Presenting the first new music roundup of 2023! After a quiet holiday break from music, we’ve returned with a bang. Being the beginning of the year, it will likely take a bit before we have any long-form album releases. Where albums lack, though, singles multiply. It’s the week of the hit single, from Miley to GloRilla and Gracie Abrams to Paramore. What a way to start off a music-filled year. 

Let’s get into this week’s best releases:

“Flowers” by Miley Cyrus

New year, new Miley! After her stellar New Year’s Eve showcase, music-lovers across the country sat patiently waiting for her heavily-teased new single. Now that the fateful day has finally arrived, we can confirm that it lives up to the hype. “Flowers” is a vengeful, grooving self-love anthem like none other.

“2022” by Ty Dolla $ign

What a way to bid adieu to 2022. With impassioned, flowing vocals, Ty Dolla $ign puts his talent on full display. Plus, with lyrics pumped full of longing and nostalgia, the song may be one of $ign’s most resonant singles. It’s strikingly moving, and stands out among his discography.

“C’est Comme Ça” by Paramore

The pop punk revival is in full swing. After previous singles “This Is Why” and “The News” captivated audiences with its raging guitars and anguished belted wails, “C’est Come Ça” brings back some of the infectious joy that Paramore is known for. Just one “na-na-na-na-na” and you’re hooked. 

“GOATED.” by Armani White (feat. Denzel Curry)

After gaining immense TikTok clout for his gold-star hit “Billie Eillish,” rapper Armani White returns with yet another banging hit. With interlaced sung verses and rap sequences, “GOATED.” doesn’t puts power and punch at it’s forefront. The perfect pregame hit to leave everyone feeling (you guessed it) goated.

“On Wat U On” by Moneybagg Yo (feat. GloRilla)

All eyes on GloRilla. To be fair, Moneybagg Yo brings some solid bars to “On Wat U On,” but it’s GloRilla’s time to shine. With biting, pithy verses and an incredible sense of confidence, GloRilla is breaking into the rap game head first. 

“Where do we go now?” by Gracie Abrams

Young protegé Gracie Abrams had an eventful end of the year. Just days after it was announced that she would join Taylor Swift for her fabled Eras Tour, Abrams announced her first studio-length album. As a lead single, “Where do we go now?” completes what Abrams does best: whitsful, swooning lyrics with mellow indie pop beats. 

“Gone” by Noa Kirel

A reclamatory pop anthem, Noa Kirel’s “Gone” brings some new edginess to the traditional radio pop box. Breezy and danceable, the single bites in its reckless and angry lyrics. It’s simple but profound: “My favorite thing about you is you’re gone.”

“97 Avalon – Live from The Tea Factory” by Charlie Burg

If you’ve been following V’s New Music Roundup for some time, you’ll know that we love a live album. Something about these artists rerecording their hits, but in a more natural and unpretentious setting, makes for sonic gold. With Charlie Burg’s funk-inspired hits, the live form suits him well. 

“lonely bitch” by Bea Miller

With raging electric guitars and swelling chord progressions, Bea Miller’s “lonely bitch” provides an indie alternative to those pop punk bangers popping up left and right. With her captivating, aching voice, Miller captivates.

“Borderline Insane” by Matilda Mann and spill tab

If you’re looking for the ultimate girl power anthem to get you through the weekend, look no further. A collaboration between British indie songwriter Matilda Mann and French-Korean American musician spill tab, the song chronicles an experience we all know–the first date. “‘Borderline Insane’ is about those times when you have no idea what to wear for a date and everything keeps going wrong and you look crazy cause you’re slightly going crazy,” Mann elaborates. “And while I’ve over thought every tiny detail, my date is sat there looking perfect without even trying.”

“Over Tonight” by Stacey Ryan

Too often is indie pop quiet and sullen, masked by low-decibel depression. Stacey Ryan replaces this not with uptempo funk, but with a chill demeanor. Her suave, go-with-the-flow style of songwriting is entirely refreshing.