The podcast highlights personal stories behind each song choice, illustrating how music can provide comfort and emotional significance during life transitions.
DJs showcase a diverse range of genres, reflecting the vibrancy of contemporary music while encouraging listeners to discover lesser-known artists.
Deep dives
Top Songs of 2024: A DJ Collage
KEXP DJs share their favorite tracks of 2024 in a collaborative episode, showcasing a diverse range of musical tastes and experiences. Each DJ highlights a personal song of the year, emphasizing how these tracks resonated with them on various levels. For instance, Alex selects 'Dream Police' by McGee, describing its emotional significance during a transitional period in his life, where it provided comfort amidst stress. This format not only offers listeners a curated list of must-hear songs but also captures the personal stories behind the music, fostering a deeper connection to the selections.
Diverse Genres and Unique Discoveries
Throughout the episode, the DJs present a variety of genres and styles, demonstrating the rich tapestry of contemporary music. Greg Vandy talks about 'Greentown' by Booers Band, a catchy track that blends 70s cosmic rock influences with modern sensibilities, enhanced by a humorous music video featuring the band and their dog. Gabriel Lopez brings attention to 'Call Out My Name' by Claybirds, which combines screamo and post-rock elements, creating an intense emotional journey reminiscent of past concert experiences. This eclectic mix of sounds not only highlights the vibrancy of today's music scene but also encourages listeners to explore artists they may not be familiar with.
Personal Connections and Themes of Resilience
The DJs emphasize the personal connections they have with their chosen songs, often rooted in themes of resilience, emotion, and self-discovery. Kevin Cole reveals that 'Dancing in the Rubble' by Brimheim became his anthem of motivation, filled with powerful lyrics that inspire self-belief amid adversity. Similarly, DJ Chili celebrates 'Bambi' by Muñeca, a local track that has a classic Seattle feel while celebrating cultural diversity and community. These reflections showcase the profound impact music can have on individual lives, resonating with universal experiences of struggle, joy, and connection.
It’s that list-making time of year! So for this episode, we've brought together 12 KEXP DJs and tastemakers for a sonic collage of the best new music from 2024. We hear from each DJ about one song that rose above the rest, getting a diverse sampling of the year in music. From hardcore to reggae to ambient and everything in between, this episode is sure to bring something unexpected for even our most voracious listeners.
Songs featured:
Mk.gee - “Dream Police” (DJ Alex’s pick)
Bures Band - “Green Town” (Greg Vandy’s pick)
Clay Birds - “Call Out My Name” (Gabriel Lopez’s pick)
Rapsody - “Never Enough (feat. Keznamdi)” (DJ Miss Ashley’s pick)
MUÑECA - “Bambi” (DJ Chilly’s pick)
Brimheim - “Dancing in the Rubble” (Kevin Cole’s pick)
The Scoffs - “Factories In Heaven” (Brian Foss’s pick)
Burning Hammer - “Howling With The Wolves” (Jenn’s pick)
Stream KEXP at any hour, any day, for live DJ curation and recommendations. Tune into 90.3 FM in Seattle, 92.7 FM in the Bay Area, or KEXP.org and the KEXP App anywhere in the world.
Hosted and produced by: Janice Headley and Isabel Khalili Mixed by: Emily Fox Mastered by: William Myers Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.
Our theme music is “好吗 (Hao Ma)” by Chinese American Bear
