Brittany Howard, “What Now” (2024) – Cousin Brit set the bar for 2024 with her album full of deconstructed art-soul; bits bang, but she never luxuriates in any of the grooves for long, always moving.
High On Fire, “Cometh The Storm” (2024) – Matt & Co. are still dealing absolute heat even as the band is old enough for the good rental car rates.
Kim Deal, “Nobody Loves You More” (2024) – Simultaneously everything I could have wanted from a Kim record under any banner, and having enough distance from The Breeders to be distinct. Who knew that a low-key mariachi backing band would compliment Kim perfectly? (She did.)
Amber Mark, “Comin’ Around Again,” “Space & Time,” “Lovely Day,” “Loosies” (2024) – Amber casually drops torchy bangers like other artist post Reels (or whatever). Feels like she’s building toward something and I cannot wait to find out what.
