🎙 Songs That Don’t Suck – Episode 27: Mid-Year Review 🎶
Mark recaps his Top 10 tracks of 2023 (so far) in this special retrospective.
🏁 Halfway There: A Mid-Year Thank You
With 26 episodes and 140+ songs shared, we’ve hit the midpoint of 2023—and Mark’s celebrating with a special episode. Instead of fresh finds, he’s diving into the 10 tracks that stuck—the ones that kept popping up in playlists, stuck in his head, and blasting from his car speakers. 🚗💨
“I started this show with no clue how hard it would be to find good new music every week. But thanks to you, it’s been a total blast.”
📈 The Rules: How This Top 10 Was Picked
Mark used a three-factor formula to choose these gems:
- Data – Streaming stats (how often they got played vs. his usual go-tos)
- Gut Feel – Songs he caught himself humming, cranking up, or randomly quoting
- Disqualification – Major bands (like Foo Fighters or Dave Matthews Band) were excluded for fairness
🎧 The Top 10 Songs of 2023 (So Far)
Presented chronologically by episode—because picking a favorite child is impossible.
🎶 1. Liily – “Applause”
📍 Episode 1
The track that launched it all. A big, bold anthem that later showed up on national TV (Miley’s NYE special, anyone?), validating Mark’s ear for what’s next.
“Still on repeat. And yeah, my ego got a little boost on this one.”
🎶 2. Wednesday – “Chosen to Deserve”
📍 Episode 4
A gritty, nostalgic trip through Southern angst and bar-stool storytelling. Still the standout from Wednesday’s catalog.
“Their other songs don’t hit the same—but this one? Lyrical gold.”
🎶 3. The Bites – “Do Me a Favor”
📍 Episode 4
Pure glam rock adrenaline. Think ‘80s hair metal without the cheese. Their debut album’s coming in July, and Mark’s counting the days.
“They’re the band I’m most excited about discovering this year.”
🎶 4. Fritz Hager – “Caroline”
📍 Episode 6
A cinematic slice of modern pop with stunning lyrical storytelling. A go-to sing-along favorite for solo car rides.
“It’s like a movie in your headphones.”
🎶 5. Drayton Farley – “Devils in NOLA”
📍 Episode 10
A haunting roots-country track with vivid, moody storytelling. Country may be struggling, but this one hit all the right notes.
“I’m not a country guy—but this song? Straight-up chills.”
🎶 6. The Beths – “Watching the Credits”
📍 Episode 14
A sleeper hit that’s grown into a sunny, high-volume, windows-down anthem. Catchy chorus, infectious energy.
“Didn’t expect it to become a favorite—but it did.”
🎶 7. The Commoners – “Find a Better Way”
📍 Episode 17
Southern rock with Black Crowes swagger—except these guys are Canadian (!). Bluesy, riff-heavy, and endlessly replayable.
“It just feels good to turn this one up loud.”
🎶 8. The Murlocs – “Undone and Unashamed”
📍 Episode 18
A jangly, folk-rock earworm that brings Jack White energy with an upbeat twist. A highlight from an otherwise tough week for new music.
“Happier White Stripes? Yes, please.”
🎶 9. Half Moon Run – “Nine Beat”
📍 Episode 23
Mark’s newest obsession. A beautifully complex, 9/8 time-signature track that showcases Half Moon Run’s evolving brilliance.
“It’s not just one of my favorite songs—they might be my new favorite band.”
🎶 10. Spanish Love Songs – “Clean Up Crew”
📍 Episode 25
Emotionally raw and musically layered. Immediate Talking Heads vibes—and a track that’s quickly cemented itself as a repeat favorite.
“It was a slow burn. Now I’m hooked.”
🔜 Coming Next Week…
🎶 Double the music – Mark returns with two weeks’ worth of new songs
🎧 Expect a possibly longer episode
🧐 Will they suck? We’ll see…
🎙 That’s a wrap on the Songs That Don’t Suck Mid-Year Review.
Thanks for listening, and thank you for supporting this discovery journey every week.
Until next week, keep searching for and listening to songs that don’t suck. 🎵
