Happy Holidays everybody! It's that time of the year already. 2023 flew by so fast and it was such a whirlwind of emotions and experiences for me, always accompanied by great music!
Like last year, I wanted to do a little recap of some of the songs that I listened a lot and that bring me fond memories of good times passed with friends and reflective moments home alone as well. This time I struggled to narrow it down as I did last year but each of these songs have a special place in my heart and I think you will like most of them (hopefully all).
So I will start with the more upbeat songs and make my way to the calm, somewhat sad/melancholic gems that I need to have in my life.
Troye Sivan's ‘Rush’
One of the biggest summer anthems of the year, Troye Sivan's Rush finds the talented artist showcasing a "racier" side to his music and a fresh new sound that got me addicted to its hypnotic groove, lush piano chords and blissful, sensual energy.
Kylie Minogue's ‘Padam Padam’
Along with Troye Sivan's Rush, Kylie Minogue's Padam Padam became a gay summer anthem and gave the Australian icon another global smash hit that went viral and got everybody dancing to it. A song full of energy that brightened up my days, bringing me fond memories with friends, especially during my visit to the US.
Miley Cyrus's ‘Flowers’
The ultimate self-love anthem perfect to play following a breakup and to give us that extra boost of confidence and self-worth. Miley's most successful song to date with over 1.6 billion streams on Spotify, Flowers has a hook perfect to sing along to and it exudes so much joy and confidence that is the perfect song to play to get us hyped up for the day.
RAYE & 070 Shake's ‘Escapism’
Technically released in 2022, Escapism is taken from RAYE's My 21st Century Blues album which arrived this year and finally gave RAYE the global recognition she deserved. I've been a fan of her music for a while and this song is packed with raw emotion and soul that is guaranteed to give you the feels while also giving you that boost of energy to play it out loud and sing along to it. A song I've played so many times this year, especially while in the car with my friends.
Loreen's ‘Tattoo’
Swedish songstress Loreen made history this year as she became the first female artist to win Eurovision twice (and second overall, after Johnny Logan), after previously doing so with "Euphoria" in 2012. A powerful anthem that showcases her stunning, passionate vocals and storytelling abilities that soar beautifully over a captivating dance/pop production. I adore her voice and the passion that comes from her delivery, and how the chorus instantly gives me the urge to sing out loud.
Indigo Eyes & Georgie O'Brien ‘All Eyes On You’
British producer Indigo Eyes teamed up with fellow British singer-songwriter Georgie O'Brien to deliver All Eyes On You, a dreamy Deep House cut with pop undertones.
I am loving how the production and Georgie's vocals fit perfectly together, with the driving beat nicely paired with groovy rhythms and bright electronics creating a warm, laid-back soundscape perfect for the emotion of Georgie's vocals to soar. This song oozes chill summer vibes, perfect for a late night drive or sunset parties.
AVAION x MAGNUS Share New Single ‘Where Did You Go’
German multi-instrumentalist AVAION AND UK-based
artist MAGNUS shared their dreamy piece of House music Where Did You Go which exude's a sad, melancholic touch that won me over from the start. I am head over heels in love with those delicate, emotive vocals and harmonies and how
they effortlessly infuse a memorable touch of soul and emotion to this
gorgeous piece of electronic music.
Zulhou's ‘Wildfire’
One of my favourite producing duos Zulhou, consisting of German artists Oliver and Michael, shared Wildfire later this summer and I was hooked right after the very first listen, and so did my best friend. Zulhou always deliver hypnotic pieces of Future/Deep House cut and Wildfire
is no exception. Apart from the killer vocals, I am particulary fond of
the thumping beats, stunning bass, subtle, yet emotive piano chords and
expansive synths that together create an overall warm, danceable
atmosphere perfect for a late night out at the clubs fully surrendered
to its hypnotic groove.
Purple Disco Machine's ‘Something On My Mind’
Purple Disco Machine, the moniker of German disco-house producer Tino Piontek, teamed up with Duke Dumont and Nothing But Thieves to deliver Something On My Mind, a gorgeous, disco house-style piece of music that brings together the elements of synth-pop, electro-pop, house and disco. What I like the most about this song is its hypnotic groove, dreamy vocals and lush synths that just make this song an instant earworm packed with confidence and sensuality.
Alessandra's ‘Queen of Kings’
Norway's entry for this year's Eurovision Song Contest, Alessandra's Queen of Kings won me over because of her powerful voice which exudes raw confidence and soul. What also got me hooked to this song is its anthemic chorus and driving beat that create such an euphoric atmosphere that was impossible to resist. I always wanted to play this song when I need that extra boost of energy and I think you will enjoy it too!
ELENA ROSE, Danny Ocean & Jerry Di's ‘CARACAS EN EL 2000’
I've never been to Venezuela (but was made there hehe) and this song is guaranteed to bring nostalgia to many as it talks about how life was in Caracas in 2000. What I like the most about this song is its warmth, tones of groove and how their vocals fit perfectly together, exuding soul and emotion from start to finish. A feel-good anthem perfect for a late summer's day.
Troye Sivan's ‘One Of Your Girls’
Another Troye Sivan song that became a must play every day since it came out, not to mention it's fabulous music video. I adore his voice and even though the song has an upbeat touch, its message is quite sad and relatable to many gay men out there. I know the words by heart and that killer bass, lush guitar plucks and infectious chorus just make me want to come back to it over and over again.
Chris de Sarandy Shares New Single ‘Who I Once Knew’
British singer and songwriter Chris de Sarandy'sWho I Once Knew is a memorable, moody piece of indie/electronic music that finds the talented artist unloading his heaviest emotional baggage over a
nostalgia-laden electronic production akin to vocal-driven,
electro-acoustic pop by M83 and Aquilo. I am a fan of his wistful,
powerful vocals which have a captivating raspy touch that enhances the
emotion pouring from his vocal delivery.
Madison Watkins Shares Heartfelt Ballad ‘Find You’
Soulful-pop artist Madison Watkins's Find You is a delicate and heartfelt ballad about looking ahead and trusting that you will eventually meet 'the one.' An anthem for hopeless romantics, Find You features emotive piano
chords seamlessly paired with lush strings, dreamy harmonies, warm
rhythms and a reverberating, touching chorus. This is one of those songs
that will give you the feels in no time, pairing stunning, soulful
vocals with a dreamy, cinematic pop production.
Kyle Lucas's ‘I Wish You Would Call’
American singer and songwriter Kyle Lucas's I Wish You Would Callisa heartfelt, indie-pop ballad that pairs his smooth, expressive vocals (which are packed with raw,
honest emotion) with a captivating production that features lush
acoustic guitar riffs seamlessly paired with delicate electronics. that effortlessly make us feel each and every single
word he is singing. The
overall atmosphere of the song is quite emotional and intimate,
guaranteed to give you the feels in no time.
Jonah Kagen's ‘18’
Georgia-based singer and songwriter Jonah Kagen's 18 is an acoustic guitar-driven gem that finds
the talented artist pairing his heartfelt lyrics with his signature
acoustic-driven sound and the result is a memorable and enthralling
listening experience that tugs at the heartstrings. 18 is a song
that explores the trials and tribulations of young love, a relatable
message beautifully delivered through his stunning, passionate vocals
packed with raw, honest emotion and soul.
Etham's ‘I Won't’
Reading-based singer-songwriter Etham's I Won't is an emotional powerhouse that weaves together the threads of love,
loyalty, and sacrifice. Telling the story of a bond tested, yet still,
two lovers stand tall, refusing to let go. As
soon as I heard those lush, emotive piano keys and his smooth,
emotional vocals I knew I was going to love this song and I think most of you will too. If you're into heartfelt, emotional piano-based
ballads then you will love I Won't.
Sekou's ‘Better Man’
Another example of how it is worth having a blog is that I discover new acts and Sekou's debut single Better Man was quite a memorable discovery. The raw emotion in this song is quite unforgettable and is
guaranteed to give you the feels in no time. Better Man is a bold
contemporary R&B emotionally-charged ballad that showcases Sekou's
powerful vocals and poignant lyricism. Words cannot describe how much I
love his voice which exudes so much soul and raw emotion,
instantly making me feel each and every single word he is singing.
Rosie H Sullivan's ‘Timeless’
Scottish singer and songwriter Rosie H Sullivan's Timeless is a melancholy-infused indie-folk gem that encapsulates the true essence of Rosie’s adoration for Scotland. Timeless embraces
listeners with its vulnerable, acoustic guitar strums that instantly
set the tone for a warm, melancholic listening experience. I am a fan of
Rosie's smooth, emotive vocals which exude so much raw emotion and
soul, being then paired with layers of lush strings and a moving spoken
word from Scottish kayaking pioneer, the late Hamish Gow. This is one of
those songs perfect to give you the feels in no time, and to play
during a cold, rainy day home alone when you want to feel a warm,
comforting embrace.
Thomas Day's ‘Stranger’
Nashville-based pop singer and songwriter Thomas Day's Stranger, is an emotionally-charged gem that showcases his heartfelt, gut-wrenching vocal
delivery that soars effortlessly over emotive
piano chords which are slowly paired with a catchy beat, building up in
pace and energy to match the raw emotion pouring from his voice.
Pieternel's ‘Standing On The Edge’
Dutch singer and songwriter Pieternel's acoustic version of her latest single Standing On The Edge, is a warm, emotional piece of Americana/Acoustic Folk music about trying to help someone but not knowing how, making you
feel quite powerless. It's a song about making sure the other person
knows you're there for them when they need you. This acoustic version
has subtle changes that enhance the emotion pouring from Pieternel's
rich, lush vocals, making it sound even more emotional and comforting. I
am loving the intricate guitar riffs seamlessly intertwined with lush
strings that create such a heartwarming, intimate atmosphere perfect for
a cold, rainy day home alone.
Tamaraebi 's ‘Sweet Summers Day’
Nigerian-born, London-based singer and songwriter Tamaraebi's Sweet Summers Day is a soulful, gospel-tinged piece of Contemporary R&B that finds the talented artist channelling Prince's allure and Frank Ocean's
introspective style. I am loving the soul and emotion pouring from
Tamaraebi's stunning vocals and how dynamic his delivery is, flawlessly
weaving a heartfelt narrative of yearning, guiding us on a poignant
journey to a place where life once flowed effortlessly; or an imagined
future where such serenity exists. His voice is definitely the star of
the song, instantly transporting me into another dimension.
Zach Day's ‘New York’
American singer and songwriter Zach Day'sNew York is a
a heartfelt indie-folk song about being patient for a love that you see potential in. It finds the talented artist beautifully
showcasing his gorgeous, emotive vocals and storytelling abilities over
lush, intricate acoustic guitar-based melodies. I am loving how warm and
soothing the song sounds, packed with raw, honest emotion, making it
perfect for a reflective day home alone.
On The Phone's ‘Words’
Danish/Portuguese duo
On The Phone, consisting of Portuguese musician and photographer João de Botelho and
Danish musician, clairvoyant healer and former film director Lasse
Martinussen, shared their hauntingly beautiful new single Words last month and I was instantly addicted to it after the very first listen.
Words is
a melancholic singer-songwriter gem that is guaranteed to give you the
feels in no time. João de Botelho's breathtaking vocals and effortless
delivery exude so much raw emotion, soul and vulnerability that
effortlessly makes us feel each and every word he sings. You can feel
the pain, regret and melancholia pouring from those lush vocals,
feelings that are beautifully enhanced by the haunting production that
pairs delicate, emotive piano keys with subtle, cinematic strings and
rhythms.
Billie Eilish's ‘What Was I Made For?’
Global superstar Billie Eilish's What Was I Made For? - a stunning, breathy ballad taken from the soundtrack of the new Barbie movie - is a melancholy-infused ballad that finds the talented artist
beautifully showcasing her stunning vocals and storytelling abilities over an emotional, piano-based
melody seamlessly paired with haunting atmospherics. This is one of those songs that are very relatable and that I always play when I want to feel and have a good cry.
I've put all these songs on a playlist that you can follow and play if you like these songs that had a big impact in my year and hope in yours too.
