What NME said: “If a debut album is supposed to capture the youthful zeal and urgent, electric energy of a band in the early throes of their creativity, then Grrrl Gang’s ‘Spunky!’ is very successful indeed.” Who: Uber-charismatic trio manifesting their rockstar dreams in real-time What NME said: “ ‘Paint My Bedroom Black’ finds an artist trying to do right by her loved ones and make sense of her own turbulent world, but it’s also a cue to listeners that things could go anywhere from here.” Who: Next-generation indie star newly invigorated by pop experimentation Holly Humberstone – ‘Paint My Bedroom Black’

What NME said: “ ‘World’s End FM’ successfully introduces Hak Baker as a 21st Century troubadour speaking to modern problems with empathy and requisite anger.” Who: Underdog anthems leaving a bold impression on UK indie music

Rarely do emerging artists recalibrate their sound and allow their lived experiences to develop and find their way into the music.” What NME said: “ ‘Blondshell’ is a complete triumph in several ways. Who: An uncompromising star for a new generation of rock fans – Sophie Williams, Associate Commissioning Editor (New Music) As the year reaches a close, here’s the very best of the bunch. Throughout 2023, these essential artists made themselves known at new music showcases across the world, and set high expectations for the debut albums that followed. Across these 10 albums, you will find different perspectives on ambition and political rebellion, as well as calls for revolution via a range of sounds from buoyant, scrappy indie to pristine electronica. Blondshell, meanwhile, decided to strike while the iron is hot, unveiling her self-titled debut a mere nine months after the release of her first-ever single.Įach and every artist below has been on their own unique journey, but what unites them all is a collective determination to go all-in on what matters: speaking to the moment. The past 12 months have seen a wealth of talent tick off this achievement: Hak Baker, who has been putting out music since 2017, capped off a long but remarkable creative process with ‘World’s End FM’. All emerging musicians know that when you want to make a major statement, you make your debut album.

Debut album