Top 25 songs that soundtracked my 2023

The Alternative Mixtapes: Top 25 songs of 2023

Top 25 songs that soundtracked my 2023

Happy Holidays.

Fueled by the fantastic year-end charts of Mr. Keith Law and Eclectic Music Lover, I was inspired to craft my own list of the 25 songs that soundtracked my 2023. To streamline things (and maybe sneak in a bit of personal indulgence), I’m focusing solely on releases after October 2022. It’s not strictly a “most played” list, but that undoubtedly cast a long shadow here. You’ll recognize some familiar tunes that were featured here this year, but I’ve sprinkled in some hidden treasures too. So buckle up and dive into my sonic journey through the past year! (scroll down for the Spotify widget with all these songs).

  1. We Can Be Anything by Baby Queen. This is a total earworm that appeared here in September. Sadly, despite being a high point, it overshadowed everything else on her new album.
  2. “Goodmorningby Crusoe. Another familiar gem that’s bound to resonate with regular readers. In the realm of wordless electronica, this track sets the bar impossibly high.
  3. “Primary Colors” by Baseball Game. This song snuck its way into my top tracks without me even realizing it. It might not be the one I actively pick to play, but whenever it pops up, I can’t help but get completely drawn in. It’s that subtle magic you know?
  4. “We Are One” by Wild Youth. Wild Youth represented Ireland with “We Are One” in this year’s Eurovision contest. As you can expect from that show, it didn’t even reach the finals.
  5. “When We Were Young” by blink-182. I really loved blink-182’s self-titled album and this song wasn’t even the one I featured on this blog earlier this year. It’s also not the last one from that record on this list.
  6. “Godzilla” by Nanna. This solo offering from Of Monsters and Men‘s vocalist envelops you in a warm embrace of swirling melodies and ethereal vocals, proving that sometimes, the quietest roar can be the most captivating.
  7. “Bug Like an Angel” by Mitski. I didn’t love the Japanese-American artist’s latest album, other than this stunning tune, which I wrote about here before.
  8. “Sunbeams” by Michael FK. I didn’t have time to write about this enchanting song earlier, but I did write about this Moldovan artist back in 2020. I highly recommend checking out his work.
  9. “How Many Dreams?” by DMA’s. I’m gutted this Australian act has toured the UK quite a lot recently and I still haven’t been able to see them live. I mean, this isn’t even the track from their latest album I liked the second-most.
  10. “Childhood Eyes” by Yellowcard. As you can tell, I have a soft spot for punk-rock acts from the early 2000s. This release didn’t grab me initially, but it’s definitely grown on me.
  11. “Girls Are Mean” by Boyish. Lead vocalist India Shore and vocalist and guitar player Claire Altendahl founded this indie rock duo when they auditioned at Berklee College of Music. On “Girls Are Mean”, the mix of pop, rock, and electronic elements created a soundscape that was both familiar and fresh, keeping me engaged throughout the track.
  12. “Egyptian Summer” by Good Strangers. This is a song I raved about back in August, and honestly, my feelings haven’t faded a bit. This stunning debut track from their equally remarkable EP cemented my love for this Irish band. It’s truly special.
  13. “Under The Influence(r)” by The Summer Set. It isn’t all smooth sailing here- lines like “You made me want to call my mom” have me scratching my head. But the sheer energy and infectious melody are undeniable, and it is pure pleasure to have them back making music together.
  14. “Where Do I Sign?” by Weathers. When Weathers dropped “Where Do I Sign?” as their lead single, I expected it to be the crown jewel of their new album. Boy, was I wrong.
  15. “Nothing Is Perfect” by Metric. I feel I could listen to this song’s intro on repeat the whole day. It appears on their latest album, Formentera II, a follow-up to their successful record from 2022.
  16. “Jai Alai” by DMA’s. And there you have it! As I was saying, these guys are quickly climbing the ranks of my favorite bands. They got one more song in this list.
  17. “Trastevere” by Måneskin. I didn’t like this Italian band when they won Eurovision in 2021: their glam rock excess not quite clicking with me. But “The Loneliest” started chipping away at those walls, and “Trastevere” has brought the whole damn building down. This stripped-down masterpiece, with its achingly beautiful melody and Damiano’s raw vocals, is everything I ever wanted in an acoustic rock anthem. This is how you weave storytelling and raw emotion into a sonic tapestry that leaves you breathless.
  18. “Cool About it” by boygenius. It is not a groundbreaking track, but I just love this song. I can’t quite put my finger on it. Maybe it’s the comfort it brings? Whatever it is, I keep hitting repeat.
  19. “Nothing To Say” by Weathers. Not quite my top spot on Weathers’ latest album, but “Nothing To Say” comes awfully close. The catchiness is practically contagious.
  20. “Amnesia” by M83. A truly impressive comeback from the French act. I loved it when it was released and I still love it now.
  21. “In One Ear & Out the Other” by Chicane. The eletronic music legend knows how to create ethereal soundscapes to lose yourself in. This one is no exception.
  22. “Kill Ur Vibe” by All Time Low. I just love this song’s rhythm. It’s a punk-infused chill pill. Not mosh pit, but midnight drives and quiet defiance.
  23. “21 Year Vacancy” by DMAs. Unsurprisingly, this was my favorite track from their latest album. A beautiful and emotionally resonant indie rock ballad about revisiting the past, acknowledging lost dreams, and finding peace with the journey taken.
  24. “One of a Kind” by Weathers. Here it is: my most played song of 2023. The soaring melody grabs me every time, and the lyrics pack a punch that keeps me hitting repeat.
  25. “Blink Wave” by blink-182. I never expected blink-182 to drop a synth-drenched, 80s-inspired track like “Blink Wave.” When I heard the rumors about it, I was skeptical, but let me tell you, this song blew me away. Who knew these pop-punk legends had an 80s synth masterpiece in them? It’s so good, the only reason it wasn’t my most played of 2023 is the album’s late November release.

“Anhaga” by Mookee (Rushkeys Remix)

"Anhaga" by Mookee (Rushkeys Remix)
"Anhaga" by Mookee (Rushkeys Remix)

Artist: Rushkeys

Song: Anhaga

Genres: #chillout #downtempo

Location: Vilnius, Lithuania

Release date: December, 2023.

Comment: Germany-based artist Mookee released an album titled Alinea earlier this year, featuring a gorgeous downtempo track called “Anhaga.” The title, referencing the Old English meaning of “solitary one”, adds a layer of evocative depth to the music. Mookee then invited several electronic artists to remix tracks from “Alinea” for an upcoming record. Among them was the talented Lithuanian musician Domas Ruškys, better known as Rushkeys, who delivered a stunning reinterpretation of “Anhaga.”

The remix takes the original track’s melancholic beauty and infuses it with Rushkeys‘ essence. This is best explained by the artist himself: “I tried to interpret the tune through my creative voice by taking it somewhere slightly new. I did it by giving more tense electronics, faster tempo and floaty vibe while capturing its original spirit. In
the background of the track I used a recording of me walking through the
snow in the middle of nowhere from my trip in Iceland.”

The result is a track that deserves to be savoured, headphones on, eyes closed, letting the sounds wash over you and transport you to another world. If this doesn’t send you diving into both Rushkeys and Mookee‘s back catalogs, I don’t know what will. They’re undoubtedly artists to watch, each crafting sonic experiences that deserve your full attention.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

“Welcome” by Harmonia & Eno ’76

"Welcome" by Harmonia & Eno '76

Artist: Harmonia & Eno ’76

Song: Welcome

Genres: #chillout #ambient

Location: Forst, Germany

Release date: November, 1997.

Comment: Today’s song played during the end credits of the 5th episode of the second season of The Bear, and I was absolutely mesmerised by it. A quick Google search told me that it was called “Welcome”, and the artist was Harmonia & Eno ’76. I found this curious, as the track had indeed reminded me of legendary music product Brian Eno, and I wondered if he had been involved with the track. (Narrator: He was).

Harmonia was a German supergroup formed in 1973 as a collaboration between members of two prominent krautrock bands. Brian Eno was a fan and described them in the mid-1970s as “the world’s most important rock group.” The band dissolved in 1976 after releasing two albums, but reformed briefly for 11 days in September 1976 to record some tracks with Mr. Eno himself. These tunes became the “Tracks & Traces” album, which remained unreleased until November 1997 due to lost tapes. In 2009, the album was reissued with additional tracks and credited to Harmonia & Eno ’76.

“Welcome” is the opening track of the album, and it has a minimalist and meditative quality. If you appreciate the art of soundscaping and the beauty of simplicity, you will find “Welcome” to be a captivating and rewarding listen. I can’t get enough of it.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

“Don’t Forget” by Jakliu

"Don’t Forget" by Jakliu

Artist: Jakliu

Song: Don’t Forget

Genres: #chillout

Location: Dublin, Ireland

Release date: June, 2023.

Comment: If you’re looking for some chill and atmospheric electronica to soothe your soul, you might want to check out the work of Jakliu, an Irish producer based in Dublin. His debut EP, Don’t Forget, is a two-track record that explores the complex emotions that arise when one realizes their love for someone is temporary, yet profound.

The title track, “Don’t Forget,” is a captivating blend of ambient textures and delicate plucks that create an immersive soundscape. The vocal chops glide effortlessly over the ethereal backdrop, expressing the urgency and yearning not to let the ephemeral nature of their love slip away. The track evokes a sense of bittersweet longing and introspection, allowing listeners to connect deeply with its emotional core. The second track, “Not For Long, But I Know,” is just as mesmerizing.

Drawing inspiration from a variety of sources, including classical music, nature, and electronic music, Jakliu has developed a unique sound that blends together different genres and styles to create something uniquely his own. Listen to “Don’t Forget” below.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

“Farewell Warning” by Royel Otis

“Farewell Warning” by Royel Otis

Artist: Royel Otis

Song: Farewell Warning

Genres: #chillout #indie

Location: Sydney, Australia

Release date: March, 2023.

Comment: If you are looking for a dreamy and melancholic song to soothe your soul, you might want to check out “Farewell Warning” by Royel Otis. This duo from Sydney, Australia is composed of Royel (vocals, guitar) and Otis (drums, keyboards), who met at a bar and grill in 2020 and decided to form a band. They usually make guitar-pop music with a nostalgic and romantic vibe, but this track, which closes their new album Sofa Kings, is completely different. It is almost an instrumental track, with a hauntingly beautiful melody that will make you feel nostalgic about a beautiful moment in the past.

“Farewell Warning” is a really difficult song to categorize, but that doesn’t matter. What matters is that it is deeply enjoyable and almost dreamlike. Give it a listen below!

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Damian Boylan – Expansions

Damian Boylan - Expansions

Artist: Damian Boylan

Song: Expansions

Genres: #chillout

Location: London, United Kingdom

Release date: September, 2022.

Comment: With a Master’s degree (MEng) in Aerospace Engineering, most people wouldn’t think Damian Boylan could also have an artistic side, let alone one in which he seems to be good at everything: sculpting, painting, video, and, well, obviously, music. Expansions is one if his latest releases: a poignant, classically-infused electronic track that is basically candy for your ears. Damian also created the audiovisual piece below, the perfect companion to Expansions.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Simon Mós – Progression

Artist: Simon Mós

Song: Progression

Genres: #chillout

Location: London, United Kingdom

Release date: July, 2022.

Comment: I’m sorry I didn’t feature this great tune, Progression, in time for the summer, but I guess it’s better late than never. The artist behind the track, South London’s Simon Mós, wanted to evoke feelings of nostalgia and melancholy by using experimental guitar recordings into his beats, all of this while maintaining a minimalist production style. Progression is a great example of that and also the perfect way to start your weekend. Enjoy!

Featured on the following mixtapes:

oppidum – Murmuration

Artist: oppidum

Song:  Murmuration

Genres: #chillout

Location:  Bordeaux, France

Release date: July, 2022

Comment: French artist oppidum is undoubtedly one of the best electronic music artists out there. He was featured here two years ago with his single Genius Loci, and even then you could tell he was different. Now he’s back with a new, self-produced, EP, Vignemale, whose lead single is the superb Murmuration. Vignemale is one of the highest peaks in the Pyrenees, and the EP is the story of the five-day journey to reach it. oppidum’s trademark is creating instrumental downtempo electronica tracks that combine acoustic instruments with field recordings, and you will find plenty of that in Murmuration as well.

The acoustic guitar tones in this hypnotic track are phenomenal. I feel I could listen to Murmuration all day on repeat.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

Departure – Calle 63

Photo credit: @santiago_denegurica

Artist: Departure

Song: Calle 63

Genres: #chillout #lofi

Influences: Khruangbin

Location: London, United Kingdom

Release date: April, 2022.

Comment: Camilo Tostón, who produces music as both Departure and for boutique music labels, grew up in Bogotá, Colombia, in a 3-story building inhabited entirely by family members. When he listened to Khruangbin‘s track: Cómo Te Quiero and watched its music video, which depicts the last minutes of a dying grandfather, Camilo got inspired to reminisce about the happy childhood that he had and came up with Calle 63, a magical track that transport you back to those years when we were happy without knowing it.

Calle 63 is Camilo‘s second single as Departure. Something I really like about it is that despite being an electronic track, the main element in this mesmerizing tune is actually a guitar. Outstanding job.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

MIRRORS – Heading Home

MIRRORS - Heading Home

Artist: MIRRORS

Song: Heading Home

Genres: #chillout #ambient

Location: Indianapolis, United States

Release date: April, 2022.

Comment: Here’s another chill-out gem. At one point or another in our lives, we have all had to leave the place we considered home in order to start a new life somewhere else, whether it’s going away to college or moving to a new city or country because life happens. In the process, we feel homesick for the place we’re leaving behind and, at the same time, excited in anticipation of the environment that will become our new home. How will it be? Will we get used to it? That’s the feeling that young and extremely talented music producer Joe Morgan, aka MIRRORS, wanted to convey with the fascinating “Heading Home“. This spellbinding track is simply gorgeous.

The scary part – in a good way – is that MIRRORS, a name chosen based on the project’s main catchphrase, “We reflect what we surround ourselves with,” is just getting started.

Featured on the following mixtapes: