A little late, but here we are. My top 24 albums of 2024. Gonna answer your question really quick – yes, next year will be top 25 and top 26 the year after that and forever onwards until the end of actual time. Hope that clears things up. I wanted to make this list partly to keep my extended family connected to my ongoing music-listening journey but also in part to force myself to listen to more new music. Throughout a “normal” year for me, I usually have one or two big releases and play them on repeat nestled between listens of the previous years’ hits. As much as I feel like I live and breathe music and the worlds packaged within, I’ve grown to find myself making less time for new music and wrapping myself up oh-so-comfortably in the blanket of my already lived experience. Obviously, some records reveal their hand to you very slowly over the course of numerous listens – but I’d be lying to myself if I said each one of my “daily driver” albums counts as one of those experiences. So, in the pursuit of making myself slightly uncomfortable by allowing other people to infect my mind with their music, we have arrived at my top 24 albums of 2024. Below, I will list the albums that I listened to released during the calendar year and the albums that I did not get around to listening to released during the calendar year – for context. Also for context; “listened to” is a very specific ritual – the circumstances have to be just right; I need to have a quiet room that I can sit in and not be bothered, I need to have a good-to-exceptional grade speaker to listen at a very high volume, I need to have recently eaten and I need something quiet to do with my hands (most days that ends up being Tetris – special s/o to Balatro for coming in second place and also tying with UFO 50 as my Game of the Year 2024). I begin each listening experience with this setting in place but that does not mean that each record in the “listened to” section was played through in it’s entirety. Some albums were skipped at the halfway point – as a creator myself who dreads the idea of someone ducking out in the middle of my set, I apologize – but some of these were not your guys’ best showing by a large margin (Dishonorable Mention goes to A$AP FERG). Next up is the Top 5 Songs of 2024 – listed with hyperlinks and cover art sans description just click on the title to listen. After these three lists we will begin the formal 24 starting from the bottom and working our way up – each album will receive a brief description/review and a selection of my favorite tracks. Before we get to the top of the list, I will briefly name my Honorable Mentions for the year. I will also link each albums official purchase channels via hyperlinks in their titles and moreover – you all know how google works. Enjoy the list, let me know how yours compares and let’s all listen to new music forever and talk about new music forever because it is so much fun and has never hurt anyone! Nothing to be afraid of/!/
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ALBUMS THAT WERE RELEASED AND LISTENED TO BY ME IN 2024:
HIGH ON FIRE – COMETH THE STORM BEYONCÉ – COWBOY CARTER JPEGMAFIA – I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU DENZEL CURRY – KING OF THE MISCHIEVOUS SOUTH VOL.2 DENZEL CURRY – KING OF THE MISCHIEVOUS SOUTH ACTRESS – STATIK MACH-HOMMY – #RICHAXXHAITIAN NAILS – EVERY BRIDGE BURNING UNIFORM – AMERICAN STANDARD GHOST DUBS – DAMAGED OKSE – OKSE MAMALEEK – VIDA BLUE E L U C I D – REVELATOR CHAT PILE – COOL WORLD BLOOD INCANTATION – ABSOLUTE ELSEWHERE GODSPEED! YOU BLACK EMPEROR – NO TITLE FOUR TET – THREE SHAKIRA – LAS MUJERES YA NO LLORAN NIA ARCHIVES – SILENCE IS LOUD VINCE STAPLES – DARK TIMES GATECREEPER – DARK SUPERSTITION ALAN SPARHAWK – WHITE ROSES, MY GOD ORANSSI PAZUZU – MUUNTAUTUJA symbols – ʅ() ʅ()ʃ ꐑ(ఠీੂ೧ູȯ)vȯ)࿃ूੂ✧⃛✧⃛) ():::() ̴̤̚ ACTRESS – Даррен Дж. Каннінгем MAMMOTH GRINDER – UNDYING SPECTRAL RESONANCE FREDDIE GIBBS – YOU ONLY DIE 1NCE A$AP FERG – DAROLD DAN REEDER – SMITHEREENS KENDRICK – GNX MIKE / TONY SELTZER – PINBALL WHORES – WAR. FULL OF HELL – COAGULATED BLISS FULL OF HELL & ANDREW NOLAN – SCRAPING THE DIVINE THE SMILE – WALL OF EYES JLIN – AKOMA TWO SHELL – TWO SHELL MOLLY LEWIS – ON THE LIPS MARY LATTIMORE & WALT MCCLEMENTS – RAIN ON THE ROAD WESTSIDE GUNN & DJ DRAMA – STILL PRAYING UNDEATH – MORE INSANE ESCUELA GRIND – DREAMS ON ALGORITHIMS KENNY SEGAL & K THE I ?? – GENUINE DEXTERITY COLIN STETSON – THE LOVE IT TOOK TO LEAVE YOU SKEE MASK – RESORT JON HOPKINS – RITUAL U-ZIQ – GRUSH THE SMILE – CUTOUTS ST VINCENT – Todos Nacen Gritando KING GIZZARD – FLIGHT b741 METZ – UP ON GRAVITY HILL ULLA & ULTRAFROG – IT MEANS A LOT PHARMAKON – MAGGOT MASS AKAI SOLO VERTICALITY//SINGULARITY AKAI SOLO – ONLY THE STRONG REMAIN AKAI SOLO – DREAMDROPDRAGON ACTION BRONSON – JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACHLAVA THE DOCTOR SUMAC – THE HEALER KA – THE THIEF NEXT TO JESUS DORIAN CONCEPT – MUSIC FROM A ROOM FULL OF SYNTHS AB SOUL – SOUL BURGER EL COUSTEAU – MERCI, NON MERCI! NAVY BLUE – MEMOIRS IN ARMOUR TOTAL BLUE – TOTAL BLUE MUSIC FROM MEMORY – VIRTUAL DREAMS II INTOCABLE – MODUS OPERANDI
NOTABLE ALBUMS THAT WERE RELEASED IN 2024 BUT NOT LISTENED TO BY ME:
THOU – UMBILICAL INTER ARMA – NEW HEAVEN RAP FERREIRA – THE FIRST FIST TO MAKE CONTACT WHEN WE DAP MOOR MOTHER – THE GREAT BAILOUT WILLIAM BASINSKI – SEPTEMBER 23RD SHOW ME THE BODY – CORPUS II SOPHIE (POSTHUMOUS) – SOPHIE CITIES AVIV – CAFE TOM TOM ZEAL & ARDOR – GREIF XIU XIU –13” FRANK BELTRAME ITALIAN STILETTO WITH BISON HORN GRIPS SCHOOLBOY Q – BLUE LIPS SWAMP DOGG – BLACKGRASS FUTURE & METRO – WE DON’T TRUST YOU CHARLI XCX – BRAT. FUTURE & METRO – WE STILL DON’T TRUST YOU LL COOL J – THE FORCE 21 SAVAGE – AMERICAN DREAM KALI UCHIS – ORQUÍDEAS IDLES – TANGK SERPENTWITHFEET – GRIP KAMASI WASHINGTON – FEARLESS MOVEMENT KNOCKED LOOSE – YOU WON’T GO BEFORE YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO ORVILLE PECK – STAMPEDE BADBADNOTGOOD – MID SPIRAL PALLBEARER – MIND BURNS ALIVE SHELLAC – TO ALL TRAINS NXWORRIES – WHY LAWD? KAYTRANADA – TIMELESS JAMES BLAKE / LIL YACHTY – BAD CAMEO COMMON – THE AUDITORIUM VOL.1 CLAIRO – CHARM KILLER MIKE – SONGS FOR SINNERS & SAINTS OSEES – SORCS 80 GEL – PERSONA MELT BANANA – 3+5 JOHN LEGEND – MY FAVORITE DREAM RZA – A BALLET THROUGH MUD TIM HEIDECKER – SLIPPING AWAY 03 GREEDO – HELLA GREEDY MACHINE GIRL – MG ULTRA MOON HOOCH – YESTERDAY’S PROBLEM TYLER, THE CREATOR – CHROMAKOPIA SERENGETI – KDIV SERENGETI – PALOOKAVILLE CHUCK JOHNSON – SUN GLORIES FLYING LOTUS – SPIRIT BOX AUTRE NE VEUT – LOVE, GUESS WHO?? NICOLAS JAAR – PIEDRAS 1 NICOLAS JAAR – PIEDRAS 2 PYRRHON – EXHAUST SAM WILKES & SAM GENDEL – THE DOOBER
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TOP 5 SONGS OF 2024:
3. JPEGMAFIA – it’s dark & hell is hot
2. KENDRICK LAMAR & SZA – LUTHER
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(click all release titles for links)
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Favorite tracks: // LEVII’S JEANS FEAT. POST MALONE // YA YA // RIVERDANCE // TEXAS HOLD ‘EM
Description: TASTEFUL AND CHALLENGING SLICE OF AMERICANA THAT I WASN’T EXPECTING TO LIKE AS MUCH AS I DO, BUT HERE WE ARE. NONE OF THE SONGS STUCK WITH ME QUITE LIKE THE BIG HITTERS FROM “RENAISSANCE” DID, BUT AS AN OVERALL PRODUCT – THIS RECORD IS HARD TO ARGUE WITH. SUBTLE AND THOUGHTFUL COUNTRY BANGERS NESTLED BETWEEN SOARING BALLADS, ROARING DANCE BEATS, SENSUAL R&B GROOVES AND THE OCCASIONAL TONE-SETTING INTERLUDE FEATURING WILLIE NELSON – YOU’LL BE STUFFED BY THE END OF THIS ONE. THE “LIVE ON THE RADIO” BOOKENDS TIE THE RECORD TOGETHER NICELY AND ARE A CONVENIENT CONNECTION POINT TO THESE OLD COUNTRY LEGENDS THAT THE RECORD FEELS THE NEED TO PARADE AROUND IN INTERLUDES AND SPOKEN WORD PASSAGES. I THINK THEIR INCLUSION ON THE TRACK-LIST SAYS A LOT WITH A LITTLE, MAKING THE OVERLONG SECTIONS ABOUT “GENRE” FEEL HEAVY-HANDED AND UNNECESSARY. A BLUNT OBJECT DELIVERING A BLOW TO THE HEAD OF THE ALBUMS SUBTLETY SKELETON, MAKING SURE THE MESSAGE IS UNMISSABLE FOR EVEN THE MOST HALF-MINDED OF US. I THINK IT WORKS FOR THE RECORD AS AN END PRODUCT BUT DOES NEGATE THE DESIRE FOR ME TO RUN BACK THROUGH IT AGAIN AND AGAIN. ALSO, IS MAYBE THREE TRACKS TOO LONG.
Favorite tracks: // HATFUL OF RAIN // ANCIENT SOULS, NO LONGER SORROWFUL // VILENESS SLIM
Description: MAMALEEK IS BAND THAT YOU KIND OF HAVE TO BE READY FOR ANYTHING WITH WHEN YOU COME INTO A NEW RECORD. NOT IN THE SENSE THAT THEY’RE SWITCHING GENRES EVERY COUPLE YEARS – THERE’S ALMSOT ALWAYS A DRUM SET, A FEW GUITARS AND A MICROPHONE FOR THE MAN TO CRY AND SCREAM INTO (WHICH HE DOES A LOT OF ON THIS ONE) – BUT EACH RECORD DOES BRING ALONG IT’S OWN SPECIFIC YET INTANGIBLE TONE AND SILHOUETTE (“COME & SEE” AND “FEVER DREAM” STICKING OUT AS MY FAVORITES SO FAR). THIS RECORD CONTINUES THEIR UNDERLYING SOUND IN A LOT OF INTERESTING WAYS (SOME OF THEIR BEST GUITAR WORK TO DATE) BUT I THINK THE SOUNDS USED TO EXPAND THAT OFTEN DON’T FEEL GROUNDED AND TAKE ME OUT OF THE EXPERIENCE A LITTLE BIT. WHEN IT WORKS, IT WORKS AND THE ALBUM HAS IT’S HIGH POINTS; BUT OFTEN, EVEN THE BEST SONGS HAVE MEANDERING MOMENTS THAT DON’T ADD UP TO BENEFITING THE WHOLE OF THE TRACKS NARRATIVE. THE DISSONANCE IS FELT MOST IN THE VOCAL DELIVERIES – FLOATING, WANDERING OVER SONG STRUCTURES ALMOST UNAWARE OF THEIR PRESENCE. LIKE I SAID, WHEN IT WORKS IT’S EXCELLENT AND PUSHING THE ENVELOPE IS SOMETHING I’LL ALWAYS GIVE POINTS FOR – I JUST THINK IT COULD HAVE USED A LITTLE MORE TIME IN THE OVEN. STILL, A DECENT MAMALEEK PROJECT GETS YOU HIGHER ON THE LIST THAN BEYONCE.
Favorite tracks: // ONWARDS (KEEP GOING) // AMAGER FEAT. BILLY WOODS // FRAGRANCE (SOME DAYS DOSN’T HAVE FRAGRANCE)
Description: SCREECHING HORNS, ANXIOUS, CALCULATED DRUMS AND KILLER BASS-LINES TEAM UP WITH CAREFUL SAMPLE-CHOPS AND DIALED IN VERSES FROM BACKWOODZ’ FINEST TO CREATE THE DIZZYING AND EXTREME CONCLUSION TO JAZZ RAP. EXPERIMENTAL IN SPIRIT BUT ALWAYS VISCERAL, THIS DEBUT TAKES THE JAZZ RAP SOUND TO IT’S ARRAY OF EXTREMES AND LOCKS IT ALL TOGETHER FOR THE FINALE – CREATING A BRISK BUT ENLIGHTENING FORTY MINUTES THAT SAVES THE BEST FOR LAST.
21: COLIN STETSON – THE LOVE IT TOOK TO LEAVE YOU
Favorite tracks: // STRIKE YOUR FORGE & GRIN // THE SIX // MALEDICTION
Description: HONESTLY, AS MUCH AS I APPRECIATE THE RECORD AS A WHOLE – THE TONE OF EACH TRACK, THE PRESENCE OF THE MIX AND MASTER THAT SWALLOWS YOUR PERCEPTION – IF IT ONLY HAD THE TRIUMPHANT, MEDITATIVE TWENTY-TWO MINUTE LONG “STRIKE YOUR FORGE & GRIN” ON IT’S TRACK-LIST I STILL WOULD HAVE PUT IT ON THE LIST. OUT OF ALL OF HIS FILM SCORES AND PREVIOUS PROJECTS AND COLLABORATIONS, THIS TRACK STANDS AS HIS BEST WORK. ATMOSPHERIC, CONSUMING, UNNERVING, MEDITATIVE, PULSING, SOARING, DRIVING – IF YOU EVER FEEL LIKE YOU “CAN’T” DO SOMETHING; YOU JUST HAVEN’T TRIED IT AFTER LISTENING TO THIS TRACK. KILL YOUR MASTERS AND ALL THE THINGS THAT HOLD YOU DOWN AND ALSO YOUR LANDLORD!
20: GODSPEED, YOU BLACK EMPEROR – “NO TITLE AS OF 13 FEBRUARY 2024 28,340 DEAD”
Favorite tracks: // GREY RUBBLE – GREEN SHOOTS // BABYS IN A THUNDERCLOUD // SUN IS A HOLE SUN IS VAPORS
Description: “ . . . “
Favorite tracks: // THE REGULATOR // TRUE TO LIFE // UNDONE
Description: I REALLY REALLY (REALLY REALLY?) LOVE THIS RECORD – IT’S ONE OF MY FAVORITES TO HAVE ON IN THE HOUSE TO MAKE THE WALLS FEEL LIKE THEY’RE ALSO ALIVE AND MOVING AS I AM; BUT I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PURITY AND PRECISION OF THE PRESENTATION HERE BY JUST GETTING TO THE BOTTOM LINE: THE RECORD DOES WHAT IT SAYS ON THE TIN. GHOST. DUBS. DAMAGED. GOOGLE IT, ON RESEARCH – DUMMY!
Favorite tracks: // ZERO SUM // FOREIGN SPIES // INSTANT PSALM
Description: THE SECOND ALBUM FROM THOM’S NEW BAND RELEASED IN 2024 STANDS AS MY FAVORITE FROM THE GROUP SO FAR. THE FIRST RELESE OF THE YEAR, “THE WALL OF EYES” FELT CONCRETE LYRICALLY BUT CAME OFF AS MEANDERING MUSICALLY – LEAVING ME A BIT COLD. THIS RECORD HAS ALL MEMBERS FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS AND COMPLETELY IN SYNC – EACH SONG TELLING IT’S OWN VERSION OF THE STORY, BUT STICKING TO AN ACHING, MELANCHOLIC PALETTE THAT’S NOT AFRAID TO GET FUZZY AND DISTORTED. THE AGITATED GUITAR LICKS ON “ZERO SUM” ZIPPING AROUND BUT NEVER LOSING SIGHT OF THE GROOVE – “FOREIGN SPIES” HAUNTING THE HALLS OF THE ALBUM’S OPENING AND “DON’T GET ME STARTED” SHIFTING FROM PSYCHEDELIC CLEARING TO RUMBLING, BUZZING VALLEYS. RADIOHEAD’S TRADEMARK PRECISION SWAPPED FOR A PLAYFULNESS WITH THE MATERIAL THAT SERVES THE DARKER, MORE DISORIENTING LYRICAL DIRECTION. NOT “RADIOHEAD WITH A DIFFERENT NAME” LIKE YOU WERE THINKING – BUT IT IS DEFINITELY ONE OF THE MOST WELL PACED RECORDS OF THE YEAR. THOM AND JOHNNY STILL GOT IT!
Favorite tracks: // DAYTIME GAMER // VITAMIN 313 // ELEMENT
Description: SOME VERY PATIENT AND TECHNICALLY MASTERFUL ELECTRONIC MUSIC TO EITHER SKATEBOARD TO OR SURF THE WORLD WIDE WEB TO. DOESN’T GET AS PERSONALLY WARM AS SOME OF THE OTHER ELECTRONIC RELEASES ON THIS LIST, BUT IS A RELIABLE LISTEN FOR BRIGHT, BEAUTIFUL, SUNNY DAYS SPENT INSIDE ON YOUR LITTLE COMPUTER. EXCELLENT MIX/MASTER ON THIS ONE AS WELL – IS PROBABLY MY FAVORITE SKEE MASK PROJECT PULLING JUST AHEAD OF “COMPRO” – THOUGH I DO MISS SOME OF THE ATMOSPHERE OF THAT RECORD ON THIS ONE.
16: MACH-HOMMY – #RICHAXXHAITIAN
Favorite tracks: // #RICHAXXHAITIAN FEAT. 03 GREEDO & KAYTRANADA // SUR LE PONT d’AVIGNON FEAT. SAM GENDEL // PADON FEAT. THA GOD FAHIM
Description: WHAT CAN I SAY? MACH-HOMMY CAN RAP. BEAT SELECTION IS CONSISTENT AND CONSISTENTLY SOILD, FEATURES ALL BRING THEIR A-GAME AND NEVER OVERSTAY THEIR WELCOME – AND MACH ISN’T A GREAT SINGER BY ANY MEASURE BUT HE CAN RIDE HIS VOCAL DELIVERY THROUGH A DECENT HOOK AND I RESPECT THAT. RECORD TAKES ITSELF SERIOUSLY BUT IS NEVER HEAVY HANDED, LETTING THE SONGS WORK AS SONGS FIRST THEN ALLOWING MACH TO DO THE
HEAVY LIFTING IN CARRYING THE THEMES OF SELF ACTUALIZATION IN A HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT AND REVERENCE FOR MACHS HOMETOWN (Port-au-Prince, HAITI). MACHS COME A LONG WAY IN HIS CAREER AND THIS FEELS LIKE HE WANTED TO MAKE A BIG AND LAVISH MUSICAL STAGE FOR HIS HOMETOWN (BEATS FROM KAYTRANADA I’M SURE AREN’T CHEAP) AND IT’S EFFECTIVE IN LIFTING SPIRITS. PROBABLY THE MOST “MEAT & POTATOES” RAP RECORD ON THE LIST BUT IS THE BEST PLATE OF TASSO AND PEN PATAT YOU CAN EAT THIS YEAR. MY TENTH PLACED SINGLE OF THE YEAR IS “#RICHAXXHAITIAN FEAT. 03 GREEDO & KAYTRANADA”.
Favorite tracks: // GRANNIES CHARRY PIE // SUMMON // THE PRECISION OF INFINITY FEAT. PHILLIP GLASS
Description: THE MOST INTRICATE, METICULOUS AND ENGAGING DANCE MUSIC RELEASED THIS YEAR THAT ALSO HAS THE MOST ACTUAL SWAG. FOR LACK OF A BETTER WAY TO DESCRIBE IT – IT COSTS SO MUCH BIG D*CK ENERGY TO BE A FOOTWORK ARTIST WITH F*CKING PHILLIP GLASS AND BJÖRK AND KRONOS QUARTET AS FEATURES ON YOUR RECORD. AT TIMES CLEAN AND MECHANICAL, OTHER TIMES WARM AND INVITING BUT ALWAYS AMBITIOUS – RATTLING AROUND FROM ONE FRENETIC RHYTHM TO THE NEXT LIKE THE LEADING LADY IN CHICAGO FOOTWORK AUGHT TO. EERIE, AGGRESSIVE – I THINK THIS RECORD CONVEYS FOOTWORKS VERSATILITY MORE THAN ANY OTHER AND IT’S A VERY SPECIAL LISTEN/DANCE PARTY TO HAVE IN THE HOLSTER FOR WHEN YOUR GOBLIN FRIENDS COME OVER. JLIN FOREVER!
14: JPEGMAFIA – I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU (ORIGINAL RELEASE)
Favorite tracks: // SIN MIEDO // EXMILITARY // IT’S DARK & HELL IS HOT
Description: DESPITE MY UNDYING DEVOTION TO PEGGY, THIS ONE WAS A SLOW BURNER FOR ME. I DIDN’T LOVE IT ON FIRST LISTEN BUT A FEW OF THE SINGLES KEPT ME COMING BACK FOR MORE AND BEFORE I KNEW IT, SOME OF HIS BEST SONGS EVER ARE ON THIS RECORD (SIN MIEDO, ITS DARK AND HELL IS HOT, EXMILITARY, I RECOVERED FROM THIS). UNFORTUNATELY, TWO OF HIS BIGGEST DUDS YET ARE ALSO ON THIS RECORD – VULGAR DISPLAY OF POWER AND JIHAD JOE. I THINK THE JPEG-IFICATION OF “BRING THE GUITARS IN” WORKS FOR 80% OF THE TRACKS ON THIS PROJECT BUT ON THESE TWO SPECIFICALLY IT FEELS HOLLOW AND UNPOLISHED – ADJECTIVES THAT NONE OF THE OTHER TRACKS PRESENT WITH. OVERALL, IT’S HIS MOST CLEVERLY DISSONANT PROJECT YET – VEERING FROM BIG GUITAR ANTHEMS TO AI-SOUL CHOPS TO ACTUAL INDIE-FOLK – THE RECORD HAS IT ALL BUT THAT COMES WITH SOME PACING ISSUES, MOSTLY DUE TO THE TWO AFOREMENTIONED DUDS – BUT “FOUR OF JPEGMAFIA’S BEST SONGS” GETS YOU PRETTY HIGH ON MY LIST. (SIDE NOTE: LOVE THE TRACKS INCLUDED ON THE DIRECTORS CUT – “JORDAN RULES” IS PEAK PEGGY)
Favorite tracks: // CORSAIR // DORIAN DIAL // JAGUARUNDI // STONE GOD STOMP
Description: FRUTIGER AERO DAYDREAM – PROBABLY THE MOST ACCURATE DISTILLATION OF THAT MEMORY, THAT SOUND, THAT “IDEAL” WORLD INTO MIUSIC FORM. LAYERED SYNTHS, PADS, SAMPLES, CLEAN ELECTRIC GUITARS, “WORLD” RHYTHMS AND WISTFUL SAXOPHONES LAY WASTE TO ANY VAPOR WAVE RECORD YOU CAN THINK OF WHEN IT COMES TO PURE MUSICALITY. ALL WHILE ACHIEVING THE SAME NOSTALGIC, MEMORY HOLE-ISMS AS ANY OF THE BEST FROM THE GENRE. I CAN PICTURE PHIL COLLINS OR MICHAEL BOLTON TEARING ONE OF THESE CUTS TO LITERAL SHREDS BACK IN THE DAY. NOT SURE OF THE GROUPS’ ORIGINS, AND HONESTLY APPRECIATE THE ANONYMITY (I’M SURE THERE’S PLENTY OF INFO OUT THERE BUT THE MUSIC SPEAKS FOR ITSELF WHEN IT’S TALKING TO ME) AND I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE WHAT COMES NEXT FOR TOTAL BLUE. SMOKE A BLUNT THE SIZE OF YOUR ARM, PUT THIS ONE ON LOUD AND CLEAN YOU R APARTMENT YOU NASTY FREAK.
Favorite tracks: // LUTHER FEAT. SZA // PEEKABOO FEAT. AZCHIKE // HEART PT.6 // GLORIA // HEY NOW FEAT. DODY6
Description: THE BEGINNING OF THE SUPER VILLAIN ERA FOR K DOT DOT? THE RECORD SHARES A REVERENCE FOR HIP-HOP HISTORY IN A SIMILAR WAY TO ANOTHER RECORD ON THIS LIST BUT CARRIES OVER SOME OF DOT’S MUSICAL AMBITIONS – CREATING A VERY SPECIFIC WORLD WITH CALCULATED PACING AND ROLLOUT OF THEMATIC CONNECTIONS. THE HARD HITTING L.A. RAP TRIBUTES GIVE WAY TO ONE OF THE SEXIEST RAP SONGS I’VE EVER HEARD (LUTHER) AND A TOUCHING TRIBUTE TO THE FAMILY THAT IS THE BROTHERS YOU MEET ALONG THE WAY (HEART PART 6) – LINED UP WITH EMOTIONAL CLOSER GLORIA AS SOME OF DOT’S BEST MATERIAL TO DATE. WOULDN’T BE ON THE LIST IF THOSE WERE THE ONLY BANGERS – SQUABBLE UP, HEY NOW, PEEKABOO AND DODGER BLUE ARE TIGHT, INJECTABLE LISTENS (DODGER BLUE SPECIFICALLY KILLING ME SOFTLY BY NOT BEING 25 MINUTES LONG) BUT A FEW OF THE TRACKS STICK OUT AS BEING CAUGHT SOMEWHERE BETWEEN NEEDING A LITTLE SEASONING OR SOUNDING A LITTLE REDUNDANT (REINCARNATED, TV OFF, GNX). OVERALL, K DOT DOT GAVE US A BRISK COLLECTION OF BANGERS WITH MINIMAL FLUFF – A FOLLOW UP TO A BUSY YEAR (DO WANT TO MENTION THAT THE “LET THE PARTY DIE” TRACK HE RELEASED BEFORE THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE TRACK LIST) LOOKS, SOUNDS AND QUACKS LIKE A VICTORY LAP AND IT’S A WELL DESERVED ONE. A COUPLE OF THE FEATURES DON’T SLAP 100% BUT SOME OF HIS BEST SONGS EVER PUT ON WAX ARE ON THIS.
Favorite tracks: // MOON TAN // LOUNGE LIZARD // CRUSHED VELVET FEAT. THEE SACRED SOULS
Description: THIS MOLLY LEWIS RECORD HAS A BIG “TIME & PLACE” ENERGY FOR ME. MY LISTENING OF IT WAS CONDENSED INTO BUSY PIZZA-MAKING SESSIONS AT THE RESTAURANT I WAS WORKING AT UPON IT’S RELEASE AND FOR MONTHS AFTER. AIRPODS IN TRANSPARENCY MODE, WHISTLING ALONG AS A MEMBER OF THE LABOR FORCE AUGHT TO, SOLO-MANNING A PIZZA STATION MAKING DOZENS OF WOOD-FIRED PIZZAS AN HOUR. I WAS TREKKING TO SANIBEL ISLAND AN HOUR FROM MY HOME IN A CAR THAT WAS BARELY HANGING ON PILOTED BY A CONFIDENT, SKILLED PIZZA CHEF AND AMATEUR KICK BOXER THAT WAS ALSO JUST BARELY HANGING ON. I WAS STRUGGLING DURING THIS PERIOD, THAT’S FOR SURE – WORKING TOO LONG FOR TOO LITTLE AND LOVING EVERY MINUTE OF IT WITH MOLLY WHISTLING MY SOUNDTRACK TO ME IN MY EAR. HINDSIGHT IS 20/20, HOWEVER AND ON THE REALLY REAL – I CAN’T REMEMBER A TIME IN MY LIFE WHERE I FELT MORE ALIGNED AND IN SYNC WITH MY INNER SELF THAN THAT PERIOD. WAKING UP EARLY, BUSTING MY ASS AT THE HOME GYM (A 4-MILE TRAIL A FEW BLOCKS AWAY AND AN 80LB PUNCHING BAG HANGING FROM A TREE IN THE BACKYARD AND ANOTHER LYING ON THE GROUND BESIDE IT), DRIVING AN HOUR IN BULLSHIT FLORIDA TRAFFIC IN BULLSHIT FLORIDA HEAT TO MAKE DELICIOUS, NEAR-PERFECT PIZZA FOR 10 HOURS IN A BULLSHIT, HOT AND SLOWLY CRUMBING BUILDING ON A HOT, BULLSHIT ISLAND FOR IGNORANT, BULLSHIT RICH WHITE PEOPLE WHO ARE ALL WAITING TO DIE AND JUST WON’T SAY IT. I FELT LIKE I WAS ON A PATH THAT WAS OF MY OWN CHOOSING; A PATH THAT WAS TRULY MY OWN….AS OF THIS WRITING, I DO NOT FEEL THAT WAY RIGHT NOW, AND I MAY NOT FEEL THAT WAY AGAIN FOR SOME TIME…BUT WHEREVER I GO, I CAN TAKE THAT TIME WITH ME THROUGH THIS WONDERFUL MUSIC. THANK YOU MOLLY. PLEASE CALL ME.
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TOP 10 (click all release titles for links)
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10: UNIFORM – AMERICAN STANDARD
Favorite tracks: // PERMANENT EMBRACE // CLEMENCY // THIS IS NOT A PRAYER
Description: MY NINTH PLACED SINGLE OF THE YEAR IS “THIS IS NOT A PRAYER”. UNIFORM TAKE FULL SHAPE AS THE CURRENT LEADERS IN INDUSTRIAL METAL WITH THIS FOUR TRACK RECORD PILOTED BY TWO DRUMMERS AND SOME OF THE HEAVIEST GUITAR TONES TO FILL MY POOR DOWNSTAIRS NEIGHBORS’ CEILING THIS YEAR. INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCES ALL AROUND, EXCELLENT ENGINEERING AND A MAGNETIC OPENING TOME OF A SONG MAKES THIS STAND OUT AMONGST A LOT OF INDUSTRIAL MUSIC I’VE HEARD IN THE PAST FEW YEARS AND IT’S STUCK WITH ME SINCE IT’S RELEASE EARLY ON IN 2024. THE BAND DID SUBSEQUENTLY RELEASE AN ACOUSTIC VERSION OF THIS RECORD THAT WASN’T FOR ME BUT IT DID HIGHLIGHT THE INTRICATE GUITAR WORK AND SONGWRITING GOING ON BEHIND THE ABSORBING, DISTORTED SOUND OF THE FULL RECORDINGS. MY SKIN ALSO FEELS TIGHT SOMETIMES, BUT WHEN I PUT THE UNIFORM ON – EVERYTHING FEELS LIKE IT’S GONNA BE OKAY.
Favorite tracks: // BAD POLLEN FEAT. BILLY WOODS // INSTANT TRANSFER FEAT. BILLY WOODS // HUSHPUPPIES
Description: MY SEVENTH PLACED SINGLE OF THE YEAR IS “THE WORLD IS DOG”. THE SECOND BEST RAPPER ALIVE (OCCASIONALLY VOLTRON-ING WITH BILLY WOODS TO CREATE THE GREATEST RAPPER IN THE UNIVERSE IN ARMAND HAMMER) BRINGS US HIS MOST DIRECT SOLO WORK TO DATE. THOUGHTFUL VERSES OVER INSTRUMENTALS THAT VEER SOMEWHERE BETWEEN NOISY, ANGSTY, DIY RADIOHEAD-ISMS AND PSYCHEDELIC HIP-HOP THAT ITSELF SHIVERS BETWEEN TRULY TRUNK BUMPING AND TRULY DISORIENTING. THE RECORD IS ALSO SURPRISINGLY HILARIOUS – WITH A “CELLZ” ERA MF DOOM SENSE OF APOCALYPTIC HUMOR – THE TRACK “HUSHPUPPIES” HAD ME HOWLING LIKE A HYENA WHEN I FIRST HEARD IT. IT SOUNDS LIKE ELUCID HAD A LOT OF FUN MAKING THESE SONGS AND THE LIGHTER MOMENTS HELP MAKE THE VISCERAL AND LITERAL HIT HARD (“SLUM OF DISREGARD”, “RFID”). TOUCHING ON FATHERHOOD IN THIS COUNTRY, RENTING A SACRED SPACE FROM SATAN’S SPAWN (LANDLORDS) AND THE SPIRITUAL POWER OF FRIED FISH – THIS FEELS LIKE ELUCID TRIED TO FIT AS MUCH OF HIMSELF INTO 45 MINUTES AS HE COULD – AND WE’RE ALL THE BETTER FOR IT. TOP 5 BILLY WOODS VERSE ON THIS ONE AS WELL, WATCH OUT (“INSTANT TRANSFER”).
8: KA – THE THIEF NEXT TO JESUS
Favorite tracks: // BORROWED TIME // COLLECTION PLATE // TRUE HOLY WATER
Description:MY EIGHTH PLACED SINGLE OF THE YEAR IS “BEAUTIFUL”. THE MOST POTENT AND IMAGINATIVE HIP-HOP GOSPEL MUSIC YET RELEASED ONTO THIS PLANET. GROUNDED IN WISDOM ON CLASS WARFARE, RELIGIOUS ATROCITIES AND WAYS TO MAKE IT ALL SEEM WORTH LIVING FOR, IF THERE’S EVER BEEN A RAP RECORD TO FEEL LIKE A SACRED TEXT – THIS IS IT. KA DISTILLS THE AURA OF GOSPEL THROUGH CYCLING RAW SAMPLES WITH ALL OF THE DUST AND TIME INTACT, BASS DIALED UP, VOCALS PITCHED DOWN – HANDCRAFTED, TIGHT GROOVES THAT ARE EQUALLY HYPNOTIC AND HAUNTING; PERFECT PRESENTATION FOR THE SERMON ON DISPLAY IN THE TEXT. IF I CLOSE MY EYES, IT PUTS ME INTO A BIG EMPTY DUSTY CHURCH WITH A BROKEN ELECTRIC ORGAN GOING OFF IN THE CORNER, SITTING DEEP IN THE PEW – STRANGER SITTING BEHIND ME WHISPERING INTO MY EAR. THE RHYMES ARE WHAT’S HIGHLIGHTED HERE – IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR BIG BANGING BEATS YOU’RE GONNA KEEP LOOKING – THE RHYTHM IS IN THE RHYME, KA TAKING SCHEMES AND FLOWS TO THEIR DARK EXTREMES; ARRESTING OVER THE GLITCHY, HARROWING GOSPEL GHOSTS CRYING UNDER HIM. ALL KILLER, NO FILLER – EACH SONG TACKLING A NEW ANGLE, COMING TOGETHER TO FORM SOMETHING COMPLETE BY THE FINALE – SOMEONE. THE SICKNESS OF RELEASING AN ALBUM QUESTIONING YOUR FATIH IN GOD ONLY TO HAVE THEM TAKE YOU FROM THIS SCREAMING WORLD SHORTLY AFTER IS SUCH BULLSHIT AND MAKES ME SO SICK – BUT IT WON’T BE IN VEIN. WHATEVER PLANE OF AFTERLIFE YOU ENDED UP IN, I HOPE YOU’RE IN THE SAME ONE AS MF DOOM – I HOPE IT’S NOTHING BUT LOVE IN PARADISE. YOUR BODY OF WORK WILL NOT GO UNREMEMBERED IN MY HOUSEHOLD, AND ALL RESPECT TO KA’S FAMILY.
Favorite tracks: // YELLOW DAWN // WORLD OF LIGHT // THE STONE’S TURN
Description: SUMAC IS A BAND THAT HAS BEEN ON MY RADAR AND IS ACTIVELY SEEKING TO DESTROY IT WITH BACK-TO-BACK PHENOMENAL RELEASES AND COLLABORATIONS THAT HAVE KEPT ME SUCKING FROM THEIR TEET FOR YEARS NOW – AND THRIVING. SHINING. FOR MONTHS OF THE YEAR 2024, IF YOU SAW ME WITH HEADPHONES ON I WAS VERY LIKELY LISTENING TO THIS RECORD AT FULL VOLUME. EMBRACING ITS DISSONANCE AND MAXING MYSELF OUT ON THE DEEP, SWELLING GROOVES AND SOARING GUITAR SOLOS LACED THROUGHOUT EACH ONE OF ITS TEN-PLUS MINUTE TRACKS. VOCALS DELIVERED WITH THAT PATENTED SUMAC trachea DO THEIR BEST TO SWALLOW UP ONE OF THE BEST MIXES/MASTERS I’VE HEARD IN THE GENRE – BUT THE GUITARS ARE THE STAR HERE AND THEY SHINE LIKE MY SPIRIT IN THE LATE HOURS OF THE NIGHT. THIS RECORD IS FOR PLAYING LOUD ON THE SOUNDBAR IN THE LIVING ROOM WHILE YOU HAUNT THE HALLS OF YOUR HOME, LOOKING OUT OF WINDOWS AND THINKING ABOUT YOUR FUTURE – HOW GREAT IT’S GOING TO FEEL WATCHING YOUR ENEMIES DROWN IN YOUR LIGHT. THIS RECORD IS THE BANDS OPUS, I BELIEVE. I CAN’T TELL IF THEY SET OUT TO CREATE THE ESSENTIAL “SUMAC” WORK – BUT HERE WE ARE AND HEY, WHO’S TO SAY? VITALLY BRIGHT WITH A JAZZ-ADJACENT PLAYFULNESS IN SONG STRUCTURES – NEVER AFRAID TO DRAW OUT THE SHINIEST ELEMENTS BEFORE PULLING THEM BACK INTO THE EARTH WHERE THEY BELONG. WHERE WE ALL BELONG.
6: BLOOD INCANTATION – ABSOLUTE ELSEWHERE
Favorite tracks: // STARGATE TABLET I // STARGATE TABLET II // THE MESSAGE TABLET III
Description: APPROPRIATELY PLANETARY; THIS SOARING, TRANSCENDENT, SYNTH-HEAVY, ATMOSPHERIC, CRUSHING AND SOMETIMES SEXY(?) PROGRESSIVE DEATH METAL FROM OUR GODS WHO ART IN HEAVEN HALLOWED BE THEIR NAME: BLOOD INCANTATION. COMING RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE AT FULL SPEED AND ONLY LETTING UP THE PACE TO FILL IN WITH DOWNRIGHT SLOPPY, WET, NASTY AND SEXY GROOVES (SOME OF THE BEST BASS PLAYING IN THE GENRE AS OF RIGHT NOW) AND A SURPRISE TANGERINE DREAM FEATURE THAT ABSOLUTELY STICKS THE LANDING, LACED WITH VOCAL PASSAGES DESCRIBING YOUR LIKELY ASCENSION TO ACTUAL GODHOOD THROUGHOUT THE LISTENING OF THIS RECORD AT FULL VOLUME. ANOTHER EXAMPLE FROM BLOOD INCANTATION OF MASTERFULLY GOOD PACING, WITH THE LAST FEW MINUTES MAKING THE ASCENSION FEEL TRULY WORTHWHILE. I DON’T REALLY KNOW WHAT ELSE TO SAY FOR THIS RECORD, I THINK IT’S QUALITY KIND OF GOES WITHOUT SAYING GIVEN THE BANDS TRACK RECORD. I WANT TO THANK BLOOD INCANTATION FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART FOR EVERYTHING THEY DO.
5: NAILS – EVERY BRIDGE BURNING
Favorite tracks: // GIVE ME THE PAINKILLER // LACKING THE ABILITY TO PROCESS EMPATHY // NO MORE RIVERS TO CROSS
Description: FAST AND CRUSHING POWER-VIOLENCE FROM THE GODFATHERS OF THE GENRE. THIS RECORD FEELS LIKE A SLIGHTLY MORE REFINED VERSION OF THEIR LAST FULL LENGTH, AND IN SOME WAYS I THINK THE POLISH WORKS AGAINST THIS RECORD WHEN COMPARING IT TO “YOU WILL NEVER BE ONE OF US”. VOCALS ARE POLISHED UP A BIT, HAVING THE BENEFIT OF MAKING LYRICS EASIER TO DISCERN, BUT FOR ME, THIS DOES SACRIFICE A BIT OF THAT HARSH TEXTURE PRESENT IN PREVIOUS NAILS MATERIAL. HOWEVER, THE SONGS ARE SOME OF THEIR CATCHIEST TO DATE AND EACH MEMBER DELIVERS A GREAT PERFORMANCE – COMBINED WITH SOME STAND-OUT MOMENTS ON EACH TRACK CREATING A POTENT DOSE OF POWER-VIOLENCE AND THERE STILL ISN’T A BAND OUT THERE DOING IT AS WELL AS NAILS. THE ALBUMS’ NEAR-PERFECT PACING MAKES 18 MINUTES LAST FOREVER IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE. THIS ALBUM HAS BEEN ON REPEAT FOR ME ALL YEAR AND I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT TO LITERALLY ANYONE. GIVES A POWERFUL, UN-IGNORABLE VOICE TO THE URGES WE ALL ENDURE EVERY SINGLE DAY AND PROVIDES QUICK, POTENT CATHARSIS FOR ALL OF US TRYING TO GET THROUGH IT WITHOUT HURTING ANYONE.
4: DENZEL CURRY – KING OF THE MISCHIEVOUS SOUTH VOL.2
Favorite tracks: // ULTRA SHXT FEAT. KEY NYATA // HOT ONE FEAT. TIACORRINE & A$AP FERG // COLE PIMP FEAT. TY DOLLA $IGN & JUICY J
Description: THIS RECORD KIND OF CAME OUT OF NOWHERE FOR ME THIS YEAR – IT’S A FOLLOW UP TO THE ORIGINAL KOTMS (RELEASED IN 2012 ON SOUNDCLOUD WITH A SIMILAR, PLAYFUL FRAMING) BUT I WASN’T REALLY AWARE OF IT’S UPCOMING RELEASE AT ALL AND TO BE HONEST HAD NOT BEEN KEEPING UP WITH DENZEL SINCE “ZUU” (WHICH WAS ON MY UNPUBLISHED AOTY LIST FOR 2019 – ALSO, SORRY DENZEL) BUT I SAW THIS ON THE RELEASE CALENDAR AND HAD TO GIVE IT A SPIN. I WAS IMMEDIATELY ON BOARD WITH THE FRAMING DEVICE – A TRIBUTE TO THE GREATS OF SOUTHERN HIP-HOP WITH INTERLUDES FROM LEGEND KINGPIN SKINNY PIMP LACED THROUGHOUT AND VERSES FROM PROJECT PAT, JUICY J AND MY FAVORITE RAP UNCLE: 2 CHAINZ. A GREAT MIX/MASTER ADDS TO THE FRAMING AS WELL, WITH AN ALMOST DUSTY, WORN-TAPE SOUND TO SOME OF THE INTERLUDES AND VOCALS/INSTRUMENTALS THAT NEVER SOUNDED FORCED OR UNNATURAL WHEN PACKED IN NEXT TO MORE MODERN TOUCHES AND DRUM MACHINES. I THINK HIS RE-RELEASE LATER IN THE YEAR (LABELED AS THE “OFFICIAL ALBUM” WHILE THIS IS THE “MIXTAPE” – WHICH I GUESS IS SOMETHING WE CAN TALK ABOUT MORE IN PERSON BUT I THINK IS COUNTER-INTUITIVE BECAUSE I THOUGHT THE “MIXTAPE” WAS USUALLY A BLOATED, OVERSTUFFED 50-TRACK AFFAIR WHILE THE “ALBUM” IS MORE POLISHED AND TIGHTER IN THE TRACK-LIST – BUT HEY, WHO’S TO SAY?) I THINK THE EXTRA TRACKS ADD A LITTLE TOO MUCH BLOAT AND PEEL BACK A LITTLE OF THAT RAWNESS IN THE MIX THAT I LOVE SO MUCH ABOUT THIS VERSION. THE EXTRA TRACKS THEMSELVES ARE GOOD, AND MAYBE PUT TOGETHER AS A POST-ALBUM EP WOULD’VE WORKED MORE FOR ME BUT AS IT STANDS NOW I DEFINITELY PREFER THE VOL.2 “MIXTAPE” VERSION. THE RECORD HAS MY SIXTH-PLACED SINGLE OF THE YEAR IN HOT ONE FEAT. TIACORRINE & A$AP FERG AND ONE OF MY FAVORITE TY DOLLA $IGN FEATURES ON THE TRACK WITH JUICY J. THIS IS ONE OF, IF NOT THE BEST RAP PROJECT OF THE YEAR BY A LARGE MARJIN AND I WON’T HEAR OTHERWISE. HOPE TO CATCH DENZEL IN PERSON SOON BECAUSE SOME OF THESE TRACKS ARE BUILT FOR THE CROWD. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING, DENZEL – AND YOU’RE STRIKING IS LOOKING REALLY GOOD, KEEP THE KICKBOXING UP AND WE’LL GET YOU SIGNED TO THE UFC ASAP!
Favorite tracks: // DOLPHIN SPRAY // RAINLINES // CAFE DEL MARS
Description: ATMOSPHERIC, dysfunctional, HYPNOTIC, NOSTALGIC, AND EERILY BREATHTAKING AT TIMES – THIS MOODY FOLLOW UP TO “LXXXVIII” FROM 2023 STRIPS BACK THE ACTRESS SOUND TO ITS BARE ESSENTIALS, PRIORITIZING TEXTURE OVER ANY SENSE OF URGENCY. THIS PAYS OFF BIG TIME, I THINK – RESULTING IN A PACE THAT SKITTERS ALONG FROM ENGAGING, HAUNTING DANCE TRACKS TO BIG, SWEEPING LOUNGE AND AMBIENT TRACKS – ALL OF THEM BRIMMING WITH ENOUGH TEXTURE AND ATMOSPHERE TO DROWN OUT ANY THOUGHTS YOU MIGHT HAVE HAD ABOUT GOING OUTSIDE TODAY. GOOD SEQUENCING OVERALL, PER THE RECORDS ALLEGED RECORDING PROCESS – ALL THE TRACKS WERE RECORDED OVER ONE LONG “FLOW STATE” PERIOD AND THE EFFECT IS FELT IN THE ALBUMS CONSISTENCY IN TONE AND PALETTE. I’M SURE SOME WILL FIND IT REPETITIVE AND DRONING BUT TO ME IT WORKS WELL TO CREATE A COMBINED SENSE OF CALM AND DREAD. THIS RECORD IS ANOTHER “DAILY DRIVER” FOR ME THROUGHOUT 2024 AND BEYOND – SOME OF HIS BEST MATERIAL TO DATE. I ALSO WANT TO MENTION THE “SINGLE” THAT ACTRESS RELEASED LATER IN THE YEAR THAT WAS A 54 MINUTE TRACK CONSISTING OF ABOUT 7/8 OTHER TRACKS SEAMLESSLY WEAVED TOGETHER TITLED HIS FULL LEGAL NAME IN UKRAINIAN (дарен дж. каннінгем) IS FANTASTIC AND WAS ONLY NOT SOMEWHERE ON MY LIST FOR MY PERSONAL RULE OF NOT WANTING TO HAVE ONE ARTIST WITH TWO RECORDS ON THE LIST. IT ALSO CARRIES OVER A LOT OF THE TONES AND TEXTURES FROM “STATIK” WHILE BEING A LITTLE MORE PLAYFUL, CLOSER IN SPIRIT TO “LXXXVIII”. THANK YOU DARREN FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK – CAN’T WAIT TO SEE WHAT WE GET IN 2025.
Favorite tracks: // MASC // FUNNY MAN // NO WAY OUT // FROWNLAND // THE NEW WORLD // MILK OF HUMAN KINDNESS
Description: HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE CHAT PILE MUSIC? BIG, LOUD, SLUDGY, LYRICALLY DEMANDING IN UTERO-ERA NIRVANA 3.0? WHATEVER YOU COME UP WITH, THEY’VE EASILY BECOME ONE OF MY FAVORITE BANDS. THEIR LAST THREE RELEASES HAVE ALL BEEN INCREASINGLY SUBLIME – REACHING THEIR PREVIOUS ZENITH ON “God’s Country” released in 2022. THIS RECORD HERE AT NUMBER TWO ON THE LIST CARRIES OVER THE HEAVY LYRICAL THEMES OF THE PREVIOUS PROJECT WITH MORE REFINED SONG STRUCTURES, MORE CHORUSES, MORE BASS SOLOS AND NEAR PERFECT PACING (“CAMCORDER”). I DO SEEM TO MISS THE THEATRICS AND DISSONANT DELIVERIES FROM THE PREVIOUS RECORD (THERE’S NOTHING THAT REACHES THE PSYCHOTIC HIGHS OF “Grimace_Smoking_Weed.Jpeg” ON THIS ONE, UNFORTUNATELY) BUT I THINK THE STREAMLINING WORKED OVERALL TO MAKE A SLIGHTLY MORE ACCESSIBLE RECORD WITHOUT SANDING TOO MUCH OF THE EDGE OFF OF THE STONE. I ALSO WANT TO MENTION THAT THIS RECORD INCLUDES THE MOST ACCURATE EXPRESSION OF MASCULINE INSECURITY I’VE EVER WITNESSED ON THE TRACK “Masc”– MY SINGLE OF THE YEAR 2024. SOME OF THE CATCHIEST SONGS OF ANY HEAVY MUSIC THIS YEAR – SLEEP ON CHAT PILE AT YOUR OWN PERIL.
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HONORABLE MENTIONS(in no particular order):
HIGH ON FIRE – COMETH THE STORM
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1: ALAN SPARHAWK – WHITE ROSES, MY GOD
Favorite tracks: // FEEL SOMETHING // I MADE THIS BEAT // CAN U HEAR? // BROTHER // HEAVEN // PROJECT 4 EVER // NOT THE 1
Description: STRANGE, CATCHY, HARROWING AND SLIGHTLY DISTURBING – THIS SOLO EFFORT FROM THE LAST LIVING MEMBER OF LOW IS NOT IN THE SAME STRATOSPHERE AS ANY “LOW.5” THAT I WAS EXPECTING GOING INTO IT. CHALLENGING AT ALMOST EVERY LEVEL, THIS RECORD MOVED MOUNTAINS IN MY MIND. ON FIRST BLUSH I WAS EQUALLY ENTRANCED AND ANNOYED BY THE VOCAL DISTORTIONS AND EFFECTS – IT RANG TO ME AS GRATING AND HEAVY-HANDED, THE ALBUM AND MYSELF AT WAR WITH THE EXPECTATIONS THAT COME ALONG WITH A SLOW-CORE ARTIST’S DEBUT SOLO ALBUM. AS IT SETTLED IN MY MIND, I FOUND MYSELF RECALLING MOMENTS FROM THE OPENING SINGLES IN ORDINARY-EVERYDAY-AUTOPILOT THOUGHTS, RECITING THEM TO MYSELF AS OINTMENT FOR THE DAILY GRIND. FINALLY, THE RECORD COMES OUT AND I’M UP AND DANCING TO EVERY SINGLE SONG – COMPLETELY ONBOARD, OVERBOARD, UNDER-BOARD WITH THE SOUND OF THE PROJECT AND THE CONSISTENT TRACK-LIST KEEPING ME THERE FOR THE DURATION AND ON AND ON AND ON INTO THE MORNING SHOWERS OF THE FOLLOWING MONTHS. IT WAS SO REWARDING TO PEEL BACK THE LAYERS AND SEE THE VISION – THE OFTEN INDISTINCT LYRICS SANG THROUGH OFTEN INDECIPHERABLE VOCAL DELIVERIES REQUIRING SOME PREMIUM IMAGINATION GLUE TO FILL IN THE GAPS – THE DIY APPROACH TO THE 808-HEAVY RHYTHM SECTION KEEPING YOU (AND SEEMINGLY ALAN) GOING. THROUGH THIS ALMOST STREAM-OF-CONSCIOUSNESS APPROACH TO VOCAL PERFORMANCE, WE HEAR MORE ANGLES TO WHAT THESE TRACKS ARE COSTING ALAN – AN OFTEN PLAYFUL APPROACH TO THE RECORDING HIDES A GREAT PAIN AND TURBULENCE UNDERNEATH, WEAVED INTO THE PERFORMANCE. SOME OF THE CATCHIEST SONGS OF THE YEAR SUNG WITH A HEAVY HEART AND COLORFUL PALETTE. NO RECORD I HEARD THIS YEAR WAS MORE BRAVE AND STRANGE THAN THIS ONE AND IT STANDS AS ONE OF MY FAVORITE RECORDS EVER. THANK YOU ALAN.
WRAP UP: IF YOU MADE IT ALL THE WAY DOWN HERE, WE APPRECIATE YOU. IT WAS A GREAT YEAR FOR MUSIC, ALL AROUND (FROG FOREST INCLUDED *WINK EMOJI*). OUR “HONORABLE MENTIONS” SECTION GOT REVISED ABOUT THIRTY TIMES, BUT WE MADE IT. WE’LL BE BACK AGAIN WTIH THIS SAME TIME NEXT YEAR AND UNTIL THEN PLEASE STAY TUNED TO FROGFORESTRECORDS.NET – IF YOU HAVEN’T SIGNED UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER YET PLEASE DO SO, BUTTON IS RIGHT UP FRONT ON THE WEBSITE. GONNA BE A BUSY YEAR FOR US SO KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR MAILBOX.
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