Music Scene Wales’ Top 50 Albums of 2023

  1. Ren – Sick Boi

    “This is a mammoth album of the best futuristic hip hop you’ve ever heard, knocking everyone else out of the park.” – Louder Than War

2. The Heavy North – Delta Shakedown

“This is an album that will be talked about for years, it’s a true blues explosion of sound yet there is more to it, far more. The blues/rock vibe acts as a supporting foundation for other elements to be introduced, elements of funk, punk, classical, gospel and everything in between blend seamlessly with their trademark garage blues ethos.” – Upcoming Bands

3. The Shed Project – Our Fear Is Their Power

“The Shed Project show their talents and growth with their new album. Each track goes from strength to strength, hooking you all the way in. The quality in production and song writing is refined, Roy’s vocals are heartfelt and real and their sound has matured.” – Music Scene Wales

4. CVC – Get Real

“Channelling 60’s California, this Welsh six-piece charm with classy psych-pop made for long summer evenings” – The Guardian

5. Apollo Junction – Here We Are

“Apollo Junction are set to take their hallmark anthemic sound to inspiring new heights and a wider audience with their third album Here We Are”. – Louder Than War

6. Trampolene – Rules of Love & War

“Excellently crafted indie guitar pop or whatever you want to label it…a real earworm” – RPM Online

7. Laurie Wright – Get On The End Of It!

“A force of nature possessing a raw and genuine talent that many can only dream of” – Music Scene Wales

8. The Royston Club – Shaking Hips and Crashing Cars

“The whole piece is an awesome medley of sick strings, relatable life experiences and very singable lyrics. Here is your wake up call…get those hips shaking – try to avoid the car crashing though”. – No Extra Source

9. Skindred – Smile

“Ragga-metal mainstays Skindred crank the attitude and stack up a few more anthems on irrepressible eighth album Smile.” – Kerrang

10. Rogue Jones – Dos Bebés

“Strides confidently and boldly, full of great songs built and presented with excellent musicianship and production.” – Wales Arts Review

11. The Lottery Winners – Anxiety Replacement Therapy

12. Lewca – Boombap for Boomers

13. The Lathums – From Nothing To A Little Bit More

14. The Reytons – What’s Rock And Roll?

15. DMA’s – How Many Dreams?

16. Mr Phormula – A.W.D.L

17. boygenius – The Record

18. Himalayas – From Hell To Here

19. Declan Welsh and the Decadent West – 2

20. Godsticks – This Is What A Winner Looks Like

21. Mark Sharp & The Bicycle Thieves – Unmask The Circus

22. Senses – Little Pictures Without Sound

23. Stellar Echoes – Now Is All There Is

24. Nancy Ackroyd – Light the Lamps

25. Brownbear – Demons

26. The Utopiates – The Sun Also Rises

27. Mace The Great – SplottWorld

28. Andrew Cushin – Waiting For The Rain

29. Brooke Combe – Black Is The New Gold

30. Thrillhouse – Something About This Place

31. The Sherlocks – People Like Me & You

32. H. Hawkline – Milk For Flowers

33. The View – Exorcism of Youth

34. Death Of Guitar Pop – Be Lucky

35. Baxter Dury – I Thought I Was Better Than You

36. Spector – Here Come The Early Nights

37. BDRMM – I Don’t Know

38. King Krule – Space Heavy

39. Olivia Dean – Messy

40. Rebelski – Simplicity

41. The Goa Express – The Goa Express

42. Gallaher’s Green – Dare To Dream

43. Box Of Trash – Candlewood 230

44. Ivan Moult – Songs From The Severn Grove

45. Tapestri – Tell Me World

46. Those Damn Crows – Inhale/Exhale

47. Revolution Rabbit Deluxe – Control Freaks

48. Patio – Collection

49. Come At The King – Overgrown

50. Katie MF – False Starts, Open Endings





Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com

Senses Release New Single ‘Drop Your Arms’

Coventry’s SENSES signed to 42’s Records last month and release a rocking new single “DROP YOUR ARMS” this Friday, 24th March as the second of 3 singles leading up to the release of their debut album LITTLE PICTURES WITHOUT SOUND on 21st April 2023

Ronan O’Connor (Bass):

“We are buzzing to be working with 42’s Records – the response to HARDER NOW as our first single on the label was amazing, now we are stepping things up again with DROP YOUR ARMS.

It’s about dropping your guard, being vulnerable, taking a risk, fighting for something or someone you believe in.

‘Is this the best dream you’ve ever had? Is this the best dream you won’t allow?’

It’s a song that came from jamming in rehearsals rather than one somebody brought to a session.

There was a real urgency and energy there which comes across especially the way drums are pushing the song, and from there layers of guitars came in.

With a wild breakdown, tonnes of feedback and samples it was probably one of the first songs we started to find our sound on. By the time the last double chorus comes around you can just about catch your breath!

This the second of 3 singles 42’s Records are releasing in quick succession, paving the way for our debut album on 21st April“

SENSES create genre hopping evocative soundscapes, with arena ready hooks forming a compelling sound – Harder Now is one piece of a magnificent debut album.

Equally influenced by shoegaze romanticism, alternative experimentation, and indie ambition, they have been making music and gigging around the UK since they formed whilst at school in Coventry, bonding over a love of diverse, underground music.

A certain chemistry was apparent from the outset, and they have remained a solid unit despite now being located in Coventry, London and Germany.

With the long-awaited release of their debut LP (Vinyl, CD and Digital) ‘Little Pictures Without Sound,’ they are set to reach their largest audience yet.

With uplifting anthems beside more emotive and introspective songs, connected by mysterious snippets of spoken word, the album takes on a cinematic quality, finding beauty in everyday life.

It is a triumphant statement from a band ready for their moment in the spotlight after a long journey.

Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com

Senses Release New Single ‘Harder Now (For Love)’

Coventry’s SENSES have signed to 42’s Records and have released single “HARDER NOW (FOR LOVE)” as the first of 3 singles leading up to the release of their debut album LITTLE PICTURES WITHOUT SOUND on 21st April 2023

SENSES create genre hopping evocative soundscapes, with arena ready hooks forming a compelling sound, Harder Now is one piece of a magnificent debut album.

Equally influenced by shoegaze romanticism, alternative experimentation, and indie ambition, they have been making music and gigging around the UK since they formed whilst at school in Coventry, bonding over a love of diverse, underground music.

A certain chemistry was apparent from the outset, and they have remained a solid unit despite now being located in Coventry, London and Germany.

With the long-awaited release of their debut LP (Vinyl, CD and Digital) ‘Little Pictures Without Sound,’ they are set to reach their largest audience yet.

With uplifting anthems beside more emotive and introspective songs, connected by mysterious snippets of spoken word, the album takes on a cinematic quality, finding beauty in everyday life.

It is a triumphant statement from a band ready for their moment in the spotlight after a long journey.

SENSES are Brian Callan (Lead Vocals, Guitar), Kevin Kavanagh (Guitar), Rónán O’Connor – (Bass), Ian Finnegan (Drums, Keyboards, Backing Vocals) 

Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com