Top picks in 2023
Post by Ava Allam
It’s already been two months since 2023 started, and it feels like not much has changed. If you’re anything like me, you’re hoping that some magic will fill the sky and somehow it’ll feel like a new year has actually begun. February featured the Grammys (who is picking these nominees?) and Valentine’s Day (don’t get me started), so I can understand if you must run to Spotify/Apple Music/Youtube to escape that harsh reality. Even though this year is taking a minute to get rolling, there’s been no lack of music to listen to. There’s a tinge of melancholy and some impressive guitar to all the songs I’ve had on repeat this past month. Hopefully it helps you get past the events of this brief, romantic, wintry month.
1. Seven - Men I Trust
Chill & airy vocals with a wonderful bass line and hints of “wah” make this song a groovy one to listen to while you do some work or walk around.
2. Everybody Here Wants You - Jeff Buckley
Any day I find a new Jeff Buckley song is a good day — and this one is bluesy, full of angst and pining, and perfect for that unrequited love that may be on your mind a little more recently.
3. Nutshell - Alice in Chains
I listen to this song at least once a day. Something about Layne Staley’s vocals and the slowness of this song as compared to the rest of Alice in Dhain’s discography makes it a slow grungy one to listen to.
4. Near - Deafheaven
The first songs since 1984 (“Missing You” by John Waite) that has captured so well what it’s like to miss someone. It almost feels like the song itself is far away with its blurry vocals and extended guitar tones.
5. Everybody Wants To Love You - Japanese Breakfast
Japanese Breakfast is so underrated, and this song of theirs is a peppy one that stays within the confines of February’s love theme.
6. Cortez the killer - Neil Young, Vanja Orlandic (believe it or not, this song is on Spotify too :0)
We all thought Neil Young’s music had been taken off Spotify, but this song remains. The guitar speaks for itself in Vanja Orlandic’s rendition of Neil Young’s hit. I also recommend Neil Young’s version on Youtube, as well as exploring all the covers that exist of this song.
7. Solar Pilgrim - Twain
This band always gives me the feeling of pure nostalgia. This song is one about someone with a soul that needs to fly away, accompanied by a slow beat and sweet melody.
8. Coy Boy - Blue Iverson
For a short dose of guitar for your day, this song is the intro for Blue Iverson’s debut (and only) album Hotep.
9. Laid - James
This song will get stuck in your head (and your friends will think that you’re humming La Bamba) but it’s a good ol’ 90s song about the tribulations of love — and it’s perfect to sing along to.
10. (dream) - salvia plath
“(dream)” is a misty and quick song that exists perfectly within the melancholy & relaxed atmosphere of salvia plath’s only album Melanchole.
11. Still Loving You - Scorpions
A heated song for when you miss someone but you don’t want to focus on it; “Still Loving You” features a soaring guitar solo with piercing voice of lead singer Klaus Meine.
12. Lavender Kiss - The Licks
A bluesy slow song about heartbreak with organ and a surprisingly gnarly guitar shred mixed in.
13. A Lot’s Gonna Change - Weyes Blood
“A lot’s gonna change” serves as the opener to Weye’s Blood’s 2019 album Titanic Rising. It captures the heavenly, string-centric, tragic essence of the album which succeeds because of the matching aura of her voice.
14. Wish You’d Ask Me - Matt Maltese
Matt Maltese’s album Krystal explores the depths of intense love. “Wish You’d Ask Me” is a track about longing, whose techno-like sounds accompany the melancholic and whisper-like vocals of Maltese.
15. Cover Me Slowly - Deerhunter
“Cover Me sSlowly” not only serves as the introductory song on Microcastle, but an overlooked instrumental & slightly robotic way to begin the distorted, rhythmic, weird energy carried out through the album.
