As a giant music nerd, I have spent hours reviewing year-end lists in my favorite music magazines and websites. This has led me to discover some great bands and albums that have stuck with me for years. As I embark on my first few months of writing for New Noise, I get to create my year-end list that hopefully helps someone discover their next life-changing album.
With so many great albums to come out this year, it was hard to pick just ten. So here are some honorable mentions that just missed the cut.
Green Day – Saviors
Better Lovers – Highly Irresponsible
The Jesus Lizard – Rack
Shellac – To All Trains
Knocked Loose – You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To
10. The Ugly Lovers – You Should Have Killed Me: This EP drew me in with its exceptionally raw lyrics and 1980s-era punk sound. I would highly recommend this album to anyone, especially those who are struggling with a tough relationship. My favorite tracks are “Forget” and “White Lies,” the latter being the lead single.
9. City Mouse – So Far Out: My first interview assignment for New Noise was with City Mouse singer/songwriter Miski Dee Rodriguez. Because of this, one of the most soulful punk albums I have heard in years came into my life. Each song on this record will grab you by the heart and show you that hope is not lost. So Far Out is full of great tracks, but my favorites are “1000 Butterflies” and “Show Your Light.”
8. Hot Water Music – VOWS: If you’re a fan of Chuck Ragan’s songwriting, this year was good for you. I thought their last album, Elixir, would be the pinnacle for them, but VOWS shows us that Hot Water Music keeps aging like a fine wine. This album has an emotional maturity in the lyrics and music that will make it a modern classic. I recommend “After the Impossible” and “Much Love” to start.
7.Chuck Ragan – Love & Lore: Keeping with the Chuck Ragan theme is this introspective solo album. I think this is Ragan’s best work since Covering Ground, and it has been playing nonstop at my house since its release. Each song on Love & Lore feels like Ragan’s heart is being exposed to show how much he cares. This album tugs at my soul quite often. My favorite songs are “Winter” and “One More Shot.”
6. The Calamatix – S/T: I want to credit this band for getting me to listen to ska again. This album’s uniquely smooth mix of musical influences got me dancing from the beginning to the end. This record gets me excited to hear what The Calamatix have in store for their future. Give “Boom Bap” and “Enjoy This Life” a listen.
5. Scrunchies – Colossal: I lucked out by having this album be the first I got to review for New Noise. From start to finish, Colossal will captivate listeners with its post-punk style, haunting lyrical imagery, and compelling vocals that inspire resistance and inward reflection. I recommend “Load” and “High Pile” to get you started with this record.
4. MUGGER – Luck Forever: This record makes me want to ignore my 45-year-old joint pains and get into a mosh pit. With a run time of 24 minutes, MUGGER waste no time, giving us modern, hardcore classic. It doesn’t hurt that they enlisted Negative Approach vocalist John Brannon to do guest vocals on the track “Find Out.” My favorites are “Candy Apple Baseball” and “Dear SCOTUS.”
3. The Mons – Axes: Bold As Fuck: This record is exactly what this world needs this year. The Mons mix anti-establishment vigor and dark humor throughout Axes: Bold As Fuck to create a relentlessly snarky album. On a personal level, this record brings me back to my high school years when I would go see Midwest punk legends like The Arrivals and Apocalypse Hoboken play in tiny dives. I recommend “Nobody from Nowhere” and “Cynical Apathy” to start your love affair with this band.
2. The Cure – Songs of a Lost World: I didn’t know what to expect when I read that The Cure was working on their first record in 16 years. Honestly, I didn’t believe it at first and assumed it was just a rumor. Boy, am I glad that I was wrong! I fell in love as soon as I heard that familiar guitar tone and keyboard. As the record continued, my heart was filled with more and more joy as each song covered me like a warm blanket on a cold winter night. Take a listen to “All I Ever Am” and “And Nothing Is Forever” to begin your cozy evening of beautiful music.
1. Frank Turner – Undefeated: I am a huge nerd for Frank Turner’s music. I have often joked with one of my best friends that, through the years, he has been writing the soundtrack to my life. Once again, this joke rings true with Turner’s best album since England Keep My Bones. This record perfectly mixes Turner’s unique punk flare and sentimental songwriting to create a warm blanket over an existential crisis. Undefeated is a record that was needed this year. My favorite tracks are “Ceasefire” and “Somewhere Inbetween.”
