As an artist you only have one chance to prove yourself to the outside world.Or so it seems, because there are always exceptions. Still, the impact of adebut album cannot be underestimated, especially in these times where EPs andsingles are released in droves before the first album is even released. Thatis why we want to put the best debut albums in the spotlight every year. Wepicked out twenty that can’t be found in any other of our lists and that youshould definitely check out this year.
Bat Eyes – Bat Eyes
Koen Wijnant has been working on Bat Eyes’ self-titled debut album since 2019and this year we finally received that ten-song album. The foursome from Ghenteagerly taps from the keg where bands like The Lemonheads and Pavement drankthe holy water from. The nineties feeling is never far away and the healthydose of melancholy supplemented with the dreamy indie rock only contributes tothis. Anyone who likes to get lost in a hint of nostalgia will be served athis beck and call with this debut. Bat Eyes provides an infectious vibe withsingles like “Forever Wasted” and “Nowhere Here”, so that the self-titledalbum is over before you even realize it. With a small tour through Europeplanned in the spring, 2023 could be the breakthrough year for this indie rockformation.
Body Type – Everything Is Dangerous but Nothing’s Surprising
Of Everything Is Dangerous But Nothing ‘s Surprising Body Type immediatelyhad a long title for his debut album. The record was released this year, butshould have been released two years ago, just after the release of their twodebut EPs years earlier. The choice to postpone did the band no harm. Thefoursome brings a beautiful post-punk record that also shows that a scene isstarting to emerge in Australia. Musically we hear the middle ground betweenDry Cleaning and Wet Leg, but without all the hype. Still gives Everything IsDangerous But Nothing ‘s Surprising a fascinating listening experience thanksto the mix of different vocals, so that every song tells a different story.Songs like “The Brood” and “Buoyancy” provide the energy, while “Futurism” and“An Animal” also show that a softness creeps into Body Type’s sound. That wayeveryone gets to hear their own thing and therefore we can already considerthe debut of the Australians as one of the better ones of the year.
Brimheim – can’t hate myself into a different shape
Danish musician Helena Heinesen Rebensdorff may ring a bell with some peopleunder her stage name Brimheim, but for the general public she has remainedsomewhat under the radar over the past year. That does not alter the fact thather debut album can ‘t hate myself into a different shape stands like ahouse. In recent years, Brimheim has already impressed music lovers withstrong singles such as “Exquisite Bliss” and “Call It What You Want”, songs inwhich dejected and dark lyrics are spun out on pop-sensitive melodies. On theeleven tracks of can ‘t hate myself into a different shape she builds onthis momentum and swims smoothly through various genres such as shoegaze,rock, alternative pop and electronica. An album that does not get boringeasily and that certainly deserves your attention!
Charles – Until We Meet Again
Charlotte Foret won a few years back The Voice Belgium , but that the curseof a singing competition would not harm her, she showed this year in aspectacular way. After her first ep Falling While Rising she released herdebut album this year Until We Meet Again on the props. The self-confidenceshe displays on those eleven songs is fully reflected in her pop rock andshows her ambition as an artist. Charles makes music for the two extremeemotions. The moments when frustrations take the upper hand and put everythingaside is necessary, but also the sentimental moments when the world sometimesseems to stand still. She clearly draws strength from this on “Systematic” and“Never Fair”, among others, but at the same time she adopts a considerablyfragile attitude on “Didn’t Get To Say Goodbye”. We are therefore notsurprised that her conquest with this album took her past a packed The Barn atRock Werchter and a sold-out Ancienne Belgique.
death crash – Return
deathcrash took it upon themselves to come up with a debut album that takesequal inspiration from postrock, midwestern emo, posthardcore and postmetal.The minimalist slowcore genre is kind of hidden in between, but _return_sometimes rocks back and forth so much that it cannot be categorized underthat term. While there are also some traditional slow burners between thetwelve tracks, songs like “Sundown”, “American Metal” and “Was Living” embodythis dynamic very well, while “Matt’s Song” and “What To Do” keep it sointimate that you can almost hear the rain on the roof of the recordingstudio. We clearly notice the influences of, among others, Explosions in theSky, American Football, Slint and Amenra, although the atypical, but stableimplementation of those styles does provide an unexpected experience. Itoffers the London band endless possibilities to develop its own distinctivesound with its talent!
DITZ – The Great Regression
One of the noisiest debuts this year came from Bristol. Five years after thefirst album by fellow town and genre IDLES, DITZ could well be a nicesuccessor. Their sound is therefore not exactly about the pot. Loud post-punksongs with the necessary portion of noise and a scream here and there are morepopular with us, but the men clearly have something more to offer, which makesthem quite exceptional. Straightforward, not too many frills, but above allenormous potential. DITZ is a band for the future.
Ethel Cain – Preacher’s Daughter
Far from being one of the best-known albums on this list, but arguably one ofthe best, is Ethel Cain’s debut album. The American singer received a strictCatholic upbringing, something that is clearly reflected in the lyrics andalbum covers of the artist, and is also a trans woman with autism. Her musicresembles slow rock music with dreamy aspects and sometimes you can also hearsome folk or church influences. Preacher ‘s Daughter is a mix of differentgenres, so putting a label on it is not easy. Nevertheless, we can say thatthe album is breathtaking at times and grabs us by the throat. At 75 minutes,Ethel Cain’s debut is undoubtedly on the long side, and may be too long on afirst listen, but over time every minute is worth it.
Horsegirl – Versions of Modern Performance
Horsegirl had been in many lists for several years as a band to keep an eyeon. Matador Records quickly recognized the talent of this indie trio andbrought it on board in 2021. That same year, single “Billy” was released,which Rolling Stone proclaimed as a ‘must-hear’ song. The trio from Chicagofinds op Versions of Modern Performance somewhere the balance between grayguitars, shoegaze and colorful, beautiful vocal melodies that make you dreamaway. Nora Cheng and Penelope Lowenstein divide the vocal parts nicely betweeneach other. The combination of poppy, grungy guitar violence and a fuzzy,hypnotic sound make this debut captivating until the very end.
Jockstrap – I Love You Jennifer B
Of course this one could I Love You Jennifer B not missing from our lists!Black Country, New Road inexorably made it to the ‘Numero Uno’ in our albumtop 50. Jockstrap, the side project of BCNR violinist Georgia Ellery andfellow Windmill player Taylor Skye, shows at least as much musical genius asthat winner. On this debut album we hear the most innovative pop music bouncein all directions. The production is incredible, the mix of influences evenmore so. Yet each song manages to create its own universe. I Love YouJennifer B is a stubborn pop album full of “Greatest Hits” where thecreativity is so great that we can only think “What’s It All About?”: awonderful feeling.
Lander & Adrian – Lander & Adrian
Lander Gyselinck has had a good year. The drummer, who we know from STUFF.,has released no fewer than two albums. One with rapper Zwangere Guy and onewith keyboardist Adriaan Van De Velde. their album, Lander & Adrian, turnedinto an idiosyncratic mix of largely instrumental music that seemed even moreenergetic, intense and magnificent live (especially when you know that the duomainly performed in the middle of concert halls with an exuberant audiencearound them). We don’t know if there will ever be a second album from thesetwo, but we certainly wouldn’t mind! The music is to lick your thumbs andfingers, and to throw your dancing legs into battle.
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