RSU Radio DJs’ Best of 2024

Ann – Fresh Fridays + Vinyl Breakfast + Music Director

Clairo is an artist I have been a fan of since her first singles came out in 2018 on soundcloud. Her evolution as an artist and lyricist has been so fun to watch. Charm shows how Clairo has grown as an artist and as a person. Her storytelling throughout the album is beautiful and enticing and the unique sound she has curated mixes 70’s Joni Mitchell with something completely her own. I am so happy to see her getting more recognition and people discovering her talent through this album. I love Clairo!!

1. Clairo – Charm
2. The Marias – Submarine
3. Thee Sacred Souls – Got A Story to Tell
4. Ray LaMontagne – Long Way Home
5. Khruangbin – A LA SALA
6. Crumb – AMAMA
7. Cults – To The Ghosts
8. Dehd – Poetry
9. Faye Webster – Undressed At The Symphony
10. Dr. Dog – Dr. Dog

Tip – Riot Radio

Top Album: Goon – God’s Only Option Now

“The first three blistering tracks might make this feel like your standard punk album, but more experimental sounds emerge on “Black Egg” and “Do It” bringing to mind early hardcore deviants Void. G.O.O.N. is a ride front to back and is one of those releases that feels like it pulls the genre forward, while also being a bit underappreciated.”

1. Goon – God’s Only Option Now
2. Future Islands – People Who Aren’t There Anymore
3. High Vis – Guided Tour
4. Regional Justice Center – FREEDOM
5. Waxahatchee – Tiger’s Blood
6. Gouge Away – Deep Sage
7. Spaced – This Is All We Ever Get
8. Shannon & the Clams – The Moon Is In The Wrong Place
9. Bad Nerves – Still Nervous
10. Caribou – Honey

Reverend Doctor Ray – Hifi Heresy

Top Album: Jack White – No Name

“Jack is back! After, in my opinion, a string of so-so solo albums, Mr. White roars as only he can. A blistering guitar-driven album that a will appeal to a real rock n’ roll fan.”

1. Jack White – No Name
2. The Jackets – Intuition
3. The Sufrajettes – Easy as Pie
4. Rick White and the Sadies – Rick White and the Sadies
5. The Absolute – Always Will
6. Q65 – The life We Live
7. The Faces – Live at the BBC
8. The Heartless Bastards – Winter in the Blood
9. Iggy and the Stooges – Raw Power [7-inch Edition]
10. Various Artists – Third Man Live box set

Maria – The Lounge

While this choice is admittedly hive-minded, I promise it’s for good reason. Charlie XCX inspired an entire movement with Brat. Her confessional club beats were the backdrop for a larger-than-life mythos complete with messy behavior, grungy fashion and even political campaigns. In the face of insecurity, self-worth issues and romance – Sweating it out on the dance floor with your fellow brats seemed like the optimal solution.

1. Charlie XCX – Brat
2. Amyl and The Sniffers – Cartoon Darkness
3. Father John Misty – Mahashmashana
4. Brittany Howard – What Now
5. Mannequin P**** – I Got Heaven
6. Tems – Born in the Wild
7. Fontaines D.C. – Romance
8. Khruangbin – A LA SALA
9. Iron & Wine – Light Verse
10. Bear Hands – The Key to What

Sky – Her Voice

Top Album: Taylor Swift – The Tortured Poets Department

“Being my favorite artist since I was 5 years old, it’s a shock to no one that this is my favorite album this year. Heartbreak and passion seeps through every lyric.”

1.  Taylor Swift – The Tortured Poets Department
2.  Sabrina Carpenter – Short N’ Sweet
3.  Gracie Abrams – The Secret of Us
4. Conan Gray – Found Heaven
5.  Maude Latour – Sugar Water
6.  Charli XCX – BRAT
7.  Griff – Vertigo
8.  Benson Boone – Fireworks and Rollerblades
9.  Dua Lipa – Radical Optimism
10. Remi Wolf – Best Ideas

Aby – Latino Power Hour

Top Album: Ariana Grande – Eternal Sunshine

“An album that healed my soul.”

1.  Ariana Grande – Eternal Sunshine
2.  Kenia Os – Pink Aura
3. Wicked: The Soundtrack
4.  Shakira – Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran
5. Rauw Alejandro – Cosa Nuestra
6.  Kali Uchis – Orquideas
7.  Analu Dada – Sueños de Luna
8.  Camila Cabello – C, XOXO
9.  La Joaqui – Tu Patrona de Lujo
10. Peso Pluma – Exodo

Micah Phillips – Feel The Drive

1. D.Silvestre – D.Silvestre – Yeezus but Brazilian and more experimental
2. Two Shell – Two Shell– dance floor head trips
3. James Devane – Searching – J Dilla inspired experimental electronics
4. Phil Geraldi – AM/FM USA – KLF influenced midwestern road trip feverdream
5. Skee Mask – Resort – another flawless entry in his lexicon
6. O. – WeirdOs – sax/drums/electronics.  like Morphine, but not
7. Mount Eerie – Night Palace – Phil Elvrum’s return to a Microphone’s style release
8. Caribou – Honey – dance floor bangers for the indie  crowd
9. Compilation – Back Up Dos:  Mexican Tecno Pop 1980-1989 – super fun synth songs
10. Compilation – INTERMIX 66, Vol 1 – Tulsa’s version of The Crow Soundtrack featuring new BODY OPTICS

Jace – Britwaves + Top 10

I wrote this off as a failed experiment early on, but now we know what was really going on behind the scenes. This record serves as an adventurous bookend to the Gallaghers’ solo discography. I could do without the reciting of the colors of the rainbow, but look where it got us! Onwards and upwards to 2025!

1. Liam Gallagher & John Squire – Liam Gallagher & John Squire
2. The K’s – I Wonder If The World Knows?
3. Shed Seven – Liquid Gold
4. Kelly Jones – Inevitable Incredible
5. Ivy League – Interstate Dreams
6. Lucy Rose – This Ain’t The Way You Go Out
7. Lime Garden – One More Thing
8. Green Day – Saviors
9. Oasis – Definitely, Maybe (30th Anniversary Deluxe)
10. John Lennon – Mind Games (The Ultimate Collection)

Cody Clinton – Unknown Legends

1. The Cure – Songs of a Lost World
2. Jack White – No Name
3. Smashing Pumpkins – Aghori Mori Mei
4. Sierra Ferrell – Trail of Flowers
5. Blitzentrapper – 100’s of 1000’s, Millions of Billions
6. The Black Crowes – Happiness Bastards
7. David Gilmour – Love and Strange
8. Vampire Weekend – Only God was Above Us
9. Wilderado – Talker
10. Pearl Jam – Dark Matter

 Brian Horton – Horton’s Heavy Communion

1. Borknagar – Fall
2. Opeth – The Last Will and Testament
3. Amethyst – Throw Down the Gauntlet
4. Judas Priest – Invincible Shield
5. Blood Incantation – Absolute Elsewhere
6. Dodsrit – Nocturnal Will
7. Lord Goblin – Lord Goblin
8. Pectoria – Twilight Knights 
9. AMIENSUS – Reclamation
10. Ulcerate –  Cutting the Throat of God