You’re welcome to make a playlist out of these beauties…

2023 was undoubtedly a massive year for music. Over a year since the world moved into post-COVID living and music is still being created at an astonishing rate, so much so that its got us wondering if the tide will slow down any time soon. The writing on the wall seems to indicate that the answer is no, and we’re not at all complaining.

And yet, amongst the hundreds, thousands and even millions of songs being dropped each and every year, there are a mere few that manage to leap out in front and change the landscape of music culture as we know it. And of course, 2023 was in no short supply of these babies. We’ve collated a couple of them for you below (keeping this list to just five was an absolute mission). Enjoy.

Peggy Gou – It Goes Like (Nanana)

Globetrotting deckslinger Peggy Gou continued to climb the stratosphere in 2023, finding time to break streaming records and put out irresistible bops that straddled the line of dance hit and pop banger. ‘It Goes Like’ is the perfect embodiment of such a combination, with Peggy’s nod to the glory days of 90s house helping to craft a nostalgic number that’s impossible not to sing along or dance to when you hear it live. She’s also playing Beyond The Valley and Wildlands this NYE, and trust me, she’s an artist you need to see live to truly appreciate.

Tyla – Water

South African R&B starlet Tyla might just have served up the hook of the year on ‘Water’, the infectious bop taking Tik Tok, Instagram and pretty much every form of social media by storm in 2023. It’s not hard to see why, with those luscious vocals an harmonies literally impossible to get out of your head after hearing it for the first time (I never thought someone asking me to make them swim would be so invigorating). A massive debut to say the least, and definitely one that’s soundtracked countless beach, pool and pretty much any water-based session this summer.

Troy Sivan – Rush

International export Troye Sivan is continuing to cement himself as one of the most versatile pop stars in the world right now, managing to maintain his artistic integrity while increasing his commercial appeal with each and every release. Such a sentiment is more than evident on ‘Rush’, with the breathy summer bop merging the intricacy and vulnerability of early records like ‘Youth’ with the edgy soulfulness of jams like ‘Angel Baby’. It’s resulted in becoming one of Troye’s biggest record so far, and if you thought he couldn’t get bigger, well, it’s safe to say that the official video propelled him to yet another level of superstardom (anyone else getting hot in here?).

Dom Dolla – Saving Up

Homegrown hero Dom Dolla knew exactly what he was doing when he put out the ever catchy and soul-enriching ‘Saving Up’. Landing just at the start of the festival season, the track is definitely a departure from previous hits like ‘Take It’ and ‘San Frandisco’, with Dom venturing into more soul-driven territory as he builds fluttering sonics around the vocals of British singer Clementine Douglas. And judging by vids the man himself has posted online, Aussie crowds (and crowds in general) are connecting to ‘Saving Up’ in a particularly special way, and its fitting that after this crazy year that we have a positive anthem in ‘Saving Up’ to bring us together.

DJ Heartstring – Heartbreak Repair System

After countless Instagram comments begging for its release, Berlin duo DJ Heartstring finally appeased the masses back in September when they launched ‘Heartbreak Repair System’ into the world. An instant hit at their AVA Boiler Room, the track is easily the song of the summer, with its uplifting synths, optimistic vocals and stellar arrangement helping you to feel heights of serotonin you didnt think humanly possible. It’s a shining example of why Heartstring are exploding so hard right now, with their ability to fuse the best parts of house, trance, techno and more into an uplifting slice of heart (strings included).