I think it's a real shame when people seem to check out of seeking and enjoying new music after their teens and twenties have elapsed.

While major labels increasingly seem to be making a business model out of those who believe the songs of their youth will never be surpassed, it just feels like such a cop out to not at least be receptive to what those bands and artists might be up to now.

Granted, I still have designs on music journalism - and the inbox access to release news and industry PR people - but via blogs like these I try my best to share the best of what I've found.

Anyway, that's all a preamble to me sadly stating that I wasn't that impressed with the quality or quantity of new music this year - and for-warning against any accusations of not having my ear close enough to the beat.

Don't worry, you're still getting a list, but without wanting to water things down, I'm not able to stretch it to the usual fresh fifty.

As has become the trend, I wasn't grabbed by many full-length albums - although brief shout-outs to Midland's debut album Fragments of Us; The Cure reminding us of their eternal greatness; the slight return of Justice (I hear the live show is superb); Nathan Micay's soundtrack work; Andre 3000 doing a jazz flute record and RZA collaborating with a symphony orchestra. But most definitely not the new Jamie XX, Underworld or Caribou LPs, which were all rather disappointing. 

So without any more waffle, here's my thirty favourite songs of the last year:

30. Xylitol - Jelena

I came late to this album, but it really is superb all the way through, to the point where it's quite tricky to pick just one song. This one's fairly representative of the soaring synths and rollicking Amens that make Catherine Backhouse's work so compelling.

29. Mount Kimble - The Trail

I suppose I was never entirely sure of where to put these two genre-wise, but what does it matter really, when they keep on making such nice music?

28. Machinedrum - Honey

Tasty little drum'n'bass roller this. Was tempted to somehow combine it with the song of the same name by Caribou, but I know which one I prefer, so why bother.

27. Bicep - Chroma 001 Helium

Not entirely convinced by this new Chroma project from the Belfast boys, but I can't deny that this would get me going in a club; so I'll stick it in.

26. John Tejada and Plaid - Bittersweet

Didn't see this collab coming, but in retrospect it makes sense - and a lovely piece of music. 

25. Cybotron - Parallel Shift

New music from Juan Atkins and co is almost always a good thing, and this did not disappoint. 

24. Sasha - How to Wear Raybans Well (Nathan Fake remix)

Nowhere near either of their finest work, but a solid reworking of a decent track. Sort of harks back to the glitchy, trippy Border Community peak of the mid noughties.

23. Nikki Nair - Worm

Absolutely pummelling peak time pounder. Makes you want to go pogo on a sweaty dancefloor.

22. Floating Points - Del Oro

Not exactly reinventing his wheel, but nonetheless, a catchy, loopy, propellant piece of house music. 

21. Two Shell and the Sugababes - Round

I couldn't care less about this illusive pair's 'antics', but this is a compelling re-edit of one of the finest pop songs in the last few decades.

20. Mumdance - Five Years

High energy, happy house from the prolific Brighton-born producer.

19. Floorplan - Feel It

I've always got time for Robert Hood and his daughter Lyric - preferably when they're work isn't overly preachy; which this big room belter is not.

18. Linstrom - Sirius Syntoms

Granted, this sounds A LOT like an old Todd Terje tune I can't quite put my finger on, but I can't deny that it brightened up my day. 

17. Soichi Terada - Mount Amazing II 

This is beautifully, blatantly nostalgic for the simpler days of electronic music - and I'm quite happy to join him in the time machine for five minutes. 

16. Kaytranada and Rochelle Jordan - Lover/Friend

Instantly recognisable as one of his, I can't get mad at Louis Kevin Celestin for falling back on tried and tested sounds, when they're this silky smooth. 

15. Lauer - Law High

It wouldn't be an end of year list without a song from big Phil. Long may this streak continue. 

14. Joy Orbison - Flight FM

I wasn't sold on this for the first couple of listens, but included it as an early entry on the Spotify list for 2024 and on repeated listens that dominating drone noise has wormed its way into my grey matter.

13. Vampire Weekend - Mary Boone

Seems like there's always a song or two on their albums that are worth sticking on the list. Really nice drum patterns on this one.

12. Bonobo - Expander

Simon Green hasn't made an absolute peach for a few years now, but the man's nothing if not consistent with the baseline quality of his releases - this being another prime example.

11. RJD2 - Catch the Exit Door

Predictably enough, another year, another RJD2 track on the list. What can I say, I like the cut of his musical jib.

10. Four Tet - Loved

The best of a fairly average bunch on the latest record. What drew me to this one is how much it sounds like his earlier, more downtempo stuff. 

9. Nightmares on Wax - Les Nuits (Hip Hop reprise)

It was lovely to speak to the man himself last year, as much as I wasn't that taken with his 2023 string of releases. This rework of perhaps his finest work is well worthy of the countdown though. 

8. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross - I Know

Challengers was an odd wee film, but what one of the things it did have going for it - aside from Zendeya in her undies - was a superb soundtrack by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. This punchy electro number really got my attention. 

7. Yannis and the Yaw - Rain Can't Reach Us

This was doing the rounds on 6 Music a few months back and I was really seduced by that main melody. I've got a lot of time for Yannis too; this is an interesting new direction for him.

6. Childish Gambino - Atavista

I'm pretty sure I included this the first time it was released. But what the hell, any excuse to big-up such a superb song from such an annoyingly talented chap on his musical victory lap.

5. Kendrick Lamar - Not Like Us

Rap beefs are generally pretty laughable, but every now and then you get a track this good out of the antagonism, and I'm forced to reconsider. Plus, fuck Drake; that man's a pure fanny.

4. James Blake - Thrown Around

I was getting a bit sick of his anaemic wailing, so this wee change of pace was quite refreshing. Bordering on the piano house cheesy, but just the right side if you ask me. Funny video too.

3. Nas and DJ Premier - Define My Name

A couple of absolute legends in the game, playing it unashamedly old school in production style; this was always going to place high.

2. Metronomy and Pan Amsterdam - Nice Town

I've given up having any preconceived notions of what's going to come from Jo Mount's band of merry men and women. It seems like they can nail it in just about any genre; and whatever this is, I love it.

1. Justice and Tame Impala - Neverender

The rightful heirs of Daft Punk's crown? Maybe not quite yet, but keep on producing perfect dance-pop like this and there will soon be little to question their title. Also, fair play to Kevin Parker for having great taste in collaborators. 

All of these and a few more are part of this carefully-sequenced playlist: 

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5JkXesDYIcUzQ905vo1vih?si=d124a378e5894cf3

And finally, I usually finish with a few of my favourite mixes, but given this year we lost one of the finest DJs to ever do it - and a proud Scot to boot - I figured a few of my favourite Jackmaster jams were in order...