Every December, we share our Top 30 or 40 albums of the year in a buoyant and celebratory mood. The list is never presented as fact; its aim is to reflect the journey traversed that year.
*banner image courtesy of @cspalton
Then, the inevitable tweets come. What about this…
The shame.
Once we can lift our heads from our hands at having missed something great, we emerge pretending it never happened. Well, this year, we’re going full disclosure. Here are the best albums we’ve discovered from 2024 that slipped through our net:
Another Sky – Beach Day
A record of astonishing power from the London outfit.
Catrin Vincent’s vocals soar with Joan Armatrading's vulnerability and the purity of Christine McVie. As she tumbles through shades of light and dark, the agony rising inside will threaten to spill over.
Through ‘Death Of The Author’ and ‘Uh Oh’, Vincent’s brutal self-reflection makes procedings a difficult listen, but always compelling.
Despite the melancholy, tracks such as ‘The Pain’ and ‘I Never Had Control’ are beset with such beauty that souls will leave their realm cleansed.
Gurriers - Come & See
Dublin’s burgeoning scene continues to thrive on this debut album.
Dan Hoff’s ability to switch from the venom of Sleaford Mods’ Jason Williamson to the enthralling passion of Shame’s Charlie Steen is breathtaking.
Great post-punk hooks link arms with vitriolic despair leaving them the heirs to Fontaines DC’s throne!
Key tracks: Des Goblin / Sign of the Times
Marpool - Marpool
Hypnotic rock ‘n’ roll links the hazy dreams of Kurt Vile and the awe-inspiring Liam Gallagher.
Gentle and tranquil but always moving and uplifting, Marpool carve out a space to lead us all to the promised land via a defiant stroll rather than a blaze of glory.
Key Tracks: The City Is Waiting / Long Road Home
Matt Edible & The Obtuse Angels - The Optometrist
Great songs. Better lyrics!
The Holy Orders frontman and hired gun for Kingmaker follows up on his 2018 masterpiece ‘Stargazing’ with an album of guitar bangers!
Edible conjures a fresh take on everything from glam to punk to 90s US alt-rock! Edible has evoked the power of guitar hooks to revitalise the guitar scene!
Key Tracks: Mirror Shoes / The Optometrist