GL.24.05: ERIK KRISTJANSON
GL.24.06: Caseysimone Ballestas
***
Erik Songs for 2024
Rosali - “Rewind”
The Rosali concert was the same week my dog Mojo died this year. The band was incredible and “Rewind” was the last song they played. I sort of lost it thinking about rewinding the last 10 years with my boy Mojo. After the show, I went over to the merch table and (with gummy + beer courage) told Rosali how much I loved the show, and how “Rewind” used to remind me of my wife, but would now always be about my dog. She replied that she wrote the song about her dog and we totally bonded on a love-for-your-dog level!
Based on that experience (and the fact that this song and album was my most played this year, thanks Spotify), “Rewind” is my #1.
Waxahatchee - “Right Back to It” (feat. MJ Lenderman)
Just two great artists at the top of their game and this is damn near perfect.
Hurray for the Riff Raff - “Snake Plant (The Past is Still Alive)”
Lyrics cut hard, my 2nd most listened to album this year.
Nilüfer Yanya - “Binding”
This album is still on heavy rotation for me, so many good ones, went with this slower jam which showcases her silky smooth voice.
MJ Lenderman - “Wristwatch”
Very much looking forward to seeing him at the Independent with Wild Pink opening!
Charli XCX - “360”
There are a lot of people and phenomena to blame for Trump getting back in office, but Charli XCX and Brat are among them.
Good Looks - “If It's Gone”
My wife may or may not have late night footage of me singing along to Good Looks when I thought no one was watching and was feeling no pain. Love this whole album.
Jack White - “Archbishop Harold Holmes”
Designed to get the people going! I will see him at the Fox if it's the last thing I do.
This is Lorelei - “A Song that Sings About You”
Amen, dude. Apparently this guy wrote a shit ton of songs and narrowed them way down for this album - that checks out cause these are all good.
Beyoncé - “Tyrant”
Sure, there's “Texas Hold Em” but this one is so Beyoncé and country and has Dolly Parton on it and how did she do that?!
Vampire Weekend - “Prep-School Gangsters”
Perhaps the most Vampire Weekend-y sounding song on the album, just love that build up and ending so much.
Hana Vu - “Dreams”
If only it was all this simple, Hana. Heard this the week of the election and it was exactly what I needed in the moment.
Sierra Ferrel - “American Dreaming”
You can tell when someone is feeling their song, like Sierra is feeling this one. Has an anthemic quality to it.
Maggie Rogers - “Don't Forget Me”
Top contender for song at my funeral (or if my wife divorces me?) lol
Fontaines D.C. - “Starburster”
Cool to see how Fontaines has progressed their sound, never made a bad album (but I still like their first the best).
Kendrick Lamar - “tv off”
MUSTAAARRRDDD!!! First heard GNX the week of the triple-bomb-cyclone, in the back of an Uber stuck on the flooded hwy in SF with my headphones blasting. All the hypeness culminated into this song for me and I laughed out loud at MUSTAARRRDDD!!! Uber driver was glad I was having fun, and I was glad Kendrick was having fun (Uber driver was not having fun).
Dummy - “Blue Dada”
Delightfully dancy indie, sounds both old and new.
Jessica Pratt - “Life Is”
Sage and cryptic life advice with psychedelic sound, I can dig that.
Hovvdy - “Jean”
Album was a grower for me, this was the gateway drug to go deeper.
Ducks Ltd - “Heavy Bag”
I'm such a sucker for beat drops, the one at the 1:40 mark here really pays.
Adrienne Lenker - “Sadness as a Gift”
I feel like there's not many people that can write a song and sing about sadness better than Adrienne Lenker.
Wand - “JJ”
After seeing them at The Chapel, I went deep on the catalog (as you do after seeing a band live) and unearthed some weird and wonderful stuff.
Justice - “Incognito”
Many a good hazy memory jamming to Justice in the 00s and early 10s, not sure if it's nostalgia but I think this song is awesome.
The Belair Lip Bombs - “Say My Name”
Spotify says this album came out in 2023 but pretty sure it wasn't available outside of Australia till 2024 when they signed with Third Man Records. Full of jams!
DIIV - “Brown Paper Bag”
Just nod your head slowly and chill out dude.
Being Dead - “Rock and Roll Hurts”
This whole album plays like one long song / session so it's hard to cut one out, but this shows the jam, melody, weirdness, and creativity of this band.
Queen of Jeans - “All My Friends”
If you name your song “All My Friends”, it better be good. Thankfully this is.
Floodlights - “Can You Feel It”
Didn't know this band before this song (more Melbourne rockers!), but am now super excited for this album cause it's right up my alley.
Francis of Delirium - “Alone Tonight”
This lyric does it for me: "Been thinking about getting older, what my parents believe in / And I worry about my future, how to make it stop / But all the worrying does is clog up all the love"
Dehd - “Light On”
Love this band, and their simple pop punk harmonies
Asher White - “Symposium (Goodnight Tonight)”
This makes me feel like I'm in some sort of jazz club, rolls along nicely with soft and warm and sometimes piercing sounds.
