You won’t find Espresso in here, but you will find my top favorites from last year and I know you will love them all. Hello everybody, be welcome to my first music post of this 2025.
“The most solid pleasure in this life is the empty pleasure of illusion.” – Giacomo Leopardi
So far, 2024 has been probably the most interesting year of this current decade. On the downside, it saw a nefarious Olympics inauguration, mass shootings in the US almost every day, and the ongoing conflicts in the Ukraine and Israel. But it also brought the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral, the release of Julian Assange from prison, and the reelection of Donald Trump as president of the US.
In matters of music, it saw the first album from The Cure released after 16 years, the induction of Ozzy Osbourne into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the reunion of Oasis after 15 years of separation. It was also a good year for women, with some sources claiming women completely outsold men. Artists like Dua Lipa, Chapelle Roan, Charlie XCX, and Sabrina Carpenter all had great sells and exposure.
But on this post we will talk about the underdogs, the alternatives, and the people who are still making great music. On the list below, you will find a legendary metal band that is still kicking ass 50 years after their debut album; a chubby guy with a talent for soul and pop music; a bohemian folksy singer who scored his first number one last year; the only surviving band from the glam/pop metal era of the 1980s; the return of a great alternative British band after 16 years of silence; also the comeback of the coolest man on Earth, the solo debut of the front man of the hottest band in the world right now, and some other songs you will love.
So, without further ado, let’s begin.
10– Coldplay – feelslikeimfallinginlove
Coldplay - feelslikeimfallinginlove (Official Video)
I kinda lost track of these guys at the end of the 2000s. After those amazing first three albums they changed their sound to become more pop and dance-like to the point where some people say they’re no longer a rock band. Coldplay’s last efforts have been collaborations with other pop artist just to stay relevant. But they came back last year with this nice, uplifting, if somewhat cheesy song, that also has eight people in the writing credits and needed five producers to be recorded, (boy, looks like these guys are really desperate). It was the lead single from their tenth studio album, I really liked it and haven’t stopped listening to it. The B/W video was nominated for the MTV VMAs in the rock category. A nice song, but not great like they used to make them.
9– Linkin Park – The Emptiness Machine
The Emptiness Machine (Official Music Video) - Linkin Park
The millennial’s favorite band somewhat lost its power and presence after the 2010s and the tragic suicide of Chester Bennington in 2017. But last year they regrouped themselves, this time with Mike Shinoda as their leader and a cool chick in the vocals. The Emptiness Machine is a nice song, maybe too short, but with great vocals; it is the first single from their eight album, it became an international hit, and proved Linkin Park can still rock after all these years. The video enjoyed a good rotation on MTV and had millions of views on YT after its first week. Although they’re not my favorite band, I wish these guys well, and hope they continue making nice music in the future.
8– Teddy Swims – The Door
Teddy Swims - The Door (Official Music Video)
I had no idea who this chubby guy was until he started appearing on my screen every evening with his video Lose Control. The guy has become an overnight sensation and his videos improvising and singing at shopping malls have gone viral. As much as I liked Lose Control, it is third single from his debut studio album, The Door, the one that caught my attention. Written by six guys, the easy lyrics deal with a man walking away from a bad relationship with a problematic woman. In the video you can see a tattooed Teddy with a sexy Asian-like woman dressed in red. So, sing this one like no one is watching.
7– Bon Jovi – Living Proof
Bon Jovi - Living Proof (Official Lyric Video)
It’s funny how you can instantly recognize one of your favorite bands ever just by their sound. After the sudden departure of the legendary Richie Sambora in 2013, who left the band with no explanations, Bon Jovi has continue soldiering on, albeit thing haven’t been quite the same. In 2022, Jon underwent surgery on his vocal chords and fans weren’t sure about the future of the rock star’s voice. But things turn out well and Bon Jovi released in 2024 the album Forever, their first in 4 years. Living Proof is the second single and was written by Jon alongside producer John Shanks; it has a catchy chorus, a nice vibe, and it brings back the talk box device that was used in monster hits Livin’ On A Prayer and It’s My Life. Although is a good effort, it’s not exactly great, but I can honestly tell you this: this is their best song since 2007’s (You Want to) Make a Memory. Finally a real Bon Jovi song.
6– The Cure – Alone
The Cure - Alone (Official Lyric Video)
Although Robert Smith and company have kept themselves busy all these years touring and performing live concerts that are legendary for their length and power, they hadn’t released new songs or albums in 16 years. Alone is the first single from The Cure's 14th album Songs of a Lost World, which, according to some sources, is also the best rock album of 2024. This single has great lyrics written just by Smith himself that deal with common The Cure themes like life, love, death, and despair. It starts with an intro that I think was too long, goes into a spiral of despair, and ends in a crescendo that leaves you wanting more music like this. In the lyrics video you can see something of a lunar surface that reveals later into an asteroid. Looks like the waiting was worth it.
5– Damiano David – Born With a Broken Heart
Damiano David - Born With a Broken Heart (Official Video)
I stumbled on this one last year when the video appeared by chance on my YT recommendations. I didn’t know the charismatic frontman of the hottest band in the world right now had started a solo career, and what a way to start. This potent, cool, with a retro vibe, song is the second single from his debut album. The lyrics were written by David himself with other three people and deals with the fear of entering into a relationship and not feeling prepared for it. And the video is the best of all. Damiano changes his rocker outfit for the getup of a 1940s crooner and enters into a fantasy world where he dances an amazing choreography with a beautiful blonde girl, and everything is just pure beauty. I hope he continues his career with Måneskin, but at the same time wish he continues his solo career with amazing music like this.
4– Judas Priest – Crown of Horns
Judas Priest - Crown of Horns (Official Video)
More than 50 years have passed since Judas Priest debut album in 1974, yet this grandpas sound like a pack of young wolves that are about to eat you alive. The passion, the fire, the commitment, are still there and haven’t diminished one bit. Here is the third single from their 19th studio album, another song I discovered last year thanks to my YT recommendations. Something of a heavy metal ballad that surprised me at how potent it gets. With a killer intro riff, great vocals by Halford and a good solo, the lyrics deal with themes of religion and perseverance; you feel invincible when you hear it and it’s a perfect song for singing in a stadium full of metalheads. An instant classic from a legendary band you have to love even if you’re not a metal fan.
3– Lenny Kravitz – Human
Lenny Kravitz - Human (Official Music Video)
Isn’t great when one of your favorite artists of all time make a great comeback? That’s what Lenny did in 2024 with one of his best material of this whole century. After staying grounded in the Bahamas because of the so-called “pandemic”, Lenny didn’t waste time and set himself to work on the music for his Blue Electric Light, the twelfth album of his career. And Human, a spiritual, uplifting, and refreshing song, was the second single from that album. Written by Lenny himself, the thoughtful lyrics are about all of us as “spiritual beings and being authentic to who God created us to be.” (The quote is from Kravitz himself). The music video won a well-deserved MTV Award at Best Rock Video, and Lenny’s performance that night was incredible. So, put the phone down and enjoy this spiritual anthem, courtesy of the coolest man in the world and the owner of the secret fountain of youth.
2– Hozier – Too Sweet
Hozier - Too Sweet (Official Lyric Video)
A catchy song obviously manufactured to become a hit, and the thing really paid off: it was number one in seven countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States, and transformed its singer from a bohemian Irish folk singer into an overnight sensation that now fills stadiums. It was written by a number of seven people and is the only single from a EP of just four songs that did not make the final track listing of a 2023 album; maybe the song was “too sweet” to be included in a proper folk album. I discovered it last year when the lyrics video started appearing on my screen every evening. Upbeat, simple, and kind of sexy, with only four notes that repeat over and over, this is probably the best song ever written about the “it’s not you, it’s me” excuse.
1– Depeche Mode – Before We Drown
Depeche Mode - Before We Drown (Official Video)
I bet you didn’t see this one coming. It comes courtesy from one of the best electronic British bands of all time, and one of my favorites since the 1990s, when I discovered them through the Policy of Truth video. A powerful, enigmatic, and sad song that makes you feel transported into another world, that’s what Before We Drown is. This is surprisingly one of the very few songs on the entire Depeche Mode catalog that is not written by guitarist Martin Gore. It is the sixth single from the Memento Mori album, the first without the late Andy Fletcher on the keyboards. The minimalistic but poignant lyrics were written by lead singer Dave Gahan and other two guys, and deals with a metaphor of the sea and an interpersonal relationship that could potentially destroy itself. The B/W video was directed longtime collaborator of the band Anton Corbijn. Memento Mori is one of the best materials Depeche Mode has put out in this 21st century and here you have a token of that. Close your eyes and let yourself be drown by this great music.
Conclusion
Martin Gore and Dave Gahan photographed by Anton Corbijn (via: plus.cusica.com)
That’s it for today, guys, I hope you have liked this post as much as I have liked writing it. Remember to listen to real musicians who write their own songs and play actual instruments, and stay away from those fleeing poppy sensations. Listening to good music is one of the best things you can do for yourself.
Let me know what you think about this post in the comment section below. Did you discover something new? Which one of the songs on the list is your favorite? Did I miss your favorite song of 2024? If so, you can add it below.
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Until Next Time
Take care
Orlando Caine.