This year I decided not to bother including special-edition remixes or archival box sets in my year-end roundup. I’ll add that there are probably dozens of albums I could have (and perhaps should have) included here, but I’m either unfamiliar with them or unaware of them entirely. What these are, essentially, is a selection of albums which came out in 2024 which I believe are worth singling out.
Just so nobody’s confused, I’m first going to mention some albums I purposely left off the list — like Brat by Charlie XCX. I’m sorry, but this doesn’t break any new ground and it’s essentially all style and no substance. Tigers Blood by Waxahatchee — it’s boring, and I think I’m over Waxahatchee. I overdid it with Saint Cloud. The Collective by Kim Gordon — I don’t know when I’d ever find a time or instance when this noisy, electronic anxiety attack would be suitable or enjoyable. She’s a better songwriter than this. Godspeed You! Black Emperor’s Untitled as of… It’s makeout music for the depressed. Luck And Strange by David Gilmour — Apart from the tracks he does with his daughter Romany, which are fantastic, I find it boring.
OK, with the unpleasantness out of the way, let’s begin. In no particular order:
Savage Mansion
The Shakes
The songs of Craig Angus have never been better on this absolutely flawless album of adult indie pop/rock. The title track was my top song on Spotify this year. It’s a perfect record — great, catchy songs, clever lyrics, loads of variation and devoid of pretension. From Glasgow, Scotland.
Kim Deal
Nobody Loves You More
The music Kim Deal and Black Francis make outside Pixies is much better than the new music they have made under the banner of the band that made them famous. When the band packed it in 1993, Francis emerged solo as Frank Black and Deal put out The Breeders’ third album — the platinum-selling Last Splash. Frank’s album didn’t top Pixies’ Trompe Le Monde (1991), but it was better than Bossanova (1990). Last Splash was better than both of them. Since the band got back together in 2003, they’ve put out an additional five albums — all within the past decade, including one in 2024. Deal’s first solo album is better than any of them. This is her first album under her own name soley. It is a thoughtful, elaborate and beautiful record.
Shannon & The Clams
The Moon Is In The Wrong Place
The Oakland indie garage-surf group made their best record yet with 2024’s The Moon Is In The Wrong Place. Shannon Shaw, who is also a graphic designer, did all the artwork — as she does with all their albums. It is a beautiful thing to behold, and an absolute joy to put on. Loaded with earworms, it’s a driving album that will make any trip seem about 1/3 shorter than it was.
Daniel Romano
Too Hot For Sleep
The prolific singer-songwriter from Welland, Ont. is at his best live, or when he’s doing his folkier songs, countryfied stuff and atmospheric ballads. But this is a record of bangers — and they’re undeniably great. As usual.
Brittany Howard
What Now
The voice of Alabama Shakes is a goddamned miracle. She’s got the best voice in the business right now. There’s nothing she can’t sing. This record shows off her incredible range, her gift of summoning emotion and empowers other humans by showcasing our species’ ability to make music. Simply put, this is a life-affirming record.
Forest Ray
Windfucker
Once upon a time I wouldn’t have been surprised to discover a favourite band hailed from Seattle, but I was sure these dudes were English or European. I was first drawn to the title track of this album, and little else — but it grew on me. This slow burn ended up littering my “liked songs” with a half-dozen cuts from Windfucker, which is hands-down the best album title of the year, too.
This album came out in January, and it sounds like they’ve got another ready to go for early in 2025.
David Nance
David Nance & Mowed Sound
Nebraska’s David Nance had a similar impact on me to Forest Ray. For much of the year it was only his song Mock The Hours that was getting played & replayed constantly, but eventually more and more of his David Nance & Mowed Sound record creeped into my life. His distinctively indie sound is an inspiration for dudes like myself who put out two albums in 2024. I encourage you to check out his hefty back catalog which also boasts some fun entire-album covers including Lou Reed’s Berlin and The Beatles For Sale.
Mulatu Astatke & Hoodna Orchestra
Tension
When I first heard this, I wasn’t sure who it was. I mean, I can see the name on it, but I wasn’t sure which part of the union I was enjoying. What this is, is a collaboration between 80-year-old Ethiopian vibraphonist Mulatu Astatke and Tel Aviv’s Hoodna Orchestra, who have specialized in Afrobeat. This came about thanks to Astatke’s career getting a boost in the early 2000s thanks to the use of his music in the 2005 film Broken Flowers, and the Buda Records compilation series Ethiopiques. This record is like merging Milt Jackson with Budos Band.
Pond
Stung!
Here’s a band whose music seems to be getting better & better. I loved their 2021 album 9, but this one is even better. I knew it would be as soon as the lead single dropped back in February — the video, especially. From the same nest as Tame Impala, these Perth psych/prog rockers never cease to delight. This is a very, very cool record made by some dudes who seem to be living their best life.
Juniore
Mediterranee
This French mother & daughter-led indie outfit became known to me while I researched the ’60s trend of yé-yé music. That is, pop designed to sound like western music. Specifically, riding the coattails of The Beatles, thus the name — yé-yé (yeah yeah!) This is how Juniore describe their music, but it is much more than that. Groovy, cool, snappy, poetic and sexy. Difficult stuff to find in Canada, so I ordered from the U.K. (Hello, Norman Records!)
The Luvmenauts
Ephemera
Hey, finally a Canadian act! Like Juniore, this Toronto collective specialize in a throwback sound. Much of their catalog sounds like soundtracks to cool films that don’t actually exist. This latest album is one that always feels right to me. I never skip tracks like Doing Jazz when they come on.
Jack White
No Name
The king of rock ’n’ roll does it again. His solo stuff bests The White Stripes at times. This record is killer. Lucky bastard is living the dream and not wasting a second of it.
Ducks Ltd.
Harm’s Way
The Toronto duo had one of the best singles of the year — Train Full of Gasoline — but it turns out the whole album is pretty damn great.
Sharp Pins
Radio DDR
The Chicago power-pop group are one of the darlings of the so-called Hallogallo scene. I believe the name comes from the Neu! song of the same name. It’s a Krautrock favourite of mine, and a must for anyone who loves Fujiya & Miyagi. But these guys don’t sound at all like Krautrock. To me, the track Every Time I Hear could have come right off Sunfish Holy Breakfast by Guided By Voices.
Corridor
Mimi
Montreal’s Corridor know how to write songs that are more than hooks — and they know how to record them really, really well. The guys, who sing in French, are clearly big music fans and I bet at least one of them has a record collection to die for. What a goddamned song this is. Mimi better be on the Polaris list.
Robber Robber
Wild Guess
There’s a decent chance you haven’t heard of this Vermont four-piece. They only have 5,000 monthly listens on Spotify. Not that this matters one bit. I love this group — catchy and ethereal. Sometimes there’s a lot of My Bloody Valentine vibes. Nina Cates’ vocals… man oh man. You can sing on my records anytime.
Desiree Cannon
Radio Heat
Nearly as obscure, but probably not for long, is California’s Desiree Cannon. Her beautiful voice sings lonesome, country-folk songs that will slip their arms underneath your open jacket and hold you. Voices don’t get much purer than this. Keep your Waxahatchee and give me this.
Why Bonnie
Wish On The Bone
Sophomore outing from this Brooklyn-by-way-of-Austin outfit led by singer-songwriter Blair Howerton. This shoegaze pop will resonate with the kids today as well as those of yesteryear who kept their Mazzy Star records.
Merce Lemon
Watch Me Drive Them Dogs Wild
Pretty sure I’ve never had so many ladies on this list before. Pittsburgh’s Merce Lemon has crafted a beautiful record of peaceful singer-songwriter tunes, which are nicely backed and well-recorded. Top-notch songwriting and astonishing consistency.
Laura Marling
Patterns In Repeat
One of our greatest artists at the moment, and has been for nearly a decade. This is her eighth studio album — but her first since becoming a mom. Imagine her singing you to sleep.
Here’s a playlist showcasing these albums, and a few others (like me, and a few pals)
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Area Resident is an Ottawa-based journalist, recording artist, music collector and re-seller. Hear (and buy) his music on Bandcamp, email him HERE, follow him on Instagram and check him out on Discogs.
