With a new year, comes new anniversaries of old albums. In 2023, there will be no shortage of albums turning 10 years old. Some truly iconic and memorable works of art have big anniversaries this year. These are some of my most notable alternative and rock albums that will be 10 in 2023.
Vessel by twenty one pilots
Vessel by twenty one pilots was released on January 8, 2013. Some of the most recognizable twenty one pilots songs, to this day, come from Vessel. In my opinion, Vessel is a perfect album. It is such a unique combination of instruments, genres, storytelling lyrics, and very catchy melodies. It gave twenty one pilots an iconic sound. Vessel features top songs like “House of Gold,” “Car Radio,” “Ode to Sleep,” and my favorite twenty one pilots song, “The Run and Go.” Whether you were a twenty one pilots fan in 2013 or not, everyone recognizes at least one song from this album.
Sempiternal by Bring Me The Horizon
Sempiternal by Bring Me The Horizon was released on April 1, 2013. Sempiternal was an absolute anthem of an album for emo kids back in 2013. This album encapsulates the original sound of Bring Me The Horizon perfectly. The emotionally gut wrenching lyrics paired with the hard rock sound solidified this album as a very popular favorite in 2013. Sempiternal includes hit tracks like “Can You Feel My Heart,” “Shadow Moses,” and “Hospital For Souls.” Even in 2022, these songs were clearly crowd favorites when Bring Me The Horizon played them on tour. Ten years later, Sempiternal is still a staple album in emo and hard rock music.
Forever Halloween by The Maine
Forever Halloween by The Maine was released June 4, 2013. Forever Halloween was a bit of a shift from their previous albums, combining their original upbeat pop sound with their newfound melodic alternative rock sound, heard on Pioneer. Despite the name, Forever Halloween only has one track that is actually about Halloween, but it is the perfect fall album, regardless. Forever Halloween houses some of my favorite songs by The Maine such as, “So Criminal,” “Vanilla,” and “Birthday in Los Angeles.” Forever Halloween is, in my opinion, the greatest album The Maine has ever released.
The 1975 by The 1975
The 1975 was The 1975’s debut album, released September 2, 2013. The 1975 kickstarted The 1975’s career and set the stage for their reputation as one of the most popular bands in modern alternative/indie music. The 1975’s iconic whimsical synth-pop sound was solidified from the moment of the release of The 1975. This decade-old album features hits like “Sex,” “The City,” and “Girls,” all of which are still widely played today. The 1975 may be ten years old this year, but it is far from obsolete.
AM by Arctic Monkeys
AM by Arctic Monkeys was released on September 9, 2013. Ironically, Arctic Monkeys and The 1975 released albums a week apart from each other again in 2022 with their albums The Car and Being Funny in a Foreign Language, respectively. AM was the soundtrack to early 2010’s Tumblr era and opened the door to Arctic Monkeys headlining festivals worldwide. AM features recognizable Arctic Monkeys staples like “R U Mine?”, “I Wanna Be Yours,” “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?” and my personal favorite off this album, “Fireside.” A decade later, songs off this album are still some of Arctic Monkeys’ biggest hits.
I can nearly guarantee all of these albums will end up on my end of the year music recap this year, since they deserve to be celebrated. I would argue that all of these albums are some of the best ones ever released by these artists; 2013 was an insane year for alternative and rock music. Stay on the lookout for potential anniversary tours, limited ten-year merchandise, and vinyl repressings that could, hopefully (fingers crossed), be coming our way this year.