Best Songs of 2023 (So Far) | Playlist 🎧

6. Omar Apollo, “3 Boys”

🎵 “3 Boys” • 🏷 Warner • 🗓 2023

“I should take your advice and find someone new / So I could have two.” That number is significant on 🎵 “3 Boys”, a marvelous single by 🏆 Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter, 🎙 Omar Apollo. Apollo continues to be open about sexuality, adding a different wrinkle on “3 Boys”: monogamy versus polyamory versus unrequited love.  Even though the boy that Apollo digs (likely an ex) encourages bringing another into the fold, Apollo isn’t a fan. “Seems like everything I do take me further from you,” he asserts in the pre-chorus.  The centerpiece is the chorus, where he soulfully expresses his issues with polyamory/still being in love with someone he’s not with anymore.  He only wants one boyfriend as opposed to three in the mix.  “Three boys would work if I wasn’t so tethered to you,” he sings, continuing, “What should I do? / I can’t even choose / I’m tethered to you.” Apollo brings up relevant points about being dedicated to the ONE he loves.  He sings well, superbly bringing the lyrics of this co-write with 🎼 ✍ Mustafa, Nathan Phillips, and Sir Dylan (who also produces) to life. It is easy to continue to be in love with Omar Apollo 😍… HIM 😉 and his music.

Appears in 🔻: 

• Awesome Songs: February 2023
• Monogamy: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 20 (2023)
• BOY, These Songs Are About You (2023)
• Best LGBTQ 🏳️‍🌈 Songs of 2023 (so far)

7. Janelle Monáe, “Float” (Ft. Seun Kuti & Egypt 80’)

💿 The Age of Pleasure • 🏷 Wondaland Productions LLC / Bad Boy Records LLC • 🗓 2023 

🎙 Janelle Monáe kicks off 💿 The Age of Pleasure, her first album in five years, with one of its most pleasurable listening experiences: 🤩 🎵 “Float”. 🎵 “Lipstick Lover” earned most of the attention between the two advance singles, but “Float” deserves its just due. The 🏆 Grammy-nominated, nonbinary musician is assisted by Nigerian saxophonist, 🎙 Seun Kuti, and band, 🎙 Egypt 80’. Monáe has evolved into the person that she wants to be, asserting, “I used to walk into the room head down / I don’t walk, now I float.” Her confidence is through the roof, as she rides the picturesque production (🎛 Nate “Rocket” Wonder, Sensei Bueno, and Nana Kwabena) with ease.  She is liberated sexually, dropping naughty, scintillating lines like, “She throwin’ that thang in a circle, makin’ in viral, I might just elope / Say, ‘Listen lil’ mama, you like shibari? Watch while I show you the ropes’.” “Float” brilliantly sets the tone of The Age of Pleasure.

8. Niall Horan, “Meltdown” 

💿 The Show • 🏷 Neon Haze Music Ltd. / Niall Horan / UMG Recordings, Inc. • 🗓 2023

“When it all melts down, I’ll be there.” Good to know, 🎙 Niall Horan! The Irish singer/songwriter released 🎵 “Meltdown” as the second single from his third studio album, 💿 The Show. “Meltdown” is brief but potent, running about two-and-a-half minutes in duration, more than enough for the listers to experience that Niall magic, WOO! He wrote “Meltdown” alongside 🎼 ✍ Amy Allen, Joel Little, and John Ryan.  Little and Ryan also produce the track, with incredibly positive results. “Meltdown” benefits from an electrifying groove and driving bass line.  Furthermore, Niall gives us strong vocals.  “Screamin’ in your car (Yeah) in the driveway / Spinnin’ out, think your life’s goin’ sideways,” Horan asserts in the first verse. In the second, he adds, “Sleep is so thin (Yeah) out of habit / Hard to tell the real from the dreams you imagine.” Clearly, things are NOT going well for this person.  Even so, superhero Niall is there for you, he reveals on the memorably penned, tuneful chorus! Good to know! All in all, “Meltdown” is a surefire earworm after the first listen!

Appears in 🔻:

• Awesome Songs: May 2023
• Melt: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 44 (2023)
• 11 Songs SOOO Hot, They MELT! (2023)

9. Kesha, “Eat The Acid”

💿 Gag Order • 🏷 Kemosabe • 🗓 2023

“You don’t wanna be changed like it changed me.” Remember that lyric, folks – it is a crucial, recurring line from 🎵 “Eat The Acid”, the first of two promo singles from 💿 Gag Order, the fifth studio album by 🏆 Grammy-nominated pop singer/songwriter, 🎙 Kesha. Take one listen to “Eat The Acid” and it is clear that Kesha opts for a different direction – one that is incredibly refreshing. The production is a key part of the change of direction. This dark pop record thrives off its minimalism. Drums are absent 🤯! “Eat The Acid” is hypnotic and intense. Kesha produces alongside 🎛 Rick Rubin, Stuart Crichton, and Jason Lader. The keys and synth work is utterly stupendous, carrying the rhythm and propelling the intensity.  Vocally, she sounds elite, never over singing, exhibiting poise.  She is never forced to over sing given the tunefulness of the melody – utterly infectious.  Thematically, she experiences a spiritual awakening, recollecting her mom’s advice not to “eat the acid” (aka LSD), and connecting with God.  The third verse truly stands out: “I searched for answers all my life / Dead in the dark, I saw a light / I am the one that I’ve been fighting the whole time / Hate has no place in the divine.”  The Kesha who graces 🎵 “Eat The Acid” is starkly different than the Kesha of the past and that shows evolution.

Appears in 🔻: 

• Awesome Songs: May 2023
• Best LGBTQ 🏳️‍🌈 Songs of 2023 (so far)

10. Sam Smith, “I’m Not Here to Make Friends” (Ft. Calvin Harris & Jessie Reyez)

💿 Gloria • 🏷 Capitol • 📅 2023

On their fourth studio album, 💿 Gloria, 🏆 Academy- and Grammy-award winning, nonbinary and genderqueer musician 🎙 Sam Smith keeps things brief. Despite the brevity, there are no shortage of hits, including the contemporary disco smash, 🎵 “I’m Not Here To Make Friends.” “…Friends” features 🎙 Calvin Harris and 🎙 Jessie Reyez.  The groove is electrifying, thanks to work behind the boards by Smith, Napes, and the key ingredient, Harris, of course! Of course, the grandeur comes down to more besides the beat – those strings make this “the whole damn meal”, to quote the goddess better known as Lizzo! Even though Reyez contributes, Smith is the star on “I’m Not Here To Make Friends.”  “Put your aura into mine / Don’t be scared if you like it,” they assert in the pre-chorus, dropping the titular lyric in the chorus (“I’m not here to make friends / I need a lover”).  I love how commanding Smith sounds, delivering some incredible runs.

Appears in 🔻:

• 13 Utterly Friend-tastic Friend Songs (2023)

11. Jessie Ware, “Pearls”

💿 That! Feels Good! • 🏷 Universal Music Operations Limited • 🗓 2023

🎙 Jessie Ware certainly promotes disco on the energetic, utterly infectious  🎵 “Pearls”, the second single from her fifth studio album, 💿 That! Feels Good!. “Pearls” was written by Ware alongside 🎼 ✍ Clarence Coffee Jr., Sarah Hudson, and 🎛 Stuart Price who also produces. Vocally, Ware serves up sensational vocals. Always in good voice (she can sing), in this song in particular, she delivers an even fuller, more soulful brand of vocals.  All the while, the backdrop is giving a modern dance/disco sound.  With Stuart Price producing, exceptional production is the expectation. Besides lit vocals and epic production work, the lyrics are also a blast.  “Pearls” gets off to a fast start as Ware asserts, “Excuse me, I don’t know about you / But I think it’s time to / Shake it till the pearls fall.” Woo! It doesn’t stop with the pearls, which reappear in the chorus.  In the first verse, Jessie characterizes herself as lots of things – “a lover, a freak, and a mother” – adding, “Walking on the line, it’s my human nature / I crave a little danger.” Later, in the second, she is “A perfect Prima Donna.”  I concur, Jessie! 🎵 “Pearls” = absolutely and utterly awesome! Sickening stuff!

Appears in 🔻: 

• Awesome Songs: February 2023
• 13 Blingy, Hella Icy Jewelry Songs (2023)

12. Saint Levant, “Nails”

🎵 “Nails” • 🏷 2048 • 🗓 2023

“Listen, to keep it a hundred, the only thing stressing me out in this life is a Visa.” One of the things that makes dreamy 😍 rapper 🎙 Saint Levant (Marwan Abdelhamid) so special is his diverse background: Palestinian, French, Algerian, and Serbian.  Incredibly talented, he raps English, French, and Arabic. He come through big with 🎵 “Nails”. Abdelhamid has a swagger about him – a cool vibe – that endears him to the listeners.  He raps with incredible agility and ease, bringing energy whether rapping in English (most of the time) or Arabic.  During the chorus (varied throughout), he raps, “But they used to hate on my nails / How insecure (How insecure) / How sad are you (How sad are you) / How immature.” Per Rolling Stone, Abdelhamid admits to painting his nails as a teen in The Middle East. The bigger takeaway is about how being different earned Abdelhamid ridicule.  At this point, he’s the sugar honey iced tea, but that wasn’t always the case: “When you see your woman go double-tap on my photos / When I was a kid I remember I wore what I wanted / They used to make fun of my clothes / But look at right now, I just smile when I see them cuz I know their girlfriends at all of my shows.” Now that is a mic drop moment right there! 🎵 “Nails” = another triumph for Saint Levant thanks to his approach, personality, and light house-tinged production (🎛 Ames Ward) that is a vibe in its own right.

Appears in 🔻:

• Nail 💅: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 47 (2023)

13. hemlocke springs, “sever the blight”

🎵 “sever the blight” • 🏷 Good Luck Have Fun / AWAL • 🗓 2023

“‘Where are you, my lady?’ / I’ve been in the basement / She tied my ankles up / As a near defacement.” Say what? “You see, I’m not Snow White,” 🎙 hemlocke springs asserts in the verse, adding, “The fairest in our land / I heave a sighing breath / My cavity expands.” Impressive songwriting and plenty of personality makes 🎵 “sever the blight”, utterly compelling. The singer/songwriter penned and produced “sever the blight” alongside 🎼 ✍ 🎛 BURNS.  “Sever” features beautiful, expressive vocals, with her upper register shining through. She sings sublimely and has a radiant melody to work with. The crème de la crème melodically is the chorus: “Love is smiles away / Will I still wait here?”  There are variations lyrically, but the effect is consistent with each iteration.  Lyrically, “sever” intrigues, embracing a familiar topic, matters of the heart. It also excels from a production standpoint.  A marvelous palette of sounds, comprised of keys and synths, shape the record into a sweet, indie-/synthpop joint. There is an element of surprise initially, as the listener feels out where springs is going with “sever the blight.” A thoughtful change of pace, occurring about 54 seconds in, reveals the cards with the addition of a lit driving groove and awesome, rhythmic picturesque synths.  The magic of 🎵 “sever the blight” is revealed with each successive listen.

Appears in 🔻:

• Awesome Songs: May 2023

14. Ryan Beatty, “Ribbons”

💿 Calico • 🏷 Warner Music UK • 🗓 2023

Reflective piano is one of many glorious production touches on 🎵 “Ribbons”, the first 🎙 Ryan Beatty single of 2023, appearing on his third studio LP, 💿 Calico.  Focusing on the production (Beatty and 🎛 Ethan Gruska), in addition to reflective piano, “Ribbons” features more ear catching keys, as well as strings.  In fact, nearly the final minute-and-a-half of the song is instrumental.  Ultimately, the backdrop is one of the big selling points of “Ribbons.” Of course, the best touch regarding “Ribbons” are the vocals by Beatty.  He has a gorgeous tone and excels at balladry. Another pro for is the vocal production, which has consistently amplified his solo music.  A tuneful melody bodes well as Beatty sings about the plight of love/ fleeting love (“It took all of California / To remind you while you came / … Ribbons running down your face / ‘Cause you’ve never known love like that”).  Things grow more depressing in the second verse, where Beatty asserts, “And suddenly you’re older / Spinning the turnstile over and over / Who’s gonna hold you while you sleep? Well, / It’s brave to be nothing to no one at all.” Thought-provoking for sure… and sad 😢. Ultimately, 🎵 “Ribbons” is well written, authentically performed, and thoughtfully produced. Ryan Beatty is a vibe and “Ribbons” is a vibe, too.

Appears in 🔻: 

• Ribbon 🎗️: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 25 (2023)
• Awesome Songs: March 2023
• Best LGBTQ 🏳️‍🌈 Songs of 2023 (so far)

15. H.E.R., “The Journey”

🎵 “The Journey” • 🏷 RCA • 🗓 2023

“And when you’re going with your heart you can go / Farther than you’d ever thought possible / Prove them all wrong.” Prove who all wrong, 🎙 H.E.R.? Why, the doubters, the haters, and skeptics! On the soaring ballad, 🎵 “The Journey”, the 🏆 Academy and Grammy award-winning musician delivers positive vibes.  “The Journey” is encouraging, reassuring, and totally uplifting.  Commencing as a piano ballad, the record expands, incorporating strings, robust bass and by the second verse, a drum groove as well as rhythm guitar.  With a thoughtful message, and fabulous production, the rich vocals by H.E.R. cannot be neglected.  She serves up far more powerful vocals than she’s delivered in the past.  The verses, which are tuneful, showcase balance and poise, but by the chorus, H.E.R. truly lets it rip.  As the song progresses, her voice grows more ambitious with some marvelous runs and ample power.  In the chorus, she asserts, “It’s the journey / It’s the getting there to where you’re going to / Going through hell but still you’re gonna make it through…” Another strong moment from “The Journey” is the bridge, which successful contrasts the verses and chorus.  Fittingly, the most epic chorus of all follows, concluding this radiant, uplifting ballad.

16. Dominic Fike, “Dancing in the Courthouse”

💿 Sunburn • 🏷 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 Floridian has us all 🎵 “Dancing in the Courthouse” (💿 Sunburn), a single that shows him moving beyond adversity, which him and his family have experienced their fair share of. Life hasn’t been easy, however, he’s a prime example of overcoming as that this song superbly conveys.

The best moment” is 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 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.  Fike definitely has ample light to share with the world.

via GIPHY

Appears in 🔻: 

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

17. Latto & Cardi B, “Put It On Da Floor Again”

🎵 “Put It On Da Floor Again” • 🏷 Streamcut / RCA • 🗓 2023 

“I done done it all, feel like Shawty Lo / Laughin’ to the bank, but shit is not a joke.” Okurrr, 🎙 Latto! That Shawty Lo reference = 🔥. The 🏆 Grammy-nominated rapper dropped a surefire banger with 🎵 “Put It On Da Floor”.  She showed off mad attitude and personality, fueled by the banging beat and production of 🎛 Go Grizzly, Squat Beatz, and Ben Hogarth. She’s aggressive, confident, and gives no fucks: “Leave the club sloppy drunk, come home and get my rocks off / Heard ‘Bitch from Da Souf’, he tryna see me knock his socks off.” DAY-UMMM! On 🎵 “Put it on Da Floor Again” she taps 🏆 Grammy-winning rapper, 🎙 Cardi B for the assist who is true to self from the jump: “Put a ribbon 🎗️ on me, I been actin’ brand new / I ain’t smokin’ on no za’, lil’ bitch, I’m smokin’ on you.” Cardi spends ample time talking about bitches:

“She said she don’t like me ‘cause she love me, duh, knock it off

That bitch made ten pages just to sub me, but I block ‘em all

All these hoes is mid

Got her lurkin’ on my page before she feed her kids, huh

Shittin’ on these bitches, dunkin’ on they heads

Get these hoes some melatonin, put they ass to bed (Bitch).”

Holy shiitake mushrooms 🍄! Also, for good measure, Latto leaves quite the impression on the outro of 🎵 “Put it on Da Floor Again”: “Yeah, it’s giving cunt / I’m in the booth playin’ with my pussy, bitch.” Nothing more needs to be said 😶!

Appears in 🔻:

• Latto, “Put it on Da Floor Again”: Rap BNGRZ 🔥 20 (2023)

18. Peso Pluma, “Bye”

💿 Genesis • 🏷 Double P • 🗓 2023

“Bye / Mejor sigue tu camino / Mientras fumo y tomo vino / Que estar contigo ya no me convino.” Woo! In the excerpt from 🎵 “Bye” (💿 Genesis ), an intriguing single from Mexican singer, 🎙 Peso Pluma (Hassan Emilio Kabande Laija), things are ending between him and his girlfriend. In the chorus, excerpted above, Laija suggests this breakup is for the best, and goes on later to add other girls have his attention. The narrative is familiar and relatable; Love and the plight of love is universal, after all and NEVER gets old.  Furthermore, Pluma sings sublimely with ample expression – he sells it to us, baby! Additionally, “Bye” is a melodious track too.  The tunefulness makes it endearing, regardless of the ability to comprehend Spanish or not. With the theme reflecting the end of a relationship, Pluma’s voice showing a gifted star, and tuneful melodies giving the track a lift, the music might be what is most ear catching. Pluma produced “Bye” alongside 🎛 Parka. Embracing a different realm of Latin music, “Bye” exemplifies Música Mexicana – Regional Mexican music.  The instrumentation includes horns, particularly that assertive, saucy trombone, string bass, and of course, guitar.  The end result is a surefire vibe – a must-hear addition to the listening rotation!

19. Kelly Clarkson, “mine”

💿 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.

Appears in 🔻: 

• Awesome Songs: April 2023

20. Bad Bunny, “WHERE SHE GOES”

🎵 “WHERE SHE GOES” • 🏷 Rimas Entertainment LLC • 🗓 2023

🎙 Bad Bunny needs no introduction – he’s Bad FKN Bunny! WOO!  The 🏆 Grammy-winning, Puerto Rican superstar is on fire once more with 🎵 “WHERE SHE GOES”, a single that finds him expanding his palette artistically. 🎛 Mag, who handles the production duties, does an epic job.  This intense joint commences with moody synths.  Early on, a dark, minor key is established. Once Bad Bunny begins singing, he brings additional assertiveness – he is even more aggressive than the moody synths.  Soon enough, the production grows more dynamic, with a beat entering and anchoring things down.  Once the rhythmic identity is established,  it seems as if there will be a degree of predictability. WRONG! Even with drums solidifying the direction of the song, there are surprises.  During part of the second verse, the drums exit, and things become more legato, delivering welcome contrast.  Generally, Bad Bunny serves up rhythmic rhymes during the verse, embracing a more melodic identity during the chorus.  Even though 🎵 “WHERE SHE GOES” is exclusively in Spanish, like most Bad Bunny songs, it is a surefire vibe.

Appears in 🔻:

• Awesome Songs: May 2023

21. Hozier, “Eat Your Young”

💿 Unreal Unearth • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 2023

“I’m starvin’, darlin’ / Let me put my lips to something / Let me wrap my teeth around the world.” Ooh-la-la – so this is what we’re doing 🎙 Hozier?  Well, damn! Later, the 🏆 Grammy-nominated Irish singer/songwriter asserts in the second verse of 🎵 “Eat Your Young,” “I can’t buy this fineness / Let me see the heat get to you / Let me watch the dressing start to peel.” Woo! While there is a sexual vibe going down, Hozier goes deeper, exploring the notion of eating the young – exploiting them for gain.  The chorus says it best, particularly the end: “Come and get some / Skinnin’ the children for a war drum / Puttin’ food on the table sellin’ bombs and guns / It’s quicker and easier to eat your young.”

“Eat Your Young” goes beyond its clever songwriting.  Hozier sings expressively throughout, showing off a cool, sexy, and sophisticated tone, showing a ripe falsetto during the chorus.  Furthermore, the production is gorgeous, led by the lush, picturesque strings (well arranged). The melodies are tuneful, namely the pre-chorus and chorus. In addition to the strings, the rhythm section make “Eat Your Young” a success too (punchy drums, keys, guitars, robust bass line). Notably, there is also a choral version of this gem which is equally sweet.

Appears in 🔻:

• 13 Appetizing Songs That Totally Eat 🍽️(2023)

22. 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 11^th 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.”

Appears in 🔻: 

• Awesome Songs: April 2023
• 13 Songs Filled with Grief, Mourning & Remembrance (2023)

23. Jake Shears, “Voices” (Ft. Kylie Minogue)

💿 Last Man Dancing • 🏷 Boys Keep Swinging Inc / Mute Artists Ltd. • 🗓 2023

“I hear a single falsetto / Faces come out of the shadows / Are these the choices? / Here come the gentle voices.” 🎵 “Voices” marks an elite moment for 🎙 Jake Shears (Jake Sellards) from his 2023, sophomore LP, 💿 Last Man Dancing. He taps the one and only 🎙 Kylie Minogue for the assist – can you say #SLAY?! From the jump, this dance-pop, nu disco joint is a vibe-and-a-half.  🎛 Ryland Blackinton and Vaughn Oliver put in work behind the boards; those exuberant, rhythmic synths are EVERTYHING!. Furthermore, the queen, Minogue, is on autopilot.  Her chemistry alongside Shears in the chorus is utterly stupendous, creating one of the best collaborations of 2023.

“Calling you to action

Action (Ah-ha)

Passion (Ah-ha)

I hear voices

Calling you to love

Emotion (Ah-ha)

The notion (Ah-ha)

The voice is in me.”

Appears in 🔻:

• Voice: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 48 (2023)

24. Miguel, “Give It To Me”

🎵 “Give It To Me” • 🏷 ByStorm Entertainment / RCA • 🗓 2023

“Your body on inferno, inferno, your mind on my, my, my / But you deserve to let go, to let go, to let yourself unwind…” Although the 2020s have been extraordinarily quiet for 🏆 Grammy-winning R&B singer/songwriter, 🎙 Miguel, he whets the listener’s palate with the enjoyable, well-rounded, and sexy single, 🎵 “Give It To Me”. “Give It To Me” runs four minutes and change 🪙, and it’s totally worth every second! The record was penned by Miguel and 🎼✍ 🎛 Scoop DeVille, who also produces. It commences with an intriguing intro that is moody and features an unsettled sound.  Listening initially, it is hard to tell what direction Miguel is going. Soon enough, however, the singer’s dynamic, easily recognizable voice takes over.  Instrumentally, the tone of the drums and the use of distorted guitar are #winning.  This gives “Give It To Me,” which is about S-E-X, a fitting raw, animalistic sound.  There are many memorable lyrics including  “You lit, I’m lit, we lit / And I’m ready to fly” in the pre-chorus, as well as the catchy chorus, where Miguel asserts, “Yeah, I like what you got, ‘cause I like what you got / I like what you got, would you give it to me?” Another selling point is the excellent contrast that occurs in the bridge, which includes vocoder effects. All in all, 🎵 “Give It To Me” is a welcome addition to the listening rotation.

Appears in 🔻: 

• Give: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 43 (2023)
• Awesome Songs: May 2023
• What Do These 13 Songs Give? (2023)

25. Jess Williamson, “Hunter”

💿 Time Ain’t Accidental • 🏷 Mexican Summer, LLC • 📅 2023

“When you’re young, you’ll live through hell for the dream / But hell is a real place.” Ooh wee! Truer words have never been spoken! It’s the HUNT baby! Hunting and Americana/singer-songwriter go hand in hand, right? RIGHT! That is the case with 🎵 “Hunter,” which arrived as a promo single from 💿 Time Ain’t Accidental, the 2023 LP by 🎙 Jess Williamson. A stunning track, Williamson makes the listener’s ears perk up with her cool but expressive, gorgeous vocal delivery.  The superbly penned number (Williamson solely) is backed by relatively simple but highly effective accompaniment including guitar and keys (🎛 Brad Cook produces). Revisiting the songwriting, the biggest selling point of the second track from Time Ain’t Accidental, the crowning achievement should come as no surprise – the tuneful chorus! In the chorus, the hunting comes into play:

“I want a mirror, not a piece of glass

We went a hundred down the highway
I’ve been known to move a little fast
I’m a hunter for the real thing
My love is pure as the universe
Long as an ashtray
Baby, it’s fine, I’ve blown your mind
But I guess I’m gonna give you space.”

Appears in 🔻:

• 11 Captivating Songs Where The Hunt is On (2023)

26. 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 returned in 2023 with his sixth studio album. 🎵 “Eyes Closed” served as the promo single finding 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. 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).”

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

Appears in 🔻: 

• Awesome Songs: April 2023
• 13 Songs Filled with Grief, Mourning & Remembrance (2023)

27. P!nk, “TRUSTFALL”

💿 TRUSTFALL • 🏷 RCA • 🗓 2023

“Are we just too squared to fight for what we want tonight?” 🤩 🎵 “TRUSTFALL” serves as the second single and second track from TRUSTFALL. The bright, optimistic sounding backdrop was produced by 🎛 Fred again.. and Johnny McDaid.  The rhythmic synths are a selling point on this thoughtful, dance-pop joint from the versatile musician. As always, we get commanding lead vocals from P!nk.  The chorus is catchy and memorable, centered around said trust fall: “Close your eyes and leave it all behind / Go where love is on our side / It’s a trust fall, baby / It’s a trust fall, baby.” Prior to the chorus, She sets up these trust falls in the verses. “Picture a place, somewhere else far away / Where you know what they mean, and they mean what they say / And would that be enough?” she sings in the first verse.  In the second, she asserts, in trust fall fashion, “Jump with me, come with me, burn like the sun.” In the bridge,  there is excellent contrast provided though still related to the verse and chorus musically and lyrically. “What if we just fall? I’m going without you / And you’re not going alone.” 🎵 “TRUSTFALL” marks another winning moment for the 🏆 Grammy winner. The message is utterly superb!

Appears in 🔻:  

• Awesome Songs: February 2023

28. Post Malone, “Mourning”

💿 Austin • 🏷 Mercury / Republic • 🗓 2023

“Don’t wanna sober up / The sun is killin’ my buzz, that’s why they call it mourning.” Ah, clever 🎙 Post Malone – we see what you did there!  The singer drops the short but sweet second single from his 2023 album,  💿 Austin, 🎵 “Mourning”. “Mourning,” produced alongside 🎛 Louis Bell and ​watt, finds Post in reflective mode, bothered by, shit for lack of a better word (“Got a lotta shit to say, couldn’t fit it in the chorus”). The shit that has affected Post Malone is substance issues – alcohol.  Part of the problem seems to be those “quote-unquote friends” who enable him, with him footing the bill of dinner, and them dragging him “to a party out in Malibu.” Things get worse in the second verse, where he asserts, “Stumblin’ down the corridor, came across and open door / Throwin’ up is easy and who put on The Commodores.” A brilliant reference to the famed soul collective, it also speaks to Malone’s alcoholism.  Despite his substance issues, which are no joke, 🎵 “Mourning” is sweet music to the listener’s ears. This is an authentic, honest, and well written single.  Post Malone is being true to self.

Appears in 🔻: 

• Awesome Songs: May 2023
• Mourning 😭: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 46 (2023)
• 13 Songs Filled with Grief, Mourning & Remembrance (2023)

29. Depeche Mode, “Ghosts Again”

💿 Memento Mori • 🏷 Columbia • 🗓 2023

Following a six-year hiatus, English electronic-driven band 🎙 Depeche Mode returned with 💿 Memento Mori, Latin for remember you must die ⚰️. Sadly, in 2022, longtime keyboardist 🎙 Andy “Fletch” Fletcher passed away – a huge loss for the band. The awesome song at hand, 🎵 “Ghosts Again”, was written by 🎼 ✍ Martin Gore and Richard Butler, and slickly produced by 🎛 James Ford. “Wasted feelings / Broken meanings / Time is fleeting / See what it brings.” Hmm, given the title of the album, the loss of Fletch, and the title of the song, “Ghosts Again” seems to fit the bill.  The second verse sung by the always marvelous-sounding Gahan, projects a similar sentiment: “Sundays shining / Silver linings / Weightless hours / All my flowers.” One of the key lines, which appears on a variable chorus, finds Gahan (and Gore on backing vocals) singing the titular lyrics, “We know we’ll be ghosts again.” Perhaps Gahan describes the song best to Clash Magazine, asserting it “captures this perfect balance of melancholy and joy.” The lyrics do indeed lie somewhere between life and death, while the music is set in a major key, and remains true to the band’s signature sound.  There are guitars, keys, and synths – a clear throwback to the 1980s without sounding anachronistic. All told, the band makes a triumphant return with 🎵 “Ghosts Again”. Gahan sounds amazing.  Musically, “Ghosts” serves up ample ear candy and top-notch musicianship.  Furthermore, the lyrics are compelling, perfectly capturing two varying emotions.

Appears in 🔻:

• Awesome Songs: February 2023
• 13 Utterly Ghostly Ghost 👻 Songs (2023)

30. Labrinth, “The Feels” 

💿 Ends & Begins • 🏷 Columbia • 🗓 2023

“I got hit by a truck, I got hit by a truck.” On 🎵 “The Feels”, 🎙 Labrinth is experiencing something that has greatly affected him on this highlight from 💿 Ends & Begins.  Has he literally been left for dead after being run over – a true hit and run? Naturally, he is in his feels for that reason alone.  By the pre-chorus, which recurs later, in the hands of 🎙 Zendaya, he asserts: “I got touched by God and it fucked me up / Like an electrical current coursin’ through my veins / Lightning came and hit me again.” Hmm 🤔, this is where the feels begin to feel like something different.  In the epic chorus, the euphoria is something else: “Now I’m in my feels / Way up in the clouds somewhere now  / Don’t know what’s real, real…” Zendaya confirms these romantic feels in the second verse: “Now you got me intoxicated with your drug / …The truth of it is I’m in love with you.” Her and Labrinth then collaborate in the pre-chorus and epic chorus, with superb vocal chemistry.  The melody is incredible. So is the picturesque production.  The result is a steamy song that is perfect for the bedroom.

Appears in 🔻: 

• Labrinth, “The Feels”: Midnight Heat 🕛 🔥 38 (2023)
• 13 Songs Where the FEEL is Real (2023)
• 13 More Songs That Exhibit That Midnight Heat 🔥 (2023)

31. JORDY, “Story of a Boy”

💿 Boy • 🏷 300 Entertainment • 🗓 2023

“This is the story of a boy / I’d adore him if I had a choice,” 🎙 JORDY asserts on 🎵 “Story of a Boy” (💿 Boy, 2023) covering the 2000s 🎙 Nine Days classic, 🎵 “Absolutely (Story of a Girl)”. According to MTV, the openly gay pop musician is the first person to be granted permission to cover the song!  With the blessing of Nine Days front man, 🎙 John Hampson,  JORDY transforms the “Absolutely (Story of a Girl)” to fit who he is (“He doesn’t know my name / But I could give much more”). “Story of a Boy” is another awesome addition to the ever expanding queer music catalog.  In his hands, the record is both reflective and longing. “Moved here from a small town / Fell in with the wrong crowd,” he sings in the first verse, adding, “I don’t blame him ‘cause most people suck / And leave you crushed.”  In the second, he frets about Hollywood and says of this guy, “And I watch him on the internet / Trying to be happy / He wouldn’t have to if he knew that he could have me.” JORDY keeps it queer, and who would have it any other way (“And he looks so good / Walking through that door / Oh, I wish I could / Be the ending that he’s looking for”)? It’s incredibly cool he took a 00s hit and reintroduced it to a new generation from a gay perspective.

Appears in 🔻: 

• JORDY, “Story of a Boy”: LGBTQ Bopz 🌈🎶 6 (2023)
• Story: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 16 (2023)
• 11 Intriguing Songs With A Story to Tell (2023)
• BOY, These Songs Are About You (2023)
• Best LGBTQ 🏳️‍🌈 Songs of 2023 (so far)