“Afterlife” – Sharon Van Etten
New SVE music! We won’t get the album until February, making it the first 2025 album on my New Music list. For the first time, she collaborated with her band on writing songs rather than bringing songs to them to join her on. None of her magic gets lost in the process, at least on this track.
“Raleigh Arena” – Jim Nothing
Nothing’s album was one of four that came out the Friday we were in Denver I was interested in. It might be the best of that bunch. Now that we are into November, I will start giving Serious Attention to my Best Songs of 2024 list. Nothing has a song that is up for consideration.
“Changed Unchained” – Nadia Reid
SVE makes a comeback. Jim Nothing is from New Zealand. Put those together and you get the first new music in five years from New Zealander Reid! This has a bigger sound than her earlier songs that I love.
“Peaceful Place” – Leon Bridges
More mellow goodness from Mr. Bridges.
“Lost” – Soccer Mommy
I had to triple check to make sure this wasn’t Phoebe Bridgers.
“In The Living Room” – Maggie Rogers
Maggie never disappoints.
“Mr. November” – The National
Not about Derek Jeter.
“Cool It Now” – New Edition
I have vivid memories of a group of cute girls at Pittman Hills Middle School singing this in the hallway between classes one day and me realizing I need to learn more about New Edition. It’s kind of crazy that this was the biggest pop hit of their career until 1996, making it all the way to #4 on the Hot 100 while topping the Hot Black Singles chart. This was actually its second week in the Top 40, moving up to #30. Who knew in the fall of 1984 what a big part of my life Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, Mike, Ralph, and Johnny would become.