Best Tracks of 2023
This list will change your life
This is a completely unobjective list of the best songs that I’ve listened to this year and think you should too. You’ll probably hate it.
Final Summer — Cloud Nothings
I’ve always quite liked Cloud Nothings. Then I saw them in a small pub in Brighton — think about 2013. And even at the time I was like yeah this is fairly cool but then that feeling just seemed to grow over a period of days to where I was like, these guys are really fucking good. Anyhow, hadn’t heard too much in a while but they’ve released this one and it’s a fucking belter.
The Sky is Melting — Alex Lahey
Ooof this one gives the feels alright. Kinda got that Azure Ray post-pandemic Bad Dream vibe. I love it.
In The City — Charlie XCX, Sam Smith
Charlie XCX has been creating insanely catchy music which may or may not be something called hyperpop (see below) since Superlove came out in 2013. Think this might be the catchiest one yet. Apparently she goes by Charlie XCX cause that’s what she had as her MSN messenger name back in the day. Which is cool.
Protocol — Hotline TNT
Imagine Teenage Fan Club plugging in to Kevin Shield’s guitar rig and the sort of goodness that would bring.
Gans Media Retro Games — Hot Mulligan
My annual emo-post-hardcore-shouty-make-you-feel-15-again track.
New York Transit Queen — Corrine Bailey Rae
If (like me) you associate Corrine Baile Rae with ‘Put Your Records On’ and other laid back soul type stuff then erm, this is going to be unexpected.
Not Strong Enough — boygenius
My daughter asked if she’d have heard of anything in my top 10 for this year. Thought this might be the most likely. Apparently it is all over TikTok so reckon I got this one right.
Pressure Cooker — Lazy, Militarie Gun
One of these is East Coast Fuzz Power Pop and the other is California hardcore according to Pitchfork. I can’t remember exactly which is which but seems to be a bit of The Clash in here as well I think. This one’s mixed by Dinosaur Junior engineer Justin Pizzoferrato which seems appropriate.
The Narcissist — Blur
Reminds me of Baby Queen by Albarn’s side project Gorillaz from last year. Which kinda reminded me of On Melancholy Hill. He seems to be pretty good at this type of song.
If I Knew — Thy Slaughter
Thy Slaughter is a collaboration between AG Cook & EASYFUN — AG Cook runs the PC Music label and is credited with inventing the hyperpop genre. I’m not exactly sure what this is but I think I like it. Also, Alaska Reid is guesting on vocals on this one. Song of the year.
