Digital High’s Top 20 of 2023 [Part 4]

Digital High’s Top 20 of 2023 [Parts 1 – 3]
20. “Break” – Holiday87 ft. Minke
19. “I’m Not Here To Make Friends” – Sam Smith ft. Calvin Harris & Jessie Reyez
18. “Waffle House” – Jonas Brothers
17. “Arizona” – Dempsey Bolton
16. “Pixelated” – Juliana Madrid
15. “SOME THINGS” – tobi lou
14. “Better Place” – *NSYNC
13. “scenic route” – sundial
12. “MODERN JAM” – Travis Scott ft. Teezo Touchdown
11. “Scientists & Engineers” – Killer Mike ft. André 3000, Future, and Eryn Allen Kane
10. “What A Time To Be Alive” – Fall Out Boy
9. “Cheerleader” – Liza Anne
8. “Unity (Baauer Remix)” – Röyksopp ft. Karen Harding
7. “Summer Baby” – Jonas Brothers
6. “Rush” – Troye Sivan

5. “Lovin on Me” – Jack Harlow
Whether it was his tight curls, personal politics, or the release of Jackman, Jack Harlow emerged as one of DH’s new shiny objects this year. So it’s no surprise he and his throwback jam wind up in the mix. Bumping an inspired sample, the young spitter proceeds to drop exceedingly bombastic but backed-up bars both old-school and new-school heads can bump alike.

4. “Blame Brett” – The Beaches
Last year was also a first introduction to fresh four-set The Beaches. And what a fine hello that was after embracing their breakup anthem “Blame Brett.” A rallying cry “for all the hot messes out there,” the alt-rock’r resonates so strongly by virtue of its raucous energy, cheeky frankness, and fabulously charming vocal through lines. This is a sonic relationship DH doesn’t want to ruin.

3. “The Sun” – Joseph
I guess feminine-led harmonies were really hitting the mark for DH in 2023 because here’s some more for ya. The Cosner sisters three aka Joseph and their anthemic “The Sun” was an ear-opening experience, implementing an alt-pop approach to meaningful and melodic serenades. If you enjoy musical merrymaking, listen no further.

2. “I’ll Wait” – Petey
Petey kind of came out of nowhere to snag the second spot on this wrap. He dropped an album tackling themes of mental vulnerability, none more moving than track 2. On this alt-rock rumination, crushing anxiety plays antagonist against a driving through line and truly sincere candor. It’s in that honesty that this track finds its musical soul and lasting resonance.

1. “Sad to Breathe” – The Japanese House
Being a big 1975 enthusiast, DH got turned on to their Dirty Hit labelmate and sometimes singing partner The Japanese House and her intricately stitched mix. Subtly unassuming at first blush, the alt-pop’r picks up in the chorus reprise and from there the cut takes on new meaning and becomes this almost supernatural nocturne. Heartbreak never resonated more nor sounded better.