A year in review: my top 10 artists

As I look back on this past year, I think about how much music has influenced my senior experience. Whether it’s studying or in the car, I am always listening to some tunes. Music influences mood, energy, and even the ability to focus

So, I have compiled a list of my top 10 artists this year and my 5 favorite jams of theirs as I look and listen back through the year.

10. SZA

SZA is a contemporary R&B artist who is known for her poetic writing style. I recently started listening to her music and instantly loved it, especially her album SOS that released in 2022. Her melodic and sometimes mellow style is perfect for any listen.

My Top 5 songs:

1. NO SZNS
2. Blind
3. Snooze
4. Special
5. TELEKINESIS

9. Warren Zeiders

Warren Zeiders is a fast-rising country artist who came to fame with his 717 Tapes: The Album. With his breakthrough single, “Ride the Lightning,” he propelled into his career in 2022. While Zeiders rose to fame with his 717 Tapes, my personal favorite album is the 2023 release Pretty Little Poison.

My Top 5 songs:

1. Pretty Little Poison
2. Love’s A Leavin’
3. Pain Killer
4. Up To No Good
5. Ride the Lightning

8. Sam Hunt

The multi-platinum-selling country artist, Sam Hunt, rose to fame in 2014 with his album Montevallo. Since then, Hunt has produced numerous singles and the album SOUTHSIDE, which was released in 2020. I’ve been listening to Sam Hunt since 2015, but have recently returned to my old favorites.

My Top 5 songs:

1. Outskirts
2. Young Once
3. Sinning With You
4. Ex To See
5. Make You Miss Me

7. Muscadine Bloodline

The country duo, Muscadine Bloodline, began in 2015 when two friends decided to pursue their musical dreams together and travel to Nashville. Since then, the duo has produced a number of singles, EPs, and three albums. I was introduced to the group in 2019 and have since loved their music. My first ever concert was with them when they played at the Coca-Cola Roxy in 2020.

My Top 5 songs:

1. Put Me in My Place
2. Boys
3. Pieces
4. Mind of Its Own
5. Enemy

6. A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie

Rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie rose to fame in 2016 after his debut mixtape Artist. He hit the charts again in 2017 with his triple-platinum single “Drowning.” Since then, he has released The Bigger Artist followed by Hoodie SZN, Artist 2.0, B4 AVA, and Me vs. Myself. After discovering Boogie a few years ago, he has been steadily among my top artists. His mix of melody and flow combine for some of my favorite beats.

My Top 5 songs:

1. Secrets
2. Look Back at It
3. Drowning
4. MVP
5. Blood on My Denim

5. Taylor Swift

Pop culture icon and pop superstar, Taylor Swift, began her career in the country genre but completely shifted over to pop for the majority of her career. The multi-Grammy award-winner taps into a variety of emotions with her unique melodies. Her nine unique albums are all featured on her Eras Tour, the highest-grossing tour ever. I have listened to Taylor’s music since I was young, and while I do prefer some of her older songs, I have come to love her music as well.

My Top 5 songs:

1. All Too Well
2. Enchanted
3. White Horse
4. Never Grow Up
5. Dear John

4. HARDY

Award-winning singer and songwriter, HARDY, began in the country genre in 2018 with his debut EP THIS OLE BOY. Recently, HARDY has introduced his rock roots in his most recent album, the mockingbird & THE CROW. While known for his own songs, HARDY has written 12 #1 singles for artists such as Blake Shelton, Morgan Wallen, and Florida Georgia Line. I was introduced to HARDY in 2019 after his EP WHERE TO FIND ME was released, and he has been among my top artists since. His shift towards his rock roots has only increased my love for his music, and I cannot wait to see him live in April.

My Top 5 songs:

1. screen
2. the mockingbird & THE CROW
3. TRUCK BED
4. SIGNED, SOBER YOU
5. .30-06

3. Ian Munsick

The country artist known for his heavy Western and Wyoming roots paints vivid pictures of life in the American West with his unique melodies. Munsick produced his first self-titled EP in 2017 and has since then released two albums titled Coyote Cry and White Buffalo. Personally, Ian Munsick’s descriptive lyrics along with his western sound is what makes him one of my favorites. I was able to see him live at the Buckhead Theatre last August, and it was one of my favorite concerts. His lively personality and the talent he brings make for an exuberant atmosphere.

My Top 5 songs:

1. White Buffalo
2. From the Horse’s Mouth
3. Cowboy Killer
4. Me Against the Mountain
5. River Run

2. Greyson Chance

Pop artist, Greyson Chance, shares, in great detail, many storylines throughout his melodic songs. Chance first rose to fame after a viral cover in 2010; however, it was not until last summer that I discovered him myself. He reveals his unique beats and melodic tone in his 2019 album Portraits. Since his 2019 release, he has produced the albums Trophies and Palladium.

My Top 5 songs:

1. Herringbone
2. white roses
3. west texas
4. Low
5. shut up

1. Zach Bryan

In my top 2023 slot is country music star, Zach Bryan, a former Navy sailor who began his music career while enlisted. He released his debut album DeAnn in 2019 and utilized social media to boost his music into the public eye. He quickly gained momentum and recognition after his album Elisabeth and especially after his 2022 American Heartbreak album. His recent album self-titled Zach Bryan was released last year, and all 16 songs on the album reached the top 50 of Billboard’s Top 100. Most recently, Bryan released the Boys of Faith EP. With his wide variety of moods and tunes, his songs can fit in with any occasion, which may be a large reason for his superiority over my top artists. His beautiful lyricism and story-telling captivate listeners and evoke a variety of emotions. While all of these artists have made it challenging to pick my five favorite songs, Zach Bryan has certainly made it the hardest.

My Top 5 songs:

1. Boys of Faith
2. Tourniquet
3. Fear and Friday’s (Poem)
4. Sun to Me
5. I Remember Everything

With my reflection on the sounds of the past year, I see the best of times and the worst of times, the fond memories and the hardships. It’s been a year of wonderful music, joy, love, and dance.