#Best New Music

[newmusickarl]

Top 50 Albums of 2024: #10-1

10. Prelude To Ecstasy by The Last Dinner Party

The singles in the build-up to the release of The Last Dinner Party’s debut album, Prelude to Ecstasy, made it obviously clear that the art-rock group were well worthy of all the attention they were receiving. Baroque pop bangers packed with jaw-dropping vocals, scintillating guitar riffs, poetic lyrics rooted in feminism and, of course, their own captivating energy. So, I naturally went into this album back in February expecting greatness - and that is exactly what I found.

From the moment the grand orchestration of the opening title track greets your ears, you are pulled into The Last Dinner Party’s stylish, richly-textured world. Burn Alive cranks things up several gears, with singles Caesar on a TV Screen and On Your Side also carrying the momentum.

But as the album title would suggest, the first half is merely the build towards the triumphant grand crescendo at the end. From the dramatic transition from Gjuha into Sinner, the towering guitars of Portrait of a Dead Girl and then the fist-in-the-air elation of the anthemic Nothing Matters, it pushes the album into masterclass territory. Closing track Mirror then brings everything full circle, pulling together all the elements that have made the previous 11 tracks so utterly engaging and life-affirming.

This debut from The Last Dinner Party really felt like a moment for British rock music, and it’s a shame to have seen the band spend much of 2024 battling with harsh online criticism. Like it or not, The Last Dinner Party are the future – and with Prelude To Ecstasy, they’ve made one hell of a statement as to why they are the chosen ones.

Best tracks: Portrait of A Dead Girl, Nothing Matters, My Lady of Mercy

Listen here

9. Mountainhead by Everything Everything

Back in 2022, Mancunian indie outfit Everything Everything finished as my runner-up Album of the Year, with Raw Data Feel narrowly losing out to joint winners Kendrick Lamar and Little Simz. While at first their seventh studio album Mountainhead felt like a slight step down from Raw Data Feel, simply due to how much I still love that record, I can safely say now that I adore Mountainhead just as much as its predecessor.

For me, it’s the perfect companion piece to Raw Data Feel. Where that album was this tapestry of ideas and sketches focussed on our digital world, they’ve followed it up with this abstract concept record that looks at humanity’s relationship with nature - and each other - through the lens of this dystopian, mountain-based world. Conceptually and thematically it’s the perfect follow-up to Raw Data Feel, while sonically not straying too far from the addictive hooks and vibrant sounds that made that album such an absolute joy.

The record also boasts some of their very best singles, such as the artsy shimmer of Enter The Mirror and the endlessly infectious grooves of Cold Reactor. There’s plenty of high points elsewhere too though, with the duo of Buddy, Come Over and R U Happy impressing early on, before the string-tinged TV Dog and glistening guitars of City Song dazzle in the back half.

Arguably their most cohesive, ambitious and fully realised project to date, Mountainhead was a record I just couldn’t stop revisiting in 2024 – ending the year as my most played album of the last twelve months by some distance.

Best tracks: Enter The Mirror, Cold Reactor, Buddy Come Over

Listen here

8. Fine Art by Kneecap

There were a handful of artists that truly owned 2024 and provocative Irish rappers Kneecap were most certainly one of them. Not just one of the biggest breakthrough acts of 2024, but also the best debut and best hip-hop record of the year. On top of that, they even had one of the best films of the year for their self-titled music biopic, in which the trio played themselves – a film that is already in contention for the Oscars next year!

Going back to Fine Art though, it’s a high energy debut that is brash, controversial, filled with infectious beats, sharp lyricism, and just a whirlwind of edgy fun from start to finish. Presenting a concept that sets the album in a busy Belfast pub, each track plays out like another chapter in the evening’s events, with comical interludes guiding the listener through the story along the way. It makes for an experience as joyously chaotic as a trip to your own local boozer, with the trio frequently jumping between English and Gaelic with their vocals. Never straying too far from their heritage, there’s also hints of Irish trad on occasion within the array of hip-hop beats and synth-driven bangers they create.

Instrumental opener 3Cag is an immediate highlight, the electro-string composition easing the listener into the calm before the storm. Title track Fine Art then sees the group fire back at some of their critics, turning controversial commentary into this thumping garage number. I bhFiacha Linne then samples 808 State’s Cubik to great effect. I’m Flush is then the most ferociously fun track on the record, with Grian Chatten collaboration Better Way To Live, the pulsating Love Making and the tension-fuelled Harrow Road all standing out too.

Whilst the controversial statements and aggressive nature of the songs won’t be to everyone’s taste, anyone searching for Ireland’s answer to artists like The Streets, Stormzy or Bob Vylan – you’ve well and truly found it. A highly addictive and landmark first outing, it’s an album that has deservedly taken them from complete unknowns to festival headliners in the space of a year.

Best tracks: I’m Flush, 3Cag, Better Way To Live

Listen here

7. Midas by Wunderhorse

Another band that has truly owned 2024, rock outfit Wunderhorse showed their superstar potential back on their excellent 2022 debut Cub - an album that only just sneaked into my Top 50 for that year. However, Midas saw them transcend to another level altogether, putting them firmly on the brink of being one of the most adored new bands in the country.

While Midas for the most part just builds on everything that was great about Cub, the biggest difference this time around is that Wunderhorse no longer sound like Jacob Slater’s solo project – this is the sound of a united quartet ready to take the world by storm. By no means a perfect record, part of the appeal of Midas is just how rough and raw it is around the edges, bringing a timeless power to these songs that only true rockstars can conjure. As a result, listening to this record awakens a nostalgic and quite emotional connection for me that’s hard to put into words.

The other big strength of this record though is the songs themselves. Boasting five singles and filled wall-to-wall with anthems, it’s easily one of the best pure rock records I’ve heard in years. From the instant singalong choruses of 90s-tinged cuts like Emily and Silver, to Jacob’s soul-stirring vocal performances on Superman and Arizona, it’s an album that gets your blood pumping and your spine tingling. And while many will point to the memorable riffs of July and the title track as the album’s high points, for me it is the blissed-out beauty of epic closing track, Aeroplane, where this album truly soars.

Released in a month where everyone was losing their minds over the Oasis reunion, Wunderhorse proved that, while nostalgic acts will continue to sell and take the bulk of the attention, there is still plenty of fascinating work happening in today’s rock scene too. With big headline dates and festivals already confirmed for 2025, I also think we’re still yet to see the full extent of where Midas will take Wunderhorse’s exploding popularity.

Best tracks: Silver, Aeroplane, Emily

Listen here

6. In Waves by Jamie xx

An electronic record that is as hypnotic and intoxicating as the album art would suggest. While Jamie’s first solo effort In Colour finished a few places higher almost a decade ago, making it into my Top 5 Albums of 2015, In Waves surpasses its predecessor in every single way.

This is an album so expertly crafted, you can not only take most of the tracks here and enjoy them in euphoric isolation, but brought together they also mould and transcend into a glorious overall listening experience. Here, The XX producer has woven a magical sonic tapestry, with spellbinding features and flourishes that play out like a hit-filled DJ mix.

In terms of high points too - where to begin?! There’s the breathtaking Treat Each Other Right, with its incredible synth beat and brilliantly chosen sample. We then get an unofficial XX track with Jamie’s bandmates Romy and Oliver joining him on the outstanding Waited All Night. There’s also the funky stomp of Baddy On The Floor and the Robyn-featuring banger Life. Even when it’s just Jamie on tracks like Breather, Still Summer and especially The Feeling I Get From You, he still delivers the uplifting grooves and positive energy in abundance. All that said, my favourite moment on this record is still Jamie’s phenomenal collaboration with The Avalanches, All You Children – a track that emerged as my Song of the Summer for 2024.

Regardless of whether it’s as a solo artist or with The XX, Jamie continues to deliver the goods, with his discography near faultless at this point. Seemingly incapable of making a bad record, In Waves is as close to a perfect as you can get and the standout in a year of exceptional electronic releses.

Best tracks: All You Children, Treat Each Other Right, Waited All Night

Listen here

5. BRAT by Charli XCX

Let’s face it – if my Album of the Year was simply based on cultural impact alone, there would be no contest. From iconic lyrics and viral dances, to dictating 2024’s festival fashion, through to entering Presidential campaigns and being named the Collins Dictionary Word of the Year, 2024 was – above all else – very Brat.

With this record, Charli created a cultural phenomenon that would define the summer, and indeed the entire year, like no other album has in recent memory. From club-ready beats to stinging gut punches, BRAT is a rollercoaster of sounds and emotions that only got more intoxicating with each new spin.

With most tracks hovering around the three-minute mark, it’s a punchy, wild ride through some vibrant dance-pop, ranking right up there with Charli’s very best work. Channelling her recent Boiler Room appearances, BRAT was the perfect summer soundtrack, with everyone the world over seemingly raving to tracks like the Armand Van Helden-influenced Von Dutch, the trancey pulse of Mean Girls and cocaine-taking anthem, 365. Raising a few eyebrows, let’s not forget the latter did incredibly make Barack Obama’s famed summer playlist too!

But for all the hard drug references and party bops, there’s also equal parts introspection and vulnerability too. There’s the uncertainty on tracks like I might say something stupid and Sympathy is a knife, as well as her heartbreaking tribute to producer and friend SOPHIE on So I. She also talks about the struggles of female friendships in the music industry on Girl, so confusing, with Lorde also appearing on the more popular remix of the track, having been alluded to as the song’s subject matter. That’s another point worth making too – the remix version of this album is also fantastic and possibly one of the few that lives up to the original, thanks to features from The 1975, Bon Iver, Jon Hopkins, Julian Casablancas, Billie Eilish and many more.

Charli well and truly stormed 2024, proving once again that there is no popstar on the planet quite like her. Long overdue her flowers, having directly influenced other great recent popstars like Caroline Polachek, CMAT and RAYE, it was incredible to see Charli finally transcend in 2024 from cult favourite pop alchemist, to a true global sensation.

Best tracks: 360, So I, Von dutch

Listen to BRAT here

Listen to Brat and It's Completely Different but Also Still Brat here

4. Romance by Fontaines D.C.

Everything Is Romantic…and Romance Is A Place.

While Charli may have owned the pop world in 2024, Irish outfit Fontaines D.C. most certainly owned the rock world. Having been steadily making a name for themselves across their first three records, fourth album Romance has been a complete game-changer, rocketing them into the mainstream and to new heights of popularity around the world.

Although everyone will have their own favourite Fontaines record, with each album subtly different in style but equally as great as the last, there’s no denying Romance is certainly their most accessible project to date. For my money, it’s also their most sonically ambitious too, with the band showing they’re not just a post-punk outfit anymore but a true rock band, adding elements of shoegaze, grunge and indie to their already impressive sound. And while I was initially disappointed that Dan Carey wasn’t on production duties for this one, the legendary James Ford does an exceptional job of making the music sound as colourful and vibrant as the instantly iconic album art would suggest.

On top of all that, I think it goes without saying that some of the best songs of Fontaines’ young career are featured here. From the hip-hop inspired Starburster, one of the definitive singles of 2024, to the string-drenched majesty of In A Modern World, the radiant Sundowner, the stomping rhythms of Bug and the endlessly hypnotic central riff of Favourite, there is nothing but utter brilliance at every turn.

Like it or not, Romance is the album that cemented Fontaines D.C. as THE band of the 2020s thus far, elevating them to new levels of superstardom. Boasting some of the year’s finest singles and a tracklist that would make any band as green as some luminous lime tracksuits and balaclavas with envy, Fontaines have forged a classic that I think we will be revisiting for years to come.

Best tracks: Starburster, Favourite, In A Modern World

Listen here

3. Big Sigh by Marika Hackman

Into the Top 3 then and these next two albums were tough to separate – both tackling the pain and anguish of toxic relationships but in very different ways. First up is an album that I’ve lived with since January and have continued to play pretty much every month since the very start of the year. Brutal yet beautiful, it is the incredible Big Sigh by singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Marika Hackman.

A record that deserved so much more attention than it received in 2024, Big Sigh is a towering work in so many ways. Sonically it is rich with some exquisitely composed, multi-layered instrumentation, all of which is incredibly played by Marika herself (bar the gorgeous string arrangements that also feature on occasion). The music has to be uplifting here as lyrically the album is devastating, with Marika laying bare her deepest thoughts and emotions during a tough time of high insecurity and low self-esteem. It’s a record that will frequently punch you in the gut and emotionally manipulate you, but then also soothe your wounds afterwards through the majesty of the music.

What’s more, every moment on here is just breathtaking in its own way. Whether it’s the enchanting and inventive opener The Ground, quietly anthemic single No Caffeine, the bluesy title track or the acoustic haunt of Blood, it’s an album that pulls you into its grip straight away and then refuses to relinquish. This is best demonstrated on album highlight Hanging, a hard break-up song juxtaposed on the hurt and relief of this relationship coming to an end. Then, after a short piano interlude, the record enters a more stripped-back second half, with further highlights such as Slime and Please Don’t Be So Kind.

Pulling me back in again and again into her bleak, melancholic yet uplifting and richly textured stratosphere, this is without a doubt Marika’s best work to date. A stunning album that set a very high bar for me right back in January, there were few records that could match Big Sigh’s emotional power or raw beauty in 2024.

Best tracks: Hanging, No Caffeine, Blood

Listen here

2. This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway by Lola Young

South London songwriter Lola Young is an incredible talent, one that has been on my radar for a while now. Having first seen her perform at 110 Above festival a few years back, I was later swept up in her conceptual 2021 EP, After Midnight, and have since continued to follow her progress.

However, when she finally released her debut album last year, My Mind Wanders and Sometimes Leaves Completely, I was left a little lukewarm. It wasn’t the same revelation as her early EP, in fact it sounded quite ordinary. Her poignant lyrics were still there, but she suddenly resembled a lot of other pop singer-songwriters. I thought it was a bit of a misfire and with most artists only getting one shot at a first impression these days, I sadly expected Lola to fade into obscurity – boy was I wrong. From TikTok stardom and a Tyler, The Creator feature, to even a massive Top 10 single now trending around the globe, Lola came back swinging in 2024.

Going back to the drawing board and fuelled by a brutal, toxic relationship, her second outing This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway is one of the best records of the entire year. Bringing together angsty lyrics that are vicious takedowns of her ex in one breath, to moments of stark vulnerability the next, with an eclectic mix of sounds and styles providing the sonic backdrop, it’s just an absolute tour de force for 38 minutes.

Channelling the spirit of Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen but with the artistic flair of artists like Cyndi Lauper and Kate Bush, the first half is one of the best runs on any record all year. From the echoey instrumentation of Good Books to the punk thrills of Wish You Were Dead, through to the catchy frankness of Big Brown Eyes and the rock stomp of album highlight Conceited, every song is seemingly better than the last.

If that wasn’t enough, we then get to my personal song of the year – Lola’s big breakout single, Messy. While Lola shields behind her brash persona for the first few tracks of the album, Messy is then the record’s centrepiece and first big gut punch, as she asks, “I want to be me, is that not allowed?” The intense insecurity is sad to hear, and that’s soon followed up by the deflated despair of “A thousand people I could be for you, and you hate the f*cking lot.” It’s a song that captures toxic relationships and feelings of hopelessness to devastating effect, and it’s no surprise that its raw sentiment has connected with so many people in 2024.

There’s plenty of highlights in the back end too, such as the string-tinged rawness of You Noticed, the torment of F*ck and the self-loathing of Intrusive Thoughts. It then ends in a spoken word outro, where Lola details the catharsis of writing the record and how it taught her how to love herself and music once again.

They say the finest art comes from the darkest times and - just like Marika’s album - Lola’s record is a testament to that age old saying. Coming through this bleak time in a damaging relationship, she’s emerged out the other side with an exceptionally honest album and renewed belief in herself. While Charli, Chappell and Sabrina took the headlines, for me there was no pop record this year that was as unflinching and soul-baring, but also where the songwriting and musicianship did justice to the impactful story being told, as this one from Lola.

An immensely talented artist that deserves all the praise in the world, and so pleased to see word finally getting out thanks to Messy’s viral success – my runner-up Album of the Year for 2024.

Best tracks: Messy, Conceited, Intrusive Thoughts

Listen here

1. Ness by Hayden Thorpe

If you’ve been following me in 2024, or indeed before that, this being my Album of the Year probably comes as no surprise. Hugely ambitious and a listening experience truly like no other, as soon as I hit play on the first listen, I knew there was only going to be one winner this year – Ness by Hayden Thorpe.

Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Hayden Thorpe is no stranger to my year-end countdowns – in fact, every project he has released either as a solo artist or as part of Wild Beasts since I begun these countdowns in 2013, has made it into my Top 5 for that year. If you’re wondering what exactly it is that makes these albums resonate so much for me, I think everything that makes all his projects so uniquely intriguing can be found here on Ness.

An adaptation of Robert MacFarlane’s book of the same name, the album explores the site of Orford Ness - a coastal nature reserve down in Suffolk that was also at one point, a military testing site during both World Wars and the Cold War. The Atomic Weapons Research Establishment had a base there and conducted environmental testing of the Nuclear Arsenal at that point. However, the Ministry of Defence sold it to the National Trust in 1993 who left it to rewild, and it is now this place where nature lives and breathes once again.

So at the heart of Orford Ness, you have this fascinating collision of man-made destruction and natural life. This is what Robert MacFarlane paints in his book, and in-turn Hayden has brought to life on this album. Given the state of the world in 2024, it’s a place and subject matter that feels all too timely to explore.

So why is Ness my defining album of 2024? Well, let’s look back at my criteria for what I look for in an Album of the Year:

Had the biggest impact on me

I would argue there are few better feelings in the world than listening to a new album from one of your favourite artists, and it being right up there with their very best work. Ness gave me that feeling every time I hit play, while also magically transporting me to this real place that I’ve never even visited – you simply can’t put a price on that.

Was a landmark culturally or within the wider music world

While it wasn’t culturally impactful in the same way a Romance or a Brat was in 2024, it did get people learning about this lesser-known National Trust site, with some even travelling there for Hayden’s own album launch shows. It also turned me onto Robert’s book, something I likely would not have purchased and explored otherwise. For that, I also give Hayden big kudos.

Showed ambition or had something unique to offer

This one almost goes without saying, with the project’s ambition and uniqueness speaking for itself within the music. But having now read Robert’s book and having seen the alchemy with which Hayden has picked apart and redacted the source material to turn it into this wonderful musical experience, is quite extraordinary. Few artists would dare to even attempt a bold adaptation such as this, let alone pull it off to such mind-blowing effect.

I played the most during the year

Having only been released at the end of September, it finished as my second most played album on my Apple Music Replay statistics, while also finishing top on my YouTube wrap-up too. That’s not even including the pre-release streams and vinyl plays – so yeah, safe to say this is one I played a fair bit!

Ultimately produced my favourite front-to-back listening experience

For this part, and to officially close out my Album of the Year countdown for 2024, I’ll turn to the words I wrote in my CLASH review back in September, that still ring true now:

“Hayden Thorpe’s Ness ends up being more than just another album. Where Macfarlane’s book was part-novella, part-prose and part-poem, Hayden too has crafted a piece of art that blurs the lines between music, audiobook, spoken-word and classical composition. It’s simply a one-of-a-kind auditory experience, one that whisks you away to a place full of historical dread and natural wonder, which feels all too relevant for today’s world. Through Hayden, Ness Speaks – and it’s quite unlike anything else you’ll hear all year.”

Best tracks: The Whole Damn Thing!

Listen to my 2024 Album of the Year here

Read the full 9/10 album review for CLASH here

Watch or listen to my exclusive interview with Hayden on the making of the record here

Thanks for following along with my 2024 Albums of the Year countdown – still to come over the festive break, stay tuned for my Top 100 Songs playlist, Top 10 EPs and Best Gigs of the Year!

[eseomo]

Music recap:

ASSMIX 5000 XTRA / 20 August 2024

ASSMIX 5000 / 08 August 2024

Mokola International (Osai and all their Friends x Begho x Seo) 01 August 2024

Fuck a Degreeee. / 03 July 2024

§eo / 02 April 2024

Alien Zone / 17 March 2024

Butterflies (ZOiD x Seo) / 08 March 2024

Synthetic Fears / 14 February 2024

Time travelers inc. / 01 January 2024

Epic dreamy escapade (Deluxe) - Moonbather / 25 December 2025

Epic dreamy escapade - Moonbather / 01 December 2023

Gargantuan Chest of Ancient Mumbo Jumbo / 17 November 2023

Tea Break VI (Deluxe) / 11 November 2023

Earth Glitch / 31 October 2023

Tea Break VI / 31 October 2024

Moonlit Beach - Moonbather / 3 March 2023

[dansa-i-neon]

Pitchfork awards Carly Rae Jepsen's "Psychedelic Switch" Best New Track!

"The joyous, floor-filling highlight of The Loveliest Time is as transcendent as its subject matter."

pitchfork 2023.07.28

[dzgrizzle]

Favorite New Songs of 2023

“Boys Will Be Girls” by Derek Webb with Flamy Grant

“In Your Love” by Tyler Childers

“Last Train to Nowhere” (Acoustic Version) by Ghost Hounds

“Ghosts Again” by Depeche Mode

“Sweet Sounds of Heaven” by the Rolling Stones with Lady Gaga

I found myself listening to these songs over and over again in 2023 – and watching the videos, all of which are awesome.

[ewanspence]

5. ‘La Vie En Rose’, by Con O’Neill.

It’s a song with countless cover versions that are just as well known as Édith Piaf’s original, so why does this recording figure in my countdown?

The simple answer is Con O’Neill’s voice. He captures the fleeting moments of joy and the hurt wrapped around them, a singing voice fragile and forceful in the same breath.

The longer answer involves a deep dive into ‘Our Flag Means Death’, where the song comes from. La Vie is a song that’s about finding love in difficult circumstances. In the show, O’Neill’s character is in a dark place, pushing away his found family and feelings. As he breaks through and accepts the love around and in himself, he sings ‘La Vie En Rose,’ in drag, to his family.

In that moment, everything is perfect.

More on this and the songs in my yearly favourites can be found at https://tinyurl.com/2023x12.

[ruinedholograms]

favorite albums | twenty twenty-three

Gia Margaret • Romantic Piano

Julie Byrne • The Greater Wings

Caterina Barbieri • Myuthafoo

Jessy Lanza • Love Hallucination

Decisive Pink • Ticket To Fame

Khotin • Release Spirit

Marina Herlop • Nekkuja

Tzusing • 绿帽 Green Hat

Tirzah • trip9love...

Sam Miller • Super Metroid (OST Recreated)

Rezzett • Meant Like This

Fever Ray • Radical Romantics

Yaeji • With A Hammer

Forest Swords • Bolted

Romance & Dean Hurley • River Of Dreams

Actress • LXXXVIII

Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross • Mutant Mayhem

Nabihah Iqbal • Dreamer

[blastikmusik]

Most Interesting Mixtapes 2023 - Week 45 - Tape 02/02

Web Web x Max Herre Feat. Carlos Niño - Ólobo Softmax - Longing Kevin Abstract - When The Rope Post 2 Break Thomas Roussel feat. Jamilah Barry - No Artificial Light Protoje, Zion I Kings - Weed & Tings Laibach - Final Countdown (12" Mark Stent Alternate Mix) 070 Shake ft. Ken Carson - Natural Habitat Sam Akpro - Death By Entertainment Sofia Portanet - Ballon

[thegothicarchitecture]

Track Reviews (Aug 22 -> 29)

Best

Armand Hammer, billy woods, E L U C I D, JPEGMAFIA - Woke Up and Asked Siri How I'm Gonna Die

As somebody who enjoys JPEGMAFIA's production immensely this song is an absolute treat. JPEGMAFIA handles production while E L U C I D and billy woods take the center stage with lyrics and delivery.

The highlight here is billy woods' verse, which has some clever wordplay involving steak and raw meat and some equally inventive rhyme-schemes (e.g. "brain fog" and "chainsaw"). However, billy's verse is as descriptive and immersive as it is technically advanced (reminiscent of his work on Maps earlier this year), and this alone sets him apart from other rappers who only focus on technical ability. Good shit.

Meh

Earl Sweatshirt, MIKE - Sentry

Earl Sweatshirt comes back with a pretty standard song aping the minimalist charm of Some Rap Songs and Feet of Clay. The Alchemist beat contains a stripped down, repetitive loop not dissimilar to that on Shattered Dreams, but Earl's pen game leaves a lot of room for improvement.

I say this as a fervent Earl Sweatshirt defender, who loved every album and EP up through Feet of Clay, but his underwhelming return with SICK! left a bad taste in my mouth. Maybe I began noticing the cracks in his facade, as his esoteric style of rapping and the symbolism in his lyrics started to feel more lazy than despondent and reflective.

MIKE's verse felt more substantive upon the first few listens, but between the two rappers there are very few quotables or memorable moments on this cut. The full project has been released as an NFT, which also isn't the best look in 2023. Still I'll save my judgement until I hear the project in its entirety.

Jake the Underdog, Glitch Gum - FRIEND REQUEST

Glitch Gum's style of hyperpop infused pop punk is beginning to sound less novel and cutting edge and more like a rehash of 2000s pop punk. This song would fit snugly on an early Wonder Years record, as the synth lead and power chord guitar riffs are as saccharine as anything you'd hear off of Get Stoked on It!

If Glitch Gum wants to work within the confines of the genre that's not a bad idea on paper, I absolutely adore the Get Up Kids and Motion City Soundtrack and they have somewhat similar styles. The distinction for me is that Justin Pierre and Matt Pryor are much better lyricists. The nasal vocal affectation used and the cheeky lyrics consisting solely of video game references do absolutely nothing for me on this song. Maybe it'll do more for you.

Worst

N/A

[cheapsweets]

CheapSweets Pick 'n' Mix - Best of 2022

What is it?

Remnants of the Vessel, first full album from Los Angeles experimental doomsters Faetooth (Jenna - Bass and vocals, Ash - Guitar and vocals, Ari - Guitar and vocals, Rah - Drums, plus guest cellist Ari Bone).

What is it like?

Fairy Doom Metal. What does that mean? It's an album that is by turns etherial, moody, and absolutely crushing. The guitars and bass have a great sludgy, fuzzy tone, the drumming (much like the album as a whole) ranges from subtle to brutal as the songs demand, and there is a real mix of vocal styles that work fantastically well together. Oh, and there's some great cello on some of the tracks. More cello in doom metal, please :)

It draws from myth and folklore, it's fae, witchy, and deeply melancholic, and it's easily one of my favourite albums of 2022.

You might like this if you are a fan of:

Thou, Sleep, My Dying Bride, Messa, Mrs. Piss...

Lyrics such as:

Futile is the work of men

Metal, stone, and words will all bend

On thy knees now

We fall with what we build

Don't just take my word for it:

Spin magazine ranked it their (joint) best album of 2022!

Also highly rated by A Spooky Mansion from Toilet Ov Hell

Standout tracks:

Echolalia, La Sorciere, Saturn Devouring His Son

Where can I find it?

Youtube;

Bandcamp;

Physical releases from DuneAltar;

And, Spotify;

And of course, if you are in the LA area you might get to see them live (in which case, colour me jealous :D )

[maraskolnikova]

100% certified banger

[alephalpha333]

⚜️ ALEPH ALPHA - Sigma  🏴‍☠️

This is my new tune...

Alternative Rock with lyrics in French / paroles en Français

🎸⏯🎵🔥 Check out your local Spotify, Apple Music etc. to stream & download all my music! ⚡️🎹🎤🇨🇦

[newmusickarl]

Top 50 Albums of 2024: #30-21

30. A Dream Is All We Know by The Lemon Twigs

Last year, Everything Harmony from The Lemon Twigs finished at 35 on my year-end countdown. However, since revisiting the D’Addario brothers’ instant classic several times in the last year and it just getting better with every spin - as well as seeing them live for the first time in October - it’s an album that would definitely place higher if I were to redo that list again now. This year though, The Lemon Twigs go five places better with A Dream Is All We Know and this time around, the placing feels right.

While Everything Harmony just edges it still for me, The Lemon Twigs have to be commended for returning a year after that superb album with another excellent, timeless-sounding opus. Named as our Album of the Month once again back in May, it continues everything that was great about its predecessor, with big nods once again to the music of The Beatles and The Beach Boys. From infectious lead single My Golden Years to the charming How Can I Love Her More? and Status Quo-emulating Rock On (Over and Over), it’s a fun and joyous collection of songs that you can’t help but love.

The big question is now – can The Lemon Twigs keep their winning streak going with another album in 2025? I guess we will wait and see!

Best tracks: How Can I Love Her More?, Peppermint Roses, Church Bells

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29. Clouds In The Sky, They'll Always Be There For Me - Porridge Radio

Although an album I haven’t officially reviewed this year for either the podcast or the blog, I have been absolutely infatuated with this the latest offering from Porridge Radio, the Brighton rock band led by Dana Margolin, ever since its release back in October.

A band I discovered through their great Mercury Prize nominated sophomore effort Every Bad, Porridge Radio just seem to get better with every new release. Their previous effort – the exceptional Waterslide, Diving Board, Ladder To The Sky – may have finished slightly higher, landing in my Top 20 of 2022, but believe me - this latest record edges even its predecessor.

Born out of burnout, lost love and intense bouts of self-loathing, Clouds In The Sky… is understandably a dark and melancholic experience at times, but it is also lifted by some cathartic choruses and soaring instrumentation. From hard break-up number and one of the songs of the year, God of Everything Else, to the soft, spellbinding sounds of Pieces of Heaven and everything else in-between, this is an album that will make you feel something deep in your core at every single turn.

Best tracks: God of Everything Else, Pieces of Heaven, A Hole In The Ground

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28. Girl With No Face by Allie X

One of the biggest surprises of 2024 - an album I picked for our February podcast simply based on enjoying Allie X’s previous album Cape God back in 2021, Girl With No Face has turned out to be one of the best art-pop records of the whole year.

If you have been enjoying the music of Chappell Roan and Charli XCX in 2024 but have yet to get round to this one, you need to correct that immediately. Billed superbly by Apple Music as New Order and Kraftwerk meets Madonna and Lady Gaga, its pop music built in the electronic music world. This is evident on incredible lead single Black Eye, which is how I imagine Kate Bush would sound if she was performing New Order’s Blue Monday.

It's one standout on an album of many, which also includes the medieval stylings of Off With Her Tits, a genius track focussing on self-acceptance and gender identity, and the Eurovision-esque Galina, which is an ode to a revolutionary eczema cream manufacturer. No, you didn’t misread that – it is indeed what the song is about!

This type of quirkiness runs deep within Girl With No Face and it is what has made this album such a joy to revisit over and over again since it dropped back in early February. The sound of an artist hitting their creative stride!

Best tracks: Black Eye, Off With Her Tits, Girl With No Face

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27. People Who Aren’t There Anymore by Future Islands

One of my most anticipated records of the year and one that did not disappoint. Baltimore synth-pop outfit Future Islands served up their incredible seventh studio album all the way back in January - People Who Aren’t There Anymore - a record that I’m pleased to say delivered on its early promise. Playing out almost like greatest hits record at times, the more I spun it throughout the year the more it quickly became my favourite record of theirs – which given their discography is saying something!

Capped off by seeing them live for the first time at Live at Leeds back in May, here’s what I had to say in my review for Clash back at the start of the year:

“Whilst ‘People Who Aren’t There Anymore’ ultimately isn’t an album that breaks the Future Islands mould, it’s hard to hold that against them. This is their sound, and they prove here they can still do it better than any of their peers. And whilst the sonic evolution from their previous work may only be subtle shifts, the biggest change comes with the band leaning on personal stories this time around rather than more observational lyricism. Most importantly though Future Islands’ fans will find plenty to love with this album, with some of the songs here already instant favourites and others feeling like some of the best, most fully realised of their career thus far.”

Best tracks: King of Sweden, Deep In The Night, Say Goodbye

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Read my full review for Clash Magazine here

26. In Lieu of Flowers by Aaron West and The Roaring Twenties

The final part of a trilogy that had been a decade in-the-making and the brainchild of The Wonder Years’ frontman Dan Campbell, there were few better alt-rock records in 2024 than In Lieu of Flowers.

Blending all my favourite genres of music into one unique, heartfelt sound, Aaron West and The Roaring Twenties served up an incredible collection of songs that are as sonically satisfying as they are lyrically moving. On this record, you’ll find elements of indie, folk, Midwest-emo and even a dash of pop-punk too, while Campbell spins beautifully written stories of heartbreak, touring life and battles with the American Healthcare system.

Full of passionate vocals, delicate orchestration and anthemic choruses made to be sung full lung, every single song on here can be considered highlight. From the acoustic-angst of Roman Candles, the bluesy waltz of Whiplash and the triumphant burst of horns on the album’s title track, this is another highly acclaimed 2024 record that rightfully deserved all the praise in the world.

A truly captivating third act in what has been a sublime trilogy of albums – here’s hoping there is still more to come!

Best tracks: Paying Bills At the End of the World, In Lieu of Flowers, Alone At St. Luke’s

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25. Cartoon Darkness by Amyl and the Sniffers

Back in 2021, Aussie punk outfit Amyl and the Sniffers would finish in my Top 10 Albums of the Year thanks to their blistering sophomore record, Comfort To Me. While their new album places a bit further back this time around, the chances are if you loved Comfort To Me like I did, you’ll certainly love Cartoon Darkness as well.

Their latest album is mostly more of the same but in the best way possible, with the band doubling down on their straight-talking, in-your-face lyrics and face-melting guitar solos. Not a single moment is spared as the band shred their way through highlights such as stomping lead single U Should Not Be Doing That, the X-rated Jerkin’ and the impressive full-throttle riffs from Declan Mehrtens on Motorbike Song.

There is also at least one moment that suggests progression too with Big Dreams. It’s a more mellow moment with a terrific vocal performance from enigmatic frontwoman Amy Taylor, where she invites the listener into her apathetic internal monologue about being fed up and wanting more out of life.

Overall though, just another fantastic record from the Aussie quartet, one that looks at the state of the modern world and then violently spits it back out in these thirteen brutally honest, no frills punk tracks. A deserving winner of our October Album of the Month title!

Best tracks: U Should Not Be Doing That, Big Dreams, Motorbike Song

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24. Where’s My Utopia? By Yard Act

While I enjoyed The Overload upon release, the Mercury Prize-nominated debut album from Leeds post-punk outfit Yard Act, it was an album I went off quite quickly. So much so, it didn’t even make my year-end list in 2022.

Wrongfully writing them off as a flash in the pan, soon to be lost in the rapid oversaturation of the post-punk genre, I didn’t really have high expectations going into their second album, Where’s My Utopia, back in March. Thankfully, the record marked a noticeable sonic shift for the band and is an improvement on its predecessor in every single way.

With this record maintaining Yard Act’s witty, observational lyrics but musically seeing them be much more explorative and adventurous, Where’s My Utopia has been a delight to experience all year round. Blending elements of pop, soul, disco and funk into their classic post-punk palette, this one is an ambitious and enjoyable rollercoaster ride. From the super catchy We Make Hits, the Pulp-esque The Undertow through to the Katy J Pearson and David Thewlis featuring bop When The Laughter Stops, it is just an absolute blast from start to finish.

Successfully breaking free of their post-punk mould, this album was a big sonic evolution from Yard Act that impressed all of us on the podcast back in March, and has personally left me incredibly intrigued to see where they go next.

In short, it’s Ace! Top! Mint! Boss! Class! Sweet! Deece! Not bad!

Best tracks: Dream Job, When the Laughter Stops, The Undertow

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23. Foxing by Foxing

With Foxing’s last record Draw Down The Moon finishing well within my Top 20 for the year back in 2021, I certainly expected good things from this self-titled record. But even then, I don’t think I was prepared for this colossus of an album from the American post-rock/emo outfit.

Back in September, Foxing delivered easily one of my favourite first spins all year, knocking me for a loop straight away with their much heavier sound and ambitious scope. The record is a natural step forward from Draw Down The Moon, with Foxing finessing the experimentation from that record for an album that feels fully realised and more assured.

From the aggressive stomps, whirring synths and violent screams of Hell 99, through to the dreamy, synth-soaked 8-minute odyssey that is Greyhound, Foxing try their hand at everything here and the result is never anything less than scintillating. This is captured perfectly in album highlight Gratitude, which sees Conor Murphy deliver an outstanding vocal performance amidst a glorious barrage of static instrumentation.

Without a doubt one of my favourite heavy records of the year, Foxing delivered a masterfully crafted and eclectic sonic thrill-ride with this self-titled, which also ranks right up there with their very best work.

Best tracks: Gratitude, Hell 99, Greyhound

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22. Filthy Underneath by Nadine Shah

Whilst everyone was going through their own personal turmoil during the last few years, much revered musician Nadine Shah was going through a particularly tumultuous time. Not long after releasing her 2020 album Kitchen Sink, Nadine would tragically lose her cancer-stricken mother during the height of the COVID-pandemic. Locked in isolation with her grief, Nadine entered a downward spiral that would play out over the next two years, with heavy substance abuse leading to depression, divorce and even an attempt to take her own life in 2022. Thankfully Nadine survived, agreeing to enter rehab where she would get the help and support she desperately needed.

Now out of rehab, substance-free and most importantly finding her happiness again, Nadine thankfully returned with new album Filthy Underneath earlier this year - and it is just an absolute tour de force from beginning to end. Playing out almost like a cathartic exorcism of all the demons that have plagued her the last few years, Filthy Underneath is the sound of Nadine laying everything bare for the listener. Brutally raw, deeply personal and gracefully honest, the heavy lyrical inspiration for each track is carefully balanced with liberating, synth-drenched and  rhythmic instrumentation, with the live-sounding production adding a theatrical touch to proceedings too.

While it’s an album best experienced as a complete work from start to finish, there are a few standout moments here too. None more so than Greatest Dancer, a song where Nadine recalls getting high on her mum’s prescription medicine in front of an episode of Strictly Come Dancing, with pulsating synths reverberating and tribal drums pounding away as she recounts her feelings in that moment. Sad Lads Anonymous is another high point, a poetic spoken word confessional that sees Nadine describe her woes to a work experience kid in an awards show bathroom. Both these tracks present the whole album as a microcosm, filled with sounds that draw you in and make you want to dance, whilst the stories at the core are quite dark and harrowing. It all eventually culminates in the album’s hardest moment, French Exit, an ominously tense track on which Nadine openly confronts her suicide attempt. It’s a truly devastating end to an utterly enthralling record.

It’s no secret that often the darkest times can produce the greatest art. Filthy Underneath is a testament to that, with Nadine bravely and openly sharing her story as both a lesson to others but also, no doubt, her own personal catharsis. Shocking and upsetting at points yet always refreshingly honest and completely captivating, this is without a doubt one of the most powerful albums released all year.

Best tracks: Greatest Dancer, Sad Lads Anonymous, See My Girl

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21. The New Sound by Geordie Greep

Momentarily going back to my Honourable Mentions blog where I shared the basic criteria I look at when choosing my Albums of the Year, you’ll notice point three: showed ambition or had something unique to offer. Now, if I judged these 2024 albums on that basis alone, there would arguably be one clear winner - this spellbinding solo debut from Black Midi’s Geordie Greep.

Having raised eyebrows with the out-of-the-blue announcement of Black Midi’s demise, the concern quickly turned to rapturous applause as The New Sound instantly became one of the most critically acclaimed records of 2024 – and for good reason too.

Fusing prog-rock with jazz and plenty of theatrical flair, The New Sound makes for a dazzling and dramatic hour-long listen. From the vintage swing of Terra to the Steely Dan-inspired lead single Holy Holy, through to album highlights such as the punky Motorbike, 12-minute epic The Magician and the waltzing finale of If You Are But A Dream, The New Sound is a breathtaking masterclass in inventive genre-fusion.

Weird, wonderful and completely unique, The New Sound is no doubt far too out-there for some listeners to stomach. But for those with the patience to fully process the wild musical arrangements they are hearing, Geordie Greep’s music will no doubt leave you astounded.

Best tracks: Holy Holy, As if Waltz, Motorbike

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The Albums of the Year countdown is nearing its conclusion - up next is the penultimate part, highlighting albums #20-11!

[nottobeadickoranything]

Love when my friends drop BANGERS!!!

[iambountyfan]

'som regn' from ionnalee's new Swedish album BLUND added to KULT's Best New Music playlist on Spotify! 🇸🇪

🔗 open.spotify.com/playlist/1Hu2rwXQQ3RnlkSDlqWoXG

[eseomo]

Hey hi how are ya?

I made a video for Deathwashed, premiering on YouTube on the 25th of September.

Bandcamp Friday is this week and you can get my entire Moonbather discography for £15 and my Seo discography 60% off.

There is new merch available including art I made as part of the Bloodberry collection. Bloodberry is my next LP dropping 6th February ‘25. The rest of the collection drops this Halloween (which is now universally called Seoween, in case you didn’t know).

Shop here.

The first single off Bloodberry comes out 31st of October along with the album trailer premiering on YouTube.

Pre-save Paco Rabanne:

I am Seo.

I just released ASSMIX 5000 and ASSMIX 5000 XTRA.

Thank you.

[ewanspence]

12. ‘Queen of Kings’, by Alessandra.

There are some songs that I latch onto before I finish the first listen. ‘Queen of Kings’ is one of those songs. One of the 21 entries to Norway’s Melodi Grand Prix it stood out straight away, ticking all my boxes.

I think it was the subtle pirate sea shanty hiding in the bass line that grabbed me on that first listen. Above that were lyrics that demanded to be shouted out—even if I have a habit of replacing the vocal slam into the chorus with her “Her name is Ed” because is there anything more pirate-y than ‘Our Flag Means Death‘ in 2023? Wrap that up with shifting verse and chorus structure, and a vocal-powered bridge, and you have a gem of a song that has kept me smiling through the year.

Norway is getting to be a dab hand in getting these highly structured pop songs to the Eurovision Song Contest. They might not pick up as much critical acclaim as others, but you can never go wrong with Disco Pirates.

More on this and the songs in my yearly favourites can be found at https://tinyurl.com/2023x12.