Last year around this time I almost put together another installment of my year-end favorite song mixes but I never ended up making the final decisions and posting. Better late than never, here’s a 73 minute mix of the best songs I heard first in 2023. Below is the track listing, a favorite lyric if it’s not an instrumental, and my thoughts about each song (thoughts written March 2025). Listen and let me know what you think!
1. Not – Big Thief
“It’s not the hunger revealing nor the ricochet in the cave”
Big Thief brings that beautiful raw rock energy that I enjoy. The lyrical theme on this one with all the “not” this and that is fun, and the builds and swells carry a momentum that is very satisfying to me. A real treat.
2. I Don’t Mind – Sturgill Simpson
“But there ain’t no going back now, and ain’t no way that I can change”
I kinda went Sturgill Simpson bonkers over the last couple of years. I’m not historically a huge country music fan, but it’s been growing on me thanks to artists like Sturgill. This comes from Cuttin’ Grass Vol 1—a family favorite for listening and singing along with. Love this song in particular, which isn’t on any of his other records.
3. Alegria Em Movimento – Misha Panfilov
Top song on my favorite album of 2023. Misha and friends are making so much good music. Quirky, fun, boppy, jazzy, cinematic. Just try and listen without smiling or moving.
4-5. Someone/Fix It – Leyya
“With all of our heads that we’ve put in the sand, we do still know it”
Including these two as one song, because the track I’d really like to put on here is the video of Leyya doing both of these songs live. I couldn’t choose just one. The studio recordings are white nice, but the overall dynamics and the performances live are unbeatable. I’ve probably listened to this video over 25 times. An absolute favorite from a real neat group.
6. Motorcycle – Colter Wall
“I figure I’m weary of feeling this way”
Colter sounds like Johnny Cash a bit, but that’s ok. This song gets stuck in my head and I’m okay with that. This comes from his 2017 self titled record, which is good front to back.
7. Suite No. 1: Yanvalloux – Frantz Casseus
I can’t remember how I found this record. This quiet, delicate guitar recording is simultaneously engaging and calming. I feel like it’s telling me a story.
8. An Offering – Phi-Psonics
Extremely well executed jazz of a certain kind. Warm and atmospheric, with gorgeous performances throughout. I love pretty much everything that Phi-Psonics puts out and this record is no exception.
9. Wasted On You – Andy Shauf
“Was all my love wasted on you?”
Though my interest in singer-songwritery music has waned in recent years, Andy keeps making beautiful sounding, evocative tunes that I love listening to.
10. Once Upon A Poolside (feat. Sufjan Stevens) – The National
“What was the worried thing you said to me? I thought we could make it through anything.”
I thought I was through with this kind of emotional rock music, but this collaboration between Sufjan and the National snuck into my psyche. It’s beautifully vague, and Berninger’s lyrical performance is as sleepy and evocative as ever.
11. 137 Riddle – Brendan Eder Ensemble
This is from a really stunning, perfect ambient/neoclassical record. “Therapy” is ‘a collection of meditative compositions recorded mostly at a church’ in Southern California’ and it truly remarkable. The music is inviting and optimistic—the soundtrack to a lot of beautiful afternoons in our home.
12. Some Kind of Symmetry – Seawind of Battery
Ambient country with electronic elements. Beautiful sweeping soundscapes, setting the groundwork of anticipation for more lyrical moments.
13. Constellation – Chuck Johnson
I listen to a lot of ambient country music. If I had to choose just one artist to follow in that genre it would be Chuck Johnson. This particular track sounds like my valley waking up to the new day. Dew on grass, glistening. Birds pecking at my feet. The warm first light setting patches of fog aglow.
14. Sunset Cliffs – Daniel Villarreal, Jeff Parker, Anna Butterss
I’m a sucker for all things Jeff Parker. This tune has a hip-hop, soul-inspired groove and Parker’s guitar work is particularly excellent.
15. Braid – Duffy x Uhlmann
Loops and repetitions, slowly undulating and evolving. This kind of thing is a real treat for me.
16. Everything Is Okay – Green-House
Another one of my absolute favorite songs off one of the best records of the year. Quiet, electronic, with a sort of pop sensibility—the prevailing melody of this tune gets STUCK in my head.
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