24 Favorite Releases of 2024

2nd Grade — Scheduled Explosions

Destined to be a college radio classic, 2nd Grade’s second outing of lo-fi goodness bursts with power pop grandeur and memorable hooks

Full review here

Àbáse — Awakening

Awakening is an immense work of spiritual jazz from the imagination of Hungarian producer and keyboardist Szabolcs Bognár, rich in unifying grooves and modal improvisation

Full review here

Charley Crockett — $10 Cowboy

A timeless work of modern country, Charley Crockett's hard luck tales of losers lost on the winding highways of America melds smooth soul melodies with blues grit

Charli xcx — BRAT

The ‘it’ album of summer 2024, BRAT fuses hyperpop with the spirit of Y2K club music for an endlessly loopable pop dance party

Full review here

Kelly Finnigan — A Lover Was Born

Kelly Finnigan’s second solo LP is a lush, emotive exploration of modern soul, blending tender lyrics with rich arrangements that evoke enduring passion and longing

Andrew Gabbard — Ramble & Rave On!

A breezy, sun-dappled blend of rock and folk, Andrew Gabbard’s third album brims with infectious melodies and a laid-back charm that feels effortlessly fresh

Katie Gavin — What A Relief

Katie Gavin’s solo debut deploys the sounds of Lilith Fair-inspired '90s alt-pop for an outing that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant

Full review here

Gunerius & Verdensveven — Fantasmagor'i

A microtonal groove odyssey from Svelvik-based polymath Thomas Gunerius Bergsten, Fantasmagor'i is another transporting psychedelic entry in the Gunerius & Verdensveven catalog

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Shay Hazan — Wusul

Wusul is a vibrant celebration of the sounds and cultures of Africa and the Middle East, and the sound of Hazan fully coming into his own as a composer and bandleader

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Hermanos Gutiérrez — Sonido C​ó​smico

A gauzy collection of meditative guitar instrumentals, Sonido C​ó​smico evokes a remote and otherworldly feeling of resolute rootedness that rewards repeat listens

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HYUKOH & Sunset Rollercoaster — AAA

HYUKOH and Sunset Rollercoaster’s AAA is a dreamy, genre-blurring collaboration that fuses the former’s introspective indie rock with the latter’s smooth, retro-tinged funk, creating an atmospheric and deeply immersive sonic journey

Koy Kardeşler — Koy Kardeşler

A mesmerizing dive into Anatolian rock, Koy Kardeşler’s long awaited debut weaves hypnotic grooves and psychedelic textures with folk influences that resonate with both tradition and modernity

Kendrick Lamar — GNX

A love letter to West Coast hip-hop, Kendrick Lamar’s GNX is his most concise and hard-hitting album since DAMN., showcasing his continued artistic growth and reaffirming his status as the greatest rapper of his generation

Lana Nauphal — Wildland

Drawing on the sounds of Laurel Canyon folk and country, Lana Nauphal’s Wildland is the arrival of a noteworthy singer-songwriting talent

Finn Rees — Dawn Is A Melody

A spellbinding work of orchestra jazz, Finn Rees’ Mr Bongo debut is a collection of resplendent, blossoming arrangements anchored by his lyrical playing and robust bass work from Blakely McLean Davies

Full review here

Nala Sinephro — Endlessness

Nala Sinephro's Endlessness is a remarkable fusion of ambient serenity and jazz dynamism, effortlessly balancing seamless composition and vibrant production

Thee Sinseers — Sinseerly Yours

Blending '60s R&B with smooth Chicano soul, the sweet Sincerely Yours is reminiscent of cruising in the warm East LA night air, evoking nostalgic warmth and contemporary vibrancy

Thee U.F.O — Beaming A Moments Reflection

Boasting a more pronounced Krautrock influence, Beaming A Moments Reflection finds the Irish duo pairing their infectious noise with groovier riffs, joyriding into oblivion

Full review here

Various Artists — Ayo Ke Disco: Boogie, Pop & Funk from the South China Sea (1974-88)

A vibrant compilation from Norsicaa and Soundway Records, this all killer, no filler collection showcases the dynamic fusion of traditional Southeast Asian music with Western funk and disco, reflecting the region's rich cultural tapestry during a period of significant transformation

Various Artists — Congo Funk! - Sound Madness From The Shores Of The Mighty Congo River (Kinshasa/Brazzaville 1969-1982)

Riveting from start to finish, this Analog Africa comp highlights the blend of traditional Congolese rumba with funk and soul influences throughout 14 tracks that boast a number of memorable arrangements and tempo shifts

Various Artists — Even the Forest Hums: Ukrainian Sonic Archives 1971-1996

A meticulously curated and timely compilation from Light In The Attic Records that sheds light on the varied landscape of Ukrainian music from the late Soviet era, showcasing the resilience and ingenuity of artists who navigated state censorship to create an eclectic mix of unforgettable sounds

Work Money Death — People of the Fast Flowing River

Tony Burkill and company at ATA Records deliver spiritual jazz splendor as only they can, creating a wholly immersive and liberating listening experience

YUUF — In The Sun

YUUF’s debut EP is a resplendent offering of soulful instrumentals, rooted in their deep and joyous chemistry

Sefi Zisling — The Librarian

Beautifully orchestrated and thoughtfully textured, Tel Aviv trumpeter Sefi Zisling’s third effort is a studied and heartfelt offering to those he holds dear, featuring some of his finest playing to date

Full review here

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223 // December 19, 2024