I hope you find something to enjoy among these 25 songs I assembled for you. I kindly ask that you listen all the way through, in its sequenced order, at least once. You can listen on Apple Music or Spotify.
As I was sequencing this year's mixtape playlist, I thought to myself, 'Here you are, again, spending way too much time on something that only a few people will appreciate. Of all the things you could be spending this amount of time on, maybe it's just time you stop caring so much.' I love doing it. There is something that really gets me when the flow of songs is just right. I don't think most people notice or care and that's ok. I think part of it is that, once upon a time, before digital music and streaming, when you made a mixtape or a mix CD, it was set. Once it was recorded or burned or whatever, that was the order. Sure, people could fast-forward or skip tracks, but between streaming music and our seeming inability to focus our attention on much of anything, it's now too easy to skip. When you skip, you run the risk of missing. When you skip, you miss an opportunity to sit with something that challenges you or makes you uncomfortable. I can think of two tracks on this playlist that, upon first listen, I didn't really like... until I did. Anyway, I realize as I'm writing this that I'm likely preaching to the choir.
Not that you asked, but if someone asked which ten albums from 2024 I recommend they listen to, I'd likley have a different answer for each person, but at least a few of the following albums (in no particular order) would be on each list.
Endlessness by Nala Sinephro
Alligator Bites Never Heal by Doechii
Romance by Fontaines D.C.
Only God Was Above Us by Vampire Weekend
Diamond Jubilee by Cindy Lee
Bite Down by Rosali
Three by Four Tet
Migratory by Masayoshi Fujita
TANGK by IDLES
Repertoire by Shane Parish
As has been the case for the last several years, I probably spent more time listening to instrumental music this year – a lot of classical, ambient, jazz and electronic music. This is mostly because I have a hard time listening to music with lyrics when I'm doing anything that requires my attention, focus or thinking. Much of the music I enjoyed with vocals was enjoyed with my kids. And while they have some of their own preferences, we do enjoy a lot of the same music (thank goodness)! They are my kids after all.
I'd love to hear how you're doing. Write back and tell me what's going on. Or don't. I hope you're doing well.
✌❤
Brad