Awesome Songs: April 2023

Reading Time: 15 min read

Awesome Songs: April 2023 features music courtesy of Dominic Fike, Foo Fighters, Kelly Clarkson, SZA, and The Weeknd.

It’s that time! What time it is? Why, Monthly round-up time, of course! It is the time to select the best songs of the month! All the songs on 🎧 Awesome Songs: April 2023 were released as singles or as an album track in late March 2023, April 2023, or whereabouts (exceptions are possible). Musicians that made our ears perk up in April 2023 include 🎙 Dominic Fike, 🎙 Foo Fighters, 🎙 Kelly Clarkson, 🎙 SZA, and 🎙 The Weeknd among others. The musical styles are all over the map on this musical compendium. So, without further ado, here are those 🎧 Awesome Songs: April 2023! Also, feel free to check out the previous month’s awesome songs!

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1. Dominic Fike, “Dancing in the Courthouse” 

🎵 “Dancing in the Courthouse” • 🏷 Sandy’s Boys, LLC / Columbia • 🗓 2023 

“Weather controls your day / People make up your mind / Until you can’t even tell / When someone gives you a sign.” Bummer! Alternative, genre-bending standout 🎙 Dominic Fike urges us to focus on the things we can control and embrace the positives and opportunities in life. The Florida musician has us all 🎵 “Dancing in the Courthouse”, on his short but utterly divine single. “Dancing in the Courthouse” shows Fike moving beyond adversity. Him and his family have experienced their fair share of it. His life, judging by the accompanying music video, as well as a well-documented background, hasn’t been easy. However, he’s a prime example of overcoming something that this song superbly conveys. 

The best moment” is undoubtedly the chorus, where the lyrics captivate, and the melody is tuneful:  

“Put ‘em on trial (On trial) 

Make ‘em dance for it in the courthouse 

Make a stand for it or it don’t count (Or it don’t count) 

Be the landlord of the whole town (Of the whole town) 

Put ‘em on edge (On edge) 

Make the judge jump and hit the two-step (Yeah, hit the two-step) 

And make the jury come up with two guesses (Up with two guesses) 

And lose interest, then they make up a new sentence.” 

Beyond the theme, lyrics, and an intriguing music video, the sound is stunning too.  The warmness of the guitar at the onset is a stellar touch.  Furthermore, the prominence of guitar throughout is awesome 🤘. Of course, from a vocal standpoint, Fike sounds authentic, honest, and expressive.  His instrument has the ability to deliver sheer beauty as well as grittier moments.  The world truly needs to know how gifted Fike is, who has overcome struggles and definitely has a light to share with the world.  

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Appears in 🔻:

‘Oh, The PLACES You’ll Go’ on These 15 Songs (2023)

2-3. Kelly Clarkson, “mine” / “me”

💿 chemical • 🏷 Kelly Clarkson / Atlantic • 🗓 2023

“Can’t believe I let you in, I can’t believe I stayed / As long as I stayed…” Matters of the heart are on full display on 🎵 “mine”, the promo single from 💿 chemistry, the tenth album by 🏆 Grammy-winning pop superstar 🎙 Kelly Clarkson. On “mine,” Clarkson reflects post-relationship, seeking to heal from the pain (“And now I second guess my thoughts every step I take / I’m losin’ hope in love, and I’ve lost all in faith”).  Penned alongside 🎼 ✍ 🎛 Erick Serna, and Jesse Shatkin, who also produce, it commences abruptly sans intro. As always, Clarkson’s vocals are radiant.  Furthermore, she has a tuneful melody to work with. The centerpiece is the powerful chorus, featuring a fabulous vocal arrangement and production.  Notably, during the chorus, we get a clever reference to Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind: “Go ahead and break my heart, that’s fine (So unkind) / Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind (Oh, love is blind) / Why am I missin’ you tonight? (Was it all a lie?) / Someone’s gonna show you how a heart can be used / Like you did mine.” The second verse ups the production, while the bridge features a unique change of pace and unexpected increase in tempo.  Clarkson asserts, “And you keep talkin’, it’ll come back, karma / Is the truth, I don’t make you look bad, you do, darlin’ / Sabotage, your choice of art / Who the hell do you think you are.” Ooh-wee!  🎵 “Mine” = authentic, heartfelt, and enjoyable. 

🎵 “Me”, the second single from chemistry, is also strong: “Buried myself into somebody else / Shout out some parts of me, did it so casually.” Clarkson penned it alongside 🎼 ✍ GAYLE and Josh Ronen, while Jesse Shatkin and 🎛 Jason Halbert produce. Like 🎵 “mine” that precedes, “me” begins abruptly. Clarkson sings with a warm, reflective tone.  The palette of sounds supporting her initially are sweet: synths and keys. There is a great build-up – percolation – to the powerful, liberated chorus. “I don’t need somebody to hold me / Don’t need somebody to love me / Don’t need somebody to pick these pieces up,” she asserts, continuing, “I put together my broken / Let go of the pain I’ve been holdin’ / Don’t need to need somebody / When I got me.” She doesn’t need a man! Additionally, in the chorus, there is nice use of choral backing vocals accentuating the emotional lead. The second verse adds a beat and has a more traditional sound. There are also impressive ad-libs, showcasing Clarkson’s feelings. The second chorus is absolutely stunning. Likewise, the bridge – “I bet you feel the absence of my love every night / There’s no one else, you are the reason I said goodbye” – shines too. Marvelous vocals, authentic songwriting and theme, and picturesque production make 🎵 “me” beautiful.

4. The Weeknd, “Double Fantasy” (Ft. Future)

🎵 “Double Fantasy” • 🏷 The Weeknd XO, Inc. / Republic • 🗓 2023

“Temperature risin’, bodies united / Now that I trapped you in my arms.” Ooh wee, 🎙 The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye)! That sugar honey iced tea right there is da-yum sexy.  The lyrics hail from the pre-chorus of single, 🎵 “Double Fantasy”, which hails from the HBO original series, 📺 The Idol.  The 🏆 Grammy-winning Canadian R&B singer collaborates with ATL’s finest, 🎙 Future (Nayvadius Wilburn).  “Double Fantasy” was written by Tesfaye and Wilburn alongside 🎼 ✍ Leland Wayne and MIKE DEAN.  The Weeknd and Dean produce alongside the always ill 🎛 Metro Boomin 😎. The results are positive, all said and done 💪 🔥.  

“Double Fantasy” commences with ripe but warm synths and a sensual sounding saxophone solo.  This prefaces sensual vocals by The Weeknd.  Early on, the sound almost reminisces to his music of the past.  He impresses with his truly distinct and beautiful tone. By the first verse (following the pre-chorus and chorus), “Double Fantasy” gains more tempo and a consistent, anchoring groove.  Tesfaye grows freer and more expressive.  This plays well into the guest verse by Future, who fits perfectly given his style of rapping and the cadence/flow he serves up (“Love when you fuckin’ me, talkin’, I know what you doin’ / Caught up in love, what the fuck is we doin’? / Models and bottles with us, ain’t nothin’ to it / I tell you, ‘I got you, that’s well understood”). After delivering that true-to-self verse, The Weeknd concludes sensationally. Ultimately, 🎵 “Double Fantasy” tickles one’s fancy. It is well performed and soundly produced.   

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5. Tyler, The Creator, “BOYFRIEND, GIRLFRIEND (2020 Demo)” (Ft. YG) 

💿 CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST: The Estate Sale • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 2023 

It took a while but eventually, 🏆 Grammy-winning rapper 🎙 Tyler, The Creator opened up about his sexuality.  About the time that he embraced sharing his bisexuality, his music also became more mature (beginning with 💿 Flower Boy in 2017).  Coincidence? Anyways, once more, on 🎵 “BOYFRIEND, GIRLFRIEND (2020 Demo)”, the 23rd track from 💿 CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST: The Estate Sale, Tyler is open about, well, being open to both girls and guys 🌈.  Over a groovy backdrop (produced by himself) and featuring 🎙 YG in the first verse (“You should be my bitch / I could be your nigga / Come and get this drunk dick, fuck you off the liquor”), he speaks about his desires: “I just want someone to talk to whenever I start feeling alone.” He proposes, “You should be my boyfriend, girlfriend,” keeping the door open to either sex at any given time.  A groovy bi anthem nobody expected, right?  

Appears in 🔻:

BOY, These Songs Are About You (2023)

6. SZA, “Kill Bill” (Ft. Doja Cat)

 🎵 “Kill Bill (Remix)” • 🏷 Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA • 🗓 2023

“I might kill my ex, not the best idea,” 🏆 Grammy-winning R&B singer/songwriter 🎙 SZA asserts on 🎵 “Kill Bill”,  one of the very best songs from her critically acclaimed sophomore album, 💿 SOS.  In the record, SZA sings gorgeously despite being pissed off.  Like the Quentin Tarantino films she  references, she’s angry at her ex, eventually confirming she kills him and his new girlfriend 😮.  Ultimately, her love pain, and violence, is our listening pleasure.  It is accentuated even more on 🎵 “Kill Bill (Remix)” which features a fellow 🏆 Grammy winner, 🎙 Doja Cat.   

Doja Cat appears at the beginning of “Kill Bill (Remix)” replacing the original, shorter verse by SZA.  As to be expected, it is a colorful verse, one that paints a violent picture, as a result of her ex-boyfriend being a dick, basically.  She ends up going to his new house, the new girlfriend is angry, and ultimately, after the new girlfriend charges at Doja, she ends up shooting her.  Memorably, she closes the verse with a bang: “Y’all crisscrossed, saw her fall to the floor / Then you paused there in horror, that shot wasn’t for her.”  From there, we get the rest of the original “Kill Bill,” beginning with the unforgettable, ex-killing chorus, and the second verse by SZA (“I try to ration with you, no murders, no crime of passion / But, damn, you was out of reach”).  All in all, 🎵 “Kill Bill (Remix)” marks another triumph for SZA. Doja Cat proves to be the perfect collaborator, enhancing an already great song. Fancy sufficiently tickled!

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7. Mathew V, “My Boy”  

💿 Anything Goes • 🏷 604 Records • 🗓 2023 

🎙 Mathew V (Mathew Van Vooght) confirms that jazz is NOT boring on his playful, sassy, tongue in cheek jazzy single, 🎵 “My Boy”.  “My Boy” graces his 2023 jazz LP, 💿 Anything Goes. While this original penned and produced by Van Vooght and 🎼 ✍ 🎛 Ben Dunnill channels the past – a Marilyn Monroe-inspired record – it sounds quite refreshing in 2023. First and foremost, Mathew V sounds utterly sublime.  He possesses a versatile instrument and has proven his ability to sing any and everything.  Beyond that, being backed by a jazz combo is absolutely sick!  The string bass! The piano! The light, traditional swinging groove on the drums! EPIC! However, let’s address what separates Van Vooght’s single from the jazz of the past – he’s unapologetically GAY 🌈! Clearly, Van Vooght characterizes about what his boy embodies and who he is NOT! It’s cute, honest, and incredibly authentic. 

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Appears in 🔻:

BOY, These Songs Are About You (2023)

8. Ashnikko, “WEEDKILLER”

💿 WEEDKILLER • 🏷 Parlophone • 🗓 2023

“I go Liam Neeson in the movie Taken, ah,” 🎙 Ashnikko, a one-of-a-kind, eclectic artist asserts on 🎵 “WEEDKILLER”, the short but incredibly potent title track from her debut album. Co-written with  🎼 ✍ 🎛 Slinger, who also produces, the backdrop is electric.  The synths sizzle and the beat is fierce providing Ashnikko with fuel for her fire.  Ashnikko lacks no energy, bringing the heat with biting rhymes and sounding equally intense when she sings.  The songwriting is what truly catches the ear with aggressive, incredibly assertive lyrics.  She opens with a bullet: “Twiddlin’ my thumbs, yeah, I’ve been patient /  Lobotomize a bitch ‘til their eyes vacant.” WOO! She also memorably asserts, “I’m gonna photosynthesize” in the pre-chorus.  In the chorus, she embraces the weedkiller role: “I will be the one to eliminate you.”  For good measure, she adds, in the outro, “I’ve been training for murder.” 🎵 “WEEDKILLER” runs a mere two minutes and change which is enough for Ashnikko to deliver an AGGRESSIVE, ENTERTAINING, MURDEROUS, MEMORABLE, SLICKLY PRODUCED, SUREFIRE VIBE!  YES, IT SCREAMS AT YOU!!!

9. Jxckson, “RADIO SILENCE”

🎵 “RADIO SILENCE” • 🏷 Jxckson Music • 🗓 2023

🎙 Jxckson is a prime example of a musician who grows better with time and exhibits innovative spirit – willing to try new things.  His experimental spirit pays major dividends on his second single of 2023, 🎵 “RADIO SILENCE”, which he describes as his “riskiest song release yet.” I concur.  Characterizing “RADIO SILENCE,” he adds, “It’s experimental in the sense of effects used to highlight the song and I’m not necessarily known for slow songs.” That being said, this risk yields one or his very best, if not best songs to date. 🎛 Boy Sim produces this juggernaut. 

It can’t be said enough.  Jxckson is special, PERIOD.  Musically, he continues to grow, expanding his artistry song by song.  🎵 “RADIO SILENCE” is an EPIC single released in advance of his EP, THE DEEP END (May 25, 2023).  Recapping what makes it so great: vocals, vocals effects, production and the production effects, and how the theme and backdrop work in tandem with one another.  Once again, Jxckson has done the day-um thang!  What is neat about “RADIO SILENCE” is the equal importance of voices and music.  Yes, the voice – the singing – is the centerpiece, but the music has an elevated role too.  “RADIO SILENCE” commences with a warm yet slightly unsetting intro, prefacing the musical and thematic experience to come.  Early on, the bouncy bass line is among many ear-catching happenings.  Of course, the tune that Jxckson sings, with a unique vocal effect, mind you, is simple but absolutely beautiful. He sings with ease, barely breaking a sweat, while retaining his playful brand of vocals. Even so, we also hear this riskiness from Jxckson given the slower tempo and embracing even more emotional vocals.  The chorus is by far the crowning achievement, with its robust sounds, and a brilliant, intentional ‘distancing’ contrast between lead and backing vocals. Notably, during the second verse, the music is more developed with additional cues and rhythm adding to the epic musical excellence that is 🎵 “RADIO SILENCE” 💪.

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10. Ed Sheeran, “Eyes Closed”

💿 – (Subtract ) • 🏷 Asylum UK / Atlantic UK • 🗓 2023

“I’m still holdin’ back these tears / While my friends are somewhere else.” 😢. Folks, the 💿 – (Subtract) era is upon us! 🏆 Grammy-winner 🎙 Ed Sheeran returns in 2023 with his sixth studio album, following 💿 = (Equals) in 2021.. 🎵 “Eyes Closed” serves as the promo single and finds Sheeran much more vulnerable.  He deals with the grief of loss, specifically the loss of his friend, Jamal Edwards, who died in 2022.  Edwards gave Sheeran his big break, so, his tragic death unsurprisingly affected him tremendously.  Sheeran pours his feelings into this well-rounded record. He pours his feelings into this well-rounded record. The rhythmic introduction marks a stellar start. It’s followed up with lovely, easygoing vocals by Sheeran, who always sings with a beautiful tone. The melody is tuneful and rhythmic in the verses, despite the somber sentiment. The first verse features spare production, which is safe but quite effective, placing the focus on Sheeran’s voice. The second verse is relatively uncrowded instrumentally but more developed than the first. “Delusion is here again / And I think you’ll come home soon,” Sheeran sings regarding Jamal, adding, “But I lost more than a friend / I can’t help but missin’ you.” The main attraction is the chorus, which gets a harder hitting beat, and expands dynamically:    

“So, I’m dancin’ with my eyes closed 

‘Cause everywhere I look, I still see you 

And time is movin’ so slow 

And I don’t know what else that I can do 

So, I’ll keep dancin’ with my 

Eyes (closed).” 

🎵 “Eyes Closed” is a stellar return. Sheeran has always been at his best when he’s most vulnerable.  Pouring his grief, honesty, and vulnerability into this track specifically pays off big time.  

11. Just Shy, “Silhouette”

🎵 “Silhouette” • 🏷 John Rowley • 🗓 2023

“I’m gonna take my top off on the dancefloor / No I’m not gonna drop off at the front door.” WOO! Question: Do you need a pop-house banger in your life? If the answer is YES – and it should totally be a HELL YES – then look no further than 🎵 “Silhouette”, the latest bop by the handsome, talented Australian pop artist, 🎙 Just Shy (John Rowley). Rowley brings the electricity once more on “Silhouette” characterizing the record as an emboldening, alluring and sexy aid to a big queer night out. Woo-hoo, it is TOTALLY giving that energy 💪 🌈 (“That particular joy I feel when boy meets a boy”)! “Silhouette” is engaging from the onset, commencing with a slick, rhythmic bass synth and, of course, Just Shy.  Rowley serves up a playful brand of vocals that are colorful and expressive.  He has plenty of confidence and personality – #SASSY – not to mention a beautiful tone. I love the fact that he embraces queer vibes.  He calls the single “a manifesto for how confident and free I want to feel when I’m out.” #BIG MOOD! Melodically, it is tuneful from the onset.  Of course, the most tuneful moment comes by way of the chorus, which absolutely slays.  Accentuating those memorable, utterly fierce lyrics are decadent horn lines. Just Shy penned this bop, while 🎛 Dion Shaw produced it, superbly I might add. “I hope this track can embolden people to embrace their full selves when they’re on a dancefloor.” 🎵 “Silhouette” exudes confidence; there is NO way you can listen to it and not dance. 

12. ILLENIUM & JVKE, “With All My Heart”

💿 ILLENIUM • 🏷 Illenium LLC / Warner • 📅 2023

“And I hope that when I’m gone / You’ll forgive me, all my wrongs / Say a prayer for me, I know I don’t deserve your love, yeah.” Oh, what thoughtful lyrics, 🎙 JVKE. The rising pop musician with a golden voice joins forces with DJ/producer 🎙 ILLENIUM on the single, 🎵 “With All My Heart”.  ILLENIUM produces this 13th track from 💿 ILLENIUM alongside 🎛 Jason Evigan. The sound and aesthetic are incredibly sweet, with a fine palette of sounds and plenty of rhythmically satisfying instrumental moments.    

JVKE handles the vocals, including the tuneful centerpiece, the chorus: “So, with all my heart, I’m gonna love / With all my heart, I’m gonna trust / With all my heart, I’m gonna give you everything…” Notably, there is also a DROP post-chorus – it goes with the territory with electronic music. Thematically, JVKE, who writes with ILLENIUM, Evigan, 🎼 ✍ Rami, and Zac Lawson, focuses on love and evolving as a person. “I don’t wanna look at where I’ve been,” he sings in the second verse, adding, “I wanna look at where I’m goin’ / Let my mess become my message, it made me who I am.” Prudent, by all means. All said and done, ILLENIUM and JVKE make a formidable team.  Solid vocals, ear-catching production, and #WINNING songwriting,

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13. Cory Singer, “Don’t F With Me”

🎵 “Don’t F With Me” • 🏷 HEART SONGS MUSIC GROUP • 🗓 2023

Bullies, beware! 🎙 Cory Singer is coming for you, and for good reason – no one deserves to be bullied for any reason whatsoever. Specifically, on his fiery 2023 single, 🎵 “Don’t F With Me”, Singer has a serious bone to pick with those who bullied him (he’s autistic and an autism advocate). Rather than take the pain once inflicted on him, and inflicted on others, specifically those considered ‘different’, he asserts, “I will shut that shit right down.” Woo! Incredibly authentic, and obviously explicit, Singer brings attitude, authenticity, confidence, ferociousness, and power on “Don’t F With Me,” the perfect single for Autism Acceptance Month.

With his middle fingers up for good reason, Singer shows off a compelling voice. His tone is inviting, even though he’s mad as hell – better yet, mad as F! Even though the vibe is tense as he cries foul to, well, a$$holes, the music itself is intriguing. Singer blends traditional pop with pop/rock, creating a killer sound. Furthermore, throw in the profanity – fitting for a song like this – and it is clear Cory is on to something. Perhaps Singer is on the defensive after experiencing the things he has in his life from insensitive folks but honestly, given his assertiveness, it clearly feels like he has reclaimed his power and is on offense! Safe to say, that offense is potent to, like, “Don’t fuck with me / Don’t even try /…If you know what is good for you / Then you will turn your ass around.” F yeah!

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14. Smokey Robinson, “Gasms”

💿 Gasms • 🏷 Smokey Robinson • 🗓 2023

“Every kind of gasm in the book / Each, I has ‘em every time I take a look…” Say what, Smokey Robinson? Come again? “Any kind of gasm on the list / The gasms you don’t give me, I don’t think exist.” WOO 🤯! On 🤩 🎵 “Gasms,” the opener from 💿 Gasms, the first brand-new Smokey Robinson album in nine years, Robinson shocks a bit 😈. No, he’s not incredibly overt, but it’s clear, he’s making a nod to the universal three-letter word (“Soft and sweet or the kind the neighbors hear gasms”). While he raises eyebrows to some extent, the production is classy and sophisticated, and vocally, he sounds incredibly strong (particularly at 83). His vibrato truly stands out. Melodically, “Gasms” also benefits from tunefulness. And even though it is sensual, “Gasms” still fits into a classier, adult contemporary oriented brand of R&B/soul. The big takeaway is how great it is to hear an icon who’s still got it well into his 80s.

15. Foo Fighters, “Rescued”

💿 But Here We Are • 🏷 Roswell • 🗓 2023

First and foremost, rest in peace, 🎙 Taylor Hawkins. The loss of the incredibly talented 🎙 Foo Fighters drummer 🥁 was a huge one – devastating and totally unexpected. Despite the loss, 🎙 Dave Grohl and Foo Fighters decided to move forward as a band, releasing their 11th studio album, 💿 But Here We Are, led by the dynamic lead single, 🎵 “Rescued”. “Rescued” was produced by the band alongside 🎛 Greg Kurstin. The sound is strong – dynamic, as in LOUD AND IN YOUR FACE LIKE IT’S SCREAMING AT YOU 🤘!!! Grohl is intense on both drumming and vocals. He seeks to memorialize his late friend and bandmate, as well as carry on the torch. “It came in a flash, it came outta nowhere,” Grohl sings in the first verse, adding, “It happened so fast, and then it was over.” In the chorus, he asserts, “I’m just waitin’ to be rescued, bring me back to life / …We’re all just waitin’ to be rescued tonight.” The record is a reaction to Hawkins’ unexpected passing, and how it has affected the band. It feels fitting that this song is the first single as well as the opening track from But Here We Are. “Rescued” is an honest and powerful statement by the 🏆 Grammy-winning band: “We’re all just waitin’ to be rescued tonight.”

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Honorable Mentions:

Awesome Songs: April 2023 [📷: Brent Faulkner/The Musical Hype; 604 Records, Asylum UK / Atlantic UK, Columbia, HEART SONGS MUSIC GROUP, Illenium LLC / Warner, Jxckson Music, John Rowley, Kelly Clarkson / Atlantic, Parlophone, Republic, Roswell, Smokey Robinson, Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA; Andrea Piacquadio, Sonny Vermeer via Pexels]

Awesome Songs: April 2023 | Playlist 🎧

Published by the musical hype on May 1, 2023May 1, 2023