Best of 2024 - Songs - Part 4

Just a few more amazing POP! nuggets for your listening pleasure!

Best of 2024 - Songs - Part VANESSA

The most significant moment in ALL of music this year was the resurfacing of POP! Goddess VANESSA!! She gave us THREE new 2024 versions of three of her biggest hits! She played live a couple times (AND I GOT TO SEE ONE OF THOSE!!!!) She made thie year even more magical! All three of her 2024 versions are in my top songs of the year, obviously!! VANESSA, I LOVE YOU!!

So Good - Give Me My Presents Vol. 3

Well I can't think of anything better to share today! I don't like this...I LOVE IT!

Best of 2024 - Songs - Part 3

Here's another handful of 2024 POP! goodness for you!

Best of 2024 - Songs - Part 2

Another group of my fave songs of 2024, featuring: AURORA, Telenova, Amber Mark, Moto Boy and Lo Moon!

Best of 2024 - Songs - Part 1

A handful of my favorite songs from 2024!! Featuring: Telenova, Red Sleeping Beauty, Tatyana, Julia Holter and El Perro del Mar!

Best of 2024 - EPs of the Year

My short list of best EPs of 2024!

Amber Mark - "Loosies"!

Beauty Queen - "Low Life"!

Mini Trees - "Burn Out"!

Ibibio Sound Machine - "The Black Notes EP"!

Amor Butano - "Te noto cambiada"!

Primer - "Round and Round"!

Ooberman - Mary Grows Old

One of my favorites off the final Ooberman album "Carried Away", this song has been stuck in my head for days! Features one of my life mantras: "If life and precious time is gone so quickly / Find love in every day before you die"

Franz Ferdinand - Audacious

I'm way behind on this one, but I like it! Franz Ferdinand's new album "The Human Fear" will be out Jan 10th!

Celeste - This Is Who I Am

New track from Celeste featured in the show "The Day of the Jackal"!

Haute & Freddy - Scantily Clad

Youtube suggestions doing it right! I can dig this VERY much! New song from Haute & Freddy ... clicking the FOLLOW button NOW! Their track "Anti-Superstar" is also fantastic!

Double Mixte & Farah - Witchcraft

Nothing better than some witchcraft to bring in the holiday spirit! New collab single from Double Mixte & Farah!

Baths - Sea of Men

New from Baths who releases new album "Gut" on Feb 21st!

Club 8 - Nervous at Heart

Club 8 have been dropping monthly tracks (just like other faves Red Sleeping Beauty) and it has finally culminated in their new album "A Year With Club 8"!

Other People's Children - On a Clear Day

Just because they popped in my mind today...a delicious slice of indie synthy pop from Other People's Children!

El Perro del Mar - Ox and Lamb

El Perro del Mar releases a haunting new song for the end of the year!

Silent Poets - Don't Break the Silence (feat. Virginia Astley)

Just because I love Virginia Astley's voice so much! Here's a track from Silent Poet's 1997 album "For Nothing" where she's featured!

A Flock of Seagulls - Him

Latest single from A Flock of Seagulls off their new album "Some Dreams", out Dec 13th!

The Cure - Wrong Number

I realized I didn't post anything today and I heard this song on my way home from the airport and it brought me such joy!

The Shortwave Set - Is It Any Wonder?

The Shortwave Set released two wonderful albums of psych pop goodness. Their debut, "The Debt Collection", from 2005 featured this awesome track!

See Venus - Each and Every Word

Here's a lovely little song by See Venus from Miami. To my knowledge, they only released one album "Hard Times for Dreamers" in 2004.

Dlina Volny - Flair

Great new track from Dlina Volny!

Miss Lily Banquette - My Secret Love

Amazing song from Combustible Edison songstress Miss Lily Banquette off the soundtrack for 1996 film "Grace of My Heart". The track was co-written by Lesley Gore! I need to watch this film again as I haven't seen it in years!

Marine Research - Chucking Out Time

I've given so much love to Heavenly over the years here but never given any attention to their short-lived, post-Heavenly project Marine Research! They only released one excellent album in 1999, "Sounds From the Gulf Stream" and it features this excellent track along with so many other goodies!

Yah-Yah Littleman - All Over the World

Yah-Yah Littleman was a band from San Francisco who released the gem of an album known as "The Orange Album" in 1994. I picked it up randomly at a small record shop in Davis in 1997 and fell immediately in love with its energy. This wonderful album closer was featured on one of my earliest compilation cassettes "The Tape of Love".

A Smile and a Ribbon - Bobby Pin

Here's a 2007 classic from short-lived Swedish indie popsters A Smile and a Ribbon! They only released on album, "The Boy I Wish I Never Met", and it is wonderful!

Superheroes - Someone Else

Just playing some random tracks in my library and heard this gem from 2003. Superheroes' self-titled final album is a pure joy!

Michelle Gurevich - Shower

I obviously love the new Michelle Gurevich album, "It Was the Moment", and here's one of my faves!

The Golden Filter - Black Monday

It may be Black Friday to most of you but I'm going to plug this awesomeness from The Golden Filter off their 2013 release "Unselected Works Vol. 1"!

Perfume Genius & Alan Sparhawk - Point of Disgust

Beautiful cover of a beautiful song! Perfume Genius collaborating with Alan Sparhawk of Low to cover "Point of Disgust" for the TRAИƧA compilation. The compilation features a wealth of awesome artists paying tribute to trans artists & bringing light to trans rights. Only heard a few tracks so far and they'll all been great!

And One - Driving With My Darling

I just got tickets for And One next year and I'm excited! First time I'll be seeing them and their first time playing LA in 17 years! Doubt they'll play this, but I'd absolutely go crazy if they do!

Papa Topo - Me voy a desenamorar de ti (feat Juliana Gattas)

New from Papa Topo! When, oh when will we see that new album!?

Chikiss - 4:45

Wonderful new track from Chikiss off upcoming new album "Between Time and Laziness", out Dec 6th!

Born at Midnite - Think It Over

Another new single from Born at Midnite!

Sassyhiya - Thank You and Goodbye

The latest single/video from Sassyhiya off their debut album "Take You Somewhere"! The chorus on this track is truly infectious and pure indie POP!

Amber Mark - Won't Cry

Amber Mark released this awesome single back in September. It's now featured on her new EP "Loosies"! I'm hearing the track for the first time and I absolutely love it!

Diamond Cafe - Lover Boy

So good from Diamond Cafe!

Alpaca Sports - Autograph

Alpaca Sports' new album "Another Day" will be out in January! Here's the 2nd single from the album!

Vox Rea - Captain

Beautiful new track from Vox Rea!

Desire - Drama Queen

Another new track from Desire!!

The Cure - Drone:Nodrone

The Cure's new album "Songs of a Lost World" is fantastic and I love this song!

Fazerdaze - In Blue

Fazerdaze released their new album "Soft Power" yesterday!

Orbital - Belfast

Rockyboo is taking me to see Orbital tonight. Can't tell you much about them but I am familiar with this gem! Hopefully they'll be distributing glowsticks and E at the door.

Saint Etienne - Half Light

Dreamy new single from Saint Etienne off their upcoming new album "The Night", out Dec 13th!

Red Sleeping Beauty - This Heart’s Now Yours

Red Sleeping Beauty's final monthly single before they release their album "Diary" which includes ALL the 2024 monthly singles...and MORE! "Diary" is out on Friday and you can get the CD version from Matinée !!

Labyrinth Ear - Noise on the TV

New song from Labyrinth Ear!

The Presets - This Boy's in Love

An "oldie but goodie" that just popped up on a random playlist of mine. Give me more Presets! Now dance!

Pet Shop Boys - Beauty Has Laid Siege to the City

Another excellent b-side from Pet Shop Boys! This time off their double A-side single "New London Boy / All the Young Dudes"!

Michelle Gurevich - It Was the Moment

Title track from Michelle Gurevich's just-released newest album "It Was the Moment"!

Veil of Light - A Confession

Veil of Light have announced their new album "Hymns of Faith and Trust", out Feb 14th! Here's the first offering from the album!

The Gentle Spring - Sugartown

The Gentle Spring is the new project from Michael Hiscock (The Field Mice / Trembling Blue Stars) & Émilie Guillaumot. They release their debut album "Looking Back at the World" on January 17th via Skep Wax. From all we've heard so far, should be a beauty!

Allie X - Our Lady of Sorrows

Last week Allie X released the deluxe version of her latest album "Girl With No Face". It features a bunch of reworked versions of album tracks w/ other artists like TR/ST and Empress Of. It also features some bonus tracks like this awesomeness!

Juno Francis - All I Need

New track from Juno Francis off album "Melancholia", which who knows when it will be released!

Night Tapes - To Be Free

Lovely new track from Night Tapes!

Get Well Soon - Psycho Killer

Get Well Soon has created a delicious cover of the Talking Heads' hit "Psycho Killer" for new Netflix show, "Murder Mindfully". Konstantin of Get Well Soon and Ziggy Has Ardeur were commissioned to create the soundtrack/score for the show and this is one of the results!

Ora the Molecule - Løveskatt

Ora the Molecule has announced their new album "Dance Therapy" which will be out March 21st!

Daphne Guinness x Hercules & Love Affair - Burn

One of my fave songs of the year by Daphne Guinness gets a great remix by Hercules & Love Affair for the deluxe edition of her excellent album "Sleep"! And we get a fun video too!!

The Horrors - Trial by Fire

Aggressive new single from The Horrors off their upcoming new album "Night Life" out March 21st.

Still Corners - The Creeps

Just in time for Halloween, Still Corners deliver us their spooooky new single!

Baby Alpaca - Invincible

A new song from Baby Alpaca and we get a video!

Jim Noir - Out of Sight

New from Jim Noir! His new album "Jimmy's Show 2" will be out Nov 5th!

R. Missing - Party Fade Into Air

Another piece of loveliness from R. Missing!

Azure Blue - Visions and Themes

New POP! from Azure Blue! New album "The Night of the Stars" is out Nov 22nd!

Born at Midnite - Hearts Working Overtime

New single from Born at Midnite!

Art d'Ecco - Serene Demon

The title track off Art d'Ecco's upcoming new album, out Feb 14th!

Geoffrey O'Connor - I Love What We Do

New Geoffrey O'Connor! Awesome song with an equally awesome video! It's the title track from his upcoming new album out Feb 14th!

Heartworms - Warplane

Digging this new track from Heartworms off their forthcoming debut album "Glutton for Punishment", out Feb 7th!

Kid Moxie - Neon Sky

Awesome new single from Kid Moxie!

Munya & Kainalu - The Only One

New collab track from Munya & Kainalu!

Guy Gerber & Desire - In a Manner of Speaking

Guy Gerber & Desire giving us a cover of Tuxedomoon's oft-covered track!

Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Freedom Of The Night

New POP! awesomeness from Sophie Ellis-Bextor to lead us dancing into this weekend! New Sophie, New Kylie...what a glorious POP! Friday!

Yukimi - Break Me Down

Debut solo single from Little Dragaon's Yukimi!

The Dears - Don't Lose the Faith

One of my favorites from one of the best albums EVER! I should be receiving my "No Cities Left" 20th anniversary edition this week and I'm so excited! This is one of my all-time faves by the band.

Swansea Sound - Toxic Energy

Great new single from Swansea Sound! Screw you AmelElon! 😜
Catch Swansea Sound opening for Heavenly this week on their West Coast tour!

Vlad Holiday - This Was Always Gonna End

Album opener from Vlad Holiday's upcoming debut album "My Favorite Drug", out Nov 15th!

School of X - I Wanna Dive in the Seven Seas

New single from School of X. New album "Seventh Heaven" is out Nov 1st!

Alex Lilly - Nightbird

New single from Alex Lilly!

Plastic Estate - Meet You There

Plastic Estate's new album "Code d'Amour" is out today!

The Cure - A Fragile Thing

Another new track from The Cure off "Songs of a Lost World"!

Allie X - Bon Voyage

New song from the upcoming deluxe version of Allie X's latest, excellent album "Girl With No Face"!

Scott Matthew - All the Lovers

Much love for this cover of the Kylie classic by one of my favorite vocalists, Scott Matthew! That voice can sing me anything!!

Alpaca Sports - Tomorrow I'll Be Fine

New from Alpaca Sports serving us jangly pop goodness! They also have a new album on the way!

Lady Bunny - P*ssy This Good

New from Lady Bunny to go along with her new tour!

Elisabeth Elektra - Desire

The latest single from Elisabeth Elektra!

Red Sleeping Beauty - Could Have Been Me

Sometimes you hear a song for the first time and you immediately say, "Add it to my Best of the Year list!" Red Sleeping Beauty's October song of the month is Perfection! I only want it to be longer so I can dance longer! Synth punches straight to my heart! REPEAT!! Featuring vocal duties from Acid House Kings' Julia Lannerheim. My new favorite of the bunch!

Fotonovela - Justice (feat. Sarah Blackwood)

It's been over 10 years since Fotonovela's excellent album "A Ton of Love" was released. I still love hearing tracks from it pop up on my randomizer. This one played a few days ago when I was preparing dinner and made me very happy! Featuring the lovely vocals of Dubstar/CLIENT's Sarah Blackwood!

Alvilda - Angoisse

Great track from Alvilda off their upcoming debut album "C'est déjà l'heure", out Oct 25th!

Sassyhiya - Boat Called Predator

Sassyhiya is the latest addition to Skep Wax Records and are set to release their debut full-length on November 8th! The album is called "Take You Somewhere" and based on the couple tracks we've heard so far, it's going to be a jangly, indie pop dream!



And here's info the the album's press release!

Sassyhiya want to take you somewhere. The journey starts in Kathy and Helen’s flat in South London. Sit down, close your eyes, and immerse yourself... You are on your way to a musical rainforest a long way from Camberwell.

Explore your new surroundings, and you will find beautiful pop blooms like Let’s See What We Can Find, as bright and vibrant as The Sundays, thrusting their colourful faces up from the forest floor. You’ll find tangles of sharp-edged guitar, as if Swiss she-punks Kleenex had been left to evolve here in the rich fertile soil (I Had A Thought). You’ll find dark pools full of lyrical complexity, deceptively deep and immersive, with shimmering reflections of The Go-Betweens (Perennial). And you’ll come across delicate love songs, creeping up the trunks and branches of the bass and drums, displaying their fragile beauty (Thank You And Goodbye). And what’s that exotic striped animal prowling through the undergrowth? Actually, it’s Crayon Potato, Sassyhiya’s pet cat, the other resident of their flat in South London, taking up her role as the feline star of a lilting, singalong anthem written in her honour.

That’s what is so great about this album. You are somehow, simultaneously, exploring the most exotic forest in the world while also sitting in a flat in an ordinary, familiar English street with Sassyhiya and their cat. This album transports you without pretending the real world doesn’t exist: it doesn’t get all mystical on you (Take You Somewhere is as unlike Enya as anything you’ve heard). Sometimes you might be reminded of Girls At Our Best, and then Delta 5. You might even, on occasion, think of Echo and the Bunnymen.

The album opens with their single, Boat Called Predator: an appropriate start, inviting you to embark: insistent, almost ominous, but with a siren call of a chorus that means you can’t go back. The first single, Kristen Stewart, is here too: a bold love song to a queer icon, affirming Sassyhiya’s status as the queens (and kings) of a thriving queer indiepop scene. It’s joyous and it’s life-affirming. There are other love songs here too, like the jokey, wonkily flirtatious Puppet Museum. The album ends with You Can Give It (But You Can’t Take It) - a proper anthem of defiance, gently but insistently taking down the bullies and reactionaries who trample over beauty and diversity: the kind of people you might, unfortunately, bump into as you make your way back onto the streets of South London.

Kylie Minogue - Lights Camera Action

Here's the first offering off Kylie's upcoming "Tension II"! Pretty good!

Kraków Loves Adana - I Saw You I Saw Myself

Title track from Kraków Loves Adana latest album!

Pet Shop Boys - Everybody Will Dance

The latest great b-side to Pet Shop Boys' latest single, "Feel"!

The Cure - Alone

This is pretty...and pretty depressing!! The Cure's "Songs of a Lost World" is FINALLY coming, Nov 1st!!

Blossoms - Gary

Title track from Blossoms' recently released new album "Gary"! And look, it's Rick Astley!

The Tamperer (feat Maya) - Feel It

No idea why this randomly appeared in my feed a couple weeks ago but I'm so glad it did! Top of the Pops awesomeness! When Toto goes flying, I die!

Kate Pierson - Radios and Rainbows

Kate Pierson released her latest solo album last week and here's the title track! I will never tire of this voice!

The Washboard Abs - Never Finds You

Very nice song I just discovered by The Washboard Abs off their 2018 album "Lowlight Visions".

Jamie xx - Waited All Night (feat. Romy & Oliver Sim)

From Jamie xx's new album "In Waves", here's a nice collab with Romy & Oliver Sim!

ionnalee - the end of every song

I almost forgot a post for today so let's just post my favorite track from ionnalee's latest album "CLOSE YOUR EYES"!

GRAZER - I Always Follow

GRAZER released their sophomore album "I Always Follow" today and here's the title track!

ALEXANDERPLATZ.- Oración

New lyric video from ALEXANDERPLATZ off their 2023 album "Noches blancas, mañanas negras".

Pulp - Sorted for E's and Wizz

Today is the mid-point of my PULP concert week! I get to hear this gem 3 more times!! Always a joy to hear live! GEEZER! JUST KEEP ON MOVIN'!!

Lia Pamina - Love Lies

"New", old song by Lia Pamina from her early collaborations with indie pop royalty, Roger Gunnarson (Nixon, Free Loan Investments, Cloetta Paris, etc etc)! Indie POP! magic!

cumgirl8 - ahhhh!hhhh! (i don't wanna go)

New song from cumgirl8!! They are releasing their debut album "the 8th cumming" on Oct 4th!

The Dears - We Can Have It

Seeing one of your desert island albums performed in its entirety is a dream come true. I already did that this year with The Magnetic Fields "69 Love Songs" 25th Anniversary.
Tonight, I will see another of my desert island albums performed as The Dears celebrate the 20th anniversary of their 2003 masterpierce "No Cities Left"! When this album was released, I was in one of the darker stages of my life. What I wrote about the album back in in 2007 still rings true today:
"Back in a time when I was losing all my faith in life and love, The Dears released this work of art. Right from the opening track, Murray's lyrics gave me someone to relate to on a level that I desperately needed. "No Cities Left" was released the same year as Ooberman's "Hey Petrunko!". Both albums tackle issues of love/loss/loneliness/finding one's self/etc., but they both come at it from different angles. Ooberman chose the more magical, other-worldly approach, whereas The Dears keep it more down to earth. Both are extremely successful and they stood far above any other releases in 2003.
This album helped me remember what I once felt so strongly about and how much I needed to strive for that again."

Tears may flow when the opening moments of this song start. I am so happy I get to experience this!

Vox Rea - Grass

Dreamy beauty from Vox Rea on their latest track!

Future Analog & Bunny X - Only Have Eyes for You

Awesome new collab track from Future Analog & Bunny X!

Florrie - Swimming Pool

Now This Is POP! New song from Florrie!

The Irrepressibles - Destination

Latest single from The Irrepressibles off upcoming new album "Yo Homo!", out Sept 27th!

CATBEAR - Grow Up

CATBEAR's latest single!

Red Sleeping Beauty - I'm Here Tonight

Red Sleeping Beauty granted me the birthday gift of this gem for their September song of the month! One of my favorites thus far! That chorus is perfect!

Thus Love - On the Floor

New music from Thus Love. Their new album "All Pleasure" will be out November 1st via Captured Tracks!

Jungle - Let's Go Back

One of their best videos yet and they're always the best part of new Jungle!!

Margaret Berger - I Can't Make You Love Me

New Margaret Berger!!

Xeno & Oaklander - VIA NEGATIVA (in the doorway light)

New awesome synthpop from Xeno & Oaklander! It's the title track of their new album, out November 15th!

OKAYALEX - Door

Here's a cool new track from OKAYALEX! They have a new EP called "Escape" out this week!

Allie X - Galina (feat. Empress Of)

Allie X's latest album "Girl With No Face" is one of the year's best! Here's her latest video, featuring the awesome Empress Of!

Motorama - Caerus

New single from Motorama!

Annie - The Sky Is Blue

New Annie single!! POP!!

Pearl & The Oysters - Big Time

Pearl & The Oysters are set to release their new album "Planet Pearl" on Sept 20th!

Seasurfer - A Short Term Effect

Happy Birthday RockyBoo!! Happy 1 year wedding anniversary too!
Here's a Cure cover by German shoegazers Seasurfer! Seasurfer also has an album coming entitled "Electronic Monsters"!

Petracovich - This Is Easy, This Is Love

Petracovich just released her new album "This Is Easy, This Is Love" after a long hiatus from music. Created for her son Otto, who was taken away from her too soon, it's an absolutely beautiful, pure album.

Kate Pierson - Take Me Back to the Party

Loving all the new Kate Pierson output! Disco POP! magic!

Moto Boy - Berlin Foxes

The last single before Moto Boy gives us his next (and last?) album! It's a great one!

Pet Shop Boys - Feel

I don't know how a lot of people feel about the newest Pet Shop Boys album "Nonetheless", but I quite like it! This is one of my faves! Especially loving all the b-sides for the singles!

Ginger Root - Only You

Next video in the series from Ginger Root off upcoming album "SHINBANGUMI", due Sept 13th!

Selofan - Sticky Fingers

Selofan released their latest album "Animal Mentality" back in April. Serving us more gothy, synthpop realness and I love it!

ionnalee - luminary rainbows

Excellent! Beautiful! ionnalee's latest video from upcoming album "CLOSE YOUR EYES", out Sept 13th!

Blondfire - Dirty Fingers

A new single from Blondfire!

Ibibio Sound Machine - Black Notes

New one from Ibibio Sound Machine! They are releasing a new EP "The Black Notes EP" on Sept 4th!

Stars in Coma - Aluminum

New single from Stars in Coma off their upcoming new album "We Were Already Islands", out Sept 13th!

The Blessed Madonna & Kylie Minogue - Edge of a Saturday Night

Very fun new collab from The Blessed Madonna & Kylie Minogue! The track will be featured on The Blessed Madonna's new album "Godspeed", out Oct 11th!

Chiara Berardelli - Can I Be Me?

Chiara Berardelli released her new album "Archaeology" a couple weeks ago and it's a beauty!

Desire - I Know

Very last post for today but here's the latest video from Desire!

Pearly Drops - Lost In The Dark

New song from Pearly Drops!

John Duff - Forgotten How to F*ck

Ridiculous and wonderful! New track from John Duff!

A Flock of Seagulls - Some Dreams

A Flock of Seagulls has returned! Plans are set to release a new album in 2025!

Violent Femmes - Never Tell

Violent Femmes' excellent sophomore album "Hallowed Ground" celebrates its 40th(!) anniversary this year! They've been touring their first two albums this year but sadly haven't done ANY shows in California! RUDE! Here's one of the best tracks from the album!

Rüfüs Du Sol - Lately

Latest from Rüfüs Du Sol!! Dance Dance!

Sparky's Magic Piano - Just Like That

Another new single from Sparky's Magic Piano!

R. Missing - Sleep Will Darken It

Oooh an actual video from R. Missing for their latest weekly track!

The Knocks - All the time / Tout le temps (feat. Yelle)

Excellent euro-POP! from The Knocks with the help of Yelle!

Karen O & Danger Mouse - Super Breath

Lovely new track from Karen O & Danger Mouse! It will be included on a deluxe reissue of ther 2019 collab album "Lux Prima"!

Red Sleeping Beauty - Cruising Slowly

Another perfectly dreamy number from Red Sleeping Beauty for their August release! This one features guest vocals from Jane Wildson! She's in another Ooberus-fave, Papa Topo, who I believe are also giving us a new album this year!!

Telenova - January

Telenova's new album "Time Is a Flower" has become one of my most anticipated releases of 2024! Here's a sweet, acoustic live rendition of the latest track they've shared. Album drops on August 16th!

Roosevelt - In the Dark

New single from Roosevelt!

Rainbow Chan - Smoke and Pepper

New from Rainbow Chan!

Mediocre - Fun Time Fix (We Go Go)

Mediocre release their new album "Growth Eater" on Sept 27th!

Geneva Jacuzzi - Scene Ballerina

A new video from Geneva Jacuzzi off upcoming new album "Triple Fire", out August 23rd!

Alison Goldfrapp - I Wanna Be Loved (Just a Little Better)

New collab single from Alison Goldfrapp & Richard X!

Kate Pierson - Evil Love

New track from Kate Pierson!

Sassyhiya - Kristen Stewart

New single from Sassyhiya who are the latest band to join the Skep Wax family! Their album "Take You Somewhere" will be out in November!