100 Best Songs of 2023. #1 Posted, Playlist in first post (1 Viewer)

[Brony]

#2 - So Much (for) Stardust - Fall Out Boy
Opens with stringy strings, then straight into a rumbling piano, every second verse punctuated with horns. This is throwback mid-00s Fall Out Boy at their absolute peak and hear comes the chorus. WE THOUGHT WE HAD IT ALL THOUGHT WE HAD IT ALL THOUGHT WE HAD IT ALL THOUGHT WE HAD IT ALLLLLLLL. There's probably some nostalgia in here (I was in college when From Under the Cork Tree came out but I'm shocked how much I loved this years FOB album and while this song is the clear peak, there are three or four others on their that stand on par with anything in their catalog. They do the self-referential thing here where they call back to the other big single on this album. Again like a few others though, this is all about that great big chorus SO MUCH FOR STARDUST

So Much (For) Stardust

Fall Out Boy · So Much (For) Stardust · Song · 2023

open.spotify.com

but not their "We Didn't Start The Fire" cover? OK. Whatever.

 

[Northern Voice]

#1 - You're Gonna Go Far - Noah Kahan
My Spotify Wrapped top 5 songs were all Noah Kahan and there was zero doubt he'd be #1 on this list, just a question of which song from the deluxe version of Stick Season it would be. I'm still not entirely sure why I connect so much with this album but it's my favourite new album and Noah is my favourite new artist in years. There's so many different songs on here that move me and so many songs on here that make me sing along at the top of my lungs. Right now this is the one that hits me the most. It has an absolutely undeniable chorus, it tells a story of acceptance and hope and also to a degree despair.

So, pack up your car, put a hand on your heart, Say whatever you feel, be wherever you are. We ain't angry at you, love.

You’re Gonna Go Far

Noah Kahan · Stick Season (We'll All Be Here Forever) · Song · 2023

open.spotify.com

 

[Northern Voice]

Playlist link - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6V44cCe9FKcrDyGMpuGvdQ?si=8604b90e65344f81

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Songs I have heard of: 1
Artists I have heard of: 28

 

[opensourcebeer]

Congratulations, Northern Voice. You've destroyed my 2023 song draft list

 

[northern exposure]

#8 - Jake's Piano/Long Island - Zach Bryan
From his main release this year, the big song off this one was the duet with Kacey Musgraves but this is the song that really stuck with me. Again the first half is a slower piano ballad but then "Long Island", the second half, the guitar kicks in, and the story kicks into high gear. Bryan is great at telling these stories of desperation/hope/loss and his voice conveys the emotion in such a meaningful way. I know the backlash has already kicked in on his to an extent but I think a song like this really highlights his abilities and versatility as a really good song writer, regardless of the country/rock genre boundaries.

Jake's Piano - Long Island

Zach Bryan · Zach Bryan · Song · 2023

open.spotify.com

Speaking of Kacey Musgraves, she was part of one of my best songs of 2023.
"Don't Do Me Good" - Madi Diaz with K Musgraves.

Madi Diaz & Kacey Musgraves - "Don't Do Me Good"

"Don't Do Me Good" by @madidiazmusic & @KaceyMusgraves from the upcoming album 'Weird Faith', out on February 9, 2024Pre-order, stream & download: https://ma...

youtu.be

 

[Bogart]

#1 - You're Gonna Go Far - Noah Kahan

My biggest ACL Festival regret was seeing Alanis Morrissette at the AMEX stage, and just staying and keeping our good spot for Foo Fighters and not walking across the park to see Noah Kahan. At the time had limited exposure and just figured he was a "cool kids" act (dude moved a TON of merch), but since then, has been my most listened to artist. Will have to see live soon.

Thanks for doing this list @Northern Voice , it is beyond appreciated.

 

[Northern Voice]

#1 - You're Gonna Go Far - Noah Kahan

My biggest ACL Festival regret was seeing Alanis Morrissette at the AMEX stage, and just staying and keeping our good spot for Foo Fighters and not walking across the park to see Noah Kahan. At the time had limited exposure and just figured he was a "cool kids" act (dude moved a TON of merch), but since then, has been my most listened to artist. Will have to see live soon.

Thanks for doing this list @Northern Voice , it is beyond appreciated.

I saw him at Bonnaroo, loved it obviously, and spent way too much to see him when he's back here in Toronto this spring. I can't believe how big he's gotten but love to see it.

 

[Jaysus]

#68 - MUD - Slow Pulp
These guys are opening for the upcoming leg of the Postal Service/Death Cab tour and I have tickets in the spring - really looking forward to it. This whole album is good, has a nice 90s alt rock feel. The drums kind of take the lead on this slow burner.

MUD

Slow Pulp · Yard · Song · 2023

open.spotify.com

oh snap, I missed a Slow Pulp album this year?

#55 - Blood in the Milk - Fireworks
At times I get Tragically Hip vibes from this song so there was never a chance it wasn't going to be on this list. It's got that big chorus, bit of twang in the voice, lots of guitars. I don't know this band well at all but checked out the rest of the album and it's good, so I'll probably explore a bit further.

Blood in the Milk

Fireworks · Higher Lonely Power · Song · 2023

open.spotify.com

This album was a January release and was a contender for my AotY all year

#52 - 3 Summers - Jeff Rosenstock
7 minute Jeff Rosenstock punk song that brings along Laura Stevenson, PUP and Chris Farren on background vocals just for fun. I'll have you all know I showed some restraint and didn't include the random b-side PUP released this year on this list (spoiler alert).

3 SUMMERS

Jeff Rosenstock · HELLMODE · Song · 2023

open.spotify.com

Shockingly, this was not my AotY this year... P.S. it was #2

#29 - Modern Girl - Bleachers
1,2,3,4 - cue saxophone solo - yep, we're going full Springsteen here, gang vocals, big chorus, don't need to say much more.

Modern Girl

Bleachers · Modern Girl · Song · 2023

open.spotify.com

I love this album, but I slept on it, and it did not may my top-20 albums this year... but I love it every time I hear it.

#25 - Cosmic Leash - Chris Farren
Chris Farren is from the Jeff Rosenstock-sphere (together they form the excellent Antartigo Vespucci band) - this is a big fun rock song with an absolutely huge chorus. CHANGE YOUR HEART, WAIT YOUR TURN, I NEED MORE TIME WITH YOU. Whole album is great.

Cosmic Leash

Chris Farren · Doom Singer · Song · 2023

open.spotify.com

So..... I had a big internal debate about my #1 song of the year - this one wound up being #2 on my list.

#23 - I Saw - Young Fathers
I mean it as a great compliment when I say this band gives me big TV on the Radio vibes. It has the big stomp to it and it alternates between really straightforward almost speak singing and more relentless, unhinged high end shouting.

I Saw

Young Fathers · Heavy Heavy · Song · 2023

open.spotify.com

My favorite song from this great album

Alright, let's cruise to the finish.

#20 - Salad - Blondshell
Best revenge-murder fantasy song since Goodbye Earl. This one starts out with a feeling of mystery/spooky drums and evolves from there. Eventually the guitars kick in, the salad gets poisioned and the chorus soars. “Look what you did, you’ll make a killer of a Jewish girl". It stays dark and awesome through the end.

Salad

Blondshell · Blondshell · Song · 2023

open.spotify.com

I love Blondshell - they are 100% in my wheelhouse!!

#16 - Vampire Empire - Big Thief
Tense and jangly in the verses in a way that makes the declaration, "I am Falllllllling" even that more potent. There's all kinds of clanging and banging going on in the background until there isn't and it's just Adrianne Lenker at her frustrated, chaotic best.

Vampire Empire

Big Thief · Vampire Empire · Song · 2023

open.spotify.com

My #3 song of the year

#15 - Not Strong Enough - boygenius
We're in a little run here of songs that were near the top of a lot of critics lists here but these are undeniably great and we will be back in left field soon enough. The boygenius album/project is great but a lot of times it feels like a solo song from Phoebe Bridgers then a song from Lucy Dacus etc... this one is more cohesive and feels like a full band with big harmonies, multiple sections for everyone, I wish there were more like this. I wouldn't argue with anyone who thinks this is the best song of the year, it might only be this low because I wore myself out on it a bit.

Not Strong Enough

boygenius, Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus · the record · Song · 2023

open.spotify.com

This was my Album of the year, and I totally super love this song.... but $20 was my song of the year.

#3 - The Window - Ratboys
I'm not going to say too much about this song, I know some of you know my father in law passed away in a nursing home a couple months ago and I can't really listen to this song outside of that context. I think it's an absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking love song and it really touches me every time I listen to it. I love the 90s Goo Goo Dolls-ish production too. Sue, Sue, you'll always be my girl

The Window

Ratboys · The Window · Song · 2023

open.spotify.com

See my Blondshell comment - it applies here as well

#1 - You're Gonna Go Far - Noah Kahan
My Spotify Wrapped top 5 songs were all Noah Kahan and there was zero doubt he'd be #1 on this list, just a question of which song from the deluxe version of Stick Season it would be. I'm still not entirely sure why I connect so much with this album but it's my favourite new album and Noah is my favourite new artist in years. There's so many different songs on here that move me and so many songs on here that make me sing along at the top of my lungs. Right now this is the one that hits me the most. It has an absolutely undeniable chorus, it tells a story of acceptance and hope and also to a degree despair.

So, pack up your car, put a hand on your heart, Say whatever you feel, be wherever you are. We ain't angry at you, love.

You’re Gonna Go Far

Noah Kahan · Stick Season (We'll All Be Here Forever) · Song · 2023

open.spotify.com

I love your #1 song!

 

[kupcho1]

Playlist link - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6V44cCe9FKcrDyGMpuGvdQ?si=8604b90e65344f81

I've got to sharpen the pencil to get the numbers, but there is a lot of overlap in your top 100 and my 2023 playlist. A lot of direct hits (i.e., artist & song) and a few where you whiffed on the song (i.e., artist only).

 

[Dan Lambskin]

#19 - Nothing Matters - The Last Dinner Party
Feel like this was everywhere this year, one of the biggest indie songs of the year and for very good reason. I love how it starts off like it's going to be a Kate Bush song or something and I guess in a lot of ways its not too far off. Guitar solos, horn breaks, group choruses, I will **** you, nothing matters

Nothing Matters

The Last Dinner Party · Nothing Matters · Song · 2023

open.spotify.com

I’ve actually heard this one and like it quite a bit, was gonna post it if you didn’t

 

[Dan Lambskin]

Little disappointed this didn’t make it

One Margarita by That Chick Angel, CasaDi Music, & Steve Terrell | OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

Stream or download “One Margarita (Margarita Song)”: https://thatchickangel.ffm.to/margaritasong#OneMargarita #MargaritaSongFollow me:IG: https://www.instagr...

youtu.be

 

[Dan Lambskin]

I added a few of these to my Amazon Music (im not hip enough for Spotify). Might come back and revisit some of these

 

[kupcho1]

Playlist link - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6V44cCe9FKcrDyGMpuGvdQ?si=8604b90e65344f81

I've got to sharpen the pencil to get the numbers, but there is a lot of overlap in your top 100 and my 2023 playlist. A lot of direct hits (i.e., artist & song) and a few where you whiffed on the song (i.e., artist only).

OK, here we go...

My 2023 playlist is currently at 83 songs (although I'm sure it will grow care of NV's list, particularly as I seemed to miss releases by CHVRCHES, Speedy Ortiz, and others. I didn't bother to count artists I'd heard of as I'd heard of most all of them.)
Also, I only take 1 song per artist regardless of how many albums the artist releases (looking at you 2024 Ryan Adams)

There were 12 direct hits:

Artist	Song
Belle and Sebastian	I Don't Know What You See In Me
The Beths	Watching the Credits
Big Thief	Vampire Empire
Chris Farren	Cosmic Leash
100 gecs	Hollywood Baby
The National	Tropic Morning News
Bleachers	Modern Girl
The Mountain Goats	Clean Slate
Depeche Mode	Ghosts Again
The Hives	Bogus Operandi
Yard Act	Trench Coat Museum
Portugal. The Man	Dummy

We also had 10 artists in common:

Artist	NV had ...	but the better song really is :
The New Pornographers	Pontius Pilates Home Movies	Really Really Light
Alex Lahey	The Sky Is Melting	Good Time
The Hold Steady	Sixers	Sideways Skull
Young Fathers	I Saw	Holy Moly
Lana Del Rey	Did you know there's a tunnel under Ocean Blvd?	A&W
Geese	3D Country	Cowboy Nudes
Jeff Rosenstock	3 SUMMERS	THE FUTURE IS DUMB
Blur	Barbaric	The Narcissist
U.S. Girls	Futures Bet	Only Daedalus
White Reaper	Fog Machine	Pages

I'm looking forward to diving into the NV top 100. Nice work

 

[rockaction]

Didn't do any of them much good commercially

This was easily the most commercial and my favorite Title Fight song

Title Fight - "Be A Toy"

Title Fight's new 7" "SPRING SONGS" out now on Revelation Records - http://www.revelationrecords.com/releases/show/334 Filmed on Super 8 during their 2013 Eu...

youtu.be

 

[rockaction]

"Muriel's Big Day Off" was a really cool surf rocker. Reminds me of Shannon and the Clams and the B-52's a bit. I think the breakdown and reverb make it sound like the B-52's without the anarchistic wildness.

And then Burt Bacharach/Phish is in charge of the breakdown. So who does the crab to that?

Cool stuff.

That's certainly one song on the countdown that makes me want to hear more.

 

[Chaz McNulty]

#1 - You're Gonna Go Far - Noah Kahan
My Spotify Wrapped top 5 songs were all Noah Kahan and there was zero doubt he'd be #1 on this list, just a question of which song from the deluxe version of Stick Season it would be. I'm still not entirely sure why I connect so much with this album but it's my favourite new album and Noah is my favourite new artist in years. There's so many different songs on here that move me and so many songs on here that make me sing along at the top of my lungs. Right now this is the one that hits me the most. It has an absolutely undeniable chorus, it tells a story of acceptance and hope and also to a degree despair.

So, pack up your car, put a hand on your heart, Say whatever you feel, be wherever you are. We ain't angry at you, love.

You’re Gonna Go Far

Noah Kahan · Stick Season (We'll All Be Here Forever) · Song · 2023

open.spotify.com

This is my daughter's favorite and is undoubtedly one of the most connecting songs on the album. I currently enjoy 'Growing Sideways' the most, but my favorite song on his album changes week to week. Incredible singer/songwriter.

 

[Northern Voice]

#1 - You're Gonna Go Far - Noah Kahan
My Spotify Wrapped top 5 songs were all Noah Kahan and there was zero doubt he'd be #1 on this list, just a question of which song from the deluxe version of Stick Season it would be. I'm still not entirely sure why I connect so much with this album but it's my favourite new album and Noah is my favourite new artist in years. There's so many different songs on here that move me and so many songs on here that make me sing along at the top of my lungs. Right now this is the one that hits me the most. It has an absolutely undeniable chorus, it tells a story of acceptance and hope and also to a degree despair.

So, pack up your car, put a hand on your heart, Say whatever you feel, be wherever you are. We ain't angry at you, love.

You’re Gonna Go Far

Noah Kahan · Stick Season (We'll All Be Here Forever) · Song · 2023

open.spotify.com

This is my daughter's favorite and is undoubtedly one of the most connecting songs on the album. I currently enjoy 'Growing Sideways' the most, but my favorite song on his album changes week to week. Incredible singer/songwriter.

I didn't let myself choose any of the songs from the initial release of the album because it technically came out in 2022 even though it's very much THE album of 2023 in some ways, so I was choosing between the "deluxe version" tracks - and it was still a tough choice, with "Dial Drunk" and "I'll Call Your Mom" being strong contenders.

Plus add in the duet versions with Hozier, Post Malone, Gracie Abrams (the version of Everywhere Everything with her on it was so good) and there were lots of 2023 options.

 

[Chaz McNulty]

#1 - You're Gonna Go Far - Noah Kahan
My Spotify Wrapped top 5 songs were all Noah Kahan and there was zero doubt he'd be #1 on this list, just a question of which song from the deluxe version of Stick Season it would be. I'm still not entirely sure why I connect so much with this album but it's my favourite new album and Noah is my favourite new artist in years. There's so many different songs on here that move me and so many songs on here that make me sing along at the top of my lungs. Right now this is the one that hits me the most. It has an absolutely undeniable chorus, it tells a story of acceptance and hope and also to a degree despair.

So, pack up your car, put a hand on your heart, Say whatever you feel, be wherever you are. We ain't angry at you, love.

You’re Gonna Go Far

Noah Kahan · Stick Season (We'll All Be Here Forever) · Song · 2023

open.spotify.com

This is my daughter's favorite and is undoubtedly one of the most connecting songs on the album. I currently enjoy 'Growing Sideways' the most, but my favorite song on his album changes week to week. Incredible singer/songwriter.

I didn't let myself choose any of the songs from the initial release of the album because it technically came out in 2022 even though it's very much THE album of 2023 in some ways, so I was choosing between the "deluxe version" tracks - and it was still a tough choice, with "Dial Drunk" and "I'll Call Your Mom" being strong contenders.

Plus add in the duet versions with Hozier, Post Malone, Gracie Abrams (the version of Everywhere Everything with her on it was so good) and there were lots of 2023 options.

The guy has such a way with lyrics and can make the simplest lines resonate. I always hum "All lights turned off can be turned on.".

 

[Jaysus]

My Top 30 Albums of the year with zero commentary other than it is somewhat fluid after the top-10:

1. boygenuis - the record
2. Jeff Rosenstock - Hellmode
3. Dollar Signs - Legend Tripping
4. Spiritual Cramp - Spiritual Cramp
5. Chris Farren - Doom Singer
6. Young Fathers - Heavy Heavy
7. Fireworks - Higher Lonely Power
8. NOBRO - Set Your ***** Free
9. Blondshell - Blondshell
10. Ratboys - The Window
11. Bully - Lucky For You
12. ****ed Up - One Day
13. White Reaper - Asking for a Ride
14. Mhaol - Attachment Styles
15. AJJ - Disposable Everything
16. The Nude Party - Rides On
17. Caroline Rose - The Art of Forgetting
18. Scott McMicken and THE EVER-EXPANDING - Shabang
19. Killer Kin - S/T
20. The Dirty Nil - Free Rein to Passions
21. The Lottery Winners - Anxiety Replacement Therapy
22. Washer - Improved Means To Deteriorated Ends
23. Quasi - Breaking The Balls Of History
24. Devon Kay & The Solutions - Fine: A Ska EP
25. St. Paul & The Broken Bones - Angels In Science Fiction
26. FIDLAR - unplug
27. Be Your Own Pet - Mommy
28. Sincere Engineer - Cheap Grills
29. Pkew Pkew Pkew - Siiick Days
30. Clowns - Endless
31. Teenage Halloween - Til You Return

 

[Northern Voice]

I missed FIDLAR, The Dirty Nil and Pkew Pkew Pkew. Will rectify.

 

[Bogart]

#2 - So Much (for) Stardust - Fall Out Boy

Why is this song so good?? I have probably listened to it a half dozen times since you posted. FOB honestly hasn't been on my radar with the exception of an old hit showing up on a Pop Punk playlist or two. I need to go back and give the later stuff a listen.

 

[Jaysus]

I missed FIDLAR, The Dirty Nil and Pkew Pkew Pkew. Will rectify.

I LOVE Pkew x3... this album did not do it for me tho :(

There was also new Menzingers in 2023 that did not make my top 30 list - oof.

 

[El Floppo]

Spent the day listening to your playlist... Thank you NV!

 

[El Floppo]

Oops! Yeah... So, loved listening. Definitely not quite my tempo /whiplash.

A couple overlaps... Geese and Fever Ray, different songs, but otherwise nothing in my ever shrinking wheelhouse. Oh, right... I grabbed The tune Rock mentioned and the bby tune. I guess it makes sense why I didn't know any of these.

 

[Jaysus]

also, my #4 song of the year is an absolute earworm that deserves more attention so I just thought I'd share:

Burning House by The Lottery Winners


ETA: does this work?
<iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/track/10wAUVPsuVKnRQtFhubgm1?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe>

ETA2: nope. How did you do it @Northern Voice

 

[El Floppo]

I missed FIDLAR, The Dirty Nil and Pkew Pkew Pkew. Will rectify.

I LOVE Pkew x3... this album did not do it for me tho :(

There was also new Menzingers in 2023 that did not make my top 30 list - oof.

Is AJJ ...Jackson Jihad?

 

[Jaysus]

I missed FIDLAR, The Dirty Nil and Pkew Pkew Pkew. Will rectify.

I LOVE Pkew x3... this album did not do it for me tho :(

There was also new Menzingers in 2023 that did not make my top 30 list - oof.

Is AJJ ...Jackson Jihad?

It is indeed!

 

[El Floppo]

Are we doing a separate thread with our own countdowns/draft?

 

[El Floppo]

I missed FIDLAR, The Dirty Nil and Pkew Pkew Pkew. Will rectify.

I LOVE Pkew x3... this album did not do it for me tho :(

There was also new Menzingers in 2023 that did not make my top 30 list - oof.

Is AJJ ...Jackson Jihad?

It is indeed!

I've had that YouTube vid of AJJ and Jeff R doing rapid fire cover medlies practically on loop for a year... Freaking rawks.

 

[Jaysus]

Are we doing a separate thread with our own countdowns/draft?

I doubt it... I do have a top-20 songs list tho

 

[Juxtatarot]

Are we doing a separate thread with our own countdowns/draft?

@Eephus is firing up a draft soon. I’m saving mentioning a bunch of great songs until then!

 

[Eephus]

Are we doing a separate thread with our own countdowns/draft?

@Eephus is firing up a draft soon. I’m saving mentioning a bunch of great songs until then!

At this point in the week I might as well wait until after the long weekend.

 

[Ilov80s]

Hey @Northern Voice the list is golden, loving it. Thanks a ton.