As the year winds down, we often find ourselves looking back on the music that shaped our experiences. What were the songs that will bring us to that place again when we hear them in the future? At year’s end, we’re ready to celebrate the triumphs we’ve had, or maybe we’re ready to turn the page and make a fresh start. To mark the occasion, we’ve skipped right to the tracks that fit the mood with a collection of triumphant, uptempo bangers from the year that was.
Take a journey back through 2023 with 23 party bangers that had us moving all year long. From Romy’s “Enjoy Your Life,” an anthem of triumph, and Fred again.. & Obongjayar's euphoric “Adore U” to Troye Sivan’s steamy house-pop floor-filler “Rush” and Peggy Gou’s omnipresent earworm, “(It Goes Like) Nanana,” we’ve got your NYE-ready soundtrack to end your year on a high note.
LISTEN TO THE '23 PARTY BANGERS ON SOUNDCLOUD NOW
Fred again.. & Obongjayar, “Adore U”
The stutter house superstar was working on a track inspired by his kid sister when he invited the Nigerian singer to contribute. As it turned out, Obongjayar’s lyrics were about his own sister.
Peggy Gou, “(It Goes Like) Nanana”
Follow the bouncing ball! The South Korean DJ’s instantly unforgettable smash hit joins the grand tradition of timeless pop songs with nonsense lyrics and irresistible melodies.
Young Marco, “What You Say?”
When the Amsterdam DJ stumbled across Imogen Heap’s “Hide and Seek” on a rainy day during the pandemic, he knew instantly he had to remix it: “My heart skipped a beat,” he says.
Eliza Rose, “B.O.T.A. (Baddest Of Them All)”
She’s the Baddest Of Them All. You’ll feel that way too after getting your groove on to the London DJ’s four-on-the-floor throwback.
Calvin Harris, “Miracle” Featuring Ellie Goulding
The third collab between the Scottish DJ and the English songwriter was the first to go to Number One in the UK. It’s the 11th time he’s done that, her fourth.
Shygirl, “Thicc” feat Cosha
She describes herself as a “total homebody,” but the English rapper-DJ is sending everyone else out to the clubs with her latest dancefloor banger.
Romy, “Enjoy Your Life”
Co-produced by the omnipresent Fred again, this dance-pop single from the xx’s frontwoman delivers a simple message courtesy of her mom: Don’t be afraid to enjoy your life.
Flansie, “You” feat. Mall Grab
Under the auspices of the Netherlands-based DJ collective GOONTEX, founder Flansie has combined forces with the DJ-producer Jordon Alexander on this club track, with more to come.
I. JORDAN, “M1, M3”
After playing three gigs in one night in Manchester, the DJ I. Jordan made a new song while riding the train home the next day. The track is named for the postal codes of the clubs that inspired him.
Pangaea, “Installation”
Super-infectious vocals mark the upbeat club vibe of this latest one from Pangaea, who says he hasn’t “ground up vocals like this since ‘Hex’ (2011!?).”
Kylie Minogue, “Padam Padam”
There’s an Eastern European tone to this alluring synth-pop jam from the Aussie superstar, written by Ina Wroldsen. The title phrase, “Padam Padam,” is meant to evoke the beating of the heart.
A. G. Cook, “Beautiful” (2023 Edit)
The founder of PC Music, Alexander Guy Cook has also served as Charlie XCX’s producer. This track – a remix of a 10-year-old favorite – was released as an endcap to his label’s 10-year run.
DJ Seinfeld and Confidence Man, “Now U Do”
New this year from Ninja Tune, this collab was created as as a celebration of summer and the festival season – “quirky, naive,” as Seinfeld says, “and an ode to all the summer flings out there.”
Shanti Celeste, “Whispers (Rave Mix)”
You’ll want to go all night from the first bars of this buoyant raver, which hinges on a simple, repeated phrase that we wish for you all in the new year: “Found something nice.”
Mixtress & Pete Cannon “Blinded By The Lights 23”
With help from veteran jungle DJ Pete Cannon, the power-hour DJ Mixtress turns the Streets’ 2004 classic into a frenetic, 160 bpm workout.
Pépe, “THB”
As part of what he calls the “Hardcore Continuum,” the Spanish DJ brings this heavy dance track.
Confidence Man, “On & On (Again)”
Led by two siblings, this Australian group worked with the UK producer Daniel Avery to create this high-octane track. “It’s a match made in sexy rave heaven,” the band says.
Oliver Dollar, “Strings For Life”
Heady disco vibes on, the opening track from Oliver Dollar’s three-track EP on the EDM label Rekids. The German producer worked previously for the label as a remixer back in 2012.
Troye Sivan. “Rush”
The Aussie singer released this relentless dancer as the lead track from his third studio album. It expresses “the feeling of kissing a sweaty stranger on the dancefloor,” he says, nailing it.
Tensnake, “Perfume”
“I can smell her on your skin/ A bitter taste of her perfume,” as the lyrics unfold to this new one from the well-established German DJ. The heartache is covered up by the track’s upbeat rhythm.
Todd Edwards, “Push The Love” (Seb Zito Extended Remix)
More than two decades since the original release of this dance classic from house pioneer Todd Edwards, the underground selector Seb Zito gives the track a forward-thinking refresh.
Dom Dolla, “Saving Up”
Capping off a big year for the Aussie house producer – one that included a breakout track with Nelly Furtado, “Eat Your Man” – this feel-good record dropped in October.
DJ Elmo, “Think About You”
The Dublin-based piano house producer notched his first Number One in his home country with this track: “You’re the one I’m thinking of,” the female voice sings, for all you mirror-gazers out there.
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