2023 saw two of the century’s most highly-anticipated tours and dozens of global viral hits. Despite major setbacks amidst the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, appreciated talented performances prevailed, standing out from the rough sea that flowed through the entertainment industry this year. Old sounds and stories returned, new sounds emerged, and the best of them all never failed to capture the attention of PV Students and the world at large. Voted on by the student body and the Shield’s Arts & Entertainment team, here is a collection of the best music, films, and television of 2023.
MUSIC:
Song of the Year
Escapism – Raye
A well-deserved honor to one of the year’s most daring, unique and beloved hits. With influences of contemporary hip hop and pop, the maximalist track is truly a vessel of escapism from the complexities of modern society. Everyone knew this song–everyone moved.
Honorable Mentions
Water – Tyla
First Person Shooter (feat. J. Cole) – Drake, J. Cole
Not Strong Enough – Boygenius
Album of the Year
The Record – Boygenius
After a five-year long hiatus, the all-female supergroup made their highly anticipated return with “The Record,” taking the world by storm. Mixing acoustic folk and rock, “The Record” is an inevitable American classic in the making.
Honorable Mentions
My 21st Century Blues – Raye
1989 (Taylor’s Version) – Taylor Swift
Artist of the Year
Taylor Swift
A power-house of the music industry having two re-released albums top the charts, the highest-grossing world tour of all time, and being the most streamed artist of the year…
Her achievements this year speak for themselves.
Best New Artist
Halle Bailey
With a box-office hit and one of the most groundbreakingly stunning debut songs of all time, Halle Bailey, the true siren that she is, has made 2023 her year.
Honorable Mentions
Reneé Rapp
Zach Bryan
NewJeans
Best Live Record
My 21st Century Symphony (Live at the Royal Albert Hall) – Raye, The Heritage Orchestra
“My 21st Century Symphony” is a historic album. The orchestral arrangement and Raye’s earth-shattering voice together build a sonic force to be reckoned with.
Honorable Mention
A Night at the Symphony – Laufey, Icelandic Symphony Orchestra
Live at Electric Lady – Clairo
Maneater (Live) – Andrew Barth Feldman
Music Video of the Year
Drama – Aespa
This dark, action-packed video alone plays like a full-length feature film. Taking in the alluring presence of the members, the music video for “Drama” perfectly encapsulates the group’s nail-biting, thrilling concept.
Honorable Mentions
One of Your Girls – Troye Sivan
First Person Shooter (feat. J. Cole) – Drake, J. Cole
Angel – Halle Bailey
Best Collaborative Project
First Person Shooter (feat. J. Cole) – Drake, J. Cole
“Recognized as two of the best rappers, both of their verses contain catchy lyrics and rhymes pushing this song to the top of the charts.”
– Armaan Bhagwat, 24’ in REVIEW: Drake blends old flows with new styles in his newest album, “For All The Dogs”
Honorable Mentions
Ghost in the Machine (feat. Phoebe Bridgers) – SZA, Phoebe Bridgers
A Night To Remember – Laufey & Beabadoobee
I Remember Everything (feat. Kacey Musgraves) – Zach Bryan, Kacey Musgraves
Best Pop Song
Feather – Sabrina Carpenter
A song that is sonically light as a feather and the pinnacle of modern pop excellence, Sabrina Carpenter’s viral hit, “Feather” has defined the 2023 pop world.
Honorable Mentions
My Love – Leigh-Anne
Attitude – Fromis_9
Is It Over Now? (Taylor’s Version) – Taylor Swift
BSC – Maisie Peters
Best R&B Song
On My Mama – Victoria Monét
Victoria Monét has spent the year rising the ranks of stardom as one of modern music’s best performers. “On My Mama” is one of her best performances, and one of the year’s greatest production projects.
Honorable Mentions
Float (feat. Seun Kuti & Egypt 80) – Janelle Monáe
Snooze – SZA
Fly Girl (feat. Missy Elliot) – FLO, Missy Elliot
Best Hip-Hop/Rap Song
First Person Shooter (feat. J. Cole) – Drake, J. Cole
There is not a dull moment when listening to “First Person Shooter.” A highly-anticipated and equally well executed hit bringing back the sounds so many fans of Drake and classic hip-hop missed so much.
Honorable Mentions
black enuff – Redveil, JPEGMAFIA
DOGTOOTH – Tyler the Creator
Devil made the deal for me – Fatou
Best Country Song
Sarah’s Place – Zach Bryan & Noah Kahan
Two of this year’s breakthrough country artists collaborate in “Sarah’s Place,” a modern classic released with an already overwhelming sense of nostalgia.
Honorable Mentions
I remember everything – Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves
Fox Hunt – Sierra Ferrell
FILM & TELEVISION
Best Picture
Oppenheimer
Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated return with “Oppenheimer” met and exceeded all expectations. With a jaw-dropping score, stunning visuals, and a wonderful execution of his creative decision to use all-natural effects, Nolan dropped a bomb on the film industry.
Honorable Mentions
Barbie
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Best Television Series
The Bear
A strategically crafted dramedy that has rightfully become one of the highest rated series in modern television, featuring a unique story, great laughs, and an incredibly talented cast.
Honorable Mentions
Loki
The Fall of the House of Usher
Succession
The Last of Us
Best Call-Back Series
Gilmore Girls
“Gilmore Girls” becomes the first winner of this honorary, timeless award. A Shield-staff favorite, and in general an American classic, “Gilmore Girls” has withstood the test of time, continuing to be a nationally beloved comfort show.
Honorable Mentions
Friends
Gossip Girl
Best Animated Feature Film
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
“Never shying from being ambitious, action scenes play into comic-style fights, something that works exceptionally well in the medium of animation. Dropping frame-rates in fight scenes, there is this unexplainable cohesiveness to every push, kick and punch on the screen.”
– Pranav Suresh, 23’ in REVIEW: “puss in boots: the last wish” sets the standard for animated film
Honorable Mentions
Trolls Band Together
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Ladybug & Cat Noir: The Movie
Best Motion-Picture Soundtrack
The Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes; Various Artists
“Being a critical element of the original novel, the film’s soundtrack is an homage to the fictional Panem, capturing what should be the sounds of the Appalachian District 12. The music of the prequel contrasts the forceful yet slightly unrelated albums that accompanied the previous films.”
– Margil Sanchez Carmona, 24’ in REVIEW: “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” loses grit of original series, but is still a ballad worth listening to
Honorable Mentions
Barbie; Various Artists
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse; Various Artists
Trolls Band Together; Various Artists
Best Song Written for Visual Media
Can’t Catch Me Now – The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes; Olivia Rodrigo
“Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Can’t Catch Me Now’ may be the most fitting and memorable of the Hunger Games themes. With a dramatic build-up and that signature acoustic sound of a true Hunger Games song, ‘Can’t Catch Me Now’ inspires a sense of nostalgia, while the lyrics depict Snow and Gray’s relationship arguably better than the film itself.”
– Margil Sanchez Carmona, 24’ in REVIEW: “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” loses grit of original series, but is still a ballad worth listening to
Honorable Mentions
What Was I Made For – Barbie; Billie Eilish
Annihilate – Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse; Various Artists
I’m Just Ken – Barbie; Ryan Gosling
Best Lead Actress – Motion Picture or Television Series
Margot Robbie – Barbie
She’s Barbie! She’s good at everything and thus delivered a flawless performance this summer. Barbie was arguably Robbie’s most iconic role to date and is one of the most memorable performances of recent years.
Honorable Mentions
Rachel Zegler – The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Halle Bailey – The Little Mermaid
Ali Wong – Beef
Jennifer Lawrence – No Hard Feelings
Best Lead Actor – Motion Picture or Television Series
Tom Blyth – The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
He has millions of TikTok views and immediate “It-boy” status, but the internet’s obsession with Tom Blyth’s “Coryo” is just a mere addition to the actor’s long-standing reputation in the industry. The role of Coriolanus Snow has given him the opportunity to display the extent of his on-screen talent.
Honorable Mentions
Cillian Murphy – Oppenheimer
Steven Yeun – Beef
Andrew Barth Feldman – No Hard Feelings
Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture or Television Series
Zooey Deschannel – Trolls Band Together
Zooey Deschannel’s portrayal of Bridget the Bergen is a reminder of the comedic impact of exceptional line delivery and incredible voice acting. Every one of her few lines was worthy of a good chuckle, and she came out with the most hilarious acting performance of the film.
Honorable Mentions
America Ferrera – Barbie
Hunter Schaffer – The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Florence Pugh – Oppenheimer
Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture or Television
Ryan Gosling – Barbie
Well, yes–he may be just a little bit more than “just Ken.”
Honorable Mentions
Charles Melton – May December
Kenan Thompson – Trolls Band Together
