Though 2023 saw the welcome return of some of alternative music’s biggest names—blink-182, Portugal. The Man, The Killers—this year will be remembered in large part by the unlikely emergence of a new star: Noah Kahan. The Strafford, Vermont (population: 1,075), singer-songwriter had already seen some success with “Hurt Somebody”, a duet with Julia Michaels from Kahan’s EP of the same name. But the strength and sustained success of his breakthrough single “Dial Drunk”—a vulnerable, shout-along single that truly found its audience in 2023—has made Kahan a household name, garnering him a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist and an invitation to perform on SNL. It’s driven the re-release of his third album, last year’s Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever), to No. 1 on the Billboard Rock and Alternative chart and even inspired a new collaborative version of the song with guest vocals from someone named Post Malone. That’s pretty good company to be keeping. ALT CTRL is home to the latest and greatest in alternative music. Check back often, as our editors update this playlist regularly—and if you hear something you like, add it to your library.