By Ben Massey | 18/01/23
Let me introduce, or simply reintroduce, to you a few artists who are bound to send shockwaves across the world of alternative music this year. Artists include; Sullii, ZAND, Gatherers, and NOISY.
Sullii
The pop-punk-emo revolution is among us! And now none of us can say we’re unfamiliar with that heart-achingly nostalgic early 2000s sound since it’s the it thing right now. Sullii taps into this, but there’s something really different about it too. He encapsulates exactly what emo is about: keeping a vintage, nostalgic sound in his core, whilst also finding the ability to survive and thrive in 2023. The photographer within me compares his music to the photos that a film camera takes, carefully composed and always unique. It’s hard to pin down exactly how I’d describe his music because it is just so individual to him, but probably best compared to early nothing, nowhere. Yet, I still hear a lot of different influences from all sorts of genres. Especially within his latest album wake up next to me (which has been on repeat for me for the past month). There’s some heavy stuff, there’s some spoken word: it’s a brilliant listen for anybody who appreciates art in general. I not only expect but really hope that we see Sullii reach out into the scene more this year. Since discovering him, he has been on tour with nothing, nowhere. around Europe, but a headline UK tour (towards the end of the year so I can actually make it please!) would definitely catapult Sullii further into this revolution.
ZAND
If the word sexy had a soundtrack, it would all be ZAND. Their sound is another that I just can’t compare to another artist whatsoever. They blend rock, metal and pop into a new genre called ugly pop. It’s fun, it’s individual and it’s creative. Not only is the sound great, but ZAND mentions so many really important issues in their music, particularly Battery Acid, a favourite of mine last year. It is a song about the confusion and dysphoria that queer people can go through in relationships. It is such a powerful song and gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it. 2023 is the year of ugly pop (although the past few years have been that for me too) and you better be there for it.
Gatherers
This is a band that has been around for a while whilst somehow dodging my music radar. Boasting an incredibly inventive post-hardcore sound, New Jersey-based, Gatherers, released one of my favourite albums of the year on the 22nd of December. ( mutilator. ) is a meaningful expression of what the modern post-hardcore scene promises us. It’s rife with experimentation. I would deeply urge every single one of you to give this album a listen. I predict Gatherers to climb up the ladder this year and be amongst the Loathes’ and Static Dresses’ of the scene as many more post-hardcore fanatics stumble upon ( mutilator. ) and the rest of their previous work.
NOISY
NOISY, the most infectious rock/dance trio in the scene always seem to impress me with each single they release. Ranging from songs like Alligator, which heavily revolve around that dance, underground scene, to songs like Afraid which delve more into that merged hip-hop and rock sound. Even though the songs are so different, the underlying tones blend their songs together to produce a solid body of work. Not only am I a fan of their sound, but their live set is also one of my favourites I’ve been to. The fact that I caught them play twice on their last UK tour goes to show how fun they are as a live band. Expect to see NOISY playing all over the radio, at your local venue and all over your Spotify Wrapped for 2023.
Edited by: Roxann Yus
Cover Image by: Ben Massey