New Music - 2024

Welcome to the new year! For me, it’s been a time to look back on the music I loved in 2023 and look forward to new music in 2024. There are a bunch of great songs that are out now from artists who will be releasing albums this year. Let’s dive in and see what you might like:

Green Day - “Look Ma, No Brains!”

Green Day released three songs in 2023 off of their upcoming album Savoirs. Of the three, “Look Ma, No Brains!” caught my ear the most. A return to form for the band, the song finds the trio bringing back the loser anthem they were so famous for early in their career. The punchy track is full of pounding drums, driving guitars and Billie Joe Armstrong’s angsty lyrics. Their upcoming album is due out later this month.

Future Islands - “The Tower”

The art-rock band from Charm City is back with fantastic new music. The latest single from their upcoming album, People Who Aren’t There Anymore (due out later this month), is a gorgeous, haunting, synth-rock song that highlights the beautiful vocals of lead singer Samuel T. Herring. I’ve been a fan for years and am looking forward to hearing the new songs in concert when they hit the road.

Katy Kirby - “Cubic Zirconia”

Kirby’s new album, Blue Raspberry, comes out later this month and the singer-songwriter released this deliciously catchy track. A folksy-pop song with shimmering guitars layered over sweet acoustic strums, Kirby has been working on the song for years, but was able to finish it after falling in love with a girl for the first time. Touching on what lies between authentic and fake, Kirby has written a song that anyone can relate to.

The Smile - “Wall Of Eyes”

I’ll be honest, The Smile have never really sunk in with me - that is, until the title track of their second album, Wall Of Eyes was released late last year. The newest single from Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood and Tom Skinner is eerie yet graceful. It’s taking elements of their previous work along with the best of Radiohead’s work. What Yorke and Greenwood do is pretty magical.

The Last Dinner Party - “Sinner”

They’ve been the big buzz near the end of 2023 with great anticipation of their album, Prelude to Ecstacy, and tour. A song about self-acceptance is nothing new in music, but The Last Dinner Party weave in a touch of baroque music - grandiose, dramatic and full of an energetic spirit - into their ripping guitars and bouncy piano and bass. It’s bold, it’s brash and it was one of my favorite songs of 2023.

Brittany Howard - “What Now”

The scorching title track off of Howard’s second solo album is a brutally honest look at speaking your mind without editing yourself. Its funky bassline and tight snare drum smacks drive the song with Howard’s voice reminding me of some classics like Nina Simone and Bettye LaVette. The album drops in February and if the first single is any indication, we’re in for a sophomore album that shines brighter than her debut.

Hurray for the Riff Raff - “Alibi”

The new album from HFTRR (aka Alynda Segarra), The Past Is Still Alive, was recorded a month after the death of Segarra’s father. The first single is about a last ditch effort to get through to someone you already know you’re going to lose. It’s twang and straightforward drives home deeper the point of losing time and fading memories. Painful yet beautiful, I’ll be on the lookout when the full album comes out in February.

Bleachers - “Modern Girl”

Frontman Jack Antonoff has taken time off from his mega-producing, to create this fantastic 80’s throwback tune off Bleachers upcoming album, simply entitled Bleachers. The track has a loose, fun feel complete with some fantastic saxophone work from Evan Smith. There’s shades of Springsteen and 80’s Brit-pop in an undeniably catchy tune.

Sheryl Crow - “Alarm Clock”

Fresh of being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Crow is back with her first album in five years, Evolution. The first single is a meld of her earlier rock stuff with some modern pop touches, possibly from working with super producer Mike Elizondo (Dr. Dre, Maroon 5). Crow has stated that she thought she might be done making records, but the music came from her soul. I’m really glad it did - I’m looking forward to hearing more from Crow when her album drops in March.

Lenny Kravitz - “TK421”

The funk is back with Lenny. The lead single off of Blue Electric Light, which will be Kravitz’s 12th is a kick-ass track with modern technology meeting the retro funk we come to expect from Kravitz. Is the new song a reference to Star Wars? Is it a reference to a designation of a human male Imperial stormtrooper who served on Lasan before he was stationed on the Death Star battle station? Lenny won’t say, but whatever the reference or meaning, the song definitely hits.

Dua Lipa - “Houdini”

Time to hit the dance floor with Dua Lipa! The lead single off of her upcoming album is a banger. With a hat tip to Talk Talk’s “It’s My Life” the funky, synth-driven track is very tongue in cheek, focusing on Lipa’s most light and freeing parts of singledom. There’s no release date yet for the full album, so in the meantime, let’s turn this up in the kitchen and get down!

The Collection - “Rain It Down”

When I first saw The Collection at Songbyrd back in 2022, I didn’t realize how much I’d grown to love this band and their incredible songs. The second single they released in 2023 is “Rain It Down” and it’s beautiful. Like their earlier song “Medication”, this one is a continuation of the narrative surrounding mental health. Inspiring and catchy, the anticipation I have for this album is palpable. Personally, this is my most anticipated album for 2024.

Tems - “Not An Angel”

The fantastic Nigerian singer has collaborated with some heavy hitters including Drake and Future, but never released an album. That all ends this year. “Not An Angel” is about knowing your worth and moving on in life from anything holding you back. Okay, I’m on board. It’s a blend of neo-soul and Afrobeat grooves. Can’t wait to hear more from the talented singer-songwriter.

U2 - “Atomic City”

It took a while for this one to grow on me - Does anyone else get an Oasis vibe (or “Call Me” by Blondie) from the track? I digress…It’s a pretty solid song from the boys. To me, it’s sending them back into the world of rock and roll. The title is clearly a reference to Las Vegas (the city’s nickname from the ‘40s and ‘50s). Here’s hoping the rest of the new album hits as well as this song does.

So there you have it, a sneak peek into what I’m looking forward to in 2024. How about you? What are you excited to hear this year?