Breathing Theory
My Top 50 Songs of 2023
I tried to trim my list down to 30, the way I did last year, but it was impossible. For one thing, I started compiling singles for 2023 in January – last year, I got a late start. And for another thing, there have been way too many good songs released over the past twelve months!
So here are my top 50 songs of 2023 (in no particular order). And here is a link to the full playlist!
- Alive in Stone: “Fatboy”
- Katatonia: “Birds”
- Riverside: “Friend or Foe?”
- Animals as Leaders: “Red Miso”
- The Banishment: “Got What You Wanted”
- Lions at the Gate: “The Ledge”
- Fire Follows: “Say Words”
- Deadly Vices: “Notice Me”
- Kissing Candice: “Inveterate”
- Citizen Soldier + Royal Bliss: “Through Hell”
- Black Water Rising: “Hail Mary”
- Welcome Eternity: “Slave to the Crown”
- Moonfall: “Eyelids Closing Shut” (ft. Crystal Joilena)
- DK-Zero: “Nightmare”
- ANOXIA: “Earthbound” (ft. Corey James of Carbonstone)
- Saint Tragedy: “Limbo”
- City and Colour: “F**ked It Up”
- Kamelot: “Eventide”
- Band of Wolves: “On the Wagon”
- Carbonstone: “Damaged Like You”
- Linx: “Crystal Jellyfish”
- Breathing Theory: “The Cure”
- New Medicine: “Past the Past”
- Is MAN KIND: “25 to Life”
- Dark Remedy: “Haunted”
- Seven Year Witch: “Mark Cuban”
- Matt James: “Wait It Out”
- Bent Self: “Sunshine”
- Death Valley Dreams: “Ships in the Night”
- 3 Pill Morning: “Ethereal”
- Of Limbo: “California Demon”
- Stain the Canvas: “friXion”
- Patient Sixty-Seven, VRSTY: “Bad Habit”
- Rose Devika: “slow burn”
- Heartsick, Sapphire Noel: “Sadness”
- Amerakin Overdose: “Disconnect”
- Any Given Sin: “Cold Bones”
- Storm Kingdom: “Empires”
- The Props: “Target Practice”
- The BRKN: “FANGS”
- The Funeral Portrait: “Dark Thoughts”
- Lethal Injektion, Waylon Reavis: “Never Free”
- Divine Shade, Steve Fox-Harris: “Oublier”
- Rikets: “Infected and Controlled”
- Doom Groove Orchestra: “Why”
- Anaria: “Freakshow”
- The Thing With Feathers: “Ready to Burn”
- Silver Bullet Smile: “Man in the Moon”
- 2 Shadows: “Fading From Misery”
- Gears: “My Curse (Mi Maldición)”
Album Review: Breathing Theory’s Artificial
Breathing Theory is a band that toes the line between heavy and melodic with an unrivaled precision (think Starset meets Gemini Syndrome meets Breaking Benjamin), and they have proven this yet again with the release of their new album. Artificial hit all streaming services on May 26th. The album is made up of ten songs that run the gamut from provoking thought to tugging the heartstrings, and all are unforgiving in their extremes.
Artificial opens with the electro-metal-symphonic “Replicas,” an introduction to the theme set by the album’s title: a dystopian future run by artificial intelligence. The very first song begs the questions “Can we define what it is that makes us human? Are we alive, or are we just replicas?”
“Replicas” is succeeded by “Beautiful Disaster,” which showcases Breathing Theory’s hard-hitting riffs paired with heartfelt lyrics and frontman Cory Britt’s strong singing voice. The band sends listeners into audio whiplash by diving straight into the relentless “Collapse.” Here is a prime example of Cory’s harsh growls and screams, echoing the anger and frustration of the lyrics – “They’re starting fires so the smoke and hate won’t clear/Misdirection keeps you trapped in fear” – and juxtaposed by the pure cleans of the chorus.
The next track – “Your Frequency” – is another switch, not exactly a ballad but certainly on the more melodic end of things. This is one of my favorites on the record. The words are gorgeous, and I have the utmost respect for Breathing Theory’s refusal to shy away from that side of their genre.
“The Cure” is crafted into solid verses and an extremely catchy chorus. It is followed by “Transcend,” the heaviest song on the album, and “My Cancer,” the softest. “Tethers” feels like something you would hear on the radio (in the best possible way). It makes the head bob and is easily imaginable as one of the sing-along moments during a Breathing Theory show.
And then, the band drops in their rendition of Journey’s “Separate Ways.” I’ll admit, I didn’t see that one coming, but I cannot stress enough how much it absolutely works! Breathing Theory manages to maintain the integrity of the original while also making it their own, a truly impressive feat.
Artificial wraps with “Blackout,” and I am going to call this a ballad. Slow and steady, with sad lyrics, Cory’s haunting vocals, and a moody guitar solo (can guitar solos be moody?), I think it fits the bill.
There is not a single track on this record that I don’t like. A mix of alternative rock and metal with a metalcore edge and a trace of the grunge element, Breathing Theory definitely knows how to keep listeners intrigued and on their toes. Give Artificial a listen, or several, and follow Breathing Theory on their socials to see what’s next!
“Collapse” was the first single from Artificial. I knew I was going to love this album solely because of this song.
Song of the Day — Breathing Theory: “Fireflies”
This is one of my favorite Breathing Theory songs! Be sure to check out their latest single, “Your Frequency.” You can find it here.
New Music Friday Feat. Death Valley High, 9th Planet, and Breathing Theory
Death Valley High: “Pretty Graves”
9th Planet: “Best Of Me”
Breathing Theory: “Your Frequency”
Mostly Music 