50.
Kelela:

“Contact”

A soulful and electric song, “Contact” is a catchy vibe of that suits well for a dance. Kelela’s luscious vocals match the club production, creating an atmosphere suited for 2 AM or later.

When should you listen?
405 through the westside (2 AM)

Listen: Kelela, “Contact”

49.
Miguel:

“Give It To Me”

Miguel’s comeback single is everything listeners have come to expect from one of R&B’s most underrated artists. “Give It To Me” is romantic yet smooth in an upbeat manner, allowing Miguel’s powerful voice to shine.

When should you listen?
When the sparks keep flying

Listen: Miguel, “Give It To Me”

48.
KAYTRAMINÉ:

“Rebuke”

One of the better chill songs from the summer, “Rebuke” captures Aminé floating over hypnotic KAYTRANADA production. Not overstaying its welcome, the track is the perfect length to run back when it ends.

When should you listen?
Top down in the summer

Listen: KAYTRAMINÉ, “Rebuke”

47.
Jimin (ft. JVKE, Charlie Puth & Muni Long):

“Angel Pt. 2”

“Angel Pt. 2” is a bittersweet single that explores the complexity of telling a loved one to let go for their own good. An emotional ballad that warns the angel not to fly too close to the sun.

When should you listen?
Moving on from someone who deeply cares for you

Listen: Jimin (ft. JVKE, Charlie Puth & Muni Long), “Angel Pt. 2”

46.
NewJeans:

“Super Shy”

Catchy single from new K-Pop star group NewJeans, “Super Shy” encompasses their best elements. The track is suave and avoids becoming overproduced and bombastic like many singles from their contemporaries.

When should you listen?
A hip hop dance class

Listen: NewJeans, “Super Shy”

45.
Björk (ft. ROSALÍA):

“Oral”

With some of the original vocals recorded 25 years ago, this addition that features ROSALÍA’s vocals adds a modern element to the timeless track. Together, the two singers create a song that makes for a powerful listen.

When should you listen?
Middle of nowhere

Listen: Björk (ft. ROSALÍA), “Oral”

44.
V:

“Rainy Days”

The standout moody single from BTS member V, “Rainy Days” finds the artist crooning over an ex-lover. The chorus is sticky, the performance is compelling, and the vibe is captured.

When should you listen?
In the bedroom with the ceiling fan on

Listen: V, “Rainy Days”

43.
Olivia Rodrigo:

“get him back!”

A fun pop-rock anthem about getting revenge on an ex-lover, Rodrigo plots creative ways in which she can get her payback. The song is catchy and leans into Rodrigo’s new experimental sound that avoids comical fallacy.

When should you listen?
Revenge tour

Listen: Olivia Rodrigo, “get him back!”

42.
Lana Del Rey:

“Kintsugi”

A beautiful metaphor, Lana Del Rey compares her own emotional breakage to the Japanese art of Kintsugi, which involves repairing broken pottery without attempting to disguise the cracks.

When should you listen?
Refusing to let your past define your future

Listen: Lana Del Rey, “Kintsugi”

41.
Westside Gunn (ft. Stove God Cooks):

“Babylon Bis”

One of the best beats of 2023, “Babylon Bis” is highlighted by the piano and drums. Westside Gunn opens the track with typical braggadocio, while Stove God Cooks raps one of the best verses of the year describing his come up.

When should you listen?
Times Square at night, walking away from the crowds

Listen: Westside Gunn (ft. Stove God Cooks), “Babylon Bis”

40.
Billie Eilish:

“What Was I Made For?”

Deeply moving, “What Was I Made For” finds Billie Eilish opening up about her struggles to uncover her passion and purpose, a universal experience that is often overlooked. The soft ballad is beautifully backed by minimal FINNEAS production.

When should you listen?
Existential crisis mode

Listen: Billie Eilish, “What Was I Made For?”

39.
MIKE (ft. Earl Sweatshirt):

“plz don’t cut my wings”

An inspiringly delicate track, “plz don’t cut my wings” encompasses MIKE & Earl Sweatshirt at their most prophetic. The bars are dense but the message is clear: let the artists reach their pinnacle.

When should you listen?
Background of the art studio

Listen: MIKE (ft. Earl Sweatshirt), “plz don’t cut my wings”

38.
Don Toliver (ft. Teezo Touchdown):

“Luckily I’m Having”

An underrated deep cut from the Houston rapper’s deluxe version of “Love Sick,” “Luckily I’m Having” is an eccentric collaboration between Don Toliver & Teezo Touchdown. Toliver’s melodies contrast well with Teezo’s rockstar ambience.

When should you listen?
Late night out on the speakers

Listen: Don Toliver (ft. Teezo Touchdown), “Luckily I’m Having”

37.
Kali Uchis:

“I Wish you Roses”

Singing of a failed relationship, Kali Uchis makes an effort to maintain positive relations as she still wishes that significant other their roses while they can still be alive to smell them.

When should you listen?
When the situationship ends on a positive note

Listen: Kali Uchis, “I Wish you Roses”

36.
Ryan Beatty:

“Bruises Off The Peach”

“Bruises Off The Peach” is a somber cut in which Beatty sings delicately about something missing in his relationship. He’s willing to give it some time, though it doesn’t seem promising.

When should you listen?
A vast countryside

Listen: Ryan Beatty, “Bruises Off The Peach”

35.
Metro Boomin & James Blake:

“Hummingbird”

A standout track from the Spiderverse soundtrack, “Hummingbird” is another harmonious collaboration between Metro Boomin & James Blake. It has remnants of love and sprinkles of evanescence, making for a worthy successor to the previous movie’s breakout hit “Sunflower.”

When should you listen?
Exploring a new city on foot

Listen: Metro Boomin & James Blake, “Hummingbird”

34.
Dijon:

“coogie”

Dijon’s first official single since his debut album, “coogie” finds the artist singing over atmospheric production that allows the song to feel stripped in nature yet full in emotion.

When should you listen?
After hours in the local saloon

Listen: Dijon, “coogie”

33.
Killer Mike (Ft. André 3000, Future & Eryn Allen Kane):

“SCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS”

An Atlanta reunion amongst different generations of rap, “SCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS” is equally exciting and perplexing. André 3000 steals the show as expected with a long verse about the dangers of communication overload, while Future’s voice provides a lovely juxtaposition.

When should you listen?
ChatGPT rampage

Listen: Killer Mike (Ft. André 3000, Future & Eryn Allen Kane), “SCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS”

32.
Jean Dawson (ft. SZA):

“NO SZNS”

A moody duet between Jean Dawson & SZA, “NO SZNS” involves the singers making allusions to the seasons with their significant others. The track is wispy in nature, giving the song a strong California energy.

When should you listen?
Driving along West Hollywood

Listen: Jean Dawson (ft. SZA), “NO SZNS”

31.
Sufjan Stevens:

“A Running Start”

“A Running Start” is about the exhilarating power of love and first kisses. Its cheerful nature captures the sentiment of serenity and beauty that emerges from initial romantic feelings.

When should you listen?
First kiss with your crush

Listen: Sufjan Stevens, “A Running Start”

Return to top