The Best Tracks You Might’ve Missed in 2023

There is no denying that 2023 was a fruitful year for the music industry. With big name releases from artists like Lana del Rey and Olivia Rodrigo to iconic debuts from PinkPathress and Chappell Roan, the last year brought forth a myriad of music that fans of every genre will cherish for years to come.

With such a massive influx of fresh tunes, it can be difficult to keep up with all of the incredible releases a year has to offer.

Alongside transformative releases from industry legends, a new wave of blossoming indie artists prospered in their talent, giving their very best in each and every single one of their tracks.

We’ve highlighted just a few of our favorite tracks you’ll wanna make sure you didn’t miss from some of the most brilliant indie artists upcoming in the scene.

TOBACCO - EMMA BIENIEWICZ 

(Source: Emma Bieniewicz on Instagram)

Emma Bieniewicz’ music is the quintessence of gorgeousness, simply put. In each of her songs, she immediately entrances listeners with sparking story-telling and intricate instrumentation. Bieniewicz’ single “Tobacco” perfectly captures a silky, wistful air that immediately captivates listeners with its euphonious ambience. The track’s production sounds both dreamy and folky, harboring delicate strings, airy vocals, and wispy synths.

Bieniewicz’ penmanship is nothing short of masterful as well; lyrics such as “Fold, you know you made me / Tall, but I’m still a baby / Oldest, no room for breaking / Built the buildings, watched them all get taken / I let it happen” eloquently establish the track as an ethereal love-letter from the pains of the past to the warm solace of the future. Bieniewicz manages to encapsulate pure comfort and serendipity in the song’s resolution, allowing listeners to simply melt into the beauty of her music. “Tobacco” by Emma Bieniewicz is a must-listen-to track in all of its sentimental glory.

(Source: Ben Hohner on Instagram)

JUNK - BEN HOHNER

Ben Hohner’s creativity is unmatched. Their passion exudes through every aspect of their art; it’s difficult to create anything that feels as authentic as Hohner’s work does. All of Hohner’s music is self-produced and self-written, making each of his tracks that much more impressive and distinctive. “JUNK” stands out as one of the strongest releases from 2023, tying together an indie rock sound with a refreshing punk flare that makes it near impossible to not jam along.

The track’s instrumentation is one of its strongest qualities, exhibiting infectious rhythm and flow akin to the most iconic indie rock tracks. The song maintains a well-balanced sense of edge and charm in both sonic versatility and lyricism. “JUNK” by Ben Hohner is exhilarating, a track you simply cannot miss out on.

FREE - CAROL ADES

(Source: Carol Ades on Instagram)

Breaking away from the constraints of one’s own mind will never fail to be a daunting task, but Carol Ades explores the liberation and the hardships of reinventing one’s self in order to heal and grow in her track, “Free.” In “Free,” Ades sings “It wasn’t easy, it wasn’t patient / Having the arrow, but not knowing where to aim it / Out in the open, it isn’t painless / And it may never be / But this time I get to be free, free.”

In order to capture this sensation of freedom, the track sounds light, bubbly, and even somewhat slightly glitchy as the singer describes the process of unlearning one’s self and being born anew. “Free” is a powerful testament to resilience and growth, a cathartic release that simply makes anyone feel good in times where it might be hard to.

(Source: Spotify)

TINSLEY SONG - VYVA MELINKOYLA

The latest album from Vyva Melinkoyla, Unbecoming, is a mesmerizingly haunting collection of shoegaze and slowcore songs with a powerful and velvety composition that leaves listeners wanting more and more. Angel Diaz, the artist behind Vyva Melinkoyla, invokes an intense range of emotions throughout the record, with the track “Tinsley Song” being one of the most riveting and heartbreaking. The track opens with a short yet powerful poem which establishes the somber and ruminative tone of “Tinsley Song.”

The song shifts to rugged guitar and percussion alongside the otherworldly, gossamer vocals of Diaz. The song’s lyrics detail the loss of a close friend; Diaz sings “There’s no way you’re not an angel now / Violet flower growing from the ground / Eyes of green / Child of the sea / Can you feel this love? Reaching up above.”  Unbecoming by Vyva Melinkoyla is a melancholic masterpiece, analyzing the multifaceted layers of death, darkness, and cruelty within the world.

RAT - KARA JACKSON

(Source: Kara Jackson on Instagram)

Singer-songwriter Kara Jackson is one of the most powerful story-tellers, begging the question Why Does the Earth Give Us People to Love? in the title of her debut album. Throughout the record, Kara Jackson tells immersive tales that are far too easy to get lost in. Alongside her profound and fantastical chronicles, Kara Jackson’s vocal performance is ethereal. Her deeply rich tone pairs perfectly with the folky aesthetic of her debut album, making it feel almost akin to Jackson telling these stories by a campfire. The song “rat” is one of the most particularly compelling throughout Why Does the Earth Give Us People to Love?.

The track intricately tells the story of the fittingly named Rat as he travels to the city in order to pursue his dreams and escape the ghosts of his past. However, Jackson’s story of Rat serves a cautionary tale, as the lyrics of “rat” expose the tragic reality of class inequality and the shackles masculine greed. Her poetry is boundless, and the story of rat excellent showcases the power of her words; it’s a journey everyone should go with Kara Jackson on.

These artists brought forward sterling artistry during an incredibly abundant year for the music industry. Their passion emanates within every word and every moment of their music. It is clearly evident that they have a beautiful gift, and we are incredibly thankful that they have chosen to share; now, we want to share them with you. If you missed them in your listening last year, you will want to make sure they are on your record and your radar within the next year. 

In addition to these songs, Off the Record has compiled a playlist of “the best tracks you might’ve missed in 2023,” featuring tracks from tofusmell, Sunday Cruise, and more. You can check out our playlist below.