It's great being part of a community constantly showered with love and support. We see this in the music scene; artists supporting artists, because artists are fans too after all.

No matter what genre your scene jams to, you can always count on artists to deliver exciting music. It's apparent in the metal scene, where bands share new releases by their friends online to the K-Pop world, where artists perform dance challenges of songs by their contemporaries. They may even inspire each other not just with music styles, but with grit and drive. Other times artists even head to the studio to write, records, or produce songs together. That's what really makes the music community, as a whole, such an interesting place to be a part of. You'll never run out of places to find inspiration.

Top Songs of 2023: Bandwagon Picks – NewJeans, YOASOBI, Snow Man, yeule, Lola Amour, BTS' Jungkook, Fujii Kaze, Olivia Rodrigo, and more

We've been talking a lot about the music we liked from 2023, but what about the artists themselves? Bandwagon caught up with ena mori, grentperez, Lunadira, Novel Core, oceanfromtheblue, BBGirls, and more to talk about what they listened to in 2023 – from fresh releases to old favourites.

Top Albums/EPs of 2023: Bandwagon Picks – Laufey, WayV, Phum Viphurit, Blush, fromis_9, Atarashii Gakko!, Clara Benin, Naniwa Danshi, and more

ena mori 

'Billons' - Caroline Polachek

This song is just brilliant. The entire song is built with intricate productions that are simple yet distinct, and I just think the structure of the record is just stunning. 

It almost sounds like Caroline uses her whole body to sing, almost like a sport and the character that it gives the song is just so intimidating and mysterious, and that’s exactly what I enjoy about Caroline's record, Desire, I Want to Turn Into You.

Listen to ena mori here.

 Hanjoo Kim, Silica Gel 

'Winded' - 7038634357

I came across this musician by chance, with many of their pieces reflecting solitude just enough to match such beautiful textures—and this is one of them. It's the first track from their most recent album, Neo Seven, released this year. The "hiss noise" that repeatedly appears and disappears as it plays and the sudden yet gentle interjection of the tone of the pad seem to evoke the listener's mental awakening.

Listen to Silica Gel here.

IZPZ 

'tired of healing.' - Noah Henderson

Sometimes we try to heal from hurt and then we get tired from trying to get ourselves back on track. Felt that many times in my life but now I know someone halfway round the world understands. (Production is insane as well! Love it, Noah!)

Listen to IZPZ here.

Peach Luffe 

'Love' - wave to earth

The melody of the guitar just makes me feel so nostalgic and melancholic. When I'm sad it makes me even more sad. I love fuelling that fire.

Listen to Peach Luff here.

REIKO

'LEFT RIGHT' - XG

XG has what we want and what we need. ‘LEFT RIGHT’ took me on a trip to a cosmic level. The synth line at the introduction felt like a portal that sucks you into the song. Once JURIN starts the verse, you just keep on wanting more and more. The drums will make you dance, and their voices will take you to the galaxy.

Their fresh sound with a taste of 2000s Pop/R&B is so addictive that it was the only song I played for a few weeks!

Listen to REIKO here.

a kid named rufus

'black enuff' - redveil, JPEGMAFIA

This song is literal art. It’s one of those records where you can tell every decision about it - from the themes, lyrical matter, and production choices - was made very intentionally and with a lot of artistic integrity. I had the pleasure of meeting Marcus (redveil) and Peggy (JPEGMAFIA) over the summer, and while I don’t usually listen to rap, they definitely won me over. Asia, let me be the first to put you on to these two rappers - you will not be sorry!

Listen to a kid named rufus here.

Elton Clark

'Let It Happen' - Tame Impala 

This song has been on my favourites and playlist for the whole 2023. The first time I heard it, I was immediately amazed by how the mix and production is so clean. At the time, The ElectroPsychPop sound was very new to me and was immediately hooked by it. The lyrics, the instruments, vocals, the mastery, it's always complete bliss when one's listening to it.

Listen to Elton Clark here.

oceanfromtheblue

'Sugarcoat (NATTY Solo)' - KISS OF LIFE

It is such a great song for contemporary R&B lovers like myself!

Listen to oceanfromtheblue here.

Novel Core

'DESTRUCTION' feat. Coast Contra - Tobe Nwigwe

My top pick would be Tobe Nwigwe's 'DESTRUCTION'. From the moment I first listened to it, I was mesmerized. The song immediately made me feel that his musical and cultural roots may be remarkably intricate and maybe alternative. How the song soulfully unfolds with choir segments in between is truly captivating. The beat boldly shifts unpredictably and destructively, and yet it displays formal and ethnic undertones at times. The contribution from Coast Contra also enhances the song's vividness immensely, giving birth to this extraordinarily experimental piece of art. Everything about it, including the music video, is simply extraordinary.

Listen to Novel Core here.

thuy 

'FAMJAM4000' - Jordan Ward

This song just feels so good and every time I put it on I'm reminded to just live life and enjoy every moment.

Listen to thuy here.

JUNGGIGO

'3D (feat. Jack Harlow)' - Jungkook of BTS

The definition of 2000s vibe music is perfectly reinterpreted by 2023's biggest star.

Listen to Junggigo here.

Alextbh

'On The Train Ride Home' - The Paper Kites 

This song perfectly captures how I feel about this year. It represents reaching for something and the distance and journey in between, which is usually painful and lonely. This song is a reminder that in an increasingly isolating world, all we want is a deeper meaning and connection.

Listen to Alextbh here.

Ligaya Escueta

'Now and Then' - The Beatles

The most influential band in the world released a new song in my lifetime. For the first time, I got experience sitting down to listen to a new Beatles song— For the last time, the world got to hear John, Paul, George, and Ringo together again. It's touching and haunting. I wouldn't call it one of their greatest songs of all time or even my favourite of their recent songs, but it is a moving send-off.

Listen to Ligaya Escueta here.

Sezairi 

'Kembalikanku' - Teddy Adhitya

This song helped me through my mother’s passing this year, which was one of the most difficult times in my life. Kembalikanku means, ‘take me back to’ and that just resonated with me so deeply.

Listen to Sezairi here.

BBGIRLS

'Super Shy' - NewJeans

With a harmonious representation of Jersey Club rhythm, this track has put K-Pop to another level in the global music scene in the most sophisticated and trendy way.

Listen to BBGIRLS here.

grentperez 

'Kokomo, IN' - Japanese Breakfast

I found the song late this year in (maybe) September and I have not stopped listening since. It's a song for every occasion, it makes me smile, dance and be all silly. So I think that's good for me. It's also the current anthem for my partner and me.

Listen to grentperez here.

ALYSON

'I Want You Closer' - FUNKINDUSTRY

We make no secret of our love for Classic City Pop, and we like to openly celebrate synthesizing this music with our own style and context.

Midnight City Lovers by Funkindustry captures that enthusiasm and reverence for the genre that we strive for. The opening track 'I Want You Closer' comes out swinging with funky rhythms that are both fresh and exciting, and easygoing in a way that permeates 70s-80s City Pop. Juxtaposing ‘that’ modern city pop groove with horn section lines which I am convinced are quoted directly from ANRI’s 'TIMELY' is the greatest time you’ll have driving in your top down.

Met them once on a trip to Tokyo and they get a special mention for going across the world to record this EP in collaboration with modern city pop artists, resulting in a really cool cultural piece that has layers of influences folding in on each other. It's neat.

Lunadira

'c u never' feat. piri - tomcbumpz

I gravitate to succinct pop with a tinge of sadness everywhere I go and this track hits it all. it’s minimal and paints a dreary relationship unravelling at the seams. I gobble it up every time.

Listen to Lunadira here.

Find out our Top Songs, Collaborations, Music Videos, and Albums/ EPs via Bandwagon's Best of 2023 series.