The world was introduced to Knocked Loose this year when they broke the late night talk show mold and, potentially for the first time ever, we had a pit call on national television. I hope it got people into their oeuvre because it is stacked, including this year’s “You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To” (featuring “Blinding Faith”), which will probably be talked about for years to come.

Obscure release for Peck, written for the Skincare soundtrack. It’s too bad it got tucked away there and his other 2024 work — the Stampede album, most of which is also gold — also the third album from artists this year that is basically all duets — got more spins. It’s him at his best: Classic ’50s sway, Elvis-style swoon, his modern flair.

Body of work, Post Malone might be the best modern-pop songwriter-performer of all time. He’s tops at R&B melody, the best at hip-hop hooks, the best at wide-release movie soundtracking, and decides he’s going to be the best at pop-country album. “Finer Things” is the epitome of it, slotting in as the honky tonk banger on F-1 Trillion.

I’m a simple man. Reflections releases music, I listen, I love.

I know. You probably hate them and think they’re the most pretentious group ever. I feel like I should feel this way. I think I’m supposed to feel this way. But the best part is I don’t think the band gives a shit, so neither do I. I love them in all their soft-spoken haziness. We’re all just living in Greg Gonzalez’s smoke-filled, sex-crazed, monochromatic world.