10
“Over”
CHVRCHES
Switching labels from Glassnote to Island/EMI, CHVRCHES gifted us a new song for the occasion. Lucky us.
9
“Cellar Door”
Spiritbox
Comeback players of the year, Spiritbox got nasty on their latest album when it would have been really easy to chase pop clout. Not that there’s anything wrong with taking a lighter direction, but I love my Courtney LaPlante in her iwrestledabearonce vibe.
8
“30 Under 13”
Better Lovers
This is the wake of the Every Time I Die dissolution featuring Fit for an Autopsy’s Will Putney, Norma Jean’s drummer for Wrongdoers Clayton Holyoak, the ETID dudes plus Dillinger Escape Plan’s vocalist? Get out of here this song.
7
“Bubblegum”
Cigarettes After Sex
Is there any other band out there that does more with less? Two chords and an absolutely drenched track.
6
“Blame Brett”
The Beaches
There’s a tongue-in-cheek honesty that’s not tongue-in-cheek at all here and hearing it from Jordan Miller makes it that much better. (Her ex’s name is actually Brett. Apparently this was also “viral” on TikTok, but who knows.)
5
“Again”
Emarosa
The other kings of melody without sacrifice who I also still miss from their Relativity era.
4
“Grosse Bagarre”
Face Yourself
The year’s best debutante and with the introduction to your band, it’s exactly 1:00 of a middle finger.
3
“Antimatter”
Silent Planet
When this single came out, I kept hearing a modern-day Nine Inch Nails. I love the pulse and that vocalist Garrett Wilson chose not to sing on the first chorus.
2
“The Summoning”
Sleep Token
Listening to this song is taking a road trip through three different climates but never knowing which one you’re in until you step out of the car.
1
“Preach”
Emarosa
Perfect sense of melody, songwriting, and sound — a second coming of George Michael.