CJ Morgan’s Top 50 Songs of 2024

December 15, 2024
11:47 pm
CJ Morgan Show, FEATURED

Strange times – even bad years – tend to produce the best music. This might be my most solid countdown since 2020 (aka the pandemic year). Several top ten songs could have been number one but my choice was solidified after the election (and verified by the LastFM and Spotify stats indicating I played it the most this year). Enjoy the list (or skip ahead below) and PLEASE SHARE the countdown or at least your favorite songs.

HISTORY OF THE LIST

Since 2002 I’ve made monthly mixtapes and year end lists that I would share with friends, classmates and coworkers. It quite literally started as cassette tapes recorded from the radio, then evolved to burning CDs in my high school media class or fm90’s college radio studio. Eventually it evolved into online lists and actual radio shows.

The order of the songs are based on emotions and the play count data from LastFM, iTunes and Spotify (even excel sheets once upon a time). I’m not trying to judge art, just organize a list of songs I like in a manner that might make people want to look, listen and share.

These are all 2024 releases in the genre of alternative, indie, college rock and some electronic. Other genres are listed by other people more qualified than I. When it comes to Austin music, John Laird & 101X Homegrown do a better job then I ever could.

Please SHARE AND SUPPORT these artists! I bought the songs and you can too!

TOP TEN

10) Lola Young – Wish You Were Dead

I do not miss these relationships but I do think about them. What a fun song from the fiery Lola Young!

9) Justice ft. Tame Impala – One Night/All Night

Dance music and Aussie psychedelic rock combine for this top track in both charts.

8) Foxing – Greyhound

Another not-so surprising heavy rock banger from the new(ish) direction of Foxing’s latest self titled album.

7) Vampire Weekend – Gen-X Cops

The best new song from new Vampire Weekend and what a year we had with them! Notably, their show at the Moody Amphitheater during the big eclipse.

6) Karen O, Danger Mouse – Super Breath

Karen and O and Danger Mouse have done so much on their own but these collabs are always welcomed. I even remember thinking this could be a number(ish) song the first time I heard it.

5) IDLES – Gift Horse

Tangk is one of the best albums of the year and I imaged it would be on in every pub when I visited London. Sadly, the British seem to prefer 2000’s American pop music.

4) Mannequin Pussy – Loud Bark

If I were doing an Xposure only top ten list, this song was probably my most played. I miss their show at the Mohawk earlier in the year and again at ACL Fest but will hopefully be able to rectify that soon.

3) Fontaines D.C. – Starburster

This was my staff pick on 101X and after looking at the raw data of times played, I had to move it up to number three compared to the close competition below. Fontaines comes to Austin next year and I can not wait to see the Dublin band live. Unfortunately, their show at Stubbs April 26th is sold out.

2) Jamie xx – Dafodil

Jamie xx’s In Waves is one of my favorite albums of the year and this was my top song amongst the mix. For some reason, every time I felt anxiety this song would play in my brain and sooth my feelings.

1) Foxing – Hell 99

The new Foxing album is certainly a departure from their softer sound but damn is it good. This was my most played song of the year and the 2024 election certified it as my favorite of the year.

PLAYLIST

Yeah, yeah Spotify sucks but it’s the easiest way to organize my monthly and yearly playlists. If it makes you feel better, please know that I have BOUGHT ALL of these songs (and more) on iTunes and sometimes even physical media.