Kurt Writes Things' Top Five Songs of 2024
/Over 300 albums and still counting, averaging an aural apple a day.
2024 uncovered countless sounds and stories, each adding something new to my daily soundtrack.
Whether dabbling in debuts, reviewing releases from dependables I already know & love, or diving deep into catalogues I finally found the time to explore, here are my top 5 songs released in 2024 that stuck with me through hours of devouring recorded sound.
Green Day – ‘Coma City’
Somehow not one of the five singles already released from 2024's Saviors, 'Coma City' is a wake-up call to the wonders of Tré Cool. A drummer’s delight, he channels the speed and spirit of Clem Burke for a blistering Blondie-meets-Buzzcocks new-wave gem critiquing modern apathy, with a snare-filled surge of adrenaline in the final minute that feels endless.
Kacey Musgraves – ‘Cardinal’
Inspired by the late John Prine, the cosmic-country singer pens a luminous ode to remembering loved ones lost with 'Cardinal', where feathers from the scarlet songbird signal a message from beyond. Her breathy vocals and hypnotic acoustic guitar blur the line between the earthly and the ethereal, leaving behind a glowing, bittersweet ballad aching with hope and connection.
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – ‘Le Risque’
Hello, Evel Knievel! 'Le Risque' sees the Aussie genre-jumpers dancing with danger as four lead vocalists swagger through this boogie-rock romp, recalling 2019’s Fishing For Fishies. Brimming with bravado and bombast, it's one for those who like to live life on the edge.
Wishy - ‘Spit’
There’s a million ways to spit the words out, and Indianapolis newcomers Wishy choose to stop staring at their shoes for a bit on 'Spit', hitting the jackpot with a soaring alternative rock anthem that fans of Wolf Alice will adore. With male-female vocals and loud guitars lurching the song forward with headbanging glee, this standout from their debut Triple Seven is one of my lucky finds of the year.
Kings Of Leon – ‘Hesitation Gen’
The American rockers take this thing apart and rebuild it with their hands on 'Hesitation Gen', rediscovering their indie-garage roots and some fun again. This track crackles with the raw energy of 2004’s Aha Shake Heartbreak; a welcome reminder of the grit that first made the gang unforgettable.
It’s #SpotifyWrapped season, so here’s writer Kurt Duvel’s top five songs of 2023 and some thoughts about Queens Of The Stone Age, Foo Fighters, The Tubs, Mammoth WVH, and Fall Out Boy.