So my assignment was to come up with my ten favorite local songs of 2024. An easy enough task, or so you’d think, but that’s not how my brain works. So I turned what should have been a quick and fun task into a complex, overwhelming job by overthinking it each and every step of the way.
For starters, I decided to exclude bands and artists from outside of the greater Louisville area. Lexington in particular has some incredible music happening, but it’s at least 50 miles past what I’d consider local. Then I decided to exclude Louisville artists who are already successful in favor of smaller, lesser known artists. So yes, Jack Harlow, My Morning Jacket, Knocked Loose, and Ben Sollee should all be on here, but aren’t for that reason. Next, I went through and re-read all of my reviews and listened to tons of music from bands/artists that I had reviewed and many I haven’t. The list I came up with afterwards consisted of well over 40 bands/artists and songs, each of which I could give a persuasive argument as to why they deserve to be on this list. From there I slowly and painfully whittled them down to twelve songs…for a ten song list. But I can’t bring myself to cut any of these.
Keep in mind I’m not saying these are the best local songs of 2024. Best is very subjective. These are simply my personal favorite songs of the year. Each of these twelve songs spoke to me for different reasons and stood out from the crowd.
One thing I can say for certain is that the level of great music coming out of Louisville these days is absolutely unprecedented and astounding. And regardless if your favorite artist or band made this list or not, I hope they all continue to create incredible music in 2025, and for years to come.
This list is sorted alphabetically by band/artist last name and is not ranked in any particular order.
Bad Wires
“Kaleidoscope Eyes”
After a disappointing 2023 that saw several setbacks for the band, Bad Wires came roaring back in 2024 in a big way with new drummer Andy Cook, some high-profile gigs, and most importantly two new tracks. The first of those tracks, “Kaleidoscope Eyes”, is about unrequited love from someone experiencing a psychotic break, and it is an absolute beast of a song! A mix of metal, punk, thrash, noise rock, hardcore and post-hardcore, Bad Wires really create their own genre here, then proceed to beat you over the head with it. This song is a burner from the get-go, and you can’t help but get caught up in the chaotic whirlwind of riffs.
badwires.bandcamp.com
Deady
“R.I.P.”
From the first moment I heard this track, there was no doubt it was going on this list. Arguably Deady’s most explosive song yet, “R.I.P.” is one of those tunes where once it ends, you pick your jaw up off the floor and say “Holy shit! What the fuck just happened?” and you immediately listen to it again to try and process everything. Clocking in at only 2:19, this is an all-too-short powerhouse of a tune that mixes Deady’s fun, quirky punk sound with a harder, thrashier edge, even going as far as to include blast beats at the end just to drive it home. “R.I.P.” shows the band in top form and, dare I say, cements Deady’s place among Louisville’s most legendary punk and hardcore bands.
linktr.ee/deady183
FALL
“Pale”
FALL packs more power, fury and honest aggression into this quick 58 second song than most bands do in their entire existence. No time for build-ups or easing the listener in, this song immediately pummels you with every ounce of energy that is in these four guys. Pure, unrelenting, true hardcore that is equal parts melodic and chaotic, but played with absolute precision by top-notch musicians. Michael Spalione is simply one of the best hardcore vocalists in the genre, screaming lyrics which are critical of so-called Christians using religion as a reason to justify violence, (at least that’s my take on it). Bottom line, FALL truly is a force to be reckoned with.
fall.bandcamp.com
FuriousFloyd
“Uncanny Valley”
There is a lot of great rap/hip hop coming out of Louisville, but FuriousFloyd just may be at the top of it all. Floyd’s incredible full-length album The Invincible Spit Kicker 3 is easily one of the best local records of 2024. His lyrics are honest, sharp, pointed, and laden with deep messages which are driven home by Floyd’s powerful, raw and authentic flow. Nowhere is this better represented than with “Uncanny Valley”, a hard-hitting song about living amongst frequent gun violence. He’s still giving this record away for free through his label’s website, so you have no excuse not to be listening.
bkr8v.com/music/the-invincible-spit-kicker-3
Unfortunately this track does not appear to be on YouTube or Spotify.
Godawfuls
“Diggin’ A Hole”
Fuck knows I love me some good old fashioned down and dirty, bourbon-soaked, southern-fried, bluesy, old school punk rock ‘n’ roll, and the Godawfuls bring it in spades! Although their latest five-song EP Half Hot and Bothered is chocked full of great songs, it’s this raw, rude, raucous, catchy-as-fuck tune about living for the moment but knowing full well you’re fucking up your life that lives in my head rent-free. Seriously, the chorus won’t leave my brain, nor do I want it to. This is like a party anthem for an out of control biker bar in the shittiest part of town. It’s the sound of the Ramones, Black Flag, Nine Pound Hammer and Chuck Berry all jamming together. For a band called Godawfuls, they’re actually really fucking good!
linktr.ee/godawfuls
Grackle
“My Disaster”
I had high expectations for Grackle’s first album in over five years, but I didn’t expect what they delivered. The band’s songwriting skills have grown tremendously. They have always had a piano-driven classic rock kind of sound with orchestral leanings, but the songs on their latest album, All That Matters, are downright epic. “My Disaster” kicks off the album in grand scale with a sweeping orchestral arrangement set to a classic and modern rock feel that brings to mind greats like Queen, Styx, King Crimson, and Emerson, Lake and Palmer mixed with the brooding darkness of Tool. The musicianship and songwriting here are incredible. Quite simply, “My Disaster” is a stunning piece amongst a collection of stunning pieces.
Hannan
“Get High”
No local band has ever impressed me on the level that Hannan did at the release show for their album Last Disguise. The talent, visuals, and stage presence I saw that night from Hannan was every bit on par with that of any major label band who’ve been touring arenas for years. The music video for this album opener was shot during the band’s set at the 2024 Inkcarceration Festival in Ohio and gives a great introduction as to what to expect from these guys. It’s a hard-hitting, burner of a modern rock song that is as professional in all aspects of writing and musicianship as it gets, local or otherwise. They’re not rock stars (yet), but they sure as fuck deserve to be.
hannanmusic.us
Dewey Kincade
“Hallelujah Holiday”
Narrowing down the 15 tracks that make up Dewey Kincade’s latest album The Heights to just one song to feature in this list is no easy task. This is about a solid of an album as you’ll ever hear. But ultimately it’s the album’s first track, “Hallelujah Holiday” that I keep coming back to. A bouncy, upbeat stomper of a tune in which Kincade reminisces lyrically about a love lost while perfectly melding elements of Americana, bluesy rock, folk and bluegrass with a sound that lies somewhere between Bob Dylan and The Black Crows. Kincade absolutely knocks it out of the park once again! This is Louisville music at its finest.
deweykincade.com
Producing a Kind Generation
“Do Androids Dream?”
I’ve often called them Louisville’s most underrated band, so it should come as no surprise that PAKG makes my list for the second year in a row. And with their latest single “Do Androids Dream?” garnering over 11,400 streams on Spotfy in four months, obviously people are finally taking note of this incredible band. Hands down one of their best tracks to date, “Do Androids Dream?” is a deep, lyrically contemplative bluesy alt-rock track rich with soulful vocals, catchy guitar-driven hooks, a smooth, funky bassline, and in-the-pocket drumming and keys. My best comparison would be if Prince wrote a Red Hot Chili Peppers tune, but even that doesn’t do it justice. Trust me, you just need to hear this one!
pakg.world
Quiet Confidence
“What Do You Say?”
I’ve never been able to listen to this song without getting goosebumps. Much like Coldplay’s “Fix You”, this is a perfectly crafted and executed pop/alt-rock song built around an expansive crescendo that begins softly and gradually swells the music by adding in instruments until the huge, explosive peak, then brings it back down again at the end. Lyrically the song is asking a two-part question: what do you say when the world is broken and hurting, while simultaneously asking what do you say we enjoy our time together and forget about all the negative things for a while? Ryan Lane is at the top of his game here!
linktr.ee/quiet.confidence
Routine Caffeine
“In The End Now”
Beautiful, mesmerizing, relaxing, sweet, haunting, and vividly colorful while maintaining a certain darkness, “In The End Now” embraces you like a warm hug and pulls you into an amazing soundscape that you can’t help but lose yourself in and float blissfully along with. Katie Kelley’s enchanting vocals take center stage while her smooth, soft guitar melody paired with Madison Case’s controlled walking bass lines and Emma Treganowan’s subdued jazzy drum beats create the perfect atmosphere around the lyrics, which are about telling someone how you feel even though you know it might result in the end of the relationship. Anne Gauthier’s production shines here, giving the vocals and instruments each rich, warm, expansive tones that seem to fill the room. No one does dreampop better than Routine Caffeine.
routinecaffeineband.com
Shitfire
“Am I”
Shitfire has come a long way in a few short years. They went from being a loud, brash, thrashy punk rock band into being…a loud, brash, thrashy punk band, albeit one that can write intricate songs with odd but catchy song structures though. Their latest single, “Am I”, is a perfect example of that. This track sounds like what I believe Evergreen in their prime, (Go Cart Ride era, I refuse any argument saying otherwise), would sound like if they wrote a song for The Gits. It’s a little bit strange, but insanely catchy and powerful. If this and their previous single “Toxic” are any indication, I’d say the best is yet to come from Shitfire.
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This article appears in Dec 18, 2024 – Jan 16, 2025.