mxdwn’s 40 best songs of 2023 was put together by multiple editors over many hours of contemplation and dedication to our readers and staff. This was not an easy task, but the songs that were chosen and the ranking that was created demonstrates this year’s vitality and musical brilliance across genres. 2023 had its ups and downs, and on this versatile list everyone is sure to find a song that can relate to those mountains and valleys. Music brings people together, creates joy and can be therapeutic, all things that represent 2023 and the happenings around the world. The top pick for song of the year, “New Gold” by Gorillaz featuring Tame Impala & Bootie Brown truly captures the mindset of society and our reality. So, before anything else, we hope you enjoy our top 40 songs and find connection, uniqueness and something new.
– Eve Pierpoint
40. The National – “The Alcott” ft. Taylor Swift
“The Alcott” with its classic vocals and piano combo is elevated by passionate interludes that leave listeners reminiscent of cold winter nights spent around the fire.
– Marjan Alagheband
39. Jon Batiste – “Life Lesson (ft. Lana Del Rey)”
In “Life Lesson,” Jon Batiste and Lana Del Rey create a lyrical dialogue decorated with harmonized melodies and vocal runs portraying a love story that was broken from the start.
– Devan Jackson
38. Wilco: “Cousin”
Warped, angular and woozy. With unique vocals and colorful textures that matches its album cover, Wilco’s “Cousin” springs through with shock youth and charming flavor.
– Cristian Garcia
37. Dying Wish – “Torn From Your Silhouette”
Dying Wish’s intense single “Torn from Your Silhouette,” surpasses expectations with intricately delivered vocals courtesy of frontwoman Emma Boster. It is a delightful medley of vivid harmonies and abrasive instrumentation.
– Skyy Rincon
36. The Hives – “Bogus Operandi”
Hard-hitting, anthemic and loud – “Bogus Operandi” is a lively track filled with horror and macabre themes that never slows down.
– Max Goertzen
35. PJ Harvey – “I Inside the Old I Dying”
“I Inside the Old I Dying” by PJ Harvey places 35th. It is a beautifully acoustic piece of music with irregular lyrics, soft percussion and strumming sounds that make the song feel whole.
– Jocelyn Paymer
34. Janelle Monae – “Float”
“Float” by Janelle Monae featuring Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 is the perfect hype song with its empowering lyrics, energetic beat and marching band instrumentals.
– Marjan Alagheband
33. Olivia Rodrigo – “Teenage Dream”
Oliva Rodrigo’s “Teenage Dream” has a melancholy feel with soulful vocals that depict the thoughts and fears of a girl coming into age, wishing to be seen without the baggage of her youth.
– Devan Jackson
32. Twin Temple – “Burn Your Bible”
Twin Temple’s vintage cut blends nostalgic production with themes of devil worshipping and blasphemy. The track is instantaneously catchy and vibrant.
– Max Goertzen
31. Atmosphere – “Wetter”
Atmosphere has been kicking it since 2003 with the rise and fall of the economy, Juicy Couture, and the social media space age; that’s meant to bring us together but we’ve never been more disconnected. With a 2023 EP release Talk Talk, Hip Hop duo, Slug and Ant, brought us the studio love child of Aphex Twin, Daft Punk, and Kanye West. Wetter takes its place on the pedestal of Talk Talk with its synth house beats and technologic rap.
– Chloe Williams Delgado
30. Luke Combs – Fast Car (Cover)
Calling it one of his favorite songs of all time, Luke Combs stayed true and honored the masterful Chapman by meshing his signature rasp and deep vocals with his acoustic guitar.
– Megan Outten
29. Killer Mike – “Scientists and Engineers” ft. Future, Andre 3000
Killer Mike, Future and Andre 3000 join forces on this chilling rap beat to discuss the fleeting nature of fame and success. While the trio share that they are determined to leave behind a legacy that outlives them, they are simultaneously supported by Eryn Allen Kane harmonizing “I’mma live forever” in the song’s chorus.
– Antara Holloway
28. boygenius – “Not Strong Enough”
The three sopranos deliver a genuinely warm track that conveys something intimate. With lyrics that juxtapose pessimism and optimism, this song is a demonstration of the emotions that make up the human condition. With The Record boygenius continues to push out quality songwriting and “Not Strong Enough” is no exception.
– Cristian Garcia
27. Royal Blood – “Shiner In The Dark”
“Shiner in the Dark,” from English rock duo, Royal Blood is a great addition to their impressive catalog. Sitting at three minutes, listeners are transported back in time with gritty guitar strings and pulsating rhythms leading the way. Within seconds, Royal Blood jumps headfirst first with a raw energy that makes listeners nostalgic for the 90s rock scene. Royal Blood lyrism exudes charisma and charm, adding a unique layer of magnetic quality.
– Nikita Costa
26. M83 – “Amnesia”
Taken straight out of an ‘80s movie sequence, “Amnesia” takes synths and lyricism to new heights. The third track from M83’s March album “Fantasy” is a tracklist stand-out, detailing heart-wrenching moments amidst synth-heavy instrumentals. The four-minute listen is the ideal melange of meaningful lyricism and noteworthy blends of classic electronic music.
– Angela Ramirez
25. Zach Bryan featuring Kacey Musgraves – I Remember Everything
Zach Bryan’s “I Remember Everything (featuring Kacey Musgraves)” from his self-titled fourth studio album blends Bryan’s raw vocals, rich like the aura of crackling vinyl with Musgraves silky Texas drawl. Bryan and Musgraves bend classic country tropes by embedding them with a stark poetic candor, and it “burns like hell.”
– Megan Outten
24. Kid Koala – “Rise Of The Tardigrades”
Know for his whimsy, Kid Koala created a song that takes you along on a trip in “Rise of The Tardigrades.” This standout song from his album “Creatures of the Late Afternoon” makes you feel ready for adventure.
– Jazlyn Morales
23. Baroness – ”Shine”
With more than six stunning minutes for listeners to enjoy, Baroness’ “Shine” opens with elegant, gossamer instrumentals, the music thought-provoking and pensive. Just when listeners think it’s safe to relax, the track quickly shifts to a relentless, fast-paced beat that’s equal parts infectious and captivating. The heavy guitars with throaty distortion demand attention, making “Shine” one of Baroness’ greatest songs to date.
– Kelly Catlin
22. Doja Cat – “Paint The Town Red”
On Doja Cat’s album Scarlet, the stand-out song that made our Song of The Year list is “Paint The Town Red.” The album in its entirety is a far cry from her previous discography which in the past Doja had called a “cash grab.” This song perfectly describes Doja’s new attitude towards her haters and the confidence she has in herself.
– Jazlyn Morales
21. Jessie Ware – “Free Yourself”
July ushered in this upbeat summer anthem encouraging listeners to liberate and unapologetically “free themselves.” Jessie Ware leans heavily into the space between pop and dance, accompanying this melody with sweeping high notes and foot-tapping synths.
– Antara Holloway
20. Wargasm – “Bang Ya Head” ft. Fred Durst
Impressive UK newcomers Wargasm (Milkie Way and Sam Matlock) returned with anther thrilling new track, “Bang Ya Head,” this year. This time out, they collaborated with none other than Limp Bizkit’s Fred Durst. The song is a cacophonous and frenetic ode to self destruction alternating between Way, Matlock and Durst’s vocals.
– Raymond Flotat
19. Foo Fighters: ”Show Me How”
“Show Me How” is an ethereal track from the Foo Fighters’ eleventh studio album, But Here We Are. Dave Grohl — who also drums for the entire album — sings in perfect harmony with his daughter, Violet. Equally emotive is the song’s video; it’s a series of seemingly tranquil images that invoke a wide range of emotions. After the tragic loss of the band’s drummer, Taylor Hawkins, this song embodies the profundity of that grief, healing through music. With his daughter’s help, Grohl has managed to capture the fragility of life, enmeshing sorrow with rebirth as evidenced in the power behind “Show Me How.”
– Kelly Catlin
18. Fever Ray – “What They Call Us”
Karin Dreijer pursues a skeletal yet colorful path on “What They Call Us.” The piece is free flowing and downtempo. The production feels modern, yet no single tool is too apparent in the mix. In fact, each element of this song is bashful- smooth in its delivery and complimentary toward its neighboring frequencies. Karin Dreijer, also known as Fever Ray, harnesses their energy on “What They Call Us” through a slow burn, an extended release of sound that hits harder upon reflection and prolonged listens. This track feels simple and easy to digest, but at the same time each component is calculated to a tee.
– Kiril Hadjipetkov
17. Romy “She’s On My Mind”
Once a part of the iconic indie-rock group, The xx, Romy has made her solo debut this year with the release of Mid Air. With the help of electronic producer juggernaut, Fred Again.., Mid Air gives Romy the room to maneuver through bright and euphoric dance tunes. “She’s On My Mind” is an upbeat and freeing queer anthem about not wanting to resist the feeling of love via pulsating grooves and colorful synths. This track represents a freedom Romy was not able to tap into during her time in The xx, and provides a space for her to fully embrace herself as an artist, inspiring others to do the same.
– Greg Poblete
16. Filter – “For the Beaten”
The lead single from their latest album The Algorithm, “For the Beaten” is just what Filter followers have been waiting for. Head-banging, dynamic and extraordinarily refined, vocalist and songwriter Richard Patrick declares his will to fight in this brutal world, stating, “Got my hands on a gun / World on fire / Down to the Wire / We have the right reasons / Fighting for the beaten.” With no shortage of slamming guitars, thundering drums and electronic breakdowns, the song duly launched Filter into their new era, showing just how much more depth they’re ready to explore.
– Riley Wilkerson
15. Caroline Polachek – “Smoke”
Dramatic and otherworldly, in “Smoke” Caroline Polachek addresses something so commonly seen in the world today, that thing being, unsurprisingly, smoke itself. “It’s just smoke floating over the volcano,” she sings, leaving the deeper meaning of those words up for indelible interpretation. Warpy synths and mellow drums wrap up this track as if it were a present, one that should be opened eagerly. It includes Polachek’s chanting, its sound originating from the tiniest corners of the galaxy. It wouldn’t be rare for one to feel the gentle stardust produced because of everything here. Come into this palace Polachek’s built up through this one, and there will be no regrets.
– Zachary Blair
14. Dethklok – “Aortic Desecration”
This song is a killer composition due to how the guitar playing shakes the backgrounds with vibrating and electric riffs that will cause listeners to headbang along while the music blares from their head phones. On “Aortic Desecration,” each guitarist shows off their incredible technique and musical talent through energizing and vibrant notes. Also the vocal performances are top notch by the singer’s authoritative voice serenades the ears with soul shaking vocal tones. This tune bleeds metal music thanks to Dethklok keeping things alive with earth shattering music that brings back the thrash metal musical vibe.
– Caitlin Stoddard
13. Aesop Rock – “Mindful Solutionism”
Be mindful of what you consume as when you come across Aesop Rock’s Mindful Solutionism and devour it, make sure to save some peace for the rest (get it). This song is nothing but culturally crafted in what makes music such a vast moment of life. Art that internationally takes its own form for thousands of years. Now, the people are presented with Aesop’s abstract digital creations, gifting his now number 2 hit song- Mindful Solutionism. Check out the entire album, Integrated Tech Solutions, to gain the full experience of the dedication Aesop Rock put in, and notice why we say Mindful Solutionism is at the head of the table.
– Chloe Williams Delgado
12. Echosmith – “Hindsight”
An unpromising-sounding phone-call begins Echosmith’s track “Hindsight,” which really is this ode to looking back on everything with whatever feelings one finds. There’s this incredibly upbeat and positive energy to the music, the overall instrumentation creating this ear-pleasing noise worthy of endless listens. “Everything looks better in the rearview / with a little hindsight, hindsight,” Sydney Sierota calmly sings to start off the beautifully serene track’s repeated-a-few-times chorus. While there’s certainly this celebratory feeling to all the vibes present, there’s just as certainly some magnificent melancholy to “Hindsight.” It’s all about wishing one had the ability to put moments in, well, hindsight as one lives through them, this seemingly impossible thing that’ll forever go incomplete. Still, Echosmith beats on, and their efforts are gorgeous.
– Zachary Blair
11. Chris Stapleton – “White Horse”
Cowboy love songs are nothing new, but when Chris Stapleton pours his guts out it’s tears in beers time. Sharing a title with a Swiftie song slows nothing down here, as this White Horse is riding high on the charts right now. The first single from Higher, his latest effort, wails and wishes for an outcome this cowboy can’t corral, his lover’s love never known and now, gone with the sunset. Not since Bon Jovi rode a steel horse has a cowboy rocked a heartbreaker with such grit and grind, the lone ranger alone again.
– Ric Leczel
10. Ghost – “Jesus He Knows Me”
Earlier this year, Ghost began teasing their fans with the phrase: “Jesus is coming.” At the time, many suspected that this was in reference to Papa Emeritus IV’s untimely demise but were ultimately pleased (and relieved) when the ominous messaging turned out to be foreshadowing their delightfully electrifying cover of Genesis’ “Jesus He Knows Me.” The original song is lyrically and thematically relevant to Ghost’s canon, discussing religious hypocrisy and the perceived harms of idolatry and televangelism. The band’s mastermind Tobias Forge commented on the lyricism specifically, arguing its relevance despite the dated phonebook reference. Forge even took the liberty of modernizing the lyrics when performing the song live during the ‘Re-Imperatour’ this summer. The cover is decidedly energetic, speeding up the original tempo, turning up the dials tenfold and unleashing a powerfully catchy, unholy earworm on fans and critics alike. The age-restricted accompanying music video is just as eye-catching, following a religious figure indulging in a night of debauchery. Suffice to say that 2022’s successful release of Impera was just the tip of the iceberg for what we can expect from Ghost moving forward.
– Skyy Rincon
9. Miley Cyrus – “Flowers”
As one of the most popular songs of the summer, “Flowers” has made its mark both by receiving critical acclaim and performing commercially. The first track off of Cyrus’s latest studio album, Endless Summer Vacation, peaked at No.1 for eight weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, and the music video was further proof of Cyrus’s status as an innovative performer and creative. “Flowers” draws listeners in with catchy hooks, timeless pop synths, and relatable lyrics about what seemed like a storybook love going rogue. This song goes beyond what one may initially expect of it upon the initial listen with the pinnacle themes about valuing and loving yourself set over disco and funk-influenced instrumentals. Rather than accepting the love that is described in “Flowers,” Cyrus instead channels the energy from that relationship back into herself and her career, ultimately creating a new era that not only highlights the maturation of her discography but also the originality and confidence that come with a renewed sense of self.
– Katelyn Wright
8. Scowl – “Opening Night”
It’s got a lot of edges, it’s outrageously entertaining and takes all that untapped stage energy into a single track. The guitar wails off and on before returning to a more central melody; it’s the same track a show takes from the opening curtain until the final note of the encore. Moss is this track’s central character, making the song 50 times better. Her pronunciation keeps in perfect rhythm with the drums and sneaky bassline. The ending breakdown is unexpected but helps the track become more nostalgic. This is truly Scowl’s best work yet; everything they’ve been building has come to fruition in a great way. With a lot of feeling and lyrics that take the energy of the sold out crowd, it’s a truly rocking time. If someone is missing the feeling of being in the middle of the crowd, completely getting lost in the music, then this song will absolutely hit the spot.
– Jacqueline Sumida
7. Gunship – “Monster In Paradise” ft. Milkie Way
British synthwave duo Gunship dropped a veritable monster of a track in their summer single “Monster in Paradise.” This bounding dance track succeeds in the way real classics of dance do, a framework of an irresistible tempo, a splash of atmosphere and super melodic synths articulating each passing segment. Gunship does this all with the driving energy one would expect from a fully orchestrated band, not a project trapped in the confines of a D.A.W. Here on this track, the group is joined by Wargasm’s Milkie Way and heavy metal drummer extraordinaire Dave Lombardo. Way emotes all around lead singer Alex Westaway’s vocals, darting back and forth like a friend bouncing back and forth from the shadows. The lyrics seem to imply a firm dedication to the joy of life with Way and Westaway singing, “It’s better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven / Surrounded now but no surrender / The odds against the betting man / Far beyond but I still believe.” And if that wasn’t enough, they even have the good sense to allow for a dueling guitar and saxophone solo before the final reprise of the chorus.
– Raymond Flotat
6. K. Flay – “Yes, I’m Serious”
“Really I feel like I’m feeling the feelings of my inner child who’s been pounding the ceiling” the Illinois musician K.Flay admits on the thirteenth track of her brand new album, Mono. “Yes, I’m Serious” is a deep-cut rap track where K. Flay gets real about mourning the death of her mother, losing and finding herself, and feelings of drowning in her success. The song is undoubtedly raw and vulnerable yet packs a powerful punch production wise with a hard-hitting, catchy beat that demands to be replayed while K.Flay commands the track with her forward-thinking rhymes and captivating lyricism.
– Antara Holloway
5. Empire State Bastard – “Tired, Naw?”
If you love a positive message wrapped in a sonic storm of metal-tastic misery, Tired, Naw? is your kumbaya cantata. Mike Vennart and Simon Neil created a Spinal Tappish-type project way back when way back in the bus, calling it Empire State Bastard. Shedding polite society song structure, this project blows the back of heads off with full force. Metal gods granted their wish upon a star and Dave Lombardo landed behind the kit, slaying the skins, and swelling the fan base. The last line screams the missive: “Rephrase it, restructure, the message stays the same / We’ll always keep building and find a better way.”
– Ric Leczel
4. Lana Del Rey “A&W”
The standout single from Lana Del Rey’s grand opus, Did you know there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd, is “A&W.” The longest track on the record standing at 7:14, “A&W” is split up into two halves, the first is a beautiful ballad with shimmering acoustic guitars, typical of most Lana songs as she sings a tragic narrative of an innocent childhood countered with the adulthood of a sex addict. The title might seem to allude to A&W, the root beer soda, but the chorus tells a different story, “this is the experience of bein’ an American whore.” The lyrics are heartbreaking, painting the image of the narrator not feeling human and only being seen for her body, “I’m a ghost now, look how you hold me.” After this deeply emotional passage, the track flips as the later half channels a very grimy and bouncy hip-hop beat layered with trap hi-hats and booming bass. Long-time collaborator and producer, Jack Antonoff’s hollow yet succinct production shines through heavily on this portion. It’s a smooth and sexy detour, contrasting the somber first half of “A&W” with Lana’s extremely catchy refrain of “Jimmy, Jimmy, cocoa puff, Jimmy, Jimmy, ride.” This dynamically filled song has something for everyone to enjoy.
– Greg Poblete
3. Genesis Owusu – “Stay Blessed”
Deriving from his sophomore album Struggler, Genesis Owusu’s ninth track “Stay Blessed” stands out, not only for the promising Australian rapper, but for the future of music. Pulling from a plethora of different genres, “Stay Blessed” starts off strongly, immediately pulling listeners into a darkwave sonic atmosphere reminiscent of the ’80s goth movement with dense, rhythmic synths and a shadowy, looming bass juxtaposed against Owusu’s sharp cadence as he states “Come and kiss me, I’m a bastard / I’m a Roach that a God is coming after / Just a vessel for a natural disaster,” showcasing just how phenomenal the ever-rising unity between hip-hop and alternative genres can be. The chorus flies in red-hot, “Stay blessed, stay blessed / You’re killin’ me dead, my flesh be charcoal / Stay blessed, stay blessed / I done been a damn pest, now let me sparkle,” a clear statement of the song’s ethos. However, it is after the chorus where the song explodes into twenty second clamors of fast guitars and soft, melodic layering of Owusu’s vocals reflective of the song’s overall message, of finding a sense of empowerment and possibility among the chaos and absurdity of it all. “Stay Blessed” serves as a passionate reminder to all that, “When you’re going through hell / You just keep goin.’”
– Riley Wilkerson
2. HEALTH – “DSM-V”
Industrial rock band HEALTH continues to shatter expectations. Rat Wars sits at the number one spot of mxdwn’s Album Of The Year list, as such it is only fitting that a track from the record should come out on top as well. The band made it particularly difficult to choose just one standout with singles “Unloved,” “Ashamed,” “Hateful,” “Children Of Sorrow,” “Sicko” and “Demigods” each being beyond worthy in their own right. Yet, out of the entire tracklist, one song came out as the definitive encapsulation of all the album has to offer. Second to last on the record, “DSM-V” comes full circle with reference to the opening track “Demigods” as Jake Duzsik reprises the lyrics “Shall we renounce / From where we’ve come / And who we were? Hear me now / You demigods / Either lift me up or let me burn.” Sonically, “DSM-V” wastes no time in leaning into electrifying instrumentation and energetic electronics, the pulsating beat and heavy guitars keeping adrenaline levels high while Duzsik’s breathy vocals create an artful aura of melancholy which drift atop the mix effortlessly. Overall, “DSM-V” offers listeners a glimpse of what they could expect to hear from Rat Wars: from the danceable to the abrasive, the vulnerability to the bleak and everything in between.
– Skyy Rincon
1. Gorillaz – “New Gold” ft. Tame Impala & Bootie Brown
Securing the top spot on mxdwn’s Song of The Year line-up is Gorillaz’s “New Gold” featuring Tame Impala and Bootie Brown, released as a single from Gorillaz’s 8th studio album, Cracker Island. This song builds upon the individuality of all three artists to create a song that is sure to have something that all music fans can appreciate, and the 100 million streams on Spotify certainly help back that claim up. Cementing this song’s popularity and place at the top of the list are the various genre influences, lyricism, and the intoxicating instrumental aura. Electronic, rap and alternative pop are pervasive throughout the song, and these sounds come together to create a psychedelic-like effect. While the instrumentation is powerful, the lyricism deserves just as much attention. It starts off with a slow tempo, before jumping into Brown’s verses. Parker and Brown continue to switch off throughout the track highlighting the key messages of the track. The overarching themes that the lyrics allude to feel as relevant as ever. With lyrics like, “Nothing here is ever real (new gold) / New gold, fool’s gold (new gold) / Everything will disappear, disappear” and “Trending on Twitter’s what some of us live for / Friendships givin’ out, fucking revolving door / All of this a joke? Pauly Shore.” Gorillaz, Tame Impala and Bootie Brown touch on everything from classic existential questions to social commentary. The lyricism helps push this song out of the confines by expressing nuanced observations on the superficiality of today’s world, the instant gratification of social media, and other social issues. Gorillaz are able to frame these all too real lyrics over a captivating melody that holds one’s attention while making the message all the more palatable to listeners.
– Katelyn Wright
Photo Credit: Marv Watson
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