While most publications have already released their end-of-year lists, Negative White is again intentionally late to the party. Trying to consider as many releases as possible.
Admittedly, I struggled heavily in compiling this year’s list. We’re living in times where more music is released every single day than in the entire year of 1989. There is no point in me claiming any authority or totality because it’s humanly impossible to listen to all new music being released.
So, take this list more as a compilation of my personal favourites, chosen from songs featured in Weekly5, in premieres we hosted, or darlings discovered throughout the year.
However, my intention was again to provide a diverse canvas with a balanced lineup of male and female artists, highlighting local Swiss musicians alongside international artists, established names and upcoming acts.
Without further ado, here are the top 24 songs of 2024:
1. Moonpools – Never Mind
When I heard Never Mind for the first time in February, I already knew: This is one of the best this year.
What the Moonpools released here is nothing but a monumental work of art. Marcie Nyffeler‘s dreamy, meandering voice, the shoegaze, stoner-heavy foundation, and the daring, melancholic keyboard melody come together in a cathartic sensation. This is truly exceptional.
2. notthingspecial – Catacombs
With her EP Where Do You Wanna Go?, rising star nothhingspecial delivered an utterly compelling collection.
The song catacombs has everything: an urging rhythm, a shamelessly catchy melody, a post-punk vibe, and—most of all—the astounding smoky voice of 20-year-old Chrissie Kühl. It beautifully amalgamates melancholy and a euphoric indie-rock spark.
3. Porcelain id – Man Down!
Not only has Porcelain id a moving life story, but they also released with Bibi:1 one of the year’s most intriguing albums.
Hubert Tuyishime, with producer Youniss Ahamad, excels in Man Down!, taking a song with folk at its core and blowing it up spectacularly to an overwhelming, brass-driven anthem without shying away from experiments nor neglecting intimacy despite its grand gestures.
4. Francis of Delirium – First Touch
In record time, First Touch by Jana Bahrich’s creative brainchild Francis of Delirium grabbed me and never let me go. Almost staccato-delivered verses flow to a vast chorus that pierces the soul with surgical precision, applying scalpel-sharp cuts of nostalgia. No one can change my mind that First Touch is one of the best love songs—ever.
5. The Cure – Endsong
Yes, The Cure’s Endsong could easily take this list’s top spot if not for my conviction to highlight newcomer artists. Words aren’t sufficient to describe this epochal hymn. Has despair ever sounded so good? The chainsaw guitar cuts through the thick wave layer, the relentless drums slowly marching to the apocalypse. Endsong is at least on par with Disintegration.
6. Linn Koch-Emmery – Ebay Armour
Linn Koch-Emmery’s sensitivity to come up with addictive hooks she brings to her indie rock composition never disappoints. Ebay Armour features a dense composition, sometimes feeling even overwhelming in its total sound. But her comforting voice guides us through the sonic thicket with a warm, glowing melody. We need more Koch-Emmerys in the world.
7. EMPIRICAL – Letz Get It
Julien Bracht’s efforts with EMPIRICAL led him to create Letz Get It, a genre-crossing anthem. The hyperactive, 2-step-styled beat juxtaposes the expanding vastness of the synths. There’s a notion of melancholia paired with anticipation, resulting in an atmospheric stream of electronic consciousness, emphasising the melody and details over hard-hitting, danceable beats.
8. Hugo Trist – Say It, Mean It
With a style poignantly coined future garage, Hugo Trist provides an eclectic sound. Between the sparks of 2-steps and soulful vocals, Say It, Mean It bridges nostalgia and futurism, a pinch of sadness and excitement. And once the massive bass drones hit, you shrink down to the most minute creature on the planet.
9. Baula – Mercury in Retrograde
Baula’s Mercury in Retrograde answers the question of whether there is something like a Wester-noir post-punk. Yes, and it sounds absolutely exhilarating. The rhythm’s unapologetic urge winds ever down into the eerie depths, where the raw sound meets a soft, whispering voice. A haunting and sinister anthem, indeed.
10. THYMIAN – Sentimental (feat. Ferran Gorrea)
Transforming from sparse post-punk to kaleidoscopic synth-pop, THYMIAN delivered some of his best work to date. In Sentimental, his voice reminds me of Depeche Mode’s Dave Gahan. The deep passion with which THYMIAN delivers this piece is impressive and beautifully emphasised by Ferran Gorrea’s saxophone.
11. The Beauty of Gemina – Countless (There's No Home)
Without a doubt, one of the best songs ever penned by Michael Sele, Countless (There’s No Home) connects The Beauty of Gemina’s dark wave roots with an acoustic, hand-crafted quality. The sombre atmosphere is perpetually intertwined with moments of light. It’s not a daring anthem but a subtle, flowing piece lulling you in its ban.
12. Evelinn Trouble – Started A Fire
With Started A Fire, Evelinn Trouble once and for all cemented her status as a bank for sophisticated rock songwriting. Driven by Trouble’s emotive vocal performance, this song’s initial nature is intimate, yet the cellos intensify further, conjuring a gritty, dark ambience and propelling the song to an overwhelming crescendo.
13. IDER – Know How It Hurts
Know How It Hurts is a feminist anthem with an unfortunate relevance. Delivered by IDER with a transfixing electropop groove, the song spreads hope through empathy and finding strength in vulnerability to continue fighting.
14. Pina Palau – Get A Dog
Pina Palau’s folk is warm, like a fire crackling in the chimney. However, Get a Dog not only shines bright musically—especially in the final crescendo—but also in its storytelling—a tale of confidence in following your path and passion.
15. Duschpalatset – Öronbarn
If Umeå-based band Duschpalatset continues to release indie-rock bangers like Öronbarn, it’s only a matter of time until they get wider acknowledgement. A minimal groove and beautiful vocals complement the addictive melody.
16. Sampha – Dancing Circles 2.0
Exquisitely mixing soul vibes with pop-esque rhythms and rap, Sampha’s Dancing Circles 2.0 is electrifying yet remains somehow laid back. Spanning the gap between vintage shades and contemporary colours with astounding ease.
17. Leech – Knock Knock
The thumping Knock Knock by Swiss post-rock legends Leech marches unwaveringly. The bells ring a haunting yet fascinating melody, and when the short string bursts hit, the song becomes an epic cinematic experience.
18. Bon Iver – THINGS BEHIND THINGS BEHIND THINGS
Bon Iver’s EP Sable, appears on many best-of lists. This track beautifully tackles artistic self-doubts, arranged in a country-esque folk composition. The playful guitar and longing strings carry a deep and cathartic sadness.
19. Melicious – Flooding The Bus
Melodic indie-pop collides with a 2000’s punk rock, pogo-dancing energy in the explosive Flooding The Bus by Switzerland’s Melicious. It’s futile trying to escape the song’s unapologetic and urging drive.
20. Peggy Gou – 1+1=11
With a catchy and trance-inducing melody, Korean artist and producer Peggy Gou’s 1+1=11 moulds an exceptional house experience between dance and dream, between concrete clarity and transformative wanderings.
21. Palinstar – It’s Time
The debut single by Swiss multi-instrumentalist Palinstar awaits you with a refined and retro-sounding rock. But It’s Time also makes bold choices and has a compelling honesty, bringing it into the current rather than just celebrating heritage.
22. Komodo – Rat King
There’s a notion of danger lingering between the tasty groove. Komodo’s Rat King unifies psychedelic rock, desert blues, Indian Raga, and a pinch of surf rock. The result: Rat King demands your allegiance.
23. House of Protection – Fuse
The Prodigy meets some sort of metalcore, flirts with pop music, and stirs up an exciting cocktail. Fuse by House of Protection is rock music that sounds utterly contemporary; the band is definitely on my watchlist.
24. School of X – Caroline
School of X dropped an album full of bittersweet but addictive pop music. Carole sounds driven, is melodic and melancholic at the same time—provoked by his crystal-clear voice. Sometimes, you need a bit of heartache.
Initially, the idea was to publish a list with 30 entries. But 24 of 2024 had a nice ring to it. Nevertheless, the six tracks that didn’t make the cut deserve at least an honourable mention:
- Luca Vasta – Santa Maria
- Hannah Laing – Poppin’
- Imogen and the Knife – Red (Is My Colour)
- Overmono & The Streets – Turn the Page
- British Murder Boys – Killer I Said
- Neumatic Parlo – carnage
You can also find the 24 songs in our playlists on Apple Music and Spotify.
