Home for the Holidays
We are back from our weeklong trip to Germany. It is wonderful and exciting to see family and friends in person, but we are also happy to have returned to the place that has been our home for over two decades. Enjoy some photos of a festive Munich at the end of the newsletter before we switch back again to all things NYC.
As announced, I spent some time going through my music library with the goal of keeping only those ten 2024 albums that I want to keep listening to regularly. The resulting list is very personal: the intention is not to declare the “best” music of the year but to discuss the more profound ways one can connect with artists and their music.
Lily Hain - Fatal Flaws
I liked Lily Hain from her first song, “Internalize,” on. Her debut album Fatal Flaws makes me feel like spending time with a friend and listening to what is going on in her life since she moved to New York City. She is serious but not too self-important or dramatic, and the music is catchy and upbeat.
AVR - Salvation
AVR is the project of the Berlin-based singer, pianist, composer, songwriter, and producer Anna von Raison. I’m spelling this out because her solo act is only one of the many things she does in music. She could be a pop star, but she’s not interested. Still, Salvation is a beautiful piece of R&B-tinged future pop, and I hope she’ll keep releasing more of such wonderful songs.
Kelly Lee Owens - Dreamstate
The Welsh electronic musician and (occasional) singer Kelly Lee Owens has nailed it with her third album. Dreamstate works for dancing, meditating, or just generally bringing you into a better mood.
Giungla - Distractions
The Italian musician Ema Drei aka Giungla has perfected her sound – heavy guitars and beats with subtle electronics and soothing vocals for many years through a couple of EPs and several singles. On her debut full-length Distractions, it comes all together.
Erika De Casier - Still
I discovered the Portuguese-born Danish singer and producer Erika de Casier through the Ableton Podcast, and I liked her before I had an idea of any of her music. That helps me over a few songs on her latest album Still, which I tend to fast forward. But overall, this is a gorgeous pop record with some outstanding takes on music production.
Yndling - Mood Booster
Mood Booster fuses Nordic melancholy with pool-side chill-out vibes. Silje Espevik, the artist behind Yndling, said in our Q&A feature that the record does not fall into “the happiness category.” Still, it is a beautiful album to relax and dream.
Bibi Club - Feu de garde
Feu de garde is a very Montreal album: bi-lingual and on the line between quirky indie and catchy pop music. Adèle Trottier-Rivard and Nicolas Basque, aka Bibi Club, made “A Fire That Illuminates,” an album I’m always in the mood to listen to.
gglum - The Garden Dream
gglum (“the second g is silent”) is Ella Smoker from London. Mentally, I file her debut album, The Garden Dream, next to the new records of Soccer Mommy, Abby Sage, and Bored At My Grandmas House. The decision was difficult, but I selected Ella because her music felt fresher.
talker - I’m Telling You The Truth
I have written about the talker debut album before, and 2024 was when we saw her live with her solo project. Her music has been a constant delight at glamglare, so this record has to remain in my collection.
néomi - Somebody’s Daughter
Like Lily Hain, the Dutch singer/songwriter néomi, I feel a special connection after writing about several of her songs. Somebody’s Daughter is an album for quieter moments: “I tried to be as honest as possible,” she said.
glamglare favorites
Listen to glamglare favorites on Spotify or below on YouTube.
New Music from Germany
Munich duo Aggressive Swans keeps on releasing indie-rock gems reminiscent of Radiohead’s In Rainbows era. Their newest single, “Overtryer,” is a magnificent example.
Los Angeles via Berlin singer/songwriter Ava Vegas lately plays with 70 disco sounds, which suits her charming vocals well. “Real High” is a winner!
We had them on our glamglare favorites playlist when I chose bands playing The Great Escape 2025. I am looking forward to seeing Zimmer90 live at TGE, and their brand new single “Follow (I will never let you go)” demonstrates once more their talent for sleek, infectious electro-pop.
Luckily, music in German is still being made, for example, by Der Assistent. The ultra lazy and lush “Klinik unter Palmen” can be found on his 2024 album Amnesie am Amazonas.
Because we like her and her music so much, Melbourne-via-Germany-via-Detroit indie-rock/alt-pop artist HACHIKU must be in here too! Check out “Tell All Your Friends You Love Them,” and stay tuned for the album The Joys of Being Pure at Heart on February 28th.
Song Pick of the Day
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Nine Photos from a Festive Munich
Christmas markets have always been a staple in Munich, but they’ve gotten more and more in recent years. In contrast to New York’s holiday markets, you may gather with friends and enjoy a hot mulled wine at one of the plentiful “Glühweinstände.” Add a savory sausage, “Bratwurst,” and the enjoyment of all the Christmas glimmer and glitter is perfect! Enjoy here a few impressions of a few hours in Munich around Stachus, Marienplatz, and Sendlinger Tor.
Photos: Elke Nominikat