Welcome to BFF.fm's Wrapped list! We made it through another year full of music, and BFF wants to spill all the tea!!! Come check out our Top 30 Local Artists of 2024! This year, we also wanted to do something really special and asked our fellow BFF.fm DJ's to contribute little blurbs of their favorite artists. Shout out to our own Nick Mirov for compiling the Top 30 from our charts (and for all your chart work throughout the year, too)! We are extremely grateful for the BFF community's support and are looking forward to the New Year! 💫

30. Sad Eyed Beatniks

"You Belong With Us" by Sad Eyed Beatniks was my favorite song over the summer and on my June birthday I was in a coffee shop in Boston and it came on over the speakers and it felt so special-- such are the treasures to be found on album Ten Brocades, an avant menagerie of diy indie, Dunedin sound, and exotic aerophones exemplified in this song’s strolling guitar, melodica reprise, and friendly refrain “you belong with us”, paired with a friend’s resolute truth: “the words the lies the tone that they speak to you, it’s just not right.” Sometimes you just need a song to tell you. -- Will, I Luv Mondays

Listen to MJ's interview with Sad Eyed Beatniks on West of Twin Peaks.

29. Still Ruins

Still Ruins self-titled EP was the soundtrack of 2024 for me. I listened to it on foggy car rides, all day while working, and while I was drifting off to sleep. The dreamy melodies, vocals, and glittery guitars slipped under my skin and lodged themselves deep in my brain, and even became the soundtrack of my dreams.

I saw Still Ruins play live 6 times this year. Once wasn’t nearly enough, okay!! If you didn’t get a chance to see them in 2024, I highly recommend seeing them in 2025. While I’m still enjoying this EP, I can’t wait to hear what’s next from Still Ruins. 💙 -- Sweet T, Casually Crying

Listen to Sweet T's interview with Still Ruins, too!

28. R.E. Seraphin

On Fool's Mate there's more bang for your buck, more layered ghostly vox, more on point production harkening back to the majestic waterfalls of Motown's hey day wrapped up in a cool box of feeling Minnesota and looking Richmond to Santa Clara (it doesn't rhyme so shoot me). Rock on in the best way possible. -- Steve Foxx, Wake The F Up!

27. Cardboard People

On Tigress Lane Cardboard People takes a mutli-planetary voyage making stops along the way to explore the matters of life - real AND virtual. This super fun, funky, and reflective album has something for everyone. Cardboard People amped up their live performaces this year and even made a couple stops at BFF.fm for their very own Listening Party, interview with Baydream, and a Super Smackdown! -- Apple Gomez, Baydream

26. Kelley Stoltz

San Francisco psych-rock legend Kelley Stoltz dropped his 18th (!!) LP this year, La Fleur, a creative flowering that he credits to a new family member: his daughter. Kelley stopped by West of Twin Peaks Radio to chat about it with MJ, who observed that the record speaks not only to his daughter but to Kelley's embrace of his role as "the elder statesman" of the San Francisco scene who has much to share with the next generation of creators, including as a co-host of KEXP's local show, Vinelands. As MJ observed, the flower that's blossoming is Kelley Stoltz. Listen to the full interview here.

25. Pocket Full of Crumbs

In My Hands I Hold A Lucky Cricket feels like it was unearthed from a time capsule. With its handcrafted cover art and faintly grungy, faintly melancholy VFW-Hall-all-ages-show vibe, I'd swear that it was put out in the mid-90s by some long-obscure Pacific Northwest indie rock outfit whose greatest claim to fame would have been getting a track on the back half of a K Records or Kill Rock Stars compilation. Maybe they played a lot of shows with Lync and 764-HERO and got to brag about how they opened for Modest Mouse once, before they got big. If it sounds like I'm putting down Pocket Full Of Crumbs, I'm really not-- their modesty is part of their charm. Even the influences they draw from has seemingly aged like wine, with any harsh cheap-recording edges and residual punk anger having long since mellowed into a warm, easygoing glow. -- Nick Mirov

24. Little Oil

Are we ready to start talking about the hits of the North East Bay? From Little Oil to Little Hill Lounge, big things are happening up there. On an episode of West of Twin Peaks featuring an interview with Little Oil's Victor Mitrani, MJ called Twelve Songs a quirky, genre-fluid tour de force, noting that the songs don't go where you expect them to go. Listen to the episode to hear Victor and MJ discuss embracing multiple genres and multitudes, the recording process for the new record, discovering The Beatles via mom, and what’s next for Little Oil.

23. Magic Fig

In a year of dozens (dozens!) of Bay Area bands celebrating breakout moments, Magic Fig make the case for the best year yet. With their self-titled debut dropping in May, the group embarked on trips across the West Coast with local and long-distance friends, including Color Green, The Mother Hips, and Pearl & The Oysters. Like a sunflower bursting into bloom, Magic Fig were suddenly everywhere. And how could they not be? Magic Fig (the album) is technicolor pop joy swirled with fearless prog experimentation, invoking all your favorite sounds of the 60s and 70s while inventing something completely fresh. It’s psychedelic, it’s boppy, it’s wistful: it’s your new favorite album. -- B-Rated, The Sunday Screeches

22. Neutrals

🚧 Blurb coming soon!🚧

21. Toro Y Moi

Oakland’s Chaz Bear has long been a standard bearer of the Bay Area music scene, pioneering chillwave and audaciously re-inventing himself and his sound with each release. Like the Bay Area itself, Toro y Moi is an innovative force that simultaneously defies and defines trends. With his eighth studio album, Hole Erth, Toro y Moi takes us on a nostalgia-fueled journey through Soundcloud rap, Y2K emo and pop punk, and indie rock (a Death Cab for Cutie collab? Be still, my millennial heart). If the addictive blend of genres wasn’t enough, Toro y Moi’s clever lyrics will have you spinning Hole Erth on repeat for the next…forever. -- B-Rated, The Sunday Screeches

20. Maggie Gently

I feel like we’ve been on an emotional journey together through the years and across albums. But while her earlier releases came from an artist buried deep in her feelings, Wherever You Want to Go has the benefit of hindsight- Maggie has come out the other side of the pandemic and is taking a look around at all of the ways her life has changed and given her things to be grateful for. I love sharing this phase of life with Maggie through her music, and I’m excited to hear what comes next! -- Cosmic Amanda

19. Sour Widows

Sour Widows released their highly anticipated debut album ‘Revival Of A Friend’ this past June. The album is incredibly personal and beautifully heavy, the songs are about loosing loved ones and the winding journey that grief takes you on. While this album grapples with darkness, it’s also a celebration of life and the band themselves. I’ll be revisiting this powerful album for years to come. -- Sweet T, Casually Crying

18. Chime School

In between lots of local shows and a mini international tour where they played Paris Popfest, Andy Pastalaniec dropped by Baydream to discuss Chime School's new sophmore album, 'The Boy Who Ran the Paisley Hotel'. It's full of earwormy bangers such as "Wandering Song" and "Give Your Heart Away". Andy, also a member of local super star bands Flowertown, Seablite, and sometimes The Reds, Pinks & Purples funneled his own concentrated creative vision to this album which has been a gift to us all in 2024. -- Apple Gomez, Baydream

17. Al Harper

"Way back when, there were miles between us, now there's only time," Al Harper sings on one of my fave songs of The Analemma Observation League, a cozy, familiar-feeling record that's both timeless and about time, specifically the time it takes to grow. The record sounds like a long-lost album from the 70s, maybe from the Carpenters or Fleetwood Mac, imbued with that sentimental echo of warmth in its harmonies, combined with chin-up confidence and a silky smooth production. While it’s got a nostalgic vibe, Al’s lyrics make it so unique and relatable now, with introspective, witty observations that feel like they’ve been rock-tumbled in Al’s mind until they gained the perfect polish. I feel so lucky to have seen Al twice in 2024, surrounded by kids books at Green Apple and at BFF’s Listening Party, where the amazing Apple interviewed Al about the songs and Al covered “Apple” by Charli XCX - all venues that perfectly fit the intimate vibes of Analemma. To experience a lil bit of that magic, listen to Apple's interview with Al on Baydream! -- Kerri, DIG!

16. Pure Hex

Shoegaze-adjacent San Francisco band Pure Hex released the first half of their double album in May of this year. Like much of 2024, life after the pandemic, or human existence, the song lyrics of Spilling focus on navigating change, and where life is taking them. The heavy and heart-wrenching melodies move the listener even when the lyrics are distorted and obscured, leaving the listener with a sense of chasing the memory of a dream just after waking. The second half of the LP looms in the new year, and in the meantime, listen to Pure Hex’s latest track “Skin/Twin” now. -- Alexi, Nocean Beach

15. Secret Secret

Look, somebody had to say it: “Get the fuck out of San Francisco!” And no one says it quite like Secret Secret, here doing fifteen different things, all members activated, unpredictable, demonstrating a freedom of dialogue and incident that defines this band, and this City, in civic call and response.

14. Lunchbox

Winter blues getting you down? Lunchbox has the cure. Their sunshine-filled 2024 album, Pop and Circumstance, channels the determined joy of jangle pop into vintage SoCal-style hooks. Its super sweet energy is impossible to ignore, serving as a time machine back to blissful summer days in the 1960s and 1970s California sun. The sheer perfection is hard-won as the Oakland duo celebrated 25 years of magic and music this year. Luckily for us suffering through winter, Mondays, and whatever else the universe throws at us, Lunchbox’s dedication and expertise shine across Pop and Circumstance, delivering bubblegum brightness with the heft of power pop for a sonic sugar rush. -- B-Rated, The Sunday Screeches

13. Topographies

I saw topographies on the perfect night: cold rain drifting through heavy fog, chilly goths hurrying up the stairs to a dimly-lit DNA Lounge. Everything was hazy, yet starkly present. Moody red lighting saturated the stage, illuminating the trio as they delivered their signature synthy dreamy post-punk. Subtract the phones occasionally making an appearance in the crowd and it could’ve been a Thursday night circa 1983. That timelessness defines topographies, particularly their 2024 album, Interior Spring. Anxiety unwinds in urgent guitars, while synths add a sparkle of hope and renewal. A rubbery beat reminds us to keep moving forward, even in the face of our own demons. -- B-Rated, The Sunday Screeches

12. Tanukichan

Tanukichan... I love them! "City Bus" on their latest album Circles has been on repeat for me and my ANTHEM whenever I ride Muni, LOL. My friend sent their latest album to me this year and I instantly fell in love— their sound is so ethereal and nostalgic, and it's full of the yearn I search for in new music. -- Elena, löded diper

11. The Reds, Pinks & Purples

I love me some Red, Pinks and Purples! Existential lyrics that will have you saying “REAL” too many times to count are seamelessly tied with the sound of longing instrumentals, that sometimes have no clear end. To me, that’s everything my lil’ emotional scorpio moon needs and craves. As someone who constantly daydreams and finds the world overstimulating, I can’t remember the last time I resonated with music this much. Having released 4 albums alongside 5 singles this year alone, this band is a testament to the fact that there are no music rules — when inspiration strikes, you grab it and run with it. Honorable mentions for listening include their album Unwishing Well and, to keep the post-Christmas spirit alive, “Don’t be so Morbid this Christmas”. -- Vivi, Amor Mio

10. Aluminum

Aluminum dropped a full length this year and it features a who’s who of rad Bay Area musicians. The album release show for Fully Beat was at Kilowatt in the summer was a highlight for me and I thought of aluminum foil when I was trying to describe the band... as they can be conductive (there is heat and warmth to the riffs and drums), reflective (the keyboard and synths along with the guitar shine and shimmer on track’s like “Everything” and “Always Here, Never There”) and malleable, as their influences and sounds range from alternative/grunge, trip hop, shoe-gaze, dream and jangle pop. -- Swirving, Audiosyncrasies

9. Bad Tiger

I had only casually listened to Bad Tiger before I went to the listening party that BFF.fm hosted for their latest album Bliss, and after that night I was immediately hooked. It was so fun to hear the band play the album in full and share the stories behind the songs and the creation of the record. My absolute fav is the closing track of the album, "Surrender" but give the whole thing a spin, you won't be disappointed. From the vocals to the arrangements, this is exactly what I want an indie rock album to sound like. -- Erica, The Monday Lineup

8. Yea-Ming and the Rumours

2024 was the year of Yea-Ming Chen w/ charming vocal contributions smattered across a slew of local projects: Dan Lee's SF lovin' "Playing In Fog" music+film series, local producer Organi's Babylonia album, a single from Ryli (her latest band) but the dazzler was her third Yea-Ming & the Rumours' release I Can't Have It All. As bandleader, songwriter and producer, Yea-Ming takes us on a jangling stroll into a world both sweet & gloomy minus any hint of despair. The rebellious "Ruby" and even the title track of surrender (and the album art) include an indie-pop cherry on top and a winking reassurance that despite it all, things will be (and definitely sound) just fine. -- Michele K-Tel, Allsorts

Yea-Ming & the Rumours were interviewed on West of Twin Peaks this year, too! Listen in.

7. Mild Universe

I first saw Mild Universe at a house show in the Outer Sunset in 2019, and immediately fell in love with their blend of disco, soul, post-punk, and dance. The vibes were euphoric and the sound was simultaneously nostalgic and fresh- it pulled me to the dancefloor like it was made of quicksand. Five years later, their debut album Everything Must Change came out and became the sound of the Summer 2024. Legend has it the album was recorded in three days at San Francisco’s Hyde St. Studios (engineered by fellow SF musician Nico Peña), with a whole collective of San Francisco’s finest jamming alongside primary songwriter and drummer Sam Jones. What resulted is a beautiful expression of individuality and collectivity, connectivity with oneself and the changing world around you. -- Alexi, Nocean Beach

Mild Universe were interviewed on BFF.fm TWICE this year! Listen in to their conversation with Apple on Baydream and MJ on West of Twin Peaks.

6. Marbled Eye

The post-punk label has been thrown onto so many bands as of late, but Marbled Eye truly oozes with those influences of Sonic Youth and Wire, but with reference points that only Bay Area heads really get. The songs are moody and melodic, the guitars are razor-sharp but dreamy. Their 2024 record Read the Air has been in constant rotation when I need a plodding force to get me through the day. This record wears sunglasses inside, this record might be the coolest thing to come out of the Bay this year. -- Trevor, Schock Treatment

5. Torrey

Torrey's self titled album was released during a wet and rainy March 2024 and the songs were the equivalent of a cozy sweatshirt for your ears 🎧👂. The sounds enveloped you with a mix of earnest lyrics, fuzzy guitars and a general sense of appreciation and yearning for the world. Songs like "Bounce" and "Happy You Exist" had me tapping my shoe and and bobbing my head along to the shimmering melodies at their record release show at The Makeout Room. -- Swirving, Audiosyncrasies

4. The Umbrellas

Can you imagine releasing one of the albums of the year in January, having the legendary band The Softies open for your record release show in February, going on a worldwide tour throughout the summer and then having a “Live on KEXP” interview and studio session in the fall? Oh yeah 😎, they were interviewed on a little BFF.fm show called audiosyncrasies in February as well. Fairweather Friend kicked off a rollercoaster 🎢 year and garnered some well deserved acclaim and recognition for these local favorites! -- Swirving, Audiosyncrasies

3. Jessica Pratt

I first discovered Jessica Pratt 10 years ago when I was living in LA. She had also just moved there from the Bay Area, and something about her felt familiar—like someone I wanted to know. I've followed her music ever since, and her fourth album, Here in the Pitch (2024), completely blew me away.

The album opens with the lush, immersive "Life Is," a wall of sound that pulls you in immediately. As it unfolds, Jessica's voice becomes a guide, weaving us through stories that feel both timeless and intimate. At moments, it’s as if you're listening to an old record unearthed from another era.

One standout track for me is “World on a String.” Her voice shines, but it’s her signature guitar work that truly carries the song, making it unforgettable.

The nine-song journey ends with the quiet, reflective “The Last Year.” Her final lyrics, “It’s going to be fine,” feel like a soft, reassuring lullaby—leaving you with hope and peace.

If you haven’t listened yet, do yourself a favor and dive in. -- Kristin Cofer, The Infinite Kaleidoscope

2. Fake Fruit

Two years in the making, the album Mucho Mistrust showcases that Fake Fruit is a unified collective. The album is a reaction to the global capitalist powers that limit self-expression, creativity, and autonomy in daily life and within the music industry. It's also about the necessity of skepticism in separating from and challenging these conformist spaces. Mucho Mistrust is explorative, activating and lyrically empowering. Read our conversation with Fake Fruit about the new record. -- Kiley Stokes

1. Shannon and the Clams

“Dreams will wake you, the ghosts will make you / Remember the things you forgot,” Shannon and the Clams remind us on their track "What You’re Missing" off their latest offering, the masterpiece album The Moon is In the Wrong Place. Produced by Dan Auerbach, their latest work surrounds themes such as processing grief and the surreal rebirth one must undergo after losing a loved one. The collective work of members Shannon Shaw (vocals, bass), Cody Blanchard (vocals, guitar), Nate Mahan, (drums) and Will Sprott (vocals, keyboards) truly shines, as they take us through the highest highs of love to the lowest lows of loss. A beautiful tribute to her late fiancee, Joe Haener, Shannon’s voice truly resonates with a heartaching tenderness on a personal favorite, “Real or Magic.” Lucky for us in NorCal, we have a chance to see the band on New Year’s Eve in Napa, CA (Shannon’s hometown) at JaMCellars Ballroom. -- Davia Schendel, San Francisco Retro