10. the smile – cutouts
the smile’s second release this year feels heavier, grittier and groovier than wall of eyes. from the punchiness of “zero sum” or “the slip”, or the psychedelic, speceous energy of “colours fly” or “don’t get me started”, thom yorke, jonny greenwood and tom skinner have created a fiery and energetic album that i’ve listened to extensively since it came out. i wanted to give a shoutout to tom skinner, because the drumming on this album in particular is exceptional and really highlights his talents and influence throughout the album. he finds his pockets so effortlessly on this project, and complements the complexities of jonny and thom’s riffs and melodies throughout. album
9. kneecap – fine art
it’s not only the animated energy the belfast trio bring on fine art that makes it such a riveting and engaging listen, it’s also what kneecap stand for – anti-colonialism, anti-zionism, anti all forms of oppression. their music reflects an anger and disdain for the british empire, the tories, the fuckeries that exist as a result of oppressive systems in place. all that is channelled through colourful, dynamic and punchy production that is incredibly fun to listen to. happing in gaeilge half of the time, they area really representing a youth in ireland that feels disenfranchised and frustrated by years and years of british influence. i had this on repeat at one point this year, and seeing them live was also an unforgettable experience. review / album
8. mach-hommy – #richaxxhaitian
#richaxxhaitian is easily one of my favourite mach-hommy albums to date. i’m drawn to presence on the mic, his lyrical dexterity, his incredible flows and the rich, textured and dynamic soundscapes that complement his thoughts on this project in particular. occasionally rapping in créole, he speaks on haiti and its struggles and the colonial bullshit that has shaped its current reality. the lush, soulful production throughout is incredible, with highlights including “sonje” with georgia anne muldrow, “sur le pont d’avignon (reparation #1) featuring sam gendel (what a feature, by the way!), “copy cold” with black thought, “#richaxxhaitian” produced by kaytranada and featuring 03 greedo, the stunning “lon lon” and “guggenheim jeune”. it’s a sonically cohesive, punchy and introspective body of work that continues to showcase mach’s talents as a writer and storyteller. album
7. last nubian – we celebrate us ep
london-based broken-beat maestro last nubian released my favourite dance project this year. the 6 track project includes 4 original tracks and two dub versions of “desolate place” with queen sherine and “intertwined cultures” featuring akeem. with its infectious grooves, incredible broken-beat rhythms and a vibrant, colourful energy that captures the energy of this city, it’s one of the more memorable and punchy projects i’ve listened to, and immediately lifts my mood and makes me want to dance. a stellar body of work from one of london’s finest producers. review / album
6. the smile – wall of eyes
the smile’s first of two albums they’ve released this year is an immersive, eclectic body of work that combines both lush, delicate soundscapes with heavier and punchier moments. wall of eyes really is a stunning album, front to back. it’s cohesive and really well sequenced, flowing effortlessly from front to back. from the gorgeous, angelic titled track to the raw and punchy “read the room”, the album is full of highlights, with “bending hectic” being one of the most epic tracks i think thom and jonny have ever made. the pure emotion and riveting energy throughout this track and throughout quite a few tracks throughout makes it one of the more captivating rock releases of the year. review / the album
5. nala sinephro – endlessness
nala sinephro is just special. endlessness is a delicate, emotive and immersive listening experience. with spaceous synths, harps, strings, wind instrumentaton, piano melodies within all ‘continuum’s makes it a truly transfixing listening experience and one that really showcases her talents as a composer. there is a playfulness to it that keeps me hypnotised throughout. it’s a raw, and emotional project, as nala sinephro sings through rich, dynamic and powerful soundscapes that capture both an intense and a calm vibe. it forces you to feel and be present in the moment, drowned in the lush and euphoric sounds she’s able to compose. a stunning album. review / album
4. fontaines d.c. – romance
dublin post-punk band fontaines d.c. are one of the most exciting bands to come out in the last few years. consisting of grian chatten on vocals, conor curley on guitar, conor deegan III on bass, tom coll on drums and carlos o’connell on guitar, the band have released an explosive album in romance this year, with incredible, emphatic melodies that feel grand and full of emotion. tracks like the lead single “starburster” and “desire” have a more dynamic energy to them, with wailing guitars and intricate drumming that capture the intensity of their music. what’s always drawn me to their music is grian’s poetic, reflective and romantic lyricism that reflects a melancholic, nostalgic feeling. listen to “in the modern world” and “motorcycle boy” and tell me that is not some incredible songwriting. the heavy energy of “death kink” is infectious, and the emotive, catchy “sundowner” might be one of my favourite tracks on the album. “favourite” closes the experience out with an emotional, light track with a lovely melody. it’s just so catchy and beautiful! i wanted to give a special shoutout to romance itself, as i fell in love with this album through someone i actually fell in love with this year (and is one of my favourite people in the world), so thank you! go check this incredible album out and dive into their discography if you dig it. album
3. mount kimbie – the sunset violent
2024 was the year i fell in love with mount kimbie. the british music duo are pioneers of that emerging crop of artists who really pioneered that 2010-era uk sound, with albums like 2010’s crooks & lovers and 2013’s cold spring fault less youth being defining projects, not only in their discographies, but for the genre as a whole. on the sunset violent, they they sound at their most post-punky. with groovy guitar leads, catchy synth melodies and subdued vocals, it’s one of their most endearing and immersive projects to date. this was my shit when i went travelling to georgia and armenia this year, and has been one of my most played albums this year. favourites include “dumb guitar”, “shipwreck”, “a figure in the surf”, “fishbrain” and the closer “empty and silent” featuring king krule. such a a great album. review | album
2. anaiis & grupo cosmo – anaiis & grupo cosmo
this album sounds like honey tastes. sweet, soothing and like a warm, inviting embrace. french singer anaiis’ voice is special. her range and vocal power is impressive, to say the least, and grupo cosmo, consisting of brazilian artist sessa, creates a stunning and comforting soundscape that sonically makes me feel safe. tracks like “toda cor” with legendary brazilian singer luedji luna and “voyage” with sessa on vocals are examples of that warm, comforting energy that is transfixing and utterly mesmerising, and tracks like “b.p.e” (which by the way, made me cry upon first listen) evoke this feeling of liberation and joy, a spiritual moment that is one of my favourite musical moments of the year. an album i was not anticipating because i didn’t know it was coming out until a few days before it dropped, this project is one of my biggest surprises of the year, in a year that had some exceptional music. thank you, both, for an incredible album. review | album
1. lex amor – foward ever
this is my most listened to album this year. there’s something about the moody, melancholic tone and atmosphere throughout the project that makes it so captivating to me. from the incredibly varied and punchy production from the likes of oliver palfreyman (“sun4rain”, “beg”, “grip”, “a7x” ft bxks), lo-wu (“shine in”) and maxwell owin (“super blessed”), to lex amor’s reflection on life, love, struggles and moments of joy and clarity, it’s a complete body of work, full of character and introspection that gives us an insight into her thoughts, values, dreams and fears in a way that is immediately relatable. it’s the power and energy of her words and presence on record that make this such a moving and precious listening experience. her vulnerabilities are on full display, but she will never, ever compromise her truth for anything else. and told on some of the most exciting production i’ve heard on any album in 2024. seeing her live last month further cemented this as one of my overall favourite musical experiences of the year. review | album
well, that’s all, folks, see you next year!
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