Staged Haze’s 10 Songs Of The Year: 2023 Edition

Our favorite songs of the year are here and we’re super stoked to share this list with you.

Here’s to much more music to explore in 2024!

In chronological order:

“True Blue” – boygenius
Release Date – January 18

I tend to avoid having the same artist featured in the same post more than once, but I am absolutely willing to make an exception when it comes to boygenius, who also released the team’s pick for the best album of 2023. 

When I first heard “True Blue,” I was surprised that I felt so immediately connected to a boygenius track that isn’t necessarily derived from Phoebe Bridgers’ world, but more so, Lucy Dacus’ world. I absolutely love both artists’ solo projects, but it goes without saying that I have a greater emotional relationship with Bridgers’ music compared to Baker and Dacus.

“True Blue” holds a special place in my heart for a couple of reasons, but the main one is that I find it to be such a beautiful rarity to get a happy song about love from this band. And that’s not a complaint: I would argue that most of us boygenius fans listen to their music when we are feeling down, which makes an uncharacteristically happy song that much more special. I also discovered that the song title is a reference to the Blue Line in Chicago, one of the cities’ various train routes, which of course, tugs at my heartstrings even more. 

“True Blue” is such a beautifully simplistic song that describes having feelings for someone that are so strong, the moments of conflict can’t even come close to impacting the foundation of the relationship. 

It’s trite and cliche, but I am an avid believer that in order to love someone else, you have to love yourself: and like the song says “I remember who I am when I’m with you,” and that’s a striking sentiment that I feel sums up the meaning of love in a perfect little bow. – Kristin

“Crashland” – Maris
Release Date – March 10

Do you ever find yourself in the middle of being totally aware that you’re about to make a really bad decision, but decide to do it anyway? Like, falling for someone that you know is going to just end up hurting you? That’s the sentiment I feel when I listen to Maris’ single, “Crashland,” which clocked in at Number 14 on my Top 100 Most Played Songs of 2023.

Described as a “sweet and sour ode to New York,” Maris struggles with understanding the decisions she makes “sometimes I wonder if I fall cause I deserve it.”

Maris has released a only a few songs since the release of “Crashland,” but I’m looking forward to seeing where this much Missoula born artist goes next.
– Kristin

“Feather” – Sabrina Carpenter
Release Date – March 17

Something I deeply despise about myself and that I will forever be embarrassed to admit is that I struggle to listen to female artists. Although I was raised solely by two women (my mom and Taylor Swift), I also unfortunately grew up in an environment where women are subject to a lot more judgment from everyone in every single aspect; to this day this is something I try to actively unlearn. Because of that, falling in love with female artists and their music, and whenever I do, it’s an absolute win. Sabrina Carpenter’s emails i can’t send from 2022 was already an album that I enjoyed at least a decent amount, which was already something that made me really happy, however no song by her will ever compare to “Feather.”

“Feather” was released as a bonus track from her 2022 album’s deluxe version (released this year), and it is a perfect pop song. It’s catchy, it’s danceable, it’s fun to sing along to and it’s undeniably relatable. I was fortunate enough to see Sabrina perform this song at Lollapalooza, which was one of the first times she did her iconic “I slam the door, I hit ignore” dance that has taken over TikTok, and I remembered being unable to stop smiling. The energy she transmits while singing this song is just so invigorating and it makes me so happy to finally see her in her element, after so many years trying to be taken seriously among music fans and peers.

One of the best phrases from the song that I believe also perfectly captures Sabrina’s essence is “you act like a bitch”; it’s straight to the point and bold, just like she has shown to be in interviews and in social media. She really is winning the IDGAF war and I love that for her. –Javi

“Satanist” – Boygenius
Release Date – March 31

Earlier this year, I was traveling in Italy. One morning, I went to the Vatican really early to avoid the crowds and my jetlagged family didn’t want to come along. While I was walking the streets of Vatican City by myself, I decided to put on some music and opted for the album that I couldn’t stop returning to all year long—The Record by Boygenius.

I spent so much of the year listening to The Record, my favorite album of the year. But as I started walking around St. Peter’s Basilica with the album still running, I noticed that I was walking through the most important church in Catholicism while blasting “Satanist” by Boygenius in my headphones. I couldn’t help but laugh, standing alone, looking at Michelangelo’s “Pieta” and hearing Julien Baker sing about satanism. Sure, the song isn’t strictly about satanism, it’s more of a critique of a capitalistic culture, but the irony was still valid as I stood listening to it, surrounded by the exorbitant wealth of the Catholic church.

Honestly, any of the albums on The Record could have made this list for me, it’s such a solid, no-skips album, but “Satanist” will always stick out when I run through the album because even in the most ironic of settings, Boygenius is always the perfect choice. – Erin

“Salad” – Blondshell
Release Date – April 7

Sabrina Teitalbum’s debut album under the moniker Blondshell was my second favorite album of the year, and I still go back and forth on determining which song is my favorite on the nine song tracklist. However, I can definitely say that the fourth track, “Salad,” is definitely the most powerful to me.

As someone who admittedly consumes as much true crime content as I possibly can, I constantly struggle with the idea of finding entertainment with this type of stuff: as I’ve never had a personal experience being a victim or knowing one of violence or murder. “It doesn’t happen to women I know / I put it in a box on a TV show,” as Teitelbaum sings on “Salad.” 

She lets her imagination run wild on “Salad,” telling the story of a close friend falling victim to one of these predators, as she envisions what it’d be like to hurt the person who hurts others, acting upon her rage like they do. It’s a complex listen: an exemplary form of storytelling: a song that I think everyone needs to hear. – Kristin

“Digital Silence” – Peter McPoland
Release Date – April 7

Peter McPoland was the artist that took over my life this year, and this song in particular was the one that absolutely won me over, becoming my second most listened song of 2023 and—according to Stats for Spotify—of all time. As I had to (involuntarily) move back home for a few months at the beginning of the year, life became monotonous and just plain out boring, and of course one of the few things that kept me going was music. Right around the time I made it back to Chile, Digital Silence came out, the first promotional single from Peter’s debut album Piggy. I listened to it every time I got in the car, since it was a brand new sound for my ears that also immediately overstimulated my brain in one way or another. Have you ever listened to a song that made you literally scream because of how much you enjoyed it? That is what “Digital Silence” became to me.

The song itself is about the overwhelming weight of living in the digital age, how much information is thrown at us daily and how hard it gets to navigate everyday life sometimes. Even though I was technically home, I felt so far away from my new home in Chicago, and therefore spent an unhealthy amount of time on the internet. It was the only way I could still feel connected to the life I had built in the U.S., but it also made me deeply sad because I could see how life kept moving for everyone I knew even though mine felt like it was put in an indefinite pause. This unhappiness that sometimes became anger matched the sounds of “Digital Silence,” and the song itself helped drown out the rest of the world for 3 minutes and 18 seconds, the same way “Turn Off The Noise”, “Make It Stop” and “Blue” from the same album did.

I think both this album and this song will always hold a special place in my heart. “Digital Silence” marked a before and after in Peter’s career as he completely switched gears and leaned towards something that was out of his TikTok acoustic reign, and at the same it also marked a before and after in my life as I recognized my own personal anger and decided to work towards getting out of where I was mentally (and, slightly coincidentally or not, physically). – Javi

“All We Ever Do Is Talk” – Del Water Gap
Release Date – June 29

Although Del Water Gap somehow didn’t make it onto my Top 5 artists of the year (which felt like absolute treason for me), “All We Ever Do Is Talk” did make it onto my top 5 songs—and Holden will probably be one of my favorite artists forever so I thought it was only fair to include one of his new songs.

As the first promotional single for his sophomore album, I was eager for this song to come out so we could hear what Holden was cooking up next. Like I say every time I get the chance to, Del Water Gap’s self titled 2021 album is a perfect record for me, so I always knew that it would be hard to love anything that followed the same way. However, this track quickly became one of my favorites of the year, and six months later it’s still one of my hype songs that I like to dance to when I just need to let it all out.

I also think that musically it encapsulates Holden’s live energy in a great way. Even though off the stage he’s soft spoken and a little bit of an introvert, that all seems to go away when he’s performing. It’s like all the anxiety and external pressure disappears, and it’s just him and his music. While the song does address struggling with depression and everything that comes with it, which I do also relate to, at the same time it reminds me of this sort of freedom he exudes when performing it live. That is something that sometimes is hard for me to find for myself, but this song reminds me of that freeing feeling, and so it has come to mean a lot to me beyond the music itself. – Javi

“Paint the Town Red” – Doja Cat
Release Date – August 4 

Whether you find yourself enamored or critical of Doja Cat, there’s no denying that she has etched her name into the cultural zeitgeist this year. From commanding red carpet and fashion show appearances to her refreshingly candid social media persona, Doja has been a captivating figure. However, it’s her third album, “Scarlet,” that truly stands out, delving into motifs and themes of a demonic nature that elicit a spectrum of emotions—from horror to intrigue.

The album’s second single, “Paint the Town Red,” perfectly encapsulates the energy and attitude that Doja brings to this new era. The lyrics, “I don’t care, I’ll paint the town red,” offer a glimpse into Doja’s mindset of nonchalance, inviting everyone to join her in embracing their darker inclinations. In a departure from her earlier albums, Doja Cat has openly expressed a shift towards authenticity in her music, marking a significant evolution in her artistic journey.

The infectious chorus of “She the devil, she a bad little b*ch, she a rebel” underscores the track’s undeniable catchiness and taps into the universal desire to embody a rebellious and confident persona. The song’s chart success, which reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, attests to its widespread appeal, providing further evidence of Doja Cat’s musical prowess.

Notably, Doja’s flow has reached new heights in “Paint the Town Red,” displaying a finesse and confidence in her voice that is evident in her live performances, such as the unforgettable medley at this year’s MTV VMA Awards. Using the familiar phrase “paint the town red,” Doja Cat has cleverly positioned herself as the beloved antagonist, captivating audiences and solidifying her status as a compelling force in the music industry—one everyone can’t help but watch.
– Jesse 

“All-American Bitch” – Olivia Rodrigo
Release Date – September 8

On the other end of the spectrum, Olivia Rodrigo stands as an untouchable force, universally adored by fans around the globe. The singer-songwriter not only scratches the musical itch that millennials have longed for since the Avril Lavigne era, but she also brings her High School Musical following along on a rebellious joyride. In her sophomore album, Guts, Olivia proudly places “All American Bitch” as the opening track, showcasing its significance as one of her favorite songs and proudest moments.

The anticipation for Olivia’s sophomore album is palpable, given the monumental success of her debut, Sour, which clinched multiple Grammys and took the world by storm. Drawing inspiration from familiar phrases like “light as a feather, stiff as a board” and “All-American,” Olivia transforms these into instantly iconic pop-rock elements, seamlessly incorporating one of the most-used curse words to elevate the track’s rebellious allure.

The lyrics resonate with every girl, as Olivia candidly addresses societal expectations and pressures, contrasting the airy verses with hard-hitting choruses that make the song an absolute blast. The inclusion of an artist screaming adds an instant iconic touch. Olivia’s unique ability to infuse recognizable riffs and sounds from punk’s heyday with a modern, fresh twist is evident in both Sour and Guts.

The bridge, where Olivia sings, “All the time, I’m grateful all the time,” accompanied by an angelic chorus and a strategically placed F-bomb, delivers a powerful punch both sonically and thematically. “All American Bitch” not only solidifies Olivia Rodrigo’s standing as a contemporary pop-rock sensation but also reinforces her prowess in crafting music that resonates deeply with its listeners.
– Jesse

“Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl” – Chappell Roan
Release Date – September 22

Despite the majority of Chappell Roan’s debut album The Rise and Fall of A Midwest Princess being a majority of songs that were already released as singles, Roan certainly saved some of the best for last, including my pick for the song of the album, “Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl.” She teased the track on TikTok, so I was amped to hear it, but I couldn’t have imagined the song to be as fantastic as it truly is.

This song is so unbelievably fun, sexy, catchy, AND radio friendly: an ode to queer love, self-love, and the confidence to raise your standards to what you truly deserve (“He doesn’t have what it takes to be with a girl like me”).

Co-written by Nigro, Roan, Annika Bennett (who has worked with artists like Allison Ponthier and Katelyn Tarver) and Jonah Shy (Shawn Mendes, Dermot Kennedy, Fletcher), “Super Graphic…” laments Chappell Roan as a pop artist ready to take over the airwaves in 2024: featuring elements of Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and Charli XCX. – Kristin