As another year of incredible new song releases passed us by, these tracks were on repeat. From my record player to YouTube and Spotify, I danced and sang my heart out to Estevie, The Kills, LP, Royel Otis, Genesis Owusu, and more. Press play and get acquainted with the artists below.
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1. Estevie “Miami”
Rising Latin artist Estevie released quite the scorching number in the heat of summer. Blending indie pop with her cumbia sonidera style, “Miami” has an insatiable rhythm that forces your hips to move in ways you never knew they could. The track satisfies like a 3-course meal pleasuring the senses with a little bit of everything: surf-rock, cumbia somidero, indie and electro pop.
Stream via Spotify or YouTube.
2. Aluna and TSHA “Killing Me”
This track straight up takes you back to the 90s / early 00’s club days when raves were in warehouses and dancers ruled the floor with skill. One part bewitching vocals of Aluna Francis, formally of the electronic pop duo AlunaGeorge, combined with the producing talents of rising DJ/producer TSHA — “Killing Me” busts at the seams with insatiable beats and house nostalgia. TSHA’s signature touches include injecting the track with an impossible-to-resist house energy: the whole melody oscillates around it as do Aluna’s honeyed vocals.
Stream via Spotify or YouTube.
3. Royel Otis “I Wanna Dance With You”
Band to watch, Royel Otis won my indie pop heart with “I Wanna Dance With You.” The feel-good tracks begs for you to sing along and dance your worries away. Full of sublime melody and euphoric rhythm, the jubilant number is a heartwarming declaration of love delivered on the soaring backs of Royel Otis’ energizing vocals.
Stream via Spotify or YouTube.
4. LP “One Like You”
LP’s voice is easily one of the most unique voices of our generation. With a pitch and range quite out of this world, they can bring you to tears. And that’s exactly what LP does with “One Like You.” With their poignant lyricism, the track is truly a rollicking and stirring love anthem. With some classic do-wop vibes that shine alongside LP’s sonorous pop sound, “One Like You” is an enthralling listen.
Stream via Spotify or YouTube.
5. Jungle feat. Erick The Architect “Candle Flame”
It’s hard to pick one song from Jungle’s 2023 album release, Volcano, which is clearly one of the best albums of the year. “Candle Flame” featuring Erick The Architect was the track that got me moving daily. Anytime I hit play on this infectious number, I couldn’t help but strut and shimmy across the floor. It didn’t matter if I was bed-heading to the bathroom to brush my teeth or gettin’ all glammed up for a lady’s night out; this upbeat single was a vibe of its own. Pure dance bliss.
Stream via Spotify or YouTube.
6. Birdy “Paradise Calling”
Full of shimmering synths and a throwback 80s beat worthy of a scene in Flashdance, Birdy‘s powerful vocals soar over the track’s energizing rhythms. Without a doubt, “Paradise Calling” is a track built to make you move and feel. It’s an invigorating and empowering listen that will motivate you to get shit done. It’s no wonder it’s on my workout playlist.
Stream via Spotify or YouTube.
7. Genisis Owusu “Stay Blessed”
With fierce punk tendencies and spitfire lyrics, Genesis Owusu comes in like wildfire with “Stay Blessed.” The song will make you headbang, mosh, and just rock out as Owusu howls along to an affirmation of his transformative journey. File this under badass.
Stream via Spotify or YouTube.
8. Sans Soucis “Merchants”
Indie pop with a tasty slice of psych-pop — San Soucis’ 2023 single “Merchants” was candy to my ears. With her echoing dulcet vocals, the London-based singer/songwriter and producer made quite the splash with this magnetic track. The entire song ebbs and flows with alternating currents of scintillating electronica and Sans Soucis’ own effervescent vocals.
Stream via Spotify or YouTube.
9. The Hives “Rigor Mortis Radio”
Stomp your feet, clap your hands, and go wild out to this steamy garage rock track. With its swinging melodies and ravishing beat, The Hives‘ “Rigor Mortis Radio” will have you strutting your fierce ass to the pit. The song invokes a kind of swooning nostalgia that bristles with the band’s biting irreverence. Pro tip: it sounds incredible live.
Stream via Spotify or YouTube.
10. The Kills “New York”
Always setting the tone for a suspenseful, sexy, and fierce track — rock duo The Kills can do no wrong when it comes to making music that resonates. On “New York,” we hear Hince’s infectious guitar riffs dancing with Mosshart’s signature vocals. Like much of their creations, The Kills’ offerings fuse seamlessly together, giving off a surreal kinetic energy that makes songs such as “New York” so damn enticing.
Stream via Spotify or YouTube.
Words: Sandra Burciaga Olinger
Honorable Mentions:
Debby Friday feat. UNAS “I Got It”
LP Giobbi feat. DJ Tennis, Joseph Ashworth “All In A Dream”
Nation of Language “Sole Obsession”
Jarina De Marco, Calacote, mediopicky “Masa”
Nation of Language “Weak In Your Light”
Poolside, Panama “Back To Life”
See part 1 and part 2 of our favorite songs of 2023.
