The December Sweatdown 2K24 is here and that means the Top 50 best songs I listened to in 2024.

The Sweatdown has existed since April of 2018 as a monthly collection of music I’ve been listening to. Sometimes it’s old tracks but it’s usually new music. Everything from indie to synthwave to rock to alternative and more. Every December is a culmination of the music I’ve listened to.

I’ve had my December Sweatdown 2K24 playlist done for a while and have been listening to it a lot so I’m very happy with the 50 songs I chose. There’s some stuff that didn’t get on and it’s mostly due to me deciding only one song per band on the final list. How does it compare to my Spotify Wrapped?

So my February Sweatdown 2K24 had My Delirium from The Moving Stills on it, which is a cover of a song by Ladyhawke. I absolutely loved that Ladyhawke album and I think the cover by The Moving Still is absolutely phenomenal. It also came out in 2023 so it doesn’t belong on this list. But I did listen to it a crazy amount for like three solid months. I mean on repeat, all the time. Sometimes during work I’d just throw it on repeat and forget. And that’s why it was my most played song of the year. Not the first time this happened to me as I did that with Ordinary Fools Pt. 2 by The Chain Gang of 1974 and Reaction by Norma Jean in 2019.

Everything else makes sense. Little Girls Pointing and Laughing from Alexisonfire is my third most played song but that’s from their live show and it’s an old song so I didn’t think it fit on my Top 50 list. Apparently Cocoon by Catfish and the Bottlemen was my 9th most played song. Kinda surprised by that?

Anyway, let’s discussion the Top 50. The Top 20 is definitely my 20 favourite songs but after that I kind of group songs by genre… or lack of genre.

The Top 20

1. Sometimes by Social Order

Last year I loved their song Boys. This year it’s Sometimes. Sometimes hits a nerve. The word “sometimes” is used a lot by me. “For once in my life it’s not the right time” repeating is another hit nerve. Instead of thinking about the past, it’s wondering if this is the right moment to strike. Am I going to miss the right time, this time?

The song itself is this perfect combination of synthwave and darkwave. It doesn’t feel modern and it doesn’t feel nostalgic for nostalgic sake. I would have loved this song as a teenager in the 90s and I love it today.

“I’m lying to myself sometimes
Sometimes
I hope I see you out sometime”

I’ll be listening to it sometimes for a long time after this year.

2. Heaven by Culture Wars

The best rock band going today. Culture Wars were absolutely fantastic live when I saw them in Windsor supporting The Cult. What you hear on Spotify? That’s what you hear live. Every bit of precision and vocal note is exactly what you hope. I’ve loved everything they have done up to this point so hearing new music this year was welcome. Still waiting for that first LP!

3. Jacknife by Sick Love

The entire Champagne album by Sick Love was a big listen for me in 2024. Absolutely loved the band. Bodyclock, Sucka, Ricochet, Holly, Don’t Wait, Chill for the Summer? All of them great tunes. I went with Jacknife since it’s the one I keep going back to. It has such a slick swagger to it.

4. Your Master by The Blue Stones

The Blue Stones have effectively perfected the cocky rock tune. First it was Don’t Miss and now it’s Your Master. Similar to Sick Love’s “Jacknife” there’s a swagger to the guitar that just feels like a breath of fresh air in 2024. I love sad songs as much as the next person but sometimes you need a song you can lift your chin up to and take on the world.

5. Waste Away by Hotel Mira

Saw Hotel Mira live this year as they are in the cover photo of the December Sweatdown 2K24. I saw them back in February in Hamilton. Absolutely immaculate live.

I feel like the band still had some songs left from the “I am Not Myself” album and put them on the “I am Not Much Help” EP. I’ve seen Genius say “Waste Away” is the 13th song on “I Am Not Myself” but on Spotify it ends on track 12.

The line, “When did you get so attached? I’m waiting on a wave to crash” is something I can absolutely connect to. When you’re told your own feelings are somehow what’s at fault.

6. Girls by The Dare

Originally I found out about The Dare because people were disgusted by the cover for “The Sex EP” and there was a big discussion how they were Gen Z LCD Soundsystem. Which I don’t entirely disagree with and that’s funny but… I like The Dare more. Or at least I like the songs All Night and Girls a lot. Girls is technically a 2023 song but it was on the album “What’s Wrong With New York?” so I felt compelled to include it. Love this song so much.

7. Warm Beers by ALEXSUCKS

Every year there’s a song that makes me nostalgic for my early 20s and this was the one. I say early 20s and not teen years because I didn’t start drinking really until I was 19. The chorus on he didn’t know life was going to be a war is something I can absolutely feel getting close to 40. I wasn’t prepared for this. Neither was ALEXSUCKS.

8. Forever by Mother Mother

One of my favourite Mother Mother songs of all time. Could easily be my top song. The lyrics are incredible. It’s unlike anything I’ve heard this year either.

9. Feels Like Heaven by The Happy Return

Listen to this song alone and get to the 2:00 mark and tell me your heart doesn’t skip a beat. Beautiful song. Sometimes a good love song just gets you.

10. Hold Down by Kanadia

I’m so glad they released new music in 2024. I’ve listened to their album June back in 2022 a lot of times. They even got heavier which is the opposite direction of so many bands I listen to. It’s a welcome sound. When people say rock is dead I think about Kanadia. Rock isn’t dead. You just need to find it.

11. To Hell With Good Intentions by July Talk

Speaking of bands going harder instead of softer, I did think July Talk was one of them. And then they come out with To Hell With Good Intentions and it’s a fucking banger.

12. Save Me by Fake Shark

I saw Fake Shark at the Hotel Mira show in February. It was between this and Do It For The High and I went with Save Me. The inevitable doomed relationship you know won’t be good for you but hey, nothing can save me now.

13. Driver by Soccer Mommy

I can’t tell you how many times I listen to Feel It All The Time and sit in shock this was sung by someone in their early 20s and not someone my age. And then I found out my father in his mid 60s also loves Soccer Mommy. So there you go. Driver! Soccer Mommy sure loves talking about driving! What a killer chorus.

14. Cut Ya Loose by Emi Grace

Golden Days is another song that’s incredible to come from someone in her early 20s and Cut Ya Loose is such a departure from that sound. A departure but still high quality. The guitar and vocals in it are so fresh. There’s like a sleazy electro rock to it that fits the late 2000s but still feels modern. I have nothing but respect for Emi and hope she keeps killing it.

15. Kick It by flor

flor often finds themselves on my playlists because they are just so tight. They always get it right for at least one song a record. lmho in 2020 and Every Night in 2022 were both in my Top 10’s so this is a little drop but hey! THIS IS NOT A CONTEST. Solid gold chorus here.

16. Too Close To The Heat by Dear Rouge

Dear Rouge releasing a new album this year meant a lot of options. Goon was great. Not Afraid to Dance was a nice departure. Too Close To the Heat though? That felt like Dear Rouge at their very best. Would love to see them live again.

17. Feral by Fickle Friends

Real happy to see Fickle Friends back at it. I got into Fickle Friends late in 2022 when “Are We Gonna Be Alright?” came out in January of that year. It’s one of the tightest albums I had heard that year. I still throw it on from time to time. Feral is a great return to form and in hearing Dream, their new single that just came out? I bet this album is going to be great as well.

18. Calling by Immortal Girlfriend

I got real scared back in 2022 that “Someone Like You” was going to be Immortal Girlfriend’s sound going forward and I did not like that song one bit. Thankfully it was not with the release of “Sojourner” in February. Could have went with Hourglass but liked Calling best.

19. 1998 by Bleeker

From Orillia, Ontario! Pretty close to Wasaga Beach which I’m sure they have experience playing at. It’s a cute song referencing smoke smelling bars and Black Hole Sun by Soundgarden. A solid bop!

20. Detroit by Badflower

I liked Ghost by Badflower but I wasn’t really able to get into any of their other stuff back in 2019. Detroit? I love Detroit. The chorus of, “It’s so depressing having everything I wanted” isn’t necessarily something I can relate to but I enjoy singing it like I know.

I Like Female Vocalists

21. Wouldn’t Do The Same by Marlhy

This came out December 29, 2023 but come on. 2024 song. I’m surprised Marlhy isn’t more popular. The, “I think you’d crush it on a podcast” line is so cutting. It’s fun watching her play drums on the songs. Great bass on it too.

22. Return To Sender by talker

Another song I’m surprised isn’t more popular. I think I found her through listening to Bronte Alva. I think the sound on this is so clean, has a great progression and flow.

23. Good Luck, Babe! by Chappell Roan

Chappell really exploded this year and I’m very happy for her. I can thank Hangman Adam Page for me being a fan and while her scene is really not my scene I am glad she’s making it. Loved this song.

24. Bad at Being Casual by Fionn

It was either this or Your Type. Bad at Being Casual won just on the premise of trying to be casual in relationships and failing. The concept is fun to me. Like, “Ah crap I caught feelings again, oops” love tracks like that.

25. your words f me up by Sulene

Great song again by Sulene, who does great music falling apart in synths.

26. Hey… by Bronte Alva

The line, “But I’m only 20, I thought I’ve got time?” is depressing. I would say that at 39. “I know I’m getting harder to adore” is really great. It’s already not enough to just be normal for her. She has to be adorable at 20. She has to be everything. And she already feels she’s losing it.

27. Flatbread by MONOWHALES

MONOWHALES sadly broke up in 2024 but I felt like I still need to represent them on the list. Wish I could have seen them live. “Them snakes can really bite.”

28. 365 by Charli xcx

The world needed a new coke anthem.

Pretty Good

29. Losing Sleep by Freeweights

I’ve been tempted to move this song up since has been on my mind at times lately but just getting it on the list is what matters.

30. I’m Bored, Give Me Love by Flat Party

This gave me an early 90s Blur vibe of being like a party rocker but not a hard party rocker. More of a silly dance and roll the shoulders kinda rocker.

31. Don’t You Want To Sleep With Someone Normal? by Love Fame Tragedy

This song begins with someone saying, “We have to stay together, you know, because, everybody else is falling apart” and I feel like that I’ve heard that before. And it was a trap.

32. don’t rely on other men by JPEGMAFIA

FUCK this song rules. This song would have absolutely fit in the 90s when industrial was popular just from the sound. But it’s not 90s, it’s something new. It mixes subgenres so well. It also sounds great loud in a car.

33. SURE AS SH*T! by SWMRS

SURE AS SH*T! is a good rock out.

34. We Don’t Wanna Talk by Friday Pilots Club

I really liked their album “Nowhere” and was mixed between this and Spectator from that album. I went with We Don’t Wanna Talk because of how many sounds they fit in under three minutes. The piano, the bass, the drums, the keyboard, the guitar? It has a few key changes and it’s impressive they all got it in this one package.

35. Take a Trip by TV Girl and George Clanton

I listened to George Clanton so much in 2023 it was probably best I took a break. He also didn’t release any new music except with TV Girl. Nice chill song.

36. feel like summer by lovelytheband

Gotta have a summer jam on the list.

37. Catacombs by Krooked Kings

I can’t put my finger on this song. I like it, but the lyrics are… odd. I do like it. The chorus is great.

38. Ruminator by Early Internet

Ruminator by Early Internet on “Ruminator” is just a really nice song. Last year I loved Keep My Mouth Out of Your Name. This isn’t that heavy.

39. Feel Too Much by Cold War Kids

Solid song by the Cold War Kids. Probably great live.

40. M.R.M.L. by Olivver the Kid, La Bouquet, The Shy

I don’t really agree with the concept of music ruining my life but it’s a solid song anyway.

41. Painkiller by Sick Joy

Not to be confused with Sick Love, as this is a lot heavier. Definite mid 90s alt rock with an industrial vibe to it.

Retrowave

42. Hey You by Trevor Something

Would it be a Sweatdown without Trevor Something? Covering Pink Floyd’s Hey You was a really great choice.

43. Crayons On a Hot Plate by Pink Skies

I couldn’t escape this song. It’s a nice chill track with a funny track name.

44. Some Other Love by The Motion Epic

Solid 80s retrowave pop by Motion Epic. “High Rollers” was a good album from them.

45. Still in Love by At 1980, Josh Dally

Solid 80s synth belter from At 1980 and Josh Dally.

46. Chariot by The Midnight

The Midnight. Always reliable. This song was close to cracking my Top 20. “He broke your heart again, washed up in the city of sin” and the breakdown is so good.

End It Hard

47. Burn Forever by Hot Water Music

I saw Hot Water Music in Detroit back in May. I didn’t know anything about them but my friend Joel was a big fan of them. Which was surprising because it’s not his usual music. I really liked this song from their new album. Also got to see two dudes in their late 40s nearly fight outside a mosh pit. Lovely.

48. SKI MASK by ROMES

Fucking great chorus.

49. Secret History by Foxing

This song fucking gets me. “Sharpen those dead dreams / You’re on your own in a secret history” is pretty profound.

50. FREE TO DIE by HEALTH and Filter

I’ve enjoyed the recent stuff by Filter. Some of their best stuff in their career. Doing something with HEALTH is great too. Good final song for the list.

Thank you for reading and thank you for listening. Photo is from the February 10, 2024 concert in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada with Hotel Mira. See you in 2025!