This is my tenth year of doing these lists! Maybe one of these years I’ll get good at this.

Music lists from past years: 2015/2016/2017/2018/2019/2020/2021/2022/2023/2024

Best Songs

Runner Ups:

• Carnage, The Antlers
• Arizona, Palmyra  
• In Your Head, zzzahara
• Sk1, Jerskin Fendrix
• Gone, HAIM
• 23’s A Baby, Blondshell
• Sign Of The Times, Daniel Caesar

10. Lighter, Lucille Klement – I love the patience of this song; it perfectly reflects the lyrics that describe finding comfort in a steady yet passionate relationship. I expect more great music from this new talent.

9. Divinize, ROSALÍA – While I appreciate the virtuosic compositions of her entire album, I didn’t connect with the songs until I heard this one. Reminiscent of classic Regina Spektor tracks, she blends classical and pop elements while maintaining a strong hook.

8. Cannot Get Enough, Sunnan – This Swedish band took their love of Ennio Morricone’s Spaghetti Western soundtracks and created some amazing original music. This track especially stands out to me with its Khruangbin-style guitar, electronica grooves, and that sweet sweet whistling.

7. S.N.C, DARKSIDE – The funky song brings in influences from all corners of music history. DARKSIDE has been mysterious about the meaning behind the title and the lyrics, but I like to think that the diversity of influences indicates that the song is about the creation of music itself.

6. It’s a Mirror, Perfume Genius – Occasionally, Hadreas writes a beautiful and aching song that cuts through and hits me hard—he’s done it again.

Top 5 Songs:

5. We Didn’t Know We Were Ready, Ólafur Arnalds, Talos

On its own, it’s a beautiful song, but knowing the story behind it brings it to another level. Talos died unexpectedly just months after writing this song with collaborators, and his lyrics and melody provide a heartfelt farewell. The emotional performance of Arnalds, along with Talos’ widow, and their community, reminds us of the healing power of music.

4. Switch Over, Horsegirl

It’s awesome to see this indie rock band evolve over the years while keeping their creativity and individuality. It’s easy to forget that despite their achievements, they were teenagers just a couple of years ago. The enigmatic song could mean many different things, but the driving guitars and often wordless vocals create a compelling sound that demands repeat listening.

3. System, Prewn

I am a sucker for a strings accompaniment in a rock song and I am also drawn to songs with a gradual build to a cathartic release. It is possible Izzy Hagerup and her band knew this and they have manipulated me, but I am powerless to resist.

2. Sailor Song, Gigi Perez

This song became a huge hit this year, catapulting Perez from obscurity to a household name. Her raw vocals resonate with the longing expressed in her lyrics. The acoustic guitar provides a fantastic foundation, while the addition of horns adds great punctuation. Her strong songwriting instincts leave me eager to hear her next release.

1. In The Middle, Mt. Joy, Gigi Perez

When I heard this Mt. Joy song early in the year, I instantly loved it, though I had no idea who Gigi Perez was. She wasn’t just featured on the track; she also helped write it. Together, they crafted a compelling song that describes intense attraction and affection for a partner, yet reflects the reluctance to fully invest in the relationship (like if you are hypothetically in a successful band and are touring the world playing concerts most of the year). While there are no jaw-dropping aspects to the song, it is exceptionally well-constructed and maximizes the band’s strengths.

Best Albums:

Runner Ups:

• SAYA, Saya Gray
• New Thing, Avery Friedman

5. (tie) Thee Black Boltz, Tunde Adebimpe

Occasionally, I have pangs of regret for missing the bus on TV on the Radio. However, 11 years after their hiatus, I was finally able to follow and appreciate Adebimpe’s solo release. While the sound is still experimental, it is more conventional than most of TV on the Radio’s albums. Adebimpe clearly still has a lot to say and has found innovative ways of expressing himself. After the release of the album, TV on the Radio surprisingly began touring again. Now in their early 50s, the band is reportedly still able to capture the spirit and enthusiasm of the songs they released 20 years ago. It might finally be time for me to catch that bus.

5. (tie) Straight Line Was A Lie, The Beths

Stokes might be the most skilled songwriter at finding great analogies for complex emotions. In every album they create, she inserts insightful observations about the human experience. This album is more focused on mental and physical health, as Stokes has come to realize that treatment is not a finite event but an ongoing process (it’s a circle, not a straight line). No Joy reflects the numbness she felt after taking antidepressants, while Metal illustrates the delicate balance of bacteria and nutrients (including metals) that impact her autoimmune disease. The guitar rock is as good as ever on this album, but for the first time, the band’s ballads also stand out. Mother, Pray for Me is a heartfelt examination of the emotional hurdles between Stokes and her mother, who had very different life experiences growing up in Indonesia.

4. The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1, Lord Huron

This veteran band surprised me with this release. We seemed to be on the trajectory of diminishing returns for the last decade, but this album ranks among the best they’ve ever released. Matthew Neighbour (who also did a great job producing for The Middle Kids and other great bands) helped Schneider shape and mix his songs, giving them a refined sound. They initially intended to collaborate on just one song, but after the success of their first partnership, they realized they needed to continue working together on the entire album. I don’t know which of them had Kristen Stewart’s number, but that was another pleasant surprise.

3. People Watching, Sam Fender

Fender has experienced significant hardships in his life, and he approached this album with his heart on his sleeve. While the subject matter is often difficult, he keeps the instrumentation fresh and compelling. Certain aspects of his music remind me of The War on Drugs. However, I had no idea that he convinced Adam Granduciel from The War on Drugs to produce this album, which is the first time Granduciel has produced outside of his own band. Health issues have complicated Fender’s career, and this album seems to reflect his pent-up enthusiasm for creating and performing music.

2. Getting Killed, Geese

I wouldn’t say I loved Geese on my first listen, but I was definitely intrigued. I grew to love their music, though I did not anticipate the huge following they would accumulate. Cameron Winter’s vocals and somewhat incoherent lyrics might drive some people away, but they fit well with the unconventional percussion and dramatic genre shifts. I’m uncomfortable with some labeling them as the ‘Saviors of Rock.’ An expectation like that could create pressure within the band; perhaps we should just let them create more of their wonderfully weird music.

1. I’m Only F**king Myself, Lola Young

Young blew me away with her new dynamic album. She showcases impressive compositions, whether it’s catchy pop-style songs like One Thing and d£aler, guitar-driven tracks like SPIDERS and Not Like That Anymore, or even ballads like Post Sex Clarity. Despite the shifts throughout the album, Young consistently delivers heartfelt vocals with clever lyrics exploring the passionate highs, desperate lows, and complicated feelings often arising from relationships.

And I got a little kick out of declining your call

I guess that means I don’t need your dick at all

And so I’m fucking myself, but not like that anymore

That seems like the perfect quote to end this list, thanks!