It's interesting how my perspective changed as the year progressed. I raved about Yard Act in the early months, but whilst still good I don't think it's worn as well in my heart. Whilst Playing Robots Into Heaven by James Blake has recently returned to being played an awful lot and my fondness for it has grown immensely over the months.
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So, as ever these favoured tracks of 2024 are really only of this moment, not forever.
But here they are - Just click on the link to play
Kylie Minogue - Lights, Camera, Action,That's It.- Oh My Oh My
Kylie continues to have her very own little renaissance on the back of the success of Padam Padam. Here are two addictive little numbers from Tension 2, which prove just how much she has still got it.
James Blake - Loading
I simply love this track. its James Blake at his simplest melodically, with its uncertain churchy keyboard and mysterious lyrical obsession. Its the sort of thing I save the word ravishing for. Runs One True Pairing a pretty close second for favourite track of the year.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Conversion
The album Wild God marks yet another career high point and shift in musical emphasis for Nick Cave. This is by far the best track on the whole album, channeling a bit of the agony and the ecstasy of a burgeoning faith.
One True Pairing - As Fast As I Can Go
My favourite track of the year. Light percussive rhythms propel this track along as it builds in intensity. Whilst Tom Fleming sings warmly, extolling the excitement of driving home to see his lover. Everything I love musically condensed into three minutes plus.
Godspeed You Black Emperor - Broken Spires At Dead Kapital
I chose this to represent the album, it is simply the shortest track. Its an album that is pretty impossible to define. Provoked by the war in Gaza, the band came up with probably their best album in ages. Unsparingly bleak landscapes painted in sound.
Aurora - When The Dark Dresses Lightly
Such a talented songwriter, I was seriously spoilt for choice with her album Whatever Happened To The Heart, there are just so many great tracks. I chose this because it was the first track to hook me and I have played it to death.
Beth Gibbons - Burden of Life
Beth Gibbons doesn't release a solo album very often Loves Outgrown being only the second. How many tracks I could have picked, pretty near all of them. But this mournful little ditty captured something of our world weary zeitgeist.
Aroof Aftab - Aey Nehin
The opening track of her latest album Night Reigns, is this silky smooth song sung over a backing that is as light as air. This is wonderfully stripped to the bone and stylish.
Laura Marling - Caroline
It's not just the rare tone and expressiveness of her voice but the songwriting quality. Here an older man struggles to remember the break up song he once wrote,prompted by the lover who was the cause of it re-emerging into his later life.
Little Simz - Mood Swings
It appears there is never a year off for Little Simz, her EP from which Mood Swings is taken fizzes with ideas and fabulously complex grooves. Makes you anticipate the next full album all the more.
Low- Monkey
A track from several years ago, that caught the attention of my ear holes. My goodness we miss Mimi Parker's voice.
St Vincent - Broken Man
This is one stonker of a song from her recent album All Born Screaming. This track hits you so hard you are literally physically stunned by it. Terrific stuff roared in your ear drum til it bursts.
Arab Strap - Bliss
Very much a continuation of their return to form, great electronic backing whilst Aidan Moffat intones his characteristicly poetic misery and mischief over the top.
Fat Dog - All The Same.
They appeared on Jools Holland's Later performing this song and stole the show, with its energy and punch. Unfortunately the debut album its from doesn't quite live up to the promise of this track.
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