GL.24.01: ILANA BERGSTROM
Ilana’s 24 Songs for ‘24
2024 marked Aaron’s and my fifth year living abroad, my 40th birthday, lots of political anguish, and the grief of losing my last grandparent. Behind it all, as always, is music. Music in my earbuds and, better yet, on stage.
I went to 23 concerts this year - the most I’ve seen since before the pandemic - in five different countries. There were unexpected surprises, like watching Dutchies lose their goddamn minds during Darius Rucker’s cover of “I Like It, I Love It.” (That will haunt me forever.) There was major nostalgia like seeing Jimmy Eat World for the first time in 23 years, and celebrating 30 years of Dookie with Green Day. There was Aaron’s birthday party at the Spiritual Cramp show in Amsterdam, and there were shockingly expensive concert beers in San Francisco. We’ve traveled pretty far for some of these shows, and are exceedingly grateful that we live so close to two of our favorite venues.
Here are my 24 favorite songs from the year. No artist repeats, three covers, and one wildcard. I was also fortunate to see five of these songs live this year (indicated with an asterisk), and I hope that you’ll like them, too. Let’s go.
1. “Right Back to It” - Waxahatchee feat. MJ Lenderman*
In the wake of another catastrophic American election, it’s a difficult time for a liberal expat like myself to feel very “American.” But you know who makes me want to wear red, white, and blue leathers while riding a horse and waving the American flag? It’s not who you think; it’s Katie Crutchfield (aka Waxahatchee) and MJ Lenderman.
This year both artists released albums so good that it’s nearly impossible to play favorites, so I’m choosing “Right Back to It” - their goddamn gorgeous beautiful collaboration - to top my 2024 list as a symbolic gesture. Apparently indie rock with a hint of country twang can make this American gal a little homesick … even though “home” has never been anywhere near Alabama or North Carolina.
2. “Like I Say (I runaway)” - Nilüfer Yanya*
Four reasons why this is a perfect song: 1) The guitars that come in at 0:42 are perfect. 2) Her voice is perfect. 3) The percussive beat is perfect. 4) And, yes, even her hair is perfect.
3. “Calling You Out” - Charly Bliss*
Has this ever happened to you?
Well I promise it won’t if you invite them to a Charly Bliss show! Charly Bliss is energetic, a little wacky, incredibly talented, and they put on a performance that feels little more like a party than a concert. We were lucky to see them play in San Francisco in September with some of our favorite people, and my only regret is that more of our Bay Area friends didn’t join us.
“Calling You Out” is my #1 track off of Forever, and it really blasts off in the last 45 seconds. Next time Charly Bliss comes to your city, I hope you get to see them play live. Don’t forget to invite all of your friends.
4. “Loud Bark” - Mannequin Pussy
People always ask what I like best about living in Amsterdam. “I like riding my bike everywhere.” “It’s wonderful to travel around Europe so easily.” “The architecture is stunning!”
These answers are true, of course, but now I have Marisa Dabice’s voice in my head singing: I want to walk around at night while being ignored.
Yes, THAT is what I like best about living in Amsterdam. I can walk/run/cycle at night - or anytime of day - while being blissfully ignored, and let me tell you, it is a DREAM COME TRUE. Women want personal autonomy. We want safety. We want it so much that it makes us scream.
5. “Good Luck, Babe!” - Chappell Roan
I imagine that the only thing more satisfying than gleefully telling someone “I told you so!” is being able to sing I TOLD YOU SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO the way Chappell hits those notes.
6. “Taste” - Sabrina Carpenter
We love to see pop stars with killer senses of humor! Paired with a wickedly funny music video, Sabrina really won me over with this opening track from Short n’ Sweet. The way she sings I at the beginning of the chorus is like a double shot of espresso to me.
7. “Von dutch” - Charli xcx
The blurb I would’ve written prior to October 19: Before the green billboards, apple dance, and countless thinkpieces, real fans know “brat summer” actually started in February when this bombastic single dropped.
The blurb I’m writing now: There’s a scene in 30 Rock where Frank has an app on his phone that plays certain noises that can only be heard by young or old ears. When he plays a low tone that can only be heard by people over 40, Jenna, desperately pretending to be young, screams, “HAVE YOU STARTED PLAYING IT YET????”
Well, the high-pitched strings in the background of “Von dutch” were barely noticeable to me before I turned 40 in October. And now …
8. “tv off” - Kendrick Lamar (feat. lefty gunplay)
By the first MUSTAAAAAAAARD at 2:05 I knew this was going to be one of my favorite songs of the year.
9. “Angel of my Dreams (FOR THE CLUB)” - JADE
LeT’s Do SoMeThInG cRaZy! JADE really threw a bunch of musical styles against a wall with “Angel of my Dreams,” bumped the bass for this remix, and somehow it works and is fun as hell. It reminds me of a brash British theatre kid going a little too hard on a Saturday night, getting lost on a dancefloor, crying with strangers in the bathroom, and then feeling wistful again the next morning.
10. “Disease” - Lady Gaga
Please give us more spooky, scary, angry Gaga! Snarly vocals and freaky sound effects, “Disease” was the perfect pre-Halloween release.
11. “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” - Billie Eilish
The way that this song shimmers and soars is just so beautiful. The way that this song was overused to death on social media, less so.
12. “All In My Head” - The Linda Lindas*
The Linda Lindas are growing up and are cooler than ever. I wish all of their songs were as melodic as “All In My Head,” but it’s pretty awesome that their live shows are surprisingly heavy. The kids are alright, etc.
13. “I Know I Know” - Bad Moves
Come to Europe, Bad Moves!!! They’re probably the band that I most want to see live in concert that I haven’t seen yet. They have so many fun songs, play with so much energy, and live so far away from Amsterdam :(
14. “Didn’t” - illuminati hotties (feat. Cavetown)
Tire-Screech-of-the-Year at 1:47!
15. “Drinking and Driving” - Liquid Mike
In elementary school I got a bad grade on my American state report because I didn’t think I needed to include the Upper Peninsula on my map of Michigan. Yes, I knew the UP existed, but did I think it really mattered? Nah, the non-mitten part was practically Canada! Anyway, I’ve felt bad about disrespecting the UP ever since, and I’m happy to report that this band from Marquette, MI totally rocks.
16. “Backseat Driver” - Orla Gartland
You know the excited feeling you get when you think you’ve discovered a cool new artist, but then you realize your friends have already been listening to them for years? (Looking at you, Recording Academy.) Well, it turns out I’m not the first person to discover Orla Gartland, but I’m stoked to see her in Amsterdam next year. This song feels like a fun Irish mash-up of Talking Heads à la Hayley Williams with Olivia Rodrigo shout-a-long background vocals.
17. “In the Living Room” - Maggie Rogers
I spent half of the year wondering which track I’d choose from Don’t Forget Me for this list, and then she went ahead and dropped this single that I like best. Thanks, Maggie!
18. “Driver” - Soccer Mommy
I honestly sound like a broken record each time I write something about Soccer Mommy. She just nails the 90s nostalgia thing every single time.
19. “ROCKMAN” - Mk.gee
Normally I’m the one showing Aaron my favorite SNL sketches on Sunday mornings, but this time Aaron introduced me to Mk.gee via his recent SNL debut. Can “more eagle noise!” be the new “more cowbell!”?
20. “crush” - 2hollis*
I have Yasi Salek to thank for introducing me to my most confusing artist on this year’s playlist. (I really should’ve included the superior song “cliche” last year, but I learned about it a little too late.) 2hollis is a 20-year old singer/rapper with all kinds of family connections in the music industry and looks like Daenerys Targaryen’s skinny emo little brother, and I’m as surprised as you are to call myself a fan.
Covers Corner:
21. “Sucker (Cover)” - Meet Me @ The Altar
Edith Victoria has some of the most powerful vocals in pop-punk music, and her choice to nasally whine “I’m a sucker fer yuh” in the first chorus of this Jonas Brothers cover is exactly how I’d do it, too. It’s because we love you, JoBros!
22. “A Praise Chorus” - Martha
Martha, our favorite band from Pity Me, England - god bless them - have some thick-ass northern accents. We’ve known this for years. We’ve listened to all of their songs, been to so many of their concerts, and have even chatted with the band members on multiple occasions. But nothing prepared me for how thick their accents would sound on this beloved Jimmy Eat World cover. Nothing.
23. “Good Luck, Babe!” - Senses
We’re ending “Covers Corner” with this banging version of “Good Luck, Babe!” by a band I know absolutely nothing about other than they identify as “emo-friendly, punk-curious.” That’s cute. If I had a voice like hers, I’d sing this at every karaoke opportunity until the end of time.
The Wildcard:
24. Challengers - Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
The hot people tennis movie would’ve been hot without the score, but the music made it so much hotter.
~ the hot people tennis movie ~ 🎾dying…. 🫶🏼-c
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