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.
BEAK>, “BEAK>>>>” (2024) – Great Beak> record, or greatest Beak> record? It all just gels on the group’s 4th outing of left-field pop kosmische.
Tems, “Born In The Wild” (2024) – Possibly the best *vibes* of the year. In my perfect world, *this* is the center lane of mainstream pop.
Milkdrop, “We’re All Adults Here” (2024) – Agonized a little over this placement, but ultimately it IS my favorite hip-hop record of the year. I guess I just like songs and replayability.
Nala Sinephro, “Endlessness” (2024) – Another jazz-synth tapestry woven far too fine to ignore. She could do this forever and I’d be happy, but I have a feeling she won’t, which makes me even happier.
BIG|BRAVE, “nature morte” (2023) – Thanks to the release of this year’s “A Chaos of Flowers,” I learned I had missed 2023’s “nature morte” and what has become my favorite BIG|BRAVE record. Artsy noise-doom alternately flowers and collapses.
M Tate, “alone” (2023) – Discovered via an unassuming post on a popular public synth forum, these beautiful long-form ambient pieces soundtracked many hours reading or just relaxing this year. Curious to ask about the intention behind the chopped-off endings, which provide just a drop of unease in an otherwise tranquil pond of major-key pads.
Abida Parveen, “Raqs-e-Bismil” (2005) – Pitchfork’s Sunday review was a revelation; these slow-burn meditations simmer and comfort with a spark of divinity.
Sam Gendel and Sam Wilkes, “Music for Saxofone and Bass Guitar” (2018), “More Music for Saxofone and Bass Guitar (2021) – “Music for…” was my entry point to Sam & Sam’s other music, and a deep-ish dive into Leaving Records more generally this year.
Paul McCartney & Wings, “One Hand Clapping” (released 2024) – Recorded in 1974 with the band feeling loose but in top playing form, the bangers (“Jet,” “Let Me Roll It,” “Junior’s Farm”) hit perfectly. Even the overplayed “Maybe I’m Amazed” sounds fresh; this is probably the version to listen to from now on.
Monolake, “Cinemascope” (2001) – This discovery started me on an ambient dub jag, but it’s hard to find other records that capture such a detailed, truly film-like atmosphere.
EDIT: December 17 – Here are late additions that I have discovered since this list posted.
Doechii, “Alligator Bites Never Heal” (2024)
McCoy Tyner & Joe Henderson, “Forces Of Nature: Live At Slugs’” (2024, recorded in 1966)
Bibio, “Phantom Brickworks (LP II)” (2024)
Here are more records I loved.
Mary Timony, “Untame the Tiger” (2024)
Nick Lowe & Los Straitjackets, “Indoor Safari” (2024)
J Robbins, “Basilisk” (2024)
Pa Salieu, “Afrikan Alien” (2024)
Moses Sumney, “Sophcore” (2024)
Tyler, The Creator, “Chromakopia” (2024)
Pallbearer, “Mind Burns Alive” (2024)
Schoolboy Q, “Blue Lips” (2024)
Marius Leicht, “Klang – Oberheim Eight Voice” (2024)
Vampire Weekend, “Only God Was Above Us” (2024)
Kendrick Lamar, “GNX” (2024)
Stik Figa, “The Soil Songs EP” (2024)
Selvedge, “Holler“
Love undulates violently > Consciousness rises above fear, “Liquids of Eternal Echo” (2024)
Crimson, “Sensation” EP (2024)
Chelsea Wolfe, “She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She” (2024)
The Cure, “Songs of A Lost World” (2024)
Arturo Got The Shaft, “Freedom Boner” (2024, unreleased)
Ryuichi Sakamoto, “Opus” (2024)
Elder, “Live at BBC Maida Vale” (2024)
Knower, “Knower Forever” (2023)
Camp Lo, “Uptown Saturday Night” (1999)
Aaliyah, “One In A Million” (1996)
Shiner, “Splay” (1995, 2024 reissue)
And, in a new category for 2024, here are some personal favorites I loved just as much as the records above, but am less certain if you will; your mileage may vary!
Gangrene, “Heads I Win, Tails You Lose” (2024)
Ishmael Ensemble, “Rituals” (2024)
GAS, “GAS” (1996, 2024 reissue)
Lnrd d$troy, “Tape It To The Limit V.1” (2024)
Loidis, “One Day” (2024)
Abul Mogard, “Live At The Athens Conservatoire” (2024)
Shredders, “Close Cuts” and “Serious Dudes” EPs (2024)
Ras G & The Afrikan Space Program, “Stargate Music” (2018)
Inter Arma, “New Heaven” (2024)
Bloody Knives, “Drowning In Light” (2024)