Vitesse X (Music Website)'s Favorite Tracks of 2023
Vitesse X AKA Jordan Stern of Music Website's Favorite 23 Tracks of 2023, Top Remixes and Tracks to DJ
Vitesse X is a NYC-based producer, songwriter, DJ, audio engineer and the co-founder of Music Website. She released her debut LP “Us Ephemeral” in 2022 and made a big splash live streaming weekly, DJing around the city and touring the US. The title track ‘Us Ephemeral’ quickly rose to prominence, making the #1 spot on VICE’s 50 Best Songs of 2022 list. This year, she released a string of singles, a collab with TDJ, was named one of Numéro Magazine’s 10 Producers to watch and “Ricochet” was included on Spotify editors’ Fresh Finds Dance Top 100 Tracks of 2023. She’s currently working on her sophomore LP due out next year.
Without further ado, here’s Vitesse X’s Top Tracks of 2023…
Vitesse X’s Favorite 23 Songs of 2023
(In no particular order)
Scorpio - James K, hoodie
I’m happy to see James K at the forefront of the trip hop revival. I first heard this song this year at Sustain Release (a 4-day rave at a summer camp upstate). James K performed a live set on the first night, deep in the woods and I still vividly remember when she dropped this track. Everyone was just mesmerized. One of my biggest inspirations right now, no question.
This World Couldn’t See Us - Nabihah Iqbal
Hard to choose my favorite track off this album (“DREAMER”), because it might be my favorite of the year. Gorgeously raw and human. Tearing away the excess to leave behind the honesty we should all strive to channel within our art. Also takes me back to that early ‘10s hypnagogic universe that I’ve missed so dearly.
Out of My Head - LUXE, Tom Place
Cause I’m a sucker for breaks with lush, yearning vocals sprinkled on top. Production on this is just so clean and perfect and beautiful.
Jetski - Tiberius b
So pop sensible but still feels like it’s challenging my pathways. I love the unpredictable, percussive yet winding vocal cadence. It feels so fresh and unique to me. I first heard it along with the music video directed by Aidan Zamiri (which I’d highly recommend watching). It’s addicting.
Sunnbrella - Fever Dream
A recent new favorite of mine. Just everything you’d ever want in a modern shoegaze pop song. Melancholy and lush as hell 😮💨👌
Rinsed - Dean Blunt, TYSON
Feels like it’s gone before it even really gets started, but it cuts to the core of something that is universally felt at the moment. Nihilistic, broken, intimate, and utterly vulnerable.
Three Drums - Four Tet
If I’m being truly honest, most of this year was spent dissociating while listening to my ambient playlist. This was one of my most played tracks on there. It’s been kinda wild to see Four Tet’s emergence into the mainstream club kid vernacular this past year, but I’m here for it.
IRL - Tapeworms
I stumbled on this song while scrolling IG one day. It was only a month or two after Music Website had launched, and I immediately did a deep dive into the band. It’s like shoegaze in the cyber age, sprinkled with y2k aesthetics and sonic embellishments. A love at first sight moment for me, so I instantly knew I needed to reach out to see if they were interested in joining the roster. Can’t wait for you to hear their new releases in 2024 :)
Satisfy You - George Riley
Those synths, that beat, that voice. 😩😩😩 Makes your eyes roll back.
Array - DJ_Dave
The epitome of sonic futurism. Invigorating and ethereal. And if you don’t know, DJ Dave live codes her performances. Just insanely cool.
This is New York - ScarLip
This shit is so powerful to me. It’s brutally honest and aggressive as hell. Just doesn’t feel tainted by major label influences in the way we typically see within mainstream hip hop these days. Not for easy listening, but great for when your haters are acting up.
Once then we’ll be free - Wisp
I literally just found out about this band and all I can say is shoegaze is alive and well and here to stay. I’m obsessed with those cooing guitars 😭
On & On (Again) - Confidence Man, Daniel Avery
Such a fun party anthem. Feels like a timeless classic to me.
Summer Glass - Julie Byrne
This entire album (“The Greater Wings”) is a gorgeous work of art. Julie’s voice is otherworldly. This song features a prominent synth line recorded by an old friend of mine that passed away a few years ago, who was also one of Julie’s main collaborators. Listening to this song feels like a deep plunge into grief, longing, and transcendance.
Daddy - Nourished by Time
Erotic Probiotic 2 is another one of my favorite records to drop this year. It’s genuine, raw, and tapped into a stream-of-consciousness style that has become nearly obsolete within this era of excess. I’m not typically a lyrics person, but Marcus speaks on a lot of aspects of the human experience that we can all relate to. There’s a reason why this album has resonated with so many people this year- it’s opened a door for all of us to access a stronger sense of authenticity within ourselves if we dare to try. And Daddy is a fuckin bop.
A Vision - Avalon Emerson
What a testament to Avalon’s breadth of skill and artistry. I feel like I’m listening to a modern day Arthur Russel at times- it just evokes similar feelings. It might be something about the purity in Avalon’s voice, or the tenderness of the production. It’s so inspiring to see an artist switch genres so effortlessly.
I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
I’ve been a Mannequin Pussy fan for over a decade now. We both used to play shows in the Virginia house show scene and it’s been really amazing to see their growth since that time. The song seesaws between visceral screams and sunshine-y melodies. The duality between darkness and light is a really important quality for me as a songwriter, so I love to see it done in such a palpable way. It keeps you locked into every moment.
Spiral - Waterbaby
Gates-of-heaven-core. Our modern day Cocteau Twins. So incredibly overlooked at the moment.
Feed the Fire - Pearly Drops
I love when a track can feel so new yet so familiar at the same time. Pearly Drops seem to have that magic touch with everything they produce. Sandra’s vocals are always so angelic and eerie. Feels like you’re listening to a classic indie rock song from Mars.
Headlights On - Wild Nothing, Hatchie
Wild Nothing can do no wrong in my book. I feel like Jack is always challenging himself with every new release, diving into untapped sounds and production elements every time. It’s easy for artists to start recycling ideas over time, but he always keeps it fresh and I really admire him for that. This one’s got some real soul and it’s a perfect collab too.
Times Square - Jam City, Aidan
Such a feel good track for cruising through the urban grime.
Sound-Image Concept - DV-i
An insane immersive sonic experience. There’s nothing like it out there. This one opened the door for me to try out some Gregorian styled vocals on my recent release, “Ricochet.” It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, but this track definitely gave me the green light. If you like this one, keep your eyes peeled, cause there’s more on the way soon from DV-i :)
Ugly - voyeur
Jakob Lazovick aka Sitcom’s new band. Just great grungy, apathetic rock music. Something about this track feels so unnerving to me. Can’t say I know anyone else making music that sounds like this anymore, so it’s refreshing in that way..
Top 5 Remixes:
Scream (death’s dynamic shroud remix) - WTRGRL, death’s dynamic shroud
Puzzle (Kate NV Remix) - Tapeworms, Kate NV
Dragonlie (feat. Sassy 009) - Agar Agar, Sassy 009
Pop Star (Chaeyoung Remix) - Coco & Clair Clair, Chaeyoung
Mystery Boy (Vegyn Remix) - Sassy 009, Vegyn
Top 10 tracks that I’ve added to my DJ sets
Sunrise In the Crater (I Exist) - Sleep D
Whispers - Rave Mix - Shanti Celeste, Hodge
Passive Massive - ANF, Priori, Dust-e-1
OPTIMYSTIC -Guy Contact
VT Trad - Spray
Quer Dançar - Amor Satyr
Delusion - Bliss Inc
Maintain - Cybotron
zero press - Seven Davis Jr.
Octave One - Tiers (Level A)
best of 2023 playlist
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