75 Phenomenal Songs from 2023: part 3 of 3 (51-75)
The 3rd collection gets contemplative, explores grief and love, travels the globe, celebrates the year's best cover tunes, and finishes with a few ambient instrumentals.
Welcome to part 3 of the 3-part Best-Songs-of-2023!
If you missed part 1 (punk, indie, shoegaze, metal, power-pop, ‘80s, ‘90s, and more) click the box below for the playlist and post.
If you missed part 2 (soul, funk, dance, hip-hop, world, jazz, blues), click the box below.
The Spotify playlist for songs 51-75 is below, as well as YouTube video options!
This mix might be my favorite of the three. Not that I play favorites. I am just trying to build excitement. All my song children deserve equal love and attention.
As always, I’d love to know what you think of any of these tunes. Leave a comment, send me a private note, share it with your friends, and if you aren’t already subscribed, click that Subscribe Now button. Thanks!
1. Ruen Brothers—Slow Draw
Hailing from the steel town of Scunthorpe, England, siblings Henry Stansall (lead singer/rhythm guitarist) and Rupert Stansall (singer/lead guitarist) have effortlessly blended the sound of their father’s record collection. From what I’ve read, it includes a whole lot of Johnny Cash, Van Morrison, and the Everly Brothers. That is as good a combo as I can come up with to describe the Ruen Brothers, whose 2nd album, Ten Paces, was a completely new find to me.
2. Wye Oak—Its Way with Me
Another duo to start off the playlist, in 2023, Wye Oak (Jenn Wasner/Andy Stack) released Every Day Like the Last, an excellent collection of unreleased tracks from the past six years. My favorite of the lot is the wistful and hypnotic “Its Way With Me.”
3. Mikko Joensuu—Friend in the Valley
If you don’t know Finnish singer-songwriter Mikko Joensuu yet, you will soon. He’s expected to release a new album in 2024, his first since his debut album(s), Amen (1, 2, 3) in 2017. I was fairly obsessed with those albums back then and had forgotten about him until his new single, “Friend in the Valley,” appeared in a playlist and stopped me in my tracks. This gorgeous ballad reminds me of Alexi Murdoch by way of Sufjan Stevens. If the rest of the album is anything like this, I can predict what one of my top albums of 2024 will likely be.
4. Sufjan Stevens—Shit Talk
It was a packed year for me, and I didn’t have time to truly immerse myself in Sufjan’s critically acclaimed album, Javelin. Thus it didn’t appear in my top 10. I’d heard a couple of songs, including the emotionally and sonically rich “Shit Talk,” and was blown away. The song captures the complexities surrounding a relationship on the brink with delicate grace and honesty, all framed in an 8 1/2-minute dynamic epic. It’s one of the best songs of the year. Or any year.
5. ANONHI—Sliver of Ice
Like the Sufjan album, I had only heard a song or two from ANONHI’s My Back Was a Bridge for You to Cross until recently. Seeing it appear on
and ‘s Best Albums of 2023 list inspired me to give it a real listen. “Sliver of Ice” was a standout track for me, its spare instrumentation the perfect backdrop for ANONHI’s powerful, dynamic voice. “I love you so much more” has never sounded so spine-tingingly true.6. Lana Del Ray—Let the Light In (Feat. Father John Misty)
Lana Del Ray is proving to be one of her generation’s best songwriters. This duet with Father John Misty feels lived in. Like it’s been around for decades. It’s got gorgeous melodies on top of heartbreaking melodies. All in one song. I do get some Beatles vibes (who get name-checked here), but it’s not retro at all.
7. Mitski—My Love Mine All Mine
I liked Mitski’s music well enough before 2023, but her previous albums never dug deep into my bones the way The Land is Inhospitable And So Are We (2023) does. “My Love Mine All Mine,” like the Lana Del Ray track above, is perfect, highlighting Mitski’s lush, rich voice, complete with tasteful backing vocals, slide guitar, drums, bass, and piano (probably other instruments too).
8. Maria BC—Still
The first time I heard Maria Bobbitt-Chertock’s gentle, haunting “Still,” I had to stop what I was doing and really listen. It’s a song that requires attentiveness. My heart aches every time I play it. The way her voice layers in at the 3-minute mark, adding in what sounds like crying or gasping, I can’t help but gasp along with her. I don’t need to pay attention to the lyrics to know how she feels, but the words are just as evocative.
9. Bonny Doon—Naturally
There is a town on the west coast just north of Santa Cruz, California, named Bonny Doon. I used to go for brunch there when I was a student at the university. Bonny Doon, the band, evokes the small town’s unhurried, picturesque, beachy vibe perfectly. Though they are from Detroit — which totally surprised me — creating a sound that is the polar opposite of the MC5 and The Stooges. “Naturally” is sweet, it is gentle, it is breezy in all the best ways.
10. Jaimee Harris—The Fair and Dark Haired Lad
I had never heard Jaimee Harris before discovering her on the American Songwriter website. I was immediately drawn to Jaimee’s country-gothic storytelling and confident vocals. “The Fair and Dark Haired Lad” feels like a Raymond Carver short story, finding a unique way of singing about alcoholism (I think that’s what it’s about) by personifying booze.
11. Margo Price—Lydia
Margo Price is expanding the boundaries of country music — close-minded industry be damned. She rocks out harder than ever before on her excellent 2023 album, Strays. “Lydia,” though, is a darkly intimate and timely tale of what women seeking an abortion in a good part of the U.S. face when reproductive rights are taken away.
12. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit—King of Oklahoma
Jason Isbell can capture the specific struggles of marriage, remaining sober, being a good father, and other aspects of everyday life better than just about anyone who ever wrote a song. While looking inward, he makes sure to aim his guitar (and pen) wider, tackling subjects such as the never-ending toll of gun violence and addiction. “King of Oklahoma” is an instant classic, capturing the ravages that drugs and lying have on a relationship at the breaking point.
13. Rufus Wainright—Harvest (w/Andrew Bird & Chris Stills)
Rufus Wainright released a wonderful covers album (Folkocracy) in 2023. This stripped-down take on the Neil Young classic features Andrew Bird and Chris Stills. Giving the tune a slow bluegrass vibe works perfectly.
14. Adam Lambert—Ordinary World
The most talented of all the American Idol contestants (my opinion, of course) takes a Duran Duran classic and makes it his own. Another cover where less arrangement is definitely more.
15. U.S. Girls/Bootsy Collins—Superstar
Bootsy Collins and Meg Remy flip the less-is-more script for their rendition of the Leon Russell-penned “Superstar.” The Carpenters’ version is the one we all know — and it will always be my favorite — but this silly cover always makes me smile.
16. Mickey Dolenz—Shiny Happy People
I admit that I never liked R.E.M.‘s original “Shiny Happy People.” It grated on me back when it came out and still does. Well, no more! Monkey Micky Dolenz gives “SHP” the magical Monkee ‘60s touch — leading to a newfound appreciation of a song I never thought I’d ever put on a “best of” list.
17. Tijuana Cartel—Nisaba
I had to scroll past several Google pages about the Mexican drug cartel before getting any info about the band Tijuana Cartel. I'm not convinced it’s the best name for an awesome band, but I’m sure it gets them some extra notice (especially when they tour Mexico).
It’s especially odd, as this electronic, world-music band is from Gold Coast, Australia. They apparently took the name from the Stephen Soderbergh film, Traffic.
It’s their unexpected blend of genre and geography that gives “Nisaba” its uniquely groovy, multi-cultural sound.
18. Altın Gün—Leylim Ley
Dutch-Turkish Eastern psychedelia combo Altin Gün were also a new discovery for me in 2023, but they’ve been around for at least 6 years with several albums under their belt.
I don’t know what they are singing about, but I love the grooves and the jamming. The way they mix in electronic instrumentation is what made this a standout album (and song).
19. Tinariwen—Arajghiyine (w/Daniel Lanois)
The legendary Tinariwen were back in a big way in 2023. Tinariwen’s critically acclaimed Saharan Tuareg music, known as "Tishoumaren," is percussive, rock-oriented desert blues, often addressing social and political issues in their home country (Mali) and across the globe.
Their latest album, Amatssou, produced by Daniel Lanois, is a great place to enter if you haven’t heard them before. If you are familiar with fellow Tuareg musician Bombino, you will love this band that influenced him.
20. Balimaya Project—A Prayer For Our Parents
This blend of jazz and West African music hits on all cylinders. The horns and woodwinds give “A Prayer for Our Parents” an unexpected lightness, while the percussion keeps it rooted to the earth.
21. Steven Wilson—Economies of Scale
A lot of modern progressive rock is the opposite of progressive, sounding like retreads of the greats from the 1970s — Yes, ELP, Genesis. Nothing against those bands, but when I listen to Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree, producer extraordinaire), I hear music voyaging in new directions, with just the right amount of honoring what’s come before. “Economies of Scale” has a wistful glitchiness, all contrasts and shadowy angles.
22. Vince Clarke—The Lamentations of Jeremiah
Vince Clarke (Depeche Mode/Yazoo/Erasure) is one of the most influential musicians from the ‘80s synth-pop era. His latest solo project, Songs of Silence, is mostly ambient, but the self-titled highlight track, “The Lamentations of Jeremiah,” features hypnotic, eerie violin amid the synth washes. If you like your ambient with a sense of foreboding and deep resonance, this is a must listen.
23. Hollie Kenniff—Amidst the Tall Grass
Hollie Kenniff’s (Mint Julep) instrumental compositions on her 2023 album, We All Have Places That We Miss, most featuring guitar, synths, and piano, evoke deep thought and contemplation. I listen to her music, and I feel like I’m either going to burst into tears or cry out, “Eureka!” Or both.
24. Andre 3000—Ninety-Three ‘Til Infinity and Beyonce
Andre 3000 (Outkast) leaves the world of hip-hop to explore his love of flutes and ambient music on his latest album New Blue Sun. The album as a whole didn’t always work for me, but the best tracks, like “Ninety-Three ‘Til Infinity and Beyonce,” accomplish what stand-out, spare instrumental songs do: suck you in, then pluck at your heartstrings.
25. Max Richter — Tranquility VI
I discovered Max Richter after watching season 1 of the HBO series The Leftovers. Richter has scored countless films and TV shows, in addition to recording many albums and collaborative projects. His latest release, SLEEP: Tranquility Base, is a sequel of sorts to his 2015 8-hour concept album around the neuroscience of sleep. No, I haven’t listened to all 8-hours.
I chose part 6 because of the haunting vocals. I can’t say it puts me to sleep — there’s something kind of eerie about it — but I do love Richter’s ambition, creativity, and ability to funnel into the emotional center of a song.
Well, that’s it! I hope you liked these mellower, more contemplative songs from 2023.
Did any songs here stand out to you? Did any hit your emotional buttons? Any of these also line up with your faves?
Let us know in the comments!
Okay, onward to the music of 2024!
Cheers,
Steve
Scrolling down, all I could keep saying was, "Sigh....'23, and yet another artist I've never heard of!" Then, Lambert and Dolenz! Woo-hoo! Brad-adjacent artists!! Adam: I'll challenge you on the "most talented A.I. artists," but will certainly vouch for his stunning instrument. But, for "talent," I gotta go with David Archuleta, who infuses (for my money....and heart) so much feeling, soul, and heart into his performances. I think I'm generally left kinda cold by Adam's certainly astounding instrument, and as Randy might've said, "I'm jes' not feelin' it, dawg!"
I'm wondering, too, if Adam's foray with Queen has informed his cover choices at all....not sure where he normally is, musically-speaking, but if he was ever Broadway musical and/or pop ballads, his Queen reign may have turned him more into a rocker. Just a thought....which, then, may explain his Duran choice...and, good call! With his instrument, it shines when not buried under other instruments and over-production!
Mickey.....thanks for turning me onto the fact he's still "working"! Only really an occasional-song fan of REM ("Losing My Religion" being one), I also love what Mickey did with "SHP"! I couldn't help but peek at who might've been on this cover (I actually suspected a Beach Boy or two, just due to the bouncy, happy feel), but alas, he's got his sister, Coco, singing on it, and Mike Nesmith's eldest son, Christian, who not only produced, but played virtually all the instruments! It's a fambly affair! I'll chime in with more once I get past Mickey! And, what an amazing home video he used! What a gift for us...thanks, Mickey! And, thanks, Steve!
Huge +1 for Altın Gün. I don't know what she's saying, either, but it's sure fun to listen to.
"This Ain't It" drew me to Weathervanes, but "King Of Oklahoma" kept me there. Just an incredible amount of "story" squished into a few verses.