Weekly5
Five new songs delivered every Sunday. 100% algorithm-free, hand-picked for you.
Edition #141
This week, we recommend the new songs by Soft Loft, Long Tall Jefferson, OK Go, Andrea Wellard, and Mon Rayon.
Weekly5 is back! Today, I’ve picked three compelling tracks by Swiss-based artists—one of them being the exceptional new single by Soft Loft. But we also travel to Sweden, where we only make a sharp turn and end up on the French Riviera. And there’s an optimistic hymn hailing from Chicago, too.
❶ Soft Loft – Leave The Light On
They did it again! Switzerland’s Soft Loft are on a seemingly unstoppable roll. The band around singer and songwriter Jorina Stamm announced a new EP with the single Leave The Light On, an exploration of an on-off relationship delivered with a grasping flow of folky pop sound and exceptional vibrato vocals.
❷ Long Tall Jefferson – Step Across the Border
The troubadour has proven over and over again his instinctive feel for beautiful details and musical craftsmanship. Step Across the Border is a delicate folk song elevated with subtle electronic amalgamations and the longing warmth of country music.
❸ Andrea Wellard – Palooka
Time flies: A decade ago, Andrea Wellard was featured in Weekly5’s predecessor with A Distant Welcome. Now, the Swiss-based Canadian songwriter returns with the fiercly stomping Palooka. A short burst of rock groove, eerie decorations, and pop allures.
❹ Mon Rayon – On The Riviera
60s vintage meets the cinematic glamour of Spaghetti Western and indulges in a lush composition nodding at The Godfather’s Love Theme. Yes, On The Riviera by Swedish duo Mon Rayon drips nostalgia but is also an utterly captivating song about love at the crossroads.
❺ OK Go – A Stone Only Rolls Downhill
Widely known for their 2005 indie hit Here It Goes Again, Grammy winners OK Go are still around and deliver with their new single a great reason to pay attention. A Stone Only Rolls Downhill spreads optimism with a blend of indie rock and a soothing, laid-back ambience.
The Top 24 Songs of 2024
Revealing my favourite tracks of the year.
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.
Edition #140
In 2024’s final edition, we recommend the new songs by Hilke, UCHE YARA, mynameisntjmack, Tim & Puma Mimi, and Grundeis.
For this year’s final edition, we once more embrace the variety galore: from emotional ballads to forward-thinking, bold compositions, quirky explorations, and meandering sombreness. It’s all there, calling the open minds to discover.
❶ Hilke – Tree
Meandering between English and French, Hilke’s new single Tree isn’t only a linguistically multifaceted song but also a sonic journey with little crackles and ripples enriching the canvas of a haunting piano and swelling strings. It is a gorgeous love song.
❷ UCHE YARA – backstage again
Taken from the recently released honey, EP, backstage again by 22-year-old Austrian artist UCHE YARA displays a bold, undefinable yet intriguing mix: soul, R&B but blues too, even rock elements. Definitely worth keeping on your radar.
❸ mynameisntjmack – american spirit
It is thoughtfully executed escapism—american spirit by LA-based alt-rapper mynameisntjmack brings together a soulful beat and reflective lines. Unwieldy at first, american spirit opens up with time to jmack’s mind and coping mechanism.
❹ Tim & Puma Mimi – Blanket (Susukino Edit)
They embrace quirkiness wholeheartedly: Swiss-Japanese electro-pop duo Tim & Pumo Mimi announce their upcoming album with Blanket (Susukino Edit). It’s a tsunami of escalating synths, and you feel like you’ve fallen into a computer’s wildest dreams.
❺ Grundeis – Every Second An Ocean
Hamburg’s Grundeis have released their second album, Every Second An Ocean. Its namesake song is a gripping melting pot of post-rock, post-punk, and extended instrumental windings. Sinister, yes, but in its way, colourful and expressive.
Edition #139
This week, we recommend the new songs by R o n i a & Thelema, Them Flying Monkeys, Aliston, Kasper Bjørke, and Lapcat & Hawkfather.
Speeding towards something you might call the season finale with an unusual selection: typewriter chamber music, punkified French pop, heartfelt folk, a self-inflicted remix, and continent-spanning electro.
❶ R o n i a & Thelema – salty water
The waves crash, the seagull cackles, and a typewriter creates the beat. The collaboration between R o n i a and Thelema, called salty water, is an outstanding bit of contemporary chamber music— and somehow quite frightening yet fascinating in its gripping atmosphere.
❷ Them Flying Monkeys – Les Gens Sont Fous, Les Temps Sont Flous
Originally by French pop artist Jacques Dutronc, Portuguese rockers Them Flying Monkeys took Les Gens Sont Fous, les Temps Sont Flous and warped it into a shredding, punkish jackhammer of a track. It’s angry, it’s loud, and it’s excellent!
❸ Arliston – Disappointment Machine
Arliston’s new single, Disappointment Machine, comes alongside a touching and cinematic video. The London-based duo explores loss, longing and confusion with a careful and warm song, prompting introspection and compassion alike.
❹ Kasper Bjørke – I Was There (Kasper Bjørke <3 NY Remix)
Can you really remix yourself? Who really cares when it’s as groovy as Kasper Bjørke’s Kasper Bjørke <3 NY Remix of Kasper Bjørke’s I Was There. Jokes aside: This minimalistic tune has an addictive flavour—a moment on the lips, hours on dancing hips.
❺ Lapcat & Hawkfather – Ringo (Magical Arrangement)
A bold open: Ringo (Magical Arrangement) by Lapcat & Hawkfather punches you with a hard beat. The humping rhythm pumps the blood through the track’s intricate veins, fuelling the heart, which definitely is the soulful vocals contrasting the electronic composition.
Missed Darlings
A Weekly5 special edition recommending five songs that slipped through the cracks this year.
As 2024 heads to a close, we’re also on track to end another year of Weekly5. With the two editions ahead, we’ll hit a new record: 40 selections, amounting to 200 recommended songs in the playlist.
While I feel that I have improved the quality of the curation again, there are certainly a few songs I wouldn’t consider again in hindsight. On the other hand, some songs either didn’t make the cut, or I discovered them weeks or months after their release. Let’s be honest here: It’s just impossible to listen to every new song out there.
However, today’s special edition of Weekly5 is dedicated to five of these missed or killed darlings. Because I believe they, too, deserve your attention.
Baula – Mercury In Retrograde
Heavy Heart, No Tears, the debut album of Gothenburg’s duo Baula, was released back in April, featuring the incredible song Mercury in Retrograde.
Still, I can’t decide what my favourite thing about it is: the relentless urging of its rhythm, the eerie contrast between the soft, whispering voice and the raw sound, the Western-noir vibe. Mercury in Retrograde is a sinister, haunting anthem—and one of my favourite tracks of 2024.
Francis of Delirium – First Touch
If you want to split hairs, Francis of Delirium’s First Touch was actually released as a single in 2023. But I discovered it on their album Lighthouse this year.
And, oh my gosh, what a chillingly beautiful and bittersweet song it is! It’s pure perfection, executed by Jana Bahrich, the 20-something frontwoman from Luxemburg. First Touch is, without any shred of doubt, one of the best love songs—ever.
Grace Cummings – On and On
What a voice, what a composition. Australian singer-songwriter Grace Cummings pulls off quite a stunt in On and On, found on her third album, Ramona.
The galloping in slow-motion rhythm carries poignant piano chords, soft organs, and a daring horn, while Cummings’ voice meanders almost detached through the thick of the arrangement. But this sonic caleidoscope never sounds overloaded; there’s always a new nuance to discover.
LYR – Profusion
Admittedly, spoken word isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. But if you should give it a try, then with Profusion by the British trio LYR.
The evocative writing of UK’s Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, accompanied by the music of Richard Walters and Patrick J Pearson, bears a unique feeling with both components seamlessly intertwining, never overpowering the other. I won’t claim that Profusion is a song suited for mere background noise. Prepare: lay down, close your eyes, and immerse yourself fully and uncompromisingly.
Joshua Thew – Reveal
After a decade of being a dancer for the New York City Ballet, British Joshua Thew began pursuing music full-time, releasing the EP Endlessly in August—a collection of warm soul and R&B songs.
The closing Reveal is a touching highlight: Only a piano joins forces with Thew’s stunning, velvety voice, again proving how impactful even the most minimal can be. Yes, it scratches on kitsch, but sometimes that’s the comfort we need.
I hope you enjoy these 2024 darlings as much as I do and could discover some new artists enriching your music collection from here on into the future.
