The 37 Best Rock Albums of 2023

The year in indie rock, punk, singer-songwriter and solo guitar music, shoegaze, metal, and everything in between.

"The 37 Best Rock Albums of 2023" playlist offers a snapshot of the year's most influential rock releases. Featuring standout tracks like "Whisper in Steel" by Ruth Garbus, "Love Who We Are Meant To" by Feist, and "Not Strong Enough" by boygenius and Julien Baker, the playlist is a curated tour through the diverse landscape of modern rock.

From the intense rhythms of Model/Actriz's "Amaranth" to the poignant lyrics of Jess Williamson's "Something’s in the Way" and the haunting melodies in Yo La Tengo's "Fallout," this list captures the essence of 2023's rock scene. With contributions from iconic acts like Sufjan Stevens, ANOHNI, and Yves Tumor, as well as emerging talents like MSPAINT and Model/Actriz, the playlist exemplifies the genre's evolving nature and its capacity for emotional depth and raw energy.

Playlist Genres

Indie Pop

Indie Rock

Chamber Pop

Art Pop

Hyper-rock

Singer-songwriter

Experimental Pop Pov: Indie Bubblegrunge Baroque Pop Dream Pop Lo-fi Indie Folk Alternative Egg Punk Folk Melancholia Crank Wave Countrygaze Contemporary Folk Indietronica Chillwave Indie Punk Alternative Rock Chamber Folk Brooklyn Indie Ambient Folk Shoegaze Slacker Rock Avant-garde