Well, I think we can all agree that was definitely a year....
I'll leave it up to you to decide whether it was good or bad - for me it was a real mixed bag, with a few highs mixed with no small amount of stress from time to time.
But that is the joy of music isn't it? No matter how crap a day you are having, music is always there to put a comforting arm around you.
But we do, as we get older, tend to fall into the trap of going into our listening comfort zone - relying on those bands and songs of old, that have gotten us through so much before - tried and tested, you might say. But that is to miss out on new experiences. No matter what people might tell you about there being no good music anymore, or 'they don't write them like they used to', there is still plenty of good new music being made.
I have deliberately called this songs from 2024, rather than songs of 2024, as I am not trying to force a 'best of' list on you - just a selection of new songs, from a wide variety of artists, new and old, that have caught my ear over these last twelve months. Hopefully there will be a crumb or two for you to enjoy.
Charli XCX: 360 (On Saturday Night Live)
This comes from one of the most eagerly anticipated and commercially successful albums of the year - Brat. It might feel like Charli XCX has just burst on the scene, but this has been brewing for 15 years or more before Brat (and predecessor Crash) smashed the door down. This electropop banger, full of and about her self-confidence, was the second single and earned her a Grammy nomination. The secret of 360 is in its simplicity - a catchy, repetitive beat and the way she does her vocal delivery with such, well er, self-confidence.
The Cure: Alone (Live, BBC Radio 2 In Session, October 2024)
Talking of anticipation, Songs Of A Lost World was The Cure's first full album of new material in sixteen years, and Alone was the lead single. It sees Robert Smith at his introspective best, and took inspiration from the 1902 poem Dregs by Ernest Dowson. Alone begins with over three minutes of atmospheric instrumental, which feels so very 1980s, before Smith drops in with is plaintive voice, full of despair.
Kim Deal: Nobody Loves You More (Official music video)
Some of the songs on indie legend Kim Deal's first ever solo record, Nobody Loves You More, date all the way back to her departure from Pixies in 2011. There are contributions on the album from fellow Breeders Kelley Deal and Jim McPherson to add some familiarity. This title track has beautiful swells added by a lovely string arrangement and some extra 50s vibe from the horn break in the middle.
Girl Scout: I Just Needed You To Know (Official music video)
We got introduced to Swedish indie-rockers Girl Scout through their support slot with Alvvays earlier in the year, and both my daughter and I were really impressed. I Just Needed You To Know comes from their Headache EP, released last month (November), and is a effervescent, punky number with a soaring chorus and wonderful wigged-out guitar solo.
Soccer Mommy: Driver (Live on WFUV)
With influences seemingly veering from Taylor Swift pop to Nirvana-esque grunge, Soccer Mommy, a.k.a. Sophia Allison, put out her fourth record, Evergreen this year. Driver seems to perfectly capture all those disparate elements in one song.
Adrianne Lenker: Fool (Official music video)
Adrianne Lenker may be better known to some as lead singer of folk-rock outfit Big Thief, but has also put out a number of well received solo albums, including this years Bright Future. Fool is the third single and one that could easily be described as being 'quirky' with its random lyrics, squirel-ly guitar and country style layered vocals. And even with an absence of a traditional rhythm section, it still seems to trot along nicely.
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings: Hashtag (Live at 2024 Newport Folk Festival)
Gillian Welch has been working a dark vein of Americana for thirty years now, many of which have been with collaborator David Rawlings. They somehow make really sparse songs seem full of soul. None more so than on Hashtag, a beautiful slice of bluegrass infused country from their new album, Woodland.
Beabadoobee: Beaches (Official music video - but not 100% sure what the goat is all about)
Born in the Philippines, but raised in West London, Beatrice Laus has been creating a storm in the indie world since 2020. This Is How Tomorrow Moves, her third album, went straight to number one in the UK. Beaches was the fourth and final single to be released, and provides us with a shimmering slice of slightly jangly indie pop.
Nilüfer Yanya: Like I Say (I Runaway) (Official music video)
Yanya combines Irish, Barbadian and Turkish heritage, and her records reflect this wonderful chaos of cultures, happily jumping around genres from indie and rock to trip-hop and soul. My Method Actor, her third LP, sees her more mature and assured. The sound of Like I Say is familiar, like something alt-rock from 20 years ago, and yet also quite unique - there is a really interesting groove set up by the acoustic guitar and interesting percussion arrangement, getting a little grungier as it builds.
Lambrini Girls: Company Culture (blistering live version on KEXP)
Relatively new to the scene, this Brighton punk duo are seemingly furious, despite the fact that their debut album is due out in 2025, and they ended this year touring with Idles. Company Culture truly fizzes, and gets fully stuck into the sadly still relevant issue of workplace harassment, and if you are of a sensitive disposition, I should warn you, these ladies do not sugar coat their feelings. We look forward to a year of them getting in the face of misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, racism and the growing gap between rich and poor.
Jack White: That's How I'm Feeling (Official music video)
Jack White has covered a lot of ground over these last few decades - with the White Stripes, The Raconteurs and this year, with his sixth solo release, No Name. This album sees more of his heavy duty garage - blues sounding rock, with Variety calling it, "the freshest and most exciting rock and roll album to come down the pike in years". That's How I'm Feeling takes White Stripes adjacent verses and smashes them together with some heavy garage rock choruses. A literal banger!
Amyl & The Sniffers: U Should Not Be Doing That (Official music video)
More high energy rock has arrived from down under this year courtesy of Amyl & The Sniffers, who are fast becoming pub-rock legends. Cartoon Darkness is the third album from the Melbourne band, with U Should Not Be Doing That as the lead-off single. The sound is loud, proud and uncompromising, as are the lyrics - a bit of satire against the snobbery that can exist in the music world.
Nada Surf: In Front Of Me Now (Official music video)
In many ways, my Nada Surf experience sums up the topsy turvy year that 2024 has been. They delivered their excellent tenth album, Moon Mirror, I then spent three months very excited about seeing them live, before being too sick to go on the day. However, the music is there all the time - and In Front Of Me Now is the wonderful opening track and lead single, all about trying to be more present in the moment. It shimmers and surges on Matthew Caws strident guitar undercut with Louie Lino's warbling keyboard line and the urgency with which Caws delivers the vocals.
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