Favourite Music of 2024 (So Far)
Half Way Through the Year, Here's What I've Listened to During 2024
Mid-year music list! I quite enjoyed doing this last October and I’ve been finding a lot of good stuff this year. Rather than by ranked, I will list by release date because if I went by ranked I would be constantly changing it and regret whatever order I put it in.
Last year was all about new albums from bands I’d been listening to for a long time, this year has been mostly new musicians, people who before now, I maybe only knew in passing. Although a lot of the non-2024 favourites are from people I’ve liked for many years with a sprinkle of nostalgia. I’m noticing that I am getting more and more into electronic/techno and country music, a natural progression.
A lot of this music was found on tumblr if I’m being honest. Follow a few people with good taste and suddenly my iTunes is bursting at the seams with great music! Review of albums more coherent while single songs just the vibe or image the songs bring out. If you want a bit of everything from the music mentioned here’s a playlist, maybe listen while reading the reviews:
Favourite albums of 2024 so far (playlist):
What an enormous room by TORRES, January 26 2024
It feels like this album has been in my life so much longer than it has. Like I’m revisiting something from 2014, not that it’s dated, because it’s timeless. You will often find me playing this album when dinner is in the oven and I’m sat at the table after getting out all the plates and cutlery, imaging myself driving through LA in a roofless car with a cig hanging out my mouth like the opening of a movie.
The Past is Still Alive by Hurray for the Riff Raff, February 23 2024
I’ve really enjoyed a lot of Hurray for the Riff Raff’s songs over the years but this is the first album to really get me. It’s probably the most country album on the list, though technically they’re Americana, whatever that means. But like every album on this list, it’s no skips and makes me feel like I can bear it. Bear what you ask? It.
Keeper of the Shepard by Hannah Frances, March 1 2024
Fell back in love with folk music, this being one of the albums to help me back to it. It had gotten a bit samey for awhile and this album was like a splash of cold water, awakening me from a long sleep. This is a morning album, one to play while I get ready for the day, make my bed, do my stretches, allow the anxiety come through but not stay.
I Got Heaven by Mannequin Pussy, March 1 2024
Love me a good bit of well done rock music. It’s mostly loud, pissed off, vengeful, but not played without intention and skill. The song I Don’t Know You feels like a game changer, rewiring my brain as we speak (it’s also the most chill song on the album and it’s absolutely beautiful). No skips! I want to lay in my bed all day taking it in but I also want to run around the country kissing strangers and holding onto old friends.
Tiger’s Blood by Waxahatchee, March 22 2024
This is the second to last album to be added to the list, and though I’ve only been listening to it for a bit, it’s already cemented itself into my roster of albums I always come back to. It’s like Fenne Lily’s On Hold (2018), something I put on for comfort and inspiration. It’s easy when the music is good.
The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions by Vegyn, April 5 2024
Reminds me of being young. Well, younger. Light in the dark. Seeing the world as a place to explore rather than trapped in. Good vibes all around. Electronic but not over the top, something very beautiful about it I’ve yet to pinpoint.
Silence Is Loud by Nia Archives, April 12 2024
Last album added to the list and it’s kinda blasting all the others out of the water for me (I do love all the others, but this is my favourite of the year so far). Puts me in a hella good mood. Makes me want to go to a day-time house party where it smells of barbecue, the drinks are ice cold and the friends are dancing in a circle in the garden. I want to wear yellow, do something weird to my hair, be me totally and completely. Been awhile since music has made me feel such a way.
Learning To Swim On Empty by Wu-Lu, May 17 2024
Absolute poetry. Literally. Wu-Lu has been on my radar since their album LOGGERHEAD came out in 2022 but for some reason or other I didn’t take the time. But when I got an email that this EP had come out and that it featured the poet/photographer Caleb Femi, I clicked play and since then whenever the playing stops, I go back and click play again. Lyrically the strongest album out of the bunch and it’s got this smooth confidence that pulls you in and keeps you there.
Honourable Mentions (Playlist):
Great Doubt by Astrid Sonne, January 26 2024
World of Work by Clarissa Connelly, April 12 2024
Way to Be by youbet, May 10 2024
Frog Boiling In Water by DIIV, May 2024
Lapse by IDAHO, May 31 2024
Favourite songs of 2024 so far (playlist):
B2b by Charli xcx, released April 3 2024
The venue’s fog machines are out of control and you lost the person you arrived with after they promised to stick with you. Keep looking at your phone whilst trying to forget yourself.
Empty And Silent (feat King Krule) by Mount Kimbie, released April 5 2024
An empty apartment, rubbing your forehead while remembering the night before. This has happened before and you worry it will happen again.
The Handover Part One by The Handover, released April 5 2024 (Not available on Spotify)
23 minutes of guitar, a long drive. Focus, observation, fingers lightly brushing across the surface.
Like I Say (I runaway) by Nilufer Yanya, released April 24 2024
Moving around a new area of town. You will never come back but you’ll dream of pushing through hedges in the park when you were lost.
Birdseye by Babehoven, released April 24 2024
At the current moment, this is my favourite song of the year so far. A break in the trees while driving through the woods and the golden sun illuminates you.
Talking To You by Clara La San, released May 7 2024
Ooh, came out of nowhere. Gonna dance but in a gloomy dark room, smooth ice, late summer night type shit.
Favourite Albums not from 2024 so far (playlist):
Overdose by Pizzicato Five, 1994 (Album not available on Spotify)
It’s very groovy. When listening to this I feel like I should be floating off in a balloon like some mid 90s rave video. Album of the summer, from the year I was born. I wanted a CD of it but turns out it’s a collectors item and it pretty hard to get your hands on one unless you want a suspicious bootleg or pay a couple hundred dollars. Listen on youtube and burn it onto a CD like god intended.
Marked For Death by Emma Ruth Rundle, 2016
This album keeps getting put on repeat. No skips! I start it from beginning to end every time, there’s never one particular song I’m seeking out. It’s like one big American gothic blanket. I was shocked to learn Rundle was raised in LA, I thought she was from somewhere like Montana. Big mountains, endless treelines. It’s quite a dark album, so be careful with it.
The OOZ by King Krule, 2017
At some point in January I found myself dressed like it was 2015, laying on the floor (sore back, not depressed) listening to this album and it comes back in waves since. When it came out I wasn’t huge on it but now I feel like I am connecting to myself, someone not defined by the last couple years. I remember I was someone, despite it all, who quite likes being alive. And of all the albums to remind me of that, it’s this one, a considerably sad piece. At least I’m consistent.
On Dark Horses by Emma Ruth Rundle, 2018
Rundle is on here twice, but I would be lying if I omitted this album from my favourites of the year since like her previous album, it’s been on repeat consistently. I just really, really love her work. Brooding but hopeful.
Dreamin’ by Friendship, 2019
Reminds me a lot of the bands Ida and Red House Painters (vocally very similar to the later). A chance encounter with this album, I’d not heard of this band but their song I Don’t Have To Imagine Your Love popped up on my tumblr dashboard. I’m so glad I took a moment to listen because it was love at first listen. It is so unbelievably my cup of tea and it’s been competing with Nia Archives for playtime (I’ve been just switching between the two, unfortunately listening at the same time would probably sound hellish). Kinda mad I didn’t come across it sooner but at least it’s here now.
Erotic Probiotic 2 by Nourished by Time, 2023
This album is just fun. It’s such a good time, throw it on when I gotta do chores and do some dancing. Images of cruising through the city on a hot day, on the way to see friends or just to be alone for bit. It’s a whole vibe and really excited to see where he goes.
Honourable mentions (playlist):
Pop by U2, 1997
The Storm of Silence by Chihei Hatakeyama & Dirk Serries, 2016
One Life by Malibu, 2019
Pixel Bath by Jean Dawson, 2020
Favourite Songs not from 2024 so far (playlist):
Heaven Can Wait by Judie Tzuke, 1982
Dancing alone in the disco, glitter on blue, bright cocktails. Your lover is over there waiting to dance.
We Will Not Be Lovers by The Waterboys, 1988
Driving a car, fast, bumpy road, dirt kicking up. Pissed off and headed somewhere to catch your breath. Disappointment without much surprise.
Stay (So Close, So Far) by U2, 1993
Nostalgia for a time you weren’t alive in. And if you were, it is a distant faded memory. Cardboard. Smell of damp. But you’re alive.
Baker by Ivy, 1997
An early 2000s indie movie. Protagonist probably works in a café and falls in love with a guy a little too into his record collection. It ends with them slow dancing.
Chase the Sun by Planet Funk, 2003
The sun overhead, rays of light hitting your shoulders. You reach up and catch something.
I Believe In You by Kylie Minogue, 2004
A false memory of prom, puffed sleeves worn vaguely ironically. Leaning your head on your friends shoulder on the bus home.
Orange Peeler by Horse Jumper of Love, 2016
You could have sworn you heard this song for the first time when you were 15 pushing through your first house party and all you wanted to do, the whole reason you’re here, is to see your crush. You walk home alone and play on repeat.
In Blur by Deafheaven, 2021
Summer memory, youth leaving without bitterness.
Wild at Heart by E-Prime, 2022
A club at the end of the road, streamers decaying. But the light machine still works and people are dancing. Melancholy mixed with the joy of a friend pulling you into a crowd.
I have also been really enjoying some youtube channels that post DJ sets, here’s a list of my favourites (Playlist of favourite sets):
Tlousera’s Hub (pretty small channel so definitely go check!)
Vincent Deeper (another smaller channel worth checking)
I hope you enjoyed these recommendations, and of course, shoot me a message/email of your favourites because there’s always room for new music.
Thank you for reading,
Enya x