2. “Honeymoon”

Don Toliver | Love Sick

In forgoing this list last year (and the one before that, and the one before that, I am aware), I did not get to crown one Don Toliver with this project’s ever-coveted Most Improved Artist award, a distinction he’s likely outgrown with the release of this year’s inimitable Love Sick.

I sincerely agonized whether to choose this, the endlessly sunny “4 Me” with Kali Uchis, the crowd favorite “Luckily I’m Having,” or fudging the rules altogether and including 2022’s Metro Boomin-produced “Too Many Nights.” But “Honeymoon” – co-produced by KAYTRANADA! – became my personal favorite the past few months, assisted by a stunning vocal performance by Don and an instrumental that sounds straight out of a Pink Panther-esque detective caper.

I selected my favorite lyrics already, but really, anything he says on this beat is a candidate. It’s the small stuff, like the hilarious way he uses knockers to describe a woman's cleavage in 2023, or the percussive tone he takes on shake, shake, shake like maracas. All things considered, last year’s Most Improved just might be in strong contention for this year’s Most Valuable.