20 of the Best Debuts of 2023
Last year we prayed for lots of exciting new artists and boy did 2023 answer!
Pictured (Left to Right): GIRLS.SPEAK.FRENCH., Glenna Jane, mary in the junkyard, Flip Top Head, The Last Dinner Party and Bekah Bossard
‘Tis the season to appreciate all this year’s amazing debuts. And we can’t wait to remind you of our favourites.
Although it has to be said, we’ve been a little intimidated by the number of debut singles that could easily have made the shortlist this year. I mean, there have been so many madly impressive debuts – some that have put rising stars on the map, and others that we think are still not getting the attention they deserve. So, here’s our list of the finest debut singles from 2023 (in no particular order) to get you ready for another year of new music.
mary in the junkyard — Tuesday
Photo: Steve Gullick
After garnering a reputation on London’s live circuit with an impressive 50 shows under their belt, mary in the junkyard only emerged in October with their much-anticipated debut single Tuesday – a whimsical punk track that sure lived up to expectation. With only one track in their repertoire, we’re excited for what 2024 will bring for the band.
2. The Last Dinner Party — Nothing Matters
Photo: Cal McIntyre
It wouldn’t be a list of this year’s best debuts if it didn’t have The Last Dinner Party. 2023 saw the gothic inspired band take the world by storm with their bold, fatalistic debut Nothing Matters, and now we can’t imagine life without them. Their debut album Prelude to Ecstasy lands via Universal Music on February 2nd.
3. ERNIE — Pink Headaches
Photo: Ellen Dixon
From signing to Gravity Records to releasing his debut EP, 2023 has been quite the journey for Newcastle-based alt-rocker ERNIE, whose debut single Pink Headaches gorgeously captured the complex and often uncomfortable feelings that come with existing in moments of nostalgia.
4. mlbacard¡ — Ketchup
Photo: Kid Circus
A soulful and polished debut that is distinctly its own, mlbacard¡’s Ketchup beautifully showcases her natural songwriting abilities alongside moving melodies, velvety vocals and a silky-smooth sound that you can’t help but obsess over.
5. GIRLS.SPEAK.FRENCH — Britpop Genius
Memorable, addictive and fun. GIRLS.SPEAK.FRENCH have been on our weekly rotation since they made their debut back in February. If their earworm tunes haven’t already wriggled their way into your brain, Britpop Genius is the perfect introduction to the four-piece’s exciting sound – so get listening!
6. Glenna Jane — Late Bloomer
Best described as a hook-filled pop-rock anthem, Late Bloomer’s angsty guitar chords, tongue-in-cheek lyrics and crooning vocals are a feast for the ears.
7. Jazzcat — Robyn
One of the most entrancing songs we’ve heard all year, Jazzcat’s debut is filled with heavenly guitars and complex rhythms. If you love raspy vocals and compelling guitar riffs, this track will get stuck in your head.
8. Picture Parlour — Norwegian Wood
Photo: Em Cole
With a droning guitar, raucous instrumentals and spine-tingling vocals, Picture Parlour oozed all things rock and roll on their mesmerising debut, effortlessly leaving a lasting impression on the music scene.
9. Flip Top Head — Seventh Bell Number
Photo: Katie Foxley
Orchestral cult rock band Flip Top Head unleashed their wonderfully chaotic energy into the world back in February with their dynamic debut single Seventh Bell Number. A mad combination of jazz, post-rock and shoegaze, the seven-piece channelled their restlessness into this beautifully wrapped single and successfully positioned themselves as ones to watch in 2024.
10. Bekah Bossard — What You Wanted
Born from experience, Bekah Bossard’s debut single captures the emotions they felt after coming out as queer and facing rejection from those close to them. A lyrically powerful track, What You Wanted gorgeously blends elements of folk and rock to showcase Bekah’s deeply emotive songwriting style alongside their silky-smooth vocals.
11. Miss Tiny — The Sound
Photo: Holly Whittaker
This year, the producer behind the label Speedy Wunderground, Dan Carey, released a new project with longtime friend and collaborator, Benjamin Romans-Hopcraft (Warmduscher), named Miss Tiny. Their monotonic debut single The Sound proved to be an expertly crafted sonic exploration of the unknown, with its dark, moody soundscape, repeating guitar riffs and destination-less melody hypnotising all who listen.
12. The Joy Hotel — Jeremiah
Opening with an earworm guitar hook over the ramblings of a Glasgow street preacher, Jeremiah is an instantly addictive track and the perfect introduction to the Scottish seven-piece, whose mutual love for country music’s duetting harmonies, psych-rock’s cinematic arrangements and the enduring melodies of sixties and seventies pop is abundantly clear on their first single.
13. Holy Fool — Winter Coat
Touching on themes of rebirth, catharsis and evolution, Holy Fool blend melancholic songwriting, dark humour and a folk soaked sound on their debut single Winter Coat – powerfully establishing their sonic identity as a duo.
14. Humane The Moon — A Track in Orbit
Indie-rock with punk trimmings. Humane The Moon’s attention-grabbing debut established the emerging artist as one to watch this year thanks to its visceral lyricism, sonic inventiveness and seamless blend of punk and indie.
15. Caleb Francis — Only Nineteen
Taking inspiration from artists such as Lou Reed, Nick Cave and Blur, Sheffield singer-songwriter Caleb Francis captured the delirium and uncertainty that comes with growing up in his debut single Only Nineteen – a gorgeous guitar-driven track that is filled to the brim with storytelling lyrics.
16. Keo — For You / Darkest
Why make your debut with one song, when you can release two? UK-based alt-rock band Keo made their debut with two tracks this year – the vulnerable and introspective track For You, and the stripped-back delicate Darkest. With each providing stunning guitar tones – raw and gritty in the former, and deep and organic in the latter – Keo showcased their sonic adaptability, as well as their ability to passionately get their message across.
17. Cardinals — Roseland
Photo: Emilyn Cardona
Cardinals’ gothic amalgam of shoegaze and folk made for a dark heady debut this past November, proving why they have already been dubbed as one of Grian Chatten’s ‘favourite new bands’. With pop leanings, folk nods and elements of Irish trad folk music glittering throughout, Roseland easily established Cardinals as one of the most exciting alt newbies to come out of 2023.
18. FIZZ — High In Brighton
A maximalist, technicolour dream of a song, High In Brighton introduced FIZZ’s (dodie, Orla Gartland, Greta Isaac and Martin Luke Brown) intoxicating sound to the world earlier this year, helping us escape the every day by bringing some colour back into our greige daily lives.
19. My First Time — Wind Up Merchant
Lyrically following the narrative of the archetypal Jack the Lad, intent on annoying and antagonising anyone for their pleasure, Wind Up Merchant is a high-energy, foot-on-the-accelerator kind of song. There may be undeniable similarities to Elvis Costello’s Pump It Up and more recently Olivia Rodrigo’s Brutal, but who cares? It’s a catchy, quintessentially British song, so ‘loosen up’ and enjoy it!
20. Siblings — Evangeline
South London indie folk/rock newcomers Siblings revealed their debut single Evangeline back in September, introducing their ethereal psychedelic, classic 70s sound to the indie scene. As a song about the destructiveness of desire, the track is both haunting and joyous so you better buckle up for the ride.