Chillwave, freak folk, lo-fi house — all music sub-genres that captured our attentions for a brief moment in time, building up these wonderfully weird micro-communities of people all enjoying some type of genre crossover together. Luckily, we’ve been given some incredibly important albums and artists due to these sub-genres, and because of that, we keep going with defining music. These are the 4 sub-genres that are either having a resurgence or brand new in 2023 along with the artists pushing the boundaries in each. Did I make some of these up? Absolutely, I did, but go with it and trust the process, right? Obviously, music is all subjective, so keep that in mind when reading my absolute opinionated opinion.
There’s an intersection of Americana and folk-punk happening around the music world right now, where we’re seeing the punk-ish attitudes and songwriting be translated into stunningly good Americana. So, this is what I’m calling Nu-Americana — a songwriting approach that focuses on the issues of today (mental health, LGTBQ+, politics) and puts them on a classic folk/country landscape. A stunning takeover of the genre with already infamous Orville Peck to newcomers like Mal Blum and Olive Klug, here are the artists you should listen to:
OLIVE KLUG
Born in the Pacific Northwest, Olive Klug cites their upbringing in the moody landscape to describe their “Camp Counselor” aesthetic. Their latest singles, “Coming of Age” and “Out of Line” have the perfect balance of modern lyrics against a classic-sounding folk/Americana song from the 70s. Olive’s rise started in 2020 and there’s no doubt that they are one to watch in 2023.
MAL BLUM
Americana singer-songwriter, Mal Blum, used their time during the pandemic to write songs about isolation and needing connections to others for their 2022 EP, Ain’t It Nice. A blunt look and snapshot of the mental health of musicians and seclusion from society, Mal Blum’s music visits those waning country guitars, and the longing in the vocals just begs to be listened to. A true up & comer in the genre, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with their discography.
WEDNESDAY
Leaning in hard into their Americana/country sound, Asheville’s best quintet, Wednesday, is giving us some of the best cozy country of 2023 already. Songwriter, vocalist and guitarist, Karly Hartzman is using her voice to “build a shrine to minutiae”, detailing life in grungy Americana fashion. “Unfurling somewhere between the wailing skuzz of Nineties shoegaze and classic country twang”, the band’s fresh sound is addicting to listen to.
I promise you, this is the one genre I didn’t make up. Bubblegrunge is making a strong appearance in 2023, already captivating listeners who like a darker “pop” sound. So what is this new genre? According to Google, Bubblegrunge is a “poppier version of the grunge/alternative sound of the 90s” — mixed with other genres like midwest emo, the genre is hopefully here to stay. Check out some of our up & coming favorites in the genre below.
RAZOR BRAIDS
A queer, female and non-binary based group out of Brooklyn, Razor Braids uses their raw energy to combine a punk attitude with indie pop to create some of the freshest music out right now. Their 2021 album, I Could Cry Right Now If You Wanted Me To, is full of dark melodies that uses the bubblegrunge moniker perfectly, you’ll want to sing along with your besties, but your besties are your coven.
OCEANATOR
I’ve been obsessing over Oceanator since seeing them open for Camp Cope at Ché Cafe in San Diego and I was immediately hooked. The heavy guitars with synth pop sprinkled over like it’s normal makes this Brooklyn artist one of the best. Their songwriting is top tier and has been recognized by top music outlets as such. 2020 was a big year for Oceanator and we can only hope 2023 brings them back to the forefront of the bubblegrunge movement.
BIG JOANIE
Big Joanie has just got it. The feminist punk band uses their riot grrrl influences to bring bubblegrunge to an even darker side. They are currently blowing up in the US, with support slots for Bikini Kill and Sleater-Kinney, the trio makes confident music for the modern woman. There’s no way this band isn’t highly sought after this year.
A pretty basic sub-genre, but one that keeps haunting my musical ears in all the best ways possible. From TikTok stars like Lawrence to Remi Wolf’s blunt diary-like music, these artists are bringing the funk and soul of the 70s into a fresh canvas. The sunshine vibes are heavy within these artists.
SKYLAR
British up & comer, SKYLAR, claims she “wants to be mysterious so bad” but she “cannot shut the fuck up”. If that isn’t the mentality of Soul Pop’s resurgence, the sub-genre falls. A bright, funk filled 2023 EP, the artist uses the chaos of the music to entice listeners in all the best ways. You won’t be able to stop listening to her music, once you’re hooked, you’re in.
ZOE SPARKS
Full disclosure, my obsession with Zoe Sparks continues to escalate every time I listen to their newest single, “Famous”. A horn section? Self-deprecating lyrics? A chorus that’ll make you funk it up? Zoe has it ALL. Running into 2023 with full force, Zoe is destined for music glory, their voice is so strong within the genre, you’ll LOVE them if you even remotely like Lawrence or Remi Wolf.
MELT
This entire group has won me over, Melt brings the soul into Soul Pop. With incredibly catch melodies, a fantastic horn section that, once again, feels fresh, this group is destined for greatness. Mixing between singers, each single is an absolute delight. They either get you deep into your feelings or you’re up celebrating life with them. There is no in between and that’s the only way I’d like to have my music now.
This is not your dad’s 70s rock. This new sub-genre is an elevated version of the greats, blending those hazy/creamy melodies with psychedelic features wrapped with a pop music bow. Yes, it’s wild, but there is such a strong presence of this sound in music today, one that will shape the “indie rock” genre throughout the entire year and hopefully longer.
CVC
Welsh artists, CVC (Church Village Collective), are really leaning into their Crosby, Stills and Nash influences, with stunning psych pop that’ll leave you wanting more. There’s a classic rock feeling to this band that’ll haunt you, but the melodic lingering throughout their entire 2023 album feels so good in the soul. There are guitar licks, funky bass moments, and creamy sounds that bring this band to hype status.
PALE BLUE EYES
More Brits making cream psych pop?! There’s something in the water over there, but we’ve been obsessing over Pale Blue Eyes’s sound since last year’s debut album, Souvenirs. The repetitious psych melodies keep you drawn in with a creamy synth vocal layered on top, there’s truly nothing better to listen to. The trio keeps adding elements of other genres into the fold, bringing a gorgeously chaotic sound.
GENTLY TENDER
Gospel choirs, horn sections, wailing vocals, all of these make for such creamy psych pop, a genre that British group, Gently Tender, pushes the boundaries on. The musicality on each track is perfection, that hazy sound of the 70s powered with lead singer, Sam Fryer, giving us deep dark rock vibes — what more could you ask for musically? This band is high on my list of ones to watch in 2023, for those who love Greta Van Fleet, you’re going to LOVE Gently Tender.
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