2024 has been a VERY interesting year for me. I think 2024, much like 2019, is the beginning of another turnaround.
How will 2025 be compared to 2024?
2025 will actually have a lot of overhaul compared to 2024, which I will explain later in this post.
Topic One: Top JK Tracks of 2024
Going with the tradition since 2023, I will be doing a Top 10 of my personal works of the year.
10. RISK VIP (from Year 24 EP)
We start the top 10 with one of the most unique songs I have ever done. This is probably also one of the most subbass-heavy songs I have ever done. This song, much like the original counterpart, takes the concept of "less is more" and amplifies it. I really hope I can use this concept again later on.
While this is the sequel to my personal best 2023 song, it still deserves a spot here if it didn't meet the same expectations. It is still one of the craziest songs I have ever done, and I hope to use build upon this later on next year.
8. Journey to Space VIP (from Year 23 EP)
It's very interesting to see this song of all songs get in the top 10. However, this VIP is very special to me. I had the VIP to this song planned as far back as 2021 (or right around when Year 20 EP was released). It sounds more like a touch-up of the original, but I think I managed to make it much more than that.
7. I am the Machine (from Kysertron Part 4: The Singularity)
I originally wanted to scrap this project when I first made it in very late 2022. However, since I couldn't easily fill in the final spot for KP4, this took the place. On top of that, I had to make not one but TWO design overhauls for this song.
6. Utopia (from Mind of Kyser)
Ironically, while this is my personal 5th best song of the year, I didn't even plan to have this song released (much like "I am the Machine"). I originally did this song as a concept, but it fit in so well into the Mind of Kyser album that I had to release it.
5. Technophobia (from Kysertron Part 4: The Singularity)
I originally wanted this to be the titular song of KP4, but I realized it would better fit in the context of "Technophobia", so it was moved here. With that fact side, this song is one of the most unique tearout songs I have ever done to date. Ever since 2022 when I started to make tearout, this song is probably one of the best I have ever made.
4. Wonders VIP (from Mind of Kyser)
It's very rare when a VIP ranks so high on these lists for me. However, this VIP in particular is very special to me. I actually started this way back in 2022 when I first began Mind of Kyser. I wanted to make this as distinct from the original as possible, but also make it as bright as possible as the VIP needed to be.
3. Machinations of a Machine (from Kysertron Part 4: The Singularity)
Funny enough, I actually had multiple ideas for this song, which is why there are multiple genres blended in with it. With that fact aside, this song is AMAZING. It is probably one of the best solo dubstep songs I have ever made to date, and I hope to top it next year!
2. Memories of the Past (from Mind of Kyser)
It's crazy how long this project took, much like the album. Memories of the Past is probably the best cinematic piece I have ever made to date. So... why is it only number 2 if it is the best cinematic piece I have ever done? I will explain that in a bit. On the flip side, this would have placed on the top of every year I did the top 10 ranks no matter when I finished it. That's how crazy good the song is.
1. Mirror Shatter (Collab with Luwuc)
I don't think it was even close this year. I could have chosen any other song I made, and this will still top it. It's kinda crazy how a collab song finally takes the top spot, but THIS collab song was and still will be very special to me. Luwuc and I worked very hard with this song, and the results could not have been any better. It is the best of both worlds, and this song is the best from both of us.
Topic Two: 2025 Projects
And here is the big talk about my projects I have planned for the following year.
Part One: Continuing Projects
1. Kysertron, Part 5 (possible conclusion?)
I will make a post later on about my decision here, but I originally had plans to end Kysertron after part 5 when I first started the alias, but that as yet to be decided as of now. THAT SAID... Much like Parts 2 and 4, this planned to be a HUGE turnaround compared to previous EPs I have released.
2. Year 24 EP
I would be lying if I saying I was sticking with the same formula of 4 VIP tracks. I actually added a bit more than that here. Yes... as I am making this post, the EP is already finished (probably the earliest an EP gets finished before its planned release date).
3. World of Damnation (Threequel to Imminent Outbreak)
This EP in particular has been in planning since I made Imminent Outbreak in 2020. I think it's finally time to confirm that I will try to make this in 2025!
Part Two: New Projects
1. Good Vibes EP
So... I originally started this idea as a joke. However, I kinda already have a good chunk of this EP finished, and 2025 hasn't even arrived yet. This is meant to be a huge breakaway from my normal EPs, muck like HIT IT, where I go for a brighter mood/tone throughout the EP.
2. A Mission To Create The Silliest, Goofiest, and Weirdest Song Ever
Okay... so this is a collab idea that I have that may take up a good chunk of 2025 while I work on the other EPs throughout the year. This will be a collab where we will just do whatever, so if you are interested, don't hesitate to DM me (we may have a discord server just for this). However, this has yet to start, but I may start it once 2025 begins.
3. Hive Mind EP
This was originally planned in 2023, but I think I have a good idea for it next year. If you thought KP4 and HELL were the darkest-sounding EPs I have done, this will be on another level of dark... both in design AND in theme. Can't reveal too much yet, also this is still in concept/planning phase at the moment.
4. CURSED EP
This is an EP I actually had planned since HELL. No idea if this will ever get past planning phase, so I will have much to plan for this if I want to go with it.
Topic Three: One Final 2024 Track
So... I originally wanted to do this AFTER my final 2024 release. However, the timing of that and the actual end of 2024 convoluted the process, so I decided to do it now instead. The final release is...
...FLARE! This song is just 12 minutes of fun beats and heavy-hitting flow. Funny enough, I would have this placed in the top 5 of 2024 if it was before this post! Stay tuned for the release December 28!
Topic Four: End of Kysertron?
No... I don't plan to end Kysertron just yet. While I originally wanted to end the alias after KP5, I decided to extend it by another year due to more lore I wanted to further add after KP4 and KP5. I know a lot of people have been wondering when the last Kysertron EP would have been, but I am glad to say that it isn't anytime soon.
So why am I extending the Kysertron alias?
When I originally started Kysertron, I originally wanted to have a trilogy for the alias, but that quickly got extended to 5 EPs. When I started to make KP4, I had to scrap my original idea because it would have been a rather awkward end to an otherwise great alias that I have been building upon.
Is Kysertron Part 6 the new end of Kysertron?
That is also not fully official yet. I have it as the new planned end, but even that isn't planned yet. I will try to figure out what to do... and with Kysertron Part 6 around my 10-year anniversary, I think that seems like a good time to end it (even though it's not official yet).
Topic Five: Final Thoughts of 2025
2024... it was interesting. 2 EPs, still a lot for the average person who may just do an EP a year. However, I had finally finished Mind of Kyser, which is my biggest project TO DATE! With that said, I think 2024 was a more active year for music to me despite the low EP count because of the Mind of Kyser album. I had to get it done sooner or later, and I had a lot of people ask me if I cancelled the project (I wouldn't cancel a project I was almost done with). I think I have done more in 2024 than I have in comparison to the past 3 years. I couldn't be any more grateful for 2024, and I hope I can do more next year.
Anyways, that is my 2024 end-of-year post. Let 2025 bring many good things to you all, and I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! :D