The Best of 2023 (so far): A Diverse Mix of This Year’s Greatest Tracks
Read the Ukrainian text below 👇:
· Hania Rani — “Don’t Break My Heart”
Description: Melancholic, tender, and strong in its flexibility, a song by the Polish pianist and Gondwana Records artist; 🎶
Recently I’ve had a chance to talk to Matthew Halsall, a founder and a runner of Gondwana Records label. If you want to know more you can check the interview out here:
· Тонка — “Тан” / “Tan”
Description: The duo “Тонка” continues to progress and create experimental pop compositions. “Тонка” is about freshness, non-triviality, and always interesting use of our language in the lyrics. The middle section (from 2:11) in the style of Da Hool’s[1] techno was very unexpected and a pleasant surprise, for which special thanks to Aliona and Yaroslav; 🎵
· provulok — “проміння” / “beam”
Description: Gentle fatality, despair, and beauty in the mini-album of indie musician (in a good way) Lioman Sudakli from the city of Sudak, Crimea 🌙
· Softcult — “Drain” / “Dress”
Description: Kurt Cobain would have been happy to see this. Twin sisters Phoenix and Mercedes Arn-Horn are reviving grunge and gothic aesthetics. But of course, nothing would have worked without great songs in the first place. IT’S A DRESS, NOT A ‘YES’. NOT A FUCKING INVITATION! 💥
· Usein Bekirov — “7.8.8. ELN”
Description: Our incredible jazz, nominated for a Grammy, but everyone is silent about it. Just a bunch of world-class musicians on the album of the Ukrainian composer-qirimli (Qirimli); 🎸
· Periphery — “Wax Wings”
Description: A new evolution of the creators of djent[2], Periphery. It seems that the guys have only systematically increased their compositional strength over the last ten years to produce something like this; 🎸
· Skrillex, Yung Lean, Bladee — “Ceremony”
Description: One of the warmest and most pleasant songs of this year. And three people who need no introduction contributed to its creation, but I will remind you anyway:
Skrillex — the author of the latest breakthrough in the music industry known as dubstep. It’s been 12 years since Sonny John Moore’s debut[3], and still, no one has offered anything as new and radical as he did. His emo phase, I think, is not worth mentioning, let it remain a fun fact.
Yung Lean — a Swedish rapper who, at the age of 17 in 2013, changed hip-hop and its aesthetics once and for all. Tracks like “Kyoto”, “Ginseng Strip 2002”, and others became markers of the beginning of the Soundcloud rap era. If you remember what rap was like before 2012, you’ll see a striking difference with what this young guy soon offered.
Bladee — a Swedish artist. His work is the music of our 21st century, and I envy you if you haven’t heard it yet. It will be unusual, I promise; 🔊
· JPEGMAFIA / DENNY BROWN — “God Loves You”
Description: The name of this track looks like a very funny mockery. The way Peggy turns a gospel groove into something that blows out the speakers is priceless. The guys know how to do hype, comedy, insane production, and crazy energy; 😂
· City and Colour — “Underground”
Description: Dallas Green remains true to himself, and it’s wonderful. This is how post-hardcore ages. This is how a wonderful songwriter and vocalist ages. Yes, it’s almost country. Retrospective music that’s in no rush, and there’s charm in that; 🌆
· $uicideBoy$ — “A Little Trauma Can Be Illuminating, and I’m Shining like the Sun”
Description: It’s hard to imagine how many people the music of two brothers from Louisiana, who swore to kill themselves if they didn’t become successful by their 30s, has saved. I agree with Finn McKenty, a designer and contemporary culture observer, that Ruby and Scrim will be remembered for a long time alongside Cobain, McCartney, Morrison, and Metallica. We’re still at that time-space point where it’s not yet clear how important and accurate the work of these guys is as a reflection of our world[4]; 🌞
· Gabriels — “Offering” (Live at Colors show)
Description: Who doesn’t know about Colors yet? The point is to discover relatively unknown artists and present their work in a colorful room. The minimalism is driven by the idea of putting the artist at the center of attention and capturing the audience with charisma, style, and, of course, a great performance of the piece. Billie Eilish, Joji, and many other current stars have already passed through Colors. In my opinion, there hasn’t been anything as powerful, interesting, and captivating as Gabriels in their studio for a long time. It’s rare on such mass platforms to hear such quality soul in the best traditions of Joe Cocker. 🌈
· Spiritbox — “Cellar Door”
Description: The return of the uncompromising and relentless version of Spiritbox, which never actually disappeared. Detached from the text, on the level of my subjective metaphysical feeling — this is what 2023 sounds like, in general, and our future. Like a fiery wind that mercilessly sweeps away everything in its path. 🔥
· NITITAIDISIUDA, LoVibe., DANIEL OKARO — “KYIV”
Description: A tender declaration of love for the best city in the world, which has become the very synonym of the word “Freedom/Will”. 🏙
· Peggy Gou — “(It Goes Like) Nanana”
Description: The return of the classic mix of Eurodance and House straight from the 1990s. High-quality, sunny, unexpectedly fresh. The track sounds like the best days in Crimea.
· Sampha — “Spirit 2.0”
Description: Fresh and hopeful music with an unbeatable drum flow. Lots of details that together do something that makes you smile and enjoy life. 🌟
· Caroline Polachek— “Pretty in Possible”
Description: Caroline’s entire album ‘Desire, I want to turn into you’ is a journey through extraordinary waterfalls, where the water is her voice, and the warm gentle breeze is the tender beats and harmonies. Must listen!
· 100 gecs — “Doritos & Fritos”
Description: Patterns from feedback, wild energy, rage, an upbeat chorus with the melody of classic metalcore and screamo from the 2000s. This is the music of the digital age children, and it can be felt everywhere.
· YARIMA — “Не довіряй” / “Do Not Trust”
Description: Interesting use of language, a great sense of musical space. This mix literally breathes and says, “Yes, I was very much missing in Ukrainian music”.
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[1] German DJ. Most famous for the track “Meet Her at a Loveparade”, the title of which references a major electronic music festival, predominantly techno. The festival is now closed due to the tragedy of the year 2010. Then, 20 people died in a crowd crush.
[2] A subgenre of progressive metal. It got its name from the muted, overloaded sound of the guitar. Thus, a joke became the name of an entire musical direction, which today is rather perceived as a meme and an antonym to the word ‘progressive’. This is true because, typically, djent artists are quite limited by the instrumental confines of the genre. Among the most significant artists, it’s worth mentioning Animals as Leaders, Hacktivist.
[3] Skrillex — “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites” (2010).
[4] Interesting fact: $uicideBoy$ are rappers who emerged from punk rock. This is evident in their approach to everything they do. The principle of DIY (Do It Yourself) is their foundation. They created their own label, designed their identity, laid the groundwork for their dedicated community, and they produce and sell their own merchandise. Also, they often mention their label and brand in their own songs, thereby promoting themselves. As for the music, there’s a clear pride in the places from where Ruby and Scrim originate. The guys know who they are, and the frequent blues progressions in their flow are evidence of this. This is well-heard in the mentioned track.
