Top 10 Best Songs of 2023 (So Far)
#10: “Fly Girl” (2023)
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FLO feat. Missy Elliott Ever since the release of their debut EP, “The Lead” in 2022, British girl group FLO has quickly ascended to international fame. The trio even won the Brit Rising Star award that same year. Going into 2023, FLO made a major statement with this early-2000s R&B gem featuring one of the undeniable giants of that era. “Fly Girl” is laced with a brilliant sample of Missy Elliott’s 2002 hit single “Work It”. And just in case you couldn’t get enough of the award-winning rapper, it also comes with an iconic, brand new verse from her. A perfect fusion of old school and futuristic R&B sounds, “Fly Girl” is a clear indication that the ladies of FLO are just making their mark.
#9: “Boy's a Liar Pt. 2” (2023)
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PinkPantheress & Ice Spice In November 2022, PinkPantheress released “Boy's a Liar,” which became a moderate hit after going viral on TikTok. Fast forward a few months later, the British singer teamed up with fast rising rapper Ice Spice for a buttery-smooth remix dubbed “Boy's a Liar Pt. 2”. This unexpected collaboration doesn’t compromise on the fun and animated Mura Masa-aided production of the original. Instead, it elevates the near-impeccable song with a trippy and hilarious verse from Ice Spice. It became an instant hit, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. The song marked PinkPantheress’ first entry on the chart, and was the first top 10 hit for Ice Spice, who already debuted on the Hot 100 with her previous single “In Ha Mood”.
#8: “Pearls” (2023)
Jessie Ware With funkier beats and explosive choruses populating her stellar 2020 album “What’s Your Pleasure?,” many may have forgotten just how exceptional a vocalist Jessie Ware is. With this 2023 record, however, the English singer-songwriter gave us an effortless reminder. “Pearls” was released as the second single from Ware’s critically acclaimed fifth studio album “That! Feels Good!”. Retaining the disco-inspired sounds of her previous album, “Pearls” features a lush and shimmery production that’s only enhanced by Ware’s remarkable vocal range. It’s a song that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and doesn’t have to do too much to get you on the dance floor. This is Ware at her freest, sexiest and most playful, and boy, is it a joy to witness!
#7: “Contact” (2023)
Kelela When you’re getting ready to head out to the club with your friends, there’s only one song you should be blasting on the speakers. Referred to as the “soundtrack for ‘pre-gaming’” by Kelela herself, “Contact” transforms the artist’s sensual whispers into a delightful psychedelic tune. Seamlessly fusing elements of R&B, electronic and experimental pop, this song is an innovative sonic journey that feels both futuristic and positively retro. “Contact” served as the fourth single from Kelela’s sophomore album “Raven,” which has gone on to receive overwhelmingly positive reviews from music critics. Even among a roster of outstanding tracks, “Contact’s” irresistible production will always have you coming right back.
#6: “Princess Diana” (2023)
Ice Spice & Nicki Minaj At this point, there’s no question that Ice Spice is arguably the biggest breakout music star of 2023. In the few months since she released her debut EP, the drill artist has been hailed as “rap’s new princess”. Spice takes her new crown for a spin, on this fiery remix with the hip-hop icon Nicki Minaj. Even with such distinct rapping styles, both ladies are able to blend their energies so seamlessly, resulting in an electrifying collaboration with an undeniable pull. The song debuted at number four on the Hot 100 and was a massive digital hit, selling nearly seven times as many units as the next best-selling song. The People’s Princess? Sounds about right.
#5: Padam Padam (2023)
Kylie Minogue The lead single from Kylie Minogie’s 16th album “Tension,” “Padam Padam” is an infectious dance-pop banger that we just can’t get enough of. Reportedly drawing inspiration from the same-titled song by the legendary French singer Édith Piaf, “Padam Padam” is an onomatopoeic description of a heartbeat. With its pulsating beats and vibrant production, this track was released just in time to become the summer anthem it fully deserves to be. It has been referred to as Minogue’s renaissance, having given her her first top 40 hit in the UK and Australia in years. After delivering pop gems for nearly four decades, we’re glad the “Princess of Pop” is showing no signs of stopping.
#4: “Love from the Other Side” (2023)
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Fall Out Boy Five years after the release of their seventh album “Mania,” pop punk band Fall Out Boy ushered in a new era with 2023’s “Love from the Other Side”. The song masterfully harkens back to the sound of their 2008 release “Folie à Deux,” with production handled by Neal Avron, who also produced the aforementioned album. The lead single from the band’s latest effort, “Love from the Other Side” employs a guitar-driven instrumentation and explosive hooks that feel like home for Fall Out Boy’s day-one fans. Strip away all of the heavy production, though, and you still have a brilliant exploration of lost love. Here’s hoping these rockers can keep things this fresh going forward.
#3: “A&W” (2023)
Lana Del Rey At a time when many mainstream artists are cutting down the length of their songs to capitalize on the TikTok audience, Lana Del Rey shows that she’s still fully dedicated to her craft. Coming in at around seven minutes, “A&W” is a coming-of-age story told in two parts. The first half is classic Del Rey - over a folksy acoustic guitar, the singer details her youth, growing up in California and exploring her sexual desires. But midway through, things flip. The Americana sound is swapped with down-tempo trap beats and Del Rey switches from her sensual croons to a mumble rap about a mysterious man named Jimmy. Co-produced by Jack Antonoff, it is reportedly an absolute fave of his, and honestly… same.
#2: “C'est Comme Ça” (2023)
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Paramore About a month before they dropped their long-anticipated album “This Is Why,” Paramore left fans even hungrier with the biting dance-punk single “C'est Comme Ça”. The song’s infectious hook features frontwoman Hayley Williams repeating the titular French phrase, with a bunch of “na-na-nas” sprinkled afterwards. But perhaps most striking are the verses, which are delivered in a spoken word style, a la the British post-punk bands Dry Cleaning and Yard Act. Lyrically, “C'est Comme Ça” deals with the chaos of the present day and the bleak uncertainty of the future, all perfectly captured in the track’s production, which is chaotic itself, in the best way possible. It shows the band’s openness to experimentation, without ever forgetting their roots.
#1: “Flowers” (2023)
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Miley Cyrus Undoubtedly the biggest song of 2023, so far, “Flowers” is an impressive achievement for teen-idol-turned-provocateur-turned-mature-pop-star Miley Cyrus. Released just 12 days into the year, as the lead single from “Endless Summer Vacation,” “Flowers” is a catchy revenge anthem that planted itself in millions of hearts all around the world. The song is seemingly loaded with references to Cyrus’ marriage to her ex-husband Liam Hemsworth, leading many to speculate that it was directed at him. On it, Cyrus brilliantly incorporates the lyrics to Bruno Mars’ 2013 hit “When I Was Your Man,” serving up some sort of feminist response to the track. Hitting the number one spot in 35 countries, “Flowers” is undeniably THE song of the year.
