Submissions are presented in the order they were received. Click here to see last year’s songs.
Novos Baianos – Swing de Campo Grande
Aaron Copland / Michel Legrand – Copland: 4 Piano Blues: No. 1, Freely Poetic
I was just sent this by a friend who has a remarkable talent for the piano. I would like to use this performance in a film one day, hopefully soon.
Patsy Cline – Leavin’ On Your Mind
The Blow – “Come On Petunia”
In high school I must’ve listened through Paper Television at least 30 times. This year I came back to it, not having heard it front to back since then, circa 2009 or ’10, which led to the important realization that I hadn’t heard any other albums by The Blow. And right there, nearly smack in the middle of their third album, Poor Aim: Love Songs (2005), was Khaela Maricich’s tantalizing ode to Petunia and whimsical, fantastical loneliness. The breezy early aughts indie electronics yield high returns in these minimal hands, especially paired with this voice. “Every little thing she does is magic.”
Harpers Bizarre – ‘Witchi Tai To’
This one dropped right out of the ether. Another classic case of ‘how have I never heard this before?’ A rendition of Jim Pepper’s jazzier and more exploratory stripped-down mantra from the same time, the Harpers Bizarre version cuts straight to the dreamy pop core of the tune, welding together a hypnotic version so heavy with melancholy it can hardly sustain it’s three-minute run and resorts to a fade-in and -out. “Makes me feel glad that I’m not dead.”
Harry Miller – ‘Orange Grove’
Following on the heels of In Conference opener “Traumatic Experience”, we are led to greener pastures. “Orange Grove” is an explosive ascension. It taps into everyday cheery confusion, casual triumphs, and taking it all one day at a time. Never fails to raise my spirits.
Bob Dylan – ‘Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right’
Jessica Harper – ‘Old Souls’
Gene Newton – ‘Approaching the Portal’
Dean Blunt, Joanne Robertson – Imperial Gold
Their record Backstage Raver from this year brought me back to their previous collaboration singles- this is a favorite. Dean’s more in Joanne’s territory here, it’s her song after all, but he adds a whole new dimension in his brief appearance. They’re mining something powerful in the simplest lines. Something as nonspecific as “show you a good time” just flattens me.
Chuquimamani-Condori – Find Me
Okay, I’m ashamed to say I had never heard of Elysia until their record DJ E, but that did mean I was still a fan in time to listen to their incredible set on NTS RADIO this year. Something I kept listening to. Just an all-timer. If there’s a youtube video I played the most this year, I’d reckon this is it.
Bladee, Ecco2k – Girls Just Want to Have Fun
Speaking of records that came out this year, Bladee’s really hit home. Another thing from the current year that brought me back to some favorites from his past—this collaboration with Ecco2K is my favorite off their record together. They’re having a lot of fun here. My easiest escape from the wear-and-tear grind of daily life. That and Arthur Russell’s Not Checking Up (snuck a fourth one in!)
METZ – Entwined (Street Light Buzz)
Cherubs – Dave of the Moon
Billy Talent – Devil On My Shoulder
Otto Vargas y su Orquesta – Haz de Volver / Solo Quiero Mirarte
Costa Rican bolero is all about the tender balance between utmost melancholy and the most romantic of slow dances, occasionally embracing the collision between them. Like everything local and popular, history has shunned it aside as “non-significant”, but clearly people have underestimated the subtle mastery of Otto Vargas y Su Orquesta. A discovery that expands one’s perception of their own context might be the best kind of discovery, honestly.
Chief Keef – Runner
Sun Ra & Salah Ragab – Egypt Strut
Ghostface Killa (feat. Slick Rick, Raekwon & Rza) – ‘The Sun’
2024, the south of England broke several records on rainfall and general greyness. Throughout this year ‘The Sun’ has become a song-mantra, the main reason I have mustered the strength to leave the house so many times; perfectly enlivening, a little silly, and so so bright. “The sun kiss scrumptious son, it’s nutritious.”
Julia Holter – ‘Talking to the Whisper’
2024, I was lucky to see Julia Holter live twice. Something in the room she moves is my favourite album released this year, and yet, most times I have to stop it once I get to ‘Talking to the Whisper’. Its stark grief and unruly sonic expanse, too much to bear on a casual listen, have gifted me so much needed emotional relief in the right moments, and both live performances will stand as core cathartic moments amongst the memory of a pained year.
Carol Douglas – ‘Doctor’s Orders’
2024, James and I got married. For months, I listened to The Last Days of Disco soundtrack on repeat, fantasising how many perfect songs we would get to dance on the day. In pure Stillman’s twisted bittersweet irony though, ‘Doctor’s Orders’ did not make the final cut on the day, but due to the downward slope my health has taken, I still have a little dance to it most days, poking fun at the dozen pills I pop each day.
Fawzi, Al Nather – “Kilmeh”
Daboor, Shabjdeed, Al Nather – “Inn Ann”
BA, Molotof – “100 Katana”
Yuke – “Ian Goin”
For most of the last decade I’ve worked jobs where it was impossible to listen to music at work. I can now, and this is the first song in my 2024 rap youtube playlist. It’s usually the first song I hear every day. When those twinkly cloud rap notes get eviscerated by the harsh buzzing 808 noise I feel blessed.
Chief Keef – “Runner”
Seeing Keef thriving in 2024 after the nonsense that was pinned on him in the years after he broke out was touching. Hearing the best rapper/producer of the last decade process his still outré drill through a classicist, dialogic use of a Nancy Wilson sample seems a great victory lap.
Neil Young – “Comes a Time”
Oh, this old world keeps spinnin’ ’round / It’s a wonder tall trees ain’t layin’ down
Here’s to ringing in 2025, and to more birds and happy collisions, nurturing old and new bonds and non-metaphorical decolonisation under the one sky.
Mount Eerie – I Spoke With A Fish
Albert Ayler – Bells (Lörrach/Paris 1966 version)
Revolutionaries of the Popular Front for the Liberation of the Occupied Arabian Gulf – In Palestine and the Land of Oman