SZA’s 2023 dominance, though it dates back to 2022 with the release of SOS, can be heavily credited to the success of the album’s post-release single “Kill Bill.” Though the singer eye-rolled at the “super easy – one take, one night” song from the album being the one to top the singles chart, “Kill Bill” is the kind of heartbroken, carefree, and fictionally (or literally) violent experience that this generation tends to gravitate toward (see: true crime tv shows and movies). In the metaphorical sense, “I might kill my ex, I still love him [or her] though,” is a line that some have thought of a few times in their lives. It’s that very relatability that keeps people running back to SZA. That and her cutt-throat pen which allows her to be equally good at writing the diabolical “Kill Bill” and the sweet and romantic “Snooze.” – Wongo Okon

Boygenius are practically socialist in their commitment to treating every member equally. But the second song on Boygenius’ world-beating The Record is nonetheless Julien Baker’s baby. Atop a chunky riff destined for a Guitar Hero revamp, she contemplates pointless teenage rebellion and the sort-of go nowhere hometowns that tell you at every turn you will never leave, until you finally do. It’s her origin story, but also the Boygenius tale in miniature, drive all-night DIY tours, hoping a $20 guarantee will cover the gas until the next show, keeping going in order to keep going. Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus provide heavenly harmonies, underlying the drive to find salvation on the road and, eventually, with your fellow travelers. Your people are out there, go find them. – Michael Tedder

Doja Cat cannot beat allegations being hurled at her of being “demonic” and a “Satan worshipper,” so she instead leaned into them on her Scarlet lead single “Paint The Town Red.” The widly catchy song features a remixed sample of Dionne Warwick’s 1964 track “Walk On By,” infused with Doja’s unmatched swagger. The song suavely responds to the number of controversies the rapper has had since her rise to fame, putting them all to rest with the assertion, “B*tch I said what I said, I’d rather be famous instead.” People clearly resonated with the song, as it quickly became Doja’s first-ever No. 1 solo single. – Carolyn Droke

For those critics who say SZA only writes breakup songs, I’d like to please direct your attention to her SOS track “Snooze.” The loved-up song shows SZA at her best: masterful vocal delivery and catchy hooks accompanied by a lush and dreamy beat. It’s a feel-good tune that’s a certified R&B hit that became somewhat of a sleeper hit (pun intended). The song peaked at No.2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart ten months after its release. On top of that, “Snooze” was nominated for a 2024 Grammy for Best R&B Song, and SZA herself earned 8 other nominations, making her the most-nominated artist at the award show. – Carolyn Droke

It’s kind of hard to believe that there hasn’t been a Sufjan Stevens song called “Will Anybody Ever Love Me?” before now. In fact, if you were to ask me what Sufjan Stevens whole deal is, this might be the most succinct way of responding (without getting into an annoying discussion about American geographical mythology). The song somehow manages to exist as an emblem of more than just Stevens’ lyrical vibe, going from gentle and spare to soaring and cathartic in just a few minutes. It’s quintessential Sufjan that could win over a skeptic, and stands up to the best things he’s ever written. – Philip Cosores

Troye Sivan’s “One Of Your Girls” is a synth-pop vibe, but listen closely or you’ll miss its heartbreaking lyrics. The track, also the third single from Sivan’s latest album Something To Give Each Other, depicts Sivan as a lover-in-waiting who’s attracted to a man questioning their sexuality. Despite Sivan’s sensual vocals and subtle teases (“face card, no cash, no credit”), the song’s background coos haunt with yearning, while the vocoder-heavy chorus exhibits Sivan suppressing his adoration. Sivan goes in for a gut-punch with the line “give me a call if you ever get desperate,” a melancholic statement for fans who feel equally lost in love. – Jaelani Turner-Williams

The increasing popularity of African music over the past 15 years has pushed genres like afrobeats and afro-fusion to the mainstream spotlight. This popularity has also unearthed sub-genres, like amapiano, that are now a favorite from the Afro-music world. Tenured acts like Wizkid and Davido have showcased their own offerings of the genre, but in 2023, amapiano birthed a new star in the making with South Africa’s own Tyla. With her breakout hit “”Water,”” Tyla skyrocketed into the conversation as music’s next pop star thanks to her sweet and soft vocals, undeniable dance skills, and readiness for the spotlight. With a TikTok challenge behind the song in full gear, Tyla has plenty of momentum to continue a run into and through 2024. We’ll just have to wait and see what her next steps are. – Wongo Okon

Some songs just have it. “Do It Faster” by Militarie Gun is one of them. It has the adrenaline, the post-hardcore invigoration, the catchy hook to scream wherever you are in the mosh pit: “I don’t care what you do / Just do it faster,” Ian Shelton shouts. It has their signature barks to be emitted in unison; it has a less-than-two-minute run time that leaves no room for messing around. It’s an all-in ripper for anarchy, a call to immediate fervor. – Danielle Chelosky

Drake and J. Cole are widely believed by rap fans to be two-thirds of the triumvirate that sits at the very tippy-top of the genre’s upper echelon (the third is Kendrick Lamar). Provided such a hierarchy actually exists, “First Person Shooter” provides exemplar evidence of their dominance — or at least, fans’ response to it does. An album cut from Drake’s For All The Dogs, those fans streamed it to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (Cole’s first) before it was released as a single and spent weeks debating the rappers’ unconventional approach to their previously established collaboration formula. Their chemistry remains intact, though; I guess it’s not so lonely at the top after all. – Aaron Williams

Música Mexicana went mainstream this year thanks to a collaboration between acts from both sides of the US-Mexico border. Chicano group Eslabon Armado joined forces with Mexican superstar Peso Pluma for the alluring “Ella Baila Sola.” The fiery love song seamlessly blends Eslabon Armado’s sad boy sierreño with Peso Pluma’s corridos tumbados swagger. Eslabon Armado’s lead singer Pedro Tovar, who also wrote the track, beautifully harmonizes with Peso Pluma about a woman who captured their attention on the dance floor. This Mexican dream team in turn captured the hearts of listeners around the world with the first música Mexicana song to crack the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. – Lucas Villa