🏆 Songs That Don’t Suck: First Half of 2024 – Top 10 Tracks Recap
Welcome to a very special episode of Songs That Don’t Suck with your host Mark Bradbourne — music curator, podcaster, Gen Xer, and your weekly musical sherpa. While most weeks involve digging through hundreds of new releases to find those hidden sonic gems, this episode steps back for a little reflection.
Halfway through 2024 and facing a dry week for music releases, Mark turns the spotlight on the top 10 songs featured on the podcast so far this year. Think of it as the halftime show of your new music journey. 🎧
🎙️ Podcast Evolution: From Dual Episodes to One Weekly Jam
If you’ve been a longtime listener, you’ll remember the “Cliff Notes” edition — a workaround from the early days when Spotify’s Music + Talk format limited cross-platform publishing. But with Spotify sunsetting that feature, Mark pulled the plug early, consolidated the format, and thanks to platforms like Songwhip, made it easier than ever to access tracks no matter what music app you use.
🎶 Top 10 Songs of 2024 (So Far)
🎧 Presented in order of appearance on the show, not release date.
1. 🎸 “Give Me a Reason Why” – Swim School
Episode: 52
Heartbreak anthems hit different when they’re as emotionally honest as this. With raw lyrics and an empowering rediscovery of independence, this track has Mark (and Spotify DJ) coming back again and again.
2. 🧛♂️ “Vampire Disco” – Friday Pilots Club
Episode: 54
Catchy as hell with a dash of synthy pop-rock flavor, this song makes you want to roll the windows down and scream-sing the chorus. A standout follow-up to their earlier feature, “Life Support.”
3. 🧒 “Peter Pan” – Supine
Episode: 56
Straight from Norway with Jellyfish-esque flair, this underrated gem packs a delicious guitar riff and serious indie-rock chops. They’ve only got 70 monthly Spotify listeners — help change that.
4. ⛽ “Once Upon a Time at Texaco, Part One” – Amigo the Devil
Episode: 56
Dark folk storytelling at its finest. Booze, bad choices, and banjo. The only thing missing? Part Two. Mark’s not sure if he’s being trolled — but either way, it’s a haunting masterpiece.
5. 🧠 “Don’t Forget Me” – Maggie Rogers
Episode: 56
Maggie doesn’t just sing — she feels. With 10 million monthly listeners and still underappreciated, this track proves she’s one of the most talented vocalists working today. Emotional and unforgettable.
6. 🌌 “Glitching Prisms” – Night Verses (ft. Brandon Boyd)
Episode: 57
Prog-rock meets Incubus frontman? Yes, please. With intricate musicianship and Brandon Boyd’s unmistakable voice, this is a dream track for fans of Rush, Dream Theater, and smart rock.
7. 🌿 “All In Good Time” – Iron & Wine ft. Fiona Apple
Episode: 63
A lush, emotional duet that reintroduces Fiona Apple’s unmistakable voice into Mark’s rotation. Perfect for those low-key, reflective evenings with headphones and wine.
8. 💣 “Atom Bomb” – Bully
Episode: 63
Emotional piano, string arrangements, and vocals that hit like a sucker punch. A cathartic listen whether you’re deep in your feels or just need a good soul-cleansing track.
9. 🍁 “In Montreal” – Kaia Kater
Episode: 64
Banjo-forward and deeply unique, this one-of-a-kind track showcases Kaia’s folk roots with rich storytelling. Mark’s still hoping for a live show to catch her in action.
10. 🦷 “Sink Your Teeth” – The Mysterines
Episode: 65
Redemption for mispronouncing their name last year? Possibly. But this gritty alt-rock band keeps delivering bangers. Momentum is building — catch them before they blow up.
🥁 Honorable Mention: Episode 56
Three songs from this week made the top 10: Supine, Amigo the Devil, and Maggie Rogers. Mark officially declares it the best episode of the year… so far.
📣 Mark’s Message to Listeners
“I read somewhere that over 98% of podcasts don’t get past two episodes. The fact that we’re here a year and a half in? That’s because of you. Whether it’s your first listen or you’re a longtime fan — I think you rock.”
🖼️ …and I quote…
“Some weeks are better than others, but some songs just rise above. That’s why I love the mid-year recap.” — Mark Bradbourne 🎙️
🎧 Keep listening. Keep supporting artists. And always search for songs that don’t suck.
