Entertainment – Best of 2023

Presenting the Chronicle’s Entertainment Wrapped! Here’s our take on the best arts and entertainment this year!

Best Album:

GUTS by Olivia Rodrigo
By: Elina Bishoyi
An artful mix of edgy grunge and soothing ballads, Olivia Rodrigo’s newest album is a spot-on representation of the teenage experience and a lyrical encapsulation of all the words we wish we could say out loud.

UTOPIA by Travis Scott
By: Shrija Shandilya
Travis Scott’s genre-defining “UTOPIA” is a testament to his versatility and originality as an artist, solidifying his spot as one of the biggest figures in contemporary hip hop.

Best Artist:

Noah Kahan
By: Megan Lee
Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever), alternative folk artist Noah Kahan has gained swarms of attention all over social media. While Stick Season is Kahan’s third studio album, It is the first that has gained worldwide attention and rankings on streaming services. Noah Kahan has a bright future ahead of him in the music industry, and we can only hope to see more of him as we move into 2024.

Best Movie:

Gran Turismo
By: Akshay Vadlamani and Drew Hoffmaster
Director: Neil Blomkamp
The creative hive at Sony Pictures broke the mold of what video game movies are, presenting relatable characters and a fast-paced retelling of a true story enjoyable for all.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
By: Akshay Vadlamani and Drew Hoffmaster
Directors: Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers & Justin K. Thompson
Sony embraced the unique creative art style they pioneered in the first movie while excellently carrying on the franchise’s ambitious storyline while having a vibrant and memorable soundtrack.

Best Song

“Vampire Empire”
Artist: Big Thief
By: Alisha Verma
Big Thief lead singer and songwriter Adrienne Lenker’s visceral lyrics paint an intimate portrait of a tumultuous relationship, raw emotion conveyed in every breath.

“8am in Charlotte”
Artist: Drake
By: Hudson Pitcock
With its refined beat and meaningful lyrics, “8am in Charlotte” features genuine reflections on the rapper’s life that remind listeners of his older music.

Best Game

Game: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Director: Hidemaro Fujibayashi
By: Akshay Vadlamani
Tears of the Kingdom marries one of the most thematic, open worlds ever created in a video game with an ethereal and enigmatic plot.

Best Performance

Barry Keoghan
Movie: Saltburn
By: Shrija Shandilya
Keoghan’s visceral performance embellished this thriller with a perfect blend of comedy and tragedy.

Best Concert

The Eras Tour
Artist: Taylor Swift
By: Megan Lee
Starting in March, Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour was a major highlight of the year. It has proved to be more than just a show, as fans worldwide join in through livestreams and video chats just to see Swift perform their favorite song. The Eras Tour created not just entertainment, but a community for Swifties everywhere.

Best TV Show

Succession
Creator: Jesse Armstrong
By: Alisha Verma
The final season of the hit HBO series offered harrowing drama and wry humor supplemented by career-defining performances from its lead actors.