We’re one month into the new year, which means we’ve started to get an idea of how this year in music is going to shape up and artists are finally revealing their new albums. From longtime veterans making massive comebacks to newcomers making waves, there’s a lot to be excited about in the scene in 2023, and here are our picks for what artists will define 2023.

Fall Out Boy

The kings of emo have triumphantly returned to reclaim their throne. After a rough outing with ‘Mania’ in 2018, the band went into exile, disappearing from the spotlight almost entirely barring the Hella Mega tour. However, they have kicked off 2023 in a massive way, releasing their first emo banger in 15 years with “Love From The Other Side” alongside the announcement of their new album ‘So Much (For) Stardust’, which drops in March. Fall Out Boy also released a follow-up single “Heartbreak Feels So Good” and broke the internet just earlier this week with the news of their massive U.S. headlining tour with Bring Me The Horizon. All hail.

‘So Much (For) Stardust’ releases March 24th via Fueled By Ramen.

Sleep Token

The biggest surprise of 2023 thus far, the anonymous prog metal quartet Sleep Token have exploded in popularity this past month, gaining over a million monthly Spotify listeners in just 3 weeks. The band has been releasing two singles every two weeks leading up to their album later this year and every single one has taken the scene by storm. They’re one of the most experimental and innovative bands in the scene right now, with their viral hit “The Summoning” showcasing their versatility with djenty metalcore riffage and an ambient funk break all in the same track. Sleep Token rightfully deserve the hype and have established themselves firmly as THE next big thing. Worship.

Paramore

After a 5-year hiatus, Paramore finally returned in the latter half of this past year, and they couldn’t have come back stronger. Returning to their alternative rock roots, the band announced their sixth full-length studio album ‘This is Why’ alongside the incredibly catchy title track. 2023 also marks the band’s 20th year since their formation, as well as the year of their first-ever US arena tour, so it’s safe to say they aren’t slowing down anytime soon.

‘This is Why’ releases February 10th via Atlantic Records.

Brand of Sacrifice

Deathcore has had a massive resurgence the past few years, arguably being even more popular than ever before, and Brand of Sacrifice are one of the fastest rising acts in the genre right now. Hot off of their massive collaboration with We Came As Romans (whom they are currently touring with as well) on “Darkbloom” and their single “Exodus” last year, the anime-inspired quintet have everything going right for them, and with a confirmed new album releasing this year and the ever-growing success of their connected apparel brand Shibori Threads, it feels as of the perfect storm is brewing to take the band to next level in 2023.

Nothing,Nowhere.

You heard it here first, nothing,nowhere. will DOMINATE 2023. Well-known in the emo-rap scene, nothing,nowhere. successfully crossed over into the alternative music scene with a bang on 2021’s ‘Trauma Factory’. However, Joe’s genre-blending didn’t stop there. Last year, he dove fully into the realm of post-hardcore with the first 3 singles off of his upcoming album, complete with dissonant breakdowns and features from Buddy Nielsen (Senses Fail) and Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy) themselves. And if that wasn’t enough to convince you, Nothing,nowhere. was just announced as support for the metalcore giants Wage War’s upcoming ‘Manic’ tour and revealed his new album ‘Void Eternal’ yesterday, which features the likes of Underoath and Will Ramos. It’s safe to say he is set to have a massive breakthrough into heavy music this year.

‘Void Eternal’ releases March 31st via Fueled By Ramen.

Spiritbox

Does there even need to be an explanation for this one? It’s Spiritbox. Enough said.

Pierce The Veil

From releasing new music for the first time since 2018, to “King For a Day” becoming a TikTok trend, to selling out almost every show on their tour with I Prevail, post-hardcore powerhouses Pierce the Veil had a massive comeback last year. Set to drop their new album ‘The Jaws of Life’ next month, PTV are in prime position right now to take back the scene by storm and are more popular than ever.

‘The Jaws of Life’ releases February 10th via Fearless Records

Invent Animate

Crafting beautifully heavy metalcore tracks with lush and immersive soundscapes, Invent Animate are one of the most consistent and underrated bands in metal. Every album they’ve released has been top tier, and their newly announced record ‘Heavener’ looks to be no exception. The band has been steadily on the come-up for years but finally feels set to blow up majorly in 2023. Following up their incredible 2021 EP ‘The Sun Sleeps, As If It Never Was’, they released two singles “Elysium” and “Shade Astray” last year as well as having dropped a brand new song “Immolation of Night” just earlier this past week.

‘Heavener’ releases March 17th via UNFD.