100 - 81 | 80 - 61 | 60 - 41 | 40 - 21 | 20 - 11 | 10-1

By Jamie Finn (@jamiefinn2209)

20. Numbers - Kirara

2023 is the year when electronic artist Kirara went back to just making music for the fun of it, and it shows. 

There really isn't much to say about numbers other than that it is an absolute balls-to-the-wall banger with an oddly satisfying refrain of Kirara just shouting numbers. 

19. Love Elements - Seoul Magic Club

There are very much two sides to Seoul Magic Club. The first is a melancholic dream pop band that create delicate, sombre songs. The other is an ear-bashing post-rock band that produce loud and sweeping soundscapes.

We've always kiiinda preferred the former, but Love Elements has forced us to reconsider that. It's one of the biggest, loudest and boldest songs they have made, and it might also be their best.

18. TUNNEL BABY - WACK

Another artist who debuted at the tail end of last year is WACK. The singer had an incredible 2023, becoming one of the most sort-after live acts on the scene.

WACK released 9 songs this year, but out of all of them, we're picking TUNNEL BABY, a bluesy, post-punk-sounding track absolutely dripping with style.

17. Dorothee Thines - Asian Glow

Can Asian Glow do any wrong? Between their half-a-dozen projects and a slew of collaborations, the hyper-prolific shoegazer has a Zappa-level output with a consistency that defies belief.

Dorothee Thines is exactly what you'd expect from Asian Glow - a swirl of heartwrenching low-fi emo with 200 bpm drumming. Underneath all that, though, there's one of their most touching and effective songs.

16. I Think I Like You - verycoybunny

2024 was a huge year for singalong pop-rock. Interestingly, it was a year in which pop-rock star verycoybunny began to move away from that sound. Mini-album NOW OR NEVER saw her build on the commecial, hook-heavy style she was known for by introducing shoegaze and grunge. 

She is still verycoybunny, though, so you know 80s-tinged guitar pop is never far away, as demonstrated by her gorgeous single I Think I Like You.

15. Who is who - hyangni

Hyangni are, almost certainly the most underrated band in this whole country. How their unique blend of funk, R'n'B, rock and house hasn't made them absolute megastars will always elude us.

Who is who is a textbook offering by them, a touch of sultry energy giving way to lead singer Jihyang's oddness in an absolute floor-filler of a chorus. Quality, as always.

14. Hip to be Depressed - Goths on the Beach

The Most Surprising Band of the Year award is absolutely no contest. Goths on the Beach are a clear-cut winner.

On so many levels, it shouldn't work. With their not-quite-comedy, not-even-slightly-serious schtick, GotB mix dance punk, new wave, electronica, and surf rock in a combination that just clicks.

Hip to be Depressed is an absolute earworm of a song, with emblematic lyrical wit from lead songwriter Isaac.

13. Ah Ha Ha - eundohee

One of our absolute favourite artists found something of a joyous streak this year. After a year of international shows and a new, well-received EP, it's easy to see why.

Ah Ha Ha shows eundohee's fresh outlook best. It's a tongue-in-cheek song about a conversation she overheard between a patronising older boss and his employee.

12. Tomorrow And - Pop Ents

Thanks in part to new-found fatherdom, 2024 was a relatively quiet year for everyone's favourite alt-rock lads. They still found time to record two songs which rank among their best.

Tomorrow And (or The Tea Song) is Pop Ents in a rare romantic mood, lamenting the end of a lovely evening with that special someone. It has a 50s rock and roll vibe that gives away to a trademark shouty chorus.

11. Cockroach - Sailor Honeymoon

The sole single from fresh riot grrrl-inspired band Sailor Honeymoon came out this year, and it's an absolute banger.

The cockroach in question is a pesty man. It is all pesty men. The combination of confrontational-yet-humorous lyrics as well a sinister-as-hell bassline make this a must-hear.