Music in 2024

Music in 2024...

So this is what I played most that was released in 2024 according to the Apple Music app. As previous years, I've not managed to work out how to do this for music played in 2024, as I can't see how to filter on play count for only that year. 

I'll rank this by the highest play by release. It's worth saying that singles and EPs can be disproportionately high because they tend to repeat if I'm playing music via my iPhone. If a single is part of an album that was released this year, I will credit the album instead.

1. Hats Off Gentlemen, It's Adequate - Copenhagen

A second year at Number 1 for HOGIA, and no surprise here as this is hauntingly beautiful. This is a single from their album that's forthcoming in 2025. Could they make it 3 years in a row?

2. Pet Shop Boys - Nonetheless

Actually by the Pet Shop Boys was the album that hooked me to them, and I still enjoy listening. This got played a lot when I got it but it hasn't stuck with me quite as well as some of their other albums. The track Loneliness gets this its high placing.

3.  Hats Off Gentlemen, It's Adequate - One Word That Means the World

What, they've got two places in top three? This is the slightly earlier single released by HOGIA which is all about the Soviet Officer who refused to take the Cuban Missile crisis nuclear when his submarine flotilla was under a lot of pressure from the US blockade.

4. Andre Soueid - Al Ein

Soueid is a Lebanese Violinist who I was introduced to at the local cinema which plays music videos rather than adverts. He does do classical music but also more modern, dance-like material. His violin soars gloriously above the rest of the music. Definitely worth checking out. Here's an example on Soundcloud from a concert.

5. Hans Zimmer - Dune: Part Two (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

I found the second soundtrack more approachable than the first and it goes on in the background quite often.

6. Maxïmo Park - Stream of Life

The lead single from this album saw Maxïmo Park back on form, catch but with a sharp edge. Great band, fantastic live too when I saw them.

7. Public Service Broadcasting - The Last Flight

It's not my most played album but it's probably my favourite this year. PSB return with a fantastic themed album about Amelia Eckhart. It's glorious and beautiful and different tracks catch me at different times. I loved the live show so much I'm catching it again at York next year.

8. David Gilmour - Luck and Strange

The track 'Between Two Points', where Gilmour's daughter Romany sings is my favourite on this. You know what you're getting with his music, and the album doesn't disappoint.

9. Faithless (feat. Amelia Fox and LSK) - I'm not alone (Rest Well Maxwell)

Faithless return with a track dedicated to their former frontman. It's catchy and a fitting tribute. I just wish they could give a date for release of  'Champion Sound'. Again, a single so that influences the position.

Overall, a nice mix there. I did buy several Marillion albums, but they've been concerts or the special editions so the play hasn't been as high.

1 January 2025