It’s that time of the year when I announce my much-awaited and coveted album of the year award. Alternatively, it’s that time of year when I am overwhelmed by self-indulgence and quite wrongly assume that anyone gives a toss about the music I enjoyed most last year. Anyway …
I started with a long list of 32 new albums I bought this year (I bought many more that were not new, as well, but don’t tell my partner) and over a period of time, which involved listening and relistening to all of them, I narrowed the total down to ten. Given the quality of new music in 2024, this was no easy task. The next bit, putting the top ten in order was even harder, if not impossible. But here we are.
As I repeat every year, we live in the best period for music. We have all the music that has ever been made, plus everything that’s new, and trust me when I say that the music scene is as lively and exciting as ever. You may not be surprised to learn that I regard 2024 as a great year for music because I say that every year. In my humble opinion, most years are great, with the obvious exception of the all of 1980s when the music, as Don McLean might have said, died. Tedious, derivative electronic shit and Queen to name but two obvious examples.
I would like to thank the BBC for consistently supporting new music, specifically BBC 6 Music, which has taken me to new areas I never dreamed possible, as well as reminding me about the classics of the past. If the corporation appears to have lost its way, including politically and editorially in recent years, that does not apply to its coverage of music. No commercial station could or would do what 6 Music does and the same applies to many of its other national stations. Long may it run.
So, now it’s time for my top ten for 2024. I’ve suggested a song to listen to from each album I have selected. Here goes:
- Filthy Underneath by Nadine Shah. The brilliant Mackem has done it again with another wonderful album. She sounds like no one else, except maybe the odd hint of Grace Jones. I offer you Greatest Dancer as an example of her work.
- Dance, No One’s Watching by Ezra Collective. Fans may well be wondering – only ninth, because this is a great album? And it is. Try God Gave Me Feet For Dancing, which features the wonderful Yazmin Lacey.
- Strawberry Hotel by Underworld. I was going to write that this was a wonderful return to form by the group, but to be honest their form never really went away. This is a banger of an album. Check out And The Colour Red.
- Luck and Strange by David Gilmour. Even at 78, Gilmour is still at the top of his game, as Luck and Strange proves beyond doubt. Listen to Between Two Points which features his wonderfully talented daughter Romany.
- Hey Panda by High Llamas. I have adored Sean O’Hagan’s wonderful music for decades and this is up there with his best. I have always felt this was the direction Brian Wilson could have gone in had he completed Smile back in the 1960s. Toriafan is typical High Llamas.
- Live From The Ryman Vol. 2 by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. Isbell has made a good few live albums and none better than this. I could choose pretty well anything but I’ll suggest King Of Oklahoma for your delectation.
- All Born Screaming by St Vincent. The divine St Vincent, AKA Annie Clark, makes wonderful music and she may be wondering how on earth she came as low as fourth in this year’s list. Big Time Nothing suggests she might be onto something.
- Leon by Leon Bridges. Call it soul, call it R&B, but definitely call it brilliant. Listen to Peaceful Place and suggest otherwise!
- Mahashmashana by Father John Misty. I’m tempted to say that in any other year this would have been my top album, but how can I know? What it is, though, is definitely a great record. Hear She Cleans Up.
- Manning Fireworks by M J Lenderman. As soon as I heard the album, I knew that to my ears there would be nothing to touch it this year. Great guitar-based tunes from a superbly talented writer, musician and singer. Buy this album, which I am sure you will all do once you have heard Wristwatch. My album of 2024.
Genuine apologies to the likes of Laura Marling, Nilüfer Yanya, Fontaines D.C., Foster the People, Empire of the Sun, Kneecap, Waxahatchee, Michael Head, Arooj Aftab, English Teacher, Lucy Rose, Chromeo, MGMT, Real Estate, The Smile (two albums), BrhyM (which includes Bruce Hornsby), Kamasi Washington, Jordan Rakei, Porij, Been Stellar and Bob Vylan who missed my prestigious list and will probably never speak to me again.
Almost last but not least, where possible I have linked the albums with the site from which the artists are most likely to be paid for their work. Just click on the album title.
Have a great year till next year, as the great wrestling commentator Kent Walton might have said.
