The finale playlist of 2023 let the dam loose in terms of new and vibrant music. Maybe there was a sudden influx of new releases, or that Spotify’s Discover Weekly playlist was sandbagging most of the year, but through the floodgates surged new artists and hit songs that kept coming in strong. Quarter Four 2023 is an eclectic collective of moody and transient tunes best played in the background of every facet of life.
Let’s start with “BURY YOU” by Ari Abdul, a go-to track to just feel damned cool about a possessive relationship (and how about that album art? It’s like a GQ featuring a glam-up of the dead girl from “The Ring” and totally awesome). “Winona” by Miloe, Jamila Woods, & Vagabon is surprisingly layered and reflective piece infused with a catchy trio of voices that sets this song afloat to another plane. “buzz cut” by lovelytheband and MisterWives is a collab that comes with the guitar rhythm of a hit Pheonix track, and who doesn’t love that?
Rounding out the playlist are some emotionally apropos tracks like “Worrying” by Clean Cut Kid, a sobering and campfire sing-song track about the waste of worry and anxiety. Chappell Roan sings another sex anthem in “Red Wine Supernova”, followed by another anthemic declaration of human nature “Human Being” by Arkells & Lights.
This has been my most played playlist for just about any endeavor. So click the Spotify banner below, skip through the tracks that resonate, try the others, and see if there’s something that winds up on a playlist of your making. As always, comment below to mention new faves, suggestions of your own, and anything else you felt while browsing the tracks below.
2023 music over and out!
- “Sylvania (Nanana)” by Bay Ledges
- “Close to Me” by Hembree
- “Slide Tackle” by Japanese Breakfast
- “BURY YOU” by Ari Abdul
- “Winona” by Miloe, Jamila Woods, Vagabon
- “Coming Attractions” by Nodaway
- “buzz cut” by lovelytheband, MisterWives
- “Out of Vogue” by Fever Dolls
- “MANGO” by Grace Mitchell
- “Yellow Brick Road” by Dylan Cartlidge
- “Moonshine” by Hippo Campus
- “Siddhartha” by Dead Emerson
- “Worrying” by Clean Cut Kid
- “Red Wine Supernova” by Chappell Roan
- “Human Being” by Arkells, Light
- “Patio” by George Moir
- “Sunday” by Sea Lemon
- “Technicolor” by Teddi Gold
