Wrapping up all the business of 2024 with some fun End of Year Guest Posts from bands, friends, music industry pals, label types, and assorted good fiends! Check out this list from Sylvaine to discuss her top picks for best music of 2024!
Honorable Mentions:
Ulcerate – Cutting The Throat of God
Chelsea Wolfe – She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out She
Doodseskader – Year Two
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Wild God
Beth Gibbons – Lives Outgrown
Hamferð – Men Guðs hond er sterk
Ministry – Hopiumforthemasses
10. 40 Watt Sun – Little Weight
I really enjoyed hearing Patrick embrace the heavier side of 40 Watt Sun again on this record, something that made for an even heavier record overall emotionally speaking. And Patrick’s voice…Few singers have such an incredibly emotive voice as he does. It’s pure magic. I have adored 40 Watt Sun since the first album “The Inside Room” was released back in 2011 (it’s one of my all-time fav records) and have turned to his heartbreaking, yet heartwarming songs for emotional comfort ever since.
40 Watt Sun – “Closer to Life”
9. The Cure – Songs Of a Lost World
When The Cure announced a new album was about to drop, I think a lot of us already knew we were about to fall in love with the magical world of Robert Smith all over again. And we were not disappointed! Lovely melodies, lush sound textures, beautiful guitar tones… The Cure will forever be a gem to all of us that hold post-punk/new wave very close to our hearts. “I Can Never Say Goodbye” was especially touching to me.
The Cure – “I Can Never Say Goodbye”
8. Chat Pile – Cool World
And then to something that is super sludgy, rough, dirty, dissonant. I took note of Chat Pile in 2022 when they released their debut “God’s Country” and was excited to hear the follow-up to that. “Cool World” is just as intense, full of really groovy rhythms, grungy riffs and haunting vocals. A wonderful noise rock record, that is peculiar in the very best of way.
Chat Pile – “Masc”
7. Judas Priest – Invincible Shield
I honestly wasn’t expecting to enjoy this record as much as I did, but I am sincerely impressed that Judas Priest has come up with what I think is one of their best albums in a long time! Really great riffs, great performances and catchy songs, as well as a really cool sound and production. Just overall a really great record!
Judas Priest – “Invincible Shield”
6. Zeal & Ardor – GREIF
Another incredible album by Manuel. He has such an original sound and finds the perfect balance in his music between catchy, heavy, vulnerable and lively. The range of different expressions and dynamics of this record is extremely interesting, and I feel like another layer has been added bringing in all the live members to make this record with him. It’s amazing. I’ve listened to “to my ilk” obsessively since it was released as the first single off the album.
Zeal & Ardor – “To My Ilk”
5. Midwife – No Depression in Heaven
I adore how minimalistic and raw this album both sounds and feels. It’s sort of low-fi sound wise, making the whole experience very dreamy and floaty. The vocal processing and placement, pushed a bit further into the music, makes for a very shoegazy touch. It’s such an emotional ride to listen to this one from start to finish. “Vanessa” is without a doubt one of the most beautiful and touching tracks released in 2024. Breaks my heart in the best way with every spin.
Midwife – “Vanessa”
4. Eivør – ENN
From the first moments of “ENN”, this album is incredibly ethereal and oh so gorgeous, with Eivør’s stunning voice taking a shinning spot in the forefront. Having had the pleasure of hearing this whole album every night while on tour together thru Europe in October 2024, it just confirmed my feeling that “ENN” is one of the most beautiful records released this year. “Purpurhjarta” has made my cry more than once.
Eivør – “Purpurhjarta”
3. Max Richter – In A Landscape
I had the pleasure of seeing this album performed in its entirety at the Opera house here in Oslo and it was one of the best concerts I’ve witnessed thru the year. As with any other Richter release, ” In A Landscape” is oozing beautiful melancholy, showcasing modern minimalism at its finest, with excellent performances made by incredible musicians. I love the interchanging between the organ and string-based pieces and the interludes that consist of samples of people talking and other noises all entitled “Life Study”. Makes for an interesting juxtaposition thru out the album.
Max Richter – “Life Study”
2. Zetra – Zetra
If this is not one of the best debut albums I have heard in a long time, I don’t know what is…! An album that is overflowing with catchy songs, that are both ethereal, lush and dancy, with beautifully poetic lyrics to match, Zetra truly have a unique talent for songwriting, arrangements and sound production. Every song needs a listen on this brilliant album, but I have to mention “Sacrifice” (that breakdown, oh my goodness) and “Inseparable” as my favs.
Zetra – “Sacrifice”
1. I HÄXA – I Häxa
This concept album, split into part I – IV, released all thru 2024 in segments before the full release in November, is probably the album that got me the most excited upon listening to it this year. It’s truly a very inspired and original effort, heavy in beautiful melodies, interesting musical textures and arrangements and drenched in emotion. An absolutely beautiful listen from start to finish, can’t recommend it enough to anyone open to think a bit outside of the box! And the last track of the record “Circle”…. Just wow.
I Häxa – Part One
Sylvaine released her amazing new album – Eg Er Framand, via Season of Mist in 2024! Order it here: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/SylvaineEgErFramand
Check out our interview with Sylvaine!