Since pop punk taps into feelings of joy, anger, nostalgia, pain, and hope in equal measure, its popularity should come as no surprise. The recent pop-punk resurgence can serve as a cathartic outlet for everyone, but knowing what albums to listen to is the first step toward gaining an emotional outlet through music.
Read on to learn the three best pop punk albums of 2023 so you can start listening ASAP.
1. So Much for Stardust (Fall Out Boy)
When you think of the pop-punk genre, Fall Out Boy is likely one of the first bands to come to mind. They first came onto the scene in 2003 with their Take This to the Grave album. Since then, they’ve written smash hits like Sugar, We’re Going Down, Dance Dance, and Death Valley.
Their new So Much for Stardust album is among their best because it taps into the best parts of both their punk roots and their pop sound. Tracks like Love From the Other Side and Hold Me Like a Grudge will have you enjoying a great head-banging beat while others like Heartbreak Feels So Good and The Kintsugi Kid are poppy and relatable.
Don’t forget to stream the album’s hidden gem, quarantine-blues dance ballad What a Time to Be Alive, on Spotify.
2. Tell Me I’m Alive (All Time Low)
Speaking of being alive, All Time Low’s album is a love letter to both the good and the bad in life. You likely already know the band from hits like Dear Maria, Count Me In and the beautiful ballad Remembering Sunday.
In their ninth studio album, All Time Low brings the same angry heartbreak vibes to their lead single Sleepwalking. Other deep cuts are about dichotomous identities like English Blood // American Heartache and Lost Along the Way. If you, like most of the human population, are still looking to find yourself, this is a trendy album that you’re sure to love.
3. Guts (Olivia Rodrigo)
You may have heard of Olivia Rodrigo from her pop album Sour a couple of years ago. But in 2023, she went full-on pop-punk, and it was a look that suited her well. Her Guts album is one of the best pop-punk albums out there with irreverent lyrics, bangin’ beats in songs like Get Him Back and All-American Bitch, and angsty ballads like Logical and The Grudge.
The best song on the album (in our obviously unbiased opinion) is the Grammy-nominated Ballad of a Homeschooled Girl. This track about social awkwardness is both relatable and catchy, and the makes some amazing rhetorical choices that will one day put it among musical greats if there’s any justice in the world. The outro is dramatic and emotional, an homage to rock music and frustrated screamo that will have you singing along.
More of the Best Pop Punk Albums of 2023
Now that you know 2023’s absolute best pop punk albums, it’s time to start streaming them. It’s also time to get more music tips that can help you get more in touch with your tastes, vibes, and feelings. Contact AB to learn more about listening to music the right way.