Songs of 2025

Here we are again... the end of the year comes around faster than I expected and I rush to summarise my emotional state as a pre-amble to my favourite songs.

I've spent a few days chewing different ideas trying to find something amusing to say, but alas no dice. The truth is that my current state of mind is one of positivity and appreciation of how lucky I am.

That surprises me more than it should. I spend a disproportionate amount of time huffing and puffing (swearing and stomping) about all sorts of things. But, I think that might just be my energy source!

And then, in a move foretold by the stars, I re-read my post from last year.

"Resolution #1 make gratitude my attitude in 2025."

Maybe, just maybe, I did it. I am grateful. Peace be with you and other preachy messages.

Anyway, more importantly, let's listen to some great music.

The list, as ever, is built across the year. Every time I hear something that makes me feel something fuzzy, I add it to a long list and the challenge is to see what sticks. Here's the stickiest of them!

Playlists available: YouTube, Spotify, Deezer.

Enjoy!

Slick Rick / Nas - Documents

A rap legend making a long overdue return. Let's start with a banger!

Lambrini Girls - Company Culture

Amazing energy and acerbic observations. As someone who spends the day job thinking about "company culture", this song is a powerful reminder of not disappearing up your own values. Great punk energy!

Lola Young - Messy

Carrying on the feminist punk spirit, this song has been a constant ear worm. Perhaps edging us into pop territory, I love that artists like this are setting examples for younger generations.

Anna B Savage - Mo Cheul Thu

Bit of a change of pace. This is such a beautiful song. Feels like it is sung with a real smile. Take the time to listen to it properly.
 

Richard Dawson - Polytunnel

It wouldn't be an end of the year playlist without Richard Dawson. He plays with such emotion, originality and touching humour it constantly amazes me. Such a unique artist.

Pulp - Spike Island

What a welcome return and what a great song to come back with. The album is really impressive and fills the Pulp shaped hole that we didn't know we had. I have regular giggles at the line "I was wrestling with the coat hanger, can you guess who won?".

Jacob Collier - Something Heavy

I was watching a small bit of Jools Holland one evening when I saw this artist. A ball of energy, clearly technically masterful, but delivered a restrained performance that was special. Similar to Anna B Savage earlier, you can feel the smiles in the singing. I highly recommend the album, moving, uplifting stuff.

Baxter Dury - Allbarone

Come for the joke of rephrasing All Bar One as "allbarone", and stay for the smart, layered, dance pathos track. Lots of fun. Collaboration between Baxter Drury and Paul Epworth. The remixes are great too.

Heartworms - Extraordinary Wings

This song has the best chorus of the year for me. The build up is teasing and completely worth it.

Billy Nomates - Plans

A regular favourite of mine. This song moves so quickly, it's not until later that the words get you. I love its energy.

Kingfishr - Diamonds and Roses

This is one of those songs that could have been written any time in the last 40 years. It is pure class, a great demonstration of songwriting and performed with true soul. Transpires they only formed in 2022! Just one of the ways that people from Limerick have supported me this year!

Wolf Alice - Sofa

Finishing with Wolf Alice who made my favourite album of the year. It's such a strong collection of songwriting. The production sounds great on vinyl. And the message of this song rings true. (even though the real problem is me!)

So there it is. Here's to a fun 2026!


Previous compilations:

2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012

 

Songs of 2024

2024 - another mad year. Another year where I've become slightly madder. I have so many things to be grateful for but my overwhelming memory is wondering around grumbling about being busy. Resolution #1 make gratitude my attitude in 2025.

The key reason I get grumpy is that one of my favourite things remains listening to music and discovering new treasures. Being busy has a horrible way of getting in the way.

So these are the nuggets I've picked from the year. They have provided me the moments of zen I've needed.

I hope you find something in here too.

Links to playlist on YouTube, Spotify and Deezer. Previous playlists here.

Adrianne Lenker - Sadness as a Gift

My favourite song of the year. Incredible performance of a seemingly simple framework. Always makes me stop and think. I always enjoy Big Thief, but this solo work speaks to my melancholic cowboy.

Yin Yin - Pia Dance

A song that has been my friend through the year. A largely instrumental piece, but this song (and the whole album) is so evocative and takes me to relaxing on a Bullet Train in Japan.

Cmat (ft John Grant) - Where Are Your Kids Tonight?

A super duet that never fails to make me smile and sing along. John Grant adds a lovely timbre to weave with the tune. Listen to more of Cmat, her music is full of ear worms and energy.

Laura Marling - Caroline

Probably the most featured artist on this list over the 13 years. Her new album is about the arrival of her son. Whilst the lead single Child of Mine is the traditional standout, Caroline is the one I pick simply for the concept of including recalling a song without know the words "something, something... Caroline". Fabulous.

Master Peace - Panic101

This will pucker up your beak! A song that always gives me a boost on my running playlist. Really interesting album, loads of variety and narrative. In the vein of Jamie T, straddling genres with a big grin.

Fontaines DC - In The Modern World

Although Starburster is the biggest track from their new album (Romance), this is the one that has stuck with me most. On vinyl, the depth of the sounds pulls you in. One worth taking the time to sit down and listen to the album throughout.

Divorce - Eat My Words

Really like this band. This song keeps building, with a great swing. When running, this has me swaying my head with the drummer.

Jalen Ngonda - Anyone in Love

A late entry to the list, following an incredible performance on Jools Holland (included below). 60s sensibilities with virtuosity in the singing and guitar playing. His Jaguar forms part of him. Soul music at its best.

Hinds - Superstar

4 minutes of girl guitar band perfection. I challenge you to not be cheered up by this band.

Beabadoobee - Beaches

This song shows a young performer with a terrifyingly good grasp of songwriting. West-coast Indie sensibilities with added sensitivity. I keep coming back to this track and every time it gives a bit more.

Nia Archives - Crowded Roomz

An instant classic - to the extent I was convinced it was an older song. The core lyric warrants the repetition and calls to us all. The drum and bass foundation makes it feel like a comforting 90s remix. Sad dancing. Love it.

LYR - Folk Song

I'll leave you with this one ... a really interesting musical project with laureate Simon Armitage. I appreciate that sounds pretentious, but the music and the words work so well together. Armitage's delivery is accent perfect - "apple, cherry, blackthorn, pear" (means nothing if you don't listen to the song!)

Here's to finding more time in 2025 to being taken away by music. 

Previous compilations 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012

Songs of 2023

So ... just like that it's almost here, the end of the year!

Before celebrations officially begin, I must impose my annual songs of the year list onto you.  I appreciate that I have zero qualifications as a source of music advice, but this is the 12th instalment and is now officially a tradition.  I'm sure there are worse things you'll have to endure at Christmas ...

I find this a useful chronicle to remember the great music I've come across over the year.  I still love the feeling of being sucked into an album and listening to it over and over.  I know it's hard, but it is worth finding time where you can get lost in the music. (just don't miss the stop on your train like I've nearly done...)

Rambling almost over. Let's get to this year's stand out songs (for me).

Playlists available on Youtube, Deezer and Spotify.

Gorillaz (feat Adeleye Omotayo) - Silent Running

Pitch perfect pop music.  Damon Albarn is ridiculously prolific in his output and the new Blur album is fantastic (The Narcissist just missed out on this list in attempt to be varied).  I adore the simplicity of this song and it has been with me throughout the year.  

Caroline Polachek - Sunset

Fantastic album, great artist.  Highly recommend listening to more of her music.  This is the standout track for me which has been on my running playlist all year. 

 

Romy - Enjoy Your Life

Much more upbeat than you'd expect from an XX band member.  This song has been on the family summer playlist and has a lovely vibe to it.  

Like many of the songs on this list, I'm not sure a middle-aged, straight, white male accountant was the intended audience, but I still love it anyway!

Pearl and the Oysters - Pacific Avenue

Another summery track.  Prepare to be taken away with a chilled out vibe to a Californian beach town.  True escapism.  The album keeps this feeling going.

SZA - Kill Bill

My most listened to song of the year according to Deezer.  It's followed me everywhere and I've never gotten bored of it.  The lyrics still make me smile.

Willie J Healey and Jamie T - Thank You

How can someone from Oxford be this funky?! The whole album has plugged into an attitude that blew me away.  Try listening and not having a little bit of a shuffle or head nod to it. Bonus points for Jamie T who had a great album earlier this year too (check out 90s Cars).

Sufjan Stevens - Will Anybody Love Me?

My vanity almost prevented me from putting on this list.  Sufjan appears many times throughout the years (and the name of the blog comes from one of his songs).  But this is a stonewall classic.  A standout track on a great album.  A proper artist with an incredible ability to trap his emotions in a song.

Hak Baker - Doolally

This is the newest artist to me on this list.  Blimey what a talent.  The album is done as a pirate radio station and segues from songs with different styles with chat between.  This takes me right back to being a teenager getting ready to go out.  Do yourself a favour and spend some time with this album.  First time I listened I thought "cool, this is like a better version of Streets" and by the end I found myself with tears in my eyes listening to the discussion about suicide. (this track is from the "fun" section!)

Fontaines DC - 'Cello Song

This is taken from an album of Nick Drake covers.  Nick Drake means so much to so many people that it is incredibly risky taking on his songs.  But this is a cover that adds a new dimension to stand on its own whilst bringing back memories from my times with the original. 

Janelle Monae - Float 

More summer sun.  I really enjoyed the whole album - a brave and clever evolution from her previous albums.  On one level this is a fun track, but there's so much going on.  As such, it's endured throughout the year.

Flyte - Speech Bubble

I'll finish things by taking them down a notch...

Late night on a train with my headphones on, this song (and album) has relaxed and comforted me to the point I've welled up (and almost missed my stop at Swindon).  You can feel the love that the band have put into crafting this song.  

Hope you find something new and interesting.

Previous playlists here 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012

Songs of 2022

Welcome to my annual look back at my favourite music of the year. Re-reading previous blogs, I realise that I spend most of the "blurb" in shock at how quickly time passes. And had I not done that, this is exactly what I would have done this time! I am a creature of habit (and limited imagination).

I started this series 10 years ago, and I enjoy looking back over the current and previous years to see which songs/artists have stayed with me, and those that I've forgotten. Either way re-listening reawakens old memories.

Being honest, I don't think I've been particularly good at discovering new music this year. I'll blame being busy, but deep down I worry its because I'm getting older and losing my instincts. I'll try to prove myself wrong next year!

Anyway, here we go.

Playlists available on YouTube, Deezer and Spotfiy.

Katy J Pearson - Talk Over Town

A 6 Music favourite and understandably so. Many things in here that tick the box for things I like - acoustic rhythm guitar, powerful female singer, fresh feel, pop sensibilities. Fantastic.

Say She She - Fortune Teller

A recent discovery, but this is such a brilliant song. The album builds on this and is a big recommendation from me. The song has a lovely feeling to it.

Panic Shack - The Ick

This song always makes me smile. Cutting and hilarious lyrics. Though every time I hear it, I worry that I'm the type of guy she's complaining about. "You shusshed me in the cinema!" I think I'm that annoying!

Julia Jacklin - I Was Neon

A welcome return from this incredibly talented artist. Her debut alum is one of my favourites. This track (and the album) has been played repeatedly since release.

Kojey Radical - Gangsta

This has been on my running mix all year and continues to impress me. Great layers to the music and powerful, personal lyrics.

Black Country, New Road - The Place Where He Inserted The Blade

Also a feature on my running mix, I love the sense of space in the song and the musicality. Incredibly sad that Isaac Wood, the lead singer, left the band as this album was released. I feel the rawness of this song shows the challenges he faced. I have no doubt the band will continue to progress and evolve.

Bret McKenzie - America Goodbye

"Brit" from Flight of the Concords released his "serious" solo album "songs without jokes" earlier this year and there is so much to love on it. I'm a huge FotC fan, but have been particularly impressed by McKenzie's development as a musician - he won an Oscar! Well worth checking out. And despite being "serious", there's plenty of wry smiles in the songs. 

Metronony - Things Will Be Fine

Just a really lovely pop song. Metronomy continue to craft fantastic songs. Watching their set at Glastonbury (on tv obviously) was a real memory of the year.

Iraina Mancini - Undo the Blue

A new artist (with incredible music heritage - her dad played with David Bowie). Excited to hear other music that she creates.

Hollie Cook - Happy Hour

Another album that I recommend everyone listens to. Retro reggae vibes that feel so contemporary. A very cool and impressive artist.

Warmduscher - Wild Flowers

Filth. Pure funky filth. Love it.

(warning - includes wonderfully bad language)

And now ... family favourites

Wet Leg - Chaise Longue

Although the single was released in 2021, I'll claim it for 2022. Inappropriately, this is a favourite of Wilf (9 years old). Features on our family summer playlist and always makes me smile. Ted even used it to help learn to play guitar. So pleased to see the band have such a big year.

Harry Styles - As It Was

Time for the the truth ... this was the most played song in our family this year. Like Wet Leg, this featured on the summer playlist that Ted built. As such, it is etched in my memory as the track of the year. And I will defend it as a great song (and album)

Over and out!

Previous playlists here: 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018,  2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012

Songs of 2021

What the hell was that?!  It was 2021!  Our crazy world got a little crazier.  I guess we shouldn't have expected anything else.

Fortunately, music remained my mindful companion on the journey and so am compelled to document my favourite tracks of the year.  This is the tenth instalment, which I find a depressing confirmation of how quickly life flashes by.  That said, as I write this, I'm having fun re-living the old lists. 

The creation of this list is a relatively simple process.  Over the year, I add tracks that I've liked to a playlist that lives on my phone.  It's pretty much the only playlist I listen to when running.  This has the unintended consequence of getting bored of tracks released earlier in the year.  So any January/February releases (the best months for new music anyway) that make it here have stood the test of time.  

A further disclaimer, this list is about best songs, rather than albums.  Increasingly I find myself hungry to consume the broader audio picture presented in an album.  But that is woefully pretentious, so here are my personal bangers!

Playlists on YouTube, Deezer and Spotify.

Hamish Hawk - The Mauritian Badminton Doubles Champion, 1973

Undoubtedly the best song title of the year, and my joint favourite song of the year.  The lyrics are brilliant -  amusing and touching - with great underlying musicality.  I smile every time I hear this song.

The Weather Station - Parking Lot

Sharing the trophy for my favourite song of the year, this just brings me in and captivates me.  The use of two drummers creates a depth that fascinates me.  The video helps paint the mysticism.  Love it.

Parcels - Somethinggreater

Take this as a preview of the album.  Funky, nuanced and sonically perfect.  This album has been on repeat in our kitchen in the evening since I stumbled upon it.

Sault - Wildfires

Just wow.  Such a sweet, soulful tune but with such space and layers.  So many new things to hear on each listen.  This is the most "single" song of the album, which is well worth absorbing yourself in.  You can't help but be relaxed by it.   

The Bug Club - We Don't Need Room For Lovin'

A real change of gear, but this is garage band perfection.  Amazing energy and seeming simplicity.  Reciting the alphabet is hilarious and genius (and really hard to mimic). 2 minutes of the best pop punk!

Mogwai - Ritchie Sacramento

Great to see Mogwai back and this track just powers along brilliantly.  Listen for the fuzz bass alone!

The Avalanches - The Divine Chord

Such a tasty little song, it has flavours of the first Avalanches album.  Also featuring MGMT and Johnny Marr.  Amazing how they build great melodies from so many samples.

Hen Ogledd - Space Golf

Anything with Richard Dawson will get me to listen.  This is such a weird but intoxicating song.  Absolutely love it.

Self Esteem - I Do This All The Time

The "Sunscreen" for the younger generation!  Rebecca Lucy Taylor's second solo album is full of positive messages with power pop. Remember that episode of Friends where Rachel lends Chandler a hypnosis tape?  This is how I feel after this ... "I am a strong confident woman".  Much needed!

Parquet Courts - Walking At A Downtown Pace

Every time I listen to Parquet Courts, I want to quit my job and become a professional bass guitarist.  They're just so good.  This song announces their album perfectly.

Public Service Broadcasting - Blue Heaven

PSB are definitely an album band.  They create incredible soundscapes linked around a theme.  The new album is a tribute to Berlin.  This song is a highlight.  Haunting and uplifting.  A fitting end to the playlist I think.

There we go.  Enjoy!

(Prior year playlists here 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012)

 

Songs of 2020

The problem with traditions is that you have to keep doing them! And so I find myself facing my ninth songs of the year list. I love looking back at the old lists, so that's my incentive to keep going - though a big part of me would love to shout "screw 2020!". The list below isn't as adventurous as I would like, Zoom prevented me from exploring music as I first hoped with lockdown. Regardless, music remains vital for my relaxation and I've made some good friends in these songs and albums. Pretty sad that the virtual house arrest of home working means that my friends are now records. Anyway, enjoy!

Khruangbin - One To Remember - For all of their amazing musical skills and complex arrangements, this relatively simple ditty (about post-it notes left around the house) never fails to make me smile.  Chief earworm of the year.

Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard - John Lennon Is My Jesus Christ - A seemingly simple couple of minutes of lovely guitar pop, succinctly summarise my religion.  I challenge you to not sing along!

JARV IS - House Music All Night Long - I love Jarvis' Cocker's various and projects. This one feels his most ambitious and complete.  This song has some great house sensibilities together a classic Jarvis line: "Goddam this claustrophobia, 'Cause I should be dis-robing ya".

Laura Marling - Held Down - Songs for Our Daughter is my favourite album of the year.  This song buried itself in my head and I obsessively played it on the piano.  I think LM appears on most of my songs of the year reviews. Listened to this whilst reading Abir Mukherjee's Death in the East, no particular connection but both are outstanding and will be inextricably linked in my memory.

Floodlights - Thanks for Understanding - My favourite "new" find of the year. Effortlessly cool Melbourne rock. Love the slacker vibe to it.  Fantastic album too. 

(apologies this is the full album, this is track 6)

Christine & The Queens - La Vita Nuova - A true artist.  Pulls in 80s influences (Michael Jackson, Paula Abdul, Madonna) and turns it into something truly authentic and powerful. Still need to check out the Thriller style short movie to accompany it.

Eyelids - The Accidental Falls - title track from the album that  I have listened to the most this year. Bought on a whim on a trip to Manchester, inspired by the label from Piccadilly Records. Knowingly REM influenced. Love it.

Arlo Parks - Hurt - I'm excited for the album release in 2021. This is a great song, with powerful story and lyrics, the whole thing comes to life in your mind when listening to it.

Jerskin Fendrix - I'll Wait For It - A strange song in the most fantastic way. The emotion pushes through supported by the mix of synths and various mood changes.

Anna Burch - Tell Me What's True - Gentle, relaxed and warming.  A little bit country.  My sweet spot.

EoB - Brasil - solo project from Radiohead's Ed O'Brien. I really enjoyed it. This track builds and keeps going. Worth taking the time to listen.

Previous playlists here: 2019, 2018,  2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012

Songs of 2019

A bit busy this year, but tradition now dictates that I should keep a log of my favourite songs of the year.  (previous versions here: 2018 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012)

As I get older, I have mini crises of faith, worried that I no longer find music as important, or struggle to find new music.  And then, at moments when I least expect it, I get floored by a song.  This has happened a few times this year - Richard Dawson live on Marc Riley and seeing Electric Kif in Georgia - are particular shout outs.  Though my favourite moment of the year has to be having 110 children singing my own creation back to me with our little Christmas song.  Here's hoping a few of them have got the bug for music.

Here's the list in no particular order:

This Life - Vampire Weekend -  if not may favourite song of the year, then definitely the most played.  The album is really good, with some of the best bass playing I have ever heard. This song does everything that I love about Vampire Weekend.

Jefe - St Germain - a magical night in Athens, GA where this band performed at a rooftop bar with my 2 oldest friends. We had no idea who and they blew me away with their musicianship and smooth sounds. To prove it wasn’t just the beer, I bought their vinyl and have listened repeatedly.

Happy Unhappy - The Beths - great female pop-rock.  I always run faster when this was on. I love the simplicity of the phrase “I was happy, unhappy”.

Vote for Me - The Specials - is there a more prescient song of the year?  Haunting and straight to the point. What a comeback tune.

Juice - Lizzo - a real slap in the face.  Perfect pop dripping in attitude. Love this live version from Glastonbury.

Seventeen - Sharon Van Etten - another great return.  Took me a while to get into this, but it has grown and now I feel her emotion when she sings "Afraid that you'll be just like me”. Live version included to see the energy.

Norman & Norma - Divine Comedy - on one level a funny and clever sitcom in a song, but on the other a tale of romanticism dripping in ordinariness.  Not enough songs reference Norfolk beach towns!

Too Real - FONTAINES DC - pure power and energy.  Love it.

Two Halves - Richard Dawson - what an artist and performer.  There is no-one else like him at the moment and his songs make incredible statements.  This is a lighter one though that  always makes me smile, breaking down the drama of a football game. How many songs could include this line and make it sound poetic: "Stop fannying around, keep it nice and simple” / "You're not Lionel Messi, just pass the bloody ball”

Disco Peanuts - Warmduscher - boom - take that.  What an audio assault.  So much fun.

We Just Saved Christmas Day - Birdlip Primary School - yes it’s narcissistic to include your own music, but I’m proud of this song and the children’s incredible singing.  This was a great project to part of and I hope it provides the kids with a great memory for years to come.