The 2024 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #1

 #1. LØLØ - wish i was a robot

Track: wish i was a robot
Artist: LØLØ
Album: falling for robots and wishing i was one

 

A newly discovered artist at #1! How fantastic! Not only did LØLØ land at #1 for the best song, but also the most played (and favorite) album of the year, with songs like "faceplant", "*snow in berlin*", and "2 of us" getting heavy streams the last 6 months of the year. It was a riotous ascension for an artist that I wouldn't normally expect to be someone who I found to be a new favorite. 

Yeah, it's weird writing that. The Classic Crime was an old favorite band, Forever Unknown and VNV Nation were all-time faves, and Teenage Wrist was an up-and-coming new shoegaze powerhouse. LØLØ? Alt-pop? A mid-20s TikTok sensation signed to Fearless, whose songs are all written in lowercase letters? Come on, man. There's no way I loved this album as much as I did.................. but here we are! The most listened to song of the year, no less. 

Sandwiched in-between the two biggest singles from falling for robots and wishing i was one, "wish i was a robot" is a simple story about how the protagonist hates their emotional and wants to be cold and cybernetic. But in more poetic terms. The singer sounds tongue-in-cheek with a lot of her more serious songs, which I definitely appreciate because she can do it (for the most part) without losing the power of what she is saying. 

Year end review coming up after Christmas! Happy Music to you!

Favorite line: "cuz I wouldn't have feelings, or be emotional - I wouldn't need healing or be so insecure".

Previous five #1s:

2023: The Classic Crime - Alone in the City
2022: Forever Unknown - sad people, blue eyes
2021: Teenage Wrist - Taste of Gasoline
2020: Lilieae - Level
2019: VNV Nation - Only Satellites

The 2024 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #2

 #2. Metric - Days Of Oblivion

Title: Days of Oblivion
Artist: Metric
Album: Formentera II

Two things that are simultaneously true - Metric is making its third appearance on the Countdown, and I never thought I'd see Metric here again, especially after the humdrum of Formentera, and honestly each of their last 3 albums that I couldn't listen all the way through. Hard to believe that it's the same band that released one of my favorite albums of the decade with 2009's Fantasies. 

Formentera II actually has several solid hits, including "Descendents" and "Who Wuld You Be For Me", but it was "Days Of Oblivion" that immediately rocketed to the top and held steady. In fact, for the first half of the year I was convinced that "Days..." would end up on top. The airy guitars, bumpy bass, and tremendous breakdown on the chorus made for fantastic listening all throughout 2023. But there was one song that rewrote the book when it was released.

What will it be? Stay tuned!

Favorite line: "It turns out these were the days - the ashes of disaster drift to you, all your dreams of change are coming true"

Previous five #2s:

2023: The Broken Relics - Rodeo
2022: Rammstein - Lügen
2021: The Struts - Another Hit of Showmanship (ft Albert Hammond Jr)
2020: Purity Ring - stardew
2019: The Broken Relics - Where The Creatures Roam

The 2024 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #3

 #3. Watershed - Hey Lydia

Title: Hey Lydia
Artist: Watershed
Album: Blow It Up Before It Breaks

 

Speaking of Columbus legends, the unstoppable Watershed finally grace the Countdown with "Hey Lydia", a release that the band has kicked around live for a while and finally made its way on to a full-length LP release. The album has a ton of fantastic songs, from the title track, to "Hey Lydia", "Best Worst Night", "Another Night In The Ruts", and everything in between. I've always loved the dual vocal work between guitarist Colin Gawel and bassist Joe Oestreich, and the band just keeps pumping out solid rock'n'roll and proving why they're one of the most revered acts in this state.

Favorite line: "I know the party started early but soon it’s getting late, and I’m not leaving here all alone"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Previous five #3s:

2023: White Lies - Trouble In America

2022: Ronnie Martin - From the Womb of the Morning, The Dew of Your Youth Will Be Yours
2021: Acceptance - At the Edge of the Earth
2020: White Reaper - Real Long Time
2019: Smith & Thell - Forgive Me Friend

The 2024 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #4

 #4. The Struts - Hands On Me

Title: Hands On Me
Artist: The Struts
Album: Pretty Vicious

Even though they had an ascendant rise in 2021, reaching the #2 spot with "Another Hit Of Showmanship", I didn't expect a whole lot from the new album from The Struts, especially after hearing the lead single "Too Good At Raising Hell". I was barely able to make it through their last album, and two tracks into Pretty Vicious I wasn't feeling too much of a rise. Then the album hits a four song juggernaut run with "I Won't Run", "Hands On Me", "Do What You Want" and "Rockstar".

It is "Hands On Me" that eventually climbed this year's Countdown, back into the top 5 and joining an exclusive company of bands who have reached that high more than once (Owl City, Future Islands, The Broken Relics, Purity Ring, and Forever Unknown). "Hands On Me" is the emotional climax of the record, telling the age-old tale of lost love and the yearning for it to return.

Favorite line: "The only way I know how long that you've been gone, is how the mold on all the dishes seems to grow"

"

 

Previous five #4s:

2023: Gable Price and Friends - I Don't Wanna Live Like This
2022: Truslow - Abbey Dear
2021: A Tiger Made of Lightning - Little Birds
2020: Forever Unknown -  Bury Me
2019: VHS Collection - Sign

The 2024 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #5

 #5. Softcult - Shortest Fuse

Title: Shortest Fuse
Artist: Softcult
Album: Heaven EP

I saw Softcult open up for Teenage Wrist two years ago and my admiration for them has definitely grown since then. Any time I can find a band holding true to the '90s shoegaze feel (akin to Slowdive, Morella's Forest, Hum and Starflyer 59), I get pretty excited. As for their newest album, there's a lot of buzzy gloom and fuzz and... well, noise. So much noise, and it all sounds pretty fantastic. "Shortest Fuse" gives us a sad view capitalistic America and how it's draining all of our sex drives. Pretty curious that it made it all the way up here to #5, huh? Hoping for more happy returns as this band continues their endeavors. 

Favorite line: "Held my hand over the stove, wanted to feel in control - some people learn from mistakes"

 

 

 

Previous five #5s:

2023: The Awakening - Gabriel
2022: Silversun Pickups - Alone on a Hill
2021: Meryl Creep - Spiraling
2020: Empathy Test - Monsters
2019: Within Temptation - In Vain
2018: Andrew WK - Music Is Worth Living For

The 2024 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #6

 #6. Till Lindemann - Nass

Title: Nass
Artist: Till Lindemann
Album: Zunge

We've had Till Lindemann's voice on this Countdown 3 times since 2010, each with Rammstein and culminating in a runner-up finish two years ago with "Lügen". Till's first eponymous project, simply Lindemann, released two albums in a five year span, but they never really clicked with me quite like his solo record Zunge did this past year. The instrumental work on the record was done by a handful of producers, most notably Sky Van Hoff, whose tracks has a little extra electronic umph to them. Among those tracks in "Nass", which of course plays as a double entendre, like a good amount of Till's lyrics do. "Nass" is the German word for wet... and I'll let you play around with that idea to figure out the things he's talking about in this song. You don't need to have a decent grasp on the German language to get it!

Favorite line: "Laken nach Geschlechtsverkehr. Offene Beine, Bier vom Fass - Alles, alles ist nass."

 

 

 

 

Last five #6s:

2023: White Reaper - Pages
2022: YUNGBLUD - The Funeral
2021: Gang of Youths - the angel of 8th ave.
2020: TRVSS - All The Bugs
2019:  Rammstein - Radio

The 2024 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #7

 #7. Red Wanting Blue - Killer

Title: Killer
Artist: Red Wanting Blue
Album: Light It Up

One of the best bands to ever come out of Ohio, much less Columbus, Red Wanting Blue returned after 6 years in a massively triumphant way with Light It Up, which is so full of hits that it was almost difficult for me to believe that its running time is only 36 minutes. Songs like "Run For Your Life", "Hey, '84" and "Light It Up" hit you with big catchy hooks and explosive arrangements that keep you thirsting for more. So how was it "Killer", with its minimalistic percussion and simple bassline running through the verses, enough to catapult up to #13 on the Countdown this year? Just listen to the chorus. Seriously, the entire song is absolutely humongous, but every time vocalist Scott Terry uttered "but I don't wanna be a killer, killer", my blood ran ice cold and goosebumps ran all over my skin. Seriously, what a powerful track, and the added saxophone works to catch your attention at the beginning before it pummels you on the latter choruses. 

It really is one of those songs to play over and over again.

Favorite line: "I don't want the sun, I like the dark. As you become God's green universe - and I go numb from a song that needs no verse."

Last five #7s:

2023: Teenage Wrist - Something Good
2022: Best Foot Back - Give It A Go
2021: '68 - Bad Bite
2020: King Princess - Ohio
2019: Cold - Shine

The 2024 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #8

 #8. Amira Elfeky - Tonight (demo)

Title: Tonight (demo)
Artist: Amira Elfeky
Album: Skin To Skin EP

I truly don't know what to make of Amira Elfeky, but she's easily one of the most interesting new artists I found in 2024. She just has the one EP out, with a ripper lead single that is apparently the first demo she ever recorded... not a bad way to make your mark, huh? I know I've railed against these breathy female singers that are taking over the music scene, but I certainly wasn't ready for one who sounded quite like this with crushing guitars and pounding drums. Definitely a unique sound worth following as her career progresses. 

Another interesting tidbit... four of the last 5 artists at #8 were female-fronted, and 8 of the last 11. Seems like a pretty good spot to land when you can share it with the likes of Billie Eilish and Jess Lamb. 

Favorite line: "You're every thing I've ever wanted - if you die I hope you haunt me"

 

 

 

Previous five #8s:

2023: Blackcarburning - Divide Us (ft Mari Kattman)
2022: Spiritbox - Sew Me Up
2021: Manchester Orchestra - Bed Head
2020: Ships In The Night - Lost Times
2019: Billie Eilish - You Should See Me In A Crown

The 2024 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #9

#9. Knox - Me, Myself & Your Eyes

Title: Me, Myself & Your Eyes
Artist: Knox
Album: Me, Myself & Your Eyes

Knox is originally from Dayton and has hit it big in the last few years via TikTok with his song "Not The 1975". He's released a stack of singles this year and "Me, Myself & Your Eyes" feels like... I dunno. Owl City meets The Raquels?  Lyrically there isn't a whole heck of a lot going on, but a sing-a-long chorus with really great, uplifting music really does wonders in the summer doldrums. Hopefully this kid has a bright future and isn't one of those artists who disappears after hitting their peak.

Favorite line: "There's no rush, no thrill quite like the way you make me feel - one touch is all that it takes"

 

 

 

 

Previous five #9s:

2023: Bush - Heavy is the Ocean
2022: Ghost - Spillways
2021: Assemblage 23 - Factory
2020: Apollo LTD - You
2019: Sleeping With Sirens - Leave It All Behind

The 2024 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #10

  #10. Walk the Moon - Mono No Aware

Title: Mono No Aware
Artist: Walk the Moon
Album: The Liftaway

It's been 10 years since Walk the Moon exploded onto the mainstream scene in 2014 with "Shut Up And Dance" (#12 on J1 that year), and they announced that they will be going on hiatus with their album The Liftaway. This marks the 3rd time they've landed on the Countdown, previously scaling all the way to #3 with "Anna Sun" in 2012. "Mono No Aware" is a real toe-tapper that doesn't feel as formulaic and forced as everything they've released on their last 2 records. Simply put, it's a fun song that's easy to sing along to and even easier to enjoy. Lyrically the song is their way of saying "so long" to their fans after a fun run.

Favorite line: "Ooh I'll follow my gut and I won't be silent, sing Mono No Aware..."

 

Previous five #10s:

2023: Phoenix - Tonight (ft Ezra Koenig)
2022: Andy Mineo - Been About It (ft Lecrae)
2021: Echo Image - Walk My Mind
2020: Loathe - Two-Way Mirror
2019: Fit For A King - When Everything Means Nothing

The 2024 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #11

 #11. Tommy Richman - Million Dollar Baby

Title: Million Dollar Baby
Artist: Tommy Richman
Album: Million Dollar Baby single

It doesn't happen every year, but every now and then a pop song sneaks into my listening circles. I can't even remember where I heard this one first... was it at a bar? The gas station? That Wingstop commercial? Who knows. But the beat has an old-school feel to it, the layers of vocals catch your attention and, even though the delivery is almost nonsensical, it isn't as lyrically offensive as most of the pop/r&b/rap offerings that climb the charts. "Million Dollar Baby" went 4x Platinum in the US, charted #1 in 7 different countries and made it up to #2 on the Billboard 200. It's an impressive feat and it's a bassy whalloper of a song. It's fun to nod along with and bounce to, and so here it is at #11.

Favorite line: <<are there actually lyrics in this song? Even after Googling it, I haven't the foggiest idea what dude is saying>>

 

 

 

 

 

Previous five #11s:

2023: Owl City - Kelly Time
2022: The Weeknd - Gasoline
2021: The Birthday Massacre - The NeverEnding Story
2020: Nightwish - Harvest
2019: Demon Hunter - The Negative

The 2024- Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #12

 #12. Neuroticfish - Bring The Noise

Title: Bring The Noise
Artist: Neuroticfish
Album: The Demystification Of The Human Heart

It's a shame that there aren't more bands making EBM/Futurepop/Synthpop music. I suppose the charts aren't as big for bands like that, especially outside of Europe, but there are some really great ones that have been doing it for quite a while, and Neuroticfish is one I'd put in the upper tier. For as much as I didn't love their last album, Antidoron (2018), a 5 year hiatus seems to have reinvigorated Sascha Mario Klein's creative juices, as there were 4 different songs that I was kicking around this year from this album. "Bring The Noise" distanced itself from the others early on, with its pulsing bass and driving backbeat. It's almost surprising how much I listen to electronic music, since it is usually only represented by 1 or 2 songs come Countdown time. More artists, please!

Favorite line: "Not that I would envy you, not that I would care that much. We lived our lives as you do, since we have been out of touch"

Previous five #12s

2023: Kamelot - Eventide
2022: Coheed and Cambria - The Liars Club
2021: Romy - Lifetime
2020: Alright Years - Something I Can Dance To
2019: Bloody Hammers - From Beyond The Grave

The 2024 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #13

#14. Letdown. - Hate Myself

Title: Hate Myself
Artist: Letdown.
Album: Be OK

Self-deprecation really has become a niche topic in newer alternative rock artists. How many songs can I write about how awful everything is and how it's definitely my thing? It's kind of funny, actually, that so many people are able to get onto the charts talking about the same thing... oh wait, isn't that how love songs work? Hah. Anyways... this song also has another annoying quirk that has popped up in a lot of alt-themed music these days - hip-hop drums behind a rock verse. It's actually really annoying because most of the drums are pretty similar to others. It's kind of like when Travis Barker is featured on a track - he just uses the same formula for everything non-Blink related. 

Okay... don't let me knock this track too much. I'm tired and my seeming indifference towards the Countdown in 2024 has me writing some fairly jaded blurbs. I actually really like this song and was singing the chorus all over the place this summer. The verses just don't do a ton for me, but Be OK is a really good album which might have some songs on next year's Countdown, as it was just released a few weeks ago. 

Favorite line: "We laugh at our problems - we all know we got 'em"

 

 

 

 

Previous five #13s

2023: Meet Me @ The Altar - Say It (To My Face)
2022: Judah & the Lion - scream!
2021: The Dirty Nil - Blunt Force Concussion
2020: Slimfit - Pineapple Pizza
2019: Vesperteen - Operate

The 2024 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #14

  #14. Soft Kill - Joy is a Crime

 

Title: Joy is a Crime
Artist: Soft Kill
Album: Escape Forever

This is one of those entries where I ask myself "where did I even find this band?" I don't really have a good answer for that. Our local alternative station officially signed off back in April (RIP CD101/102.5/92.9/WWCD) and so I was forced to widen my search for good and upcoming indie/alternative rock. Spotify is obviously a great tool but their playlists tend to highlight dull bands who are popular in the UK (that never make it overseas), bands who throw sponsorship money, or whatever the new fake alternative act is. "Alternative" is just a marketing ploy these days and it becomes exhausting when the genre is inundated with artists who seem to be half-assing everything they do just to use it. 

ANYWAYS what I'm trying to say is that I really enjoy this song - it's a lot of fun to sing along to, even if I found the album rather dull. But it's a great song, in spite of my soapbox rant back there... hah. Enjoy!

Favorite line: "To feel the joy of life, it's not a thing that stays - I feel the rush and the rush and the rush then it fades away"

 

 

Previous five #14s:

2023: Beck - Thinking About You
2022: The Regrettes - Anxieties (Out of Time)
2021: beabadoobee - Last Day On Earth
2020: The Anix - Renegade
2019: Rome - Uropia O Morte
2018: Solar Fake - The Pain That Kills You Too

The 2024 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #15

 #15. Flesh Field - Demon

Title: Demon
Artist: Flesh Field
Album: Voice of Reason

Make it 3 years in a row for Ohio artists landing at #15, although I'm not sure if Flesh Field is based out of here anymore. Their legendary 2004 album Strain is a tremendous bit of industrial music, and after a 2 decade hiatus they've returned to release 2 albums in the last two years, both of which showcase an updated and brutally electronic sound. "Demon" is the highlight from Voice of Reason, which features a handful of new tracks as well as remixes from their last album Voice of the Echo Chamber. This is top notch harsh industrial and I am thrilled that they have returned. 

Favorite line: "I'll become you as you become me - I can bind you to your misery"

 

 

 

 

Previous five #15s:

2023: Brave the Sea - Where I Belong
2022: Truss - Drown
2021: AFI - Begging for Trouble
2020: The Unlikely Candidates - High Low
2019: Syrian - We Are Stars

The 2024 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #16

 16. David Swanson - Pocketknife Heart

Title: Pocketknife Heart
Artist: David Swanson
Album: Things We Say In The Dark

Back in 2015, "Kerosene" from the last The Frozen Ocean album landed at #19 on the Countdown. David Swanson is The Frozen Ocean, although he has put that moniker to rest in lieu of using his own name to release his new music. Things We Say In The Dark is an eternity away from the self-titled debut album from TFO, but it is beautifully made and emotionally profound, with the lead single latching on and landing at #16 this year. I was thrilled to hear new music from David but I had no idea how hard it would hit me. I got to meet him two years ago at Furnace Fest and he was every bit the humble, kind of tremendous human that I hoped he would be. If there's any (non-local) song that I'd absolutely want anyone reading this to listen to, it would be this one.

Favorite line: "cuz I lost my way somewhere on my way back home"

 

 

 

 

Previous five #16s:

 

2023: VV - Run Away From The Sun
2022: Silent Planet - Panopticon
2021: PEABOD - Love Everybody (ft Tedashii)

2020: Sir Sly - Material Boy

2019: Blindside - Gravedigger

The 2024 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #17

17. Jack Kays - Blow It

Title: Blow It
Artist: Jack Kays
Album: DEADBEAT!

"I don't wanna be that guy..." is the opening line of lamentation from Jack Kays on this one, and if that doesn't ring true in the deepest pits of my soul, I don't know what will. The whole song is a self-deprecating anthem about trying to figure out where things went wrong in your life, and trying to be better than what you think you are. It's really as simple as that, with a punkish beat and singer that fit the lyrical content perfectly. 

Favorite line: "Can't keep lying to myself, cause I don't wanna be..."

Previous five #17s: 

2023: The Cordial Sins - Sugercoat
2022: Grumpy Plum - i don't care
2021: Porter Robinson - Look at the Sky
2020: Corduroy Brown - To My Younger Self
2019: SYML - Clean Eyes

The 2024 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #18

 #18. Badflower - Teacher Has A Gun

 

Title: Teacher Has A Gun
Artist: Badflower
Album: Teacher Has A Gun single

Do I like Badflower because they hit it big with a song called "The Jester"? No, although that was a decent song. Actually I don't really care for their music at all, which is why I felt really surprised that this one immediately latched onto me. It's a curious fantasy about how things could be if everyone in your life was violent enough to shoot you... and who's to say that they aren't?

Favorite Line: "No I don't wanna spend forever on the run - if I wanna stay alive, I need to get a gun"

 

 

Last five #18s:

2023: VNV Nation - Before the Rain

2022: The Foxies - Overrated
2021: Daymare - Control
2020: Little Hurt - Alaska
2019: James Truslow - Overwhelmed

The 2024 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #19

#19. Vampire Weekend - Capricorn

Title: Capricorn
Artist: Vampire Weekend
Album: Only God Was Above Us

Another year, another Vampire Weekend song on the Top 20 Countdown? Yep. That's 3 in a row, although they releases have been spaced over 11 years. "Harmony Hall" landed at #20 in 2019, while "Diane Young" made it all the way up to 13 in '13. If we're being honest, I'd say I liked "Harmony Hall" better than "Capricorn", it just happened to be the song that stuck with me this year. My other favorite from this album was "Hope", which rings in at a balky 7:57 with a repetitive piano that eventually wore down on me, while "Capricorn" kept chugging along. What interesting about this band is I wouldn't say I'm a big fan of any of their albums outside of Contra, but every album has 1 or 2 songs that I really enjoy.

Favorite Line: "Too old for dyin' young, too young to live alone. Sifting through centuries for moments of your own"

 

Last five #19s:

2023: Switchfoot - On Fire (Ingrid Andress version)
2022: Bad Omens - Like A Villain
2021: Royal Blood - Typhoons
2020: The Broken Relics - Goodbye Tennessee
2019: Sigrid - Sucker Punch

The 2024 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #20

 #20. Courtney from Work - Superfun!

Title: Superfun!
Artist: Courtney from Work
Album: In Urinal EP

I've been following Courtney from Work since they were a baby band, and their ascension in the local scene (and beyond) has been amazing to watch. There's no real way to capture their live energy in audio form, but they keep releasing great singles and records and have finally cracked the Countdown. "Superfun!" has one of the best chorus riffs I've heard this year. Plus, who doesn't love shouting "Super fun fun!" along with lead singer Jacob Fournier??

Favorite Line: Superfun fun, super fun fun fun!

Last five #20s:

2023: Dreamers - Wallow In It
2022: Halestorm - The Steeple
2021: Grabbitz - Pigs in the Sky
2020: Seether - Dangerous
2019: Vampire Weekend - Harmony Hall

The 2024 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - Intro and Songs That Didn't Make It

 Oh golly. It's been 12 months already, hasn't it?

Sorry, I'm just not feeling it this year.

Yeah... literally anything for the 15th Anniversary of the J1 Countdown splashed down and died. Sorry about that.

Actually, is anyone even reading this? Doubtful. I'm not writing it to be read anyways. But, it must be done! It's that time of year! Year 16! What surprises will we be in store for this time around? As always, we start with a look back at the previous year.

20. Dreamers - Wallow In It
19. Switchfoot - On Fire (Ingrid Andress Version)
18. VNV Nation - Before the Rain
17. The Cordial Sins - Sugarcoat
16. VV - Run Away From The Sun
15. Brave the Sea - Where I Belong
14. Beck - Thinking About You
13. Meet Me @ The Altar - Say It To My Face
12. Kamelot - Eventide
11. Owl City - Kelly Time
10. Phoenix - Tonight (ft Ezra Koenig)
9. Bush - Heavy Is The Ocean
8. Blackcarburning - Divide Us (ft Mari Kattman)
7. Teenage Wrist - Something Good
6. White Reaper - Pages
5. The Awakening - Gabriel
4. Gable Price and Friends - I Don't Wanna Live Like This
3. White Lies - Trouble in America
2. The Broken Relics - Rodeo
1. The Classic Crime - Alone in the City

A lot of returning artists last year - VNV Nation, Owl City, Phoenix, Teenage Wrist, White Reaper, The Broken Relics and The Classic Crime... considering the trends of previous years, it was very surprising to see so many artists who I had loved over a decade ago come back with such strong albums. Not that I'm complaining, but it's definitely bananas to see someone like Switchfoot, who I have been listening to since the 90s, finally make their debut.

 Well... despite my apathy towards making this list in 2024, here I am and here we go. The songs who just didn't make it. Or weren't even close. You be the judge!

Eisfabrik - King of the Cold
Album: Götter in Weiss

There are usually two different types of songs that end up in the "just missed" category: songs that had a good month or two run and disappeared (but not forgotten), or songs that just kind of got a play here and there and were good enough to be remembered. This one falls in the latter.

Mental Discipline - My Name (Assemblage 23 remix)
Album: My Name single

More often than not, solid EBM/synthpop/futurepop remixes gain more plays as they get older. I'm not sure why or what it is, but this one is top notch and was just on the fringes for 2024.

Mushroomhead - Prepackaged
Album: Call the Devil

This one falls on the first category - super strong showing when it came out, but didn't have enough to carry it through the year. I don't think I ever would've predicted Mushroomhead to make the list, and I really did not care for this album, but this is a hammer of a song

Johnny Cash - Hello Out There
Album: Songwriter

Johnny Cash died in 2003. He's had FIVE posthumous albums released. This one has modern instrumental recording going along with old demos, to a brilliant response. This song starts out as some fantastic industrial ballad before switching to the book of Revelation. Yeah, it's pretty wild.

DREAMCAR - We Rats
Album: Dream EP

I kind of figured DREAMCAR was just a one-off from Davey Havok and the members of No Doubt, but I was pleasantly surprised when they released this little 3 song gem. 

Honorable Mention: Beyonce - BLACKBIIRD (ft Tanner Adell, Brittany Spencer, Tiera Kennedy, Reyna Roberts); deer death - Seattle; Serenity - Fall of Man (ft Roy Khan); Powerman 5000 - Bloodsuckers; Evelyn's Casket - Five Cellars Below