2023 had a sustained period of challenges and setbacks that pushed me and my family to the brink many times. We were fortunate enough to welcome a healthy baby girl in June that shines over what was an extremely hard year. Throughout all of it I diligently updated my 10 SONGS playlist, finding ten new songs every week that captured my interest. The greatest songs of this year are as unusual as their genre styles and mode of production—from the world of the major labels to the larger and micro independent music industry. The major labels are hardly the artistic middle of the music industry—they are just one area of a creative model that is forging artistic progress at a rapid pace.
A major reason for this energy is the behind the scenes of the music industry in the world of production and deal making. Creative artists are starting to secure deals that the majors bankroll and get access to cash flow while not always securing intellectual property. The effects of this are idiosyncratic releases under the major umbrella without traditional deal structures. While nowhere near as pervasive as it should be, it’s just one way to glean some optimism that the power centers are shifting toward an independent ecosystem. The independent distribution system, they can—and must—continue to take chances on new, inexperienced artists with big ideas and on audacious projects by established artists (see UnitedMasters’ partnerships with Brent Faiyaz and Earthgang—disclosure, I work at UnitedMasters).
This year’s best songs are bold in the visions and executions by artists who are profoundly capturing the political, cultural and creative ideas of our time. They operate outside of, and sometimes in and around, the major label ecosystem but largely leave the bulk of the major label output looking naive and regressive. These are artists that aim at a radical transformation of the world of music and they are actually achieving it.
Stream from the embed while you read or you can listen to the playlist on TIDAL or Spotify.
1. SZA — “Snooze”
SZA’s sophomore album, “SOS”, was released late enough into December 2022 that its album tracks only started to surface into popular culture throughout 2023. It’s a credit to SZA that a 2022 album became the summer soundtrack in 2023. It was impossible to go anywhere in my Brooklyn neighborhood without hearing a song from “SOS” blasting from a car, a bike rider, somebody walking or an apartment window. While most of the songs from “SOS” made their way into the charts and public consciousness, Snooze was always the standout song on the album. Written by SZA and produced by Babyface, The Rascals, and BLK, Snooze saw SZA arriving in a vulnerable state, characterized by her trademark biting (and very funny) lines that are born in insecurity, before leaving with a recognition of meaningful connection. Like most of the songs on “SOS”, SZA has a lot to say, and the hook in Snooze and SZA’s playful sense of melody made it the best song of 2023.
2. Tems — “Me & U”
One of the great voices in modern music, Tems closed out 2023 with a quick release of her first solo singles in two years. Built over a punching GuiltyBeatz beat, Me & U had Tems in quiet confession, painting an intimate image of her understanding and relationship with her god and the personal demands needed to make that relationship whole. The song is filled with stunning admissions of personal power and need (“I need faith, faith to believe you, faith to receive you” is one example), and Tems lays out the entire world before emphasizing the deeply personal nature of her faith. I listened to the song thinking about other experiences in my life—ending an old relationship, starting a new relationship with my now fiance, welcoming the birth of our baby girl this year—and the idea that you need to be ready to receive your blessings (“Are you ready for blessings?” Chance the Rapper once asked on his own song, Blessings). There wasn’t another song this year that I identified with and felt more deeply than Me & U.
3. Sampha — “Dancing Circles”
Sampha came back with his follow up album, “Lahai”, six years after his debut album and it’s clear in that time much has happened in Sampha’s world that’s kept him in deep thought. Starting with a Reich-esque minimal piano movement, Sampha delivers stabbing, stochastic vocal lines to tell the story of ex-lovers meeting again in London, the broken conversation, the memories and ideas evoked. He crafts lines that expertly recreate the feeling of those emotions. When the beat arrives we’re never sure if the narrator wants the relationship to work again or is simply resigned that they’ll always love each other to the point of drifting apart. It’s an endlessly smart piece of pop writing.
4. Slowdive — “the slab”
Slowdive also took six years to release their follow up to 2017’s instant-classic “Slowdive”, and while the work as a whole is not as strong, there are still moments throughout that stand as the best of their catalog. the slab centers around a drum machine-esque groove, ratcheting up the tension through its layering of synth, guitars and near unintelligible vocal layers. It’s a work that appears to always be running breathlessly toward the future and features one of my favorite musical moments of the year—the syncopated symbol hit that gets introduced around 3.20 in—expanding the musical idea with a single note and rushing the entire song to the finish.
5. Princess Nokia — “the fool”
That Princess Nokia can knock out an idea this well in such a small amount of time is a testament to her abilities as a songwriter and how crucial she’s been to shaping the modern music landscape for singer-songwriters. The ideas behind the song are huge—the “save your place” line calls back to Frank Ocean’s devastating “I’ll sleep between ya’ll”—and the ending probably has one of the great uses of an answering machine message. I’ve never left a message like this. There’s been plenty of times I’ve wanted to and thought about the things I would say. If I ever did, it would probably sound like this.
6. Kalie Vendever — “Recollections from the Shore”
An incredible composition with the most perfect name of the music, the reverb-drenched trombone calls itself into your mind at its opening notes and slowly moves ever deeper. From the moment I first heard it, with every listen, I had no option but to stop and sit in silence and reflect.
7. Peter Gabriel — “So Much (Dark-Side Mix)”
Peter Gabriel returned with one of the great albums of 2023, a double album of the same songs but mixed differently. The “Dark-Side” features the songs at their most reduced and quiet which benefits songs like So Much. An honest and deeply moving interrogation of Gabriel’s mortality featuring crushing lines like, “The body stiffens, tires and aches, In its wrinkled, blotchy skin, With each decade, more camouflage, For the wild eyed child within”, So Much creates a quiet, intimate space even when you’re listening in the most crowded areas. It’s a profound admission of horror and happiness.
8. Josiah and the Bonnevilles — “Tennessee Song”
There was another song released this year that romanticized the Appalachia-life which received an undue amount of attention. Filled with dumb platitudes, it never worked as an evocative work. Tennessee Song by Josiah and the Bonnevilles was the real great song of 2023 that conveyed a consistent, singular and romantic vision for Appalachia. An instant classic.
9. St. Paul & the Broken Bones — “Magnolia Trees”
A soaring falsetto that arises above a creative neo-soul composition. The instrumentation is familiar, as are the chords, but the progression between each movement adds a sense of playfulness and creativity that makes this far more interesting than it has any right to be.
10. Sanam — “Bell بل”
Beirut-natives Sanam use a Philip Selway-like drum groove to begin building the world of this energizing piece. It’s the sound of deeper ideas infused with a strong sense of composition and instrumentation. Much like Slowdive’s the slab, it propels itself along with great intensity, each new instrument added cranking the tension up higher.
11. Jaimie Branch — “take over the world”
Starts like a cannon with the endlessly powerful “we’re going to take over the world” refrain, it’s devastating to think this was recorded not long before Brooklyn-based composer Jaimie Branch would die from an accidental drug overdose in the summer of 2022. Composing at the intersection of jazz and punk, Branch was a songwriter with a singular vision for how music could be transformed and she’s rarely been better than her recording here.
12. Shiv — “Late Now”
Starting out working with a retro r&b sound, Shiv’s Late Now is a stunning work of alternative groove that fits more into The Chemical Brothers catalog than anything else. It’s the work of a songwriter becoming more comfortable within their own vision and musical ideas and getting infinitely better at effectively conveying those ideas. I’m impatient to hear more.
13. Ishmael Ensemble, Rider Shafique — “New Era”
Built around a taut, near static composition, New Era gets elevated by Rider Shafique’s unique voice and lyrical ideas. Everytime he chants the words, “new age”, the musical ideas get expanded on. By the end of the song the world hardly looks the same.
14. Dave Okumu, The 7 Generations — “Scenes”
A work of great jazz and funk, Okumu lays out a vision of self-determination with stunning clarity.
15. Pale Jay — “In Your Corner”
A great song that features no less than five memorable vocal hooks, a funky bass-walk and a production sound that modernizes the early Detroit sound.
16. Joel Culpepper, Tom Misch — “Free”
London-based Culpepper had one of the funkiest grooves of 2023 with Free and his husky-Prince falsetto elevates the “You can be free if you want to” refrain into a work of magic.
17. Mac Miller — “The Star Room (OG Version)”
The original demo of The Star Room from Mac Miller’s 2013 “Watching Movies with the Sound Off” was re-released this year and the early workings end up being an improvement on the final version. The demo captures Miller’s original approach to mixing musical ideas, wonderfully samples Benjamin Britten’s Friday Afternoons (Cuckoo)—a devastating song about our deeper instincts and life’s impermanence—and you can’t help but think about Miller’s own tragically short time on earth.
18. Sampha — “Spirit 2.0”
Sampha was already a contender with one of the best songs of 2023 when he released Spirit 2.0. It’s a snapping electronic beat that winds into a story of deep human connection—a theme that runs through the entire album.
19. Supershy, Roberta Flack — “Feel Like Makin’ Love”
Great remix of a great song (and I think it borrows some of the chord hooks from Sister Sledge’s Thinking of You that features next in this list).
20. Lord Echo — “Thinking of Dub”
Another great remix of a great Sister Sledge song that pairs wonderfully with the previous song.
21. Wande Coal, Olamide — “Kpe Paso”
One of the smoothest and funkiest songs of the year. My kids loved dancing to this one.
22. Tyla, Ayra Starr — “Girl Next Door”
Ayra Starr is one of the best new artists on the planet with one of the best albums of recent years (2021’s “19 & Dangerous”). She continues that trend featuring in this great earworm of an afrobeat with Tyla with a melody that burrows into your brain.
23. Tinashe — “Talk To Me Nice”
Tinashe is a consistently excellent artist—her writing is incisive and her choice of producers are always complimentary to her musical visions. Extra credit for continuing to operate as an independent vision, a business choice that lies crucially at the heart of her musical genius.
24. Daniel Villareal, Jeff Parker, Anna Butterss — “Salute”
A confident work of jazz and percussive rhythms. Jeff Parker’s guitar work adds texture to the composition while keeping the entire thing grounded. It’s an expansive work nodding regularly to their influences and their own mastery.
25. The Chemical Brothers — “The Weight”
I sent this to a friend on the morning of its release and they replied, “that’s a hell of a way to wake up!” This has all the hallmarks of a Chemical Brother’s classic.
26. Muva of Earth, Edward Wakili-Hick — “your intuition is your friend”
An expansive composition that grows richer with each listen and a precise lyrical mode of discovery and self-determinism. This is one of the great finds of 2023.
27. Menagerie — “The Shores of Infinity”
I’m not sure what it is about this song but it became my three-year-old son’s favorite song to play on repeat (behind Kendrick Lamar’s Sing About Me, which is his sleep song). Maybe it’s the precise drum measures or the Sun Ra-esque mysticism that explodes throughout. He loves it. I love it.
28. Lonnie Holley — “Better Get That Crop Soon”
One of the most interesting releases this year, Holley’s been churning out great jazz-blues records for the last 10 years after thirty years of visual art innovation. He’s in fine form here, funny, and keeping a deep south groove close to your face.
29. TOBi, Mavi — “Flowers”
There’s something a little Neptunes about the production on this one, including a great sample hook and falsetto.
30. $uicideboy$ — “A Little Trauma Can Be Illuminating, And I’m Shining Like The Sun”
I knew nothing about the artist/s when I first heard this and I know nothing now. It’s an honest, if not angst-riddled song capturing the energy and emotional inertia of an entire generation.
31. Cisco Swank — “Still Trying”
Built around a repeating progression until it decays, it’s a song that inspires quiet introspection.
32. Peter Gabriel — “Love Can Heal (Dark-Side Mix)”
Another one of the Dark-Side mixes from Peter Gabriel, Love Can Heal quietly fades into the soundscape like the breeze moving through a curtain. The song reaches such a hypnotic power that by the time it fades to silence it puts you into a state that you’re not yet ready to leave. And so you listen to it again.
33. Bob Dylan— “Queen Jane Approximately”
Dylan continues his late-period work of re-imagining and re-recording classic American songs and now turns his eye toward his own work. He strips down Queen Jane Approximately into a quiet confession and features one of my favorite aspects of his production work—his nose breathing between verses being picked up by the mic and not caring enough to edit it out.
34. Moreton — “Down & Out”
Hauntingly and beautiful in its starkness. A reflection on the struggles of life with keen insight as to where hope appears from.
35. Nabihah Iqbal — “This Would Couldn’t See Us”
A synth dream built around Iqbal’s floating voice creating an atmosphere of resignation and longing. A mesmerizing trip through sound and emotion.
36. L.a.X, Quesswho — “Easy On Me”
A smart blend of danceable beats and thoughtful lyricism with one of the great hooks of the year.
37. CHIKA — “PRODIGY”
Running over a Reznor-esque glitch-step beat, CHIKA is on fire here. A standout anthem that keeps the energy high from start to finish.
38. Russ — “NASTY”
Russ conjures the playfulness and swagger of Vince Staples while pulling deep into his own lyrical inspiration. The wordplay and delivery is all class.
39. Aby Coulibaly — “Patience”
Where did this come from? The pre-chorus arrives almost out of nowhere. It’s unexpected when it hits but after you hear it you can stop thinking about it.
40. Jeremiah Chiu — “Seawater Swell”
An ambitious, ambient masterpiece. Weaves together intricate soundscapes that evoke the ebb and flow of the ocean.
41. No-No Boy — “Jakarta”
A fusion of cultural sounds, ideas and modern influences—the musical ideas matched by its dedication to phonographic preservation.
42. The National, Bon Iver — “Weird Goodbyes”
Both artists have a “mode” and they’re operating right in the middle of it. The chords and melodies and vocal ideas are familiar but it just works. Also, weirdly, this is a song where you can perfectly replace the lyrics with Bruce Springsteen’s Devil’s Arcade.
43. Will Butler + Sister Squares — “Willows”
I’m still confused about which Butler is no longer in Arcade Fire. Some of the musical ideas are very similar here but there seems to be an urgency Arcade Fire hasn’t had in some time.
44. Gossip — “Crazy Again”
Pop perfection.
45. Tkay Maidza, Flume — “Silent Assassin”
Tkay’s maturing and has been on a tear and levels up here with this Flume-produced track. It sounds like an artist becoming more confident in her musical ideas and visions. Deserves to be a bigger name.
46. Baba Sissoko, Didje Doo — “Believe It (Banyereyé)”
The song’s rich, rhythmic patterns and Sissoko’s vocals create a vibrant tapestry of sound, an exacting fusion of history and musical innovation.
47. Ezra Collective — “Lady”
Whipsmart blend of jazz with dance sensibilities.
48. London Brew, Benji B, Raven Bush — “Miles Chases New Voodoo In The Church”
It’s an ambitious piece that demands listening attention. Difficult to describe. Difficult to stop thinking about.
49. Naomi Sharon — “Another Life”
Consistently one of the best releases of the year, resonates deeply with anybody who finds themselves thinking of alternate timelines and second lives.
50. Adrian Younge, Ali Shaheed Muhammad — “Open Eye”
I love the drum sound on this album—the snare in particular. A work of production and mixing art.
51. DBN Gogo, Reece Madlisa, 2woshort — “Rough Dance”
A favorite to dance to in my household.
52. New Age Doom, Tuvaband — “Intraterrestrial”
Keeps attacking the same musical idea until the layers can do nothing but ferociously compete for the soundwaves. What musical innovation should sound like.
53. DARGZ — “Freedom of Choosin”
The production ideas may be vintage but the musical ideas and energy aren’t.
54. Gotts Street Park, ENNY — “Mountains”
ENNY’s vocals are killer as they glide over a backdrop of mellow beats and subtle instrumentation.
55. Josh Arcoleo, Nym — “Smoke Jacket”
A song that is simple in its execution but deep in its sophistication that rewards repeat listens.
56. ENNY — “No More Naija Men”
ENNY has rarely been funnier or bold in her creative powers.
57. Nappy Nina — “Cope”
A hypnotic work that finishes long before it should.
58. Sessa — “Vento a Favor”
A beautiful piece that recreates a very specific place—somewhere sun-kissed and serene.
59. Ivan Blomqvist — “Jonas”
This is probably the music that magically starts playing when Christopher Nolan starts thinking about something.
60. Eddie Chacon — “Sundown”
An incredibly smooth, soulful journey through life’s quieter moments. Chacon’s voice, rich and emotive, captures the essence of introspection and reminiscence.
61. Speakers Corner Quartet, Kawake Bass, Sampha — “Can We Do This?”
A brilliant fusion of the Speakers Corner Quartet’s dynamic instrumentation, Kawake Bass’s rhythmic mastery, and Sampha’s soul-stirring vocals. The track is an intriguing exploration of genres, blending jazz, soul, and experimental sounds. Sampha’s haunting voice expands the musical idea.
62. Dinner Party, Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper — “Insane”
A luxurious sonic tapestry that converges of jazz and R&B, each note and beat hits with precision and soul. It’s a perfect blend of modern jazz aesthetics with classic soul vibes.
63. Lloyd Banks, Method Man — “101 Razors”
Over a relentless beat, Banks and Meth testify to their enduring talent and relevance to the musical world.
64. Navy Blue — “Chosen”
A minimalist, lo-fi beat drives a contemplative atmosphere for introspective lyrical ideas around destiny and self-discovery.
65. Peter Gabriel — “This Is Home (Dark-Side Mix)”
It’s like walking through a house and each room echoes with whispers of the past and present.
66. Meshell Ndegeocello, Thandiswa — “Vuma”
The track is a celebration of heritage and strength, with Thandiswa’s vocals soaring over Ndegeocello’s intricate bass lines. An homage to African musical traditions and a contemporary reimagining of them.
67. Rema, 6LACK — “Hold Me”
Showcases Rema’s smooth, melodic flow alongside 6LACK’s tasty vocal choices. The beat is infectious, weaving a story of connection and desire.
68. Joy Oladokun — “Changes”
Oladokun has an incredibly rich voice, rich and emotive, capturing the complexities of change with stark clarity.
69. Nia Chennai — “Homage to my Hip Dips”
Chennai’s lyrics and vocal choices are playful and confident, crafting an anthem for self-love and acceptance
70. Chenayder — “Off the Wall”
A vibrant and energetic track that effortlessly blends electronica withChenayder’s pop sensibilities.
71. BEAM — “FU”
The production is rooted in 1995 era hip hop and the dynamic flow creates an overpowering, energetic vibe.
72. Boygenius, Ye Vagabonds — “The Parting Glass”
A haunting rendition of a traditional folk classic with a delicate arrangement. A moving farewell to what was and a hopeful gaze towards what’s to come, rendered with grace and keen insight.
73. Avishai Cohen, Abraham Rodriguez Jr — “The Healer”
A meditative journey, offering a musical balm that speaks to the restorative power of music.
74. Sexmob — “Fletcher Henderson”
A spirited journey through jazz history. The track is a lively homage, full of energy and playfulness. It captures the essence of Henderson’s groundbreaking work, infusing it with a modern twist that makes the piece both respectful of its roots and excitingly fresh.
75. Adrian Younge, Ali Shaheed Muhammad — “Ebun”
Marked by intricate instrumentation and a laid-back groove this is a masterwork of classic and contemporary jazz music making.
76. Dragon Welding — “We Answer Information Gathered”
Like KMFDM at their hardest with Kraftwerk on vocals, this is an insane soundscape blending ambient, electronic, and industrial.
77. Killer Mike, André 3000, Future, Eryn Allen Kane — “SCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS”
A huge amount of talent on one track blending multiple flow styles. A powerhouse of creativity and innovation.
78. Tay Iwar, Juls — “Summer Breeze”
An Afrobeat track floats with the essence of summer, Iwar’s vocals croon and soothe. Transports you to a place of peace and leisure.
79. Gotts Street Park, Pip Millett — “Got To Be Good”
Great neo-soul vibe with Millett’s unique vocal delivery creates a modern classic sound. Love the way the snare punches through.
80. Terrace Martin, Keyon Harrold — “3am Traffic”
This is a nocturnal jazz odyssey capturing the quiet intensity of late-night city life with its moody saxophone and Harrold’s soaring trumpet. A piece that weaves through the solitude and introspection of the early hours, enveloping the listener in a blanket of smooth, reflective sound.
81. Ceramic Dog, Marc Ribot — “Subsidiary”
Ceramic Dog and Marc Ribot unleash a sonic assault that blurs the lines between punk, jazz, and experimental rock. Ribot’s guitar work is ferocious and unbound, driving the track forward with relentless energy.
82. Nubya Garcia — “Lean In”
Lean In is not just music—it’s a journey through the depths of modern jazz, led by one of its brightest stars.
83. Terrace Martin, Curly, Kamasi Washington — “The Voice of King Nipsey”
A beautiful convergence of jazz and hip-hop, interwoven with spoken word elements that celebrate the legacy of Nipsey Hussle. It’s a poignant and respectful homage to one of the greats of modern music that resonates with emotion and power.
84. Travis Scott, Kid Cudi — “LOOOVE”
Showcasing their signature styles—Scott’s auto-tuned, Afrofuture vocals and Cudi’s snappy lyricism— blending together in a surreal dreamscape of sound. Merges their distinctive music genius into a hypnotic and otherworldly experience.
85. Damon Locks, Rob Mazurek — “The Concord Hour”
An avant-garde exploration of sound that defies categorization blurring electronic experimentation with jazz influences. It’s a sonic journey through abstract realms. Never boring.
86. Nosaj Thing, Jacques Greene — “Too Close”
I first listened to this at 3am with many things on my mind and trying to write it all down. Now I always listen to it when I have things on my mind to write down.
87. Alabaster Deplume, Tom Skinner — “Greek Honey Slick”
Sits in a tight pocket that it never gets out of. Great low end treatment in the mix.
88. Yussef Dayes, Shabaka Hutchings — “Raisins Under The Sun”
Yussef Dayes became one of the great shining stars for jazz in 2023. A rhythmic powerhouse, his effortlessly creative and sprawling drum ideas reinforce the raw power of Hutchings’ sax work.
89. Adrian Younge, Ali Shaheed Muhammad — “Come As You Are”
They made one of the albums of the year, combining R&B, jazz, funk and electronica.
90. Lord of the Isles, Ellen Renton — “Let the Colours Flood In”
Great use of synth waves and poetic narratives to create a serene and meditative experience.
91. Resavoir — “Sunset”
A quiet piece that unwinds, capturing its namesake.
92. Doctor Bionic — “Wire Fraud”
Like taking a walk in the future.
93. Mall Girl — “Super Lazy Girl”
A smartly-constructed pop masterpiece that eschews pop conventions whenever it can.
94. Yumi Zouma — “be okay”
This is a great marriage of My Bloody Valentine and The Cocteau Twins—fuzz and over-powering melodies.
95. Erick the Architect, Joey Bada$$, Farr — “Shook Up”
Joey sounds energized here while Erick continues his 2023 run as one of the most exciting and thoughtful producers working at the moment.
96. Smoke DZA, Flying Lotus, Black Thought & Benny the Butcher — “Drug Trade Pt 2”
Smoke DZA floats over the Flying Lotus production. A sick track to close out the year.
97. Les Amazones d’Afrique — “Kumo Fo (What They Say)”
A long overdue return, Kumo Fo sees each member sing in their native tongue while combining hip-hop groove with the glitch of Nine Inch Nails.
98. Karriem Riggins, Madlib, Jahari Massamba Unit — “Stomping Gamay”
Released late in the year and it’s nothing but a groovy jazz-stomp from a group of masterful artists working at the peak of their powers.
99. High Pulp — “Bad Infinity”
High energy jazz-funk fusion. An unpredictable rhythm and bold arrangement ideas create an energetic sound.
100. African Head Charge, King Ayisoba — “A Bad Attitude”
A supercharged blend of dub rhythm and percussive beats that conjures a rich musical innovation.