One of the really cool things about music is just how accessible it is in the current day. Whether it’s artists of said current day; or artists that were from decade’s prior, any song and/or artist can be accessed at the click of a button.
It’s a whole other conversation when talking about the compensation these musicians are getting from certain music distribution platforms, but with music being so accessible, it’s easier for artists to get themselves out there.
For me, I try to support the artists I like through buying merchandise and seeing them live. It’s the least one could do, but if you can do it, you should.
I listened to a lot of music in 2023, old and new, and while many are still debating about if 2023 was actually a good year for new music, I can safely say that I found more music that spoke to me in 2023 than any other year in almost 21 years on this planet.
I already did a piece highlighting my favourite songs from 2023, but this one will be the best songs that I heard that weren’t from 2023. Karan Parmar (fellow writer on Evolution) has also done his own list, so I recommend you read that one, as well (just after you’re done reading this one).
If you’re looking for a totally objective, fact-based list, well, you’re not in the right place. However, I think these five songs would be worthy additions to any playlist you may be cooking up.
5. Arcarsenal – At the Drive-In (2000)
“BEWARE!!!!!” x15 billion.
At the Drive-In is a band that I’ve known about for a long time. They’re one that has consistently found critical acclaim for many years, especially their album Relationship of Command.
I decided to give this album a spin at one point towards the end of summer. I already knew the most popular track, One Armed Scissor, so I wasn’t totally unfamiliar with the band’s sound. Add-on the fact that two of the group’s founding members were the same two that formed The Mars Volta, who just so happen to be one of my favourite band’s.
While the album has many highlights, Arcarsenal is such an incredible statement to start the record. The intensity is palpable throughout its nearly three-minute runtime. The raw, punchy production is a great complement for Cedric Bixler‘s shouty vocal delivery.
There isn’t the typical, traditional chorus, but the repeated refrain of “BEWARE!” sticks like Flex Tape, especially in the track’s winding moments.
The pure catharsis in which this track generates is insane, making for one of the most memorable music experiences I had in 2023.
4. Hysterical Us – Magdalena Bay (2021)
Shoutout to the homie Sophie for this one.
Hysterical Us is just so damn infectious; a serotonin boost from start to finish.
The song comes from the duo’s 2021 full-length record, Mercurial World, a synth-pop triumph and one of the better records released this decade so far.
The influences of bubblegum-pop and art-pop are present throughout the record, but Hysterical Us might be the album’s crowning achievement. It’s a song that seems to be about the confusing nature of loving another person and how fun it can be.
Like I said, it’s a serotonin boost. There aren’t many songs that can bring out such a visceral, genuine feeling of joy, but this one does it! Both the instrumentals and vocals invoke such positive energy, making for one of the most infectious songs I have ever heard.
Give this one a spin (along with the album itself) if you want a good-vibes banger, ’cause lord knows we need some more of those right now.
3. Never Fight A Man With A Perm – IDLES (2018)
“Brylcreem, creatine, and a bag of Charlie Sheen” has to be one of the funniest lyric’s ever written.
Quality lyricism seems to be the mantra for UK punk outfit, IDLES. The band has consistently been a force in the punk scene for many, many years with their politically charged, mostly positive take on punk/post-punk; yet I had previously never made the effort to check out their catalogue.
That all changed once my sister showed me Never Fight A Man With A Perm, the second track from their second full-length album, Joy.
I almost felt bad for myself. How could I possibly have missed out on something this good.
In peak IDLES fashion, the lyrical content is hilariously tongue and cheek, targeting the sigma male, incel gym bros that we have all come across at one point in our lives; and they do so in an incredibly effective way.
Punk riffage, hard-hitting drumming, explosive vocals from Joseph Talbot, you got yourself a winner here.
I also would like to point out that I will be seeing this song when they’re at the PNE Forum on May 3. The only reason I’m pointing this out is because it’ll be my first ever punk show, and, you know, this band has continuously ruled for years and you should totally see them if you have the chance.
Their new album is going to be so good, but it’ll be difficult for anything to top this one. Never Fight A Man With A Perm is one of the best punk songs ever.
Period.
2. Left of the Dial – The Replacements
Ah, the obligatory “Replacements pick.”
Okay, okay, I know that I went on a massive Replacements binge this past year, and they were already one of my favourite band’s ever, so there is some clear bias here, I have to admit.
I love Left of the Dial like how I love the Jeff Rosenstock track, 3 SUMMERS. I just can’t help but smile every time I hear the opening riff, knowing that the song I’m about to listen to is Left of the Dial.
It’s just the only way I could possibly describe it.
The track came off the band’s 1985 release, Tim, which, I don’t know if you’ve heard this album, but you should. Frontman Paul Westerberg has gone on to say that this song was a nod to the College radio stations that helped the band get to where they were, it was also revealed that, in part, the track was about the singer’s interest in Lynn Blakey (Let’s Active).
Not only is it my favourite song on the album (which I gave a 10/10 by the way), it’s potentially my favourite song in the entire ‘Mats catalogue.
It may not have the emotional stagnancy that tracks like Androgynous (Let It Be) or Bastards of Young (Tim) have, but I just can’t help it. The positive energy in which this song radiates is just so infectious.
It’s a fun, punky, power-pop masterpiece. Full stop. While not #1 on the list, I don’t want to sell it short; since the only song that beat it was one that made me cry upon first listen…
1. Stars (Live at Casino Montreux) – Nina Simone
Haha, yeah, this song makes me feel horrible in the best way possible.
I use the term “emotional powerhouse” when describing certain songs, and I think there’s no greater use of term than when it’s being applied to Stars.
This song destroys me.
I first heard the track at the end of Bojack Horseman‘s season three finale, and while the scene itself was already incredibly powerful and emotional, the use of Stars in the episode’s winding moments was seismic. I mean, I had to ask my sister what the song was because it was that stunning.
An uber-effective commentary about Hollywood, the common thirst for fame, and the pressures that come with stardom; as well as how quickly it can fade away. It’s also not hard to pick up on the singer’s commentary about how Hollywood has taken advantage of many, many people, which is still a relevant topic of discussion.
The gentle piano and near-spoken-word vocals carry the track for the majority of its runtime, but that buildup.
Oh my god, that buildup!
Simone‘s vocals crescendo along with the piano, and it features nods to the many others before her to sing this song before her. The final refrain of “we always have a story” never fails to give me chills.
Nina Simone was one of the most incredibly gifted singers the world has ever seen, and Stars deserves to be discussed as one of the greatest moments in music history, with this version being the peak of it’s many iterations.