One thing that might not have escaped your notice is that, certainly for the last couple of years, I’ve only ever really been posting on this here corner of the Web once a week, and usually only doing The Story of Pop, whatever year we happen to have been covering.
Next year, however, I intend to get more regular blogging going again because actually, I’ve missed writing for myself and having that joy to put it out there in the world. Music will form a big part of that, as it always has done.
So I’m starting as I mean to go on and bringing you my lists of the top 10 albums and singles I’ve enjoyed the most this year, because this feels like it’s been the first year in a very long time where I’ve enjoyed as many as five totally brand new songs and albums.
There is even a Spotify playlist to accompany it comprising my 10 favourite singles of the last twelve months and a track from each of my 10 favourite albums. Call it a gift from me to you.
More magic like this to follow in 2024!
TOP 10 SINGLES
- Kylie Minogue – Padam Padam (in which Kylie was discovered by the TikTok generation, who promptly ensured she had her biggest hit globally since “Can’t Get You Out Of My Head”)
- Sugababes – When The Rain Comes (in which the OGs lineup of Keisha, Mutya and Siobhan gave us the first promising old school R&B taster of their new album to come next year)
- S Club – These Are The Days (in which the gang gave us a beautiful, retro leaning uptempo as a tribute to their late bandmate and brother, Paul Cattermole, on their first single in two decades)
- *NSYNC – Better Place (in which the new Trolls movie soundtrack afforded the perfect opportunity for Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance to produce this spangly disco infused comeback single)
- Jessie Ware – Pearls (in which Jessie cast off the shackles and quite literally shook it till the pearls came off on this big and bold floorfiller)
- Niall Horan – Heaven (in which Nialler returned with a dream like, atmospheric sounding comeback single with a divine call to arms chorus)
- Leigh-Anne feat. Ayra Starr – My Love (in which Ms. Lei-Lei bought a bit of sunshine to the autumn with this uber catchy Afrobeats inspired banger)
- Leigh-Anne – Don’t Say Love (in which Ms. Lei-Lei bought all the old school UK Garage vibes on this banger of a debut solo single)
- Blur – The Narcissist (in which Damon and the boys gave us the most beautiful sounding comeback track)
- Oritsé Williams – Showdown (in which Reesh made his solo return almost eight years after his first single – and how – with this floorfiller paying homage to his musical roots)
TOP 10 ALBUMS
- Sugababes – The Lost Tapes (in which the OGs casually dropped and self released the blinding album they had recorded a decade previously on Christmas Eve last year, ensuring they had my favourite album two years running)
- Kylie Minogue – Tension (in which Kylie secured her ninth number one album full of the spiky electronic floorfillers only she knows how to do best)
- Alexis Strum – Cocoon (in which the incredible tale of Alexis – more on which next year – came full circle, as not one but both of her albums she recorded over 20 years ago that never saw the light of day finally got their deserved moment)
- Niall Horan – The Show (in which Nialler offered up his second number one album, recorded almost entirely in Joshua Tree and thus sounding very retro future)
- Jessie Ware – That! Feels Good! (in which Jessie continued her soulful reinvention as a dancefloor diva, with a love letter to the submission of pleasure)
- Kamille – K1 (in which one of Britain’s most gifted new songwriters and singers self released a debut album featuring, amongst others, the legendary Nile Rodgers)
- Sophie Ellis-Bextor – Hana (in which Sophie completed the trilogy of albums inspired by countries, with an atmospheric and rich album crafted following a visit to Japan)
- Jake Shears – Last Man Dancing (in which the Scissor Sisters frontman channelled the spirit of the 70s and Studio 54 on his brilliant second solo album)
- Alison Goldfrapp – The Love Invention (in which Alison delivered pure four to the floor dance delights on her debut solo outing)
- Blur – The Ballad Of Darren (in which Blur delivered an intimate, at times personal album, ruminating on loss and the power of music that was their most captivating album since 13)
The Niche Reference 