Soundtracks of 2024
In a year that was the most hectic and action packed that I can remember, these are the albums that sent me along my way, making sure that I had the energy and willpower to get through every day.
A Little Something - Nigel Good (2024)
I’ll start with the one that got played the most, and it’s part one of the 2024 story that tells of my biggest change in listening habits in one year that I can think of since 2017, when I first discovered Drum ‘n’ Bass. ‘A Little Something’ by Nigel Good is an EDM masterclass, where each track seamlessly transitions into the next. I feel like I’m about 10-12 years late to the progressive house party, but I finally got there with this album, solidifying for the first time my listening to more electronic based music than anything else.
From start to finish this one makes you feel like you’re on a different planet, somewhere in outer space with huge reverbs and atmospheres that I have not been able to keep myself away from, frequently hitting play and listening all the way through from start to finish, in order. No shuffle allowed.
Ever since I first gave it a listen based on my friend Sean’s recommendation (yeah man, you get a name drop for this one), I just keep coming back and I’m still not sick of it. If you’re even remotely interested in electronic music, then this one is worth a spin. Just start from the beginning.
Compass - Koresma (2023)
As someone who makes music, I feel like I identify with this album more so than anything else I’ve ever heard. I’ve become so busy all the time that I absolutely rely on “chill out” time in the morning with some cruisy tunes to keep everything mellowed out. This stuff is literally like mood control to me, so I’ve got to get the vibe just right. Capturing an infectious blend of acoustic, ambient electronic and hip hop vibes, Compass has played an important role for me this year that includes featuring constantly in chill out time while also inspiring me to make my own, similarly inspired music.
Tom Misch - New & Old
No, that isn’t what the album is called. I just had to take this opportunity to mention both new and old works of his.
Beat Tape 2 (2015)
Chill Out - Ground Central 101. Beat Tape 2 has now reached old friend status for me, where a busy day ahead is conquered with a dash of it in the morning alongside a cup of coffee. Hip Hop beats, laid back vocals from several different featuring vocalists, and sparkly clean guitars are what always keep me coming back. This album is now part of who I am.
Six Songs (2024)
A late in the year drip feed of several singles has only added positively to morning chill out sessions, with Insecure being easily my favourite track of the bunch. Until the full EP dropped, including the track Invincible. First heard on a drive to work, I don’t remember the last time I got into a groove so much with a new song, to the point where I couldn’t stop bobbing my head (whilst driving) . After having been released for several days, my friend Dylan (who I also take credit for introducing to Tom’s music in the first place) reminded me that I hadn’t yet listened to the full EP yet, which sparked the best drive to work I’ve had in a while.
JPEG RAW - Gary Clark Jr (2024)
JPEG RAW is a throwback to a younger version of myself, a certified blues rock enjoyer that loved long guitar solos and 10 minute live versions of songs that often felt like watching a movie, but in sonic form. My favourite from this album is actually the 9 minute closing track, ‘Habits.’ This one sounds like a live anthem, reminding me of all those times watching live performance videos when I was a kid, but instead of having to go to YouTube, it’s hiding right here at the end of the album. It’s epic.
This year I also fulfilled my life goal of one day owning a car with a V8 engine, thanks to a particular trip into the absolute middle of Queensland in pursuit of one green Holden Commodore SS wagon, and JPEG RAW was one of the albums chosen to soundtrack the 1000km journey back to where I live with my new car. This one is here to stay, the car and the album.
Tides - Hybrid Minds (2024)
Where so much of my now normal music rotation is of a more relaxed variety, it’s hardly surprising that even the hyped up, high energy stuff that I listen to is the more chilled out subgenre of Drum ‘n’ Bass known as “Liquid.” Tides draws a lot from my favourite subgenres; Liquid, Dancefloor and Jungle, and in a genre driven heavily by singles, Hybrid Minds have again dropped yet another heavy hitting album in the D’n’B world.
On a less glamorous note, nothing else in 2024 has helped me with washing the dishes more than this.
Old Favourites
In Stillness - Etherwood (2018)
It was stumbling across Etherwood in 2017 that originally got me into electronic music. The way he manages to capture in audio form, the feeling of looking at mountainous landscapes makes his album In Stillness a top 3 all timer, and still a regular feature in my rotation. I’ve also come to realise that “A Hundred Oceans” just might be my favourite song I’ve ever heard.
This year “Woody” also dropped a new EP on his new independent label Stillness Music (I wonder where that comes from) called Shoreline. If you want music that makes you feel like you’re looking at nice scenery, go here.
L.A.B VI - L.A.B (2024)
Insert stereotype “Kiwi listens to Kiwi reggae band” a lot.
American Love Call - Durand Jones & The Indications (2019)
I said in last year’s post that if there was one style of music that felt the most ‘me,’ it would be old school R&B/Soul music. American Love Call makes me think of going for a night time cruise in an old American car through some old American town. I frequently say any music that makes me think of particular visions or images, is the best kind.
I’ve been listening to this for a year or two now, but it became a particular standout this year, fitting in amongst the rest of my rotation of 2024 that was dominated by electronic music.
Cary’s Concert Attendance
Attending a few concerts of some of my all time bands definitely jump started some listening this year. A Matchbox Twenty - Goo Goo Dolls double header was certainly a combo I didn’t think I would ever be lucky enough to see in the same night, and is one that the atmosphere of continues to live rent free in my head. The energy in the room during Iris wasn’t quite like anything else I’ve ever seen live in concert. I remember looking around the room while the lights were out and thinking “this is pretty great.” Matchbox then proceeded to play a significant portion of the soundtrack to anybody who grew up in the 2000s’ life, and they killed it.
Seeing Incubus for the first time was also a major check off of my must see band list.
Can’t go without mentioning
Son of a Broken Man - Fantastic Negrito (2024)
A polished yet authentically rough nod to early blues and soul music. Fantastic Negrito currently holds the title of “My most listened to artist since December, 2017.” A convoluted title to have, but still a significant one that I think speaks to how into it I am. He’s up to his usual tricks with this one, but with a bunch of new/old stories to tell.
Still Searching - John Butler (2024)
My old favourite currently satisfying my need for groovy instrumentals, but doing it in his own, folk inspired way. I bought a copy of this on vinyl before it actually hit the shelves.
Franklin’s Room - Jordan Rakei (2013)
Only being familiar with a handful of Jordan’s songs prior to 2024, I discovered his first EP that has since become a constant feature in morning coffee time. If we worked together during the early months of 2024 and I happened to have control of a bluetooth speaker, then there are good odds that I had this playing at some point.
I Like Stories - 2023 Favourites
TL:DR: Music 2023 I think good → Spotify, Apple
When I started writing this, it was going to be a list of top 5 albums from the last calendar year. But it wasn’t long before I realised that it was going to be harder than I thought to narrow it down to 5. I also haven’t spent my year thinking about how I’m going to order all of the music I’ve been listening to, so quickly deciding on an order now might be slightly unjust. Then I remembered this is my list and it can be whatever I say it is, so here's an assorted collection of music from 2023 that I have something to say about.
I’m currently of the frame of mind that sharing things we like is better done with a reason than just a blank story post on instagram with some album art. Here’s why I think this,
This might be my favourite album of the year. I've felt for a while that the highest compliment I can give any musician is that their playing makes me want to play more. These days Ariel is probably doing that for me more than anyone else.
I often listen to Reasons Why by hitting play from the beginning and listening until the end, old school style. My favourite place to play it has been in the car with a coffee during a waterfront drive by. I think every song is great and the whole album is a clear example of how brilliantly tasteful Ariel’s guitar playing and song writing is.
I might be playing favourites slightly here, but I bloody love this dude’s music. Over the years I’ve become such a big fan of the Fantastic Negrito sound, it's a modern infusion of old blues, roots, soul, funk and rock ‘n’ roll. I signed up to his patreon once and he sent me a hand written post card. Big fan.
Grandfather Courage is an acoustic adaptation of his 2022 album “White Jesus Black Problems.” This album brings the Fantastic Negrito catalogue in a new form. Slower and more mellow, with some real old school blues qualities. This one has had a lot of airtime with me during 'wind down' mode after a long day, or while making breakfast in the morning.
I’ll be honest, I still can’t really remember what the album title is, but that’s not to say that I haven’t had a great time playing it this year. What I like about Jazon Mraz’s music is that the recordings are always so ‘clean.’ It’s a difficult thing to describe, but I’m going to attempt to do so.
Nothing fights with anything else. Nothing tries to do too much and no single instrument gets too busy in performance, or in the mix.
It’s like the 2014 San Antonio Spurs, passing the rock time and again until Patty Mills is wide open for three, or Tim Duncan is ready for a banker off the glass. Everyone gets their turn, and the end result is that the team wins.
I think Jason Mraz tunes are much the same, all the elements perfectly complimentary of each other, in the pursuit of making a good, catchy tune. This album is Mraz up to his usual tricks really. A little bit pop, a little acoustic and a little disco this time which is refreshing. I’ve had a good time playing it this year.
Theo is one of those musicians that you hear play and wish you could be like. His guitar playing manages to be impressive and tasteful at the same time, and his piano playing lends itself to soft mellow kinds of tunes that are just easy and interesting to listen to.
Be the Wheel is a mix of bops and slow jams, and because it was all recorded live in a single room with a bunch of retro gear, it has a pleasant old school sound that gives it a character that you don't hear so much anymore. This album feels like it has two sides to it, one a little louder and faster, and one a little more mellow. When I listen, sometimes I'm just fishing out the higher energy tunes for a bit of fun, and other times I'm enjoying the full experience. I’m a big fan of Theo and I like this album.
Also If you watch closely in the video for the title track "Be the Wheel" on YouTube, you'll see a dog wandering around the studio during the recording.
In recent years I’ve gotten more and more into instrumentals. Often when I listen to music I want to imagine some nice scenery along with what music might go along with it. In 2022 I just couldn’t stop listening to an instrumental piano album called “The Pool Project,” and after this experience I was looking for an equivalent that was more guitar orientated.
Finding Ariel’s two Mile End albums gave me what I wanted. Mile End II in places shows off crazy blues chops, while in other places is a relaxing listen that manages to be an amazing display of guitar playing without showing off. I love it.
This year I listened to it a lot during a trip back to New Zealand, and now have the added bonus of triggering my own scenic memories whenever I listen again now. Life is good.
Another instrumental album, this one is often a wind down before bed spin for me, and has also been something I’ll pick when chilling out with a coffee. It's another one of those listen and imagine some nice scenery types, and I'm happy to report that it had it's moment during a recent trip to Singapore.
I listened to the first track "Village Talk" over this view from the boardwalk. Now I have a permanent jump starter for reminiscing about the trip whenever I like.
I also like that the close mics capture all of the squeaks and rattles of the keys, pedals and stool. It's a level of detail you don’t often get to hear.
More
City and Colour - The Love Still Held Me Near
If Underground isn't one of the absolute best songs you've heard all year, then that's only because you haven't listened to it yet. If that's the case, then what are you doing? Go and listen.
The Teskey Brothers - The Winding Way
These days I feel like the soul-blues style maintained by the Teskey Brothers is the style of music that feels the most like “my” style of music somehow. Like if I had to listen to only one genre forever, then it might have to be something like this.
Foo Fighters - But Here We Are
I put off listening to this one for too long. After what happened in 2022 I was just a little bummed out whenever the opportunity arose to give it a listen. Eventually getting over myself though means that I‘ve had the opportunity to appreciate that the Foo Fighters are still around, absolutely killing it live and making new music on top. I’m back on the wagon and it feels good.
Vintage Trouble - Heavy Hymnal
Perhaps an example of my own downfall this year, one of my favourite bands released an album and I only played it once and at this point I don’t remember all that much. This isn’t just a list of my favourite music I’ve heard in 2023, but in this case is an example of how sometimes you just don’t have the time or energy to absorb something new in the way you would like.
Vintage Trouble are another of those Soul, blues and rock ’n’ roll inspired acts that just feels right to me. I’m going to revisit Heavy Hymnal soon, meanwhile you should give ‘em a try. Start with the Chapter II EP’s, they’re only 5 songs each and they are sick. Low commitment, what have you got to lose?
John Butler - Live in Paris
My all time favourite put out a live album this year. Thought you should know.
Young Lions - Make a Rainbow and Put it in the Sky
For when I want to put my hard hat on and rock out a little bit. Hits hard and does it with substance from start to finish. A good friend of mine recommended this one to me. Remember not all music discovery is done by the algorithms.
The Gaslight Anthem - History Books
I caught this one right at the end of the year. Not a whole lot of play time yet but I did take to it straight away. It’s been a while since I’ve listened to anything Brian Fallon, but I recognized his voice immediately when Positive Charge came on randomly one day.
Into 2024…
As I mentioned before, I didn’t make it around to everything I wanted to in 2023. I’ve still got releases on my radar to check out, the next likely being “May Erlewine - The Real Thing.” Also Byron and Grant from an old John Butler Trio lineup just released “the iinns - Slaves And Drones” that I’m keen to continue playing. They don’t know this but I took a photo with them once and 5 years later it’s still my Facebook profile picture.
Wow, you made it to the end. Thanks, please give yourself a pat on the back.
