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.

Soundtracks of 2024