harpsichord’s
countdown of
Top 33 songs
of 2k23
Published December 2023
Harpsichord’s official songs chart that counts down the 33 best songs of 2023. While mainstream success and conversations around the songs were slight factors, most of this chart is influenced by critical tastes of the zine’s staff. Since 2023 only experienced one writer at the moment– The Head Maestro of Harping– other critical choices at major publications were factored in, as well as deep cut tastes.
With this interactive countdown, you can click on the picture frames to watch the music videos, because we miss MTV and BET as much as you do…
11
No Chaser
By Coco Jones
Gliding on hi-hats, this is super diva pop&B at its finest. While it may take on the form of the 2000s R&B that’s been modernized enough to crossover on rhythmic formats, “No Chaser” finds Coco Jones at her most tantalizing as she teases drops of getting straight to the point about wanting someone.
10
Let her Go
By Don Toliver ft James Blake
Don Toliver matches the energy of a distant James Blake, as the latter is known for his chilling vocals and glitchy production. Full of trap&B adlibs that Toliver is best known for, this is the standout on his ‘Love Sick’ production— offering a soundscape that manifests an atmospheric world only he knows best. “Don’t I make you feel special?” they both ask throughout the gravity pulling ride.
9
FE!N
By Travis Scott ft Playboi Carti
Mosh pits galore, both Travis Scott and Playboi Carti offering what they know best. Punctuating lo-fi against a backdrop of being hyped about careers that have taken off to massive heights, “FE!N” sets the argument that Travis Scott is in his prime. With the help of songcrafting that mirrors Kanye West’s ‘Yeezus’ industrial rap has never sounded so advanced in quite a while.
8
Island
By Miley Cyrus
With most of her comeback album, ‘Endless Summer Vacation,’ including more adult contemporary skewing efforts this track harped on yacht rock that soundtracked ‘90s greatest hits informercials. Contemplating her position in life, the Disney ex-act wonders whether she’s “stranded on an island” or if she’s “landed in paradise.” The echoes of waves reflect the tropical breeze that pushes the song as the album’s secret standout.
7
This is New York
By Scar Lip
Aggressive in attitude, this banger became both a subtle anthem for a grimy city and a breakout moment for an unorthodox artist. Unconventional in her looks (because of a scarred lip… ha ha), Scar Lip let’s foreigners know to “move!” and get out the way as “the baddies coming through.” But the cherry on top of the madness is her spoken salute to DMX at the very end— recalling the late, great rapper’s inspiration of the song.
“this is new york” Is One of the 64 songs that will appear in the inaugural issue of harpsichord zine
6
Temporary
By 6lack ft don Toliver
R&B’s come up in recent years has been a blessing to see. This is a moment where two of 2023’s most underrated stars link up to deliver an atmospheric number that borderlines psychedelic soul and the ticking of UK Garage. Addictive in nature, “Temporary” serves as a hypnotic lesson learned about having to move on.
5
Agora Hills
By Doja Cat
While Doja was all about rapping this year— which she does on this ‘Scarlet’ cut— her pocket will forever be the smooth blend of sensual R&B with pop (see: her Top 10 single, “Streets”). The 33-33-33 genres artist masterfully incorporates Troop’s “All I Do Is Think of You” with the sample of the music working as a Hemingway approach for her bigger message about why PDA takes place. From having her alter flows answering back to each other, to the “yeah ee yeah” moments of the chorus, at first listen this became one of her signature hits in the making.
4
city boys
By Burna Boy
At first glance, a blatant sample can seem cringe, but somehow Burna Boy is able to flip Jeremih’s 2008 hit, “Birthday Sex” so well without mentioning a single lyric from the song. Instead the intention is to match his Nigerian diaspora with the American audience the song caters to. But the beauty is, the song is not watered down in the slightest. A hard feat for such a stomper in 2023.
3
Deserve Me
By kali uchis ft Summer Walker
Summer Walker’s best songs happen to be the ones where she is on uptempo production. It brings out her ratchet side and her most earnest delivery. Kali Uchis has the spice to match. After all, this number appears on her stellar album, ‘Red Moon In Venus.’ The song hits its stride when the chorus runs on and on and on and on. Then there is the bridge that slows things down and expresses Uchis’s vulnerability the best.
2
Take ‘Em Out
By swizz beatz ft Jadakiss, Benny The Butcher, & Scar Lip
Out of all the hip hop songs to make the top spot there needed to be a lot of boxes checked— and at a superior rate. Banging production: as in the case of this song that is checked by Swizz Beatz signature militaristic style. An element of O.G. rapping: Jadakiss checks that box. A man of the new gen holding his own: Benny The Butcher got it. And finally female rap, which has been major in the past few years. Scar Lip has the anchor leg of this posse cut, and she does not slouch with her show stealing moment. This song roars. This song pumps you up. This is the embodiment of real hip hop and where 2023 should have taken most people who truly cared.
EsCapism
By Raye ft 070 Shake
Despite being independently released in October 2022 in her native UK, Raye breakout moment in terms of global smashes didn’t happen until the following year thanks to its popularity on Tik Tok. “Escapism” has most of the elements of what made mainstream music pop in 2023. There is the masterful storytelling of a heartbroken woman “in a little black dress” depending on a alcohol and coke raging night– giving into the holy ghost of Amy Winehouse. Bolstered by sirens, “The 808 kick drum pounding in [Raye’s] head” provides boom bap production, crossing the lines of hip hop and rhythmic pop. The chorus speeds ahead with forceful conviction meant to bring about the meanest of Soho struts. 070 Shake’s bridge haunts in the middle of this night. But it’s the end where Raye brings a song of dramatic urgency to the its final standstill with a smokey talk-sing portion that concludes the night. As 2023 social media took a liking to labeling Pop Culture matters as “c*nty,” the versatility and sheer honesty of “Escapism” embodied the true definition of the reappropriated term.
