With each passing year I find myself listening more to sounds of the past. That’s such a cliché, isn’t it? But it’s undeniable. I listened to new music in bursts, and picked up on individual tracks through 6 Music (primarily Iggy Pop’s show) and occasionally Spotify’s evolving All New Indie playlist. And seeing bands at Latitude and End of the Road, of course.

My Spotify Wrapped ruthlessly exposed my largely retro preferences, although my top band, Wednesday, are quite recent. This year I played them way more than anyone else – they are on a lot of my favourite playlists. Second on that Spotify list was Bruce Springsteen – no surprise there, especially after his brilliant concert at Wembley in July. Third was Radiohead – again no surprise. I have a playlist with all their albums, all Thom Yorke’s solo efforts and all of the Smile, the recent offshoot featuring Thom and Jonny Greenwood. It’s endlessly listenable. Fourth is Van Morrison – that was a surprise, but the algorithm does not lie. And fifth – a new entrant – Erik Satie! My oldest ever favourite: he was born in 1866 and died in 1925. What is going on? Have I finally succumbed to the lure of classical music? Well, not really. His compositions are mostly for solo piano, and I love the gentle, almost jazzy groove of them. There’s some real beauty in the melodies. Gnossiennes No3 is my favourite. I heard it years ago and have often come back to Satie’s music because of it. There are countless interpretations, but this year I came upon a very long collection called The Music of Erik Satie, featuring a pianist called Alessandro Simonetto. I hate to say it, but it’s great background music as I write my novel…

All that said, there are still plenty of new albums that I’ve enjoyed, and here are the best twenty:

1 – Ceremony by The Joy Hotel

A joyous journey through rock, pop and celtic soul. The Waterboys, Van Morrison and the Beatles are all reference points, but this is an epic symphony with its own distinctive appeal.

2 – Endlessness by Nala Sinephro

More sublime space jazz from the London-based Belgian composer. Listen to this alongside her debut album Space 1.8. Night time bliss.

3 – Wall of Eyes/ Cutouts by The Smile

Two from the band this year. With Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood in the band, Radiohead comparisons are inevitable. And merited – they are that good.

4 – Big Swimmer by King Hannah

The typical King Hannah song starts gently, like Mazzy Star, before exploding into a guitar epic, with the Neil Young influence to the fore. The title track is an awesome example.

5 – Dance, No-one’s Watching by Ezra Collective

The title says it all. A wonderful journey through the landscapes of jazz-funk and soul with excursions to Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America. Music to make you smile.

6 – This Could Be Texas by English Teacher

I guess you’d label this indie guitar music, but its variety and inventiveness, all beautifully played, takes it to another level. A deserved winner of the 2024 Mercury Music prize.

7 – Midas by Wunderhorse

This album is guitar heaven, reaching back to the late 60s and early 70s, with some Stone Roses added to the mix. The last song, Aeroplane, sounds like an epic tribute to Neil Young.

8 – Scream from New York, NY by Been Stellar

Guitars to on the fore on this album, too; a wall of sound accompanying the howls of anguish. The sound of the Strokes, ambushed by Sonic Youth. Rock, New York style.

9 – Tiger’s Blood by Waxahatchee

My favourite slice of Americana this year. Heart-warming and heart-breaking. Uplifting and melancholy. Right Back to It is a real country anthem.

10 – Speak in the Dark by Tara Lily

British Bangladeshi Tara Lily’s debut is a mixture of songs from earlier EPs and some new tracks. Soulful jazz with a subtle hint of Asia, as well some catchy drum’n’ bass beats.

11 – Perceive its Beauty, Acknowledge its Grace by Shabaka

In which Shabaka Hutchings puts down his saxophone and picks up the clarinet and the flute, including the Japanese shakuhachi, for an album of mystical beauty.

12 – Brat by Charli XCX

You might know this one! A perfect dance-pop confection, full of absolute bangers. Defiance and attitude competes with vulnerability and confusion. Inventive and witty. Irresistible.

13 – Mother by Logic 1000

Australian, Berlin-based electronic producer and DJ Samantha Poulter takes us on a melodic journey through the annals of House and Techno. It’s joyous.

14 – Cascade by Floating Points

Electronic composer and producer Sam Shepherd follows up the epic, symphonic Promises – my album of 2021 – with this more varied collection of dance and techno. Always engaging.

15 – The Tortured Poets Department by Taylor Swift

In the old saying, there’s a really good single album in here. It’s long, rather self-indulgent and nothing new musically, but it is still full of catchy melodies and sharp observations.

16 – Manning Fireworks by MJ Lenderman

Amongst other things MJ Lenderman plays guitar in the brilliant Wednesday. This solo album is a classic low-fi indie, with a tinge of country and a wall of noise at the end.

17 – Night Reign by Arooj Aftab

Arooj Aftab’s music fuses jazz and soul with the sounds of her homeland, Pakistan. This album follows in the footsteps of her 2021 album Vulture Prince. Eerie and beautiful.

18 – Daniel by Real Estate

Take the mid-tempo chug of classic REM and combine it with some of the sheen of Steely Dan, and you have Real Estate. Easy and engaging listening.

19 – Passage du Desir – Johnny Blue Skies

Johnny Blue Skies is the pseudonym of leftfield country singer Sturgill Simpson. This album is a varied and heartfelt collection that gave me a feel of Bruce Springsteen at times.

20 – Mood Swings – Marcus King

Marcus king is an ace blues and rock guitarist from South Carolina, who also sings very soulfully. And it’s the soulful that dominates on this often confessional album.