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

By Jamie Finn (@jamiefinn2209)

60. I do not know why I am here - Galaxy Express

At this in their iconic career, Galaxy Express know who they are. I do not know why I am here delivers all the things you want from a GE song, anthemic indie rock that will make audiences jump up and down.

59. Cherokee - 2 Day Old Sneakers

And speaking of indie-rock bangers...With their refreshed lineup, 2 Day Old Sneakers' lone single of the year was Cherokee - an all-out indie anthem. 

58. Night overtime - Crying Nut

The godfathers of Korean punk had a great year with a slew of big festival performances and continuing to (finally) get attention from the international music press. Night overtime feels like a classic Crying Nut singalong ska song that fans are sure to love.

57. melting tides - orange flavored cigarettes

The sole release from chill as fuck city pop inspired band orange flavored cigarettes was melting tides. This is the band doing what they do best and is the perfect song for a sunset drive.

56. coii - cotoba

On their excellent new album Humanaoid operational, cotoba evolved from Korea's best math band to one of Korea's best rock bands. On upbeat track, coii, the band show that they're continuously growing.

55. Pai, Moon, Everything - Mandong

Mandong is easily one of the best live acts in Korea today. On jazzy hip-hop instrumental, Pai, Moon, Everything, the band demonstrate the incredible range they are capable of.

54. Head Spinners - PARKJIWOO 

In some ways, Head Spinners is a bold choice from PARJIWOO. Its offbeat rhythms mark new territory for the artist, whose emotional work is usually very minimal.

53. Metamorphosis - Animal Divers

Is it possible to make energetic, futuristic dance music while also having a digeridoo? Animal Divers prove it can be done. Metamorphosis is a floor-filling anthem that absolutely kicks ass live.

52. Two Points - Wapddi

Wapddi's eccentric take on emo music marks him out as one of the most interesting and downright fun acts on the scene. His energetic and joyous-sounding music gives way to a heartfelt core at the centre of everything he does. 

51. Cumulus - JUNGWOO

Long-time fans of JUNGWOO may have been shocked when they first heard her 2023 album, Cumulus. The singer was best known for delicate, coffee-shop folk music, but here she explores a bunch of sounds such as dream-pop and shoegaze. Our pick is the album's title track.

50. Cat Cat - Katzfada

Curiosity may have killed the cat but we can't help but be curious about this cat-themed electronica act. Katzfada released an insane amount of music in 2023 and our pick is the cutesy Cat Cat.

49. Going for a drink - Kim Il Du and Kim EUISUNG

Kim Il Du's unique ability to fill the every day with immense emotion is here in full force. He gives a disarmingly touching vocal performance on this duet.

48. Better - Wedance

Is this a Christmas song? Wevo sings "ho ho ho", so it counts. Wedance returned this year with their long awaited follow-up to Dance Pop. Better shows just what we were missing about the band.

47. SCLG - CARE LESS

Look, clearly we're not hardcore aficionados, but there is something really satisfying about the debut single from mad lads CARE LESS. It's a song begging to be seen live by a band with the reputation to deliver.

46. 1392010 - hathaw9y

Busan-based indie-pop stars hathaw9y released their awesome debut album, Essentials, this year. Soulful lead single 1392010 is our pick for the best song from the release.

45. Ghost Writers - Seoul Electric Band

Korean rock and roll veteran Yoonchul Shin returns with his band for a Beatles-style track that is better than the one The Beatles put out this year.

44. yosan yosoo - omm..

A frantic blend of jazzy rhythms and calypso vibes from omm... Fans of Khruangbin will be sure to enjoy this.

43. Kiss Touch Me - Desert Flower

After releasing one of the albums of the year in 2022, Desert Flowe had a quiet one in 2023. Still, they put out Kiss Touch Me - a seductive, Portishead-esque track.

42. Sun Through My Eyes - Blue Turtle Land

Blue Turtle Land have been making trippy retro rock since way back in 2016. This warm and comforting instrumental track is perfect for a chill sunny day. 

41. BB New Attitude - Silly Silky

There was something inevitable-seeming about Silly Silky's meteoric rise in 2023. Her new aesthetic seemed destined for bigger things. She released a bunch of singles in 2023, such as the irresistible BB New Attitude.