t questioning where we go after our 20s; we are more concerned about what is happening in our 30s! I’ll admit, I’m only 31, and my 30s have just begun, but much like on the title track ‘Some of It Was True,’ I do reminisce about my youth and how I thought I knew everything back then, only to be surprised about how little I know.
But Some Of It Was True is good because they keep their standards high and experiment with new sounds but add a bit more heartbreaking lyrics, as we can hear on ‘Come On Heartache’, ‘I Didn’t Miss You (Until You Were Gone)’, and ‘There’s No Place In The World For Me’, which I’ll be honest and say, I feel that our 30’s will be more about, in different ways. So, here’s to The Menzingers and their ability to write catchy songs. 

4. Knuckle Puck – Losing What We Love

Favorite track: You & I

Knuckle Puck has, since the beginning, been a band I’ve been fascinated by, but I forgot about them because they sometimes seemed stuck in their early sound and didn’t grow. But Losing What We Love was released and proved me wrong. From the first listen, this album became an instant favorite. The catchy lyrics to the potent and pop-punk riffs, Losing What We Love, show a different side to Knuckle Puck from their earlier material. And for 37 minutes, you’re highly entertained with the album. 

3. Movements – RUCKUS!

Favorite tracks: AMP

I’ll admit that I’ve slept on Movements, and I’ve slept on Ruckus! It wasn’t until after a concert that my friend sheepishly suggested I dive into the album, and since that day, I haven’t been able to stop listening to RUCKUS! Movements decided to experiment with different sounds. It’s a fun listen. 

2. Militarie Gun – Life Under The Gun

Favorite Track: Very High

Hardcore had a shining moment this year; hopefully, it won’t change next year. But this year, we saw Militarie Gun release their debut LP, and after three EPs, I was very excited about Life Under The Gun. It didn’t disappoint me, from the gruff vocals supplied by Ian Shelton to the punk guitars and rapid drumming on the songs. Even more remarkable, their concerts are brilliant, and the transition from album to live is something they’ve mastered, but again, Militarie Gun is a side project. Everyone in the band had a name prior, so it’s no surprise that Militarie Gun succeeds at everything they do.

1. Hot Mulligan – Why Would I Watch

Favorite track: Smahccked My Head Awf

Why Would I Watch is a rather obvious choice for my number 1 album of the year. And I was right. While my Spotify Wrapped would state that Taylor Swift is my most-heard artist, my YouTube music would beg to differ. 

Why Would I Watch showcases the ability to take challenging topics and place Hot Mulligan at their most vulnerable point during the album. As we witness in “It’s A Family Movie She Hates Her Dad,” touching on the subject of a dysfunctional family dynamic, the loss of a much-beloved grandma, one that I related a lot to on “Smahccked My Head Awf.” A few months ago, I went on the radio in Denmark, and we had to bring along three songs with two friends, and we had to bring along three songs that inspired us to become music reviewers, or at least were a part of our journey. For my last piece, I picked “John “The Rock” Cena, Can You Smell What the Undertaker” because this song has been such a driving force throughout my battle with an eating disorder, body dysmorphia, and the loss of faith that I experienced when I lost my grandma at 14. But enough about why Hot Mulligan stole my heart. Why Would I Watch felt like this was the way ahead, and the album has zero songs you end up skipping because they are so well-produced. 

5. Scowl – Psychic Dance Routine

No hate, no games. It’s brilliant, a bit trippy, but that’s just how I like it. It’s an infectious EP from Scowl that came out earlier this year.

4. girlfriends – Over My Dead Body

Nothing but vibes on this EP, slightly different from last year’s (e)motion sickness. But it’s a banger.

3. KennyHoopla – BLINK AND YOU’LL MISS IT //

3,2,1 GO – nothing but hard-hitting BOPs to get you through a shitty day.

2. saturdays at your place – always cloudy

Let’s sit down for a minute and look into SAYP. They popped up on the scene in 2021, and in January of 2023, they probably made one of the best EPs and haven’t slowed down since.

1. Pile of Love – Super Sometimes

“But Karina, this EP came out on the 22nd of December, and it’s taking the first place on the list?” YES. The different sounds throughout the EP mark an exciting return for the band, staying true to their pop-rock roots, with some indie mixed in. It makes for a great end-of-the-year EP. They spoiled us.

5. PUP – How To Live With Yourself/Smoke Screen

I know, I’m cheating. It’s two singles, and gosh, how PUP spoiled us. Or maybe it’s just me. But as we all know, I like PUP, and I think the band is incredible. So, of course, when I saw that they released two songs, I did a little happy dance and listened. How To Live With Yourself is more potent, but Smoke Screen certainly has moments where we get transported back to PUP’s earlier days. So yes, PUP’s two singles get fifth place.

4. Spanish Love Songs – Clean-Up Crew

I loved the album, but I love this single from the album. I kept going back to it before the album was released, and that’s that. 

3. KennyHoopla – keep a window open //

If you, dear reader, are like me and enjoyed the sound on ‘how will i rest in peace if i’m buried by a highway?//’ Then don’t worry because KennyHoopla released a single back in August that shares somewhat of the same sound. It’s terrific.

2. Neck Deep – Heartbreak Of The Century

This song is a bloody banger and has excellent lyrics. For a breakup song, I hate myself for getting excited when I hear it. But it’s so upbeat and catchy. I’m so sorry to be BOP’ing in your pain, Neck Deep.

1. Pile of Love – Happy To Hide

Okay, it was released a week ago. But if you’ve heard it, you would agree it’s one hell of a banger. Honestly, Pile of Love is an excellent band with a unique sound. EP was released a week after this was written.