The Best Songs of May 2023 // New Music Friday

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"BLUE" // Billie Eilish

Words can't express how much I've been loving Billie Eilish's latest album HIT ME HARD AND SOFT this month. Dare I say it's my favorite album of the year already!? Every single song is so incredible, and it was so hard to choose just one favorite, but for the sake of this list I went with the incredible ending track "BLUE". I was literally transcending the first time I heard this song, it's so rare to have an experience like that while listening to music. The first part of the song blends the chorus of a song called "True Blue", a previously unreleased demo from Billie's early career, while also lyrically connecting every single song from the rest of the album together at once. About mid-way through, the song switches up again into an ethereal and emotional ballad. It perfectly closes out the album. I was so blown away by her stunning vocals, emotive lyricism, as well as Finneas' incredible production of course - the entire album is a masterpiece from beginning to end and I am still so blown away by the beauty of it. I am still working on my full review of it, which I can't wait to share soon!

I also was lucky enough to get tickets to her upcoming tour this October! This will be my first time seeing her live and I couldn't be more excited! She has been one of my favorite artists for so many years and her music has shaped so much of who I am over that time. I have always wanted to see her perform live and I can't believe I get to so soon - especially in support of such an incredible album!

 "End of An Era" // Dua Lipa

I have been absolutely loving Dua Lipa's Radical Optimism this month and I know it's going to be on repeat all summer long! I love every single song on this album, it truly is such a joy to listen to from start to finish. Spotify actually sent me a notification that I am in the top 1% of Radical Optimism listeners, so I obviously have really been loving this album since it was released! Again, this is another album that was really difficult to choose just one favorite for this list, but I went with the opening track, "End of An Era". It is glittering pop perfection! While it incorporates subtle elements of Dua's past work, it is mostly an all new, fresh sound for her. Looking for new beginnings as a lovestruck hopeless romantic, she is asking herself, "Is this my happy ending?" With this song, Dua is saying goodbye to one chapter of her life while looking onward to what is about to come next. 

Check out my full review of Radical Optimism by Dua Lipa!

"360" // Charli XCX

brat girl summer is officially upon us! I have been really loving all of the new singles from Charli XCX recently! "360" has been on constant repeat all month! It serves as the opening track off her upcoming album, which is set to be released at the beginning of June! 

"BOA" // Megan Thee Stallion

"BOA" is the fierce and confident follow-up to Megan's iconic "HISS" from earlier this year, continuing her snake-themed series. As always, this track is so lyrically sharp and also features a really clever use of the Gwen Stefani "What Are You Waiting For?" sample throughout!

"Margo" // Bleachers

"Margo", along with seven other bonus tracks from Bleachers recent self-titled album, were finally released on streaming this month! They were originally special vinyl exclusive tracks, which I have really enjoyed listening to the past few months on that format, but now I'm happy to be able to play a lot of these songs on repeat anytime. "Margo", named after Jack's wife, is a beautiful ode to her and the healing power of love. 

I am also beyond excited to be seeing them next month in New Jersey at Shadow of The City, which is going to be such an incredible time! I am also lucky enough to be seeing them again later this year at Madison Square Garden, which I am also so excited for! 

Check out my full review of Bleachers' Self-Titled album!

"Think I'm In Love With You - Live From The 59th ACM Awards" // Chris Stapleton & Dua Lipa

Chris Stapleton and Dua Lipa are such an unlikely pairing, but their performance at the ACM Awards this year truly blew me away. I never expected Dua to ever record a country song, but her and Chris' voices go so perfectly together! This was such an amazing performance, one that truly shows off their incredible vocals! 

"Psycho Killer" // Miley Cyrus

I have been loving all of the new songs from the Talking Heads' tribute album that were released this month, but I have been especially looking forward to hearing Miley's "Psycho Killer" cover! If one thing is for certain, her covers absolutely never disappoint! She performed it live for the first time at the Chateau Marmont a few months ago and I have been anticipating the studio version of it ever since. This is such a cool reimagining of the original classic!

"pain for fun" // WILLOW & St. Vincent 

St. Vincent's influence has been very prevalent through a lot of WILLOW's music in the past, so this made the perfect collaboration! "pain for fun" is one of my favorites from her new album, it is so hauntingly beautiful, while also highlighting the best of both their talents.

"Sexy to Someone" // Clairo

"Sexy to Someone" feels like a natural progression of where Clairo left off with in 2021 with Sling, which is the album that fully made me a fan of her music. I love her soft vocals and the sincerity in her writing. I am really looking forward to hearing the rest of her upcoming album this summer!

"Dreamin" // Zayn

I actually haven't kept up with Zayn's releases past his debut album, which is still among the best releases of the former 1D members, but I have always thought he was such an incredible vocalist. I really enjoyed his latest album Room Under The Stairs for showing a new side of himself through this music. It is largely inspired by an area of Pennsylvania that I live very close to, which is very cool to hear the way it translates to in the music!

"Hero" // Charlie Puth

Just last month we declared Charlie Puth should be a bigger artist - and now he has finally come out with one of the best songs he's made in years! "Hero" is a really sweet, well-written love song, with such a catchy hook. I'm looking forward to hearing more new music from him!

"Espresso - Mark Ronson & FNZ Working Late Remix" // Sabrina Carpenter 

Last month I already declared "Espresso" is about to be the song of the summer and I still haven't been able to get enough of it! I have also been loving all of the fun remixes she's been releasing for the song too, especially the "Working Late" mix by Mark Ronson and FNZ. It is such a great club remix of the song, which suits the song perfectly. Is it that sweet? I guess so! ✨


I have a lot of exciting new posts coming up soon, which I am looking forward to sharing soon! Be sure to come back soon if you're interested in reading my reviews of HIT ME HARD AND SOFT by Billie Eilish, All Born Screaming by St. Vincent, brat by Charli XCX & many more in the coming weeks! I am also seeing Bleachers, one of my favorite bands ever, in just a couple of weeks and am really looking forward to sharing my full experience! 

Thanks for reading! I would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below! Check out the best songs of April & more from my ongoing New Music Friday series.I posted several new album reviews this month, all are linked here & below if you'd like to read them!

-Melissa ♡


Photo credit to all owners - header designed by Melissa Kacar


Related Posts:

Radical Optimism by Dua Lipa // Album Review

The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology by Taylor Swift // Double Album Review & Analysis

"What Was I Made For?" by Billie Eilish // Urban Outfitters exclusive 7" pink vinyl


Endless Summer Vacation by Miley Cyrus // Album Review

eternal sunshine by Ariana Grande Album Review

boy by Luke Hemmings // EP Review

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