Music in 2023

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Last updated: 2023-11-23.

Introduction

This year I listened to a lot of great music and I did that in a more organised and conscious way than usual. What follows is a short guide to this page.

• I listen to music for two reasons: emotional fulfillment and the artistic expression of ideas. One rule I strictly adhere to is separating the artist from their art. I approach each song as a unique experience and try to fully immerse myself in it regardless of the artist's political views, skin color, opinions, nationality, etc.
• Some of the tracks listed here may pertain to specific topics or resonate with personal experiences. It is important to note that their inclusion does not imply my endorsement of their message. Rather, their presence indicates that they effectively convey a certain concept, even if they have a sinister tone. Including a certain track does not also necessarily mean that I like the artist as a whole. It could simply be the only track I enjoyed from them.
• This year, I decided to explore a wider range of genres rather than delving deeply into one or two. The outcome of this is the Favorite Tracks list, which contains entries from almost all genres. When evaluating a track, there are three key factors that attract me: a strong rhythm with an enjoyable melody (regardless of the genre), tracks that evoke nostalgia, melancholy, or create a chill-out atmosphere, and tracks that exhibit weariness and dissonance. (See also below for a description of the different "moods").
• Because of the above, I prioritized tracks over albums. I am a fan of singles and EPs. I believe that (1) LPs are too long, (2) they are a concept of the past (when physical distribution was necessary), and (3) most importantly, my experience has been that most albums contain only one or two good tracks, while the rest are filler. However, I do listen to LPs if I really enjoy someone's work and understand that an album can be a journey in itself, especially concept albums. (In fact, most of my favorite tracks come from albums that I listened to in their entirety. 🙃)
• To proactively find new music, I rely on a few sources: Bandcamp, Quietus and Scaruffi. I also allow for "passive" research, after all music often finds you when you less expect it. This includes suggestions from my streaming service, random Youtube and/or Bandcamp explorations, Bandcamp's weekly shows, random blogs, and listening to world radio services like radiooooo or radio.garden.

Favorite Tracks

These are my favorite tracks that I listened this year. For each song, I listed the ideal mood to listen to the track and provided a short description and/or association. The mood is particularly important because it would be a shame to waste a song by listening to it in the wrong mood. To simplify things, I categorized the moods into three main categories: energy, which represents a positive state of mind, happiness, and overall positivity; meditative, which encompasses a heightened level of consciousness and a range of emotions from deep melancholy to inner peace; and alienation, for strange and/or scary music that evokes negative feelings such as depression, fear, and anxiety.

All songs are from 2023, unless specified otherwise. The genres are the same as used by Bandcamp. I estimate that these tracks represent ca. 1% of all trackes listened in 2023. In the first list (Top 100), the tracks are unordered (any order would do, depending on the mood). I ordered them by genre for convenience. Then, in the second list, I have selected my absolute favorites from those 100, creating a sort of Top 20. So without further ado, here is the final list.

Top 100

Jhett Black · Going Down (blues-rock)
mood: energy; cover of Freddie King's song; equally thick and powerful

The Black Keys · Lonely Boy (blues-rock, 2011)
mood: energy; incredibly catchy song; bonus for the guy's incredible dance moves

Corey Ledet Zydeco · Kofè t’fé ça (avèk Anders Osborne) (blues-rock)
mood: energy; essential rock instrument? the accordion, obviously 🤘

Moğollar · Dinleyiverin Gari (blues-rock, rel 2000 rec ?)
mood: energy; Anatolian rock anthem

Mdou Moctar · Afrique Victime (blues-rock)
mood: energy + meditative; see below

Adebisi Shank · Minirockers (rock, 2008)
mood: energy; for some reason: Lego rockers 😁

Ghost · Jesus He Knows Me (rock)
mood: energy; driving on the highway, but with no breaks

A Very Special Episode · Strobes (rock)
mood: energy; epic "freak me out" refrain

M.I.A. · Born Free (rock, 2010)
mood: energy; brilliant sampling of Ghost Rider + meaningful lyrics

Rammstein · AMERIKA (rock, 2004)
mood: energy; relevant more than ever, but make no mistake: this is not a love song

TOOL · Sober (rock, 1993)
mood: energy + alienation; see below

Bélver Yin · La manzana está en el árbol (rock)
mood: meditative; cosmic shoegaze, "coming to terms with the loss of his greatest champion"

Miracle of Sound · Valhalla Calling (rock/other, 2020)
mood: energy; preparing for battle (figuratively and maybe literally)

Medicine Singers · Sunset (rock/other, 2022)
mood: meditative; see below

Poison Ruïn · Resurrection II (punk)
mood: energy; see below

Big Black · Stinking Drunk (punk, 1986)
mood: energy + alienation; see below

Snõõper · Defect (punk)
mood: energy; being 20 years old; dilated pupils; caffeine

Jeromes Dream · Conversations: In Time, On Mute (punk)
mood: alienation; sounds that feel like someone's drilling in your brain

Fugitive · Blast Furnace (metal)
mood: energy; good ol' rock n' roll

Eave · Mirroring (metal)
mood: energy; breaking the chains

Nails · Unsilent Death (metal, 2010)
mood: energy; see below

Gojira · The Art Of Dying (metal, 2008)
mood: energy; travelling light to the other side, and back; the tension is building constantly

Chat Pile · grimace_smoking_weed.jpeg (metal, 2022)
mood: energy + alienation; see below

Mind Prisoner · 2:22 (metal)
mood: energy + alienation; "waging war against yourself"; "seeking meaning to end this pain"

Black Curse · Crowned in (Floral) Vice (metal, 2020)
mood: alienation; demons screaming from hell; worms eating the intestines of rotten corpses

Aveilut · III (metal, 2022)
mood: alienation; cacophonic madness

Shakira · Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53 (pop)
mood: energy; great song but the Casio F91W is objectively the best watch out there

The Killers · Run For Cover (pop, 2017)
mood: energy; energetic track with a rock touch and an epic refrain

Material · Time Out (Dance Version) (pop, 1983)
mood: energy; warning: listening to this track causes the following side effects: foot-tapping, head nodding, synth riff overdose and inability to get it out of your head

Cesare Cremonini · Chimica (pop, 2022)
mood: meditative; sensual energy

Gustaph · Because Of You (pop)
mood: meditative; Eurovision: best dance track

La Zarra · Évidemment (pop)
mood: energy; Eurovision: most balanced radio hit

Sudden Lights · Aijā (pop)
mood: energy; Eurovision: the closest you can get to indie rock

Diljá · POWER (pop)
mood: energy; dancing in the rain; Eurovision: best power pop

Amaara · New Love's Mortal Coil (pop)
mood: meditative; flashy drum beat, well-crafted arrangements, and dreamy tone

Loreen · Tattoo (pop)
mood: meditative; Eurovision: winner track

Lord Huron & Allison Ponthier · I Lied (pop, 2021)
mood: meditative; see below

Brunette · Future Lover (pop)
mood: meditative; Eurovision: best power ballad

Marco Mengoni · Due Vite (pop)
mood: meditative; see below

Linda Eder · I'll Forget You (pop, 1994)
mood: meditative; feeling heartbroken

Nilufer Yanya · midnight sun (alt., 2022)
mood: meditative; see below

Noir Désir · Le vent nous portera (alt., 2001)
mood: meditative; backpacking

St. Vincent · Somebody Like Me (alt., 2021)
mood: meditative; great combination of an up-tempo drum beat and lovely arrangements

The Particles · The Trumpet Song (alt.)
mood: energy; melodic indie pop straight from the 80's (but that could have been recorded yesterday)

Destroyer · The Man in Black's Blues (alt., 2020)
mood: meditative; somewhat cheesy? yes; do I want to play it again? YES

Angel Olsen · Nothing's Free (alt.)
mood: meditative; see below

Alice Boman · Who Knows (alt., 2020)
mood: meditative; see below

Nolan Taylor · 68 (folk)
mood: meditative; a guy with a guitar in the woods with nothing but raw emotions; chills @2:31

Emel · Ma Lkit (folk, 2021)
mood: meditative; see below

Emel · Frühling in Paris (folk, 2020)
mood: meditative; raining evenings

Lankum · Go Dig My Grave (folk)
mood: alienation; see below

Peia · Machi (folk, 2013)
mood: meditative; exotic tropical birds; the beauty of our planet; (lovely ukulele @2:19)

Dave · Lesley (hip-hop, 2019)
mood: meditative; see below

Danny Brown · Ain't It Funny (hip-hop, 2016)
mood: alienation; uptempo funeral march; pounding alarms in your mind; incoherent tornado of thoughts that would make the most abstract Dadaist artist blush; official video (⚠ murder scenes)

Backxwash · Black Magic (hip-hop, 2019)
mood: alienation; pain, addiction, and depression; "Every second here is electric chair / ... / I grieve and then live in my grief / ... / The pile of my clothes on couches / Getting higher and colder"

Backxwash · BURN TO ASHES (hip-hop, 2021)
mood: alienation; see below

Genesis Owusu · Leaving The Light (hip-hop?)
mood: energy; hard to classify this track, all I know is I want to dance, dance, dance!

Zackey Force Funk / XL Middleton · Tie me up (funk)
mood: energy; what da funk? unstoppable head nodding

KNOWER · The Abyss (funk)
mood: energy; Hit record, Shut the fuck!

Robson Jorge & Lincoln Olivetti · Suspira (funk)
mood: energy; chilling on a beach in Florianopolis; summer vibes

Ana Frango Elétrico · Electric Fish (funk)
mood: energy; simple algorithm: 1 hear the bass 2 jam 3 add track to the list

Bar Mediterraneo · Tienaté (funk, 2022)
mood: energy, coastal road trip in Italy during warm summer

Nina Simone · If I Should Lose You (r&b/soul, 1966)
mood: meditative; see below

Gabriels · Remember Me (r&b/soul, 2022)
mood: meditative; slight melancholy, voice smooth like honey

Prince Fatty · Expansions (reggae, cover, original)
mood: meditative; overall balanced track: gentle vocals, simple but meaningful lyrics, killer groove, and the cherry on top: the mesmerising flute

Hempress Sativa · Boom (Wah da da Deng) (reggae, 2017)
mood: energy; see below

African Head Charge · Microdosing (reggae/dub/world/psych.)
mood: meditative + energy; a trip to Bolgatanga, Ghana: a real one, because a taxi takes you from the airport to the hotel; a figurative one, because this new world infuses you with colors, smells and sounds you've never experienced before; a spiritual one because, at 1:44, your state of consciousness levels up

Conjunto Media Luna · Conjunto Media Luna (latin)
mood: energy; South America vibes

Todo Mundo · Todo Mundo (latin/pop, 2013)
mood: energy; dancing without borders

Chief Adjuah · Xodokan Iko - Hu Na Ney (world/jazz)
mood: energy; transcendental tribal dances; scorching sun

Balimaya Project · Balimaya (world/jazz, 2021)
mood: energy; travelling around the world and dancing in random places

Jaycut & Kolt Siewerts · The Flute Tune (Soulpride Remix) (electronic, 2022)
mood: energy; the flute tune is back!!; 🍄🍄

Maryag · Dance with Me (electronic)
mood: energy; tapping your foot to the rhythm, no more, no less

Kode9 · Infirmary (electronic)
mood: meditative; deep groove guiding you in uncharted territory

Burial · Unknown Summer (electronic)
mood: meditative; see below

Aloka · Vector Space (electronic)
mood: meditative + alienation; you're being chased by a shadow on an infinite 3D grid

Saint Abdullah & Eomac · No One Thought Of Love Anymore (electronic)
mood: meditative; arid mountainous landscape; distant worlds

SO-SO · This is 8bit (electronic, 2019)
mood: energy; beat-boxing masterpiece

Daryl Groetsch · Earth Tone (ambient)
mood: alienation; floating in space, surrounded by darkness except for the distant light of a star

7038634357 · Perfect Night (ambient/electronic)
⚠ sudden loud noise @1:06 (listen at very low volume)
mood: alienation; your mind trying to relax but a sudden panic attack kicks in

Jonny Nash · All I Ever Needed (ambient)
mood: meditative; lying on the grass and gazing at the clouds passing by; a sensation of melancholy, reminiscent of autumn; running after something elusive, chasing goals that by definition are unachivable

Jonathan Kirby · Give Up The Thing You Love (ambient)
mood: meditative; sitting on a wooden chair and contemplating past times that'll never come back

Paul Collier · Air (ambient/classical, 2008)
mood: meditative; being calm, peaceful and untroubled

Peace Flag Ensemble · Too Beautiful For A Cubicle (ambient/jazz)
mood: meditative; driving home from work on a rainy evening

Davishmar · Garden Kisses (Remaster 3) (ambient/jazz, 2021)
mood: meditative; glass of wine after work

EABS MEETS JAUBI · Whispers (jazz)
mood: meditative; this is a perfect example of how music transcends geographical boundaries: even distant worlds, such as Poland and Pakistan, can coexist in an alternate universe created by music

Paolo Conte · Elisir (jazz/pop, 1995)
mood:energy; uptempo melody that makes me think about distant places

Saloli · Yona (classical)
mood: meditative; lazy summer Saturday afternoon

Lil Ugly Mane · broken ladder (experimental/?, 2021)
mood: alienation; quoting my favorite music critic: "Rarely has such a depressed songwriter made such uplifting music."; I recommend listening to the whole album; bonus point for my favorite cover art this year.

The Pigeons · Spikes (experimental/rock)
mood: alienation; abstract: you're a pigeon and you watch life go by from a rooftop without emotion. At the sound of the church bells, the music ends and you fly away.

Matana Roberts · we said (experimental)
mood: alienation; the. therapy. is. not. working.

Moin · Pockets (experimental)
mood: alienation; see below

Zohastre · ESPLUMEOR (experimental/electronic)
mood: energy, but weird; abstract association: in a parallel universe, the soundtrack for a Celtic rave in 275 BC; structure: a three-minute-long intro made of pounding drums and noise-fueled melody leading to, hell yeah, bagpipes.

The Breedling · Irukandji (electronic/experimental)
mood: alienation; The year is 2154, and you are walking through the corridors of a mental hospital. Rumor has it that this place houses a laboratory where tests on humans are being conducted (think: Shutter Island plot). The eerie screams in the background quickly dispel any doubts.

B L A C K I E · All I Feel Is Pain (experimental)
mood: alienation; ⚠ loud; a 30-second exercise in catharsis

Effluence · Liquefied (experimental, 2022)
mood: alienation; this has to be how food feels in the blender; luv me a smoothie in the afternoon

Wolf Eyes · Radio Box (excerpt) (experimental)
mood: alienation; elusory thoughts running in the mind, unable to focus

Wolf Eyes · Comforts of the Mind (other)
mood: alienation, the mind playing games with you

Backxwash · PURPOSE OF PAIN (other, 2021)
mood: alienation; The purpose of pain is to get our attention that something is wrong, protect us from further damage and to request care. It's in this sense that a little bit of pain is a good thing. The overlapping and repeated sampling makes it terrifying in its own way.

Steve Gadd · Max Gazz Kit 1 (133bpm) (other/drums, 2013)
mood: energy; a drummer's delight

Top 20

20 Big Black · Stinking Drunk (punk, 1986)

Mood: energy + alienation. I think this is one of most underrated songs from the album, Atomizer, and one of the best representation of a relapse: a brief moment of pure energy and dopamine (GO!!!), but internally the horror intensifies because you know. The album is amazing and kept me in suspense for the whole time. It's one big punch in the face, with very though lyrics (especially Jordan, Minnesota). Another favorite would be Passing Complexion, with a sound I've never heard coming out from a guitar. It almost has a disco feel and the scream at the end is just a thing of beauty! The famous Kerosene is another gem, with disturbing lyrics and distorted guitar. Better not to play with matches 😅.

19 Moin · Pockets (experimental)

Mood: alienation. ⚠ loud screams. This is the "weird shit" entry 😀 I really like its pattern: a wild drum beat opens the track, quickly joined by an OCD-fueled bass. Nothing exceptional. It's only when the screams emerge that you start questioning what the hell is going on, but at this point you can't quit because the groove has sucked you in. Animal sounds and people arguing complete the surreal picture. When the song finishes you’re left speechless but you know already you will listen to it again. Bonus for unsettling art cover.

18 Lord Huron & Allison Ponthier · I Lied (pop, 2021)

Mood: meditative. There's nothing particularly unique about this song. One could even say that it's just a sweet, mellow ballad. But here's the thing: I love a sweet, mellow ballad from time to time 😀. I particularly enjoy this one because of its excellent arrangements, clever lyrics, and unexpected plot twist. However, the highlight for me is definitely the vocal part performed by Allison Ponthier. Her voice simply melts my heart and I could listen to that part for hours.

17 Hempress Sativa · Boom (Wah da da Deng) (reggae, 2017)

Mood: energy. Admittedly, reggae is not my favorite genre, but this album pleasantly surprised me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. My favorite tracks were Rock It Ina Dance and the more up-tempo track I selected for the list, Boom (Wah da da Deng). The clever singing in sixteenth and sixteenth triplets notes really adds to the deep groove here. Every time I listen to it, my inner drummer is filled with joy and I find myself air drumming along. If you enjoy socially conscious lyrics, you won't be disappointed either.

16 Lankum · Go Dig My Grave (folk)

Mood: alienation. ⚠ sensistive topics. This song is a chilling tale depicting a young woman's struggles with love and her unfortunate fate. The storyline is evident from the beginning, but it is executed exceptionally well. The singer's captivating voice lures you in from the very beginning, allowing you to visualize each scene when you close your eyes as the track progresses. This song could be a perfect fit for a thriller movie! The second part of the track consists of suspenseful sounds, creating a sense of anticipation and tension. Please be aware that the video is particularly disturbing, featuring sensitive topics such as suicide and imagery of ropes and death.

15 Chat Pile · grimace_smoking_weed.jpeg (metal, 2022)

Mood: energy + alienation. ⚠ sensitive topics. I suggest listening to the whole album. All tracks consist mainly of an intense and sinister wall of sound (can you hear that bass? yeah, hard not to!) combined with some astonishingly good vocals. The band, to quote an online commentator, "gives Slint vibes but with a metal twist". The music and lyrics can be quite chilling and unsettling (Pamela and Slaughterhouse come to mind) but there is also room for social commentary (Why).

The climax of the album - an even more disturbing and challenging experience - is the final combination of I Don't Care If I Burn and grimace_smoking_weed.jpeg (the selected track here). Despite the meme title, the song is about suicidal thoughts and will most likely make you feel very uncomfortable (both in terms of lyrics and musical performance) and drain you emotionally.

14 Burial · Unknown Summer (electronic)

Mood: meditative. I really like the title of this track. I think it's common to experience a combination of seemingly conflicting feelings. On one hand, a sensation of inner peace, but on the other hand, a subtle sense of silent pain caused by the nonsensical nature of life. This sensation isn't one of desperation, but rather a "contemplative state of rational irrationality".

I think this song represents this duality very well: the first part conveys a positive message of being at peace (as mentioned in the spoken part of the lyrics, “peace and quiet, nothing around you but clear blue sky”). Then, in the second part, there's a palpable metaphysical tension (almost like an… "unknown summer" :)), especially at 5:47. Favorite electronic track of the year.

13 TOOL · Sober (rock, 1993)

Mood: energy + alienation. This is my classic rock entry. The song has an overwhelming sense of doom and perhaps even fear right from the start, creating an extremely sinister tone. I believe those who have dealt with addiction will truly feel it in the depths of their hearts because that's exactly how it feels when you are deep into the cycle of addiction: you can't shake off this sense of hopelessness, you become a prisoner, a hostage of your own addiction.

I have read several interpretations of the song, and some suggest that the protagonist is a selfish hypocrite and a liar. While that is a possibility, my interpretation is simply that the protagonist expresses a sense of anger and self-loathing. He is not selfish; he is just frustrated that he cannot break free from the cycle. When he says "Just want to start this over," it could be interpreted as wanting to start using/drinking again OR starting life anew and avoiding this trap.

Furthermore, many people interpret "I am just a worthless liar" as words spoken by the protagonist, but I believe that it can also be interpreted as the drug/alcohol itself (as seen in the following line: "I will chew it up and leave / I will work to elevate you / Just enough to bring you down"). This is a great song on a very interesting topic that deserves its own post 🙂.

12 Marco Mengoni · Due Vite (pop)

Mood: meditative. This year, I watched Eurovision for the first time. Initially, I was skeptical due to its one-sided and cliché view on social issues. What ended up happening is that I even voted in the final stage 🤣 (I also wanted to see how the “engineering” side of the voting process works). "Due Vite" was my favorite song. I believe it had the best vocal performance, and it's also my Italian entry on the list. When I’m in the mood, I listen it on full volume, and sing along 🙂.

11 Mdou Moctar · Afrique Victime (blues-rock)

Mood: energy + meditative. As a listener, my focus is typically on the music (see introduction). While I do pay attention to lyrics, I don't use music as a way to signal social virtues, but I believe this track addresses issues worth considering. The track starts with a poignant lament: "Africa is a victim of numerous crimes. If we stay silent, it will be our downfall. Why is this happening? What is the underlying reason?". In the first part, an upbeat blues sets the tone, and in the second part, the tempo accelerates, treating us to a powerful and soulful (and sick!) guitar solo. I recommend listening to the whole album. Other favorites include Chismiten and Bismilahi Atagah.

10 Angel Olsen · Nothing's Free (alt.)

Mood: meditative. After just a few seconds, a strong sense of nostalgia and Sehnsucht overwhelms me. The video video has a VHS tape and 90's vibe, which is very evocative. This is the perfect song to listen to while sitting on your balcony during autumn, observing the mountains in the distance and birds flying in the sky.

The soothing voice lulls you and takes you away. The verse "Here it comes, no way to stop it now" is almost heartbreaking. I think it is reasonable to think that the interpretation of this verse can be subjective, as it may hold different meanings for different individuals (here it comes, but what exactly?). The piano and saxophone in the second part are very moving and complement the opera. I recommend checking out Forever Means from the same EP as a follow-up.

09 Nina Simone · If I Should Lose You (r&b/soul, 1966)

Mood: meditative. Nina Simone certainly needs no introduction, but I believe this track is not as well-known as it deserves to be. It's a simple composition, musically speaking, with just piano and vocals, but both are truly majestic. Simone's soulful voice reflects a life full of experiences, while the piano (also played by her) provides a moving foundation for the song. The grand finale is filled with passion.

The lyrics are particularly evocative and poetic, capturing the unfathomable thought of losing a loved one. The emotion is beautifully conveyed through lines such as “If I should lose you / … / I would wander around / hating the sound of rain” and "With you beside me / A rose would bloom in the snow”. This track is undoubtedly one of the best, if not the best, love songs ever recorded.

08 Dave · Lesley (hip-hop, 2019)

Mood: meditative. Despite being over 10 minutes long, the track doesn't feel lengthy; on the contrary, it immerses you completely in the story, as if you were there. The subject matter is delicate and the author delivers a strong message at the end. The refrain is beautiful, and the crescendo is powerful both musically and lyrically, with a plot twist that will leave you breathless. The woman singing at the end complements the entire story. The cherry on top is the closing dialogue, simulating a therapy session, which aligns with the album's theme. One of the best, if not the best, storytelling on the list.

07 Nails · Unsilent Death (metal, 2010)

Mood: energy. Me right now. What do you listen to when you’re undecided between punk and metal? With Nails you get the speed and ferocity of the former, and the brutality of the latter. The appeal of this band is that you get the real shit: no non-sense, no ceremony, just what you signed up for. Here, I'm choosing Unsilent Death, which follows a pretty standard rock song structure, except at 1:19 when they decided to drill into my brain. I also strongly considered Suffering Soul (”Fuck all that shit in your mind / Your half truths are full lie”) or Enemy (a great morning alarm tune, if you're a masochist 😀 (⚠ loud)).

06 Medicine Singers · Sunset (rock/other, 2022)

Mood: meditative. I recommend listening to the entire album to fully appreciate this track as this is just the culmination of an elaborate journey. Musically, it combines Native American instruments, rock, jazz, and electronic elements. The track begins with a captivating chorus, quickly joined by a steady tribal rhythm, both of which have a hypnotic effect on me, quieting my rational mind and awakening a higher sense of being. As I close my eyes, I can feel the energy of the Earth.

At 3:18, a surprise guest joins in: an electric guitar, reminding me I still live in modern times. But the concept of time has been already defied and now ancient and modern sounds blend seamlessly. Shortly after, a fusion of futuristic electronic sounds adds to the mix, and the rhythm seems to accelerate, culminating in a cosmic explosion at 6:02, just to disappear in an instant. As you come back from this journey, it’s hard to discern where you’ve been.

05 Alice Boman · Who Knows (alt., 2020)

Mood: meditative. A very simple and short track, without whistles or bells, but it's exactly its simplicity and innocence that makes it so precious. The track is high on my list because, in just 3 minutes, it was able to deliver two of my favorite pieces of lyrics this year: I escape my mind / I choose to not see / I fear that all I want / Is right in front of me and especially, the line that emotionally touched me the most: I am scared of dying / But most of all / I am scared of living / Never knowing love. To quote my favorite music critic: "Her songs are best savored in minimal settings.".

04 Poison Ruïn · Resurrection II (punk)

Mood: energy. This song embodies everything you expect from a quintessential punk anthem: raw vocals, a killer riff that will undoubtedly become a timeless classic, and an almost motorik-like drum beat. Mean, nasty, and raw as fuck. Or, to quote a Bandcamp comment: "Medieval Doom Punk that sounds like it has been recorded in the rat infested sewers of a city dying from the plague". Sign me in!

03 Nilufer Yanya · midnight sun (alt., 2022)

Mood: meditative. This track embodies one of my favourite musical patterns. On one hand, there's the main section with a groovy beat, minor guitar chords, and almost apathetic vocals. It makes me feel a positive sense of detachment, as if I don't care about the world spinning around me. Then, there's the emotional explosion during the refrain. First at 1:47, and eventually culminating at 3:20 with beautiful shoegaze’y finish. That's when, suddenly, a mix of feeling alive and nostalgia overwhelms me.

02 Emel · Ma Lkit (folk, 2021)

Mood: meditative. "The Tunis Diaries" has been my favorite album this year. It is divided into two parts: the first part, called "Day," is sung in Arabic, while the second part, "Night," is sung in English and consists mainly of covers of famous rock songs. There are so many great songs on this album that I feel the need to create a separate Top Ten list one day, but for now let me mention some highlights: the celestial "Fi Kolli Yawmen," the dramatic "Merrouh," and the fantastic rock covers "Frühling in Paris," "The Man Who Sold the World," and "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.”

Here, I'm choosing "Ma Lkit" for no particular reason, as any of those songs could be here. This was my introductory song to this artist, so I want to honor that by including it. Like all her other songs, "Ma Lkit" showcases her beautiful voice accompanied by an acoustic guitar (also played by her). Her voice is so angelic, it takes me on all sort of journeys in my mind, makes me dream about distant worlds, perhaps even Tunis (where she recorded this album), with its characteristic white rooftops.

Check also out this live session where she performed all of my favorite songs (except "Frühling in Paris", but, as a bonus, she performed a cover of “Hallelujah”). Her voice is beautiful, and it sounds identical to the studio recordings when performed live.

01 Backxwash · BURN TO ASHES (hip-hop, 2021)

Mood: alienation. As with other entries, it is best to pair this song with the whole album. Or, at the very least, I suggest listening to the first track: PURPOSE OF PAIN. This track will prepare you mentally and set the tone for what comes next. Although not a proper musical track, I mention it here because of its powerful message that left me astounded: The purpose of pain is to get our attention that something is wrong, protect us from further damage, and request care. In this sense, a little bit of pain is a good thing. What makes this track extraordinary is the repeated and overlapped sampling, which adds a terrifying element to it.

Then comes the selected track, "BURN TO ASHES," a devastating emotional breakdown, both musically and lyrically. After a few seconds of suspense, the track explodes in your face, and the author makes it very clear what's on her mind ("I gotta wrestle with most of myself / From holding the rope, holding the belt") and takes you on an excruciating but somewhat addictive journey.

The downward spiral of desperation is evident in every line of the lyrics. There’s a lot to unpack, including the evident desperation ("I'm just tryna keep a buck and keep it movin' / But this shit is not improving, what the fuck I'm gonna do?"), religion (”Nah, it is all in your head / Boy, are these demons? You needin’ a prayer”), challanges with being a trans woman (”Fuck all these papers who call me a man”), and so much more. Every line is delivered brilliantly, and as a listener, I can feel every single word.

At 2:12, the tone of the track tones down, and in an emotional moment, the artist talks to what appears to be another person, Chachi, trying to explain the situation. But at this point, it seems like nothing could help anymore. The tragedy is completed ("I just light the fumes, boom, and spark it as I burn to ash"): the depression and self-destruction have won.

At this point, the listener is left speechless. Distorted guitars resembling alarm sirens are layered on top of a heavy industrial beat while the author repeatedly reiterates: "Burn to ashes!!" and finishes by screaming "Woo!", symbolising the final stage of this roller coaster ride of madness.

Top 20: The art and the artists

Cover arts

I appreciate high-quality cover art. Listed below are my ten favorite cover designs I came across this year, independent of the tracks listed above. (click to enlarge).

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