I've discovered all kinds of great new artists over the years through the annual "Album of the Year" thread, so here it is for 2024. Who impressed you most last year? Personally, most of my CD purchases last year were from the 1970s, so I'm probably not best placed to start the thread this time around. Nevertheless I will say that Orla Gartland's "Everybody Needs A Hero" is well worth a listen. A couple of tracks below - "Backseat Driver" and the gorgeous title track.
"Prelude To Ecstasy" - The Last Dinner Party. Brilliant album, and a fantastic live band to watch too. They're on the Tramlines bill for 2025, if anyone is going.
Funny you should post this, @Old Goat, since I was looking for it earlier to add my own 2024 selection. It's only the second of her albums I've properly listened to, after To Survive, which I love, but I've really rated Lemons, Limes and Orchids by Joan As Police Woman. I need to work my way through her back catalogue next.
The Chisel brought out an album of good old fashioned proper anger punk … What a f…..g Nightmare. It’ll take you back to nineteen seventy six if you listened to John Peels tapes. Not everyone’s cup of tea but a refreshing listen
Bill Ryder Jones by some very considerable distance. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvsYXqtYjMYfShFDRe4Gbpa1PFQnHw8WZ&si=vsRqJtCIt2C4Uflt
Probably Bill Ryder Jones' Lechyd Da for me. Notable mentions for Gruff Rhys, Arooj Aftab, The Smile, Beth Gibbons, Amyl & The Sniffers. What I absolutely cannot fathom though, is how Charli XCX has come out as best album on so many music rags. Utterly baffling.
Gone off both of em myself. Fontaines haven't come close to matching their debut for me, and I think IDLES while still knocking out decent albums, peaked with Joy
Fair enough, horses for courses isn't? I've always liked them, particularly as live bands but they've both moved closer to the sort of music I want to hear with their releases this year that have gone for a bit more depth in the studio. For what it's worth, I'm also a big fan of Berj's (Ryder-Jones) effort last year. He was great live at Brudenell.
Pretty close to my list. The Gruff album is especially wonderful. Amyl I hated live so that’s tainted the album for me. Charli XCX is probably aimed at a different demographic but quite enjoyed it.
Some great posts on this thread. My mate runs ATA records. If you are not into jazz don't bother listening, but I think this LP is great.
Glad to hear I’m not the only Orla Gartland fan on here! Disappointed that she’s not playing in Leeds or Sheffield on her tour this year. I haven’t finished listening to all my 2024 albums yet, but it’s unlikely anything will top the album I enjoyed listening to the most last year. The album’s a blend of neo-psychedelic rock, electronica and jazz, sounding like the soundtrack to a 1940s Humphrey Bogart film noir movie in places. It totally took me by surprise and I never thought I’d say this, but my favourite album of 2024 is called Asterisms and it’s by…Sean Lennon! John and Yoko’s lad. I’ve recommended it to a dozen people and all but two thought it was rubbish. The two that didn’t have the best musical taste, clearly! A few other 2024 albums are worthy of mention too: Pet Shop Boys - Nonetheless Bill Ryder-Jones - Iechyd Da Max Richter - In a Landscape The The - Ensoulment Cassandra Jenkins - My Light, My Destroyer Kessoncoda - Outerstate Erland Cooper - Carve the Runes then Be Content With Silence Ol’ Burger Beats - 74: Out of Time Cat Burns - Early Twenties And not forgetting Swifty’s The Tortured Poets Department. Her concert at Anfield has to be my gig of the year, just above Nick Cave in Leeds.