Best of 2024 | Albums | Songs | Irish albums | Irish songs | Best Of Podcasts | Guest lists |
David Balfe is the creator of my favourite Irish release of 2021 for the For Those I Love album and project.
See Dave’s lists from 2023, 2022 and 2021.
See all of the guestlist choices from 2024.
Panic – Early Rave Addict
Written and produced by Dennis Copier.
Steeped in rich rave nostalgia, Panic proves that things don’t always need to be reaching new ground when you can instead refine everything about a given genre into three minutes. Exhilarating.
This is hardcore at its finest.
BossMan Dlow – Mr Pot Scraper
Written by Devante McCreary
Produced by King Nathan
The vocal flow here is otherworldly. Smooth, confident, playful and slickl. I’ve heard little else this year that used melody so effortlessly to sit inside and outside of a beat.
It’s addictive.
Curtisy – Nothing Is Precious
Written by Gavin Curtis
Produced by hikii
At first it felt like a roll of the dice for which Curtisy track I’d choose here (there have been so many highlights), but it was hard to deny the WHAT WAS THE QUESTION opener.
Hikii’s oozy production swirls and overcomes as it lays the foundation for meditative, confident, and self reflective lyricism from a real modern talent.
“Thankful I survived, should’ve died, I was dyin to”.
Colloquial beauty and honesty, in 105 seconds. Curtisy sets the new standard.
Clarissa Connelly – Into This, Called Loneliness
Written and produced by Clarissa Connelly.
Connelly’s World Of Work was a breakthrough listen for me in 2024.
I first settled into it on a long solo bus ride across Europe and the opener of ‘Into This, Called Loneliness’ walked me through a winding but fascinating journey.
Monolithic, compositionally complex but gorgeously listenable. A terrifying beauty.
Snow Strippers- So What If I’m a Freak
Written by Graham Perez and Tatiana Schwaninger
Produced by Snow Strippers
Looking into the future through the lens of the past.
This is unapologetic, nihilistic, kaleidoscopic sonic fun and I love it.
Charli XCX – Mean girls
Written by Alexander Guy Cook, Charlotte Aitchison, Ross Matthew Birchard,
Produced by A.G. Cook, Hudson Mowhawke
My favourite track from Charli’s incredible BRAT album, but the track I found the biggest barrier with on first and second listens. Once the breakthrough happened, I couldn’t get enough. The attitude and confidence is utterly undeniable, and the (presumably A.G Cook) piano section is one of the most thrilling things I have heard this year.
It is self assured, openly vulnerable, and everything great about what pop music can be.
Ka – Bread Wine Body Blood
Written and produced by Kaseem Ryan
Challenging, artful, melodically dense and fascinating, this is a career highlight in a career of highlights. Ka was the greatest living, and the world is a lesser place without him. Rest in peace. I will keep listening and learning.
Cash Cobain – Rump Punch
Written and produced by Cash Cobain
Prurient, lascivious, libidinous: there’s more to this track than its carnal storytelling.
The production is delightfully simplistic and forward thinking. Ethereal synths pull you into a whirlpool of otherworldly chords, all centered by Cash’s instantly recognisable percussion.
I’ve never heard bawdy sound so beautiful.
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
Written by Kendrick Lamar, Ray Charles, Sean Momberger
Produced by Mustard, Sean Momberger, Sounwave
Everything has been said already.
It does not get better than this.
a lazarus soul – The Dealers
Written by Brian Brannigan
Produced by Joe Chester
I see it as the gift it is, to be here while these songs come to life. A new year, a new record, and a generationally exceptional piece of storytelling and subtle composition from masters of their craft. Principled and unequaled. An Irish wit and a sorrow. Brannigan walks us through the lives of others with a delicate and caring light. A soft hand to a tough story.
The Vicar Street show a victory lap.
This is my song of the year.
Best of 2024 | Albums | Songs | Irish albums | Irish songs | Best Of Podcasts | Guest lists |
