2023 was quite a year for Joyzine – we celebrated our 20th anniversary with a series of compilation albums (still available via Bandcamp!) and gigs at several of our favourite venues (raising cash for HOPE not hate in the process), partnered up with fellow vicennials Rocklands and God Is In The TV for several of the aforementioned shows, were invited on as honorary LOUD WOMEN to present a section of their radio Christmas special and reached more readers than ever before with reviews and interviews featuring the musicians, films, authors and artists that we love – massive thanks to everyone who paid us a visit.
Last week we shared some of our writing team’s favourite music, film, tv, books and art of the previous twelve months and today it’s the turn of our editors.
Paul Maps – Editor
Favourite Album
My two favourite albums of 2023 had a few things in common, despite not sounding much like one another – both were sung in Japanese (and performed by bands based in North America), both cast their net of influences across the globe and were unafraid to explore new and unusual sonic spaces, and both were by artists who featured on our 20th anniversary compilations.
Deerhoof have been a perennial fixture in my end of year lists for many years, and their 19th studio album Miracle Level lived up to both its hyperbolic title and my lofty expectations, continuing to defy genres, preconceptions and at points the time/space continuum to forge a wonderfully slippery rainbow fish of an album that bottled 100% proof joy and served it up in generous doses. Read my interview with the band about the LP here.
But if you put a gun to my head and forced me to name my favourite album of the year (which would be a strange and unnecessary course of action), I would have to plump for Montreal septet TEKE::TEKE‘s sublime Hagata – a record that has lived inside my head all year and is still unfolding new secrets with each listen. In my interview with the band about the music scene in their home town, I described it as “weaving an immense, luminous tapestry then picking at the threads, shifting its bold shapes into surreal, kaleidoscopic nebuli”, and I’m not sure even that went far enough.
As I’ve already gone ahead and mentioned our two compilation albums out this year, I’d also like to thank all of the bands who were kind enough to provide us with an exclusive track for one of the records (Piney Gir even wrote us a 20th birthday tune!) and on a personal level I was especially thrilled to receive an unreleased demo from Urusei Yatsura, who are one of the main reasons I got into this nonsense in the first place. They’re still available as digital downloads and there are a few physical copies (in the form of ltd edition birthday cards) left too – fill your boots here.
Favourite Gig
In terms of feeling the good feels, nothing beats putting on a show yourself, and we were very fortunate to be able to stage performances by some of our favourite artists at The Old Library and Amersham Arms in New Cross and The Lexington in Islington for our 20th birthday celebrations. Highlights included a jawdropping al fresco acoustic set from Hurtling, our joint 20th birthday bash with old pals The Fades and the bittersweet honour of hosting Fonda 500‘s last ever London show, having interviewed them for the first ever issue of Joyzine back in 2003 – it all got a bit emotional. You can relive all of the action here: The Old Library – Day One / Day Two, The Lexington, The Amersham Arms
But I’m not going to be so self-indulgent as to name our own show the best of the year, particularly when there were stormers from Thomas Truax at Paper Dress Vintage, The Burning Hell at The Victoria and Pop of The Tops’ own 20th anniversary party to contend with. But for the sheer jumping up and down for 90 minutes solid, screaming every single lyric back at the band and forgetting you’re in your forties and have got work in the morning thrill of it all, Mclusky at Dingwalls tops my 2023 list.
Favourite New Musical Discovery
In a year that I spent much of my time looking backwards over the previous two decades, it was fantastic whenever something fresh and exciting broke through my nostalgic haze, and the band to most emphatically burst my sentimental bubble were London electronic post-punk trio MADMADMAD, whose album Behavioural Sink Delirium was as riveting as it was baffling. Read a track by track guide by the record’s producer here.
Favourite Film
To my shame I don’t think I made it to the cinema in 2023, but I did thoroughly enjoy watching Celine Sciamma (quickly becoming my favourite director)’s beautiful Petite Maman at home. An intimate and touching film about intergenerational relationships that was filmed and acted so naturally you could feel the leaves of the forest, where much of the story unfolds, mulching beneath your feet.
Paul F Cook – Deputy Editor
Putting together lists of favourite things of the year can be like choosing between your favourite children. So, in many of the categories I have chickened out and included more than one.
Favourite album / EP of 2023
My album of the year Black Mekon’s NEAT!As I said in my review of the album “Those mysterious masked Black Mekon brothers are back with their stripped back rock-and-rollercoaster sound on NEAT!… Megaphonic vocals, monolithic drums, Black Mekon are the best masked rock’n’roll band in the world. Testify!”
My EP of the year was The 3 Clubmen EP (review here). The four exceptional tracks were part of a project that has been 10 years in the making. Band members Andy Partridge (XTC), Stu Rowe (Future Sounds of London) and Jen Olive shared tracks and improvisations with this first release pulled together by studio maven Stu Rowe. I said in my review “the true joy of the Clubmen project is how cohesive the music is and how their combined talents have created an exciting new element on the musical periodic table; Clubmenium anyone?”
Notable mentions for some other incredible releases in 2023:
Maple Glider I Get into Trouble (review here), Chroma – Ask For Angela (review here), Massimo Silverio – Hrudja (review here), Shangri-Lass – Over & Over EP(review here) and Hazel Mills – The Embrace EP (review here), 7ebra – Bird Hour (review here) and Ghost Woman who have continued a run of incredible albums with Hindsight Is 50/50 (review here) which is “brooding and blackhole-dark which shines with a murky intensity”.
Favourite gigs
PNKSLM 10th Anniversary gig, Stockholm, September
In the year that Joyzine celebrated 20 years of life Swedish record label PNKSLM celebrated its 10-year anniversary. They have long been one of my favourite labels since I first heard Sudakistan, but their hit rate of artists is phenomenal. This all day show featured 7ebra, Boys, flypaper, GHLOW, Henrik Appel, Holm, Les Big Byrd, Sudakistan, The Hanged Man, Vero, a rare performance from ShitKid and Black Mekon who (IMHO) stole the show.
Run Logan Run & Annie Gardiner – Strange Brew, Bristol – 09/02/23
Being a longtime fan of Run Logan Run, their album launch at Bristol’s Strange Brew in February with Annie Gardiner in support was a triumph. Not only did the hometown crowd go wild for RLR’s semi-improvised jazz fusion but it also introduced me to the incredible talent of Annie Gardiner as a solo artist not just as the guest vocalist on RLR’s album Nature Will Take Care Of You.
Read my review of the gig here, listen to their music here
David Okumu – The Roundhouse – 20/04/23
A friend who works at the Roundhouse recommended I get tickets for David Okumu’s show in April promising it was going to be a very special show. He was not wrong as musical polymath Okumu dazzled with passion and soul in his exceptional singing and guitar playing. One the most amazing aspects of the show was the singing and dancing of The Roundhouse Choir, specially formed for the show with young local singers led by choir director Alice Grant.
The show was the official launch of his I Came From Love album which explores “ancestry, the legacy of slavery, what it means to exist in an unjust society, and Okumu’s own family history”. You can watch ‘Eyes On Me’ on YouTube here.
Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets – Teatro Grande Amphitheatre, Pompeii – 31/07/23
But the true highlight of my gig year was seeing Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets playing early Pink Floyd songs at Pompeii’s Teatro Grande, a short distance from where Pink Floyd filmed Live At Pompeii in 1972. This spectacular show in a phenomenal outdoor amphitheatre was easily matched by the fact that the Saucers breathe new life into pre-Dark Side tracks like ‘Astronomy Domine’, ‘Echoes’, ‘Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun’, and ‘Arnold Layne’.
Read my review of the show here. Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secret website.
Favourite new musical discovery
The 3 Clubmen, Mizu (fka Issei Herr), 7ebra, Hazel Mills and Tiger! Shit! Tiger! Tiger!
Favourite film
I have seen a couple of incredible film documentaries in 2023. In February I saw All The Beauty And The Bloodshed directed by Laura Poitras which is a film that looks at the life photographer Nan Goldin and shows her involvement with the grassroots campaign against the Sackler family, the pharmaceutical dynasty responsible for the drug Oxycontin. It’s a compelling film that perfectly balances the gritty joy of Goldin’s life in New York with the positive action taken to ensure the Sackler family is held to account for the epidemic of addiction related to their most famous product. Goldin’s own addiction is doubly personal as the Sacklers have been long term sponsors of art galleries around the world, most of which hold pieces by her.
It’s available to stream from Amazon if you have a Prime membership.
The Nettle Dress is directed by Dylan Howitt and follows textile artist Allan Brown’s seven-year odyssey to make a dress out of nettles. Unsurprisingly, the film is about much more than this as it tackles the grief Brown deals with over the death of his father then his wife. Alongside watching the enthralling process of harvesting, processing and weaving of the nettles the film slowly allows us to appreciate how making the dress aids his healing, helped by the amazing support of his family and friends.
I recently reviewed it for Joyzine and the film is currently showing around the UK with a streaming date yet to be announced.
Favourite Radio programme
I have been known to say that in a choice between TV and radio I could live without TV if I still had radio. When I’m not devouring Joyzine submissions I have the radio on; mostly Radio 4 and the BBC World Service, along with 6Music and some internet stations like Exile.FM and Resonance. Radio 4’s Add To Playlist was a massive highlight for me. It’s a show presented by Cerys Matthews and Jeffrey Boakye which adds five songs each week to the playlist discussing each one with special guests such as David Arnold, Nitin Sawney, Anne Dudley, Brian Eno, and Johnny Marr. It’s been running since 2021 and for the new season in June 2023 I decided to celebrate it with a review of what I call “one of the finest entertainment series about music ever made”. I was also lucky enough to get a Q&A with presenter and writer Jeffrey Boakye.
Read the article on Add To Playlist here.
Aitch Nicol – Film Editor
Favourite Album: André 3000 – New Blue Sun
It was actually the track listings that made me choose this, which include such gems as “That Night in Hawaii When I Turned into a Panther and Started Making These Low Register Purring Tones That I Couldn’t Control … Shit Was Wild” and “The Slang Word P(*)ssy Rolls Off the Tongue with Far Better Ease Than the Proper Word Vagina. Do You Agree?”
Oh yeah, and the music itself is majestic, magnificent and super-soothing. Expect R6 to be awash with spiritual jazz in the coming months.
Favourite song: V Ä L V Ē – Perfumes of Arabia
From the recently released album Tiny Pilots, I first fell in love with V Ä L V Ē’s version of ‘Perfumes of Arabia’ when they performed it for Buds & Spawn during the pandemic
Written by Hampshire singer/songwriter Maggie Holland about the Gulf War, the glorious Kavus Torabi (Cardiacs, Gong) plays harmonium on the album version, accompanying Chloe Herrington’s emotive, ethereal vocals.
Favourite gig – V Ä L V Ē & Juliana Day, Bishops House, Sheffield, 22nd November 2023
Despite the M1 eating up drummer Frank Byng, and only spitting him out again at the end of the gig, this was hands down my most wonderful musical experience of 2023. Playing in a tiny, 400+ year old timber framed museum, V Ä L V Ē made all the hairs on the back of my neck, and my arms, and other bits of me, stand up and wave around. This was avant garde folk-electronica at its very very best. Their new album Tiny Pilots, is an absolute joy. Juliana Day’s precursor to the main event, staring THE most fabulous contra-bass, was utterly, soul-wrenchingly, beautiful.
Read Aitch’s review of the gig
Favourite film – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Disappointed by Asteroid City and sent into a “meeting coma” by Oppenheimer, it was Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 that had me doing ALL the emotions. The final battle, set against the Beastie Boy’s ‘No Sleep Till Brooklyn’, knocked my little cotton socks off. Be prepared to sob.
And I have to credit Godzilla Minus One, not least for being a film about the impact of the atom bomb on the citizens of Japan, that beat Oppenheimer, a film about the creation of the atom bomb and its use against the citizens of Japan, as the highest rated blockbuster in 2023. A wonderful homage to the early monster movies, the CGI was “dialled back” to give it a monster model feel. Genius. Try watching it without Pharoahe Monch – ‘Simon Says’ playing in your head (and a bit of music triv – because of the illegal use of the Godzilla Theme Song as a sample in the track ”Simon Says”, production of the album was ceased).
Favourite TV programme – Gen V
I’ve been greatly entertained by the irreverent, provocative and gruesome offering from Amazon, The Boys, but the recent spin-off, Gen V, is even more wonderfully deranged and just as gore-ily unpredictable. A pithy critique on media manipulation, capitalism and the commercialisation of otherness, with puppets.
Favourite book – Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake
I’ve been reading more than gigging this year, and while I wanted to gush enthusiastically about a book that was actually published this year, I’m going to gush enthusiastically about a book I re-read instead. Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds and Shape Our Futures had a phenomenal impact on me when it was first published in 2020 and had no less of an impact on second reading. It’s a dense and fascinating exposition on the interconnectedness of all manner of flora, fauna and funga (yeah, it’s really spelt like that https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funga). In the words of the inimitable Tom Waits, there’s a world going on underground.
The author, Merlin Sheldrake, released the film Fungi: Web of Life this year, narrated by Bjork. I haven’t seen it, because for some reason it hasn’t been released widely across the UK, but seems to be popping up in IMAX cinemas in that there Londonium. Looks incredible.
Ioan Humphries – Reviews Editor
Favourite Album – NAILS by BENEFITS
2023 was definitely good to BENEFITS with successful UK and EU tours, their signing to INVADA Records and the subsequent release of their stunning debut LP NAILS. Plaudits and plenty of positive reviews aside, this LP was the culmination of hard work, meaningful song writing, intensive live work, and as can be seen in the DIY short films that accompany all their announcements, all often done with a cheeky wink and a tongue firmly in their cheek. Essential stuff.
Favourite Song – The Narcissist by Blur
Having been a fan of Blur since seeing them on their first ever tour (pre debut LP release), any new Blur action is always welcome and this single off their latest LP release ‘The Ballad of Darren’ was an absolute delight. Tuneful, beautifully arranged and with a chorus that sent shivers down one’s spine, ‘The Narcissist’ was a welcome return to form from one of the UK’s finest bands. Simply gorgeous.
Favourite Gig – Bad Breeding 26/04/2023 @ Clwb Ifor Bach
My review of the show basically says everything I feel about that gig, and what Bad Breeding mean to me. Along with a handful of other UK bands now, Bad Breeding are seriously leading the way with a sound and sociopolitical stance that is refreshing and undoubtedly needed in these precarious times. Giving a voice to the millions that 14 years of Tory austerity rendered either mute or dumb, Bad Breeding are a beacon of hope. Utterly essential.
Favourite Festival – NAWR Festival in Swansea
The second iteration of this experimental music collaborative’s all-dayer format (the previous being in November 2016) hit Swansea in November 2023 and showcased an incredible line of experimental Welsh artists, as well as some films handpicked by the organisers. Originally set up by Hen Ogledd/Richard Dawson band member Rhodri Davies, NAWR hosts several experimental music/performance art/spoken word gigs throughout the year. This year’s all-dayer featured artists such as Ani Glass, R Seiliog, Radio Free Ponty, Elspeth Anne and was headlined by Pat Morgan (Datblygu). 2024’s iteration will be 2 days long according to the organisers. There was a film made about it here
Favourite New Musical Discovery – Rifle
Rifle’s debut EP ended up in my email inbox mid 2023, and even though I didn’t have time to review it at the time, I knew after listening to a few seconds of this band’s output, it was exactly what I was after in a band. Following in the same manner as Bad Breeding (and Middleman to a certain degree), this hardcore punk band from London were again, making their voices heard in a country that has lost it’s way, and a world that is slowly spinning off it’s axis. Rifle have a shit load to give, and I for one am ready for it. This band will be massive in 2024.
Favourite Film – Leave The World Behind
Even though Oppenheimer was my original choice and was an utter triumph from Nolan, my favourite film this year was Leave The World Behind. Written and directed by Sam Esmail from the book by Rumaan Alam, the film is an exercise in Ballardian existential dread that is so close to home at the moment it’s not funny. Replete with a superb cast, an inventive score, creative cinematography and an overwhelming sense of foreboding and constant creeping horror, this film is Intelligent filmmaking at it’s best. And as well as being futuristic in it’s themes, the film also manages to include folk horror leanings into it’s story telling that also add to the film’s general disquiet. Highly recommended. – See now on Netflix
Favourite TV Programme – Reacher
Having been a fan of the Lee Child books for several years now, and even a fan of the short (pardon the pun) lived film series developed by Tom Cruise, there was yet to be realised an accurate visual representation of the 6-foot 4-inch man machine vigilante drifter ex MP loner called Jack Reacher. That is, until now. Starring Alan Ritchson as the titular character, Reacher is currently on it’s second series and is the best attempt yet to represent the character so well written and defined in the book series. The series twist and turn as much as the books do, and as well as the often gory and visceral violence that is represented on screen, we also get a chance to see a more human and reasoned side of Reacher, so brilliantly portrayed by Ritchson. A great adaptation. Out now on Amazon Prime Video
Favourite Book – Sonic Life by Thurston Moore
2023 saw the release of the long-awaited memoir ‘Sonic Life’ by Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth fame. This weighty tome documents Moore’s life arriving in New York amidst the smouldering embers of the immensely (and still to this day) influential ‘No Wave’ music and art scene early 80s. Moore’s incredible contribution to the alternative/experimental music scene, whether via Sonic Youth, Dim Stars, etc. or his current prolific solo output, cannot be underestimated. And this memoir perfectly highlights not only the artistic journey that Moore’s life has traversed, but it drags along every artist he came in contact with too. To say that this book is invaluable to any aspiring experimental art or music student would be the understatement of the year. Moore’s life and artistic endeavours is one that could not happen now or ever again. For this reason alone, this book is utterly essential and utterly inspiring.
Hayley Foster Da Silva – Reviews Editor
Favourite Album: The Pearl Harts – Love Chaos
Absolutely fell in love with this band this year. So many bangers on this album, I would be hard pressed to pick a favourite track off it. This album has probably been the most on repeat out of anything I’ve listened to this year.
Read Hayley’s review of the album
Favourite Song: Kit Major– I Wish U Didn’t Hate Me So Much
Again so many to choose from this year, but this was a pretty major ear worm.
See Joyzine’s track premiere feature
Favourite Gig: Sleater Kinney at the Roundhouse
So many good gigs this year, but it was one of my riot grrrl dreams come true to see this band live, and what a performer Carrie Brownstein really is- electrifying!
Read Hayley’s gig review
Favourite Festival: LOUD WOMEN Fest
Totally blew me away this year, discovered several new bands and just the way everything is run is just perfect. A really welcoming and friendly festival.
Read Hayley’s festival review
Favourite New Musical Discovery: Vernon Jane
One of my favourites bands I discovered at Loud Women Fest, An Irish band who play “Jazz Punk”
Read Hayley’s album review
Favourite Film: Barbie!
I never dreamt this film would be for me, but a feminist satire, I’m in!
Favourite TV Program: The Traitors
Game show but addictive viewing.
Favourite Book: The Mermaid of Black Conch – Monica Roffey
A dark fantasy from a British-Trinidadian writer.
Favourite Art Exhibition: Women In Revolt!
This art exhibition had everything I loved- feminism, punk, activism and more.
Read Hayley’s review
Duncan Clark – Graphics Editor
Favourite Album – The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons by The Hives.
So good to see them back again after over a decade! Right back to where they were before. Can’t wait to see them again next year as they’re one of the best live bands I’ve ever seen. Also winner of best album artwork here too.
Favourite Song – Cracker Island by Gorrilaz & Thundercat.
It’s just an infectious banger really isn’t it.
Favourite Gig
Has to be The Cool Greenhouse who played Studio 9294 back in Jan. Such a great live band and had the audience in the palm of their hand from start to finish. Bonus points for being the only show I’ve ever been to where I didn’t see a single person watching the stage through their phone screen. 
Favourite Festival
Wide Awake this year had a mouth watering lineup which didn’t disappoint. I was sad to see TY Segall pull out but that made room for a monster set from Osees, which I’ll take any day. Warmduscher, Viagra Boys and Los Bitchos all smashed it. Great weather and free cocktails in the press tent. All in all a wonderful day.
Read Duncan’s festival review
Favourite New Musical Discovery
Not sure why it took me until 2023 to listen to Los Tones but there we go. I’ve had Psychotropic on loop for a few months now. Just jam packed full of 60s garage bangers. Class.
Favourite Film
El Conde was so much fun. I’m a sucker (pun intended) for a vampire film and the art direction was fucking great.
Favourite TV Programme
Easy choice here. The Bear. Incredibly stressful watch but the energy is unmatched. Love the diversity of style and tone across the series too.
Favourite Book
In a follow on from the last answer, I’ve been obsessed with Matty Matheson, so I’ll say Home Style Cookery. Not one for everyday unless you’re after an early grave but a one way ticket to flavour town.
Favourite Art Exhibition
The Horror Show! at Somerset House back in Jan. all of my favourite things under one roof.
Mark Dans L’Espace – Reviews Editor
Favourite album: Holy Popes ‘Holy Popes’
The debut album by Bristol’s Holy Popes made its entrance into the world at the start of last February and successfully saw off multiple challenges throughout 2023 to reign supreme as my album of the year. The band features Dominic Knight (The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster/Bad For Lazarus/Dirty White Fever/Heavy Sugar/Screaming Tupelo/Brother Tupelo) on guitar and vocals, and fans of his previous musical output will not be disappointed. That unmistakable Brighton post-punk/alternative rock DNA streams through ‘Holy Popes’ from start to finish with no let up in pace or drop in quality. Well, almost from the start. Track one, “Prelude”, with its atonal recorder accompanied by what sounds like some metal being hammered into shape seems designed to put the listener off the ‘Holy Popes’ adventure before you’ve gone anywhere but, if you can make it through to the start of track two, you’re in for an aural treat.
Favourite song: Storm Franklin “Hush Now”
Storm Franklin are a Brighton-based two-piece consisting of Juanita Stein (Howling Bells) and Ben Hillier. They released their debut album, ‘Loneliness In The Modern World’, in November and “Hush Now”, their first musical offering, in May. I’ve long had a thing for Juanita’s gorgeous vocals and here they waft gloriously over the instrumentation, Juanita repeatedly cooing, “Hush now” before uttering the stinging one-liner, “I’ll heal in my own damn time”. Magnificent.
Favourite gig: Miranda Sex Garden – Islington Academy (16.09.2023)
2022’s Miranda Sex Garden reunion for a one-off show at London’s 100 Club was about as unexpected and joyous as it gets. 2023 saw them do a five-date tour kicking off in Islington and, despite the soulless setting of a corporate venue in a shopping centre, the band are once again on untouchable form, playing songs mainly from 1994’s peerless ‘Fairytales Of Slavery’ and 2000’s ‘Carnival Of Souls’. This is not a nostalgia gig; this is music that needs to be heard and needs to be witnessed live, performed by astonishingly talented musicians. The band are touring again later this year. Do not miss them! Read Joyzine’s full review here.
Favourite festival: Desertfest London
Commonly viewed as a stoner rock event, Desertfest actually embraces genres as disparate as hardcore punk, shoegaze, grunge, experimental rock and psych rock. Like a battle-jacketed version of the Camden Crawl, the festival plays out across three days and multiple Camden venues. Highlights from 2023’s edition included the debut UK gig by Spain’s incredible Rosy Finch (review here), Zetra, Margarita Witch Cult, Boris and Discharge. Read Joyzine’s full festival review here.
Favourite new musical discovery: Dead Man’s Couch
The return of Nomi Leonard (The Dogbones/Queenadreena/Wendykurk) to the musical landscape was a wonderful 2023 surprise. Dead Man’s Couch sees Nomi teaming up with Dave S-B (Red or Dead) to create haunting soundscapes topped with Nomi’s soothing, alluring vocals. The three singles released so far have all been accompanied by mesmerising short art/horror films courtesy of Oranguerillatan which have little to nothing in common with the traditional pop music video.
Favourite TV programme: ‘Doctor Who’
Pretty much the only TV I’ve watched this year (with the exception of the Women’s World Cup) involved everyone’s favourite mad man/woman in a box. Now that it comes seemingly with a cast-iron guarantee to annoy racists/misogynists/transphobes, etc. only makes me love it more.
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