The last year and a half have been a complete fog for me. This became abundantly apparent when I realized that two of the albums I initially had on my list were released in 2023. I knew that time had been blending together, but this is getting ridiculous and something I’ll apparently need to work on in the current year. Though everything is a blur, I did listen to a lot of music in 2024. I make a list of 11 albums (of all genres and time periods) each month, adding a lot of flavors to my musical palette. I also listen to new albums to keep things current. Here are some of my favorites that I triple-checked to ensure they were released in 2024.
Aaron West and the Roaring 20s – In Lieu of Flowers
I usually don’t name an album of the year, but I listened to this masterpiece more than almost everything else combined. I’m a sucker for strong storytelling and Aaron West’s journey to hopeful redemption had me captivated. The catchy Americana tunes hook me in with their raw emotion and the lyrics have me listening closely and even reading them online.
Amyl and the Sniffers – Cartoon Darkness
This band play snotty with an aura of arrogance and a don’t-give-a-fuck attitude. Their garage rock played by punks sound flat-out kills. They songs are catchy with no filler. Spin this if you need a spark of energy.
The Black Dahlia Murder – Servitude
Replacing a singer is always a challenge, especially when a tragedy is involved, but it has been done. Black Dahlia Murder can add their name to the list of bands that seamlessly pulled off a new vocalist. They stick with their fast-paced death metal style that has kept them a beloved band all these years. There is non-stop brutality for 33 minutes, not overstaying their welcome and leaving me wanting more.
Cock Sparrer – Hand on Heart
This album sounded familiar from first listen. Cock Sparrer have such a recognizable sound that it’s instantly known. Their songs are comforting street punk rock ‘n’ roll with sing-along choruses. The thing that amazes me most is that these songs are on par with the music they’ve been writing since the ’70s. There is a reason they are a legendary band.
The Drowns – Blacked Out
The Drowns are much more than an Oi band, but they meld everything through their street punk blender, resulting in great rock ‘n’ roll songs. The addition of rockabilly, glam, and oldies gives the band a unique sound.
First Pick – Dig Deep
The debut from this Massachusetts trio is upbeat Blink and Fat Wreck Chords worship done right. There are plenty of guitar leads keeping things interesting. The songs move along at a quick pace with varying tempos. “Place Called Home” is the standout tune on a standout album.
Follow Thru – Ghosts
This album is less than 10 minutes long, but they pack a lot of music into a short amount of time. They are everything a fan of fast melodic punk could hope for. There are a lot of parts and a lot of speed, and it’s all incredibly tight. The musicianship is on point, and the vocals are strong. You can spare the moments to check this out.
Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls – Undefeated
It’s been a tough year, but listening to Undefeated made things feel like they could be OK. The comfort factor (and not having much of a choice) really helped me get through some rough moments. Feelings like these are why people create music.
Green Day – Saviors
I don’t know if getting older has increased nostalgia, but this is my favorite Green Day album since Dookie. Each song is pop-punk gold. They use the formula that made them famous, reminding listeners that they’ve still got it. As with any aging punk, I’ve gone through the gauntlet of Green Day fandom. They’re currently on the high scale.
Hot Water Music – Vows
“Menace” is a good enough song to get this album accolades, but the rest of the album is on par. They stick to their style and keep doing it well. The album is full of memorable songs.
Micah Schnabel – The Clown Watches the Clock
These songs are mind-blowing, heartfelt and a portrayal of surviving through poverty in America. Schnabel brilliantly paints pictures with his voice. He sings with a desperate emotion. The music becomes a setting for the storytelling, giving an aura of theatre and a multi-sense listening experience.
Sarah Shook and the Disarmers – Revelations
This album has a sultry grit that softly rocks. There is a laid-back energy as they navigate their way through many alternative styles, and they nail them all.
Sierra Farrell – Trail of Flowers
I knew nothing about her until I stumbled on her at Sea Hear Now Festival. I was immediately hooked and had to check her out once I got home. The album matched the craftiness of her live show. She leans a bit on the country side, but these are great singer-songwriter songs. You’ll be dancing, smiling, and getting teary-eyed, and that’s just one song.
Strung Out – Dead Rebellion
Strung Out are a band I have always loved and respected, but this is the first album that has stuck with me in a while. The songs are fast, but not as speedy as past albums. They blend metal, rock, and punk and tie it all together through Jason Cruz’s voice, which is as strong as ever. There are a lot of parts to sing along to, and the musicianship is as good as expected.
Here are albums that got on thumbs up on my monthly list:
Darkest Hour – Perpetual / Terminal
Cold Years – A Different Life
Pearl Jam – Dark Matter
Sia – Reasonable Woman
Riley – Keep Your Cool
Willie Nelson – The Border
Orville Peck – Stampede
Chinchilla – Flytrap
Typhoid Rosie – Last Words
Eminem – The Death of Slim Shady
Soul Asylum – Slowly but Shiley
Bright Eyes – Five Dice, All Threes
The BellRays – Heavy Steady Go!
Tyler, the Creator – Chromakopia
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Wild God
The Muddy Basin Ramblers – Jug Band Millionaire
