It’s getting towards the end of the year so it is time to assemble a list of my favourite albums released in 2024. I have sporadically posted lists like this in the past.
These twenty albums were the ones I liked the most (and the ones that I thought other people might like to hear).
The Lemon Twigs – A Dream Is All We Know
Genre: Power pop | [link]
My favourite record of this year. The D’Addario brothers return with a delightful album of masterly crafted pop gems. If bright and breezy melodies and 70s power pop revival are your thing, then you will love this record.
Khruangbin – A La Sala
Genre: Neo-psychedelia, funk | [link]
I enjoyed listening to this during the summer. I felt that the last few (collaborative) releases from them have been good, but this album struck a chord with me.
Hermanos Gutiérrez – Sonido Cósmico
Genre: latin, instrumental | [link]
Somehow close in spirit to the Khruangbin record above. This act were a discovery for me this year courtesy of a fantastic vinyl appreciation blog that I follow.
Holy Tongue meets Shackleton – The Tumbling Psychic Joy Of Now
Genre: instrumental, drums, dub | [link]
I have several of percussionist Valentina Magaletti’s releases, but this collaboration between Holy Tongue (featuring her) and Shackleton is a different beast. I enjoyed this one a lot.
Warrington-Runcorn New Town Development Plan – Your Community Hub
Genre: electronic, soundtrack, design/architecture | [link]
I have enjoyed all of the sonic soundscapes that this act has produced. The idea of the project really resonates with me for reasons that are hard to describe. Even if you do not connect with the concept of New Towns and brutalist architecture as a new beginning, you can enjoy the ambient vibes of this album.
Attic Ocean – Retriever
Genre: shoegaze, dream pop | [link]
I listen to a lot of records in this genre, which even as a fan, I can see can get rather same-y. This act from Düsseldorf produced this lovely EP this year which stood out from the rest and got some heavy rotation.
Magdalena Bay – Imaginal Disk
Genre: pop, electronica | [link]
This was purchased on a whim. I read a recommendation in the student newspaper for this album and because of the album name (which possibly unbeknownst to the artistes) has a developmental biology connection. I am partial to a bit of electropop, especially if there’s more substance to the act than a standard pop record would allow; it points to subversion. I still don’t know much about the band but I liked this record!
Maserati – Pyramid of the Sun (Anniversary Edition)
Genre: post-rock | [link]
A re-release of a classic post-rock record. Tragically the last to feature ace motorik drummer Jerry Fuchs. Although it’s not new for 2024, I played this a fair amount and wanted to include it on the list.
Y Dail – Teigr
Genre: indie pop | [link]
Effectively a one-man act, Huw Griffiths has put together a fine album of melodic indie pop tunes. I discovered Y Dail through a music blog based in Wales who usually feature artists that I like. I enjoyed the authenticity of this album. It’s not really lo-fi, but not exactly polished either.
Blossoms – Gary
Genre: alternative | [link]
I was unaware of Blossoms prior to this album and, if I’m honest, this sort of music is not usually my thing. It was playing in my local record shop and I thought the lyrics were fun, so I investigated further.
Cigarettes After Sex – X’s
Genre: indie rock, slowcore | [link]
Another band that I shouldn’t like. They have a terrible name and the lyrics have the potential for a bad sex literature award, but somehow it works. I really liked their Crush single from a years ago. I like the sound they get going, which reminds me of Red House Painters somehow.
Delta Sleep – Blue Garden
Genre: post-hardcore, math rock, prog | [link]
It took a couple of listens to get into this one. Not as accessible (to me) as Spring Island or Twin Galaxies, but very enjoyable.
Gruff Rhys – Sadness Sets Me Free
Genre: indie pop, folk | [link]
I’m a big fan of Gruff Rhys since the 90s. He’s consistently been one of the most creative musicians and each release (his 25th album according to bandcamp – whatever, I own them all!) has been a new idea, concept or method. In this case a speed recording session in France by all accounts.
Harmonia – Musik Von Harmonia + Reworks
Genre: krautrock | [discogs]
A Record Store Day re-release of a 1974 kosmische klassic. This still sounds fresh to me.
Kim Deal – Nobody Loves You More
Genre: alt rock | [link]
Understandably there was a fair bit of hype around this record given that Kim Deal is a living legend, but fortunately it was all justified. This was a terrific album.
King Hannah – Big Swimmer
Genre: alternative, folk rock | [link]
New to me, and I need to investigate their previous releases, this was a wonderful surprise. The title track is simply gorgeous. That voice.
Michael Kiwanuka – Small Changes
Genre: indie rock, soul | [link]
I really enjoyed the well-crafted tunes on this album. His previous records have received a lot of attention, which tends to put me off, but like the Kim Deal record, this one lived up to the billing and received some heavy rotation late in the year.
SML – Small Medium Large
Genre: jazz, improv, prog, electronic | [link]
This is experimental music that is very hard to categorise. It’s not too “out there” (if you read that description and had visions of some avant-garde craziness), very listenable. Recommended if you like your music a bit different.
Sacri Monti – Retrieval
Genre: stoner rock, psychedelic rock | [link]
I have a soft spot for this band, who I first encountered via a skateboarding video on YouTube possibly starring the band themselves. Watching such videos is very unlike me but I loved the music and hunted it down. They do desert-stoner-70s-revival psychedelic rock. It’s a crowded space but I think these guys have a great sound.
BASIC – This Is BASIC
Genre: tribute, electronic | [link]
One for the music nerds. This is a tribute to obscure-ish album Basic by Robert Quine and Fred Maher. It’s an instrumental drum machine and guitar-fest that sounds great.
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So that’s 20 albums. This year I managed to write a quick something for each one. Given a few more weeks, Dark Brown – American Instrument or The Eggmen Whoooooo! – FUZZY EGGS, PLEASE acquired among a clutch of purchases on the last bandcamp Friday of 2024 may have supplanted one or two on the list. Plus, a 2023 gem Diners – DOMINO, which was too late for last year’s list doesn’t qualify here.
Somehow, I’m a bit unsatisfied with the list. No death metal, punk or hip-hop. Two re-releases. Very few debut albums. Ah well, whatever, nevermind.
More?
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The post title comes from “What’s In The Box (See Whatcha Got)” by The Boo Radleys from their “C’mon Kids” album. I seem to remember that this song is about what’s in your record box, although I couldn’t find any confirmation on the web.