The best albums of 2024

2024 has been another great year for music. Here is what I have been listening to.

Top 10 new albums

My 10 favourite albums listed somewhat in order – although order is not important!

  1. Marco Rossi – Since Returning From The Moon
  1. Novelty Island – Taped Over
  1. The Junipers – Imaginary Friends
The Junipers are back
  1. Keiron Phelan & Peace Signs – The Whole Band Just Turned Mellow
  1. Lunophone – Surroundings
  1. The Smile – Wall of Eyes
  1. Testbild! – Bed Stilt
  1. Kugelschreiber – Cheerleaders
  1. The Martial Arts – In There Like Swimwear
  1. Tom Penaguin – Tom Penaguin

Honourable mention

  • Craig Fortnam – Bespoke String Trios

(I commissioned a composition on this album. Being partial, it felt a bit odd putting it on the top list, but everything Craig Fortnam touches is magical.)

The 11th best album of 2024

The following 20 albums are all number 11 – music is not a competition, and they are all great! Listed as randomly as possible.

  1. Hamish Hawk – A Firmer Hand
  1. Simon Fisher Turner – Instability of the Signal
  1. David deBarra – All My Dearly Beloveds
  1. Richard Wileman – The Forked Road
  1. Field Music – Limits of Language
  1. Plantar – Sketches
  1. Dirk Mont Campbell – Long Time Gone
  1. Bill Ryder-Jones – lechyd Da
  1. Matt Baber & Richard Wileman – Baber / Wileman 2
  1. Stephen EvEns – Here Come The Lights
  1. Gong – Unending Descending
  1. The Cure – Songs of a Lost World
  1. Peter Perret – The Cleansing
  1. Midget! – Qui parle ombre
  1. Willie Dowling – The Simpleton
  1. Y Dail – Teigr
  1. The Lemon Twigs – A Dream Is All We Know
  1. Mothboxer – Twelve
  1. Picturebox – Mobile Disco
  1. Naima Bock – Below a Massive Dark Land

Single of the year 2024

  • The Poppermost – I Don’t Want To Know

(I never usually list singles – but ‘I Don’t Want To Know’ is just so good, I thought you might want to know!)

Best archival releases 2024

  1. Lake of Puppies – Lake of Puppies
  1. Badfinger – Head First
Head First, at last
  1. The Great Crash – Too Many Late Nights
Successful failures

Best reissues 2024

  1. Kevin Ayers – All This Crazy Gift of Time: The Recordings 1969-1973
  1. Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band – Still Barking

Best music books 2024

  1. Yvonne Innes – Dip My Brain in Joy: A Life With Neil Innes
  1. Richard Morton Jack – Labyrinth: British Jazz on Record 1960-75
  1. Bill MacCormick – Making it up as you go along

My most played record 2024

  • Sternpost – ANTI-CLOCK

(Sternpost’s 2018 album has turned into a habit. I can’t stop playing it!)

Thank you for the music!

2 thoughts on “The best albums of 2024”

  1. Great list, Michael. I have played the Marco Rossi album a lot and it gets better with every listen. I did buy the Great Crash’s “Too many late nights” but I have not found myself coming back to it much so far. However, I have also listened to “Anti-clock” a great deal in 2024 but have completely failed to get into the “Ulrika” album in the same way.

    It’s good to see the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band getting such a great compilation release. I remember coming home from school to watch them on the “Do not adjust your set” tv show.

    (Obviously I am completely devastated that “Frail” is not on your list!!!)

    Happy New Year,

    Graham

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