Kylie Minogue packed dance floors again with a viral smash hit. A surprising Shakira track drove the internet crazy. Sexyy Redd dominated every summer DJ set. And NewJeans rode a drum-and-bass beat into pop heaven. It’s been a massive year for Mexican music and Afropop, for loud guitar bands, experimental hip-hop and bold country stories. And Taylor Swift? She had a pretty good year too.
The 100 top songs of 2023 – listen here as a playlist on Spotify
100 Foo Fighters, “Under You”
But Here We Are, the Foo Fighters’ eleventh album, explores pain in unflinching detail – it was recorded after the sudden death of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins in March 2022, and Dave Grohl’s mother shortly thereafter died. “Under You” has the sunny power-pop-like feel of previous Foo Fighters tracks like “Learn to Fly,” but its lyrics show Grohl almost smothered by the pain of losing someone. “One day I’ll break away from you,” he declares, aware that despite the catchy melodies he creates, the pain still hangs over him.
99 Jung Kook feat. Latto, “Seven”
BTS member Jung Kook’s soulful vocals are supported by a steady garage beat in this swirling creation that’s all about celebrating every day of the week. He emphasizes his lust with some well-placed falsetto runs, while his partner, “Big Energy” MC Latto, delivers a winking verse that manages to turn the dancefloor-filling DJ classic “Cha Cha Slide” into a teasing seduction .
98 Hemlocke Springs, “Enknee1”
Don’t let Hemlocke Springs’ popular TikTok bridge “girlfriend” fool you—this new indie artist isn’t a one-hit wonder. “Enknee1” is both a hyper-popular sensation and a searing analysis of growing up—and who better to reflect on this topic than a Dartmouth Ph.D. hopeful turned viral star? “But I learned that people are not mysteries (No),” she sings, before sliding into the expansive synth chorus that represents her awkward, authentic charm. “But they confuse me by wanting to be things they don’t want to be.” She turns that confusion into something relentlessly attractive. More of that, please.
97 Geese, “Mysterious Love”
These Brooklyn kids are just reaching the age where they can order an IPA at the bars where they play, but they clearly spent much of their youth with their noses in their parents’ (okay, grandparents’) record collections ) spent. They really know how to shake up the oldies. “Mysterious Love” sounds like post-punk guerrillas laying siege to a classic rock radio station by amassing prog power, avant-garde chaos, boogie wonders and psychedelic moments. It’s proof that her hype-magnet 2021 debut “Projector” was no fluke.
96 Addison Rae feat. Charli XCX, “2 The 4”
Addison Rae’s pop career felt quite short after she released her debut single “Obsessed” in 2021. But after several songs leaked online – and exploded on TikTok – it was clear this was just the beginning. The star of the leaks was “2 Die 4,” a raunchy hit with catchy hooks that burrows into your brain forever. For the official release, Rae collaborated with Charli XCX, who adds some sexy soul to highlight Rae’s emerging pop-princess talents.
95 Aespa, “Spicy”
K-pop group Aespa tried something new this year with “Spicy,” the lead single from their third EP, My World – The Third Mini Album. Previous releases had an experimental sound and leaned heavily on AR and virtual reality with a unique concept that featured an imaginary world, villains and avatar members. “Spicy” showed a new side of Karina, Giselle, Winter and Ningning. With strong vocals, dirty synths, rolling bass and massive drum buildups, the song brought the girls closer to the real world of universal pop tension reminiscent of early 2000s pop à la Britney Spears.
94 Samia, “Charm You”
On “Charm You,” Samia makes a cathartic breakthrough with a sunny, simple instrumental. “I just saw my whole life flash before your eyes/and I don’t want to charm anyone this time,” she sings. An explanation that could merit either pity or cheers, but Samia sounds surprisingly relaxed as her vocals float over lively guitar chords. The bubbly track is a highlight of Samia’s second album, Honey, which showcases what she does best: aptly describing the nuances of desire, devastation and the joy of learning how to dance through it all.
93 Ellie Goulding and Calvin Harris, “Miracle”
Nearly a decade had to pass before Ellie Goulding and Calvin Harris – the duo responsible for “I Need Your Love” and “Outside” in 2013 and 2014, respectively – reunited for another electro-pop hit. “When you have that connection with someone, you miss it,” Goulding told Rolling Stone in early 2023. “It’s hard to just put that aside.” The result of their unique chemistry was “Miracle,” a psychedelic EDM hit, in to which Goulding asks, “Are you too cynical to believe in a miracle?” in her bubbly voice, accompanied by ethereal piano, nineties synths and a pumping bass. It was a gift to see these two together again.
92 J Hus feat. Drake, “Who Told You”
Beautiful and Brutal Yard, this summer’s J Hus album, made us feel like it was made at exactly the right time. Hus, a reliable purveyor of diaspora hits, connected with Drake on the perfectly timed “Who Told You.” Of Drake’s travels around the world, his forays into the Afrobeat scene bear the most fruit. Here we are greeted by “One Dance” Drake, who uses the accent a little more subtly. Combined with J Hus’ infectious hook, the song is the ideal anthem for a place in the pantheon of all-time greatest summer hits.
91 Tove Lo, “Borderline”
Tove Lo wrote “Borderline” with fellow pop artist Dua Lipa, and it’s packed with unforgettable melodies. Built on a foundation of bubbling bass and a Prince-like drum pattern, the song highlights Tove Lo’s edgy lyrics about insecurity and interdependence. “I like to push you to the edge as long as you say you’re mine,” she sings, ratcheting up the intensity for an almost screamed chorus that promises to make this relationship work, no matter the personal cost. Deeply disturbing.