With just a week to go before Triple J’s annual Hottest 100, editors and contributors of Futuremag Music have predicted which song from 2023 will come out on top as well as picking their song of the year from both an Australian artist and an overseas artist.

Caitlin Dyson- Futuremag Contributor

Best/fave song of 2023 by an Aussie artist

How To Swim- Loretta. I’ve been following this band on their musical journey for years now, and this song feels like a pinnacle for them. It has such a happy and positive vibe to it and it really encompasses the feeling of security within a relationship.

Best/fave song of 2023 by an international artist

exes- Tate McRae. This song is just so undeniably catchy and well-written. Tate has gained so much popularity particularly last year, and this song was just another hit for her.

Predicted Hottest 100 winner

Worst Person Alive- G-Flip. They have gained so much traction especially throughout 2023 and their music has started to make it mainstream whilst still maintaining that Australian Indie sound. They also got lots of airtime with their wins and performance at the Arias 2023!

Sam Elliott- Futuremag Contributor

Best/fave song of 2023 by an Aussie artist

I’m cheating a little bit and including both Americans and Aussies together. ‘No More Lies’ by Tame Impala and Thundercat is the honey in my mind's eye I never knew I needed but now couldn’t live without. These two are both SO technically brilliant alone in their instrumentals, passion and plain tenacity in creating hit after hit after hit, so it’s a wonder they didn’t collaborate any sooner. They created magic and I couldn’t be happier they shared it with us.

Best/fave song of 2023 by an international artist

To continue to make it easy on myself and my indecisive tendencies, I’ve picked my most-played song of 2023, it’s ‘drive ME crazy!’ by Lil Yachty. Give it a go, you might understand why I exclusively listened to it for days at a time like some kind of reverse torture technique.

Predicted Hottest 100 winner

I’m a sucker for an Australian artist or band winning. I just feel a bit sentimental when it comes through that way, it may not happen but I’d be stoked with an Aussie or even a New Zealand icon winning. The Buoys have had a great time this year, their song ‘I Want You’ is so brilliant and they have also had some great hits come through in previous years in countdowns so that would be super special. Plus they’re pretty bloody great so they do deserve it.

Matilda Elliott- Futuremag Contributor

Best/fave song of 2023 by an Aussie artist

My favourite song of 2023 by an Aussie artist has gotta be A.B. Original’s ‘YES’ feat. DJ Total Eclipse & Marlon. This track encompasses both such a strong message and forces the listener to reflect on themself and the society that leads us. This track exemplifies the unbroken First Nations spirit, no matter what, the spirit will thrive, over 60,000 years of one of our world’s oldest living cultures will forever be resilient and strong. It is up to everyone to amplify voices, elevate and question the shameful repression our society is based on and wrongdoings at all levels.

Best/fave song of 2023 by an international artist

For me, my fave track by an overseas artist has gotta be ‘Margaret’ By Lana Del Rey ft. Bleachers. The tinkering of the piano gives this song such a timeless feeling. Even though this song was created with Jack Antonoff’s (now wife) Margaret Qualley in mind, the songwriting of this track transcends the duo of Jack and Margaret and creates the most heartfelt song that exemplifies feelings of a long term partnership, sprinkled with early feelings of the initial butterflies that truly, will never die off inside.

Predicted Hottest 100 winner

I feel like it is going to be taken away by some boys, I feel like boygenius has captivated the hearts of all who get to listen to their melancholic beautiful lyrics that envelop the listener to not only making them feel like a listener but feel like they’re being listened to as well. I think boygenius will take the cake with their angelic track ‘Not Strong Enough’.

Brooklyn Gibbs- Futuremag Editor

Best/fave song of 2023 by an Aussie artist

The Worst Person Alive- G Flip

Best/fave song of 2023 by an international artist

Eras of Us- Fletcher. Released in December, Eras of Us was the perfect track to end the year and welcome 2024. With Fletcher touring Australia in July, it gives us hope for a new era of music. Can Fletcher top her ‘Girl of My Dreams’ album.

Predicted Hottest 100 winner

I’m gonna say The Worst Person Alive for this as well as I’ve seen a lot of people voting.

Patrick Staveley- Futuremag Assistant Editor

Best/fave song of 2023 by an Aussie artist

Pedestal- Lime Cordiale. I found this hard with so many cracking Aussie tunes to choose from by the likes of DMA’S, Pacific Avenue, Royel Otis, The Rions and plenty more this year coming into contention amongst my own votes. A late arrival into 2023, Lime Cordiale’s latest single was another catchy tune which will be on heavy radio airplay for years to come. The rousing bridge at the end in particular is glorious.

Best/fave song of 2023 by an international artist

Overdrive- Post Malone. Many may argue it’s not even the best song on his new album, competing with songs like Chemical and Mourning, Overdrive blew me away. The raw emotion and intimacy of this track is beautiful and even better live.

Predicted Hottest 100 winner

Kill Bill- SZA. A massive track in 2023 and dominating many Spotify Wrapped posts at the end of the year, it won’t surprise me if this features in the Top 10 or even wins it all.