Five Solid Songs from 2024
Taking a Break from Usual Fare to Talk Music
I can thank — or blame — a chap called “Canadian Steve;” we started working together in 2019 and his musical knowledge makes mine look sophomoric.
It was at a company Christmas party in December of 2019 when Steve suggested that “Midnight City” by M83 was the Song of the Decade for the 2010s. He had a list. He had lots of lists.
Being competitive, I had to make a list, too (“Mountain At My Gates” by Foals being my #SongOfTheDecade), and so it began.
You can also see his participation in this piece: Why Rolling Stone’s List of Greatest Songs Ever Doesn’t Suck.
I’m not going to outdo Canadian Steve, but his efforts have forced me to step up my New Music Game.
Here, Then, Are The 5 Best Songs of 2024 (So Far…)
I’ve decided to list these in no particular order. You’ll also get a couple Honorable Mentions.
Here goes:
Magdalena Bay, “Death & Romance”
On other lists I’ve created — like this one: The Top Ten Songs of 2023 — I give a shout out to our friends at SiriusXMU. In this case, I *think* the shoutout is also a sub-shoutout to BrooklynVegan, who may have introduced me to this particular song.
My log line for this song in the spreadsheet (yes, I have one) is, simply, “Boomski.”
Mannequin P***y, “Sometimes”
How can a song sound 90s and 20s at the same time? MP has achieved this with their ditty called “Sometimes.”
Omni, “Plastic Pyramid”
If you would like to have a few minutes of “WHAT THE HECK DID I JUST WATCH?”…
Log line: “Zany, close to perfect, reminds me of Yes.”
Alice Merton, “run away girl”
Rarely do I hear a song and immediately say “This Will Be My Song of the Summer” — TBH, probably hasn’t happened since Edwyn Collins came out with something called “A Girl Like You” in 1994 — but Ms Merton has achieved high status with this, My Song of the Summer 2024.
Fat Dog, “Running”
Dave’s friend, musician, and expert on all things Ken reacted to his first viewing of this video: “That was exhausting.”
Perhaps that’s the idea behind Fat Dog: Exhaust the crowd. They’re already getting rave reviews for their performances — they’ll be in the USA this Fall — and this song is likely the most memorable of 2024 so far.
Oh, and a Couple Honorable Mentions
These could end up in the Top Ten for 2024…not the “best” songs I’ve heard so far, but, as is often the case, another listen or two will be necessary.
Pearl Jam, “Waiting for Stevie”
I’ve heard the new album a few times now — it’s A-Tier, not S-Tier like Ten or Vitalogy — and this is the most memorable song IMHO.
Dreamer Isioma & The Celestials!, “In My Head”
Also has a dreamy 90s quality to it. (Sent it to Steve who played it for his crew and his response was “meh.”)
The Last Dinner Party, “Sinner”
This band probably doesn’t index as well with Straight, White, Heterosexual Males as well as it does with other demos. But last year’s Song of the Year, “Nothing Matters,” indexed well with this SWHM. (That link is a Radio Edit from the BBC.)
Here’s the second single, “Sinner.”
Until next time, America. (Or Canada.)