We're Halfway Through 2023 — Here are The Best Songs of The Year (So Far)

Summer is so close, we can feel it. As we approach the halfway point of the year, there are so many great songs that have served as the soundtrack to our senior year and helped us work our way through tough times with our besties by our side. The best songs of 2023 — whether they're uptempo pop bangers or a nostalgic ode to your past self — have big main character energy, which is why they've taken over our playlists.

Miley Cyrus nearly broke the internet after she dropped what many say could be one of the best songs of the year with "Flowers." If you're looking for a song to get over a heartbreak, run —don't walk— and add this to your next playlist. R&B songstress SZA paid homage to a classic movie with the official video for her hit single, "Kill Bill." Sam Smith and Kim Petras closed out 2022 with their smash collab "Unholy," and now both singers are back with straight-up bops featuring legends like Calvin Harris and Nicki Minaj.

From emo songs about love to rap hits by viral stars, check out this list of the best songs of 2023 so far.

Kim Petras & Nicki Minaj — "Alone"

The pop princess joins forces with the queen of rap on what many have claimed to be the song of summer 2023.

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Corook Featuring Olivia Barton — "If I Were a Fish"

This lighthearted track took over our TikTok For You Pages (and subsequently, every corner of our minds).

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Don Toliver Featuring Kali Uchis — "4 Me"

If you've scrolled through your FYP, then you've probably heard Don Toliver's new collab with Kali Uchis, "4 Me." This tune will give you all the feels, and if it sounds a little familiar, it probably is. The vibey single samples Beenie Man and Mya's 1996 collab, "Girls Dem Sugar."

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The National Featuring Taylor Swift — "The Alcott"

Taylor Swift hopped on a track for The National's new album, and let's just say they broke our heart a million little times. 🥲

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The Aces — "I've Loved You For So Long"

Alt-pop band The Aces are issuing a love letter to their younger selves with their upcoming album, I've Loved You For So Long. "I realize that I’ve never really loved anything like I love this band. And that even through times of dulled inspiration, of questioning everything, I’m always softly reminded that this is exactly where I’m supposed to be," lead singer Cristal Ramirez wrote of the track on Instagram. The group is also hitting the road this fall in support of their new album.

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Arlo Parks Featuring Phoebe Bridgers — "Pegasus"

The latest single off of Arlo's upcoming album enlists Phoebe Bridgers for dream-like harmonies. "@phoebe_bridgers you are one of the most intelligent & generous creative forces we have, I have cried to Funeral on many floors, I have screamed sung along to Motion Sickness on countless road trips, I have been in love with what you make since I was 17," Arlo wrote about their collaborator on Twitter.

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FLO Featuring Missy Elliott — "Fly Girls"

FLO is serving major girl power with this uplifting confidence-boosting single.

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JORDY — "Story of a Boy"

Award-winning pop artist JORDY just dropped his sophomore album, BOY, including this modern queer interpolation of Nine Days' 2000s track, "Story of a Girl." The singer is also slated to perform at multiple Pride festivals this summer.

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Noah Cyrus & Vance Joy — "Everybody Needs Someone"

There's nothing better than feeling like you have someone to be there for you when you need them. Noah Cyrus recruited Vance Joy in a plea for grace and optimism in their new collab, "Everybody Needs Someone."

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PinkPantheress Featuring Ice Spice — "Boys a Liar Pt. 2"

What do you do when you find out that your boo has been untrue? Throw PinkPantheress and Ice Spice's "Boys a Liar Pt. 2" on repeat, of course.

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boygenius — "True Blue"

There's nothing like love and loyalty. boygenius' new single "True Blue" celebrates a pure love when someone (platonic or romantic) knows you better than you know yourself. If you can't get enough of boygenius, the iconic group will be on tour from April 12 until August 28.

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Aluna & TSHA — "Killing Me"

Festival szn is here, and if you're looking for an uptempo song to get you ready to dance the night away, look no further than Aluna and TSHA's new single, "Killing Me."

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Icona Pop & Yaeger — "Sh*t We Do For Love"

Get ready to dance with Icona Pop's latest collab with Yaeger.

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Gracie Abrams — "I Know It Won't Work"

The end of a relationship doesn't always mean you lose the desire to want to be with someone. Gracie Abrams sings about sorting out the feelings that come after a split and wanting to communicate with an ex despite knowing how things will play out in the end.

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Lauren Spencer Smith, GAYLE, & Em Beihold — "Fantasy"

The TikTok-viral power trio teamed up for this banger about protecting your peace and leaving a toxic situationship.

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INJI — "BORED"

The "Gaslight" hitmaker is back with another bop to play at all your parties.

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Latto Featuring Lu Kala — "Lottery"

Get ready to live out your Y2K dreams with Latto's new pop anthem.

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Tove Lo — "No One Dies From Love (Stripped in France)"

Pop pioneer Tove Lo dropped one of the best pop albums in 2022, Dirt Femme, and now, she's released a 7-track EP with stripped versions of tracks including the lead single, "No One Dies From Love."

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Catie Turner — "Hyperfixations"

The American Idol alumna has proven time and time again that she has a gift for genuine and emotional songwriting — even on an infectious upbeat track like "Hyperfixations."

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HYRA — "Mary, Jane, and Me"

The pop newcomer is on a mission to modernize the electronic Lady Gaga, Kesha, and Charli XCX sounds that she grew up with, and "Mary, Jane, and Me" is a prime example of her craft.

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Nessa Barrett — "BANG BANG"

Our fave, Nessa Barrett, is back with another edgy track that will serve as the soundtrack to our bitter breakups.

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iyla Featuring Symba — "Impala"

iyla sets the record straight about her fears and honors the strength it takes to head back to her hometown after a failed relationship in "Impala."

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Lizzo Featuring SZA — "Special" Remix

Lizzo's single, "Special" was such a massive hit that she brought in a guest star for the remix. R&B superstar SZA hopped on the latest version of "Special" with an inspiring opening verse. The duo first performed the collab during Lizzo's Live in Concert HBO Max special in November 2022.

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Sebastián Yatra, Manuel Turizo, & Beéle — "Vagabundo"

Have you ever gone through a breakup and pretended like everything was fine when in reality, you really miss your ex? The Colombian artists' latest collab captures that exact feeling in this Spanish song.

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SG Lewis, Charlotte Day Wilson, Channel Tres — "Fever Dreamer"

UK producer SG Lewis teamed up with Charlotte Day Wilson and Channel Tres for an uptempo jam that he says is "about all-consuming admiration for someone." It's the perfect tune to rock to when you're gearing up for a big date with your crush.

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Taylor Swift — "Lavender Haze"

Swiftie's get ready. This one's full of Easter eggs. Taylor Swift gushes about the importance of blocking out outside noise when you're head over heels in "lavender haze" love.

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Sam Smith — "I'm Not Here to Make Friends"

In case you were wondering, Sam Smith is "Not Here to Make New Friends." The singer served major looks while starring in the burlesque-inspired visuals for the new single from their Gloria album. Shortly after the video's release in late January, Sam reacted to critiques for filming a suggestive video within King Henry VIII's Hampton Court Palace castle. The singer appeared on The Graham Norton Show and said, "Nothing seedy went on, guys, it wasn't weird. Weirder things have happened in that castle. Let's be honest," they joked.

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Chlöe — "Pray It Away"

Whew! Getting revenge on an ex that breaks your heart won't look as appealing after you listen to Chlöe explain why it's good to be the bigger person after a devastating split.

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Maisie Peters — "You Lost the Breakup"

Miss Maisie is back with another bop to ring in a new era ahead of the release of her sophomore album.

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Meghan Trainor Feat. Kim Petras — "Made You Look" Remix

Just when you thought you couldn't get enough of Meghan Trainor's "Made You Look" allow over your FYP, she's back with a remix featuring none other than Kim Petras.

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Miley Cyrus — "Flowers"

What more can we say? Miley's impact speaks for itself. Don't believe us? "Flowers" became the fastest song to surpass 100 million streams in Spotify history.

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Sam Smith — "Gloria"

Sam Smith's title track for their upcoming album, "Gloria," is a queer love letter. We love to see it.

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Ice Spice — "Princess Diana"

You thought I was feeling you? Viral rap sensation Ice Spice is back with another uptempo track that's sure to hit TikTok by storm, just like "Munch," "Bikini Bottom," and "In Ha Mood."

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Rebecca Black — "Sick To My Stomach"

There's nothing like watching the ex you're not over move on with someone else. This uptempo dance track is the perfect disguise for when you're feeling equal parts jealous and petty.

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SZA — "Kill Bill"

When you're in the mood to get revenge after a heartbreak, just toss on SZA's new single, "Kill Bill."

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Paramore — "C’EST COMME ÇA"

One word... Paramore. The Grammy Award-winning rock band proves why "it's like that."

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Armani White Feat. Denzel Curry — "GOATED"

Armani White's "Billie Eilish" had TikTok in a chokehold in 2022, and his new collab with Denzel Curry is just as lit.

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Mckenna Grace — "Ugly Cry"

If you've ever felt insecure and unsure of yourself, this Mckenna Grace track will feel like it's made just for you.

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HUH YUNJIN — "I ≠ DOLL"

Kindness is all you need. This K-Pop single stresses the importance of treating people well, even when you're online.

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Elle Winter — "Rotation"

Are you trying to figure out how to move forward with your crush? Elle Winter schools listeners on the best ways to "get him in rotation."

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Boys World — "Mantrum"

Girl power meets revenge in Boys World's new pop track "Mantrum."

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Chiiild Feat. Lucky Daye "Good For Now"

Chiiild and Luckye Daye are two of R&B's rising voices. The duo linked up for their second collab that inspires listeners to live in the moment.

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Katie Melua — "Golden Record"

Get ready to take a look into Georgian-British singer Katie Melua's journey as a woman navigating the music industry while balancing her career and family.

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boygenius — "Emily, I'm Sorry"

Could we expect anything less than perfection from the supergroup known as boygenius? Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker deliver an indie-inspired tale of a love that spirals out of control.

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La'Ron — "Web of Lies"

Few things in life, and love, hurt worst than getting entangled in an unofficial "situationship." Viral TikTok star La'Ron explores what happens when you consistently stand by people who mistreat you.

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Nanna — "Godzilla"

You may remember Nanna from Monsters of Men, but she released her debut single, "Godzilla," and it's so good. Based on the classic monster, "Godzilla" shares a story of navigating through isolation.

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Kelela — "Contact"

Get ready to pre-game with your besties courtesy of Kelela's new track, "Contact."

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Loren Gray — "Guilty"

You've probably seen Loren Gray's videos come across your TikTok FYP. The TikToker-turned-singer delivered a raw and transparent look into her struggles with depression in "Guilty."

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You Me at Six — ":mydopamine:"

Get ready to feel alive with You Me at Six's feel-good anthem, ":mydopamine:."

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vara — "Paranoia"

There's something about a relatable song that makes your dark days feel a little brighter. Singer and social media star vara delivered a vulnerable tackle topics like depression and mental health and owning the fact that they're "just different."

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