Top 10 running tracks 2024

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Here are my top running tracks of 2024 in no particular order. Click on the link to hear in YouTube.

10 - Watch me by Biig Piig

Electronic heaven. Deep bass, synth rhythms and female vocals. A massage for the ear drums.  

If you like this you may also like: I'm so high by Eufoeni, Kuma Fo by Les Amazones d'Afrique

9 - Blame by Gabriels

Truly epic. An incredible voice combined with soaring strings and memorable lyrics:

Not a slave if I'm already free
Not a captive if it's where I want to be

And those high notes. Wow. Stunning.

If you like this you may also like: My Lady of Mercy by The Last Dinner Party, number 8 below...

8 - Hollywood Blvd by Loren Kramar

Drama. Another tune to make you feel like a giant. An anthem. A splendid, magnificent paeon to Hollywood fame. Funny too. Check out these lyrics:

Move over
I'm coming through
Only joking but please get out of the way

Who wants to live forever?
I do!

Come on pencil
Let's show notepad what we can do.

Don't just take my word for it. YouTube comments include 'This song touched my soul' 'Criminally underrated' and 'I'm not crying, you're crying.'

If you like this you may also like: Number 9 above, Eat my words by Divorce.

7 - Pop Pop Pop by Idles

Punk is back! From the moment the beat kicks in to the snarling vocals and attitude, you know you're ready for a fight. I play this while running through dark London streets and nothing scares me. Come on then, bring it!

If you like this you may also like: This here ain't water by Big Special, Approachable by Gurriers.

6 - Shadow of a doubt by SPRINTS

Not for the faint hearted. This is more punk mayhem. One of my bands of the year along with Been Stellar (number 5).  It draws you in with the timid vocal and soft guitar before smashing you around the head with banshee shrieks and heavy guitar riffs. Reminiscent of Hole in their prime.

If you like this you may also like: Heavy by SPRINTS, Doll parts by Hole

5 - Manhattan Youth by Been Stellar

This was from their early EP. They have now followed this up with a stunning debut album. New York based Been Stellar are setting the world alight with their Sonic Youth and Ride inspired Indie tunes. I saw them play at The Bodega in Nottingham and they didn't disappoint. Watch this space in 2025.

If you like this you may also like: Favourite by Fontaines DC, Don't by Honeyglaze

4 - Black Dog by Big Special or check out the Alt. acoustic version

A song about depression that leaves you feeling stronger and able to cope. You'll be whistling along too.

They describe the song like this: ‘BLACK DOG / WHITE HORSE’ is about fear, about rumination, intrusive thoughts and cycles of depression. It’s about trying to figure out how to reach out when feelings of guilt and shame take hold. It’s about recognising these things in others, noticing the lost and undervalued, and their increasing numbers. It comes from a thing I wrote years ago, about a burning snake traveling in the hot sun and a small wren flying high above it to block the heat and give it shade, taking the burden of the sun, because the little bird loves the snake and won’t see it defeated, for whatever reason.

Check out the acoustic version. 'The shape of my intention is not the shape that I'm in'

If you like this you may also like: Like the end by James Blake, Speech bubbles by The Smile

3 - Joy by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

I have never listened to Nick Cave, even when he did an album with PJ Harvey whom I love. For some reason the time was right to give him a go and I'm so glad I did. What a genius. I have a huge back catalogue to work through now.

His new album is sublime. Huge operatic tunes. His inimitable voice. Emotion. Passion. This song narrowly squeezes in as my favourite track on the album. Another one to sing aloud while running. 

Black triumphant metaphors of love!

For joy!
For joy!
For joy!
For joy!

If you like this you may also like: Cinnamon Horses by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, O wow O Wow (how wonderful she is) by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

2 - Everything and nothing by Soft Play

Back to the shouty stuff. This time with accompanying mandolin. A tale of love and loss. Desperately sad and touching. Gut wrenching.

If you like this you may also like: Number 4 above.

1 - Dafodil by Jamie XX

Every track of Jamie XX's new album In Waves is exquisite. This one takes the crown as it puts a smile on my face. It samples a track from 1973 with vocals from Kelsey Lu, John Glacier and Panda Bear. The sound of summer in the city. 

If you like this you may also like: God gave me feet for dancing by Ezra Collective, Iwaiwa Funk by Bab L'Bluz

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