Overall, the quality of new releases I heard in 2024 was about the same as last year. As usual, I gravitated mostly toward singer-songwriter material, indie rock, and jazz. As you'll discover, there are quite a few jazz instrumentals in this year's countdown. Before I hear any other new songs that could derail my rankings, here are of 25 of 2024's best tunes, in my view:
25. Sunrise-Mildlife (This slow jam, released in March, has an appealing '70s jazz feel with just enough vocals.)
24. Cardinal-Kacey Musgraves (When someone you admire passes away, it's sometimes difficult to discern if something is a sign from beyond the grave or just a coincidence. Musgraves sings the chorus with appropriate gravity. Also recommended: "Too Good To Be True.")
23. Azalea-Nora Van Elken (The haunting beat of this house instrumental, released in April, makes me envision someone pedaling a bike rapidly to a grim or uncertain destination.)
22. Down Swinging-Holly Humberstone (I like the not-giving-up-without-a-fight determination of these lyrics and the tune's driving energy.)
21. Can't Take My Eyes Off You-Rebecca Poole (The Lettermen and Frankie Valli recorded strong versions of this song, and I'd add Poole's take to that list. Her low-pitched, breathy vocals suit the tune well, while the bass and guitar give them added gravity. She also deserves bonus points for singing the "Da-da, da-da..." refrain instead of just relying on the instrumentalists to handle it.)
20. Bewitched, Bothered, And Bewildered-Christian McBride & Edgar Meyer (Proof that double bassists can carry the melody of a standard.)
19. The Art Of Getting Through-Imogen Clark (Clark's alto vocals captured my attention here. Lyrically, this is almost a companion piece to "Running" by Norah Jones, as it could be a victory song for conquering one's demons. This confidently sung tune sports a solid chorus and strong band backing. While the studio version is perfectly fine, the Live @ Golden Retriever version draws me in even more.)
18. Happiness-The Heavy Heavy (My internal monologue upon hearing this track: "Whenever the drums set the stage like this, it's promising. Solid power pop-style guitar...That's another plus. Solid vocal harmonies, as well, sell this tune. A lyrical acknowledgment that things could be better? When done the right way, as it is here, it's a pick-me-up. All the bases are covered.")
17. Older-Lizzy McAlpine (This tune has the subtlest vocals of all the singer-songwriter tracks in this countdown. By a certain age, who can't relate to wanting to go back to an earlier, happier time in one's life?)
16. Gild The Lily-Billy Strings (Lyrically, this September release is an effective, unassuming way of saying, "Don't be too picky.")
15. Wake Up-Robert Glasper (Trumpet underscoring for a matador vs. bull showdown in space? I'm recommending the instrumental take instead of the vocal version.)
14. Whispering-Doug MacDonald (MacDonald steers this engaging, uptempo instrumental on guitar. I listened to Paul Whiteman's earlier, statelier version of this, and it made me appreciate MacDonald's modern, Brazilian-style take on the tune all the more.)
13. Twice Shy-Hot Club Of St. Louis (Although this track is from this year, the fiddle playing is seemingly from a much earlier decade. Doc & Merle Watson's "Carroll County Blues" could segue with this.)
12. River Of Peace-Monty Alexander (A river is an apt metaphor for this piano instrumental that flows gracefully and takes its time. Also recommended: "Restoration.")
11. Passion-Lynne Arriale Trio (Arriale deserves more acclaim for her piano playing. "Passion" is one of the energetic highlights of her March release, "Being Human." Part of its melody would work as a newscast theme or special bulletin alert music. Also recommended: "Joy.")
10. Rain-mxmtoon (This endearing tune, released in November, is a lyrically honest way of admitting that home isn't where it used to be and that even if you visit a previous home, it will have evolved during your time away. It's a vulnerable admission that one's life is in flux.)
9. La Costa-Vanessa Williams (Williams sings some of the most immediately appealing vocals of 2024 in this strong cover of a Natalie Cole tune. This August release could easily paint an inviting picture of a vacation destination in tourism commercials. The "Ah, yi, yi, yi, yi, yi, yi" hook is just as captivating in both versions.)
8. Missing Out-Maya Hawke (A courageous acknowledgment that sometimes, we don't feel comfortable in our own skin and aren't sure what contributions we have to offer the world. This tune has one of the year's best vocal hooks, in my opinion.)
7. Poeira-Sam Gendel & Fabiano do Nascimento (To me, this sounds like a pleasant Sandy Owen piano instrumental transposed for saxophone and guitar.)
6. Thirty One-Butcher Brown & Bruce Hornsby (Leave it to a top-notch rhythm section to craft an immediately ear-catching, confident instrumental fit for soaring through the cosmos.)
5. Best Foot Forward-Dan Siegel (This July release is one of 2024's most enjoyable smooth jazz grooves. Siegel carries this midtempo melody, which sounds like a Steely Dan backing track, on piano. It's no wonder that I've heard it multiple times on WSIE.)
4. Light Of The Moon-Celeigh Cardinal (In this June release, Cardinal sings thoughtful, sensitive lyrics about the hole in our lives that a person's passing creates. Her delivery is appropriately sentimental without being overwrought.)
3. Danzon para la abuela-Danae Olano (An appealing melody for nimble piano players and dancers with precise coordination. Thanks to NPR's "All Songs Considered" for bringing this tune to my attention.)
2. Damage Control-Kate Clover (This is the catchiest power pop tune I've heard this year. Clover's vocals and guitar playing here remind me of Blondie, updated for 2024 sensibilities. It's also a plus that this could segue with "Because It's Not Love (But It's Still A Feeling)" by The Pipettes.)
1. Jealous Moon-Sarah Jarosz (This was a wise choice for the leadoff track
of Jarosz's strong, consistent January release, "Polaroid Lovers." As
much as I've enjoyed all of her previous acoustic folk tracks, it's just
as compelling to hear her vocals in this more assertive, electrified
context. Not just any artist could pull off lyrics about riding out less than ideal situations against a backdrop that listeners can crank up on a car radio. I keep going back to this tune, and thus, it's my favorite song of 2024.)
