Kalamazoo, Michigan emo Saturdays At Your Place released one of our favorite punk albums of 2023 with the Always Cloudy EP (No Sleep), followed by a great split with Summerbruise and Shoplifter, and they’ve already got some big 2024 plans: The Wax Bodega Tour with Arm’s Length, Carly Cosgrove, and Ben Quad. Before 2023 comes to a close, SAYP are here to share their favorite albums of the year, including Home Is Where, Free Throw, Slaughter Beach Dog, Hot Mulligan, Origami Angel, Charmer, Mali Velasquez, and more, with commentary on each pick.
Read on for what they had to say, and read more about Always Cloudy on our best punk list.
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Saturdays At Your Place’s 10 Favorite Albums of 2023
Esden’s Picks:
Free Throw – Lessons That We Swear to Keep
After hearing the first single “Spacer’s Choice”, I was very excited for this release and it did not disappoint. Cory’s lyrics are on another level, the call backs and the storytelling throughout. Not to mention the production makes the constant, catchy guitar riffs sound so crisp. Definitely an all timer for Free Throw.
Home Is Where – The Whaler
I became a fan of this band after seeing them with Greet Death and Foxing in Grand Rapids. Their songwriting is phenomenal and I feel like this album has the perfect blend of catchiness and experimentation. I love a good concept album. My favorite track is “Daytona 500”. RIP Dale
Slaughter Beach, Dog – Crying, Laughing, Waving, Smiling
The day this album came out, I made myself a cup of coffee and listened to it in its entirety. It became my morning routine for like a week straight. My favorite track is “Engine”. There’s just something special about listening to a guy in a band sing about being a guy in a band. I just love it.. I wonder why.
The Casper Fight Scene – Haymaker
Our fellow Michigan boys are writing some very catchy emo songs. This release has so many hooks that are best heard belted out at a basement show. The last track “Soft Parade” is absolute crushing. Keep an eye out for these guys
Mitch’s picks:
Hot Mulligan – Why Would I Watch
This album is a solid addition to an already strong discography. It’s polished, but not to the point where it loses its ability to convey the raw emotion behind the songs. I’m very excited to see some of these songs live this December.
Origami Angel – The Brightest Days
Origami Angel has always stuck out to me as a band that refuses to tie themselves down to one particular style or genre. This album covers a lot of ground stylistically, yet feels perfectly cohesive. It’s albums like these that inspire me to push my own boundaries as a songwriter.
Charmer – Seney Stretch
This release is a very cool departure from the more energetic sound of Charmer’s previous releases. Between this EP and their latest single “Rose Thorns” they’ve shown a wide but well defined range in their writing style and I’m excited to see what their next full release sounds like.
(Honorable mention: Free Throw – This is Fine)
Gabe’s Picks:
Hippo Campus – Wasteland
Ever since the release of their debut album “landmark” in 2017, I have been obsessed with this band. Anyone who knows me can tell you how I never shut up about hippo campus. Wasteland is much more unapologetically blunt than previous records and I’m constantly inspired by their ability to create exactly what they want, when they want, without fear of poor reception. The depths of their production always keeps me coming back for the one thing I didn’t hear the last listen through.
Fats’e – Cold Shoulder
I discovered “unconscious on your driveway” first, and the rest, being so cohesive and driving, drew me in quickly. “Cold shoulder” by fats’e is my record for getting shit done. It’s got great emotionality and a somewhat raw feel that contrasts really nicely to the upbeat and electronic production that it really satisfying to me.
Mali Velasquez – I’m Green
Debut album I’m Green from Mali Velasquez totally blew me away. This release hurts. The tenderness of her voice draws so many emotions out of me. And matched with the dreamy, existential, wholey sad production, these songs drag me through peacefulness, regret, and complete sadness. Loving Snail Mail, Pinegrove, and Japanese House, this artist was right up my alley. “Clovers” is definitely my favorite track on the record. I’ve already cried to this several times. Everything about this album encapsulates my thoughts and feelings from 2023 perfectly. I love it.
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Arm’s Length / Carly Cosgrove / Ben Quad / Saturdays At Your Place — 2024 Tour Dates
MAR 13, 2024 Club SAW Ottawa, Canada
MAR 15, 2024 Thunderbird Café & Music Hall Pittsburgh, PA
MAR 16, 2024 Rec Room Buffalo, NY
MAR 17, 2024 Mahall’s Lakewood, OH
MAR 19, 2024 The Shelter Detroit, MI
MAR 20, 2024 Hoosier Dome Indianapolis, IN
MAR 21, 2024 Subterranean Chicago, IL
MAR 22, 2024 Off Broadway St. Louis, MO
MAR 23, 2024 The Bottleneck Lawrence, KS
MAR 24, 2024 HQ Denver, CO
MAR 26, 2024 Kilby Court Salt Lake City, UT
MAR 28, 2024 Fortune Sound Club Vancouver, Canada
MAR 29, 2024 Madame Lou’s Seattle, WA
MAR 30, 2024 McMenamins Mission Theater Portland, OR
APR 1, 2024 Goldfield Trading Post Sacramento, CA
APR 2, 2024 Cornerstone Craft Beer & Live Music Berkeley, CA
APR 3, 2024 The Echo Los Angeles, CA
APR 4, 2024 Chain Reaction Anaheim, CA
APR 5, 2024 House of Blues San Diego San Diego, CA
APR 6, 2024 Valley Bar Phoenix, AZ
APR 8, 2024 Antone’s Nightclub Austin, TX
APR 9, 2024 Sons Of Hermann Hall Dallas, TX
APR 11, 2024 The End Nashville, TN
APR 12, 2024 The Masquerade Atlanta, GA
APR 13, 2024 Level 13 Event Center Orlando, FL
APR 14, 2024 The Orpheum Tampa, FL
APR 16, 2024 Motorco Music Hall Durham, NC
APR 18, 2024 The Atlantis Washington, DC
APR 19, 2024 The Foundry Philadelphia, PA
APR 20, 2024 The Meadows New York, NY
APR 21, 2024 Brighton Music Hall Boston, MA
APR 22, 2024 Bar Le Ritz PDB Montreal, Canada
APR 24, 2024 The Opera House Toronto, Canada
