Ok, it’s early April 2024 and I should have posted this three months ago, but well, procrastination is now high on my list of adversities. 😉
But I need to do this to start posting about 2024!!
15. Wilco: Cousin
“It’s good to be alive. It’s good to know we die. It’s good to know.” Jeff Tweedy sings at the end of their first track, Infinite Surprise from “Cousin,” over a cacophony of what sounds like horns, violins, tin foil… God knows, but it works. Thanks to Cate le Bon, who Jeff Tweedy & Co. have used for what I think is Wilco’s best album since “Sky Blue Sky.” 13 albums in, and after last year’s very country “Cruel Country,” this is a weird change. But it isn’t. Because despite Le Bon’s production, this is still very Wilco, pick your period, Wilco. It is weird Wilco at times, and it is ordinary Wilco at their very best. No matter what, “Cousin” is great Wilco.
“I’ve always been afraid to sing. That’s a little thing. Somehow, that’s all I do.” Tweedy quietly sings in lovely Pittsburgh. At 56, I do so hope he continues.
14: RAYE: My 21st Century Blues
RAYE jumped out of the blue, “My 21st Century Blues” being her debut album. She starts with the intention: “All the white men CEOs, fuck your privilege” on Hard Out Here, and from here on, this is great, empowering stuff, which is hard not to like. Black Mascara and her UK #1 hit, Escapcism, follow suit, and it’s hard, despite challenging tracks like Mary Jane about substance abuse…
This is all catchy, soulful music, and while she exhales, “I’ve waited seven years for this moment,” on the outro, Fin…
I want more.
13: Sufjan Stevens: Javelin
“Javelin” comes as a spiritual survivor to my favorite album of 2015 – “Carrie and Lowell” – written by Sufjan Stevens following the death of his mother. Now, with “Javelin,” we have from its creator, who revealed he was recovering from an autoimmune condition while recording it (Guillain-Barré Syndrome).
He also lost a lover. So You Are Tired displays the mess and the complications of being in a relationship. It is brutal. “So you are tired of me, so rest your head, Turning back all that we had in our life while I return to death.“
To say it explores grief and loss is an understatement. It isn’t the easiest of listens, but it is beautiful and emotional. He appropriately finishes with a lovely cover of Neil Young’s There’s a World. It has made me love the original (from “Harvest Moon“) even more. That alone is an achievement.
12: Grouplove: I Want it All Right Now
Sunny, sunshine, fuzzy alternative pop from the San Fransico outfit – their sixth. They don’t take themselves seriously other than wanting to please their fan base, which isn’t a bad thing.
A lot of that comes from the leads, Hannah Hooper and Christian Zucconi, who share vocals and are married. It’s very 1990s alternative pop/rock (I’ve seen many comparisons to The Pixies, The Breeders, and The Flaming Lips).
But it’s fun, and this album didn’t disappoint me. Not one bit.
11: Depeche Mode: Memento Mori
It’s both horrible and strangely incredible. The death of Andy Fletcher in May 2022 – I thought – was the end of Depeche Mode, one of the bands I grew up with and love so dearly. But after 2017’s “Spirit,” Dave Gahan and Martin L Gore decided to continue, which is an album that has death poured over it, though funnily, it works out to be one of their most uplifting albums in… a decade.
They both sound great. The songs are all good, particularly standout tracks like Ghosts Again, My Favourite Stranger, and Wagging Tongue. The final track, Speak to Me, is a killer, with the lyrics “I will disappoint you. I will let you down. I need to know you’re here with me. Turn it all around.“
They miss Fletch. That’s apparent throughout the album, which is a testament to him. “Time is fleeting,” Dave sings in Ghosts Again.
It can also be moving, and this proves it.
10. Belle and Sebastian: Late Developers
I didn’t expect to like this album as much as I did. At all.
Glaswegian band Belle and Sebastian have also been in my category of “nice to listen to” but not “essential to listen to” (blasphemy, I know). But there is something about this album.
When We Were Very Young has the chorus, “I wish I could be content with the football scores. I wish I could be content with my daily chores. With my daily worship… of the sublime.”
It’s all so thoughtfully poppy; I guess that is a trademark of the band – twee pop nostalgia and innocence are nearly omnipresent in their discography.
“Late Developers” is a solid set of classic Belle and Sebastian-style tunes that highlights the group’s take on modern indie styles – while not glossing over what made them so charming in their heyday.
9. Margo Price – “Strays II”
Nashville-based Margo Price displays her finest country music at its core with “Strays II“. Full stop.
I would have been happy with “Strays,” but she re-released the album in October 2013 with nine extra tracks, including the rockier Strays.
As it goes, Price and her husband (Jeremy Ivey) went to a South Carolina beach in the summer and took a six-day mushroom-filled trip looking for insights and inspirations. She also tee-totalled. The result is really great.
Whenever I listen to Margo, I think “She knows what she is doing.” Her voice is rich and expressive, bringing a blend of vulnerability and strength.
If you’re not listening to Margo Price, you’re missing out.
8: Blondshell: Blondshell
Blondshell’s self-titled 2023 debut will check all of your indie-rock pleasures.
New York-born and raised Sabrina Teitelbaum, now known as “Blondshell“. And her 2023 debut as Blondshell is fucking fantastic if you like this sort of genre (coming from someone who likes all genres!)
It is only over 33 minutes and to the point. I like albums like that.
This sounds very, very 90’s alternative rock. Grungy. Hints of Hole, Smashing Pumpkins, and Alanis Morrisette abound. She’s said in an interview: “Typically, women are given permission to be sad, but there’s a lot of shame that gets attached to expressing anger. And as a combination of that cultural thing and my own personal hang-ups, I had never felt in touch with that side of myself. Unknowingly, I got in touch with that rage through the music. Just having said all these things it was like, it’s all on the table now: I feel lighter.”
It comes across so well – it’s an interesting listen and, in the end, one I found to be really enjoyable.
7. Olivia Rodrigo: GUTS
This album is so entertaining to listen to that I struggled with where to put it on this list. Olivia Rodrigo’s “SOUR” was so well-done and popular, winning awards all over the place in 2021, blah, blah, blah.
“GUTS” very much stands on its own. Rodrigo is a great singer songwriter and pulls no punches on her second installment.
Life can be crap. Life is crap? There is a whole range of emotions throughout this album which she plays and sings in such a great style.
“I hate all my clothes. Feels like my skin doesn’t fit over my bones. So I guess I should go, the party’s done, and I’m no fun I know, I know” she sings in Ballad of a Homeschooled Girl, admitting in the end “Thought your mom was your wife. Called you the wrong name twice. Can’t think of a third line.“
“GUTS” is glorious, ambitious and at times made me feel like I was in my twenties again.
6. First Aid Kit: Palomino Deluxe (Child of Summer Edition)
I’ll admit I’m cheating a bit, as this album was officially released in late-2022 but re-released (and I discovered) in 2023.
But, it’s lovely. The Swedish sisters Klara and Johanna Söderberg sing amazing folk-pop tunes, with a sprinkle of Fleetwood Mac.
This album isn’t downbeat at all, despite a five-year hiatus post-pandemic break from their previous album, “Ruins.”
As I said when I first reviewed it: Angel is perhaps one of the album’s best and most moving tracks, especially for those with anxiety issues. With lyrics: “So, give me love and give me compassion. Self-forgiveness and give me some passion. I’ll love you even if you don’t love me. I’ll love you, oh, can’t you see you’re free? Oh, angel, can’t you see you’re free?“
They are brilliant, and this is a move away from their Americana beginnings into, hopefully, something completely different. I cannot wait to hear.
5. Foo Fighters: But Here We Are
Do I really have to say why Foo Fighters are in my Top 5?
Dave Grohl is brilliant, trying to overcome the death in 2022 of their drummer, Taylor Hawkins, to make this album.
It’s fantastic – cruelly, magnificently fantastic.
“Someone said I’ll never see your face again. Part of me just can’t believe it’s true. Pictures of us sharing songs and cigarettes. This is how I’ll always picture you.” from the album’s catchy second track, Under You.
Grohl resumes drumming duties for this album full of non-fillers: it is alternative, stadium rock at its finest. Having to get over grief is an uphill battle, and this album shows that while it can be difficult and cathartic, it is needed. As stated in Nothin’ At All, “Lately, I know It’s everythin’ or nothin’ at all.“
4: U.S. Girls: Bless This Mess
Meghan Remy’s 8th studio album, under her moniker, U.S. Girls – “Bless This Mess”, can be a mess, but she pulled off.
It is a bit of a mess at times – deliberately so? The funky as hell opener Only Daedalus is a great example. And my favorite other tracks, Tux (Your Body Fills Me, Boo) and So Typically carry that vibe.
No matter the mess, it’s an extremely interesting, fun but above all entertaining album to listen to – I cannot wait to see what she pulls off next.
3: boygenius: the record
This record is just damn good. The combination of these three so talented artists jells so well.
Not much to say but if you like any of them, please listen to this album.
Well, just listen to it anyway. It came out early in the year and I’m still listening to it in early 2024. My standout tracks are: $20, Emily I’m Sorry, Not Strong Enough and Satanist.
2: Caroline Polachek: Desire, I Want to Turn Into You
I didn’t expect to like this album so much but oh Lord, I did.
Caroline. Thank you.
It gets categorized as “art pop” but it’s really indie pop, in my opinion.
“Hope you like me. You ain’t leaving.” she sings on the opener Welcome to My Island, which is a track I kind of think… if you like it, listen to the rest. If you don’t, then the rest may be a tough listen. It’s a great litmus opener start.
At one point, this was my album of the year with fabulous tracks like Bunny is a Rider, I Believe, and Billions. Until the next one.
1: Romy: Mid Air
She leaped out of the blue. I tried to see Tegan & Sara in Pittsburgh, but it was canceled at the last minute. So, I had a few days in Pittsburgh with my Apple Music and Spotify algorithms going into overdrive.
Up popped Romy, a member of the xx, who I had seen live in New York just after the release of their debut album. This is pure EDM and completely blissful. It doesn’t wear out. It’s welcome; something I’m always on the lookout for! But all of the songs are so catchy and blend so well.
This was easily my favorite album of the year.
Chris Garrod, early April, 2024
