2024
2024 albums I liked/listened to most. Not a bad year, I think. (I still need to make time to listen to the new Cure album properly). |
| 1 |  | MJ Lenderman
Manning Fireworks
Just an instant classic for me. Love this dude. I must've listened to "She's Leaving You" 30 times before the album even dropped. |
| 2 |  | Wild Pink
Dulling the Horns
I've been following these guys since 2018 and I've always liked their sound, or what they were going for, but could never say I truly loved one of their albums as a whole. Until now. I love this album. |
| 3 |  | Waxahatchee
Tigers Blood
Been listening to her since American Weekend and it's like she's just getting better and better. I mean she's always been great, but seeing her style evolve and change over the years has been really cool. One of the best songwriters out there right now for my money. |
| 4 |  | Good Looks
Lived Here For A While
These guys have a song called Vision Boards that started showing up in my spotify algorithm a couple years back and I dug it and checked out the album (Bummer Year) and I didn't fully take to it but thought they showed promise and man they delivered on that promise with this one. This rocks. "Can You See Me Tonight?" is what I talk about when I talk about bangers. |
| 5 |  | Ducks Ltd
Harm's Way
These guys snuck into my top 5 on my spotify wrapped. Something about this album just clicked. They are kind of like what Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever were to me in 2018. Nothing groundbreaking, just really well done jangly pop/rock. Tight, catchy tunes. Earworms is what they are. I can throw this on anytime and enjoy it. Bummed I didn't get to see them when they opened for The Hold Steady on the Thursday of their 3-night stand in Toronto (I was at the Saturday show where Pkew Pkew Pkew opened, who I also like a great deal).
favourite songs: "Deleted Scenes", "The Main Thing" |
| 6 |  | Cloud Nothings
Final Summer
They are at their cleanest and least abrasive here but I dunno, this one just hits all the right notes for me. Even though it can feel a tad repetitive at times, it's all super listenable and songs like "Running Through the Campus", "Mouse Policy" and the title track will go down as songs I will always associate with this year. |
| 7 |  | Japandroids
Fate and Alcohol
I am fully aware I am the exact target demographic for Japandroids (30-something white guy who may or may not have a drinking problem) and I eat this shit up. I was happy to have them back for one last round. It was an improvement on the last one and feels like a fitting send-off. |
| 8 |  | Vampire Weekend
Only God Was Above Us
I have never been a fan of these guys, like at all. But credit where credit is due. This is a great album, front to back. |
| 9 |  | The Hard Quartet
The Hard Quartet
Good to have Malkmus back. This was a pleasant surprise. "Hey" and "Six Deaf Rats" are some of my favourite Malkmus songs in recent memory. |
| 10 |  | Karate
Make It Fit
A great unsung band who to my absolute delight returned and made their first LP in 20 years. It's not their best, or close to it even, but Karate is back and that makes me happy. "Fall to Grace" is classic Karate. |
| 11 |  | Laura Jane Grace
Hole In My Head
So happy I managed to catch Laura live this year when I was back home for a month. She played a bunch of Against Me! songs and for a while there I was sixteen again, drunk and shouting at the top of my lungs to lyrics I knew inside and out. I met her briefly after the show and she was wonderful. Anyways this album is good and I love "Hard Feelings". |
| 12 |  | Guided by Voices
Strut of Kings
I can't keep up with all the new GBV releases (can anyone?) but I checked this one out and it's a good 'un. The one-two punch of 'Bit of a Crunch' and 'Serene King'...Pollard still bringing the goods. |
| 13 |  | Nap Eyes
The Neon Gate
Another band I've been following for a few years now (since 2018) and am slowly liking more and more. They got a good thing going, and "Passageway" and "I See Phantoms...[long ass title]" are some of their best tunes to date. |
| 14 |  | Adrianne Lenker
Bright Future
I am picking up what Adrianne Lenker is putting down. Some beautiful songs here. Now where's that new Big Thief album... |
| 15 |  | Wishy
Triple Seven
New discovery for me, these guys. Checked this out on a whim. The title track is ridiculously good and I return to it often. The opener and 'Love On the Outside', also very good. You can say that this band is good. |
| 16 |  | J Mascis
What Do We Do Now
Who doesn't love J. Everybody loves J. |
| 17 |  | Quivers
Oyster Cuts
'Pink Smoke' is one of my favourite songs of the year. Lots of good stuff here. Sometimes a catchy tune is all ya need. |
| 18 |  | Trace Mountains
Into the Burning Blue
Nothing tops the opener here. Damn fine opener. |
| 19 |  | Real Estate
Daniel
Their best since 2014's 'Atlas'. Solid band I can listen to anytime. Love the album art here. |
| 20 |  | Tyler, the Creator
Chromakopia
I listened to this a few times when it came out but haven't returned. Sounded good though. 'Darling, I' stood out. |
| 21 |  | Kendrick Lamar
GNX
Kendrick drops an album, I listen. |
| 22 |  | Haley Heynderickx
Seed of a Seed
I listened to "I Need to Start a Garden' when it came out in 2018 and enjoyed it. I listened to 'Seed of a Seed' when it came out in 2024 and enjoyed it. This starts really strong (Gemini and Foxglove) and falls off a little after. It's nice. |
| 23 |  | Oso Oso
Life Till Bones
Almost forgot about this one. Short and sweet. I like these guys. |
| 24 |  | Bright Eyes
Five Dice, All Threes
Not as good as 2020's 'Down in the Weeds...' but enjoyable. Conor's still got it. |
| 25 |  | Kim Deal
Nobody Loves You More
I love 'Coast'. You can say I like Kim Deal a good deal. |
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