The 25 best rock songs from 2023

One of the most notable music moments of 2023 was the release of this somewhat forgotten Beatles ballad. Originally written and recorded by John Lennon in the late 1970s, but never released. Mostly because the ballad, a genuine psychedelic vibe, wasn't completely finished. The project was then revisited in the mid-1990s by the surviving Beatles, but again nothing came out. However, guitar work from the late George Harrison was preserved and overdubbed when  Paul McCartney  and Ringo Starr were able to complete the song for this version. McCartney provided additional lyrics, and thanks to the wonders of modern technology, Lennon's lyrics from his demo were removed. The  song was an immediate hit upon its November release, topping the UK Singles Chart and reaching No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.

For the past five years, this New Zealand quartet has been delivering power pop, with indie credibility, at a high level. "Watching the Credits" was part of the sessions for the band's 2022 third album Expert In A Dying Field, but wasn't released until this year. This tasty gem encapsulates everything there is to love about The Beths. Notably, the infectious vocals from vocalist Elizabeth Stokes, and seemingly everlasting riffs that charge the tune. For those of a certain age, the track conjures up thoughts of the early 2000s power pop-punk scene, but is absolutely appropriate for the present day.

Back in 2018, we were first delighted by the excellence of this indie supergroup featuring Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus, through its self-titled EP. However, it was a grueling wait for Boygenius' studio debut The Record, which was released in March. The distortedly dreamy folksiness of "Not Strong Enough" helped the album earn nearly unanimous critical acclaim, which included three Grammy Award nominations. The tune also received Grammy nominations for Best Rock Song, Best Rock Performance and Record of the Year.

No, this is not a lost Rush track. But, yes, the Crown Lands duo of vocalist/drummer Cody Bowles and versatile guitarist/bassist/keyboardist Kevin Comeau also hail from Canada and obviously have been heavily influenced by the legendary progressive rock trio. They've even worked some of Rush's producers and studio folk. From the band's second studio album, Fearless, released in March, "Dreamer of the Dream" is a high-octane journey for those in need of their Rush fix. The real deal in Canada is to keep an ear out for more worthy music from Crown Lands, which keeps the prog-rock torch burning.

Providence, R.I.'s Deer Tick has been around since the first decade of the 2000s but has generally flown under the radar with mainstream indie/folk/alt-rock audiences. However, the four-piece continues to churn out quality, toe-tapping tunes that pair nicely with a night of casual drinking. The highlight of "Forgiving Ties," from June's Emotional Contracts album, remains a quirky backbeat that pulls in the listener for the entire length of the song. For those not familiar with the Deer Tick's body of work (spanning eight studio albums) feel free to start your journey right here.

As we've seen, and will continue to see, some of the biggest bands in the world have resurfaced in 2023 to great fanfare. Add Depeche Mode to that group with its first studio album in six years. However, 2023's Memento Mori was essentially a two-man job between members Dave Gahan and Martin Gore. "Ghosts Again," Mode's first single following the death of longtime member Andy Fletcher, is a rather upbeat number that serves as an emotional bridge between joy and pain amid the confines of life. There's certainly a classic Depeche Mode vibe to it. And in another '80s' twist, beloved Psychedelic Furs' vocalist Richard Butler co-wrote the song with Gore.

Speaking of prominent bands made on the rock scene. Fall Out Boy's So Much (for) Stardust, released in March, is the pop rockers anticipated first record in five years. It reached No. 6 on the Billboard 200 in the United States, thanks to lead single "Love From the Other Side," which is really Fall Out Boy at its best. Not veering from the formula that made it a giant of the scene, there's an added heaviness and darkness that only adds to the credibility of the group. And, it should be appreciated by those who want to throw out the poser label in their direction.

While still grieving the death of drummer Taylor Hawkins, Dave Grohl and Co. went back in the studio and put out this year's But Here We Are, perhaps their most emotional record. Meaning a record spanning a myriad of emotions as the band members continued to process their loss. On "Rescued," the pride and joy of the album, is vintage Foo Fighters, hard-charging, blistering guitars, pounding drums and Grohl's raw and gritty lyrics that attack from the very beginning. "Rescued" is one of the more celebrated songs of 2023 (nominated for Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song Grammy Awards), regardless of genre, and another reason to worship Foo Fighters.

Gabriel fans waited 21 years for new material from the famed singer, and they should not be disappointed. His I/O album was officially released in December, but "Olive Tree" came out in August, with this version followed by the "Dark-Side mix." One of the more up-tempo numbers on the record, "Olive Tree" is about man's connection to nature and other species. Gabriel's voice remains full, and just as good as when he started this project three decades ago. It goes without saying, but this was well worth the wait.

Green Day's Saviors album is set to be released in January 2024, but three singles were put out in 2023. The second, "Look Ma, No Brains!" is the best of the lot and another Green Day winner that already has a commercial presence via Taco Bell ads. Now, Green Day has certainly matured as a band over the years, but this is the kind of track that keeps listeners coming back for more. Pop punk at its best, checking in at a tight 2:03, and sure to be a live favorite when the band hits North American stadiums during the summer of 2024.

From Weathervanes, released in June, and the sixth album Isbell has released with backing band 400 Unit. "Cast Iron Skillet" isn't a pleasant song when considering Isbell's rather depressing lyrics (murder, prison time, and bigotry are just a few of the subject matters). However, Isbell can beautifully tell a story, no matter how dim and dark, and brings out any real type of emotion from the listener. There are plenty of notable moments on Weathervanes, but "Cast Iron Skillet" is the tops.

Invincible Shield, Judas Priest's 19th studio album, won't be released until March 2024, but the first single, "Panic Attack," has earned raves since October. Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton and Ian Hill, from the classic Priest lineup, are each in their 70s, but can still deliver seething metal just like they did in their 30s. "Panic Attack" might have some modern-day polish, but it can certainly hold its own with just about any offering from the band's glory days of the 1970s and '80s. Meanwhile, Halford's piercing, glass-cutting vocals still amaze after all these years.

It can be argued that child actress turned rock star Jenny Lewis has blossomed into one of the great songwriters of her generation. On her latest release, Joy'All, Lewis chronicles her post-COVID-19 pandemic self. "Puppy and a Truck" should go down as one of the best tracks at any point during her stellar solo career, pondering her place in time and what she needs to be happy and content. So, after another failed relationship, a puppy and a pick-up apparently can do the trick. It's an almost self-deprecating listen but also quite intoxicating.

Life just keeps getting better and better for these burgeoning Los Angeles punks since breaking out during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since being signed to Epitaph Records, The Linda Lindas have gained even more exposure. In addition to playing Lollapalooza in 2023, the group released a handful of singles, including this edgy, ripping anthem that throws a nod to its Riot grrrl influence of bands like Bikini Kill and features 13-year-old drummer Mila de la Garza on lead vocals. In 2024, The Linda Lindas will make itself even more accessible while part of Green Day's stadium tour with Smashing Pumpkins and Rancid.

"Lost" took roughly 20 years to be released, and the Top 40 success of the track this year was certainly bittersweet while hearing late singer Chester Bennington's voice on some of the newly released material. The track was part of the sessions for 2003's smash Meteora album but never released. Until this year, as part of the 20th-anniversary re-issue of the record. "Lost" is vintage Linkin Park, showcasing Bennington at his best. The anime, AI-generated video, with Bennington's likeness included, adds to the emotional element of the project. 

It is a straightforward rocker with a catchy chorus that stays with the listener after the final chord. For the entire century, these alt-country rock outfits from Memphis have been bringing musical goods. Though outside the South, the group has never really enjoyed a mass-appeal audience. Of course, it does have a loyal following thanks to numbers like this lead single from the February-released Should’ve Learned By Now. As far as kiss-off songs go, this certainly resonates, but in that dive-bar, goodnight and goodbye kind of way that we all can appreciate.

Wolfgang Van Halen continues to see his star rise, and that doesn't have much to do with his famous last name. His highly anticipated second studio album, Mammoth II, is Wolfgang processing the loss of father Eddie. Dark, heavy, brooding, but melodically exceptional, the album has been highly praised by critics in 2023. "Another Celebration at the End of the World" encapsulates all that, and more. This hard-driving number, which is another showcase of Wolfgang Van Halen's immense, versatile talent. 

These Indie punks from Philadelphia did not put out an album in 2023, but released 2 1/2 minutes of melodic fury that will appear as the title track to their fourth studio album, due out in March 2024. Think early Hole, before selling out to make soundtrack material on Celebrity Skin. Raw, raunchy, edgy and dreamy, "I Got Heaven" is easy to consume. The band has been around for more than a decade, and continues to annihilate the years of punk fans and we can't wait for more in 2024.

With 2016's Hardwired... to Self-Destruct (2016) and the follow-up 72 Seasons, which came out in April, Metallica has proved it can deliver serious hard rock, at a blistering pace, even when there were plenty of naysayers to the contrary. This title cut and opening track, which checks in at more than 7 1/2 minutes, to the Grammy-nominated album, also received a Grammy nom for Best Metal Performance. The title, as told by Metallica frontman and guitarist James Hetfield to Blabbermouth.net, and lyrics detail navigating what's roughly the first 18 years of one's life, and how he, himself, managed to do it. 

Another Grammy-nominated track, "Emotion Sickness" comes from QOTSA's eighth studio album In Times New Roman, (which also earned a Grammy nomination) and first in six years. Rolling Stone called the track "muscular." Which is fitting, while there is also a neo-Zeppelinesque vibe too it, as well. However, still undeniably something we would expect from Josh Homme and Co. The originality and genuineness of "Emotion Sickness" cannot be understated.

The Beatles had a prominent musical presence in 2023, so why not the Stones? The lead track from the October-released Hackney Diamonds, "Angry " has elements of the classic Rolling Stones sound, but been described by the band and various critics as a relatively "fun" song. Meanwhile, Mick Jagger's voice lends no signs of fading, while Keith Richards' reliable riffs are ever present. "Angry" was well received upon release in September, and nominated for the Best Rock Song Grammy. 

If there's one band over the past decade that rock fans would want to live vicariously through, it might be The Struts. And, this unabashed ode to having a good time is among the elite tracks in the group's catalog, which, we know, is saying a lot. Naturally, the glam influence remains strong with The Struts, but there is a healthy amount of controlled heaviness that paces this guitar-driven gem from the November-released Pretty Vicious record. that would fit right in during just about any decade over the last 40 years. 

It's been a big year for U2, which has packed them in for its residency at the highly innovative Sphere in Las Vegas. Released in conjunction with the start of that stint was "Atomic City," which references Las Vegas. And even on first listen, there's a certain punk/post-punk ethos to track, that includes some obvious Clash-like tendencies. While hardcore U2 fans will consider this a throwaway tune within the band's arsenal, for 2024, it's a solid rock song that is something we could expect from the always-evolving group and worth appreciating.

Fans of retro 1990s garage rock, power pop and punk, and even a little glam, should appreciate Kentucky's White Reaper. If this band were around in the '90s, it would likely have been huge. Instead, White Reaper has a modest, but dedicated following thanks to tracks like "Fog Machine," which offers a little something for just about any type of rock fan. A smörgåsbord for the ears, and the high point of the band's fourth studio release Asking for a Ride. More guitar-driven pop-rock brilliance that is even better when taken in amid a live setting. 

The musings of Jeff Tweedy seem to get better with age. That's certainly the case with this popular single from Wilco's 2023 release Cousin. In fact, "Evicted" is the highlight of another special Wilco effort. Now, some indie rock fans wonder what makes "Evicted" any different than Wilco tracks of the past. Well, the vibe is certainly what we've come to expect from the band, but Tweedy's lyrics once again ring relatable, even if hearts are breaking or a once-good thing is coming to an end.