Sound, a prominent audio service, has released its 2023 popularity roundup, highlighting the most listened-to artists, songs, and genres. The data stems from a comprehensive collection held by socialbites.ca, offering a clear snapshot of what listeners streamed most during the year.
Drawing from HiFi streaming data, fans showed strong affinity for ANNA ASTI, including her collaboration The King and the Clown, as well as favored acts like Artik & Asti, Zivert, and several artists from the United States. These names dominate the yearly listening trends, reflecting a mix of Russian and international talent that resonated with broad audiences in 2023.
The top tracks of the year reveal a blend of club-ready anthems and intimate ballads. Notable entries include In the Bars by ANNA ASTI, Call by DJ SMASH featuring NIVESTA, and I Believe in You by ANNA ASTI. Other standout titles include The Sorcerer’s Doll by King and the Jester and WAKE UP! by Zivert, illustrating a diverse soundtrack that kept listeners engaged across many playlists and moods.
On weekly listening patterns, Friday evenings and Monday mornings showed a lot of consistency, with In Bars frequently looping across sessions. During the day, Call attracted steady attention, while the evenings favored The Queen by ANNA ASTI and Where Did You Go by Gio Pika and Kravets, suggesting a shift from upbeat daytime tracks to more reflective or cinematic selections as the night approached.
In terms of downloads, Where Did You Go, In Bars, ASPHALT 8 by MACAN, On White by Caspian Cargo featuring Gio Pica, and The Magician’s Baby were among the top selections. These choices illustrate listeners’ appetite for a mix of energetic hooks and melodic depth, spanning electronic, rock, and indie influences that year.
The most musical cities in Russia were led by Moscow, followed by St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Krasnodar, and Yekaterinburg. Notably, Sound usage in Moscow surpassed other cities in the top 50 by a striking margin of 1357 percent, while St. Petersburg recorded a staggering 482 percent higher listening rate compared with other large centers. This geographic pattern highlights how regional listening habits shape the country’s overall sonic landscape and align with wider cultural and social trends in 2023.
October 20 emerged as the standout day for music consumption, registering the highest listening activity of the year. This peak underscores the impact of seasonal and cultural moments on streaming behavior, as listeners turn to familiar favorites or explore new releases with heightened enthusiasm.
Additionally, the data reflects a notable curiosity about patriotic themes and national artists, indicating how listeners respond to culturally resonant music during important periods. This sentiment mirrors broader conversations about identity, heritage, and artistic expression in a digitally connected era.
Overall, the 2023 Sound ranking offers a rich portrait of listening habits across genres, regions, and times. It serves as a practical guide for Canadian and American audiences exploring contemporary trends and for artists and platforms aiming to tailor experiences that align with audience preferences on both sides of the border.
Source: Sound data 2023.