Here are the top 10 songs by New Jersey indie artists, according to Makin Waves:

The Azures, “Lust of the Night” — The Makin Waves Song of the Year is a haunting, mystifying ode to evening pleasures and the bluesedelic groovy-doomin’ musical equivalent of chocolate mushroom trip. Click here for more.

Cranston Dean, “The Root” — With a sad beauty, this soulful song looks at how the foundation of America’s freedoms and ideals are crumbling from the decay of ignorance, apathy and greed. Click here for more. Click here for more.

Bruce Tunkel, “I’m Slowing Down” — A contemplation of relevance in the face of aging. The line, “You become invisible once your story’s been told,” makes it one of the most powerful local songs of the year. Click here for more.

Jackson Pines, “Hammer” — The 2023 Makin Waves Best Live Band fused their Pine Barrens folk roots with their Asbury Park R&B roots on this Springsteenesque father-son gem fueled by saxophonist Scott Grimaldi. Click here for more.

The Vaughns, “Day by Day” — A sad but uplifting song about a family battling the curse of cancer right before a blessed occasion featuring the lyrical and guitar debut of co-founding drummer Ryan Kenter. Click here for more.

Renee Maskin, “Scrimshaw” — My favorite song from Renee Maskin’s “Shimmer” masterpiece and the Makin Waves Video of the Year by John Decker. Click here for more.

Renee Maskin, “Horses” — This song is perhaps the best proof that Renee can hold her own with such Old West-inspired songstresses as Eilen Jewell and Antje Duvekot. Click here for more.

Alexander Simone (feat. Supa Dragg), “Grateful” — The grandson of Nina Simone continues her High Priestess of Soul tradition with another nugget of goodness to follow last year’s Makin Waves Song of the Year nod. Click here for more.

Colossal Street Jam, “No Way to Live” — The first single and title track from the forthcoming Fretbar Records LP reissue chronicles the hardships Colossal had to overcome to initially release the album on their own. Click here for more.

LATEWAVES, “Frog” — From the self-titled label debut for Richmond, Va.-based indie Open Your Eyes Records comes this fun and charming song from this Asbury Park-based trio that made for an even better video. Click here for more.

Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at [email protected].