2SER’s Favourite Music of 2024!
Welcome to 2SER’s Favourite releases of the year!
2024 has been a bumper year for new music, both here and abroad.
It has also been a huge year for Australian music, and 2SER has been proud to support so much of it throughout this year. Our main rotation features well over 50% local Eora/Sydney and Australian artists, with hundreds of bands, producers and event promoters also being guests on 2SER throughout 2024 . Another highlight for 2024 is the incredible Live at 2SER video series created by Soft Spot Recordings. Check those out here
To make some sense of everything that has come out in 2024, we asked your favourite presenters from across 2SER to have a good think, and share some of the gems that have been ruling their headphones and radio shows. It’s an amazing list, featuring big hitters and obscurities from across the musical landscape and world. Read on and enjoy, and thanks for listening and supporting 2SER in 2024!
Boo Boo Muck and Del Piero
Love Buzz (Saturdays 8pm / Mondays 2pm)
Fille Sauvage – Fleur
Fille Sauvage LP/CD/Cassette by Fleur
Since Fleur first graced us with her first electrifying 7” in 2019, we’ve been hooked on her effortlessly captivating sound. Now, with Fille Sauvage, her third album released in 2024, Fleur has outdone herself, embracing a rawer, wilder edge. With its focus on a raw garage sound, the album features gritty guitars and pounding drums, all charged with an electrifying energy that crackles throughout.
Mark ten Hoor, Dutch cult legend and frontman of The Kryng, pens all the tracks, and his signature intensity shines through—think scorching guitar solos and African rhythms blending with the sultry power of Fleur’s voice. There’s a sense of playful rebellion, with Fleur pushing boundaries in ways we didn’t know we needed.
For fans of The Monks, The Troggs, The Pleasure Seekers combined with Jacqueline Taïeb or Françoise Hardy, Fille Sauvage is your new obsession!
Say She She – I believe I Miracles/ C’est Si Bon (45)
I Believe In Miracles / C’est Si Bon by Say She She
Say She She, the soulful female-led trio, are back with their Disodelic message and that message is “Move that body”! This 7” single take from their album Silver serves up two slices of pure joy, but it’s the B-side, C’est Si Bon, that steals the spotlight. This French discodelia anthem is an invitation to surrender to joy, a bi-lingual burst of warmth and rhythm that can’t help but make you move. It’s a track that wears its irresistibility on its sleeve, capturing that perfect moment of freedom when the world feels a little lighter.
On the A-side, the trio’s cover of Jackson Sisters’ I Believe in Miracles takes things up a notch, with funky production from Orgone’s Sergio Rios. It’s a track that fills the room with an electric energy that’s almost impossible to resist. Say She She’s Silver is a boundary-pushing masterpiece, and this single is just a taste of their vibrant world. Don’t sleep on it.
La Luz – News of the Universe
News of the Universe by La Luz
News of the Universe is the fifth studio album by the California-based bad Led by Shana Cleveland. And it is a melodic cosmic ride through the edges of beauty and chaos. With a sound that’s both urgent and transcendent, the album embodies the wild emotional landscape Cleveland navigated after a life-altering breast cancer diagnosis just two years after the birth of her son. It’s a surreal blend of dark psychedelia and surf-noir, where the guitars seem to race against time, like a frantic confession before the world ends.
News of the Universe is full of moments that shimmer with hope, like “Blue Moth Cloud Shadow,” or erupt in raw power, like the triumphant “Always in Love.” The songcraft is enhanced by a full, all-female team, including producer Maryam Qudus, whose innovative ideas pushed La Luz into thrilling new territory.
La Luz’s sound is a dazzling mix of cosmic rhythms and earthy reflections, making this single a perfect snapshot of their evolution into a band that not only embraces change, but thrives in it.
Vinny Ramone
The Outpost (Thursdays 12pm)
WAXAHATCHEE – TIGERS BLOOD
Waxahatchee is the musical outlet for American singer-songwriter Katie Crutchfield, being named after the Waxahatchee Creek, in Crutchfield’s native Alabama. Originally a stripped back bedroom recording solo project, the recordings have evolved to now being fully blown band projects, with Crutchfield’s astonishing vocals always front and centre.
Tigers Blood is Waxahatchee’s 6 th album in 13 years and the follow up to 2020’s breakthrough record Saint Cloud. It’s an artist at her creative peak, having shredding her demons. It’s a complicated album, trying to figure out what’s next. The song 365 pertaining to co-dependency and relationships with addicts –
When you fail, I fail, when you fly, I fly. And it;s a long way to come back down.
On this record the band includes MJ Lenderman (Wednesday) on guitar and adding vocals on tracks like the heartbreakingly beautiful single Right Back To It. Spencer Tweedy (son of Jeff) is also there on drums.
The recent Opera House show was next level, Crutchfield’sremarkable effortless singing, one for the ages. And those boots, those silver boots!
IDLE ACHES – MT. MORNING
The Toowoomba QLD based band, formally known as Suicide Swans, rebranded themselves and morphed into Mt. Morning a couple of years back. Idle Aches is their 2 nd album under the new moniker. The band effortlessly blending alt-country and indie rock, though on this record it’s less country and a lot more of the rock, but still rooted in 1960s/70s twang.
The band’s ever creative and prolific singer-songwriter Kyle Jenkins is front and centre in what is his prime musical outfit, whilst still juggling solo albums and diverse side projects. Idle Aches retains the band’s DIY focus, recorded organically over just 2 days by band member Ben Lancaster, with the band playing live in a theatre, utilising a bunch of outboard analog gear. Real old school and keeping with Mt. Morning’s distinctive garage sound.
And with the closing punch in the guts 2 minute track Dull Fangs, you’re left wanting more.
VARIOUS ARTISTS Stanley Records – HOTTER THAN DONUT GREASE (split 7” vinyl EP)
Sydney indie label Stanley Records has been punching above its weight for around 15 years now, with so many great releases. They predominantly do alt-country, with a punk rock ethos. Their latest release is a split 7” vinyl EP, showcasing 3 bands with a new song from each.
Label head honcho Dave Favours opens the batting on the A side with his band Dave Favours & the Roadside Ashes. Their song Two Car Garage a quick fire ode to how the other side
lives. Newcastle newbies Grand Pricks balance out the middle order with Formula Juan (earning bonus points for their on-stage Lou Reed man bag at live shows). On the flipside and holding up the tail there’s the prized red cherry of the record, with the band to watch if and when they put out a full album, The Tall Stories. Fronted by Brock Henry (ex-Wayward Henrys with his ex) their song is Chronica Majora. Get it on strawberry pink or chocolate brown donut coloured vinyl.
Jasmin Williams
Dream State (Sundays 8am)
Adrianne Lenker – Bright Future
Bright Future by Adrianne Lenker
In my humble opinion, Adrianne Lenker has mastered the art of melancholic folk. The Big Thief frontwoman shines in her immaculate fifth solo album, ‘Bright Future’. From the absolutely gut wrenching opening track ‘Real House’, to the twangy folk of ‘Fool’ to the re-working of the viral Big Thief track ‘Vampire Empire’, Lenker shines and shows audiences she’s worked hard to master her craft. Every song is distinct and different from the next, yet they interweave and cling onto each other like a vine on a windowsill.
As someone who is an avid Big Thief and Adrianne Lenker fan, I nervously awaited the arrival of this album. But when I was met with a body of work so showstopping back in March, I couldn’t remember why I was nervous in the first place.
I can’t say this doesn’t also have a pretty sentimental undertone. Adrianne Lenker has soundtracked a lot of my personal life this year. When I met my partner, this album was one of the first things we spoke about, How lovely it is when you can relate to people on such a deep level on such abstract things like art.
This album is phenomenal, and I implore everyone who hasn’t yet indulged to take a bite.
Fav Tracks: Evol, Sadness As A Gift and Vampire Empire
Charli xcx – Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat
Best of 2024 lists wouldn’t be complete this year without the addition of Charli xcx’s groundbreaking album, Brat. Regardless of if you’re a fan of hers or not, you can’t deny the cultural impact that Brat has had on us as a society.
From the viral brat green to the multiple remix albums, I feel like this is the era in which Charli burst onto the mainstream stage. But taking the cake for me, was the collaborative version of this iconic album. Featuring collaborations with artists like Ariana Grande, Caroline Polachek and Julian Casablancas, this saw the amped-up world of brat, combined with some of the biggest artists to give their own take on Charli’s tracks.
For me, the collaboration between Lorde and Charli was a LONG TIME COMING and was a highlight track of the year that did not disappoint. A special mention to ‘I think about it all the time featuring bon iver’. In true Bon Iver fashion, he took a song that was already quite emotional and turned it into an utterly gut-wrenching existential crisis.
Fav Tracks: Girl, so confusing featuring lorde, I think about it all the time featuring bon iver and Guess featuring billie eilish.
Emma Volard – Alibi
2024 wouldn’t be complete without the masterful second album from Naarm-based powerhouse, Emma Volard.
A unique combination of genres, Emma Volard has perfected every track on this album. They combine elements of neo-soul, jazz and funk in a way that hooks in listeners, and provides a unique and palatable listening experience.
This was truly an album that stopped me in my tracks after my first listen, completely enamouring me and reminding me just how much talent we have right here in our corner of the world. I truly implore everyone who may not be familiar with Emma to go listen to this album, you will be a changed person!
Fav Tracks: Minds Eye & Darker Waters
Berko and Mick
Static (8pm Thursdays)
Mercury Rev – Born Horses (LP)
Born Horses by Mercury Rev
Another curveball from a band who’ve made a habit of always swinging for the fences, the tenth studio album from the Catskills’ sonic explorers saw them trek into unchartered territory yet again. How to follow up a (relatively) faithful album of covers from the Bobbie Gentry songbook, with a whole lot of guest vocalists? Why, free-jazz, torch songs and ambient spoken-word interludes, of course! Those elements had always been in the Rev playbook somewhere, but they came to the fore when the band decided to pay homage to some of their formative influences – they namechecked Broadway tunes, lonesome blues, Chet Baker, beat poet Robert Creeley, Vangelis’ “Blade Runner” soundtrack and Miles Davis’ “Sketches Of Spain” as touchstones, as well as minimalist composer Tony Conrad whom guitarist Grasshopper had been a student of at Buffalo in the 1980s. There was a noir mood to a song like the bruised ballad “Your Hammer, My Heart”, which swung like Angelo Badalamenti’s “Twin Peaks” score in its tail end. And frontman Jonathan adopted an almost-whispered vocal delivery, which let his words dance on songs like the soaring closer “There’s Always Been A Bird In Me”. It was a fearless, heartfelt excursion – when we spoke to the band on “Static”, Jonathan said ‘You get turned-on by the uncertainty of it all. Of course at times that can run horns-in to the audience desire for consistency.’ A Horse to place your bets on, it was one fine equine.
Listen to this year’s “Static” interview with Mercury Rev here.
Parsnip – Behold (LP)
Behold by Parsnip
One of the most fun-filled, frolicsome albums of the year, the second full-lengther from the Naarm collective opened with the sound of laughter (on mighty bop “Monument”) and kept up that playfulness throughout. Collecting songs written by all four band members, it was stuffed with ideas and instruments – it incorporated 12-string and acoustic guitars, percussion, piano, saxophone and harmonium all sitting comfortably together alongside harmonies and whistling. These psych-flecked jams were Kinks-style mini-symphonies that also worked as whip-smart pop ditties, and were unafraid to nod cheerfully to their influences – taking a cue from 60s garage stalwarts Love, there was even a “7 & 7 Is”-style canned explosion in the outro to “The Babble”. There was depth in its lyrics and themes, too – “Turn To Love” incorporated some words from 16th century Hindu mystic Mirabai – but also a gentle reminder not to take things too seriously (‘My head is gonna split in two, fix it with flour and glue’ they demanded on ultimate bop “Papier-Mâché”). One to (Be)hold close.
Listen to this year’s “Static” interview with Parsnip here.
Bolis Pupul – Letter To Yu (LP)
Letter To Yu by Bolis Pupul
The debut solo album from Charlotte Adigéry’s partner-in-crime was love-letter as much to his family and heritage, as it was to club jams and weird pop. The son of a Belgian dad and Hong Kong-born Chinese mum, like Charlotte Bolis grew up in Ghent as a mixed-race child looking for a way to fit in. His mother’s tragic death in 2008 inspired him to investigate his roots – he went to evening school to learn Chinese, and it was a pilgrimage to Hong Kong that pulled the album into focus (the opening title track namechecks Ma Tau Wai Road, which is where his mum was born). While its lyrics touched on big personal themes, musically it was also a record of vibrance and joy that nodded not just to European and Asian musical history but also brought in strands of Detroit techno, Chicago house and more. It veered from sparkling electro-disco (“Spicy Crab”) to industrial throbbers (“Doctor Says”) to melancholy synth-pop (“Completely Half”), and showcased a mixed-genre mélange in keeping with the record’s multicultural explorations. A love Letter to the joy of music and family.
Listen to this year’s “Static” interview with Bolis Pupul here.
Reenie
Crossing the Streams (Wednesdays 2pm)
Al Doyle – Zero Nothing EP
Is this EP a rare case of contractual obligation gone right?
Am I even allowed to say that???
Al Doyle, of LCD Soundsystem and Hot Chip, fulfills all your wildest indie disco dreams with ‘Zero Nothing EP.’ It’s got a refreshing mix of both instrumental and vocal tunes that can sonically suit living rooms and nightclubs alike. A cheeky vocal from Clams Baker on ‘Look At Me Go’ links LCD Soundsystem and Warmduscher with his signature frustrated yet comedic lyricicism and the track ‘Vision Before Midnight’ is a downtempo psych chugger that should definitely have a longer version – Steel drum circle anyone?
Paul Mac – Techno Train
Tekno Train – the album by Paul Mac
I missed out on tickets to Paul Mac’s Techno Train during Vivid because it sold out almost instantly. The FOMO consumes me.
Paul Mac made a techno record using samples recorded from train sounds (including Sydney train announcements themselves) and that corresponded with a live performance + train trip around the Sydney CBD. Thus, Techno Train. Probably coolest thing to ever have happened.
I never made it on the techno train and listening to this record on any old train is not the same. It’s one of my many train related regrets in life – not making a decision to commit to a date sooner. I shan’t miss another train ever again.
It really is an amazing album and ‘The Distant Horns of Hornsby’ is my favourite Australian dance release of this year. I hope someday the train shall return. Until then, you shall find me studying train timetables feverishly.
In the meantime, buy the whole album.
It’s tecHnOTrain!
Too Cold To Hold – Warmduscher
I am convinced Clams Baker is incapable of pumping out a bad vocal. All bangers, no notes, check my work. Catchy and edgy riffs, chuggy basslines, insanely tight drums and awesome production. Really ‘Top Shelf’ stuff. I also felt like this record encapsulated exactly how I was feeling the time it was released. They must’ve known. kinda creepy. nonethless, I smile when I listen to this album.
In addition to seeing Warmduscher live in London earlier this year, I was also at the album launch of one of my other favourite releases of the year – Mutado Pintado and Jonathan Dryden present ‘Poke A Hole, Let It Flow’ (sorry had to sneak an extra selection in there).
Stuart Coupe
Dirt Music (Saturdays 1pm)
KANKAWA NAGARRA – WIRLMARNI
I think fair to say that it was a surprise winner of the 2024 Australian Music prize (AMP) but a totally deserving one. The moment I heard it I immediately put three songs on Dirt Music. I should have just played all 12. It’s that good.
Wirlmarni by Kankawa Nagarra
GRACE CUMMINGS – RAMONA
Her third and best album. And the closest yet to her incendiary live performances which often have me muttering “this is what seeing Patti Smith in 1976 must have been like.”
Ramona by Grace Cummings
TUCKER ZIMMERMAN – DANCE OF LOVE
The non-Bob Zimmerman but like that Dylan guy a songwriter – for decades now – of enormous power and nuance. Now 83 years of age he’s been making records since 1969. This one is typically sublime and getting lots of (deserved) attention because of added Big Thief and in particular Adrianne Lenker.
Dance Of Love by Tucker Zimmerman
Susan Lynch
Pretzel Logic (Saturdays 11am)
Singles:
Grace Cummings – Common Man
Radio Free Alice – Johnny
Jordie Lane – Blame Me If You Want To
Felicity Cripps Band – Werewolf
Full Flower Moon Band – Illegal Things
Ziggy Ramo – Sorry
EXEK – Its Just a Flesh Wound Baby
Girl and Girl – Hello
(I could keep going)
Instrumentals…
Dubplates – Me and You
Japanese Television– Golden Birds
Yin Yin –Tokyo Disco
Khruangbin – A Love International
Way Dynamic – Duck
SO MANY GREAT ALBUMS THIS YEAR!
Danny Chifley
2SER Breakfast (Mon-Fri 6am)
In keeping with past years, seemingly since time immemorial, the music of 2024 was offensive, repetitive, immoral and just plain awesome.
It’s so hard to pick a favourite though, like picking a favourite child. I mean sure, parents all have a favourite child, but they don’t blog about it. They keep it to themselves. It’s a good strategy. Parents should keep more stuff to themselves.
The Green Child – Wow Factor
Look Familiar by The Green Child
‘Wow Factor’ by The Green Child was the song that blew me away the most when I hit play on it there doing the radio show, whenever that was. A Tuesday, perhaps? Maybe a Wednesday? I don’t remember. I forget so much, what with all the industrial cleaning products I’m exposed to on a daily basis. Hardly surprising that this song rules, what with the band being the union of Raven Mahon and Mikey Young. If you see Mikey’s name in the credits for anything, that is an indication of quality, even if he’s not playing in the band, just mixing and mastering. Mastering is the process of making audio louder. I don’t know how it works, and I don’t want to. Good song!
MJ Lenderman – Manning Fireworks
Manning Fireworks by MJ Lenderman
Album of the year goes to ‘Manning Fireworks’ by MJ Lenderman. MJ has it all – he can write a song, he’s an absolutely gnarly shredder (ask your parents, kids), he’s good looking and he’s also apparently excellent at basketball. So while I despise him on a personal level, this is an undeniable record. No skips! But yeah, I hate that guy, like the guy from Top Gear hates Princess Meghan, on a cellular level, with no good reason whatsoever.
Best value song of the year is ‘Blue Dada‘ by Dummy. It’s like three songs in one, all of them good. As a person juggling love and a career in the big city, songs with this sort of efficiency and economy are just what I’m after.
Best song with an underlying message is ‘Burn It‘ by RONA. RONA. is the electronic project of Kaytetye producer Rona Glynn-McDonald, building some bad-ass beats, straight outta Mparntwe in the Central Desert. All hail the Queen.
Speaking of Queens, shout outs to Emily Wurramara whose NARA album was recently named Best Adult Contemporary Album at the ARIA Awards. It is also suitable for children.
We do not have enough space for all of the honourable mentions. My thanks to all of the presenters and staff at 2SER, special mention to Music Director Lachlan Holland, for the great music you’ve introduced to the world throughout 2024.
Lachlan Holland
2SER Music Director
Dina Ögon – Orion
Dina Ögon translates from Swedish as “Your Eyes”, and they’re a group that have been quietly honing their distinct take on soul and tropicalia for many years now, their third record is a beautifully conceived collection of hazy, dreamlike modern soul with a strong influence of Brazilian disco and world sounds. It locks into highly textured, laid-back grooves and rides to the stars and back – a definite winner for repeated listens, particularly if you have a love of vintage recording aesthetics and celestial soul. This came out in February and as the heat returns I’m reminded of what a sleeper gem this is.
Yirinda – Yirinda
Translating as “Now” in Butchulla language, Yirinda is the musical union of songman Fred Leone and multi-instrumentalist Samuel Pankhurst.
It’s a genre-breaking fusion of avante-garde electronics interlaced with story, language and culture. In combining elements of freeform ambient, IDM, and experimental musicianship, both synthesised and acoustic, in tandem with the commanding performance of Leone, they’ve delivered one of the most compelling and otherworldly records of 2024.
Gimmy – Things Look Different Now
Things Look Different Now by GIMMY
Things Look Different Now is the debut from Byron-based Gemma Owens: an eclectic, yet cohesive, album that intertwines influences of surf, garage, new wave, folk and much more while touching on themes of relationships, ageing, life phases and self-empowerment:
“My music is a representation of my raw expression in all its diverse forms. It allows all the different shades of my inner world to be expressed into the outer world. My songs are representations of messages to myself and my thought processes toward different worldly topics”.
Local imprint Third Eye Stimuli had a blazing 2024 (Arbes, The Dharma Chain and many others), and here they put out one of the most accomplished Australian records of the year.
Jack Gembtisky & Cameron Furlong
The Thursday Daily (Thursdays 9am)
Dead Witch – Sunshine (single)
When I listen to psychedelic rock, Dead Witch is what I’m looking for. The kaleidoscopic powerhouse have unleashed my favourite track of the year with ‘Sunshine’; a love song drenched in fuzzed out, brain melting psychedelia propelled by an incredible bassline, swaggering guitar wizardry and sparkling amorous vocals. ‘Sunshine’ captures the excitement of a new romance in all its intensity, attraction, and electric excitement, and is the perfect track to welcome in the 2024 summer and all the adventures it brings.
Kim Gordon – The Collective (LP)
The Collective by Kim Gordon
The latest solo album from Kim Gordon is an experimental wonderland of dark and nuanced sound collages and sinister propulsions. Each track is different and challenging and showcases Gordon’s mastery of her medium. There are absolute bangers here and bizarre otherworldly journey’s; take the plunge and join The Collective, we are waiting for you!
Don’t Thank me Spank Me – S/T
Don’t Thank Me, Spank Me! by Don’t Thank Me, Spank Me!
What fun this album is. Raunchy, snarky, and snappy, the debut album from the gals is a highlight of the year. Full of raucous and wild guitar and drums this album is one you can really let your hair down to and sing loudly and proudly into a hairbrush in the bathroom mirror. Jack’s interview with Don’t Thank Me, Spank Me! is one of my favourite Thursday Daily interviews, and I will be forever jealous that he got them all to himself.
Standout track: Be My Forever
Rowena Wise – Senseless Acts of Beauty
Senseless Acts of Beauty by Rowena Wise
Ro’s debut 2024 album was deservedly nominated for the 2024 Australian Music Prize, and is now among albums like Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here, and This Will Destroy You’s S/T as albums that I put on when I need to breathe and give myself some space. Rowena is empathetic, helping dredge up unexplored emotions and bring them to the surface with her contemplative and melancholic music. Life of the Party opens the B-side of the record and gives you a chance to shake things out with its upbeat grunge, before settling back down for more introspection. Listening to Senseless Acts of Beauty is like a deep conversation with a close friend sitting in your car at 1am. It was an absolute pleasure getting to interview Rowena Wise on The Thursday Daily.
Standout track: Indifferent
Full Flower Moon Band – Megaflower
Megaflower by Full Flower Moon Band
My album of the year, ‘Megaflower” is an expansion of the incredible rock & roll power that makes Full Flower Moon Band such an unforgettable experience. The sharp edged rock of previous records like ‘Diesel Forever’ is still here, but the variety of love ballads and grooves with tracks like ‘Baby’ and ‘Man Hands’ showcases the band’s tender songwriting and humor, before crashing into your skull with massive rockers like ‘Westside’ and ‘Cowboy’. Get ‘Megaflower” into your playlist and experience one of Sydney’s best band’s NOW.
Sofie Loizou
Shadows of Tomorrow (Mondays / 8pm)
1tbsp – Megacity1000
megacity1000 by 1tbsp
Brisbane artist 1tbsp Megacity1000 is my pick for pure unadulterated ear candy.
Fun, frisky and fabulous, listen to the whole thing from start to finish and prepare to have your mood lifted!
Trevor El Chino
Departure Lounge (Saturdays 3pm)
Ella Thompson – Ripple on a Wing
Ripple On The Wing by Ella Thompson
Ripple on the Wing is the latest album from Ella Thompson. Creating a mix of
cinematic soul, drawing influences European sound library music, soul and
contemporary sounds. Her band consisting of Liam McGorry (Ex-Olympian)
and produced with Henry Jenkins (Karate Boogaloo), feature members of
Surprise Chef. Inter woven with Ellas’ emotion voice and poetic lyrics, the
band lay down a solid backing with drums, bass and catchy melodic horn lines
that creates a unique sound.
Mentored by Australian soul pioneer Renee Geyer, Thompson crafts mood
music across a range of styles and stories. There’s also the lullaby-like ‘Little
Star’, Omen, inspired the work of William Blake, while ‘Let There Be Nothing’
are some of the stand out tracks. Also check out, Ella Haber, single of the
year, Walk On, a perfect soul single that goes deeper into the soul of human
relationships.
Audrey Powne – From The Fire
Feed The Fire by Audrey Powne
Audrey Powne, Naarm based trumpet player, vocalists and multi instrumentalist, creates a beautiful textured album, reflecting on her own experiences and the environment that she lives in. Influenced by seventies spiritual jazz artists, like Archie Shepp, Herbie Hancock, Audrey creates an poetic and orchestrated in each song that flows like concept album from start to finish. Tracks include Sleep, which is about lucid dreams during a period of mild insomnia she experienced about her grandmother. And the title track ‘From the Fire’ is about optimism and te sensation of rebirth and or a second
chance of experience and growth. Also check out the remixes of some of her
tracks by Atjazz, which is permanent favourite in my DJ bag.
Another Taste – Space Grape
Another Taste by Another Taste
Another Tastes debut album brings together a blend of boogie, 70’s funk and obscure disco – chanelling
the sounds of the Mizell Brothers, Re-birthing and unearthing forgotten sounds and reinventing them for
the modern era. A recipe they’ve been cooking up successfully over the last years in the studio, through
their label Space Grapes. Another Taste is a Rotterdam-born concept band formed by a group of
longtime friends, consisting of Bobby van Putten (keys), Bob Roche (bass), Barend Lippens (keys) and
Teun van Zoggel (drums).
Other artist on the label worth check is Mad Honey and Jerboam.
Mick Rad and Jules LaFevre
The Tuckshop (Sundays 6pm)
Gordi – Lunch at Dune (ft. SOAK)
Lunch At Dune EP by Gordi, SOAK
Addicted to this song for the gorgeous dance of voices between Gordi and SOAK, the minimalist build-up, the tenderness mixed with heartfelt lyrics. I’ve been running it since it came out!
Radio Free Alice – Johnny
This band will be huge as they release killer song after killer song. This track, taken from their Polyester EP gives massive BritPop/Cure vibes that will have you bouncing. Also, they’re 22. It’s just the beginning.
Jerome Blaze – Is This What I Have Missed?
This song has so many components and they all fit together like a perfect puzzle. Taking the cream of the Sydney music scene’s crop, Jerome has composed a song that highlights their best talents into a masterpiece.
Lachlan A’Court
The Tuesday Daily (Tuesdays 9am)
The Tibbs – Ain’t It Funny
Ain’t It Funny / Give Me a Reason by The Tibbs
When this came on in the studio for the first time I genuinely had no choice but to turn it all the way up and have a little dance in my seat. It’s just so fun, and any song that has a brass section in it is instantly cooler than 99% of other songs. I got home and played it to a bunch of my friends and it has been circulating through my various playlists ever since. It’s one of the first songs I added to my list of songs to play for my last show of the year for 2024.
Ella Haber – Walk On
When this song started playing during the show I wasn’t paying much attention- I think I had some other stuff I needed to get ready for later on so was a bit distracted. But that quickly changed when the chorus kicked in. Like with The Tibbs, I just had to turn it all the way up and enjoy it! In fact, I loved it so much that I sneakily played it twice in one show because I just wanted to listen again. Ella has such a cool voice too, and if I could sing like that then I would never stop.
Christine Gallagher
Wide Open Air Exchange (Mondays at 630pm; Saturdays at 1030am)
This year I nominate three debut albums of artists who have been guests on the Wide Open Air Exchange and whose music has featured on 2SER.
A Song For You – Home
The vocal ensemble with a rotation of 50 members from a community of artists in the Berlin live soulful music scene. Co-founder Dhanesh Jayaselan was a guest on the Wide Open Air Exchange sharing the origins and ethos of the project which serves to elevate the voices and stories of BIPOC artists.
Listen to Dhanesh Jayasalen (A Song For You) on Wide Open Air Exchange here.
Magnets – DIPLACUSIS
Magnets, aka Dr Siobhan McGinnity a clinical audiologist, disability advocate, and multidisciplinary artist. As a guest on the Wide Open Air Exchange, Magnets shared some of the themes of the album related to self-acceptance and identity and discussed her PhD thesis on the prevention of hearing injury in the music industry.
Listen to Magnets interview on Wide Open Air Exchange here.
Kankawa Nagarra – Wirlmarni
Walmatjarri elder and winner of the Australian Music Prize. Kankawa spoke with the Wide Open Air Exchange whilst touring the album and shared how blues music resonates with her as a “soothing ointment” for healing pains and mending scars and her motivations for environmental activism.
Listen to the Kankawa Nagarra’s interview on Wide Open Air Exchange here.
Josh Ray
2SER Music Correspondent at large
Vampire Weekend – Only God Was Above Us
One of the best albums I have heard in my entire life (from an atheist).
Julia Holter – Something in the Room She Moves
The one and only prerequisite to a Julia Holter album ending up in my favourite albums of the year list is that she actually releases an album. She did just that in 2024. Something in the Room She Moves is so stunning that you might brush past the fact that Julia Holter is singing things like ‘What is the opposite love in becoming fish?’ or ‘The porpoise is clear’. At perhaps the best moment on the album she sings the words ‘I can intuit stucco’, a sentence I’m sure no one else in human history has ever said. This album makes me think that Julia Holter would do a good set at my local florist.
Something in the Room She Moves by Julia Holter
Spirit of the Beehive – You’ll Have To Lose Something
I often forget that I’m a fully autonomous being when I listen to this album. There’s so much stuff in it. Disorientating af. If you’ve ever showed up to work or school on 2 hours sleep following a laborious all-nighter, this album sounds like the wave of delirium and complete inability to comprehend that might hit you if you stand up too fast anywhere between 1 or 2pm.
YOU’LL HAVE TO LOSE SOMETHING by SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE
Eddie Yutts
Super Fun Time Happy Hour (Sundays 11am)
Glass Beams – Mahal (EP)
World beating Indian funk-soul from Melbourne based group on the Ninja Tune label. Solid timeless grooves from start to end that doesn’t let up even when it chills out a bit. Addictive from the first listen.
Barkaa + Big Tidda (EP)
Unbelievably hard bars from Barkaa across this EP that just keep revealing new lyrical nuggets every listen. An incredible release, super exciting to think what might be coming next.
Molly Nillson – Un-American Activities
Un-American Activities by Molly Nilsson
The tenth (!) studio album from Berlin based Swedish artist Molly Nillson is another gorgeous collection of lo-fi synth pop with her politics more in the fore, but without a hint of doom or gloom.
Eyes Ninety – Neon Brown
Brisbane garage rock super group of local scene legends getting loose to tape on their best album yet. Veering into kraut rock jams and hypnotic repetition, with joyful wonky sax on very happy occasions.
Jim White – All Hits: Memories
All Hits: Memories by Jim White
The greatest drummer in the world makes an experimental record of mostly just playing the drums with some occasional musical interludes and sound effects. I think it’s jazz?
Cathy Kirkpatrick
A Direction Home (Saturdays 7am)
Sarah Blasko – I Just Need To Conquer This Mountain (LP)
I Just Need To Conquer This Mountain by Sarah Blasko
The journey of this seventh studio album began when Blasko and a lifelong friend parted ways. The rupture sent her back in time… remembering and reflecting on relationships, beliefs, feelings and fears as a young adult. The core of the album is Blasko’s piano playing and her voice, both more exposed than in previous more heavily layered releases. The songs are haunted and haunting, appearing in my dreams and quietly playing behind my waking hours. It’s confessional, as feelings and memories, deeds and desires are processed; working her way up a mountain of current wants, past dreams, lost relationships, and the longing to be oneself and fully free. Haunting brilliance.
Grace Cummings – Ramona (LP)
Ramona by Grace Cummings
An arresting embodiment of humanity, in its fragility and power, uncertainness and then suddenly command. With sonic scapes that can suggest Crosby Stills Nash, then Marianne Faithful and Lou Reed, to The Beatles, then crashing into Crazy Horse…. Cummings is a once in a generation artist. Watch and pray…
Karl S. Williams : Heartwood (LP)
Heartwood (Solo) by Karl S. Williams
Currently based on the Gold Coast, Williams stumbled upon an offer of some free studio time, complete with a Neve console and grand piano. With little time to prepare new material, as a sonic experiment he recorded solo versions of songs from his first release, ten years prior. The result is crisp and deep, slow and exposed, soul-soaked and breath-taking.
Monica Chalmers and Mitchell Lumsden
Newfangled(Saturdays 8am)
Mon:
Smallways – Cool Down
Mitch:
CRACK CLOUD – Red Mile (LP)
Crack Cloud’s third full-length LP Red Mile offers the Canadian art-rock/punk group a chance to celebrate their homecoming to Calgary, after years spent living away from home. However, in doing so they pose the question: “What is the meaning of home?” In navigating the polarizing modern world and the meaning of one’s home after growing and changing abroad, the group use themes of community and togetherness to tackle this question throughout the album.
Red Mile tastefully incorporates a litany of sonic influences, with psychedelic guitars and growling sax and synthesizers crashing into grand orchestral arrangements and explosive punk outbursts. The record explores a wide range of emotions, with tracks like “Lack of Lack” toying with the tension of its uneasy psychedelic jams, whilst sharing tender and tearful moments on the closing tracks, “Ballad of Billy” and “Lost On The Red Mile”. Red Mile’s sense of community and unified performances from all nine band members extend an invitation to the listener, to join in and revel in the crack of life!
ENGLISH TEACHER – This Could Be Texas (LP)
This Could Be Texas by English Teacher
2024 has been a whirlwind year for Mercury prize winners English Teacher, with their debut studio album This Could Be Texas receiving an ever-growing list of accolades. The songwriting and performances across this record are second to none, as the Leeds-based alt-rockers create a powerful blend of angular and angsty rock anthems and heartfelt ballads.
Front-woman Lily Fontaine’s lyricism and vocal performances are a standout feature of this album, challenging race and gender stereotypes within the music industry on tracks like “RnB” while reflecting on experiences of her upbringing and heartbreak on tracks like “Broken Biscuits” and “Blister My Paint”. With a heavy influx of praise still rolling in, English Teacher poise themselves as one of the bands you have to watch in the future, as This Could Be Texas leaves audiences eager and optimistic for what’s to come next.
Rik Saunders
Heavy Demo (10pm Sundays)
MOMI – MOMI001 (LP)
MOMI001 by MOMI
Kankawa Nagarra – Wirlmarni (LP)
G2G – The Gherkin (LP)
Threatnique
Beatheads (Sundays 8pm)
Wisdwm – Trips.
There is some real magic captured in this beat, everytime i hear it I zone off into different thoughts and places, the soulful sample with a bouncy drum pattern that swings you back and forth is the ride thats reminiscent of life with all its ups and downs !
Herzeloyde – Buzzy
Fresh off the press this last month ! widely expressive electronic music with a range of feelings and styles, the instrumental album presents multiple changes and genre exploring. This is the equivalent of electronic classical music.
Soii & Atoribeats – Collages
This is one of the most Incredible masterpieces, with intelligent sampling and skillful techniques to embody a whole entire album solely consisting of vinyl samples using classic mpc’s, sp1200 and rack samplers (romplers). This album always leaves me speechless. A night in with headphones is an experience sure to leave the listener with a meditative perspective.
The Wicked Bandit
The New Style (Fridays 8pm)
DXVNDRE – SAMOAN STEVEY
Absolutely killer features, beats and bars, Dre’s debut release is one of this years best projects. So great to see all his hard work accumulate on one body of work. Fav tracks – Rick Rude, King of the Ring, Mogul, Suplex City, Farcry, and Regardless
Emjaysoul & Tahkoe – Tahkoes and Soulfood
4
All of emjay’s projects this year have been fire. I loved this project with Tahkoe but also the album SOMERAPTRACKS with Gunao C. So impressive that such young dudes have such a sophisticated and solid sound. Beats of course are impeccable- the sampling, the drums, the steeze. Emjays got it going on. Fav tracks: Entrée, Crème Brûlèe, Fried Rice
POSSESHOT – PS4: OPERATION BURNER RAP
Fresh cold Melbourne steeze. I’m a sucker for most things Posseshot are doing. I think the way they speak so clearly to their audience and stay authentic to themselves is super refreshing. They are truly in their own lane when it comes to creating real community all over the country. Their latest release PS4, is another Australian hip hop classic to add to the collection. Put together in the span of a couple of months and an accidental almost burning down of their studio in Melbourne to shoot the cover art, you know it’s full of absolute steeze. Fav tracks: Fire & Ice, Def Sentence, Hypnotic Hands, Looking For Something, Big Jacket Big Steeze, Lazt Onez Left
A.Saxon & SB11 – Who Dares Wins
Seriously what is in the water over in Perth??? I’m so impressed by SB11 and by collaborator A.Saxon’s joint project this year, Who Dares Wins. I remember hearing the single linked above about a year ago and loved so much the combination of the raw and rigid super aussie delivery of Saxon combined with this lush, expansive, sample driven beats. It’s such a good combination and makes for tracks that make you feel ten feet tall. One track in particular, The Co-Sign, featuring huge international legend Koncept Jack$on, is a tune I have rinsed at so many gigs this year.
Fav Tracks: The Co-Sign, Gadget Type Operators, Hen’s Teeth, Achilles Heel, Doff The Cap
Rapaport – Roadkill
Maybe I’m a bit bias on this one, but so nice to have this album released this year by Sydney’s Rapaport. This album shows off Rapaport’s skills and versatility as a song writer and his incredible musicality as it is entirely self-produced. It’s so nice to have a record that shows this off, as when you see Rapaport live you want to then turn to a record that emanates that experience as much as possible, and this one does it for me. So many expansive themes of love, loss, friendship, and the moving of time (all the big things in life) this is definitely one of the most heartfelt releases of 2024. Fav tracks: The Gardener, Rats, No Comparison, Old News, Roadkill, Sandcastles
Annie Lee and Chris Calthorpe
The Monday Daily (Mondays 12pm)
Close Counters – On the Move feat. Tiana Khasi
ON THE MOVE! feat. Tiana Khasi by Close Counters, Tiana Khasi
“One of my favourite singles this year was “On the Move” by Close Encounters and Tiana Khasi. It’s such a fun vibrant song that really gets me going!! (going where you ask? Hypes me up for my Monday Daily show of course!)
About artist: Tiana Khasi is Naarm based singer with great soul vocals.
If you love this single, check out: Tirzah!!
Gailla – 536
Over The Earth, Under by Gailla
536 is such a beautiful song about the importance of climate protection and preserving our futures, really gives me 60’s folk and prog rock. The whole album Over The Earth, Under is really special.
Gailla is a sydney based artist with an amazing band, who play such a wide variety of instruments.
If you love this single, check out: Andie!!
Annie’s Faves 🙂
GIMMY – Watered a Fern
Things Look Different Now by GIMMY
When it comes to the end of the year, the summery vibe of “Watered a Fern” by GIMMY is a MUST ADD for any good summer playlist! The beauty of this song is so vibrant and catchy (perfect to lift the mood at any gathering) but hidden underneath are some very realistic concerns everyone is facing (cost of living, where we are in life compared to everyone else & keeping our plants alive). So perfect for all kinds of vibes, especially as we reflect on the end of the year. An excellent track off her debut album, “Things Look Different Now”
GIMMY is a solo project by Bryon region based artists creating music with surf garage and indi rock vibes.
Total Tommy – Losing Out
“Losing out” by Total Tommy is a slow burn starting quietly , but kicks up a huge notch during the chorus, which I feel like reflects on progression from disbelief to anger one might feel when losing a close friend. If you have some pent up frustrations and need a song to rage to (and leave all negatives behind in 2024) this needs to be your new go-to song! A fan favourite off her debut album, “Bruises”.
Total Tommy is a Sydney based artist creating music that features alternative, indi rock vibes with bedroom pop mixed in.
She popped in for a chat in March and you can listen back to the interview, here!
tiffi – Chemtrails
One of the first singles released from her latest album Cold Medicine, which saw a shift in tiffi’s artistry from bedroom pop to a more rockier and edgier indi-pop track. A super fun and catchy tune that reflects on an unexpected end of a relationship and its uncanny connections to the past and present. Another must add to your summer playlist!
tiffi is a Western Sydney based artist, producing woozy, indi pop tracks that still touch on her earlier bedroom pop vibes.
She popped in for a chat in May and you can listen back to the interview, here!
North Arm – Everything you
Another must add to your summer playlist, “Everything you” by North Arm, this warm shimmery single with mellow vocals and a catchy guitar loop will have you in your feels reflecting on all the amazing people in your life that you met and spent time with this year. A hidden gem off their latest album, “Stay Young”.
North Arm is a solo musical project by Newcastle raised, North Arm Cove based artist Roderick Smith, creating breezy indi rock tunes.
Jonathan Chang
Eleanor Godley
The Friday Daily (Fridays 9am)
Hober Mallow
Sonic Interventions – Do you Remember
Do You Remember? by Sonic Interventions
Sonic interventions appeared in the closing months of the year on Agogo Records with a fire single (Twasa) and then mic dropped with this incredible debut album. Based in Berlin, and beginning as a live jamming group on the jazz scene in 2020, Sonic Interventions are a huge collective drawing on the musical diaspora based in that city, representing over fifteen countries and five continents. This record piles in everything from Afrobeat, Funk, Xhosa, Electronics, Jazz and much more, without ever losing focus or direction. Aus is also represented here by Ziggy Zeitgeist (of Zeitgest Freedom Energy Exchange) and this is killer record of politically conscious outerworldly sounds. They pressed it to so keep an eye out for the vinyl.
Blockhead – Reality is Lit!
Mortality Is Lit! by Blockhead
Blockhead is (one of) the solo production alias’ of James Anthony Simon, a Manhattan based producer who has produced beats and records for Aesop Rock, among others. What’s refreshing about it’s both impeccably produced by also so self-effacing and weird. Self-help tapes, mariachi records, film scores, 90s boom-bap beats and a tonne of other sources are thrown into the mix. It’s an all you can eat sample-fest and it’s delicious. Also on wax as a 2LP.
Sun Atlas – Return to the Spirit
RETURN TO THE SPIRIT by SUN ATLAS
Menacing guitar hooks, tripped out melodies, sizzling horns and an even heavier rhythm section make this great second LP of cosmic funk instrumentlas from this mysterious LA collective.
Note: As much as possible we’ve linked to the artists bandcamp pages with buy links. If you’re loving their music and want to support, you can buy anything from records to cassettes, t-shirts or even a high quality digital audio recording of their music. It makes a big difference, especially at a time where the royalties distributed to artists by international streaming services continue to be comically low.
