In 2023, I logged 102,817 minutes of music on Spotify (as per my “Spotify Wrapped,” released at the start of December). Even with notable releases last year such as The Japanese House’s In the End It Always Does and Daniel Caesar’s NEVER ENOUGH, I personally don’t consider it a successful year for music. Others might disagree with this “hot take”, but there was just no impact for me in a year so depressingly dominated by the genres of Latin pop and country. That being said, I look forward to the near future, and hopefully, a new year means new beginnings. Here’s what I wish for in my 2024 musical experience.

Find a new favorite artist:

The 1975, my all-time favorite band for almost 5 years, topped my leaderboard each and every December by a substantial margin. But that doesn’t mean I’m not open to new artists. I love to explore different genres across the globe, and I acquire a new obsession every two weeks. These past few months have been a hop-and-skip between ’90s shoegaze, post-punk revival, and mid-20th century soul music. 

Cult bands like The Strokes and Duster took rise in my heart this year, but just not enough to overtake my sentiment for The 1975 and their discography. In 2024, I hope to find an artist I love as much as this band and hopefully divide my attention between different genres. 

New Favorite Album:

Currently, Summer’s Over by Jordana and TV Girl takes the top place of my personal favorite album of all time. Since its release in 2021, the short yet sweet niche EP heavily dominated my algorithm and swept an indie pop wave into my playlist. The 1975 birthed Being Foreign In a Funny Language in 2022, which almost took this top spot in my heart. Rex Orange County and Thee Sacred Souls also put out masterpieces that year and brought fierce competition. On the other hand, 2023 disappointed me, and a new year hopefully brings more successful albums.

Genres:

In 2024, I desperately hope Spotify makes more genres available, specifically in video game music. OSTs like Pokemon or Animal Crossing provide the perfect instrumental soundtracks to study or sleep to, but unfortunately, official music platforms such as Spotify scarcely upload them.

Furthermore, I find myself drawn to the genre of Chicano soul music, a category I particularly enjoy but haven’t had the chance to become proficient in, mostly in regards to the various artists. Selina, often called “The queen of Tejano music”, produced one of my favorite songs.

Conclusion:

Music has the incredible power to transcend boundaries, ignite creativity, and forge connections. These resolutions are not just personal goals but promise to embrace the diverse world of sound. Here’s to a year of musical exploration, where each tune becomes a stepping stone in my evolving melody of self-discovery.