23 SONGS WE LOVED IN 2023
BY BRENESSA ROACH | DECEMBER 17, 2023
2023 was by far one of my favourite music years so far because I really dove deep into independent music. Of course, I enjoyed songs and artists from labels, which I have few listed in this blog, but primarily I listened to indie artists.
In this article, I will share my top 23 songs of 2023. For my best no skip albums of the year, check out last week’s article here.
In order from #23 to #1, let’s get started…
Released on: April 7th, 2023
I really loved this song, as well as “Always” from Daniel’s album NEVER ENOUGH. I loved “Let Me Go” because of the lyrics and also the production. The pre-chorus part was constantly stuck in my head.
I think Daniel Caesar is such a talented singer and his voice and artistry is really amazing.
Listen to “Let Me Go” by Daniel Caesar on Spotify:
Check out Daniel Caesar on Instagram: @danielcaesar
Released on: February 24th, 2023
Timmy Albert is an artist I discovered this year, right before the release of this song. I featured him in a blog and then we became acquaintances and I found out he was releasing this song.
This song is by far my favourite from his discography because I love the indie-rock production style and the layering of vocals during the chorus. I think this style really suits Timmy and hopefully he will make more songs in this genre/style.
Listen to “RENT FREE” by Timmy Albert on Spotify:
Check out Timmy Albert on Instagram: @timmyalbum
Released on: June 2nd, 2023
“Is It A Crime?” is a song I discovered through No Guidnce’s TikTok – just as many others. I absolutely love their acapella vibes and the way their vocals mesh so well together.
From the lyrics, to the harmonies, to the production of this song, it’s really catchy and constantly was stuck in my head – hence why it is in my top songs of the year.
After listening to this song and EP, I have become such a fan of No Guidnce and their releases after this.
Listen to “Is It A Crime?” by No Guidnce on Spotify:
Check out No Guidnce on Instagram: @noguidnce
Released on: June 9th, 2023
As a fan of brb. since 2021, I love all of their songs, but this one in particular stayed in my head rent free since the release. Prior to this song, I had never listened to KIRE, but since then, I have become a fan!
I love the production and lyrics of this song and I think brb. and KIRE’s voices mesh really well together.
Listen to “sharp knife” by brb. and KIRE on Spotify:
Check out brb., and KIRE on Instagram: @holdonbrb and @kireyung
Released on: February 13th, 2023
Although I am not a fan of Jay Park, he has some really great songs and this is definitely one of my favourites. I love how sweet the lyrics are and I am a sucker for ballad/slow production songs. This song was stuck in my head for months and even when I listen to it now, I never skip it.
Listen to “Yesterday” by Jay Park on Spotify:
Check out Jay Park on Instagram: @moresojuplease
Released on: January 13th, 2023
Miley Cyrus coming back in 2023 with this song healed all problems. Seriously, I have been a fan of Miley Cyrus since 2006 and every single one of her songs always hit.
I really love that this song was a twist on Bruno Mars’ “When I Was Your Man”, but from the perspective of a single-independent woman.
Listen to “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus on Spotify:
Check out Miley Cyrus on Instagram: @mileycyrus
Released on: July 13th, 2023
Billie Eilish’s ballads/slower songs are definitely my favourite. I love this song because not only is her voice beautiful, but I love the message behind the song. This song was one of the reasons I got so excited to watch the Barbie movie.
Listen to “What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish on Spotify:
Released on: May 26th, 2023
“blood on the floor” is one of my favourite songs by kuiper so far! I was really excited about this song to release ever since I got to interview kuiper before about the meaning. I think this song is so catchy and it’s definitely a fan favourite as well. The production by Reny is amazing too.
Listen to “blood on the floor” by kuiper on Spotify:
Released on: August 18th, 2023
shae debuted this year and I really love her music, but this song in particular is my favourite so far and was stuck in my before it even released thanks to her TikTok’s promoting it. I love how sweet this song is and the production of it as it blends R&B and indie-pop.
I also love WIMY’s music so this was an amazing collaboration. The contrast between shae’s sweet vocals and WIMY’s warm vocals really makes this song even more beautiful. This song also is doing really well in terms of streams and playlist placements.
Listen to “Anybody” by shae and WIMY on Spotify:
Released on: February 10th, 2023
8RO8 is an artist I started listening to this year after discovering him in another artist’s recommendations playlist. This song in particular is my favourite 8RO8 song because it’s very much the style I love to listen to.
I think it’s so catchy and every time I listen to it, it puts me in a good mood!
Listen to “Townies” by 8RO8 on Spotify:
Released on: March 30th, 2023
Russell Groovy is an artist I started listening to this year after being introduced to him through Townewest. His style of music is so beautiful as it blends 90s/2000s R&B/Soul with current R&B giving it that nice contrast of nostalgic but fresh.
“Positions” is on his album Ultra Night Drive which features other amazing songs, but this song is by far my favourite. I had it on repeat since the time I heard it back in July and the lyrics are constantly stuck in my head.
Listen to “Positions” by Russell Groovy on Spotify:
Released on: March 3rd, 2023
EXPOSITION is a collective I love discovering artists from! “CAR” was the song that introduced me to Keydom and AidEn. This song is super catchy and I got a few friends hooked to it as well.
Listen to “CAR” by Keydom, AidEn and EXPOSITION on Spotify:
Released on: July 7th, 2023
I feel like I have mentioned Keenan Te and this song multiple times on my blog, but I just love this song so much. The lyrics are so relatable and I just love Keenan as a whole because his lyrics and production on every single osng including this one are so beautiful.
Listen to “overthinking about you” by Keenan Te on Spotify:
Released on: August 25th, 2023
lullaboy is an artist I have been listening to for a few years now. I love all his songs, but this one in particular is a new favourite of mine. I love how sweet this song is. As well, I love the lyrics and the piano melody.
Listen to “life with u” by lullaboy on Spotify:
Released on: July 21st, 2023
“internet crush” is by far one of the catchiest pop songs I have heard this year. I absolutely love this song and I randomly will sing it throughout my day if i see the word “internet” or “crush”. Lyle is so talented and I just love how relatable these lyrics are as well. I really hope to see this song live one day because I would probably scream every single word.
Listen to “internet crush” by Lyle Kam on Spotify:
Released on: July 6th, 2023
I have been waiting for this song the last 3 years since JUNNY went viral on TikTok for the 8barrelay challenge. The wait did not disappoint because this song is amazing. I love JUNNY’s voice with Gaeko and I think the cover art and concept photos for this whole song were beautiful.
Listen to “INVITATION” by JUNNY and Gaeko on Spotify:
Released on: August 4th, 2023
BNZA is one of my top artists of the year that I discovered because I just love his style and his music. As well, I think his stage presence is incredible. I love this song so much particularly because of the “it’s youuuu” lyrics and vocal layering. This song got stuck in my head before it even released thanks to the TikTok promos BNZA posted. I also think Young Jin’s production is beautiful and I am so honoured to be blessed by this wonderful song.
Listen to “U” by BNZA and Young Jin on Spotify:
Released on: August 31st, 2023
This is so far my favourite song from PRYVT! I love the indie vibes to it and I think hanuel and HNATA’s voices go really well together! This was a project I was super excited for the release and it did not disappoint.
Listen to “i can’t go home, anymore” by PRYVT on Spotify:
Released on: January 2nd, 2023
NewJeans has become one of my favourite Korean girl groups. I love their youthful energy and their Y2K style. This song is so catchy and I can never get tired of it no matter how many times I hear it or see snippets of it on TikTok. I also love the dance which made this song even more fun!
Listen to “OMG” by NewJeans on Spotify:
Released on: January 6th, 2023
The minute I heard this song, I knew it was going to make it into my top 5 songs of the year. I don’t know what it is with this song, but it just feels so cozy and nostalgic. hanuel’s voice is so incredible and comforting and myno’s voice as well is so beautiful so the two voices together blend really well.
I also just love the production and the lyrics of this song.
Listen to “MOON” by hanuel and myno on Spotify:
Released on: February 28th, 2023
“BUBBLY” opened a new era for Ethan Low and it’s definitely one of y favourite songs from his discography so far! I love how sexy and catchy this song is and I think Ethan’s vocals are really nice. Also love the production of this song by ditch david. Hearing this song live a few times made me love the song even more.
Listen to “BUBBLY” by Ethan Low on Spotify:
Released on: August 4th, 2023
My second favourite song of the year is another CLUB BOYBND song and it’s “hmu” which is written and sung by Roc Lee. “hmu” has a special place in my heart not only because it’s a sweet song, but because I got to interview Roc about this song, which you can read here.
I absolutely love the guitar R&B style production on this song and it’s definitely my second favourite CLUB BOYBND song as well.
Listen to “hmu” by CLUB BOYBND on Spotify:
Released on: June 23rd, 2023
“confessions” by CLUB BOYBND was a song I was so excited for the release of. After BU-WAN and Roc Lee were teasing it so much on TikTok and Instagram Reels, the sped-up version was constantly stuck in my head.
This song is their Korean R&B take on Usher’s song “Confessions”. It was produced by ditch david – who quite often produces their songs. This song is so catchy and I love the lyrics. Additionally, I love the contrast between Roc and BU-WAN’s vocal style and verses.
This song was definitely my most played song this year and so far is my top song from their discography. Hopefully in 2024, I get the chance to hear it live!
Listen to “confessions” by CLUB BOYBND on Spotify:
You can find all 23 songs mentioned in this article on our Spotify playlist below:
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