SLOTH-SOUND by Oskar Vier

A song that feels like its dedicated to Depeche Mode keyboardist Andy Fletcher, who passed away in 2022, and one of the best pop songs the band has made since decades with a newfound focus on melodicism. 

A poignant song about friendship and substance abuse, combining a serene atmosphere with loose Art Punk elements and heart-wrenching group vocals. 

A perfect opener to a spotty album; on this heart-warming ballad, Lana Del Rey and choir sing about what's left, when you die – about remembrance-culture.

The bleak lead single for King Krule's 2023 album, Space Heavy, is the perfect soundtrack to a grey day in a post-industrial English port city.

Yves Tumor's attempt at Dance-Punk is just as Pop, because of the fantastic guest appearance of female singer Kidä.

The opener and lead single of ANOHNI's new album is a perfect introduction to The Johnsons' new, guitar-driven sound and a solemn call to action.

QOTSA singer Josh Homme lays out his philosophy on life and the lessons of the gargantuan challenges he had to overcome over the past couple years on the unconvential, string-kissed highlight from In Times New Roman...

Mitski opens her 2023 album and album cycle with a confession and immediately breaks the listeners heart: "As I got older, I learned I'm a drinker / Sometimes a drink feels like family". The song is perfected by its breathtaking choir sections.

Carly Rae Jepsen delivers the summer jam of the year with the electrifying Psychedelic Switch.

King Gizzard establish themselves as one of the best Metal acts of the present with this jaw-dropping and insane 8-minute-epic.

On this climactic and quirky fusion of Krautrock, Radiohead's In Rainbows era, Art Punk and Progressive Rock, Squid sharply comment on police brutality at peaceful demonstrations.

For one of the best club songs of this year and an ode to nightlife experiences, Kelela's Contact is surprisingly atmospheric and mellow. 

On my Chamber Folk highlight of the year, Susanne Sundfør musifies my ideals of rural Norway through a pastoral instrumental, phenomenal melodies, beautiful vocal harmonies and flawless, cyclical songwriting. 

Black Country, New Road finish their conceptual live performance, Live at Bush Hall, with the shivers inducing, grandiose, memorable and theatrical Dancers.

Olivia Rodrigo ups her game with one of the best, weirdest and most self-aware mainstream Rock singles of the past years.

George Clanton perfectly matches his nostalgic Chillwave and Baggy sound with thought-provoking lyrics about youth, growing up and aging on I Been Young.

The first teaser to Geese's fresh and simultaneously Dad Rock left-turn starts with the best guitar riff of the year and eventually evolves into a percussion-lead b-section that is energisingly exhilarating.

Jessie Ware pushes her luxurious, Disco-infused Dance-Pop to new heights on the silly but brilliant, relentlessly fun and head-scratchingly catchy Pearls.

On Blood and Butter, Caroline Polachek manages to crown 2023's best Art Pop song with a killer bagpipe solo of all things.

The most musically accomplished song of the year, a truly perfect piece of music; a song that makes you float and fly and that makes you cry while healing you – Jonathan L. Seagull, named after the insanely popular American fable from the ’70s, was the only possible choice for my favourite song of the year.