A 2024 mixtape
Just to be here on this train once again
The subtitle is from the song Crystal Chandeliers and Burgundy by Charley Crockett. It is a cover of the 1974 song by Johnny Cash. “Visions of Dallas” is the follow-up to Charley’s spring album “$10 Cowboy.” It contains a number of covers, including Crystal Chandeliers And Burgundy (Johnny Cash), Loser’s Lounge (Ringo Starr), Loretta (Townes Van Zandt), and Goodbye Holly (Bob Dylan). Further, he puts his storytelling abilities on full display in Killers of the Flower Moon.
Although I’m mixing across genres, I did my best to order the songs so they flow well together. Enjoy!
The songs
Mission Statement by Wale & T-Minus — Ghetto Speak.
Wale is a rapper from Washington, D.C., who recently signed with Def Jam. T-Minus is a Canadian producer who contributed to eight Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year for his work on Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City.
Oak Island by Zach Bryan — The Great American Bar Scene.
I love this style of storytelling through a song, which is what you call a folk song. Oak Island most likely refers to Oak Island Junction in New Jersey, a freight railyard. My favorite part of the song is the instrumental outro, featuring cymbals, trumpet, and guitar. It reminds me of old-school rock songs, where the track doesn’t end until the musicians get a chance to show off their skills one last time.
Cowboy Songs by George Birge — Cowboy Songs.
George Birge is an Austin-born, Nashville-based artist who released his first EP, Cowboy Songs, under RECORDS Nashville.
Love Somebody by Morgan Wallen — Single.
At first listen, I sensed strong ’80s influences in this song. After doing some digging, I found the closest melody. It’s a 2006 song by British singer-songwriter Mika called Relax, Take It Easy. Mika, in turn, interpolates from the British rock band Cutting Crew’s hit single (I Just) Died in Your Arms, which was released in 1986.
See the comparisons between Relax and Love Somebody below, cued at the right spot in both videos.
Out Of My Mind by Kashus Culpepper — Single.
Out Of My Mind is one of the first songs Alabama-born singer-songwriter Kashus Culpepper has ever written. The song is about the aftermath of a relationship. I love this description of the song from Complete Country magazine.
A break within the four-minute odyssey enlivens things, starring plucking banjo and an optimistic plunk, painting details with hope of recovery and a group-sing backdrop, just to plummet back into the grimy, swamp-tinged swagger of the song’s start.
Summer ’24 by Benny the Butcher & Black Soprano Family — Single.
I love these beats. The single was produced by Nyckles from Brussels and Harlem Zone from NYC.
I Never Lie by Zach Top — Cold Beer & Country Music.
Top co-wrote the song with Carson Chamberlain and Tim Nichols. Chamberlain produced the song I Never Lie, which became a part of Top’s debut album.
This song, along with Austin by Dasha, A Bar Song by Shaboozey, and TEXAS HOLD ’EM by Beyoncé, finally encouraged me to learn line dancing.
The Aftermath by Carter Faith — The Aftermath–EP.
Carter Faith is a country music singer-songwriter from North Carolina. The Aftermath EP consists of five songs, including another one of my favorites, Strong Stuff. She supported both Midland and Luke Grimes on tour.
BOLIVIAN JEANINE by Hus KingPin — THE OLYMPICS TAPE: FIRST SESSION–EP.
Hus KingPin is a rapper from Brooklyn. I didn’t find much more about this album.
REEKYOD by Madlib, Black Thought & Your Old Droog — Single.
See this quote from Rock The Bells magazine.
REEKYOD serves as more than a song — it’s a declaration of artistic freedom and a celebration of Hip-Hop’s enduring legacy by three musicians who play distinct and vital roles within the genre.
See this part of the verse from YOD.
Made history without reporters
It’s like that adage, if a classic drops in a forest
Boulder by Navy Blue — Memoirs in Armour.
Genius offers a masterful summary of the song.
Track 2 titled “Boulder” from [Memoirs in Armour] moves speedier than the rest of the album sonically, but fitting nevertheless. Producer Chuck Strangers continues Navy Blues style of repetitive chopped pianos, but unlike the intro “Take Heed” this song has a more journeyman sonic to it. This is fitting with Navy Blue’s abstract explanation of the journey of becoming older and being confronted by his past experiences.
Lalala by Redman & Method Man — Muddy Waters Too.
Redman and Method Man have been best friends for 30 years. The song produced by Vinyl Frontiers and Redman (Reggie Noble) contains multiple samples from the 1968 song Bang Bang by Betty Chung, which is, in turn, a cover of the 1966 song by Cher. Betty Chung is a singer and actress from Hong Kong who was popular in the 60s and 70s.
Laredo by Leon Bridges— Leon.
Leon Bridges was born in Atlanta and raised in Fort Worth. The song is inspired by an experience Leon had in the border town of Laredo, which lies on the north bank of the Rio Grande. There was a dance competition where he was mesmerized by a dancer’s performance. He still remembers her vividly, even after 10 years.
I knew a girl with a diamond crown
Grew up in a border town
Took me to an empty dive
Such a pretty silhouette
Show me how to two-step
She brings me back to life
Solitary Road by Charley Crockett— $10 Cowboy.
Charley Crockett appears twice on this playlist because he released two excellent albums in 2024. I saw him perform live this year.
weren’t for the wind by Ella Langley — still hungover.
Ella Langley is a country music singer-songwriter from Alabama. She’s had an amazing 2024 with the release of her 19-song deluxe album “still hungover,” which includes a number of hits, including you look like you love me, her sensational duet with Riley Green.
Worst Way by Riley Green — Way Out Here.
Riley is skipping the wine and the flowers and giving us the absolute hottest song of the year. He mentions Eric Church’s Like a Wrecking Ball as the inspiration for Worst Way.
How Low Can You Go by Charley Crockett — Visions of Dallas.
“Visions of Dallas” is the follow-up to Charley’s spring album “$10 Cowboy.” It contains a number of covers, including Crystal Chandeliers And Burgundy (Johnny Cash), Loser’s Lounge (Ringo Starr), Loretta (Townes Van Zandt), and Goodbye Holly (Bob Dylan). Further, he puts his storytelling abilities on full display in Killers of the Flower Moon.
DBZ (feat. Madlib) by Your Old Droog , Method Man & Denzel Curry — Movie.
DBZ is Droog, Johnny Blaze (Method Man), and Zeltron 6 Billion (Denzel Curry). DBZ is also the Japanese anime series Dragon Ball Z.
Produced by Madlib, the song samples Deep Shadows by Little Ann.
Ain’t Giving Up by Duke Dumont & Clementine Douglas — Single.
I love this description of the song by edm.com magazine.
Melancholy meets determination in the new single, which finds Dumont teaming up with “Miracle Maker” songstress Clementine Douglas to construct an evocative journey that encapsulates the sheer essence of human resilience. Out now via Astralwerks, the song’s lyrics unfold a powerful emotional narrative as its influential producer crafts cascading waves of melodic synths and deep sense of rhythm.
Circadian Rhythm by Drake — 100 GIGS.
Drake released Circadian Rhythm, along with SOD and No Face, via his IG burner account. London Cyr, Ben10k, Eli Brown & Gordo are listed as producers.
Change Me by BigXthaPlug — Single.
Xavier Landum, better known as BigXthaPlug, is a rapper, songwriter, and record producer. Inspired by 1970s and 1980s hip hop, Change Me is his second single from his second studio album, Take Care.
Streaming options
The playlist is available on Apple Music, Spotify, and TIDAL.
I’d love to know your favorite songs of the year; please get in touch! And happy 2025!
Peace,
DJ Pardis
