The 100 Best Songs of 2023

The past 12 months were all about homegrown artists (whether up-and-coming or long under the radar) finding their place in the global conversation. “Trouble” took Nashville-via-Hamilton country star Josh Ross to new heights. Toronto’s New West went viral with a track from 2019 (“Those Eyes”). Aysanabee’s “Somebody Else” helped establish the Indigenous artist as one of alternative rock's most exciting new voices. Vancouver’s Karan Aujla and Rexdale's Ikky continued to redefine Punjabi music with a joint album and EP. And after being together for a decade, The Beaches broke through internationally with “Blame Brett”—a summer post-breakup anthem to end all summer post-breakup anthems. Of course, as those emerging artists thrived, reliable hitmakers such as Drake, Charlotte Cardin, Loud Luxury, and DVBBS continued to dominate the charts—and remind us of just how rich and deep Canada’s creative talent runs. This playlist recaps the best songs of the year, as chosen by Apple Music Canada’s editors.