8 New Songs You Need to Hear in Spring 2023

31 Mar 8 New Songs You Need to Hear in Spring 2023

by Marisa Torrieri Bloom

The sun is (mostly) shining, the daffodils have pushed through the soil, and tons of new music’s hitting the airwaves. Here’s your Rockmommy Spring 2023 playlist:

#1: Ponybird, “I’ll Say Goodbye”

I’m loving vocal effects lately, and New Haven, Conn., artist Ponybird’s track is breathtakingly cool, dark and spellbinding. It’s also the first single off their record Deep MEATS II, which drops in April. For those who haven’t heard, Deep MEATS I & II will re-release to vinyl as an A & B side record later this year. Also: I’ve already streamed this song something like 20 times. Now it’s your turn.

#2: Esther Rose, “Chet Baker”

Singer-songwriter Esther Rose’s 11-track record Safe to Run drops April 21, 2023, and the first track, “Chet Baker,” is  a haunting, twangy folk song, with a big story. “As I was writing this song, it occurred to me how lucky I was to have survived that time of willful recklessness,” said Rose. “I wanted to empathize with my younger self, like, ‘it’s alright, you were 23. You were out of control. I got you now. You’re okay.’” 

#3: P!nk, “When I Get There”

Everyone who reads this blog knows I was absolutely floored when I heard the first few notes of P!nk’s “When I Get There” — a simple vocal-and-piano track written for the artist’s late father. It’s just stunning.

#4: Karen Zimmer, “She” 

Zimmer’s “She” is about “the idea that it’s so easy to get so consumed by day-to-day life or being a mother and taking care of other people and, you know, keeping the house nice or going to work.” In other words, it speaks to all rocker moms. 

[SEE RELATED: KAREN ZIMMER FINDS HER VOICE IN LOVE AND MOTHERHOOD]

#5: Trashing Violet, “Good Girl”

Yes, this is my band’s song, but this isn’t another punk banger like “Grip.” It’s more of a slow buildup, a stoner-rock jam with a big chorus that calls out to the listener to choose the wild side. We spent three years writing and arranging this one, and we think you’ll like it. 

#6: Passing Strange, “Laughing Til the Sun Comes Up (A Cady Groves Tribute)”

Beautiful and melancholy, Passing Strange’s latest single, out today, is inspired by the life of Cady Groves, a young musician who made a big impact on singer Kate Mirabella. She died tragically a couple of years ago. The song is a beautiful tribute, with just voice, piano and percussion and a lot of emotion.

#7: Lana Del Rey, “Did You Know There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Boulevard?”

Lana Del Rey always does cool, historical-fiction-inspired things in big cinematic songs, and her voice is simply etherial. The title track of her ninth studio album is swoonworthy.

#8: Vicki F., “Downtown”

Singer-songwriter Vicki F is more punk than half the punks who use that label these days (but didn’t play CBGB’s like she did). Check out her fun cover of the classic song, and cruise into spring with style.