The 2023 Countdown – #7
No, you didn’t miss a bunch of posts. I’m doing my favorite new music countdown a different way this year, and I’m a bit late with it. But I wanted to stick to this tradition of mine all the same. Except, I’m not very traditional-minded.
It’s not Monday, so let’s change things up and call it Tuesday Tunes. 😉
Speaking of change, I also switched from Apple Music to Spotify a few months ago for a few different reasons, none of which are very important. Because of that switch, I got the whole Spotify Wrapped thing. I agreed with 60%+ of what they had as my top tracks and artists for the year, but they only had two months to go on. But even before getting my Wrapped lists, I had decided I was going to go by albums this year instead of by songs. Looking at the Spotify lists compared to my own tracking, I knew I’d made the right choice.
And since I’m doing albums, I want to go through all the tracks on said albums, not just the ones that made it into my personal top 50 new songs of 2023. I will also list the rank of any tracks that did make it into my top 50 though.
And I’m doing top 7 because … Seven. Why else?
So coming in at #7 on my personal list of Favorite New Albums of 2023:
ZIOR PARK | WHERE DOES SASQUATCH LIVE? Pt 1
Fleep, fleeoweep! Who can resist a sasquatch themed album? Not me!
Zior Park has a unique style both in his voice and tone as well as his production. It took me a while to really get into his work, but I’m so glad I did. It was a worthwhile effort to go back into his discography and his 2021 album Syndromez is now one of my favorites, ever.
This storyline presented in this first part of his 2023 releases may seem simple on the surface but I find it to be multi-layered. It’s one that I can relate to on many levels, and yet one that I also find fascinating and foreign at the same time.
Track 1| The Man Who Saw Sasquatch
2023 Favorite New Songs: #–
There once was a child who saw something out of this world.
It’s story time. This spoken intro introduces us to “the boy who chased Sasquatch” and invites us to come along on his pursuit of this mysterious phenomenon.
Track 2| Sasquatch
2023 Favorite New Songs: #24
You have no idea this world is bigger
Modern marketing blurs your vision
This song is so catchy and I can’t help singing it (off key, natch) when it comes on. Those first few lines, I sing them to our little Ellie Bean cat, too, because she’s always wanting to go outside and she does realize this world is bigger than our house. lol.
Obviously, the Sasquatch is an analogy, a metaphorical representation of the extraordinary, the unknown, of life. This quest to find Sasquatch is essential to personal growth. Zior Park reminds us to reject conformity, to not be boxed into predefined roles, and instead to be more authentic to oneself.
Let go of everything on my mind
Track 3| Being Human
2023 Favorite New Songs: #–
I just wonder ’bout my origin, if it’s true that I’m a doll
I know that I’m a dumb
kinda feels like a curse
but I know that I’m not wrong
I’m not a wrong
The only reason this song doesn’t make my 2023 favorite new songs list is because it was released as a single in 2022 so I have it on my 2022 list. I was only just getting into Zior Park last year so it didn’t rank as high as I now feel it should have.
Continuing with the motif of this album, this song delves into that sense of disconnection and discomfort with the world, and I would assume more personally for Zior Park, of not fitting the normalcy of what his culture or his world around him thinks he should be. I can really feel his struggles and the challenges of just navigating existence.
The message behind this song is simple and profound. It’s a universal truth that so many seem to reject, perhaps out of fear or hatred or self-loathing, but I wish everyone could really get it. Just let people be themselves and not try to make them feel wrong about it.
Fuck being human your way
I know myself, I’m not a part of it
Track 4| Sunburnkid
2023 Favorite New Songs: #35
I thought that I’m going well and I’m all right
But that was a mistake, and can you save me?
Continuing this story, this quest for Sasquatch, Zior Park lets us in to see his vulnerabilities and to show us it’s okay to ask for help or guidance. Overall I find this song empowering and encouraging as we also see his resilience in the face of adversity. I hope the message reaches many who are struggling with who they are.
Growing up is tough, especially when you’re “different” and people don’t get you. But the world is slowly changing and there are things this generation can do that would have never been okay when I was younger. Despite all the crap laws and societal norms against being part of the LGBTQIA+ community, more people can be themselves and fight openly to do so.
Hey, kid, just ignore the cautions
Don’t stop day-dreaming, jump off the sun
I’m flopped, but you’re not
You can do what I can’t
Track 5| Magic!
2023 Favorite New Songs: #–
You make a crack in my brain
You make me feel the earthquake
You make the movie effects around you,
is that a new tech?
A lovely little love song. Love songs aren’t usually my thing, though, so this one didn’t make my favorites list, but it’s still an enjoyable song with a positive message. The wonder and awe at love Zior Park showcases in the lyrics makes me smile. Love is magical, isn’t it?
Your magic makes me forget what I’m going through
It doesn’t matter, I’m happy though I’m lost
Track 6| Christian
2023 Favorite New Songs: #13
Money makes me feel better
You told me it was a ticket to hell, oh how come?
Do you think that I’m a devil?
Sex makes me feel better
How could you judge me?
I know you don’t deserve to
Zior Park is who he is, even when having to face the hypocrisy and hatred of the Christian doctrine. So glad not all who call themselves Christian are like that.
Despite not being able to truly relate to this song, I can certainly agree with Zior Park and his sentiments. Zior describes his complex relationship with faith and morality, showing us how who he is, his outward appearance, his wealth and success, are not incompatible with his faith, despite others of his own religion judging him for those same things. At the same time, he acknowledges his imperfections and his faults, as well as his need for forgiveness and understanding, just like anyone else.
Faith is powerful, and he shows us that in his own rebelious way.
I’m still fucking Christian
Track 7| Falling from the Sky
2023 Favorite New Songs: #–
Last night I was falling from the sky
I thought that I don’t have any fear of heights
This is another track that was released as a single in 2022 so didn’t make my new fave songs. Very glad it’s included on this album though. I really love the lyrics, the message, in this song. I appreciate the growth he shows when looking at his past, at former relationships, and at all his struggles. Admitting to your weaknesses, to the hurtful things you’ve done, it’s very difficult and also very powerful. I wish us all the strength to truly do that.
It’s my karma, quite hard to enjoy
Fortunately, my conscience is still alive, oh, I’m sure
I know I only have a few followers here on this blog, but I really hope you do enjoy these music posts, even if our musical tastes are vastly different. And I’m always up for hearing what you all are listening to!
Wishing you all the best. Peace and love. 🤍