You Were My Favourite For A Long Time
It's November now, and I feel like its a good time to take stock of this year. Taking a look back at some of the best songs from the year. In my opinion. Throughout the year I have been curating a list of songs all vying for a place on this list. There has been some longstanding nominees and some new additions.
From Blossoms, to The Last Dinner Party, New Dad to Kings of Leon. This is the top 10 with a few honorable mentions.
Here goes...
10. Circa Waves- We Made It
Released in September, the first single from the bands forthcoming album ‘Death & Love, Part 1' the song is classic Circa Waves, a slice of infectious indie pop. However the songs story of how it came to be is anything nut the ordinary.
The song was inspired by frontman Kieran Shuddall undergoing emergency heart surgery that saved his life. In 2023 the band were forced to cancel shows, and Shuddall was urgently admitted to hopsital due to his heart being inflamed.
The song celebrates the frontmans recovery, and creates a punchy anthem that will be a main stay in the setlist for a very very long time. Following on from the surgery Shuddal told the NME that “I thought I might die before I made this record and then I didn’t, and I got to make an album of music that I loved. The shackles were off, in a way, because I had this newfound joy and excitement for being alive.”
It's one of the catchiest songs of the year and one of the best Circa Waves songs in a very long time. Since it's release it's been on heavy rotation on a few of my playlists. The perfect start this list.
9. Courteeners- First Name Terms (Featuring Pixey)
Courteeners first album in four years has a few songs that potentially could have made this list. It's a kaleidoscopic seventh album that stretches far beyond their Manchester roots. However from the very first listen this was the song that grabbed me.
This album has a few collaborations but this is one of the most understated but also one of the most impactful. With Pixey lending her bittersweet vocal tones to Courteeners most political affair to date. A song that states the current state of Britain, hits back at the ruling class, as they sit and tell us to get on with it.
The songs opening line “lie back and think of England, but when does England ever think of you?”
Is one of the most impactful lines of the year. In a year where Jamie Webster, Jake Bugg and Sam Fender have or are going to release music. Who'd have thought it would be Liam Fray to be the voice of reason. Not me.
It's a brilliant song, both lyrically and sonically. Courteeners have ventured into new territory and I'm here for it.
8. The Killers- Bright Lights
The Killers found their way home on "Bright Lights" with all four original members of the band being reunited for the first time. An ode to the bands hometown, fabulous Las Vegas Nevada.
It's got that classic Killers sound that seems to look back to "Battle Born" and "Sam's Town" that talks about the band heading back home. Released just before the bands Las Vegas Caesars Palace residency, it came at the perfect time.
It's a punchy, yet heartfelt anthem about the place they are from but also about their friendship. The Killers are twenty years into their career now and they have never forgotten where they've come from or who they are. "Bright Lights" perfectly encapsulates what the band are all about.
7. Fontaines DC- Desire
Fontaines are four albums in now and they have always done things on their own terms. No record sounds the same. "Romance" the record that "Desire" is from is a collection of arguably the bands best efforts to date, adding pop melodies, nu-metal touches and lush orchestration to their songs, all whilst keeping their troubled view of the world.
It's a captivating affair, that is made for big audiences, a real sing along affair. Yet still potent with it's meaning. With some of the darkest lyrics the band have ever written.
"I see them driving into nothing, where the nothing is sure
They drown their wishes in the fountain like their fathers before"
Being one of the standout lyrics the band have ever written. It's brutal, beautiful atmospheric, intricatlly crafted but still the Fontaines we know a love.
6. The Last Dinner Party- Beautiful Boy
The Last Dinner Party first came to our attention at the back end of 2023, and with the release of "Prelude to Ecstasy" in February the band proved the hype. On an album of great songs, I think this one is the best.
A dialed down affair, with piano and panpipes. It's a rather muted moment to begin with. The song completely changes the pacing of the record and energy conveyed by the band. Its perfectly crafted and sees rock music in a form that not many bands have ever managed to create.
A cinematic slow dance, bout the societal privileges of being a handsome man. One of the best songs from one of the best debut albums in recent memory. It's a masterpiece and each listen feels like a cathartic experience.
5. Blossoms- Gary
Blossoms win the award for the most fun song of the year. A two and a half minute indie gem about an 8ft Fiberglass Gorilla. It's Blossoms at their best.
Written about an eight foot gorilla with a “fibre glass heart” stolen from a Scottish garden centre, following on from front man Tom Ogden hearing the story on the radio.
It's catchy fun and a very good song. Blossoms never claimed to be Radiohead, they don't need to be, they have written one of the best and most unlikely of ear worms backed by an unstoppable groove.
Released in June, Blossoms played their biggest gig to date at Wythenshawe Park in August and 30,000 people went absolutely mental for this song. It's slotted alongside "Charlemagne" as being a fan favourite.
A brilliant pop song.
4. Wunderhorse- Arizona
The second album form Wunderhorse acted as a reinvention for the band. Following the release of 2022's "Cub" which saw Jacob Slater from playing pub gigs, to stadium support slots and Glastonbury. Two years later. Wunderhorse has now become a fully fledged group this isn't Slater and a backing band anymore.
Wunderhorse are firmly a four piece, guitarist Harry Fowler, drummer Jamie Staples and bassist Pete Woodin – have traded in their part-time shifts for a full-time role in the band.
"Arizona" the final single from "Midas" is the best from the record. Leaning in to what the band did on "Cub" and fleshing it out, it's a powerful affair, it's emotive but urgent.
Lyrically it's the best of the singles, speaking about love that has been lost in the desert. Talking about those affected along the way. “There’s a wind that blows to Boston/And it sings the saddest tune” it's a real change of pace from the other songs on the record, but the urgency is still there. Both in Slater's vocal delivery and Harry Fowler's exceptional guitar playing.
The best moment on a very good record. Wunderhorse found their voice with this record. Britain's next great band are here.
3. Blossoms- Perfect Me
You didn't think there would be just one did you?
Blossoms have released one of the best albums of 2024, "Perfect Me" is not only the best song on that record, it is one of the best things they have ever done. In my opinion.
It takes element from the bands whole career. A late addition to the record, written and recorded in a band session. Written in an old school way and also written very quickly. Ogden revealed that “I think we wrote it in about half an hour, so it felt like a burst of creativity that was different to how we normally work.”
One of my favourite songs that the band have ever done. With nods to their heroes but firmly a Blossoms song.
The song has already become a live favourite and I can see it remaining in the setlist for a very long time. Blossoms are still an indie force to be reckoned with in 2024.
Honourable Mentions:
Before I reveal my top two, I wanted to mention some songs that were unlucky not to make this list. Some of the best songs from this year, that just missed out.
It's been a good year for music. The Libertines returned after a nearly a decade with their most grown up record to date. A reflection of where the band are right now. "Shiver" from that album, is the sound of the band 2024, they do not try and re-write the history books or even try to be the same band as they were in 2004.
Dark and menacing, yet extremely beautiful. Hearing Carl and Pete share vocals again is quite the moment. The band found their voice again, and for the first time in a very long time. There is a future for The Libertines.
I've mentioned The Last Dinner Party already, but another one of their songs was unlucky not to make the list, "The Feminine Urge" is an intricate examination of female rage, sung by one of the most powerful voices in British music. The band are one of the very best musical outfits, this song and the album it is on, is so self assured. "Prelude to Ecstasy" is anything but a coming of age debut, it this sound of one of the most important bands we've got.
It's a very special listen, with theatrics and drama but also a very important message.
Extremely unlucky not to make the list. One of the very best songs, from one of the best albums of the year.
Another band previously mentioned are Wunderhorse. "Silver" the third single from "Midas" alongside "Arizona" was a heavy part of my musical rotation this year. A raw emotive song that provide a real sense of urgency to the album but also show Slater's most vulnerable side.
It's also the single that brought fans including myself back. "July" the second single from "Midas" was the bands weakest track to date. It was too raw and lacked substance.
"Silver" however took the bands sound from "Cub" and with some of the best lyrics on the record, brought many back on side. Its dark, grungy and messy but my god it's brilliant.
Wunderhorse have a gem with this one. It will be a fan favourite for years and years to come.
The final honorable mention is from the Birmingham boys Peace. Released on the 29th February, it followed 2023's "Happy Cars", being the second song from "Utopia" to receive a wider release.
Peace first shared their fourth album "Utopia" with fans in early 2023, fans received a password to a special website, where they could listen to this album. "Masterpiece" along with "Happy Cars" featured on said album.
The song is a classic song from Peace, with the former four piece and now duo crafting a indie gem, that is both intimate but also massive. It's something that Peace have excelled with throughout their career. It is the sound of a bad who are happy with their place in the world. Not bothered by fame or fortune, but are still releasing some of the best music they have ever recorded.
So that brings the honorable mentions to an end, ready for the top two? We are staying in Birmingham.
2. The Clause- Weekend Millionaire
Released on the 27th of September, this song has been one of my most played songs of the year. In fact it wouldn't surprise me if it is my most played.
Its nothing short of a triumph, easily the bands best effort to date. With references to the past, but a sound firmly fitting of 2024. The band are not imitating anyone here it is firmly The Clause. Tackling the idea of being young and ambitious but also with the fear of falling behind in the modern world.
An indie classic, that is relatable to us all. A song that tackles the universal nature of being young in the UK. Whether that is in Birmingham or Bolton.
The song talks about the escapism that comes with going at the weekend. Whatever that may be. Musically the song is a massive jump. Each member has their moment in the sun, and it knits together perfectly. It's been the most I've been gripped by a new song in a very very long time. I cannot stop playing it, it has that infectious feel that makes you want keep listening. A catchy chorus, and verses that are so relatable.
It's reliability alongside the sing along nature of "Weekend Millionaire" makes it one of the best songs of the year. It's something we can all relate to, tackling friendships falling apart, the nature of the world at the moment, young lust, young love, the ecstasy and agony that comes with a heavy weekend. A song that will go on to soundtrack plenty more heavy weekends, and lead the indie faithful to the dancefloor. A battle cry for the youth of today.
1. Fontaines DC- Favourite
The eagle eyed amongst you will have noticed, I actually told you the winner in the title of this post. This was always going to win, ever since it's release in June, this song has permanently been near the top of my "On Repeat" playlist.
It's a song that see's the band looking back, describing it as “this never-ending sound to it, a continuous cycle from euphoria to sadness, two worlds spinning forever” backed up by a riff reminiscent of The Cure's "Just Like Heaven".
A song about life and embracing the challenges we face. Within the music video the band honour each other. Showing archive footage of their childhoods intertwined with footage from a recent trip to Madrid. Where the bands guitarist Carlos O’Connel grew up.
Reminiscing the past, and stepping back into each others lives. Parts of which they had not seen before. Commenting ‘To see people that we know as adults at such an intimate level as children we explore where we come from and who we still are.’
I stated in a post earlier this year "I honestly think ‘Favourite’ is their best effort, and is a real contender for song of the year", I guess I was right.
Thank you all ever so much for reading, and thank you all for your continued support this year. It means a lot.
Jack x