Coma feat. Dillon — Beyond You And Me (2022)
The German “Coma”, (not the Romanian one) are back with some great new songs, and this is one of their best ever.
All I want to be is you and me
Kid Francescoli — Moon (2017)
George Lam — Dare to love and do // 林子祥 — 《敢愛敢做》 (1987)
Asian cover of Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now, this delivers not only because it’s funny to hear a known song in a different language, but also because the lyrics are strong and make a love song better.
AnnenMayKantereit & Parcels — Can’t Get You out of My Head (2019)
Speaking about covers, these two bands blend together and put out something that’s better than the original version. Considering it’s a Kylie song, that’s an even greater achievement.
THYLACINE — War Dance (2018)
Sometimes songs don’t need words, and videos are just meant to enjoyed. Excellent contemporary dance setting for a great deep dark song.
Orchestra fraților Advahov, Alex Calancea, Fanfara Ciocârlia, Leonard Lalaru — Balkan Brass Battle (2018)
A bit country, a bit rock and roll, this is an excellent experiment. Gathering some of the best musicians and showmen from their specific genre, what they bring to the table blends so beautifully, it’s a masterpiece.
Три дня дождя - Я и одиночество // Three Days of Rain - Me and Loneliness (2022)
Just discovered this Russian rock band and they sound fantastic. Just watch them, they’re great!
Eli & Fur — You’re So High (2013)
Can’t believe I didn’t discover this song in the 10 years since it’s release. Very good house music back in the day.
Luude & Mattafix — Big City Life (2022)
Remixing an old song is not old news, but a good remix that does justice to its original is pretty hard to do (looking at you Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, stop your shit).
Niste Baieti — Cu Mine De-ai Fi (2012)
Somehow I had no idea this song existed until I saw them live this year and they played it. Was it a rarity from their setlist? Was I getting drunk enough by the time they played it? No idea. Love the rework.
Highsnob — La miglior vendetta (2018)
Italian music. That’s all. Listen to it.
Dr. Bombay — SOS (The Tiger Took My Family) (1998)
I know this song since it came out and it was a big hit on Atomic TV but completely forgot about it until I randomly stumbled upon it earlier this year. Try to make something like this in 2024 and see how fast you get cancelled. It’s so raunchy, it’s brilliant.
Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi — Two Against One ft. Jack White (2012)
If you’ve never heard of Danger Mouse, just think of him as the non-voice part of Gnarls Barkley, or the producer of Gorillaz’s Demon Days. Awesome song, especially considering the vocals of Jack White.
Franco Battiato — Amore Che Vieni, Amore Che Vai (1999)
Classic Italian song discovered in the soundtrack of “The White Lotus”. As mentioned before, Italian = listen.
Sorina Dan — Zum-Zum (1964)
Great old Romanian little gem, fun, funny and uplifting. Of course it’s unheard of. Do yourself a little treat and change that.
Klangkarussell — Circuits (2017)
Great electronic music right here, give it a spin, check the lyrics, lose yourself in the experience.
Bucium — Miorița (2017)
Romanian folk metal band Bucium delivers and over-delivers with this excellent song.
#2Маши – Мама, я танцую // 2Mashi — Mom, I’m Dancing (2018)
And to what a great song they’re dancing to! That whistle sound is so brilliantly positioned, it gives the song an aura of energy unmatched by their other songs. Definitely a dancing banger.
Lolita — Na Titanike // Лолита - На Титанике (2016)
If we started on the Russian pop music, let’s also mention Lolita with this insanely great song. The first time I listened this, it stuck to my mind and ear and sometimes I even play it on repeat a few times. It’s that good.
Баста — Сансара // Basta - Samsara (2017)
One of the best rappers in Russia, Basta hits with a good melancholic and deep song.
Михаил Боярский - Все пройдет // Mihail Boiarski – Everything Will Pass (1983)
Classic old song, this doesn’t need any special introduction. Boiarski is a legend in Russia, and this song is brilliant.
Mike Naumenko - Summer (Song For Tsoi) // Майк Науменко — Лето (песня для Цоя) (1982)
Mike Naumenko is arguably one of the best musicians Russia produced since Tchaikovsky (including). This song is about summer vibes, with a strong nostalgic feeling, dedicated to Viktor Tsoi.
Ленинград — Экспонат // Leningrad - Exhibit (aka Louboutins) (2015)
Serghei Shurnov’s Leningrad band switched from hardcore punk to a more pop rock genre and all I can say is that I love it. Mixing great music with fun videos, they raise the bar of entertainment to new levels.
Ленинград — Кабриолет // Leningrad - Cabriolet (2019)
Another fun video from Leningrad, just watch it.
СЛОТ – 2 войны // Slot — 2 Wars (2006)
Great nu metal band from Moscow, reminding me of the glory days of Korn, Flyleaf and Guano Apes. Solid rock, wish they were more known internationally.
Valeria Stoica — Distante @ Diud, where’s my tune? (2017, Live in 2020)
Romanian girls seem to find their way more and more into mainstream and the level of quality they bring to the musical stage is excellent. I wouldn’t label Valeria as a “Norah Jones lookalike”, but she’s got the skill, she only needs to become world-famous.
Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse — Revenge feat. Wayne Coyne (2010)
Danger Mouse again with probably the best song he’s ever released.
Miki Matsubara — Stay With Me (1979)
The queen of city pop, I feel sad I’ve only discovered Miki Matsubara only almost 20 years after she passed to a better world. This song is defining for the genre and it’s probably the best song discovered this year.
Miki Matsubara — Mind Game (1980)
Another excellent song from Miki Matsubara.
Mariya Takeuchi — Plastic Love (1985)
Another city pop song with a melancholic tone, which got re-released 37 years and also got a video. Excellent stuff there.
Therapy? - A Moment Of Clarity (1995)
No, this is not “Diane”. They have other songs too, and this one is one of their best. Hell, I think it’s one of the best rock songs of all time, actually.
Cin5i - Vino (2022)
I managed to see these guys play in a bar improvised in an old factory building and they sound really really well. I just hope they get more famous, as they’re doing pretty solid rock music.
Sam Wills - Traingazing ft. Honey Mooncie (Live at The Pool) (2020)
Good chill song, perfectly combined with a late night glass of wine.
Schiller - Desire (2008)
A great song by Schiller from his 2008 album Sensucht, written with Xavier Naidoo, who also does the vocals part, and featuring the bass playing of Tissy Thiers.
Bad Wolves - Zombie (2018)
I had no idea about the existence of this song, where Dolores O’Riordan should have reprised her vocals and that she never managed to do due to her unexpected passing. The song is a great tribute and an excellent stand alone. Goosebumps all over.
Cream Soda & Хлеб - Плачу на техно // I Like Tehno (2020)
Funny little video made during the pandemic lockdown of a great fun techno song. Russians and electronic music mix really well, almost hardbass.
Michael Kiwanuka - Cold Little Heart (2017)
This artist or this song need no introduction, but since I’ve just discovered them, here they are. Enjoy!
Molchat Doma - Volny // молчат дома - волны (2020)
MD is always an interesting experience to enjoy. Blending old school and modern vibes, their music is always top notch.
Sworr. - Fluorescence Pt.2 (2018)
Dark, smooth, this is a great song start to finish, transcending and blending musical genres.
For Spotify users
For people that are using Spotify, here’s also a playlist of the songs I liked in 2023. Put it on shuffle and enjoy!
