Top 10 Tracks of 2023 (Siobhan)

Top 10 tracks: Vinyl Countdown of 2023 – selected by Siobhan, Editor

1. Cut It / VLURE

Restricting myself to one song per artist for the purposes of this feature, otherwise this wouldn’t be the only VLURE track here. A battering ram of a song, if it can be only one it has to be Cut It, kicked me back into touch when I needed it most. Everything they do all the better for being on their own terms, everything they do unfalteringly a step higher.

2. BODYROCKER / Polite Bureaux

Only discovered Polite Bureaux well into 2023 and listened to this on repeat for days afterwards, love Joe’s writing and a great live act.

3. It’s Mad Round Here / City Parking

Sardonic, ironic and breathing new life into the idea of levelled spoken word, City Parking have got my interest peaked for more.

4. Mirrors / Nightbus
With hints of Manchester predecessors Joy Division and an alluring vocal befitting of a smoky club, Nightbus are definitely on my list of bands to see in 2024.

5. This Can’t Go On / Bill Ryder-Jones
Beautiful, troubled songs that stop you in your tracks, Ryder-Jones takes a special place in the current music scene.

6. xenomorph queen / deep tan
Very much making their own pathway to success, deep tan consistently bring something new to the table. 2023 has seen some big shows for them, which hopefully bring the exposure to a wider audience they deserve.

7. Doolally / Hak Baker
Rap and dance beats meet the streets of London, a proper feelgood track with extra points for the inclusion of ‘lovely jubbly’ in the lyrics.

8. The Snitching Hour / DEADLETTER
While the deluge of spiky indie bands threatens to drown itself in similitude, DEADLETTER offer hope that there’s some originality left in the genre. Also, love a good saxophone.

9. SHITHOUSE / Big Special
An in your face effrontery of pure punk angst and soulful reflection, Big Special could just be on the brink of something big and special. Great videos too.

10. Padam Padam / Kylie Minogue
Kylie doing what she does best, pure unadulterated pop and more Eurovision than any Eurovision entry. You can’t knock it.