As 2023 comes to a close, I'm looking back at some of my favorite songs of the past 12 months.

While most publications are publishing critics' selections for "best" songs of the year, this is less from the perspective of a critic and simply that of a listener, a fan and a music lover. 

This was a very complicated, trying, intense, exciting and unpredictable year for so many—myself included. And these were 23 of my favorite songs, if it's even possible to whittle it down to such a tiny list. For me, these were just a few of the ones on repeat.

Let's see what 2024 brings...

6LACK - Since I Have a Lover
Alana Springsteen - Amen
Cub Sport - Keep Me Safe
Del Water Gap - All We Ever Do Is Talk
Drake - Search & Rescue
Haffway - I Don't Need You Anymore
Harry Strange - God Damn Shame
Jack Harlow - They Don't Love It
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - Death Wish
Kali Uchis - I Wish You Roses
Lana Del Rey - A&W
Medium Build - Cuz of U
METTE - Mama's Eyes
NF - Happy
Noah Gundersen - Haunted House
Olivia Rodrigo - Logical
Ruston Kelly - The Weakness
Sufjan Stevens - So You Are Tired
Travis Scott - Telekinesis (feat. SZA & Future)
Tyler, the Creator - Wharf Talk (feat. A$AP Rocky)
UMI - Why Don't We Go
Vic Mensa - $WISH (feat. G-Eazy & Chance the Rapper)
Zach Bryan - I Remember Everything (feat. Kacey Musgraves)