Montreal’s Stars have been busy on tour this year celebrating the 20th anniversary of their classic third album Set Yourself on Fire, which they’ll continue in 2025 with more shows. As 2024 winds down, we’ve been asking artists about their favorite music of the year, and co-lead vocalist and songwriter Torquil Campbell made us a list of eight songs, one album, and one artist. Read it, and his commentary, below.
STARS’ TORQUIL CAMPBELL’S FAVORITE MUSIC OF 2024
Crack Cloud – “The Medium”
I live in Vancouver. We trade a lot on our beauty and serenity, but in fact we have one of the highest overdose, addiction and poverty rates in the western world. We treat poor people and people without homes like shit here. We tear up their tents, we let their drug supply be poisoned by scumbag dealers, we erase indigenous people’s communities and histories. We are a greed driven, vulgar, uncaring cultural vacuum with a nice view and real estate prices that would make you laugh hysterically. We fucking suck. But one good thing about Vancouver is the band Crack Cloud. You should listen to them.
The The – “Life After Life”
After 24 years Matt Johnson is back, and not a minute too soon. His whole new record is great, but this one is one of his existential ruminations on how bad and pathetic middle aged men are and I can really relate to it, unfortunately.
Blue Bendy – So Medieval
I can’t pick one song from this record cuz it’s all of a piece I think. Absolutely original, addictive, weird shit. I cannot understand why it was so ignored. If you like emotion and people who are really good at music and jokes, you should listen to this album.
Sam Gendel
He’s put out like three records this year and they’re all different and they’re all great. I would like to be Sam Gendel but I’d have to work harder on music, so fuck it I’ll just listen.
High Llamas with Rae Morris- “Sisters Friend”
The massively great Sean O’Hagan put out a new High Llamas record this year and it’s one of the best ones. I’ve loved him since he was in a band called Microdisney that everyone should listen to. He’s a genius. No, I’m serious, he really is.
The Rhythm Method – “Black and Blue”
I’ve given up hoping that people will figure out how good this band is, and I think they have as well. Doesn’t change the fact that they beautifully represent a tradition of British songwriting that is disappearing (Blue Bendy also do this) that goes back to The Kinks, through Squeeze, The Beautiful South, The Streets, and right up to this fantastic south London duo. I know you won’t listen. But you should. This song makes me cry. It’s very Stars-y. and I quite like the band Stars.
total fucking darkness- “let’s pour the blood of jesus all over the little children”
This is my new band with Steve from Young Galaxy and Tom McFall who has engineered U2 records and shit like that but also happens to be my homie. This is our new Xmas single. It’s not out yet, but it’s perfect for sitting by the fire with some eggnog and a bottle of sleeping pills while you fantasize about killing your relations. Check it out!
A.G. Cook- “Soulbreaker”
The whole album Britpop is great, but this is my favourite. I had never really listened to A.G. Cook before because his music elicits some of the most pretentious music journalism i have ever had the misfortune to read, but that’s not his fault is it??? His music’s wicked. Simultaneously incredibly traditional, almost classical structure paired with synths that only he and some guy in a basement in Tokyo even know how to turn on. Extremely bracing, very cool, incredibly plastic and quite exciting.
Pet Shop Boys – “Why Am I Dancing”
The most underrated act in the history of pop just keep turning out immaculate pop songs decade after decade. You think it’s easy? You try it.
Sabrina Carpenter – “Espresso”
Obvs.
—
Stars’ 2025 tour begins with NYC shows at Racket on February 6 and 7, and continues through April. See all dates below.
STARS: 2025 TOUR DATES
02/06/25 – New York City, NY – Racket
02/07/25 – New York City, NY – Racket
02/08/25 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
02/13/25 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom
02/14/25 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall
02/15/25 – Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue
04/11/25 – Halifax, NS – Light House Arts Centre
04/12/25 – Halifax, NS – Light House Arts Centre
04/17/25 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore
04/18/25 – Edmonton, AB – Union Hall
04/19/25 – Calgary, AB – Palace
