Henry Bruce-Jones, a prominent music commentator, joins the discussion on the best and worst tunes of 2024. The conversation dives into the cultural impact of contemporary pop, exploring the rise of bubbling music and the dynamic influence of Danish artists. They debate standout albums and genres, from underrated pop to the evolution of rap, highlighting energetic fusions and emotional connections. With playful commentary, they reflect on the year’s musical landscape, celebrating diverse voices and innovative newcomers that are reshaping the industry.
The hosts celebrate the best music of 2024 by analyzing notable albums and reaching a collective consensus on standout releases.
A poignant discussion on the importance of community involvement is made, urging listeners to consider stem cell donation for a friend in need.
Charlie XCX's album 'BRAT' sparks a lively debate among the hosts about balancing commercial success with artistic depth in contemporary music.
The hosts explore the mood-driven composition of Cindy Lee's latest album, emphasizing the growing interest in emotional and atmospheric qualities in music.
Diverse experimental and metal artists are highlighted as they reshape perceptions of their genres, promoting appreciation for unique narratives in underground music.
Deep dives
Festive Chocolate Preferences
A playful conversation emerges about personal preferences concerning festive chocolates, with the podcast hosts admitting a mutual disdain for Quality Street and expressing a preference for Celebrations. The dialogue reveals a nostalgic connection to specific chocolate varieties, such as the Brazil nut piece which one host describes negatively. The hosts humorously discuss their 'sick choices' among the chocolates, highlighting the orange and strawberry cream variations, and share their lack of enthusiasm for sweets, adding a light-hearted tone to the episode right from the start.
Best Music of 2024 Discussion
A comprehensive discourse takes place regarding the best music of 2024, indulging in an analysis of notable albums and discovering a collective consensus among the hosts. They meticulously dissect major releases, delve into personal favorites, and evaluate the cultural impact of various records. Each host brings their unique insights to the table, discussing both mainstream hits and lesser-known gems, ultimately striving to curate a list of consensus picks that encapsulate the year’s musical landscape.
A Call for Stem Cell Donors
A heartfelt and serious appeal is made for stem cell donors to assist a friend diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. The podcast urges listeners, especially those of Welsh or Polish descent, to visit DKMS.org to facilitate the donor matching process. This segment emphasizes the significance of community involvement in saving lives and aims to raise awareness about stem cell donation, blending a poignant message within the broader context of the episode.
Charlie XCX's 'BRAT' Album Controversy
The conversation shifts to Charlie XCX's album 'BRAT,' which incites differing opinions among the hosts. One host praises the album as a cultural event while another is critical of the depth of its music, suggesting that the spectacle behind its release overshadows its auditory content. They engage in a lively debate about the album’s lasting appeal versus its cultural footprint, examining how platforms like TikTok have influenced perceptions and song prominence. This discussion illustrates the challenges of reconciling artistic merit with commercial success in today's music industry.
Emergence of Cindy Lee's Record
The hosts reflect on Cindy Lee's latest album, drawing parallels between its release and personal engagement to other artists within the similar genre. The conversation highlights the album's mood-driven composition and touches upon the unique approach to listening, favoring an ambiance over conventional song structure. While acknowledging their appreciation, they also admit a disconnect in judging its overall impact compared to previous works. The discussion culminates in the recognition of increased interest in emotional and atmospheric qualities within contemporary music.
The 'Mukji' Phenomenon in Dance Music
They delve into the 'Mukji' album and its reception within the dance music scene, with one host noting its qualities as a party staple. The music is described as dreamy and filled with abstract textures, contributing to its popularity in settings like after parties. However, they express a level of frustration regarding the perception of its acclaim compared to deeper, more lyrically rich musical experiences. This highlights a divergence in the understanding of dance music and the emotional depth that listeners seek out in contemporary genres.
Final Summation of the Year’s Best
As the episode progresses, the hosts reflect on a diverse range of albums that shaped their musical experiences throughout the year, including standout projects by established and emerging artists alike. They share excitement over collaborations and artistic advancements noted in various genres, affirming their appreciation for innovative sounds. A recurring emphasis on supporting artists who challenge norms is evident, while they continue to recommend new listens that resonate personally with them. This culminates in a larger discussion about music's continuing evolution and the significance of being open to new ideas.
Metal and Experimental Artists
The hosts touch on several experimental and metal artists, like Chat Pile and Genital Shame, showcasing their work that adds unique perspectives to the genre. They discuss how these artists break barriers with their respective sounds, often blending genres and thematic undertones to reshape how audiences perceive metal music. Through this exploration, they emphasize the importance of representation and the varied narratives emerging within underground music, thus fostering a greater appreciation for diversity in artistic expression.
Cultural Conversations through Music
The collision of cultural commentary and personal anecdotes in music becomes a central theme, as the hosts discuss how various records reflect societal nuances and individual experiences. They delve into how diverse voices within music enable listeners to connect with broader narratives, highlighting albums that provoke thought and cultural discourse. This segment underscores the interpersonal power of music and its capacity to inspire discussions about identity, community, and creativity among different audiences. Ultimately, they affirm that music remains a significant vessel for personal and collective experiences.
December comes but once a year, and sneaking in at the very last point we could probably get away with… it’s No Tags’ 2024 round-up!
Joined by regular guest Henry Bruce-Jones in what’s becoming a bit of a list-making tradition, we run down our favourite music of the year and tackle some of the year’s big consensus releases – good and bad.
Minimal intro required, really, but below is a timestamped run-down of everything discussed – so if Rap Corner’s not your vibe or you simply can’t hear the B-word one more time, we’ve made it easy to skip ahead.
This episode also closes the first full year of No Tags! Thanks to all of you for tuning in, especially our paid tier, those of you who came to our recent live show, and those of you who bought our book. The first edition is already sold out (!) but we’ll be printing a second edition in January 2025, and pre-orders for that are up now. It’s been a pleasure, see you in January.
Running order:
2024 consensus picks (04:15)
Dance music corner (26:30)
Something is vibing in the state of Denmark (56:54)
Underrated Pop (01:02:39)
Rap Corner (01:15:03)
One instrument in a really big room (01:40:15)
Marg.mp3 faves AKA What is this new vocal style? (01:43:32)
