What to say about 2024 in music… Charli XCX finally made it to the top rung, which got Taylor Swift sharpening her claws. Drake dug his own grave and kept digging. Oasis announced a reunion tour which I’m sure will be called off the week before because Liam took a bite out of Noel’s ham sandwich.
Anyway here are some of the albums I liked:
1) Billie Eilish – HIT ME HARD AND SOFT
Confident and carefully composed, this album is always changing on both a micro and macro level. Integrated, lush and atmospheric, it shows an act on top of their game. Despite it being a big, expensive corporate release, I couldn’t imagine picking anything else as album of the year. Seems like a classic to me.
If you like this, try: Jamie xx – In Waves for more intermittently-danceable lavish production
2) Les Frères Timal – Sé sa menm
Infectious mix of Guadeloupean island riddims and Metropolitan French psychedelic electronic production. It’s a vibrant and fun album with enough depth to reward repeat listens. I listen to it every time I need a pick-me-up.
If you like this, try: Sam Redmore – Modulate, which is not nearly as good but it’s house with world music flavours if you’re eager for more
3) Magdalena Bay – Imaginal Disk
One of the very best of the year, this psychedelic album is everything you can possibly fit into a pop record: there are glitchy bits, chamber bits, synthy bits and somehow it all comes together pretty well. An easy pick that will make lots of album of the year lists but it deserves the acclaim and I couldn’t leave it out.
If you like this, try: Charli XCX – Brat for more acclaimed and inventive pop
4) Cosmo Sheldrake – Eye to the Ear
Bassy, intriguing art pop, carefully crafted with lots of nature recordings. I’m a fan of the Sheldrakes and clicked with this one, even though he’s not the strongest singer and it’s a little long, it kept me interested throughout.
If you like this, try: Field Music – Limits of Language for more skilled and memorable art pop
5) Anna Massie – Two Down
Bright Highlands folk from a young master of the form. Interleaving whimsical songs (even a couple of covers) with instrumental pieces where she accompanies herself on guitar, banjo, fiddle and even mouth-trumpet, this is at once modern and traditional, doesn’t take itself too seriously and is an enjoyable listen.
If you like this, try: Yasmin Williams – Acadia for more often-instrumental guitar folk
6) YACHT – New Release
Catchy, synthy post-punk which is varied, maximalist, silly and good – just how I like it. Choruses can be a little inane but it’s a solid album overall.
If you like this, try: Pipe-eye – Pipe-defy for more heavily-decorated silly and catchy songs
7) Laura Marling – Patterns in Repeat
Continuing her prodigious career with this beautiful, integrated, mature release, Laura Marling had the best folk album this year in my opinion. A serious listen without being draining and a great album.
If you like this, try: Song People – Like Somebody Calling Your Name for promising folk-inspired songsters at the start of their career
8) Fievel is Glauque – Rong Weicknes
Wild Belgian jazz pop with a maximalist approach. It’s weird but with plenty of structure to anchor the improvising. This middle approach may alienate both free jazz fans and music fans turned off by freer elements but I enjoyed it.
If you like this, try: playing it again because I didn’t find anything else this year that sounds even a little like this
9) Caroline Shaw & Sō Percussion – Rectangles and Circumstance
American composer Caroline Shaw teams up with New York quartet Sō Percussion for this jazzy art pop record with plenty of atmosphere, skilful songwriting, strong percussion and a beautiful voice.
If you like this, try: Lucy Rose – This Ain’t the Way You Go Out for skilled jazz-pop with more of a piano focus
10) BIG SPECIAL – POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES
Belonging firmly to the Angry Young Men revival led by Yard Act and Sleaford Mods, this one at least has better lyrics. Shouty, sweary working-class post-punk from the Black Country, it likely won’t win any fans who aren’t into this kind of thing but I believe it’s one of the better examples.
If you like this, try: Yard Act – Where’s My Utopia? for a funkier take on the genre