NJ theatrical emo/post-hardcore band Save Face spent 2023 giving us three new singles (“Found Dead at the Crime Scene,” and “Song the Bullets Sing” ft. Heart Attack Man, and “Favorite Lullaby” ft. The Callous Daoboys), a collab song with Jhariah (“A Lesson in Dramatics”), and a cover of AFI’s “Girls Not Grey,” and they’ll wrap the year up by opening Midtown’s NJ holiday show alongside Piebald and Houston Calls. In 2024, they’ll play some shows with Jhariah, including Brooklyn’s Elsewhere Hall on April 10.
With the year coming to a close, all band members have made us a collaborative list of the band’s 10 favorite albums of 2023. It includes Paramore, Creeper, The Zenith Passage, Olivia Rodrigo, Chamber, and more, with commentary on each pick. Read on for what they had to say.
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Save Face’s 10 Favorite Albums of 2023
Creeper – Sanguivore
Most bands can only hope to execute the level of ambition on this album as well as Creeper has. And after getting to tour with them in the UK and hear these songs live, you need to listen to this band play these songs in a room because they sound fucking unreal. – Ty
Just Friends – Gusher
Just Friends have been friends of ours since the beginning and there’s nothing I love more than seeing their evolution. This album has some of my favorite songs they’ve done, with really incredible arrangements. – Ty
Taylor Swift – 1989 (Taylor’s Version)
Despite the circumstances, I feel so lucky to get to re-experience my favorite Taylor album for the first time almost 10 years after it’s initial release. These songs have meant so many different things to me in the time between then and now and the additional vault tracks provide even more context to an already important time in my life. – Robbie
Paramore – This Is Why
Growing up as a girl in bands, there used to be (and to be honest, still is) a lot of scoffs and shame that came with loving Paramore. This album is a celebration and a rallying cry that we made it out the other side. I romanticize even the worst of times – Robbie
The Zenith Passage – Datalysium
This album has my favorite mix of any metal record to come out this year. Never heard something so heavy be so clean and clear. – August
Sentient Moss – Digital BBQ
Every song is an earworm while all being very different from one another. The almost out of place intricate but tasty drum parts further carve out a unique space for this album to sit. – August
Enter Shikari – A Kiss for the Whole World
It’s melodramatic and undeniably catchy. Oh and we played a rad show with them in NYC – Kent
Hopesfall – The Satellite Years (2.0)
Technically from 2002, but had to include this remixed/remastered 2023 release because of how much I love this album. – Kent
Olivia Rodrigo – GUTS
This album is chock full of everything you could want in a polished pop record, but so well mixed in with more edgy, raw instrumentation, not to mention Olivia’s incredible vocal performance across the entire album. The catchiest hooks, pumping drum and bass, lush synths, keys, and piano, I’ve been obsessed. – Dan
Chamber – A Love To Kill For
This record is so gnarly and crazy, there’s too much to love at one time. First few listens, I was gushing over how creative and chaotic all the guitar riffs were. Next few listens, I was mesmerized by the drum and bass arrangements, so well written and fresh. – Dan
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Save Face — 2023/2024 Tour Dates
Thu, DEC 21 The Wellmont Theater Montclair, NJ*
Wed, APR 10, 2024 Elsewhere Brooklyn, NY^
Thu, APR 11, 2024 Crystal Ballroom Somerville, MA^
Sat, APR 13, 2024 MilkBoy Philadelphia, PA^
* – w/ Midtown, Piebald, Houston Calls
^ – w/ Jhariah
