It’s Christmas Eve or Tuesday, depending on which you celebrate, and that means it’s time for me to bring you the gift of music by highlighting some favorites of 2024.
Music that brought me peace was important on a personal level in 2024. In a year that brought divorce, shifts and losses in friends and family, losing my dog, and resetting my life on just about every level (oh, and there was the disheartening national election result), having a sanctuary in music was of the utmost importance.
I cried through a lot of albums and songs. Anything that remotely referenced a break-up seemed written just for me and songs about regret seemed ready to pounce around every corner. Even T Swift had me tearing up with I Can Do It With a Broken Heart. Oh, and suddenly everyone is writing music about their pets? Get out of my head, music. Actually, don’t. Please stay. Let’s sit together, sing a song, and share a few hugs, laughs, and tears.
Red Chuck Radio 2024 is live, so you'll have a single playlist available full of the tracks and albums I loved most this year on Apple Music, Spotify, and Tidal.
Below are some favorites from 2024. We’re not using the word “best” and we don’t believe in ranking here at Red Chuck Productions…there are too many hierarchies in the world…these are just some things we like. And emphasis on the “some”…this is by no means comprehensive. This story is most fully told in our 2024 playlists, found at your favorite streaming service. Follow us on Apple Music, Spotify, and Tidal.
You’ll see some names you know, music you’ve probably seen on other lists. I probably won’t say much about those, as folks more skilled than I have said plenty. But, hopefully you’ll find a few things new to you.
Looking ahead to 2025, I'm expecting yet another amazing year in music. I'm hoping we see artists step up with protest music, songs of hope, and the kind of tunes we need going into some pretty dark political and cultural times. We also have some exciting plans for Red Chuck Productions, so stay tuned.
Until there, take care of yourselves. Take care of each other. Tell your people you love them. Be not disheartened, for as long as we breathe, we have the ability to better ourselves and the world around us.
“Without our rough hands, the dreams of the pure hearts would never be built.”- Pierce Brown, Red Rising
“I did break. I just had friends to piece me back together.”- Pierce Brown, Golden Son
“All that we have is that shout into the wind- how we live. How we go. And how we stand before we fall.”- Pierce Brown, Morning Star
“Whatever happens, remember we’re the lucky ones. We get to make a difference today.”- Pierce Brown, Morning Star
All songs (and more!) are available at Red Chuck Radio 2024 on Apple Music, Spotify, and Tidal.
Madi Diaz- God Person
we saw a storm three miles away
we lit a fire and watched it rage
how can that happen? why is it beautiful?
why is it magic and tragic? i don't know
This Is Lorelie- Box for Buddy, Box for Star
This was one of those last minute finds that comes with other reviewer lists and suggestions by friends on social media over the past few weeks. I'm so glad to have stumbled upon it. It's a pleasantly poppy DIY-style collection that anyone who's ever sat in their bedroom alone making art can relate to.
The Erly- Salem Lights
The Erly is hands down the best live band in local music. Their music continues to deepen, made even more magical by the addition of Simon Kauffman Hurst. Every member of the band gets a chance to shine on this album. You cannot go wrong seeing them live in 2025. Make it a resolution. Add it to your bucket list. Just go.
Favorite tracks: 55 On The Other Side, OH10, Sally
Abbie Thomas- Not Gonna Lie
Since we're on local music (not to mention the brilliant Simon Kauffman Hurst, who helped produce and played on this album), let's shift to Abbie Thomas. Abbie's career is on an incredible trajectory and she's upped her game on this album, continuing to kill it with songwriting and vocals and surrounding herself with some of the best musicians in the region, including her ever-growing back-up band, The Crazy Hearts. As part of another Red Chuck project, I had to the pleasure of being in the room when much of this album was made and it's so great to listen to the amazing final product.
Favorite tracks: Bitch Make The Coffee, Not Gonna Lie, Lucky Penny
Seán Barna- Hitsville UK
An artist deserving of so much more attention. Also check out Barna's cover of Mr. Jones.
Eight Belles- Ghost Lights
I randomly met a member of Eight Belles while sitting in a restaurant in Kalamazoo before going to see Jason Isbell perform. I've lost track of the number of times I've sat at a bar and turned to a stranger next to me, only to discover something magical and lasting.
Nourished by Time- Hell of a Ride
Possibly my favorite song of 2024.
Jónsi- First Light
An album first conceived as a video game score, then released as a part of the platform Myndstream, which touts itself as "the world’s first music streaming service for spas" and, yeah, that fits. This music gave me so much peace in a year of the opposite, calming the angry beast within, forcing self-reflection, and comforting the sad inner child looking for love and hope.
Residente- LAS LETRAS YA NO IMPORTAN
With all love to Kendrick, THIS is my favorite rap album of 2024. A cinematic experience exploring history, family, and origins, melding hip hop with myriad flavors of music and art. Worry not if your español is not at full strength...Residente and his collaborators project a communal experience that goes beyond language.
Palehound- Good Sex (Live at First Congregational Church)
bad sex makes a good joke
that anyone can get
but good sex makes a bad joke
that's only funny if you were there
Yasmin Williams- Acadia
Another album from the "calm the nerves" prescription I wrote for myself this year. Acoustic guitar compositions matched with incredible collaborators. If only all of life could be this pleasant.
Happy Landing- Lose The Gun
More defiant yet joyful protest anthems, please.
i said, "frankly, you can all go straight to hell
i ain't rotting in some pen, i'd rather die with all my friends"
i was young, and twenty-onе
when they held a gun to my hеad
well, i'm better off dead with an undivided heart
then to live to see myself turn toward the dark
The Gaslight Anthem- Little Fires (feat. Bully)
The Gaslight Anthem AND Bully on a single track. Sold.
oso oso- life till bones
Favorite tracks: all of my love, seesaw, other people's stories
Chuck Prophet- Sally Was a Cop
Amythyst Kiah- Still + Bright
Favorite tracks: Empire of Love, Gods Under The Mountain
Bee Taylor- Peaches
A song that is certainly NOT about dessert.
Call Me Malcolm- Echoes & Ghosts
Our friends across the pond, Call Me Malcolm, released an excellent new album. We chatted about it earlier this year.
Justin Wells- Counting Days
The first single about one of my most anticipated albums of 2025. Look for my conversation with Justin when he returns to AtND in the new year.
Lune- The Ship Sails On
Local musicians Lune released the heartbreaking, healing, and cathartic 3rd album of the Ship series.
TRIGGER WARNING: The album and episode contains discussions about physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, including against children, as well as discussions of suicide. Please take care in listening. You are loved. I love you. Help is always available at the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 or online at https://988lifeline.org.
Other tracks or albums not to miss: Speyside- Bon Iver, Pearl Jam's Dark Matter (I'm here for old dad PJ), former Superdrag frontman John Davis' album JINX, the music of Anna Louise Bramlett who I randomly stumbled across while waiting for a plane in Chicago (after digging her music so much, I invited her onto Anywhere The Needle Drops, an episode you can find here), The Crane Wives' latest Beyond Beyond Beyond (also on the show this year), The Past Is Still Alive from Hurray For The Riff Raff, Adrianne Lenker's Bright Future, Sleater-Kinney (duh), Kendrick Lamar (also duh), Now There Are Only Stories by local phenom JAGALCHI (AtND Episode 240023), new tunes from the amazing local ensemble rebel noire and the accomplices (we chatted last year on AtND). And everything on Red Chuck Radio 2024 (Apple Music, Spotify, and Tidal.).
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