Feature / Music
Scene Point Blank's Favorites: The Year So Far (July 2023)

July 6, 2023

Scene Point Blank's Favorites: The Year So Far (July 2023)
Scene Point Blank's Favorites: The Year So Far (July 2023)

Kristen's Top 5 Of 2023 So Far

1

Meet Me @ The Altar - Past // Present // Future

Meet Me @ The Altar - Past // Present // Future

Fueled by Ramen

Picture this: You’re re-discovering pop-punk again. Or at least this badass, catchy version that doesn’t care what you think of them and knows exactly who they are. You’re full of emotions, both happy and sad. And yes, these songs are extremely addicting and will get stuck in your head. Listen to this album during your summer roadtrip, when you’re having a shitty day, when you’re dancing in your room alone—through and through, you can’t go wrong here.

 

2

Boygenius - The Record

Boygenius - The Record

Interscope

Picture this: An instant mood booster, summer serotonin. A perfectly harmonized dream of a record. It’s no secret how talented Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker, and Lucy Dacus are, but together, their music truly radiates. Hope you brought your shades and sunscreen for this one, you’re gonna need it.

 

 

3

Black Belt Eagle Scout - The Land, The Water, The Sky

Black Belt Eagle Scout - The Land, The Water, The Sky

Saddle Creek

Picture this: A hazy, slightly overcast PNW day. It’s hard for Black Belt Eagle Scout to not scream PNW to me, but given this album was recorded in a converted church in Anacortes, Washington near the Swinomish Reservation where she grew up, you can truly hear the origin roots embedded in these songs. They run wide and deep like the rivers surrounding them, full of life and ethereal transcendence that one often finds naturally in the PNW. For this one, you just need to be outside.

4

Hot Mulligan - Why Would I Watch

Hot Mulligan - Why Would I Watch

Wax Bodega

Picture this: You’re lonely with crippling self-doubt and anxiety, but you still like to have a good time—this record is for you. We all have those days where we just don’t quite feel like ourselves and the self-doubt creeps in, but at the same time we understand it’s weirdly a part of life and we don’t like to take ourselves too seriously. I mean, with song titles about a cock party and John Cena, how could we? You’ll need a kiddy pool, some snacks, and your alcoholic beverage of choice for this one.

5

Real Friends - There’s Nothing Worse Than Too Late

Real Friends - There’s Nothing Worse Than Too Late

Pure Noise Records

Picture this: A break-up, a bad day, a bummer of a summer—this record has you covered. The album title says it all, truly songs about falling out of love and becoming strangers with someone. We all have regrets, so whether you’re in the midst of a relationship ending or purely reminiscing, this record doesn’t disappoint. Would recommend staying hydrated and a full pint of ice cream for this one.

- Kristen Swanson

Skip to page View as a single page

Scene Point Blank's Favorites: The Year So Far (July 2023)
Scene Point Blank's Favorites: The Year So Far (July 2023)

Pages in this feature

  1. Opening page
  2. Cheryl's Top 5 of 2023 So Far
  3. Christopher D's Top 5 Of 2023 So Far
  4. Delaney's Top 5 Of 2023 So Far
  5. Dennis' Top 5 Of 2023 So Far
  6. Kristen's Top 5 Of 2023 So Far
  7. Loren's Top 5 Of 2023 So Far
  8. Sarah Jane's Top 5 Of 2023 So Far

Related features

Paths 2 Glory

One Question Interviews • August 19, 2026

Chris (Paths 2 Glory) SPB: What is your favorite Bad Religion song? Chris: It's hard to just have one favorite Bad Religion song. I have a few but the one that will always be my favorite or go to answer is "You." I first heard that song while playing Tony … Read more

The Sleights

One Question Interviews • August 18, 2026

Luke Blanton (The Sleights) SPB: Do you have any vinyl that you own strictly for collector’s purposes and never listen to? Blanton: I have never really bought a record specifically to collect it but I have bought a few records that ended up falling under that category. I was in … Read more

Dez Dare

One Question Interviews / What's That Noise? • August 17, 2026

Dez Dare talk about his studio gear including the Knas Moisturizer and Death By Audio's Echo Master and Space Ensemble.  Read more

ELDP

One Question Interviews • August 14, 2026

Aemilia (ELDP) SPB: In your experience, what band has been the most fun to play with? Aemilia: Our most favourite band to have played with so far has been Dutch band All Dogs Go To Heaven. They're not only great people off stage, but they also make amazing music! When … Read more

Quattracenta

One Question Interviews • August 13, 2026

Sarah (Quattracenta) SPB: Which of your songs is the most difficult to play live? Sarah: “In Dust,” from our new record III. It’s not necessarily difficult in a technical sense, but because it is a very quiet and intimate song, playing it in a noisy club or bar can be … Read more

More from this section

Anathema Editions

Music / History 101 • August 11, 2026

Did you know it’s been 10 years since Anathema Editions put out its first release? To make the moment, we reached out to founder Terence Hannum to share some label history. In keeping with our “History 101” concept, SPB asked for anecdotes about 4 of the label’s releases and then … Read more

Scene Point Blank's Favorites: The Year So Far (July 2026)

Music • July 13, 2026

That's right: we're halfway through 2026 already, although whether that means this year is a glass-half-empty or glass-half-full kind of year... well, the jury's out. But we'll let you know in December. Despite another six months of chaos, war, conflict and uncertainty, one thing in life remains static and reliable: … Read more

Demos You Want To Check #4

Music / New Kids On The Block • July 7, 2026

The musical landscape is ever changing. New genres are popping up, new hypes burst out of nowhere and die out and new bands present themselves to the world. How on earth are you expected to keep up, right? Well, it never hurts to help! So here we are, your humble … Read more