My Top 20 Favourite Tracks of 2023

2023 seemed like a pretty mediocre year for music on the surface. But looking back, it actually had its fair share of bops.

The 10 Worst Songs of 2023

It’s time for my annual shitlist. Hold your nose as we expose the biggest musical doodoos of 2023.

The 10 Worst Christmas Song Lyrics

Does anyone actually know what a 'jingle horse' is?

BEST AND WORST NEW TRACKS OF THE FORTNIGHT 11/12/2023: Kaytranada, English Teacher, Dutch Uncles and more...

It's time to round up the best and worst tracks from the last fortnight (and a bit). This is probably going to be my last fornightly track roundup of the year, and then it's end-of-year list time. Keep sending me your music - but just be wary that I may not get around to featuring it until January! Artists featured this week include Kaytranada, English Teacher, Dutch Uncles, Mutes, Action Forever and Anna Indiana. 

INTRODUCING: PEACH

Meet PEACH

INTRODUCING: Ensemble 1

Meet Ensemble 1.

BEST AND WORST NEW TRACKS OF THE FORTNIGHT 24/11/2023: Dizzee Rascal, Danny Brown, Kanye West and more...

This last fortnight has been full of musical surprises including a new Kanye track (the first since his antisemetic Twitter tirade) and a new Andre 3000 album consisting entirely of flute instrumentals. There have been a bunch of singles that I've loved this week - including some big names and some lesser known names. Artists featured this week include Dizzee Rascal, Danny Brown, Darryl Kissick, Humm and Dog Door. 

Review of 'Playing Robots Into Heaven' by James Blake

After a decade of ethereal ballads, James Blake returns to his roots and delivers some exciting experimental EDM.

BEST AND WORST NEW TRACKS OF THE FORTNIGHT 10/11/2023: The Voidz, Machinedrum, The Beatles and more…

This week has a pretty wild mix of tracks including a new song from a little-known Liverpool group called The Beatles. Other artists featured this week include The Voidz, Lawn Chair, Lisa Ramey, Machinedrum and Frances Willow…

Review of 'Scarlet' by Doja Cat

Doja’s claws are out. Gone are the horny alien pop bops. She’s now making angry demonic rap. And it’s both fun and frustrating to listen to.

BEST AND WORST NEW TRACKS OF THE FORTNIGHT 30/10/2023: Lone, Ducks Ltd, Sampha and more...

We're fast approaching the end of the year. Here are some the most notable bops and flops I heard over the last two weeks. Artists featured include Lone, Ducks Ltd, Baby Jey, iskwé, Sampha and Idles.

BEST AND WORST NEW TRACKS OF THE FORTNIGHT 16/10/2023: Lola Young, Benjamin Earl Turner, Knower and more…

It’s actually been a bit more than a fortnight since I did one of these, but hey ho – here’s the best (and worst) new music I’ve heard since the last roundup I did. Artists featured this week include Lola Young, Benjamin Earl Turner, Knower, Lil Yachty/J Cole, Olso and Cher.

Review of 'Guts' by Olivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigo proves on Guts that she’s one of the more exciting artists to come out of Mickey Mouse’s pop star assembly line – especially when she leans more towards her rock side.

BEST AND WORST NEW TRACKS OF THE FORTNIGHT 25/09/2023: Blood Incantation, Denzel Curry, Jockstrap and more…

This week’s selection is pretty diverse. Artists featured include Blood Incantation, Denzel Curry, Pastel Blank, Menajerie, PEACH and Jockstrap & Taylor Skye ft. Ian Starr.

INTRODUCING: Void Comp

Meet Void Comp.

BEST AND WORST NEW TRACKS OF THE FORTNIGHT 08/09/2023: Doja Cat, Eyedress, James Blunt and more...

Doja Cat turns demonic and James Blunt is making dance music. Plus more new music from Eyedress (ft. Mac DeMarco), The Dandys, 1tbsp and Mette.

Review of 'Knower Forever' by Knower

The fact Knower aren’t more well-known is an absolute crime. The duo’s latest jazz-funk banger bonanza is one of the most fun albums I’ve heard in a while.

BEST AND WORST NEW TRACKS OF THE FORTNIGHT 25/08/2023: Tinashe, Shamir, DJ Khaled and more...

Well, it looks like I've already broken my pledge to go back to weekly roundups. This fortnightly roundup will have to do. Artists featured this week include English Teacher, Tinashe, Void Comp, Melanie A Davis, Shamir and DJ Khaled.

Review of 'UTOPIA' by Travis Scott

The guestlist is impressive and the production is fun, but it’s still not enough to conceal the fact that Travis Scott is an utterly unexciting rapper.

BEST NEW TRACKS OF THE WEEK 11/08/2023: Doja Cat, Duckwrth, ††† and more…

No 'worst' tracks this week. I've got too many good tracks to talk about. Artists featured this week include Doja Cat, Duckwrth, †††, Open Mike Eagle, Soda Blonde and The Fierce & The Dead...

BEST AND WORST NEW TRACKS OF THE WEEK 04/08/2023: The Hives, James Blake, Grimes and more…

Nutty rock and glitchy pop are the two main flavours this week. Artists featured include Tantrum Zentrum, The Hives, Lost Cousins, James Blake, 8485 and Grimes.

BEST AND WORST NEW TRACKS OF THE WEEK 28/07/2023: Paris Texas, Ryan Gosling, Will.i.am & Britney Spears and more...

I’m going to attempt to return to weekly roundups instead of fortnightly roundups. And yes, Ryan Gosling has made it into my top tracks. Other artists featured this week include Glazyhaze, My Octopus Mind, Paris Texas, The Money War and Will.i.am/Britney Spears.

BEST AND WORST NEW TRACKS OF THE FORTNIGHT 21/07/2023: Wargasm, PinkPantheress, MJ Lenderman and more...

This week's selection is an odd mix of pop and metal. Artist's featured include Wargasm, Harmony, PinkPantheress, MJ Lenderman, Moose Wrench and Lil Gnar.

Review of 'The Age Of Pleasure' by Janelle Monae

 

Janelle Monae trades Afrofuturist android adventures for radio-friendly raunchy reggae.

BEST AND WORST NEW TRACKS OF THE FORTNIGHT 07/07/2023: George Clanton, Blur, BENEE and more...

Artists featured this week include A Number From The Ghost, George Clanton, Isla Maria, Blur, BENEE and Fallout Boy.

Review of ‘Post-American’ by MSPAINT

Mississippi band MSPAINT make hip-hop-infused hardcore punk with synths – which is every bit as fun and unique as it sounds.

BEST AND WORST NEW TRACKS OF THE FORTNIGHT 23/06/2023: Doja Cat, Killer Mike, Paris Texas and more...

It's mostly hip hop this week. Doja Cat proves she can actually rap. Meanwhile, the new Killer Mike single slaps. Plus more great tracks from Paris Texas, The Maddocks, Sara Lew and Gunna.

Review of '10,000 Gecs' by 100 Gecs

Goodbye hyperpop. Hello hyperrock.

BEST NEW TRACKS OF THE MONTH 04/06/2023: Kendrick Lamar & Baby Keem, NxWorries, Queens of the Stone Age and more...

I haven’t done one of these track roundups in a while and, my God, I’ve got so much to catch up on. Here are just some of the best bangers and bops that I’ve heard over the last couple weeks. Artists featured include Kendrick Lamar & Baby Keem, NxWorries, Queens of the Stone Age, The Voidz, Knower, Matt Fusullo, MY-HI and Moreish Idols.

BEST AND WORST NEW TRACKS OF THE WEEK 14/05/2023: IDK, Billy Woods, Will.i.am and more..

Artists featured this week include Redshift, IDK, Dragonfruit, Billy Woods, Penny Rich and Will.i.am.

INTRODUCING: OOF

Credit: Dalton Patton

Meet OOF.

BEST AND WORST NEW TRACKS OF THE FORTNIGHT 05/05/2023: Knower, grouptherapy., Tame Impala & Thundercat and more...

Artists featured this week include Knower, grouptherapy., Thundercat & Tame Impala, Michael Hamilton, Lucky Thief and Rita Ora.

Review of '72 Seasons' by Metallica

Metallica continue to stay true to their thrash roots. But with so few risks taken and such clunky songwriting, you have to ask yourself ‘is this really more enjoyable than St Anger?’.

BEST AND WORST NEW TRACKS OF THE FORTNIGHT 21/04/2023: redveil, Squid, Drake and more...

Artists featured this week include redveil, Squid, Adult Leisure, Dragonfruit, Boni and Drake.

Review of 'Scaring The Hoes' by JPEGmafia and Danny Brown

Scaring The Hoes sees rappers JPEGmafia and Danny Brown celebrating their mutual weirdness. If you want to get kicked out of a house party for ‘scaring the hoes’, play this album (although I can think of much worse examples if you really want to cause utter chaos. Imagine putting Trout Mask Replica on the aux. Or maybe some Merzbow? That’s how you scare the hoes.)

BEST NEW TRACKS OF THE FORTNIGHT 07/04/2023: Icona Pop, redveil, Tyler the Creator and more...

 

No 'worst' tracks this week. Artists featured include Icona Pop, redveil & JPEGmafia, Tyler the Creator, Tom b, OOF and Chat Pile.

Double Review: 'Gigi's Recovery' by The Murder Capital and 'Food for Worms' by Shame

British/Irish post-punk continues to thrive in 2023. But it looks like spoken word is out, and singing is back in.

BEST AND WORST NEW TRACKS OF THE FORTNIGHT 24/03/2023: Elizabeth Shepherd, 100 Gecs, JPEGMAFIA and more...

Tomorrow will be 10 years since I wrote my first review on this blog! Thank you to everyone who has read my blog and contributed music over the years. I realise that I'm not posting as much these days, but don't worry - I have no plans on quitting Music Related Junk any time soon. I love discovering new music and I love supporting upcoming artists, and will probably keep doing so until I die or become deaf. On that note, here are some of the best songs I discovered over the last two weeks. Artists featured this week include Elizabeth Shepherd, 100 Gecs, MIHI NIHIL, JPEGMAFIA & Danny Brown, Guilty Party, Alexandra Streliski, Tame Impala and Lil Pump.

Review of 'Like..?' by Ice Spice

Ice Spice? Is she, like, the secret sixth member of The Spice Girls? I decided to check out.

BEST AND WORST NEW TRACKS OF THE FORTNIGHT 13/03/2023: Metallica, Liturgy, Oliver Tree and more...

This year has been pretty chaotic for me, so I apologise if here is there is absolutely no routine to these track roundups anymore. Honestly, who posts a track roundup on a Monday??? Oh well, deal with it. Artists featured this week include Jonah Yano, Baba&Co, Dinner Party, Wednesday, Metallica. Liturgy, Ryan Egan and Oliver Tree.

Review of 'Let's Start Here' by Lil Yachty

Lil Yachty has evolved. Enter Mega Yachty.

BEST AND WORST NEW TRACKS OF THE WEEK 18/02/2023: Indigo De Souza, Squid, DaBaby and more...

Love is not in the air. I couldn’t find any decent new love songs this week to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Instead, this week’s all a bit gloomy and depressing. Fortunately, I like gloomy and depressing songs. Artists featured this week include Indigo De Souza, Latir, Squid, Kety Fusco, Casey Møøn and DaBaby.

BEST AND WORST NEW TRACKS OF THE MONTH 09/02/2023: The Murder Capital, Skrillex, U2 and more…

This is my first track roundup of 2023 and, boy, have I got a lot of tracks to catch up on. I apologise for the hiatus. The track roundups are back again, and I’ve decided to do a 12 track special to make up for all the music I’ve missed. Keep sending me your bops and bangers. I’ll get to them eventually! Artists featured in this post include The Murder Capital, Bastien, Eleanor, Holly Henderson, MSPAINT, Shame, Les Ailes, Olvine, TEETH, Skrillex and U2.

ALBUMS I NEVER GOT ROUND TO REVIEWING IN 2022: Beyonce, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Arctic Monkeys and more...

Time to catch up on albums from Beyonce, FKA Twigs, The Garden, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Fontaines DC, Meat Wave, Polyphia, Arctic Monkeys, Father John Misty, Vince Staples, Open Mike Eagle and Alvvays.

My Top 20 Favourite Albums of 2022

I’ve put off this list long enough. So without further ado, here are my favourite albums of 2022.