The year is almost over, which means it’s review time! Europavox’s journalists gathered together their musical crushes from 2023 in an ultimate playlist. If this year’s state of the world has been overwhelming to say the least, one can find solace when putting on headphones: musically, 2023 was a blast!
It’s the beauty of this team, what makes it so unique: all the articles you can read on Europavox.com are written by a gang of journalists scattered across the continent. They don’t speak the same language, didn’t grow up in the same environment, don’t eat the same food, don’t dance in the same clubs. But they’re all united by the same two passions: discovering awesome bands and sharing what they found with all of Europe. So naturally, when they all get together to reflect on the best releases of 2023, the result is rich and eclectic. It’s not that often that one can, in the same breath, listen to Latvian hip-hop lyrics, Greek-sung new-wave, Irish country, delicate Icelandic folk and a subtle Italian electronic ballad. This best-of is obviously subjective, but it feels like somebody took a picture, in its best light, of the entire 2023 European music scene. Say cheese, and happy holidays!
Dan Cole (Germany)
His favourite German track of 2023: Plattenbau – ‘Best Western’
‘Berlin group Plattenbau turns the bleak into the beautiful. ‘Best Western’ is Joy Division for disco-punks, a great track for indie clubs or DJ-sets.’
Best pick from Europavox.com this year: Bulgarian Cartrader – ‘Guestlist’ (BG)
Read more about Bulgarian Cartrader
Noémie Lecoq (France)
Her favourite French track of 2023: Howlin’ Jaws – ‘Mirror Mirror’
‘The best shot of adrenaline from a French band in 2023!’
Best pick from Europavox.com this year: JFDR – ‘Life Man’ (IS)
Normunds Vucāns (Latvia)
His favourite Latvian track of 2023: Fiņķis & Patrisha – ‘Raķešu zinātne’
‘Latvian hip-hop with touches of rock and electronic music. As soon as it dropped in early March there were no doubts in my mind – this is the song of the year in Latvia!’
Best pick from Europavox.com this year: Girl Scout – ‘Weirdo’ (SE)
Maro Angelopoulou (Greece)
Her favourite Greek track of 2023: Mazoha – ‘Arrenotipota’
‘A sarcastic as hell comment on toxic masculinity and norms encouraging men to act ‘macho’, by Mazoha, the new Greek-speaking alter-ego of Vagina Lips’ Jimmy Polioudis.’
Best pick from Europavox.com this year: Sugar For The Pill – ‘Colours’ (GR)
Илья Коваленкo / Ilya Kovalenko (Ukraine)
His favourite Ukrainian track of 2023: ТИСК & DJ Sacred – ‘Bishkek (Dungeon mix)’
Best pick from Europavox.com this year: Rein – ‘Mutual Satisfaction’
‘A marvellous piece of work by Rein, a Swedish artist I wrote about on Europavox.com. I adore this mix of vocals and crushing, broken electronica.’
Nicolas Alsteen (Belgium)
His favourite Belgian track of 2023: ECHT! – ‘Cheesecake’
‘Taken from ECHT!’s second album, ‘Cheesecake’ can be enjoyed as an aperitif or devoured on the dance floor. As delicious as ever from this Brussels-based instrumental quartet.’
Best pick from Europavox.com this year: YĪN YĪN – ‘The Age Of Aquarius’ (NL)
Susanna La Polla De Giovanni (Italy)
Her favourite Italian track of 2023: Daniela Pes – ‘Làira’
‘‘Spira’, Daniela Pes’ album, is probably the best Italian release this year. ‘Làira’ is my favourite track from the record: how can you not fall in love with this modern magnetic lullaby?’
Best pick from Europavox.com this year: Romane Santarelli – ‘Le Club’ (FR)
Read more about Daniela Pes
Read more about Romane Santarelli
Gonçalo Castro (Portugal)
His favourite Portuguese track of 2023: Margarida Campelo – ‘Mapa Astral’
Best pick from Europavox.com this year: Petite Noir – ‘Blurry (feat. Sampa The Great)’ (BE)
‘Pop, weird, soul, electronic, luxurious, great voices, fashionable, cool, and much more.’
Itta Francesca Ivellio-Vellin (Austria)
Her favourite Austrian track of 2023: NNOA – “Bff (Best Fake Friend)”
Best pick from Europavox.com this year: Uche Yara – ‘www she hot’ (AT)
‘Uche is a brilliant musician and after mainly performing live, it’s one of the first songs she released. I’m glad I can listen to it wherever I am now!’
James Hendicott (Irlande)
His favourite Irish track of 2023: CMAT – ‘Stay For Something’
‘Perhaps the breakthrough Irish artist of the last couple of years, CMAT’s country-pop melodrama meets emotional turmoil is infectious, distinctive and heart wrenching.’
Best pick from Europavox.com this year: Arny Margret – ‘I Went Outside’ (IS)
Read more about CMAT
Read more about Arny Margret
