SZA, Beyoncé, JoBros, Billie Eilish – The Hollywood Reporter

It’s hard to think of 2023 in music and not mention the success of Barbie, Karol G‘s international takeover, the rise of singer-songwriter-dancer-engineer Victoria Monét and the launch of future pop star Tyla.

And then there’s SZA and Beyoncé. They released mind-blowing albums last year, but they didn’t snooze in 2023.

And speaking of snooze, here are 10 favorite songs of the year.

1. SZA, “Snooze”
“Ain’t a home when you’re not here/Hard to grow when you’re not here,” SZA sings on this modern love song currently uniting the entire world. Babies and young children are cutely singing the melody (and in harmony!). Boys and men are proudly singing the lyrics written solely by a female artist. And the aunties approve of its R&B authenticity. With some production assists from living legend Babyface and legend-in-the-making Leon Thomas, SZA’s confessional track is poignant and perfect. How can you snooze and miss the moment?

2. Beyoncé, “Cuff It [Wetter Remix]”
2022 was the year of Beyoncé — but so was 2023. Along with her game-changing Renaissance world tour, Queen Bey blessed us with a sexy-ass remix to “Cuff It,” transforming her upbeat, funky hit into a baby-making bedroom anthem.

3. Jonas Brothers, “Vacation Eyes”
With all three Jonas Brothers in their 30s, they’ve entered their adult contemporary era and “Vacation Eyes” is the kind of soft pop, yacht rock sound we want from them. Let’s call it Uncle Pop.

4. Doechii, “What It Is (Solo Version)”
From its first listen, Doechii’s “What It Is” was irresistible and addictive. Building off Triville’s 2004 hit “Some Cut” and TLC’s pop culture moment of 1999, “No Scrubs,” the rapper-singer came out swinging and the lyrics don’t disappoint: “That’s that lemon pepper thing/I’m a 10-piece baby.”

5. Victoria Monét, “On My Mama”
Speaking of swag, 2023 was the year for R&B girlies flipping rap classics and making them their own — matched with epic choreography. And the fact that Monét wrote “On My Mama” while experiencing postpartum depression makes it more than a dance anthem — it’s an anthem for life.

6. Billie Eilish, “What Was I Made For?”
Eilish and Finneas have a guaranteed best original song win at the Oscars with this beautifully aching take from Barbie. What were they made for? To write, and sing, and share it with the rest of us.

7. Zach Bryan featuring Kacey Musgraves, “I Remember Everything”
Bryan’s raw and commanding vocals paint a vivid story of a past love. And Musgraves’ sweet tone gives a winning supportive performance. “I Remember Everything” is everything.

8. Mitski, “My Love Mine All Mine”
You can literally hear the love pouring out of this insta-classic track created by Oscar-nominated songwriter Mitski.

9. Karol G x Shakira, “TQG”
Two superstars + commanding lyrics about their exes + seductive choreography = iconic collaboration.  

10. Tyla, “Water”
This breakthrough South African singer continues to quench our thirst with this slick and fun Afrobeats bop.

Honorable mentions: Sam Smith, “Man I Am”; Luke Combs, “Fast Car”; Leon Thomas, “Breaking Point”; Alex Vaughn with Summer Walker, “So Be It [Remix]”; Tyler Childers, “In Your Love.”