I'm Aozaki Shouhei, Klassic Note's only listener and judge. It's that time of the year again, where I sit down in front of my PC at the end of the year to commend and rank the songs I listen over the year. This year is a year of change, but unlike what was with 15th year anniversary last year, I have marked this year as a year of more drastic change. Following artists I've liked over the year but have not performed well will be shelved over time, as many have announced their hiatus or even brought their music careers into an abrupt end. On the other hand, I am more focused on giving new, prominent artists which I would have not followed just because of a hit or two. Nonetheless, we will find more artists to listen to, as I continue to branch out even further towards styles of my interest, being more strict in reviewing releases and avoiding subpar songs here and then. This will hopefully help to bring forward a paradigm shift towards melodies I would prefer more regardless of presentation, its lyrics, or even its style, following our new motto of "Searching For The New Classic".

As usual, I will state this every year and I will state it again, the results below do not fully represent the many songs I listen to for the year. Past year songs are typically suppressed since recommending them is not as trending as the ones who are presented for this year, so I will withhold in promoting them, though when they are, it's always because they have made more than impact in my life. New artists are still sprouting as they seem, sadly being critical of them unlike how the earlier artists I listen to, would not help in their cause, but as to stay with my motto and criticism, I will continue to find ones that I like, if they still stand to impress. Overall, this is just a fraction of what is to come, and what I think of them songs and artists for the year.

(Results finalised on 31/12/2023)

Note: For a detailed explanation of the results, click/tap over the minimized detail bars you see throughout the post, like the one above

[Click here to skip to "The Top 20"]

This year, I have given a total of 246 songs over the past 12 months. I've spent more time on each release longer compared to past years in recognition of their efforts even listening to them the second time in a year, and find comfort in giving familiar artists and new artists I picked up alike. The Internet might have helped with exposure even more, and with music streaming services it has become easier than ever to give any recommendation I see them on YouTube and/or Apple Music, hopefully providing than enough bandwidth to listen to classics of newly found artists and their new songs too. It definitely did not stop the momentum of giving new songs though; I am just giving more songs per release, more often than ever.

Here is how the new songs fared this year:

>> Female Solo is the most popular vocal style in the songs of 2023.
>> Female Solo to Male Solo Ratio: 1.741

>> 4 Stars is the most common rating in Klassic Note 2023.
>> Song Integrity Survey reveals that 4B (Above Average) is the most common rating.

>> Japanese is the most popular language in songs of 2023.

>> 2023 is the most common year of release in songs of 2023.

>> Anime songs are 2.15% of 2023 songs, mostly on theme songs.

>> 25 out of 52 singles in 2023 are considered besides A-side.
>> In comparison 10 of all singles released are in Klassic Note Review 2023.

>> Average Monthly Growth: 20.5
>> Top Active Months: July (+33), May (+32)

Every day is unique as it is special; Songs that surface in our minds will set us in a mood and drive our everyday lives. From waking up to going to work, arriving home and going to sleep, there's always a different melody that will pop up in my mind from listening to the huge amount of songs within and in past years. I would confidently say that my mood for the year could be summarised with the songs I'm listening to every single day.

And that's why we have a tie this year so congrats Kitou Akari and Kroi for being the most memorable Songs of the Year in 2023!!

TOP SONGS OF THE YEAR 2023

TOP SONGS OF EACH MONTH

TOP SONGS TO START THE DAY

TOP SONGS TO END THE DAY

Klassic Note may be all about the songs, but what is with songs if they aren't released in some form? I say that though, but with the rise of digital singles and how music is distributed more often through digital platforms in smaller doses instead of coming up with physical releases, it's always in my comfort to listen to albums every once in a while then be committed to their constant promotions. Many releases performed better than ever as I spend more time with them this year, and I continue to give more songs beyond the one or two topic songs with a music video. Many artists are going for more than one good album in the year with the world opening up, and we do see this year some are adding a couple of singles and/or new songs from time to time within the year. Regardless of their approach, I will still give them due attention as long as I know of them. Limited Edition Only singles are great but sadly does not meet my requirement of Review, but I will still talk put them in just because they are worthy of mention.

Congratulations to Uesaka Sumire's single for Anime "Nagatoro-san" and Natsukawa Shiina's 3rd album for best releases for Klassic Note 2023!!

Top 10 Singles

Top 10 Albums

In Klassic Note there are Awards; And then, there are Commendations. Commendations are thing that are worth mentioning but not necessarily in competition since it can be unique in circumstance. That, or I want to credit them as many of them as possible and it doesn't exactly qualify as a regular award. Many listed may be repeats, but this is the place where I give proper recognition to certain things that stood out among the others.

Congrats to Amber's for giving me music videos to remember I wish I could put them in more, also Omoinotake, I can't believe these love stories made me more than interested in their songs more than ever. This and many others easily show the power of music videos which are all the more important at a time like such a medium and the Internet are the best conditions to promote new songs today.

One of the most important things that built the foundation of this Song Awards are of course, the Awards themselves. They have also been historically the toughest to decide every year apart from the Top 20 itself, which shows how much thought is put into figuring out the distinct feels of all the songs I give for the year, and how important they are compared to all of the others above. As with previous years, it has always been a challenge to get the right songs to fit the Awards and what they should represent, and as much as I try I still hardly feel for some of these songs which are worthy of their titles, especially pertaining to certain emotions and moods. Regardless, I have made my decision, so here are the results.

Congratulations to Homecomings for THE CONTRIBUTOR AND THE ARTIST awards because damn, have I been immersed too much in their songs for the year, especially from their indie days. THE MUSIC award also met its strongest competition for the year, as immersion into Jazz Funk group Sai have made me intoxicated on occult styles I normally would not give despite PHONO TONES and SPECIAL OTHERS releasing albums to please for the year. 

Last but not least, we have the song rankings. Every year, I try my best to showcase Klassic Note in the most diverse way possible, hopefully with a good balance of what I truly love and representation of what the year means for Klassic Note in 2023. And in these songs I recommend, many have left an impression, some I cannot miss putting them in just because, and others I think they are genuinely worth a mention. It was hard to come up with the list as usual, as there have been many dramatic changes to when I initially thought of this, but now that the results are out, I'm not going to think too much into it and hope this is adequate to show what Klassic Note 2023 is after a year in the making. 

Congratulations to Homecomings once again for changing my year for the better or worse, that I must put them up to be the #1 song in Klassic Note! Emotional is still my drill for the year, nothing much has changed, but the rankings did put in more lively and positive tunes to remember, and that is still what is growing inside me, I assure you, for the better.

Below is an audio preview with timestamps of The Top 20 of Klassic Note 2023, for your listening pleasure. (Tip: Click on any row on the table above to skip to that track!)

And that is all for Klassic Note this year; I hope you enjoyed looking through these results, giving some of them as listen, and enjoyed as much as I did. If you were here to give yourself a chance and listen to the above snippet of what I've listened to in 2023, you're welcome for the glimpse into my music listening experience for the year. If you have given any of them a listen afterwards - even just one of them - it will make me happy. The legacy of Klassic Note has moved ahead once again and with the world outside changing in perspective, I'm still happy to be able to share my thoughts about music every year, how much I have experienced in the world of music by the week, and dedicating the time and dedication to make all of this happen once again. Also, do not forget what I did for #KN15YEARS, Klassic Note's 15th anniversary project, so do check that out.

See you again and have a happy new year! And I will ever, as I will always be, "Searching For The New Classic".

- Aozaki Shouhei, on the Klassic Note

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