Staff Picks CDs & Vinyl: The Best of 2024 Part 2
Welcome to part 2 of our favourite music picks of 2024!
Sam's Picks:
The Cure – Songs of a Lost World
The Cure have enjoyed a prolific career spanning several decades as one of the most celebrated and influential artists in alternative music. However, in recent years their output has slowed down significantly, with Songs of a Lost World coming out as their first album in sixteen years. The wait was certainly worth it in this instance, as it stands as possibly their most creatively potent and emotionally fulfilling set of songs since their 1989 masterpiece Disintegration. While The Cure are known for exploring different musical directions, Songs of a Lost World shows them doing what they do best, with expansively atmospheric slow-burning instrumentals providing a strong foundation for Robert Smith’s ever-distinctive vocals making for an emotionally rich listening experience. With the promise of two further albums in the pipeline, The Cure look to be entering a new golden phase of their career.
For the past half-decade, Oklahoma City’s Chat Pile have made a strong impact on the heavy music scene, with their powerful and unique take on the sludge-metal and noise-rock genres. Cool World is their second full-length effort and shows them expanding their palette, incorporating more overt elements of post-punk and funk-metal into their chaotically enigmatic sound. As such, the music feels simultaneously more aggressive and more subdued in comparison to their highly celebrated debut God’s Country. The dark atmosphere is relentlessly foreboding without ever becoming bogged down by its own weight. Featuring ten tracks and a run time of just over forty minutes, Cool World is a concise and highly impactful record that shows Chat Pile continuing to hone their craft.
Having established itself as one of the most iconic pop culture artefacts of 2024, Brat shows Charli XCX truly reaching for stratospheric heights. While it’s exposure has put Charli on the commercial radar to a much higher degree than before, she is far from an overnight success. Over the space of more than a decade, she has released six full-length albums and a series of mixtapes, through which she has honed a uniquely potent sense of artistry within a heavily oversaturated pop music climate. In a way, Brat feels somewhat like a ‘best-of’ for Charli XCX, taking key elements from across her discography and distilling them in new ways to craft a truly rich and fulfilling listening experience. A significant part of what makes the album such a hit is its ability to balance edgy, hard-hitting club sensibilities with sombre moments of genuine emotional tenderness. Overall, Brat is a modern pop masterpiece that will be surely recognized as a classic for many years to come.
Godspeed You! Black Emperor - No Title as of 13 February 2024 28,340 Dead
Godspeed You Black Emperor have long been established as one of the major heavyweights of post-rock, with a discography dating back almost thirty years. No Title as of 13 February 2024 28,340 Dead stands as their eighth full-length album and shows them continuing to hone their distinctively vast musical palette. While they have remained fairly consistent across their discography, more recent efforts have not managed to reach the ecstatic climactic heights that they achieved with ease in their highly celebrated early work. While that may also be the case here, there is a notable sense of vigour and excitement to the music that was missing in recent efforts. Tracks are shorter than more concise than usual for Godspeed’s standards, with six tracks clocking in at just over fifty minutes. All in all, they remain as one of the most politically potent instrumental acts of our time, with the album title alone making a strong statement about current ongoing global crises. Highly recommended listening to fans of moody instrumental music with powerful crescendos.
Pye Corner Audio – Endless Echo
Endless Echo is the eleventh full-length work from experimental/electronic composer Martin Jenkins under the moniker Pye Corner Audio. No doubt influenced by his recent film scoring work, the album conjures a deeply cinematic atmosphere, featuring densely rich soundscapes and retroactive 80s-esque synth flourishes that evoke the classic era of John Carpenter film scores. As the darkly expressive album cover suggests, there is a potent sense of brooding menace within the music, underpinned by slick, danceable beats that call to mind some of the instrumental elements of 90s-era Depeche Mode. Endless Echo may not necessarily be breaking any new ground; however, it stands as a compelling and heavily atmospheric work from a prolific artist operating at the top of their game.
Slift – Ilion
Hailing from Toulouse, France, over the past few years Slift have forged a sound that incorporates classic psych/space-rock stylings with a heavy progressive approach. Their third album Ilion shows them developing their palette in an impressive manner, which feels even more expansive and overwhelming than on previous outings. From the get-go, there is a truly enveloping psychedelic atmosphere that is easy to get sucked into, which invites the listener on a maelstrom of a musical journey that barely lets up over the course of almost eighty minutes. The long runtime is entirely justified, with the frenetic and hypnotic energy providing a relentless sense of excitement and grandeur which never descends into plodding monotony. The technical proficiency of the musicians is worthy of note, with the three members able to fuse dizzyingly virtuosic performances into a singularly cohesive sound that feels much larger than the sum of its parts. For anyone with a keen interest in heavy psychedelia with a progressive edge, Ilion is truly essential listening.
As a new group featuring Radiohead’s two most creatively potent members (namely Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood), it is no surprise that the music of The Smile bears many aesthetic similarities to its highly celebrated parent band. They made their entrance back in 2022 with the debut album A Light for Attracting Attention, which in itself was an impressively fresh outing for a group of musicians now several decades into their careers. Where the aforementioned debut was somewhat sprawling and wildly varied in its stylistic output, the follow-up Wall of Eyes feels more restrained and cohesive in its approach, making for a more focused listening experience. The inclusion of renowned jazz drummer Tom Skinner steers the music in a more progressive, fusion-inspired direction than one might expect to find in a Radiohead-adjacent project, with flavours of psychedelia and krautrock seeping through. The lush instrumentation is also worthy of note, with Jonny Greenwood’s enigmatic orchestral arrangements peppered across the record providing a dramatic and emotively engrossing atmosphere. Overall, Wall of Eyes is a more-than-worthy addition to the legendary body of work of its collective creators.
Mdou Moctar – Funeral For Justice
Nigerien guitarist, singer and songwriter Mahamadou Souleymane (professionally known as Mdou Moctar) has been making waves internationally for over a decade with his blend of Tuareg guitar stylings and psychedelic rock music. Following a string of increasingly celebrated releases, sixth full-length album Funeral for Justice takes things up a notch, with Moctar sounding fierier and more impassioned than ever. The music positively bursts with energy, with Moctar’s virtuosic guitar lines and Tamasheq-sung vocals soaring over the tight arrangements provided by his band. Spanning 39 minutes across 9 tracks, Funeral for Justice grabs your attention from the get-go and doesn’t let up until it’s over. This is a powerfully invigorating musical experience and an essential listen to those with an interest in desert blues or psychedelic rock music.
Big Brave – A Chaos of Flowers
Known for their blindingly expansive sound, Big Brave have been making cathartically heavy yet potently hypnotic rock music for over a decade now. Ever prolific, A Chaos of Flowers stands as their eighth full-length release and shows the band moving into interesting new territory. Whilst the massive-minimalism aesthetic remains as pervasive as ever, there is a bold sense of restraint at play, allowing the more subtle sonic elements space to breathe. The songs are also shorter here than usual, with the longest clocking in at just over six minutes as opposed to some of the more epic structures on previous albums. Despite this, Big Brave’s distinctive sense of epic grandeur is as compelling as ever. A Chaos of Flowers is a fine addition to an impressive body of work.
Emerging out of South London’s exciting and enigmatic post-punk ‘windmill’ scene, WeirdOs is the explosively bizarre debut album from O. A two-piece outfit act armed with a saxophone and a drum-kit, the members of O are well-established in the contemporary London jazz scene. However, the music found on this record pushes into several directions, incorporating punk energy, experimental electronics, choppy breakbeats, doom-metal atmospherics, and countless other elements to create a chaotically kaleidoscopic soundworld. The melding of such disparate musical ingredients could easily turn into an incoherent mess in more creatively cumbersome hands; however, O are able to wrangle them in such a way that is truly thrilling and compelling.
Hot on the heels of the shock breakup announcement of modern experimental rock stalwarts Black Midi, frontman Geordie Greep has presented his debut solo offering, entitled The New Sound. For those familiar with Black Midi’s music (particularly their final album Hellfire), this effort will no doubt feel like a logical continuation of his previous work. Free to follow his creative instincts without the compromises that come with creating collaboratively in a group setting, Greep’s idiosyncratic style feels purer and more unfiltered than before. The compositions are mind-bendingly complex, showcasing dense instrumental arrangements and virtuosic performances from numerous session musicians as well as Greep himself. The lyrics and vocals follow a narrative concept that is both bizarre and somewhat disturbing, adding to the sense of overall madness. With elements of progressive rock, jazz fusion, Latin music, old-timey showtunes and countless other flavours, The New Sound is an incredible work that sounds unlike anything else you heard in 2024.
Shinji's Picks:
Anna Butterss - Mighty Vertebrate
One of the most exciting record labels today, Chicago’s ‘International Anthem’ has been a house for the unique, innovative ‘jazz and beyond’ artists including Makaya McCraven, Daniel Villarreal, Tom Skinner (The Smile) and the label’s key artist Jeff Parker (Tortoise). All albums they put out are worth checking and one of the highlights of 2024 is newcomer bassist Anna Butterss’ ‘Mighty Vertebrate’. Born and raised in Adelaide, Australia, Butterss used to be a jazz snob - studying and performing extensively conventional jazz. However, since moving to U.S. she has been embracing new challenges and working with musicians in all genres including those who associate with the ‘International Anthem’ label as well as the likes of Phoebe Bridgers and Jason Isbell. Inspired by the likes of Tortoise and Meshell Ndegeocello, ‘Mighty Vertebrate’ offers tightly composed music, yet free-form feeling is all over. Feeding back from her vast musical experiences and blending jazz, post-rock, African groove, and hip-hop feelings, she and her highly skilful band create one-of-a-kind kaleidoscopic sound which categorising seems pointless. Already one of the most in-demand bassists, she is definitely one to watch.
She was born in Saudi Arabia and grew up in Pakistan, then moved to the US when she was 19. Now a resident of New York City, Arooj Aftab has been questing to put her South Asian heritage into the contemporary musical context. Her musical career really took off with the marvellous 2021 album Vulture Prince, and this even more wonderful latest effort proves that she is one of the most exceptional artists, as a singer as well as a sound creator today. Getting inspirations from legendary artists including Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Laurie Anderson and Abbey Lincoln, she effortlessly takes diverse musical styles such as jazz, soul, traditional Indian and Pakistan music, ambient and drone, and weaves them beautifully into her music. Singing often in Urdu, her vocal style gives a traditional feeling, yet the textured subtle sonic pallet she creates is modern and cutting edge. Intimate yet expansive – her captivating smoky voice takes you to the stillness of the night. Spellbound.
She was only 22 when recording her debut album Space 1.8, which gained rave reviews. She did almost everything: composed, produced, arranged, performed, recorded, and mixed it, and made a remarkably meditative, cosmic jazz album. Caribbean Belgian harpist Nala Sinephro became one of the most talked-about artists and this much-anticipated sophomore album ‘Endressness’ showcases her extraordinary capacity as a composer and a musical director. The inspiration came from the concept of reincarnation, and it is a suite in which 10 meticulously crafted tracks are seamlessly played, celebrating the cycle of life and rebirth. Enlisting some of the UK’s best new jazz musicians including James Mollison (Ezra Collective), Morgan Simpson (Black Midi) and 21 string players, she orchestrates, from the minimal motifs, gorgeous yet mysterious symphonic music which acoustic and electronic deftly weave together. Apparently, she dislikes her music being called ‘ambient jazz’ but it seems a good description for this music. Nevertheless, her exceptional talent and avant-garde spirit are taking both jazz and ambient to the next level - that’s for sure.
He started making beats at home at the age of 11 and since then, DIY had been his primary way of making music. However, New Zealand-born, London resident, multi-instrumentalist singer Jordan Rakei recorded his latest album ‘The Loop’ in the studio, collaborating with numerous musicians from the thriving UK soul/jazz scene, and
created a fabulous, scaled-up album which could be a turning point in his career. The silky, soulful vocal and compositions inherited from 70s soul, notably Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder, and the modern production come nicely together. Being true to himself, he sings as if looking back at his life so far: childhood memories, meeting his wife and becoming a father. Personal and profound - showing mutuality as an artist, this may be his first masterpiece.
Loma - How Will I Live without a Body
They were a one-off project band by the members of two art-rock groups: Cross Record and Shearwater, but thanks to Brian Eno, who praised their single Black Willowfrom the album ‘Loma’ on BBC, they reunited and became a permanent unit. They then collaborated with Eno for their brilliant sophomore album Don’t Shy Away, and this third album will cement their reputation as one of the best art-rock bands today. For this project, they worked with another mentor, Laurie Anderson, and her AI model on a couple tracks and the album offers a subtle and nuanced yet glorious musical world. Songs here collectively give you drifting images: meeting and departing, fear and courage and loss and reconnecting, and their superb ambient soundscape is completed by Emily Cross’ enigmatic yet soothing voice. It’s the music that grows inside you every listens. Endearing.
Somewhere between Beach Boys, Van Dyke Parks and Stereolab - The High Llamas has been a unique avant-pop group since 90s. They always delight us with nostalgic melodies, unusual chord progressions and twisted arrangements thanks to the leading man Sean O’hagan’s peculiar pop sensibility. Apparently, O’hangan has been impressed by the legendary hip-hop producer J Dilla and studied his works. Although it’s not a great deal, it shows in this fantastic latest work. O’hagan implements more electronica, elaborate rhythm and vivid production while his characteristic offbeat yet dreamy 60s pop taste remains as its core. His quirky but pleasant songs are also well presented: the title tune is inspired by the tiktok video of the panda eating enormous carrots and ‘Sister Friends’ is about the homeless man, with a dog beside him, performing shakuhachi (traditional Japanese bamboo flute) on the street, giving us a joyous listen. Playful and masterful - his endless curiosity about new music and pop craftmanship make it a memorable album. Brilliant.
Honourable Mention:
Julia Holter - Something in the Room She Moves
Michael Kiwanuka - Small Changes
Meshell Ndegeocello - No More Water: the Gospel of James Baldwin
Mark's Picks:
The second studio album by the American musical duo Magdalena Bay (singer Mica Tenenbaum and multi-instrumentalist Matthew Lewin). 'Internet Pop' at its peak.. expansive, conceptual, kaleidoscopic, ambitious, intriguing, based around a nebulous Sci-Fi concept in which they seem to shove every genre into the album. Super melodic and danceable choruses shift from prog to psychedelic pop, to 80s synths, to 90s No Doubt or Saint Etienne. Repeated listens throw up endless wow moments, in an album of big melodies and big sounds.
Jessica Pratt - Here in the pitch
The fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Jessica Pratt fuses her folk with 60's baroque pop and Girl-group stylings. L.A noir collides with Phil Spector/Brian Wilson studio tinkering, delicate arrangements, lovely melodies & her sweet voice. A lot of these songs sound so 'classic' but they're all original. Imagine if Brian Wilson had produced a Blossom Dearie album, and you're somewhere close to hoe this sounds.
While some of the most exciting sounds in the traditional 'Rock' music genre are actually coming out of Africa, along with plenty of exciting Electronica that fuses traditional & modern sounds, 'World' music is still somewhat of a niche genre. However, every generation a few artists comes along who transcend musical barriers and Arooj Aftab, who recently headlined WOMAD, is one of those. The music of the Pakistani-American artist is essentially filed under 'World Music', but can easily sit on a contemporary Jazz playlist, a playlist of modern indie female artists like Mitski, or an old school 'Mazzy Star/David Lynch vibes playlist. A musical nexus of emotional expression, searching spirituality and dark mystery.
Neil P's Picks:
Geordie Greep - The new sound
Amyl & the Sniffers - Cartoon darkness
La Luz - News of the universe
Public Service Broadcasting - The last flight
Slift - Ilion
Mannequin Pussy - I got heaven
Peter Perrett - The cleansing
Thurston Moore - Flow critical lucidity
O - WeirdOs
Mdou Moctar - Funeral for justice
Loma - How will I live without a body?
MGMT - Loss of life
Lee "Scratch" Perry & Youth - Spaceship to Mars
Earth Tongue - Great haunting
Father John Misty - Mahashmashana
Aaron Frazer - Into the blue
Pye Corner Audio - The endless echo
Real Estate - Daniel
Blood Incantation - Absolute elsewhere