Best of 2024 | Albums | Songs | Irish albums | Irish songs | Best Of Podcasts | Guest lists |
Dwayne Woods is a Publicist and Artist Manager at Butter Wouldn’t Melt.
Currently, Dwayne is managing the careers of producer and vocalist Meljoann, and rising Northern Irish Singer/Songwriter Garrett Laurie. Dwayne is also involved as a mentor with Minding Creative Minds and works at AIM Ireland (Association of Independent Music Ireland) as a member of their events sub-committee.
See all of the guestlist choices from the best of 2024
If 2024 were a film, it would probably feel like something out of David Lynch’s surreal dreamscapes or one of Darren Aronofsky’s unsettling emotional rollercoasters—a year marked by chaos, confusion, and a lingering sense of dread. For me, 2024 was an incredibly tough year. I battled homelessness while pushing myself to complete a degree—a monumental effort that required every ounce of resilience I could muster. On top of that, the world itself seemed to mirror my struggles, with a pervasive sense of global despair that weighed on everything. But amidst all of this, I found solace and strength in one thing: music.
Music became my lifeline. Saving the day once again. It provided a sense of escapism when reality felt too overwhelming. These ten tracks aren’t just a list of my favorite songs of 2024 – they are the soundtrack to my survival. They carried me through the hardest days, offering moments of reflection, catharsis, hope, and most importantly Bops!
After all, music has a way of giving us what we need, even when the world feels like it’s falling apart.
Free Palestine.
Terrorbird and Subterranean Lovers – Beautiful in Photographs
This track became a reminder of the delicate line between truth and perception What struck me most about this song is how it resonates in the context of social media, where we create carefully curated versions of ourselves—beautiful snapshots that hide the complexities underneath. In 2024, I became acutely aware of how these images can create false narratives about people’s lives, myself included. This track serves as a warning: we need to break through those polished surfaces to reach the truth of who we really are.
It’s a song that encourages us to look beyond appearances, to find the authenticity behind the moments we choose to display. Into it!
Beth Gibbons – Floating On A Moment
This gorgeous return to music from Beth Gibbons will always hold a special place in my heart, as it was the last song I played for my friend Sonya before she passed away. Whether it was programming a radio show, curating a playlist, or a festival lineup, I always brought music to Sonya for us to mull over together. When I played this for her, I’ll never forget the excitement in her eyes—her reaction reminded me just how powerful music can be in forging connections.
The track feels like it’s suspended in time, just like those fleeting moments we try to hold onto but eventually have to let go. The arrangements are stunning as well.
The X Collective – Naked
I was honoured to do some work with Emily from the X Collective this year and loved every minute of it. Working side by side with other Queer folk and getting to be 100% our genuine authentic selves was such a liberating experience. One of the other bonuses of working with Emily was that I got sent a pre-save link for this absolute #Banger and I have been in R&B heaven since. I have been a fan of Senita’s for a long time, since the formative years of Shookrah and it’s great to see her back at it and working on sweet collaborations with other shit-hot artists like Qbaana and DeCarteret. I was definitely dancing around a broom to this recently.
Those harmonies are EVERYTHING. Irish track of the year for me.
Patty – Taste
I know very little about this artist other than I bloody love this track.
That’s enough, for now, I’ve listened to so many times now.
Pastiche – Dizzy
Pure unapologetic fun. Pastiche is absolutely on fire this year. I first heard this when I was in New York back in June and walked 25ks around Manhattan that day. I put most of those steps down to having this on a loop. What an infectious banger. I just cannot tire of it. It has given me so much life and energy this year. Every time I put it on, it felt like shaking off the heaviness of 2024. Seeing Pastiche live is top of my list for 2025.
Persona – Eyes On Me
Seeing Persona, aka Laura Sheeran, return to music in 2024 with “Eyes on Me” was one of the highlights of my year. Laura is not only a close friend but also an inspiration who has inspired me creatively for years, so I was thrilled to witness her re-emerge with this sultry banger. The track is a bold statement—oozing with confidence and sensuality, it commands attention from the first note. Looking forward to hearing more from Persona, who has promised me she has lots of great tunes in the mix.
Krakow Loves Adana – Break My Own Heart.
There’s a dark humor to “Break My Own Heart” that I love. Krakow Loves Adana captures that all-too-familiar feeling of being your own worst enemy but despite the dark subject matter the upbeat music keeps the self-reflective vibe lighthearted and fun and I love that balance. Dwayne Adores Adana.
Brigette Bardini – Crush
I came across this Melbourne-based artist earlier this year and was blissed out by this tune. The spaced-out italo, synth vibes, and gorgeous vocals are a match made in heaven. It’s been on repeat for weeks here and I just love it. I have been reminiscing about crushes of the past and indeed the present. What I love most about “Crush” is how it doesn’t rush anything. It lets the feeling linger, just like a real crush does. It also reminded me of how much I love and miss Melbourne.
La Force – How Do You Love A Man
The title of this song got me thinking and then made me laugh.
La Force is a voice that I could listen to read the phone book. For me, it isn’t just about romantic love; it’s more about how we love the people in our lives, even when it’s complicated. “How Do You Love A Man” didn’t provide me with any clear solutions lol, but it reminded me that it’s okay for love to be messy, and sometimes just asking the questions is enough.
I got Sade vibes of this from the get-go
Tiberius B – New Life
My favorite song of 2024 goes to New Life from Rising UK Alt-Pop artist Tiberius B.
I first heard their track Delicate People last year and knew at that moment that I had stumbled upon something incredibly special. It felt like a lost Tori Amos track.
New Life ushers in the beginning of an interesting direction for the artist. One of the greatest earworms ever, not just 2024. An upbeat track about transformation, but not in a dramatic, overnight sense—it’s about the slow, steady process of becoming something new. The percussion in this reminds me of my samba drumming days. Such a great arrangement.
As I continue on my recovery journey, I’m taking this song with me. I have a feeling this is only the beginning of something huge and I am waiting with bated breath for what’s coming next.
The future is Tiberius.
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“Wee Ooo, Wee Ooo, Wee Ooo, Wee Ooo…”
Best of 2024 | Albums | Songs | Irish albums | Irish songs | Best Of Podcasts | Guest lists |
