My Music of 2024

To round off the year, I'm taking a moment to account for the music that I treasured this year. In a year of quite terrible news, the music that sustained me wasn't political per se but I would still maintain that making art is an act of resistance itself. Here are those records: 1. Waxahatchee - "Tiger's Blood:" Katie Crutchfield is leading a new wave of Southern indie rock these days. I’ve been enjoying her stuff for several years now, but “Tiger’s Blood’ was my favorite this year. Like the boygenius album last year, it had a run of six or seven tracks back to back that were killer. The collaboration with guitarist MJ Lenderman anchors the album. Lenderman was originally hired to add the guitar solo that ends the single "Right Back to It," but his harmonies so added to the Waxahatchee sound that he ended up singing on most of the album. 2. Khruangbin - "A La Sala:" I discovered this Houston-based trio this year through an article in The New York Times Magazine. They make mostly instrumental music that draws from an eclectic mix of classic soul, dub, jazz fusion. "May Ninth" was constantly in my chill-out rotation this year. 3. Maggie Rogers - "Don't Forget Me:" Maggie Rogers' third album was another of my favorites this year, bringing up memories of Rilo Kiley’s work with Jenny Lewis back in the 2000s or even the peak of Fleetwood Mac’s work back in the 1970s. The title track and "So Sick of Dreaming" are the key tracks. 4. Noah Kahan - "Stick Season:" Vermont-based beardy folk singer-songwriter Kahan takes a bit of a beating in the music press for his earnest music, but I’m drawn to it in the same way that I’m drawn to Fleet Foxes or Bon Iver. His 2023 album “Stick Season” was re-released this year as an ambitious 24 song cycle that included versions recorded with a variety of music luminaries including Brandi Carlile, Hozier and Kacey Musgraves). 5. Remi Wolf - "Big Ideas:" Alt-R’n’B singer/songwriter Remi Wolf has an interesting ethnic background (Sicilian mother and Russian/Persian father) that informs her unique blend of music. "Cinderella," her hit from from her second album had the twins bouncing all year long. 6. Future Islands - "People Who Aren't there Anymore:" I first came across this Baltimore-based synth pop band this opening single watching them performing on Colbert. I have a real soft spot for old guys who can still get funky. I’ve enjoyed Sam Herring’s smoky vocal work for a variety of different artists (e.g., Bad Bad Not Good, The Snails) for a number of years. "The Tower" was the key track on this disc for me. 7. Hurray for the Riff Raff - "The Past is Still Alive:" New Orleans-based singer-songwriter Allynda Segarra took a turn toward Americana this year. I first came across them through their 2017 album “The Navigator,” which included the raucous political rocker “’Rican Beach.” The opening track "Alibi" burns with righteous rage. 8. Clairo - "Charm:" Boston-based singer/songwriter Clairo (born Claire Cotterill) has burst on the scene in the last three years with her unique brand of alternative pop. I first came across her music on the Amazon Prime Brand New Music playlist a couple of years ago and have been following her ever since. Her first single from this album "Sexy to Someone" was undeniable. 9. Phosphorescent - "Revelator:" “Phosphorescent” is the stage moniker of songwriter Matthew Houck. I came across this tune late one night on the campus NPR station while driving home from campus. I ended up driving around while I listened to it again and again on Amazon, just mesmerized by the sound. 10. Jessica Pratt - "Here in the Pitch:" LA-based folkie Jessica Pratt has been a leading voice on the “freak folk” scene since her 2012 debut. Her last album “Quiet Signs” was my album of that year. “Here in the Pitch,” which saw a more expanded sound, wasn’t quite at that level, but I did love this standout track. Notable Others: * Arooj Aftab - "Night Reign" * The Cure - "Songs of a Lost World:" * Diana Demuth - "The Covers Album" * Madi Diaz - "Weird Faith: * Hannah Ellis - "That Girl" * Ruston Kelly - "Weakness, Etc." * Ray LaMontagne - "Long Way Home" * Maya Hawke - "Chaos Angel" * Iron and Wine - "Light Verse" * Sarah Jarosz - "Polaroid Lovers" * MJ Lenderman - "Manning Fireworks" * Adrianne Lenker - "Bright Future" * Laura Marling - "Patterns in Repeat" * Father John Misty - "I Guess Time Makes Fools of Us All" * Kacey Musgraves - "Deeper Well" * Meshell Nedegeocello - No More Water" * Willie Nelson - "The Border" * Carly Pearce - "hummingbird" * The Smile - "Cutouts" * Soccer Mommy - "Evergreen" * Allen Stone - "Mystery" * Kali Uchis - "Oquideas" * Faye Webster - "Underdressed at the Symphony" Favorite Songs: * Arooj Aftabi - Raat Ki Rani" * Bea and Her Business - "Wow" * Charli xcx - "360" * Clairo - "Sexy to Someone" * Madi Diaz - "Don't Do Me No Good" * Hannah Ellis - "Plans" * Future Island - "The Tower" * Hurray for the Riff Raff - "Alibi" * Iron and Wine - "All in Good Time" * Noah Kahan (feat. Brandi Carlile) - "You're Gonna Go Far" * Ruston Kelly - "The Watcher" * Khruangbin - "May Ninth" * Adrianne Lenker - "Sadness as a Gift" * Meshell Nedegeocello - "Trouble" * Danny Ocean - "Si No No" * Carly Pearce - "My Place" * Phosphorescent - "Revelator" * Jessica Pratt - "Better Hate" * Maggie Rogers - "Don't Forget * Shaboozy - "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" * Shenseea - "Flava" * Simi - "Men are Crazy" * Tyla - "Water" * Kali Uchis - "Igual Que Un Angel" * Waxahatchee - "Right Back to It" * Faye Webster - "But Not Kiss" * Remi Wolf - "Cinderella" Biggest Disappointment: Vampire Weekend - "Only God Was Above Us:" “Capricorn:” Vampire Weekend have been making some of the most interesting rock music for the past fifteen years. Sadly, the band that made their first three albums has mainly gone their own separate ways at this point, leaving front man Ezra Koenig to hire the cream of the crop of sidemen to fill out his own quirky vision. "Capricorn" had a really cool, dreamy psychedelic vibe that I really enjoyed this year, but the rest of the album fell short for me.