2023 is halfway done, and it brought a plethora of tunes from beloved artists as well as newcomers. No matter the genre, there was something for everyone, and the rest of the year is looking just as bright. We look at some of the best albums and songs that arrived in the first six months of 2023.

Best albums of the year (so far)

Panchiko - Failed At Maths - self-released

After reuniting for a string of sold-out performances in the U.K. and the United States, indie rock band Panchiko dove into work on their debut album Failed At Maths. Released over 20 years after the cult classic D＞E＞A＞T＞H＞M＞E＞T＞A＞L EP, the eight-song album finds the band looking at the past with fan favorites such as "Gwen Everest" and "Think That's Too Wise" while looking ahead with newer tunes such as the title track and "Portraits".

Death Envy - If Life Is A Simulation, I Hope They Shut It Down Soon - self-released

Long Beach cybergrind act Death Envy continues their chaotic delivery with their new EP If Life Is A Simulation, I Hope They Shut It Down Soon. With six songs running within eight minutes, the release is everything one would expect from a genre defined by blistering electronic beats and savage growls.

GELD - Currency // Castration - Relapse Records

Australian hardcore band GELD deliver an intense wallop to the senses with their third studio album (and Relapse Record debut) Currency // Castration. Kicking off with the ferocious opener "Currency," the 12-track album doesn't give the listener a chance to catch their breath, and quite frankly, GELD wouldn't have it any other way.

Laure Briard - Ne pas trop rester bleue - Midnight Special Records

French indie pop artist Laure Briard takes a time machine back to the '60s with their fourth studio album Ne pas trop rester bleue. With a deep inspiration from psychedelic pop, the 10-track album finds Briard changing styles yet again to mesmerizing results.

Boris/Uniform - Bright New Disease - Sacred Bones Records

Japanese experimental/metal band Boris and NYC industrial metal band Uniform are no strangers to collaboration albums. When the opportunity finally arose to do one together, both acts teamed up for the headbanging effort Bright New Disease.

Pickle Darling - Laundromat - Father/Daughter Records

New Zealand indie pop artist Pickle Darling delivered a more to-the-point offering with their album Laundromat. A majority of the songs are under two minutes, but despite the short length, songs such as "King of Joy" and "Computer Repair" are definite earworms.

Laura Wolf - Shelf Life - Whatever's Clever Records

Brooklyn art-pop artist Laura Wolf transform trauma into a mystical offering with their sophomore EP Shelf Life. The EP also showcases Wolf's growth as a producer since they started unveiling tracks during quarantine.

Loki's Folly - Sisu - Kitten Robot Records

Upon first listen, Loki's Folly debut album Sisu sounds like an album crafted by a seasoned indie-punk band. The energetic band is the complete opposite; the Minnesota trio of siblings - (sisters Annie (age 22, vocalist/guitarist) and Nissa (age 17, drummer/vocalist) and their brother Oskar (age 12, bass) - have the tools to be on the same level as sibling rock acts such as The Cribs and The Fiery Furnaces.

Cheree - Factory - Cherub Dream Records

Oakland industrial/noise rock band Cheree unveiled one of the scene's most promising debuts with their Factory EP, which features five smoldering songs in the vein of Godflesh and early Pitchshifter.

TemperMental - Play Time - self-released

After years of tearing it up in the Los Angeles scene while they were in high school, TemperMental unveiled their debut album Play Time, which finds them combining elements of hard rock, screamo, and a dash of pop metal to deliver one heavy ride.

Best songs of the year (so far)

hemlocke springs - “Stranger Danger”

North Carolina singer-songwriter hemlocke springs delivered a fantastic follow-up to their viral single "Girlfriend" with "Stranger Danger." The rising artist knows how to deliver some catchy tunes, and "Stranger Danger" is only accentuated by the artist's enchanting vocals.

Käärijä - "Cha Cha Cha"

Chosen to represent Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest, Käärijä's "Cha Cha Cha" became a surprise hit outside of their home country with its infectious clash of industrial metal and EDM.

ano - "スマイルあげない (Smile Agenai)"

One wouldn't think a song written as a collaboration with McDonald’s would work marvelously on its own, but J-pop artist ano managed to deliver a delectable number with "スマイルあげない (Smile Agenai)."

Loki's Folly - "Beaches and Peaches"

"I'm sitting on my beaches eating peaches, the government is corrupt" is probably not something you'd expect to hear from a trio of young siblings. Loki's Folly showcase a concern for the world masked as a cheerful indie-punk tune with "Beaches and Peaches," which includes the relatable cries of "What's going on?"

Lil Yachty - "The Black Seminole"

With the release of their fifth studio album Let's Start Here, hip hop artist Lil Yachty decided to trade their trap stylings for psychedelic rock. Album opener "The Black Seminole" answers the question "What would happen if Lil Yachty fronted Pink Floyd?"