Best of 2023 | Best albums | Best songs | Irish albums | Best Of Podcasts | Guest lists |
Dublin artist Khakikid continues to draw on rap, hip-hop production, soul, R&B and pop to create his own unique laidback sound.
2023 saw Khakikid release the Sand Bebé EP and singles like ‘Who’s That Girl’ and ‘Underbite’.
Khakikid plays The Academy on December 14th.
I don’t think I’ve ever been more musically inspired than this year. There’s countless projects and songs that I’ve had on repeat all year. These are some of them but this list could easily be five times longer. There’s also no way I could rank any of these songs so I’ve put them in alphabetical order
2 hollis
whiplash
2 hollis is an artist I found at the end of 2022, I was blown away by his production. It’s actually mad, he’s only 19 but his production sounds like he’s been making music for decades. ‘King Of The Darkness’ is a great example but ‘Whiplash’ has been one of my favourite listens this year.
It feels like he’s brought Drain Gang to EDM and I love it.
Alex Banin
Doc Whiler
‘Doc Whiler’ is full of angelic, almost androgynous vocals and is one of those songs I can’t wait to play for people. The production is simplistic and gives so much space for Alex’s spacey vocals.
All the harmonies feel like instruments themselves. I can see myself listening to this years from now and can’t wait to hear more releases from Alex.
Bakar
Pit Stop
Bakar’s an artist I’ve been listening to since 2018 with the release of Badkid. He’s one of the most unique artists I’ve ever heard. His tone is what separates him for me, no matter what type of song it is, he vocals always come across so earnest and genuine.
‘Pit Stop’ is again a song with a simplistic instrumental that really hits home. The guitar feels so nostalgic and the drums perfectly compliment it. Bakar of course does what he does best and glides on the song with his unique melodies.
Bricknasty
Ina Crueler
‘Ina Crueler’ is one of a few songs I’ve listened to this year that’s made me cry. Honesty pours from the lads’ music and they are incredible at taking such meaningful stories and packaging them in layers of incredible instrumentation. Listening to ‘Ina Crueler’ feels like I’m watching a movie, the song takes you in so many directions and I feel all of it to the bone.
While it’s full of emotion, the feeling I get most from it is the bittersweet. I don’t even know if that makes sense but it’s home for me.
Watching Bricknasty’s growth has brought nothing but joy to me and while nobody can predict what the lads have to come, I know it’s going to be marvellous.
Dominic Fike
Ant Pile
Dominic Fike. What can I say, the lad is a beast. I can only aspire to be half the songwriter he is.
Off his album Sunburn, ‘Ant Pile’ is just a heater. Heavy guitar and beautiful story telling with an infectious hook. Spectacular.
Gaff
Talk
Gaff has levelled up. I didn’t think it’d be possible but ‘Talk’ proved me wrong. It’s nuts how Gaff perfectly blended his distinctive vocals and a self-produced, day trip-esque beat. This is a song I can’t wait to hear live. I’ve been listening to gaff since his first release in 2019 and it’s been inspiring seeing other Irish musicians making incredible music and also seeing him evolve.
Jasmine Jethwa
Don’t See You Around
If you’re riding a bike drunk, listen to this song, you will not regret it. It’s beautiful when sober and not on a bike but I think it perfectly scores a drunk cycle home. Don’t listen to any other songs, just put this on repeat.
Jean Dawson
Pirate Radio
‘Pirate Radio’ is cinema. It’s another one of those songs I listen to and get brought into another world. Beautiful strings, incredible written lyrics and one of my favourite music videos of all time make this one of my most treasured songs this year.
Jordan Ward & Joony
IDC
It feels like this year has been Jordan Ward’s year. ”IDC’ comes from his album FORWARD and is a beautiful collab with Joony. The bais perfectly blend their vocals and match each other’s energy in a splendid fashion. The crooning at the start of the song gets me everything. I can barely remember my own lyrics but I know every word of that song.
Mac Wetha, Spill tab
Play Pretend
Two sickos. I love seeing artists I love individually come together and make beautiful music. This songs feel like being 17 again and running around the streets with old friends. The energy in the songs warms my heart and is a close contender for my drunk cycle anthem of the year.
See all Guestlist of 2023 choices
Best of 2023 | Best albums | Best songs | Irish albums | Best Of Podcasts | Guest lists |
