Top 50 Albums Of 2024: 20-11

We're getting closer to the Top 10!

Once again I’m getting a late start on my countdown. First, I had to knock out some work tasks. A necessary evil.

Then, my next obstacle! For some reason I’m locked out of my Spotify. It says there’s no account attached to the email I know darned good and well is absolutely attached to my account. ARGHHHHHH!

I know, I know! Many of you think I shouldn’t use Spotify, but that’s neither here nor there. I’ve got playlists I need to access and I’ve invested a TON of time into setting up this account. Luckily I have a family account so I’m logged into one of the other accounts so I can get this post out.

Then I’ll deal with this mess. Onward and forward!

ALBUMS 20-11 (We’re Getting SOOOOO Close To The Top 10)

NUMBER 20: Take It Or Leave It by Cherym

2024 was my female-fronted renaissance. That’s probably taking it a little too far, but I did get turned on to many new female-powered bands as well as several talented female singer-songwriters. Cherym was one of them!

The trio from Derry describe their sound like this, “Serving up a zingy, fearless new recipe for pop rock …”

Hannah, Alannagh, and Emer list Charly Bliss, Bikini Kill, Sløtface, Pup and Pixies as influences for their, “seriously infections songwriting credentials.” And those influences, especially Charly Bliss are showcased in all ten tracks.

While the sound is strong, loud, and fun power pop, the subject matter is by turns meaningful and thought provoking, focusing on gender issues, productivity, and more.

Standout Tracks: “Taking Up Sports,” “If I Was A Man,” and “Do It Another Day”

Apple Music Album Link:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/take-it-or-leave-it/1712276131

NUMBER 19: Blame The Young by October Drift

I found October Drift while digging into the radio station of a peer band, one of the main ways I find new artists to check out. I was immediately drawn in by the title track, “Blame The Young,” and knew I needed to dig deeper into this late September release.

They’re an English band, but there’s not a lot of biographical information for me to share with you. I’m following them across several of their social media channels to, hopefully, learn more and keep up with future releases.

The sound is simple and straightforward, ringing guitars, and a driving rhythm. It’s the vocals, as per my usual, that make these songs stand out and grabbed my attention and appreciation. the lead singer’s deep and gruff delivery manages to soothe AND make me want to get up and move.

I fear this may be another time when my friends across the pond will be less impressed than I am, but I can’t get enough of this album. I’ve shared it with my husband and my nephew, the two people I most often “force” to check out my latest favorite finds. I’m sure the lovely

Lou Tilsley

will let me know if I’m late to the party!

Standout Tracks: “Blame The Young,” “Demons,” “Don’t Care,” and “Tyrannosaurus Wreck”

Apple Music Album Link:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/blame-the-young/1738278827

NUMBER 18: Midnight Butterflies by Sea Girls

You’re going to tire of hearing this, but I’m a gal who appreciates a great vocal. Yes, the music matters, but I can ignore great music if the voice doesn’t grab me. But I’m going to gravitate to a great voice even if the music is the same old same old.

That’s not the case here. Sea Girls delivers the whole package. Jangly guitars, driving rhythms, and plenty of catchy melodies. But the standout, the thing that made me take careful notice, is lead singer Henry Camamile.

There’s plenty of angst and emotion. His delivery reminds me a lot of Brandon Flowers. It’s incredibly emotive, there’s plenty of angst and the vocals are a performance all their own. And as I’m a huge fan of The Killers, it only makes sense that I’m drawn to Sea Girls.

Sink into Midnight Butterflies. It’s a great listen when you want to focus on what you’ve accomplished and what you want to do in the year ahead!

Standout Tracks: “Midnight Butterflies,” “Horror Movies,” “Scream And Shout,” and “Weekends And Workdays”

Apple Music Album Link:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/midnight-butterflies/1721591963

NUMBER 17: Midas by Wunderhorse

There sure are a lot of British bands in my countdown, especially today’s ten. You already knew I had a thing for Scottish indie, but it appears 2024 was my year to embrace the indie rock released all across the British Isles.

Midas wasn’t on my radar until I started compiling my contenders list. I’d liked one song that came to me via my Release Radar, but for some unknown reason I didn’t dive into the album. I’m so glad it popped up on my radar this December, because it immediately became a repeat listen.

It’s a good thing that I didn’t hear the opening track first, as it immediately reminded me of David Byrne. I know I’ll get flack for this, but I am NOT a fan of Mr. Byrne nor of Talking Heads. Luckily, that resemblance only lasted for a few seconds, allowing me to listen to the rest of this stellar album.

Because this is a late entry, I don’t have a detailed breakdown. I may revisit the album for a more intensive breakdown next year. What I can tell you now, though, is that this was a no-skip listen with every track gaining a like and an addition to my ever growing and evolving Liked Songs playlist.

Standout Tracks: “Emily,” “Arizona,” and “Cathedrals”

Apple Music Album Link:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/midas/1743036652

NUMBER 16: American Pastoral by Andrew Montana

An American artist. Finally! I kid, but Andrew Montana and his American Pastoral album are next up. I first heard Andrew last year and I was immediately in awe of his raw and powerful vocals and his folk sound.

As Andrew is a prolific releaser of singles, I’d heard several of these songs before they were released on the album, as well as a slew of other singles that I eagerly added to my liked songs playlist whenever they showed up on my Release Radar.

As much as I love his voice, I’m also a fan of his simple and spare, but powerful in their simplicity, arrangements with guitar and banjo.

I’ve loved folk music for years, and I eagerly seek out new listens at every opportunity, but I’ve yet to find a new folk singer and musician that’s grown as dear to my ears as Mr. Montana.

Standout Tracks: “Bleed Through,” “Flowers,” “Little Deer,” and “Waylon”

Apple Music Album Link:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/american-pastoral/1744183644

NUMBER 15: Borders by Combover Beethoven

Back to Britain! LOL.

This is another Threads find. And another artist who figures into my emerging love for electronic music. The title track is what immediately drew me in, landing on one of my Friday Finds playlists.

Each song starts with a catchy hook, then builds and swells, into a composition that will drive you to get up and dance (yes, even an old bird like me). There are elements of new wave, hearkening back to the early days of Depeche Mode and A Flock Of Seagulls.

But it’s also new and fresh. It’s full of energy. It’s driven by the dynamic interplay of melody and rhythm. There are also slower, more somber, reflective listens like “Beach House.”

It’s an album suited to many listening moments. It’s great for deep work, but it’s also a great listen while you’re knocking out housework or chores. It’s a listen that makes whatever you’re currently doing better and/or more palatable! I can think of no finer praise than this, “It made knocking out house chores a pleasure!”

Standout Tracks: “Borders,” “Race To The Sun,” “Beach House,” and “Sunday Best”

Apple Music Album Link:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/borders/1749319854

NUMBER 14: Garden State Vampire by Joe P

Joe P, of Asbury Park, New Jersey is one of my favorite new finds! The combination of his vocals, electronic riffs and rhythms, and my need for music that renews my desire to move were everything I needed in an album this year!

“Everybody’s Different” leads the album off with an onslaught of sound. It’s powerful, raw, noisy, and awesome. There are slower, sweeter, more reflective moments on tracks like, “Off My Mind” and “She’s So Good,” too. The album ebbs and flows, sometimes speedy and intense, at other moments softer, more somber, causing you to slow down and take notice.

Joe P has a large listener base, which boggles my mind as I’d have thought I’d hear his name mentioned on social media or Substack. But, as far as I know, I’ve never seen his name or a link to one of his songs. Let me know if you’re already a fan, or if my write-up is also your first time coming across this absolutely fantastic artist.

Standout Tracks: “Everyone’s Different,” “Violet,” “Shadow In The Sun,” and “Fighting In The Car”

Apple Music Album Link:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/garden-state-vampire/1765789559

NUMBER 13: Cowboy Carter by Beyonce

This album has been the talk of Internet ever since its release in March. There was too much debate on its merits, the all caps song titles, the creative spelling, and whether or not it was truly a “country” album. I refuse to add to that argument, as I thought it was ridiculous then and remains so now.

I doubt I can say much that hasn’t already been said about this album. It’s fantastic. It’s full of fantastic singles. And it’s a comprehensive listen with no skips.

I’ve liked the odd Beyonce tune. I knew, even as a sporadic listener, that she was a powerhouse singer and performer. But I wasn’t an avid or repeat listener until 2020. This album made me a fan. And it prompted me to dig deeper into her solo releases and caused me to revisit Destiny’s Child.

As I already stated, I’m not sharing this in order to force a debate. It’s a fantastic album. It’s a must listen. It’s gorgeous. It defies genre. I purchased this on vinyl, even with a tightened belt on our record buying budget. That says it all!

Standout Tracks: “16 CARRIAGES,” “PROTECTOR,” “JOLENE,” “SPAGHETTII,” and “YA YA”

Apple Music Album Link:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/cowboy-carter/1738363766

NUMBER 12: The Epilogue by Dean Lewis

This one might be a surprise. It’s not indie. It’s not Scottish. It’s a mainstream release. It’s the voice, my friends. The voice.

I first heard Dean Lewis while stuck in a YouTube rabbit hole video viewing session. It was “How Do I Say Goodbye,” his ode to his very sick father (he’s in remission, keep thinking good thoughts,” that grabbed my attention and gained him a new fan.

I purchased his 2022 release, The Hardest Love, and fell in love with his voice over and over again. So, I was thrilled to find out he had a new release coming my way in October. And I was pretty sure it would make this countdown, based on all the songs I already enjoyed so much.

And I was right. It’s a gorgeous, expansive, and emotional album. Yes, it’s highly produced. Yes, it’s more mainstream than most of my listens. That doesn’t matter in the face of music that makes you feel.

There are several love songs, that ring with reality, sadness, and more. I dare you to listen and not feel something. Despite the production, you can hear and feel the raw emotion Dean pours into his songwriting.

This might be a miss for some of you, but if you dare to listen, I bet you find something that sings to you. Take a chance, won’t you?

Standout Tracks: “Empire,” “All I Ever Wanted,” “All Your Lies,” and “Trust Me Mate”

Apple Music Album Link:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-epilogue/1750233540

NUMBER 11: Everything’s Nowhere Forever Again by Wrest

“Are you scared of the dark? Are you scared of your heart?”

Those two questions, delivered in a delectable Scottish accent, launch this lovely album. I looked forward to the release of this album all year. Wrest has settled in place as one of my favorite Scottish bands. One of my favorite bands regardless of geography.

There’s something so comforting and warm about Stewart’s vocals. And the band is so tight behind him.

But, I didn’t get the standout track that I was expecting. Something like “Kingdom” from their 2022 release. I enjoy all of the tracks, and there are no skips, but I just didn’t have that one song that I wanted to play on repeat. Over and over and OVER again.

And that’s the only reason this album didn’t make my top ten. It’s gorgeous. It’s warm and comfortable. It’s feel good and friendly. Accessible and even arresting at turns. But there are two other Scottish releases that grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. And those two albums will be revealed tomorrow when I get to the Top 10.

I hope you’ll stay with me to see what they are!

Standout Tracks: “Nowhere Forever,” “Burst Like A Star,” “White Noise,” and “Dark Matters”

Apple Music Album Link:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/everythings-nothing-forever-again/1759970641

Sorry again that this wasn’t delivered to you much earlier. I really wanted to give you plenty of time to listen and love what I’ve shared. I promise, I’m working on the Top Ten selections RIGHT AFTER I hit publish, so nothing will stand in the way of your opportunity to spend the day listening!

What did you think of today’s ten albums? Were any on your top lists? Let me know with a comment! I’ve had such a great time dicussing these selections with you all!