I hope you will all be holding space for my music, even if I mostly listened to big pop hits from Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan all year (hence they get a doubleshot each) and the same bands I used to listen to 20+ years ago, or a lot of music related to the day job (movies).
Thanks to Robyn Larkin as my Photoshop Genius again -- as always he’s available for film campaigns via What Is Bobo? I mean, look at the Wendy 2024 logos behind the judges, amazing work, Robyn.
Thanks Raygun for the inspiration (my alternate idea was my head on Moo Deng’s body which might really give you nightmares).
Click here to get the playlist on Spotify (you can listen there even if you don’t pay for Spotify).
Track listing for The WendyMIx 2024
All in Good Time by Iron & Wine with Fiona Apple
I love that this song sounds like it could’ve been written 100 years ago.
Let’s Keep Dancing by Emiliana Torrini
Gorgeous Icelandic singer, inspired by my friend Zoe Flower’s late mother Geraldine
Flower, as seen and heard in the very creative film The Extraordinary Miss Flower.
L’equilibrio by Valentino Vivace
I have absolutely no idea where or when I heard this song but I like the soft rock vibes.
Don’t Forget Me by Maggie Rogers
She’s come SO FAR since going viral with Pharrell.
Right Back To It by Waxahatchee and MJ Lenderman
Waxahatchee’s voice always gets me, now with North Carolina’s own MJ Lenderman.
Angel of My Dreams (S.A.D. Version by Jade
Shoutout to my fitness instructor and friend Eleni who introduced me to this one! (I like the saddo remix but she prefers the original).
Guard Down by August Moon
From the finest (cough) cinematic achievement of the year, The Idea of You (look it up for some fun on Amazon, it’s way better than you expect). Some of you will switch off after this song and I can’t say I blame you.
Just Another Rainbow by Liam Gallagher and John Squire
For sure this will be better than the 2025 Oasis reunion.
Ready To Go Home by Primal Scream
Another one of those bands I was listening to 25 years ago.
Girl 71 by The Jesus and Mary Chain
And yet ANOTHER one of those bands I was listening to 25 years ago.
Nothing Matters by The Last Dinner Party
For the hipsters.
Capricorn by Vampire Weekend
Another band I listened to 20 years ago. I’m seeing a trend.
Starbuster by Fontaines DC
Just to prove I’m not scared of guitar music.
Want You! Like a Cigarette by The Courettes
Fun garage retro vibes from a Danish/Brazilian duo.
DRUGS by Joy Oladokun
Born in Arizona to a Nigerian family. Powerful tune.
Worship by Mavis Staples
Age 85 and she’s STILL GOT IT.
Not Like Us by Kendrick Lamar
Sorry Drake I guess I’m Team Kendrick.
C.E.A.R.T.A. by Kneecap
A Kneecap song from a few years ago. We had Rich Peppiatt;s great film opening Sundance London. I really, really would love to see the Kneecap lads on the Oscars stage, let’s make it happen. Oh and your ears aren’t broken, they are rapping in the Irish language.
Lovin On Me by Jack Harlow
He gives me dirtbag vibes but in a good way?
Broken Man by St Vincent
She’s also still got it.
Give It Up for Love, Gossip
They’ve also still got it. See what I mean about only listening to the same bands I did 20 years go?
The Points That Matter by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
Fun soundtrack to the horniest film of the year*, Challengers
Brand New Bitch by Cobrah
Memorably heard in Yorgos Lanthimos’ Kinds of Kindness
Million Dollar Baby by Tommy Richman
I know nothing about this song nor Tommy but this makes me want to shake my ass.
Texas Hold ‘Em by Beyonce
Speaking of ass shaking, I still can’t line dance.
Apple by Charli XCX
I’m pretty sure my BRAT summer was 32 years ago, but I still appreciate the sentiment.
Good Luck, Babe! By Chappell Roan
Spotify tells me it’s my most played song of 2024 and I’m not surprised. Song of the year!
Red Wine Supernova by Chappell Roan
Another banger from the year of Chappell.
Please Please Please by Sabrina Carpenter
Sorry Barry Keoghan, “there goes that dream.”
Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter
The year’s most perfect pop song? I got really sick of it for a few months but I’ve come back around to it.
There are 30+ more songs I liked over at the WendyMix2024 Deep Cuts Playlist, too.
*Actually there are a lot of horny films this year. Babygirl is another close contender for the crown.
Notes:
I’ve kinda lost track but it might be the 24th or 25th edition of the WendyMix. Oh my god the hours I spent burning CDs in the Hot Bird apartment in Brooklyn all those years ago…
I know some of you miss the physical CDs, but the money I’ve saved on postage I’ve donated to this year’s charity, Planned Parenthood, which I know will fight the good fight against Trump 2.0.
Some Other ‘old’ faves that came back this year: Kim Deal, Frank Black with The Dandy Warhols, Spoon, Camera Obscura, Sleater-Kinney, The Cure. I guess that makes it a good year for aging, nostalgic ‘90s indie rockers such as myself. Now we just need a
Superchunk reunion or something for 2025.
If you’re new to the concept of WendyMix, it’s some of my fave tunes of the year, combined with a silly photo, and it’s absolutely nothing to do with Christmas music. If you need reminding of some recent past WendyMixes here’s 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
