Best of 2024 | Albums | Songs | Irish albums | Irish songs | Best Of Podcasts | Guest lists |
David Kitt released a new version of his old album 2006 album Not Fade Away this year, and the second album OOPs… POP! from his electronic project New Jackson, which placed highly on my Irish albums of 2024 list.
His next live show will be a New Jackson headliner with support from Rory Sweeney and a live set from his collaboration with Efa O’Neill as The Outside, at The Button Factory on March 28th.
Here are David’s 10 tracks of the year.
Ana Palindrome – Sorry A Million
All we have is one song but holy shit it’s a good one and a perfect introduction to the brave new world of Ana Palindrome. I was very sad to miss the ALS show but can’t wait to see the project develop. I love everything about this song and find it massively inspiring.
Anna B Savage – Agnes
I got to see and hang out with Anna last year at SFSH in Cork and myself and my partner both left that festival massive fans and have been caning her music since. Agnes is one of the singles from the forthcoming album out in 2025 and features Anna Mieke and a killer band and arrangement bringing some 21st century Pentangle funk. It’s like a short film; a real journey of a song. Like a lot of Anna’s songs it feels deeply personal but is abstracted and enlivened in ways that leave great room for the listener’s own imagination.
Yenkee – Hand Luggage
I listened to this 5/6 times in a row on a walk recently and if anyone saw me sashaying along in time and possibly singing way too loud and out of tune with my headphones on they most likely thought I was a complete freak. What a chorus! Joyous bittersweet pop at its best with some killer production twists. It reminded me of Mike Oldfield’s ‘Moonlight Shadow’ and made me listen to that 5/6 times in a row next. It was a memorable day in South Kerry.
Damien Dempsey – Born to Love
I love Damo more than ever and judging by the amount of nights he’s just sold out in Vicar St I guess everyone else does too. This song has brought me to tears several times now, mainly because it resonates so clearly with what’s been happening in Palestine and the power of love in general. It’s Damo’s ‘Imagine’. Imagine Damo wrote Imagine. So many highlights on the new album but this is head and shoulders the one I have gone back to the most.
Joy Orbison – Flight FM
Joy O continues to push things forward. Impeccable production/sonics and box fresh newness in a sea of retro-obsessed over-stylised dance music. It’s a stone cold classic and will be played on dancefloors for many years to come. Maximum respect.
New Jackson – All Folly
Some shameless self-promo and a worthy inclusion. I really like where this ended up and Rory Sweeney did some great work on it. It’s been going down great live too. Come see New jackson/Rory Sweeney/The Outside on March 28 at The Button Factory. Doors are 7 30. Three killer live electronic shows B2B. A real feast!
Mel Keane – Airs
MEL KEANE – AIRS I can’t pick one track from the album as it’s only out a few days. It came out on my birthday and I can’t think of a better musical gift than some new music by Mel Keane. His last full length release as Frog of Earth has been my most played piece of vinyl since i got it and I’m anticipating this new one getting serious play too. Mel feels like an alien to me in the same way Jeff Mills or maybe Don Van Vliet or Joni Mitchell does. There are stupendous things he does that make me question whether he’s actually human and possibly a member of some higher life form discreetly stationed on earth.
Pippa Moloney/Rory Sweeney – A Woman Lies In Bed Asleep/St. John’s
I love the way these two run into each other on the album. Amazing production and use of space that all feels completely in harmony with the mysterious and captivating world Pippa creates with her songs. it’s a real grower of a record.
Niamh Regan – Music
I got to collaborate with Niamh this year and if you haven’t heard our duet ‘Love Someone Else’ please give it a listen. It’s hard to pick a favourite from Come As You Are but this hits a real The War On Drugs kinda sweet spot but hits harder with Niamh being the lead singer. Fuck The War On Drugs! Give me Niamh Regan any day of the week.
Yu Su – Avanera
Perfection. Yu Su continues to go from strength to strength. I have full faith in her as an artist.
Best of 2024 | Albums | Songs | Irish albums | Irish songs | Best Of Podcasts | Guest lists |
