It's been a year of magnificent new music from the DIY scene. We asked our team to tell us their stand-out tracks of the year – some tough decisions were made! Here's Team LOUD WOMEN's songs of the year 2023.
ARXX: Ride or Die
“This song beautifully encapsulates everything I love about ARXX – rocking pop with sackfuls of solidarity, honesty and joy. Plus it has this stunning video (shot by Rosie Powell) featuring our Hanni and Clara literally bathing a horse. I love absolutely everything about all of this.”
Cassie Fox
Lambrini Girls: Boys in the Band
“I chose this song for the simplicity and energy of this strong message. The song is about abuse in the music scene. I saw Lambrini Girls this summer (at Cabaret Vert in France) and it was amazing, they are so crazy!”
Manon Corbin of @ces_filles_qui_font_du_bruit – LOUD WOMEN France
Cherry Glazerr: Ready For You
“I loved this song so much this year that it’s the number one song on my Spotify Wrapped list! And the music video is like a mini film.”
Reva May
Calva Louise: Third Class Citizen
“I love it because it’s impossible not to move to, direct, incorporates a swear word (gasp) in a seriously fucking therapeutic way and the video is the overwhelming start to the bands self made series of sci fi videos which have been released over the year.”
Keira Anee
Coach Party: All I Wanna Do is Hate
“Coach Party are apparently incapable of making a bad record, and this might be the strongest evidence yet; the lyrics are steeled and the chorus is golden. “I am untouchable!” Jess sings at one point, and it’s hard to disagree.”
Kris Smith
HotWax: Rip It Out
“This is possibly the last recording of theirs that can probably be counted as DIY as I’m pretty sure it was already down before they signed to Marathon. The trio are now 19 (and 22) and we’ve been writing about them since they were 16. This track has been one of my faves since they started playing it live as for me it showed a gear shift in their songwriting in terms of lyrics and attitude. It’s very brave . And opening on that bass line…..whoa.”
Julie Riley
Cherym: Taking Up Sports
“A standout record, even in a year that was full of such things. Honest to goodness, straight down the line pop music from a band I never tire of seeing or hearing.”
Tony Rounce
Vernon Jane: Chestpains and Sidepieces
“I’m all about Vernon Jane for 2023. They were banging at LOUD WOMEN Fest. I think ‘Chestpains and Sidepieces’ is my fav song from the album but I actually don’t think there is a bad song on there.”
Donna Craine
COWZ: Most Fun I’ve Had in Ages
“Masterpiece. On repeat since it’s release – will be my 2024 Jam and beyond.”
Rachel Conway
NOBRO: Where My Girls At?
“They’ve had a great year and there tracks are always really joyous. This one is about going through a breakup and using that as an opportunity to get your girlfriends together and start a band!”
Molly Tie
Rachael Lavelle: Let Me Unlock Your Full Potential
“I’ve been following Rachael Lavelle for a few years now and the music she’s released this year really inspires my inner creepy girl. I love her Enya-style vocals all chopped up, spliced with strange chord changes and syncopated beats making sounds that make me want to cry (out of fear or happiness-I’m not sure).”
Jasmine Scott
Panic Pocket: Mad Half Hour
“Lyrically this one is based on interview quotes from one of the big “girl power” stars of the 90s, and it’s funny and joyful and gently piss-taking.”
Charley Stone