Curious what notable personalities in the scene think was great this year? So is TGEFM! So we reached out to some of our favorite luminaries ranging from musicians, label personnel, and more for their “Best of 2024” lists. Now, listen: TGEFM is not a taskmistress. Contributors can write these out however they want. So if it doesn’t actually look or read like a list… and sometimes it really is just a list with no other observations! Who cares?
Philly hardcore 4-piece SOJI won over crowds at every show thanks to their energy, passion and engagement. Following the recent release of the quartet’s split with Winter Wolf, drummer Ade has joined us to share their top songs of 2024
So I thought about doing a random top 5 non-music related but then my brain was like “what are words?” So here are my top songs of 2024. Things that really moved me, surprised me, and made me say “DAMN!”
Doechii – “NISSAN ALTIMA”
Doechii has been someone it heard about here and there and always felt refreshing. Then I saw the photos of her showing up to an event in heels, underwear, a tank top, and a wig cap…I immediately thought “i need to know more”. It was like the first time i saw Missy Elliot. Fascinated and hungry for more. Doechii brings the vibe and bravado and execution of 90s hip hop and swings with the style of an art kid. On the album Alligator Bites Never Heal, this is seen on the song “NISSAN ALTIMA,” but really the whole damn thing is fire. The recent performances on NPR’s Tiny Desk and Late Night TV shows brings the Solange vibes as well with the amazing connection and attention to detail. Cant wait to see what’s coming next
Kendrick Lamar – “Euphoria”
This whole rap battle brought me back! I melted. It was like sitting on the radio with my brother’s and listening to Nas‘s “Ether”. Except in this case both people are not up to par. Both people have not studied and mastered the art. Both people are not dripping with knowledge of respect. Only one person puts on a costume and got decimated. KENDRICK IS THE GOAT. NUFF SAID!
Lake Lanier – “Resistance”
This year SOJI got to play Punk Island and the absolute standout for us was Lake Lanier. A younger POC band from New York. My fuckin WOO! Powerful and it was like their 3rd?6th show? I’m excited by what the younger folks are coming out with and the type of way they involve the community. It’s truly the only way we’re gonna make it through the next four years and beyond
Latter – “My Body Is My Sickness”
I first knew of Meredith when I saw a clip of her performance at a fest here in philly with her old band Yarrow before she moved away. I have never wanted to play guitar in my life until I saw the way she tried to destroy the one she was throwing around. Later on found out she’s adored by a lot of folks in the community and I continued to watch as she did her noise work in Chicago. Her new band Latter came out with an album that spoke to the way she connects with her body that contains multitudes and sickness and how you move through that and who is deserving. You want screamo goodness?! A band that does a sick cover of Blood Brothers? Here ya go!
Mannequin Pussy – ” OK?OK!OK?OK!”
This band are philly legends at this point. I’ve always been floored by the way they can move through multiple genres, Marissa’s stage presence and her lyricist. I had the pleasure of being the (worst) merch person for them a few years ago when they toured with Japanese Breakfast thanks to my girl Carolyn who is the hottie you see on stage with them on auxiliary/their current Tour Manager. To see them go through the ritual night after night to a crowd who were deeply, positively moved by their music was touching. Patience came when I woke up with my husband. “OK?OK!OK?OK!” came as the world was finally noticing that everything has been on fire for a long as time. They fuel my rage. They fill my lust. This song exemplifies the hardness that they’re known for and features both Bear and Marissa which I always love.
KulfiGirls – “Bite”
Ok so im cheating a little because this is my other band haha. BUT! I do what I want, right? I was in Kulfi before SOJI and let me tell you this band PUSHED me in the way I thought about approaching music. My brain hurt alot, so many different time signatures. My first band never even dared sneeze in that direction. This band is cool as fuck. A psych rock band with a punk back bone and the soul of a grunge 90s babe with a smirk. The song “Bite” is the second song from our upcoming album “Divinity”. Here you can see and hear Abi’s (lead singer) culture as she plays the veena (*not* a sitar) and the dance choreographed that’s representative of her south Indian heritage. This song slaps. The video is fun. It’s girly pop murder, who doesn’t love that?”
Bad Dad (occasionally called Ed) has been on the periphery of the punk and punk-adjacent scene for over twenty years. While many contributors to this site have musical experience and talent, Ed’s musical claim to fame comes from his time in arguably the most punk rock Blockbuster Video district in NJ where he worked alongside members of Blanks 77, Best Hit TV and Brian Fallon. He is more than just an awful father to his 2 daughters, he is also a dreadful husband, a subpar writer, a terrible dresser and has a severe deficiency in all things talent… but hey, at least he’s self-aware, amirite?
Check out the pathetic attempts at photography on his insta at https://www.instagram.com/bad_dad_photography/
