Asheville, NC emo band Kerosene Heights had a breakout year with the release of their debut album Southeast of Somewhere on No Sleep, which is one of our 50 favorite punk albums of 2023, and now they’ve told us about their favorite albums of the year. The list includes Jeromes Dream, Del Paxton, Loma Prieta, Swiss Army Wife, and more, with commentary on each pick, and you can head below to see what they had to say.
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Kerosene Heights’ 10 Favorite Albums of 2023
as a sketch pad – S/T LP
This is pretty much just a perfect emo album. The guitar work and lyrics hit where it hurts in the best way. Love this album. 10/10. Favorite song is “now on”
Swiss Army Wife – Medium Gnarly
This record feels like all of my favorite emo revival bands rolled into one. Very fun. Very cool. Medium Gnarly. My favorite song is either “New Best Friend” or “Aight, Imma Head Out” but there is not a miss on this one.
Jeromes Dream – The Gray In Between
I come here for the feedback and brutal riffs. This band has been around for a long time and been one of my favorite screamo bands for years, and to still be putting out amazing music is so sick.
Del Paxton – Auto Locator
Auto Locator kind of teeters between a laid back feeling and some really good amped up emo punk moments. I’m a sucker for distorted vocals. I like listening to this record front to back. It feels very comforting. My favorite song is “Up With A Twist”
Snack’d Out – Obstacle Illusion
We played a show with this band before I ever heard them. This album fucks. It’s really fun top to bottom. Incredible playing and super sad lyrics that get stuck in my head all the time. Really inspiring stuff. “Obstacle Illusion” is my favorite song. For fans of the band Sports.
Loma Prieta – Last
Loma Prieta doesn’t miss. I love this style of melodic hardcore so much and can’t get enough of this album.
Sign Language – Madison & Floral
This is my favorite band doing the heavy/shoegazey thing. They have perfected it. Every second of this record feels so huge. Nobody’s doing this better than Sign Language. Every song rips.
World Peace – Is Is Written
10 minutes of chaos and brutality. Fully carrying the torch of 90s west coast power violence like Capitalist Casualties and Despise You. 11/10
Jeff Rosenstock – HELLMODE
Another Rosenstock classic. Reminds me of Bomb the Music Industry! at times in a way that I really love. Jeff Rosenstock makes music consistent and still always interesting.
Militarie Gun – Life Under The Gun
This album has a nostalgic feel that has planted itself in my brain like i’ve been listening to it forever. I feel like i have years worth of memories to this album but they’re really all just from last summer. I love all the bands that are kind of pushing the boundaries of what hardcore can be. “Big Disappointment” is my favorite song on this record
