Just like we always do, in 2023 too, we embarked on a musical adventure around the world-music-world to bring you some of the freshest and highest-quality releases. Following our yearly tradition in the first weeks of the new year, we gathered all the tunes that caught our ear in the previous 365 days.
These tunes hail from every nook and cranny of the world, featuring the ones we found most special, original, or just plain loved.
Scroll down, and you’ll find our look back at and listen to 2023 in the form of a playlist — packed with over 15 hours of music and featuring 200+ tunes. It’s your chance to groove to the highlights of the past year, from New Zealand to Tahiti.
And don’t forget, we’ve already started exploring 2024, replenishing our Cabinet of Curiosities…
Watch the full playlist:
Listen to it:
Track list:
- IA, Libby Gray – Te Ao Mārama
- Tinariwen, Fats Kaplin – Tenere Den
- Ya Tosiba, Center of the Universe – Mənəm
- Riot Jazz Brass Band – Break and Mender
- Sons Of Zöku – Earth Chant
- Nat Myers – Yellow Peril
- Msaki, Tubatsi Mpho Moloi – Come In
- Joe Yorke, The Co-Operators – The Singerman
- Lonnie Holley, Moor Mother – I Am A Part Of The Wonder
- Gao Hong, Kadialy Kouyate – House of Friendship
- Mayssa Jallad – Holiday Inn (January to March)
- Coro Qom Chelaalapi, Lagartijeando – Cancion de Cuna
- Gafacci, Dengue Dengue Dengue – Susuma
- Bodikhuu – Tokyo
- Burland, Zongo Abongo – Telephone No Wire
- Biomigrant, El Monte Adentro – Voz Emplumada del Monte
- Son Rompe Pera – Chucha
- Arumbo, Jairo Palchukan – Sigue siendo tú
- Kutiman – Sun Don’t Shine
- Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band – Hotline Bling
- Nico Losada – Amoríos
- Ekiti Sound, AUNTY RAYZOR – Chairman
- DJ Black Low, Black R, K.Dalo, Frego – Lepiano
- Prince Fatty, Shniece McMenamin, Horseman – Mercedes Benz – version
- schroothoop – Cascaraï
- Adekunle Gold, Zinoleesky – Party No Dey Stop
- Giant Walking Robots – Tonight
- EABS, Jaubi – Sun
- NIWA – Urutau
- BCUC – The Woods
- Jina0king – Green Breathe
- Ammar 808, Belhassen Mihoub – Doudou Brahim
- Laliboi, Spoek Mathambo – Buya Embo
- Noga Ritter, Tony Kofi – Ofek
- Blanc Manioc, Furie Sound System, Saan – Le Mouvement
- Conjunto Media Luna – Conjunto Media Luna
- Captain Planet, Tagua Tagua – Destello
- Guiss Guiss Bou Bess – Tik Tik
- Bokanté – Adjoni
- Felipe Orjuela, Gabriela Ponce – La Yunta (Ya Viene)
- Pigeon – Backslider
- KABEAUSHÉ – Caracas
- Onipa, David Walters – No Commando
- Eje Eje – That Rainy Dawn (Winter)
- Pierre Kwenders – SMT
- Pat Kalla, Le Super Mojo – Caramel
- Paolo Baldini DubFiles, Mellow Mood – Como Yo
- Thiago França, A Espetacular Charanga do França – Jambrolhô
- London Afrobeat Collective – Topesa Esengo Na Motema
- Cykada – The Cracks in the Bricks
- Germa Adan, Xhosa Cole – Where the Wild Things Are
- Afrocidade – Tá Fod*
- Montañera – A Flor de Piel
- CERO39, Ghetto Kumbé – Alientos
- Nusantara Beat – Kota Bandung
- Pilani Bubu, Lwanda Gogwana – Umthombo
- Ancient Astronauts, Otim Alpha, Brazen Rule – Akwaki
- Hashshashin, Lachlan R. Dale – Ghazni (Avidyā)
- iZem, Flavia Coelho, LUIZA – Sua Pele
- NENA – Canto a la luna
- Tarwa N-Tiniri, Thijs Borsten – Aghbalu
- Majaz – Heila Hei
- Idol Beings – Impossible
- El Búho, La Mafiandina – Sol y Tormenta
- Toya Delazy, Tash LC, Ahadadream – QOBA
- Sara Correia – Chelas
- Joaquín Cornejo, Gotopo – Immaterial
- Khalab, Lady Blue Eyes – Tunnel Of Jealousy
- Ladaniva – Je Voulais
- Muito Kaballa – Like A River
- Tō Yō – Soaring
- Hagan – Good Food
- La Brigida Orquesta – Tue-Tue
- Skarra Mucci, Derrick Sound – Who Fool Dem
- Nickodemus, The Real Live Show, Indigo Prodigy – Soul & Science
- Martha Da’ro – Fast Life
- FlexFab, Ziller Bas, Cardozo – Go Down
- dadá Joãozinho – Cuidado!
- Bocafloja – Mas
- Karen y Los Remedios – Tu Felicidad
- Charif Megarbane – Pas de Dialogue
- 濮曼乐队 – March Sixth
- Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, Chief Adjuah – Trouble That Mornin’
- wai wai music resort – パシフィック温泉
- Minhwi Lee – Mother’s Mother
- Azu Tiwaline – Night in Palmtree
- DJ Maphorisa, Tman Xpress, LastbornDiroba, Mellow & Sleazy, Madumane, Thebuu – Iscefe Esimnandi (feat. Mellow & Sleazy, Madumane, TheBuu & Lastborn Diroba)
- WITCH, Amanaz – Nshingilile (feat. Keith Kabwe of Amanaz)
- Mito y Comadre – Guajirando
- Agbeko – Oscar’s Tune
- Okan – La Reina Del Norte
- Negarit band – Filae Goferae – Oromo
- Novalima, Dom La Nena – El Tiempo
- Don Kipper – Nani
- Togo All Stars – Kokoko
- Ana Frango Elétrico – Debaixo do Pano
- Labelle – Ciel
- Assiko Golden Band De Grand Yoff – La Musique Du Cœur
- Nídia – To La
- Vumbi Dekula – Zuku
- Aleighcia Scott, Rorystonelove – In My Shoes
- Eparapo, Dele Sosimi – Follow the Money
- Batsükh Dorj – Kajyk
- Bex Burch – When love begins
- Cherry Bandora – Mia Dekara
- Rodrigo Cuevas, iLe – MÁS ANIMAL
- Pausis, Theodore Koumartzis, Marios Podaras, Eleni Eljona Sinjari, Manos Stratis – Belenus
- Chouk Bwa & The Ångströmers – Fèy nan bwa
- Idris Ackamoor, The Pyramids – Garland Rose
- Dengue Fever – Silver Fish
- Ndox Electrique – Lëk Ndau Mbay
- Yoruba Singers – Neighbour Jean
- WaqWaq Kingdom – Hakke Yoi
- Nemanja – Korzika
- Adriano Galante – Ser que sí
- Zène’T Panon, Jako Maron – Anula (Jako Maron Rework)
- Haïdouti Orkestar – Yogurt Koydum Dolaba
- Caribombo, Oriental Brothers International Band – Edi Special – Oriental Brothers International Band – Remix By Caribombo
- MLDVA & Çınar Timur – Sarı Çizmeli Mehmet
- Jason Singh, The Banwasi Collective – Runalayo
- Balimaya Project – When The Dust Settles
- The Mighty Cavaliers – Mambo Bado
- Luzmila Carpio – Chakana Sagrada
- Sourdurent – Fuelha de Peira, Peira de Bòst
- African Head Charge – Accra Electronica
- Yaraka – Fronni d’Alia
- Mari Kalkun – Suur Tamm (The Great Oak)
- Baklava – Cair – Ulica Krsto Asenov
- Soema Montenegro – Punay
- Cheb Djalal – Mohal Nahna
- Humazapas – Hana Chagra
- Nakibembe Embaire Group – Abe Nakibembe Mwaye Ga, Embaire
- Pachyman – Goldline
- Mokoomba – Nzara Hapana
- Sunny War – I Got No Fight
- TEKE::TEKE – Gotoku Lemon
- Zeyn’el – Benden selam olsun Bolu Beyi’ne
- Faizal Mostrixx – Back to Tanzania
- Echoes of Zoo – Lizard Dance
- Yalla Miku – Asmazate
- Langendorf United – Langendorf Arena
- Mestizo – El Tigrillo Mono
- Lalalar – Göt
- Pat Thomas – Obae
- Nana Benz du Togo – Yeweno
- Janelle Monáe, Seun Kuti, Egypt 80 – Float (feat. Seun Kuti & Egypt 80)
- Yussef Dayes, Shabaka Hutchings – Raisins Under the Sun (feat. Shabaka Hutchings)
- Les Sheikhs Shikhats & B’net Chaabi – Still To Come (Version Chorale)
- Baba Sissoko, Jean-Philippe Rykiel – Makono So
- Nairobi Matata Jazz – Dada Mwajuma (La Pistola)
- Maurice Louca, Elephantine – Moonshine Part I
- King Ayisoba – Bossi Labome
- Danûk – Gire Sîra
- Bixiga 70 – Na Quarta-Feira
- Altin Gün – Leylim Ley
- David Walters – Soul Tropical
- Samuele Strufaldi – Tutte le cose dentro
- Lucas Santtana, Flavia Coelho – Muita Pose, Pouca Yoga
- Dudu Tassa, Jonny Greenwood, Lynn A. – Ya ‘Anid Ya Yaba (feat. Lynn A.)
- Insólito UniVerso – Goyo Tuyero
- LUIZGA, Edgar Valente – Miração
- Solomane Doumbia – Diarabi
- Ramy Essam – YA HABAYEBNA (OH MY LOVED ONES) – REMASTEREED
- Inna De Yard, Keith & Tex – Down the Street
- Moonlight Benjamin – Bafon
- Badiaa Bouhrizi – Ila Selma
- Huw Marc Bennett – Y Gwydd
- João Selva – Vai Te Curar
- KAIFO – Repentina Ausencia
- Bantu Spaceship – Bantu Electro Sungura
- The London Lucumi Choir, Sheena “Ajibola” Richardson, Sonia Kounasso, Ricardo Axe – Oshun Talade (Tradicional)
- Acid Arab, Sofiane Saidi – Leila
- Lebeha Drummers – Malate Isien (Empty Love)
- Ibrahim Hesnawi – Tayr Al Salama
- Rasha Nahas – Ya Binti يا بنتي
- Ghoula – Drum & Gasba
- Les Mamans du Congo, RROBIN – Sala Sala
- PJEV, Kit Downes, Hayden Chisholm, Marios Podaras, Eleni Eljona Sinjari, Manos Stratis – Medna Roso, gdje si zimovala
- Dele Sosimi, The Estuary 21 – Òtítọ́ Ti Jáde
- Young Fathers – Ululation
- Lakiko – Inat u kamenu
- Samandar – Dili Dilidor
- Domenico Lancellotti, Ricardo Dias Gomes – Diga
- Magalí Sare, Manel Fortia, David Domínguez – Barco negro
- Lankum – Clear Away in the Morning
- The Trials of Cato – Balls to the Wall
- Baaba Maal, Rougi – Boboyillo
- Irreversible Entanglements – Free Love
- Namian Sidibé – Mangni Diatigui
- Leon Keita – Ifarana
- Lenhart Tapes, Svetlana Spajić, Tijana Stanković – Žuta žaba
- The Breath – Land of My Other
- muva of Earth – heaven hear me above
- Eat My Butterfly, Romane Mana – Dolé
- Noumoucounda, Mamy Kanoute – Sakhodougou
- Rodrigo Ciampi, Gêmeos de Oxum – Baralho de Ouro – Ao Vivo no Fervo
- Uyarakq – Tumitit Kisippatit
- Bedouin Burger – Nomad
- Mala Rodríguez – Sombrilla
- Deena Abdelwahed – Flirt
- SANAM – Bell – SANAM Edit
- Gato e’ Monte – Cumbia Fumanchera
- Plu Con Pla – Agua
- Rumbaristas, Joan Garriga i el Mariatxi galàctic – Malabares
- Zazuka – Dhahikaat
- EarthKry – See You Again
- Yemen Blues – Aane Shir Hadash
- Bosq, Kaleta – Sonayon
- Biga*Ranx, L’Entourloop – Comme Nous
- Taggy Matcher, Wolfgang Valbrun – Teenage Kicks
- Mitú – Nene
- Iya Terra, Dub Inc, Collie Buddz – No Boundaries
- Blundetto, Pupajim – Ordures
- Seba Campos – Una Hormiga
- Secret Night Gang – Out of My Head
- Dub Pistols, Natty Campbell – Soundboy Killa
- Marcelo D2 – P O V O . D E . F É
- BANTU – Breaking Point
- ABDUL & THE GANG – Weliti Atomic
- Fantan Mojah – Jah Movement
- 東京民謡俱楽部 – 木頭音頭
- Aiza – Kité
- Pascuala Ilabaca y Fauna – Óyeme llegó el Verano
- Malphino – Moody Cumbia
- FBC, Pedro Senna, Ugo Ludovico – DESCULPA
- amapola – Lunograma
- La Muchacha, El propio junte – Magdalena
- La Dame Blanche – Veneno
- Jantra – Shabal
- Hannu Saha & Pakasteet – Vähän suolaa
- dragonchild – Above All
- Yaeji – Fever
- Dominique Dalcan, Souad Massi – Loin de ma terre
- iZem, Flavia Coelho, LUIZA – Sua Pele
- Alam Khan, Arjun K. Verma, Del Sol Quartet, Nilan Chaudhuri – The Passage
- RÜÜT – Kukumama
- Azmari – Khamsin
- Lagos Thugs – Kalakuta President
- Marcus Gad, Tribe – Ready for Battle
- Fixed Error, James Orr – Ride The Line
- Jumbo System – Alarm Clock
- Gaïsha – Gand la nuit
- Hippo Sound System, S.I.M.O, Count Bassy – Tiniri
- Lou Piensa, Mental Abstrato, Kamau – Yo No Veo
- Melcochita y su Conjunto – El Limoncito
- Fruko Y Sus Tesos, Joe Arroyo – El Violento
- Rapasa Nyatrapasa Otieno – Jopango
- Yamäya, Khadim Sarr – Farawané – Radio Edit
- Cicada – 雨從傍晚下到午夜 Raining on the Tent
- 15 15 – Paradisio