Mark

Last album I listened to in 2024, and really fun. Some oddly jarring country moments, but basically a very original juxtaposition of slack indie and country, with a fair helping of auto-tune. Hard to describe.

I love this - soundscapey emo, with haunting instrumentation, somehow intimate but epic. Turns out it's the scratch version of a full album, which I should listen to.

She sounds like nothing else really. Didn't love it quite as much as Painless, but maybe just because it took me less by surprise. Some huge hooks over very idiosyncratic production.

I didn't love this as much as their previous ones, but the fact that they were willing to go so heavy, basically as a fuck you, is impressive. And if I'm in the right mood the big tracks do really hit.

Note to self: I don't like FJM and should stop trying to pretend I do.

Ambient music that really worked for me, with a more analogue and less structured sound than a lot of instrumental.

I love a lot of this, to be honest. It sounds like Linkin Park, with a new singer, and I'll always have a soft spot for them. She's really great. The live performance of Emptiness Machine, when Emily was introduced, will define this album for me. The lesser tracks aren't so important.

Really great album - so hard to pick highlights because it's all catchy, and it's all quite indistinguishable, but not in a bad way. Bon Iver meets Alex G meets the 80s, or something.

I finally got into this through force of will, and I'm so glad I did. Mathy-emo with enough to keep it really fun throughout. Maybe could have been a 2024 favourite if I'd spent even more time with it.

I think maybe one of those albums that I appreciate more than enjoy. Don't love his slightly spoken style. But some of the instrumentation is stunning.

A fun listen. Heartfelt hardcore, of some sort.

I loved the Wheel last year, and I'm so glad that the EP backs it up. Choral, folky, sometimes proggy (I guess, although I'm not sure it's anything other than the song structures that give it that feel). That sounds like it might be terrible, but is in fact entirely the opposite. Sha is a highlight, but it's all great. I think it's their talent for interlocking harmonies that's the really killer here.

I tend to love anything Laura Marling does, and this in particular. No percussion really at all on this. I love the concept and delivery of an artist celebrating parenthood so evidently, even if it's more in the tone than in every lyric. It just feels like a peaceful, accepting album. She's a genius.

Like a sketch book of catchy hooks. Breezy, effortless pop punk.

This made me feel achingly sad, but it is so nice to remember what a (relatively) low-frills Bon Iver sounds like. A reminder of why he's so good; it feels like he could do this with his eyes closed. (Why have an 8 second feedback track at the start though?)

Kinda hard not to be swayed by the reviews and Indiecast on this - struggle to listen to it on its own terms. But I can't knock it to be honest. It feels like the riffs and transitions hit home. They have a knack for urgent earnest heart-bursting rock.

Love this - sounds slightly caught in the wrong era, but in a great way. In the 'three-part harmony meets bluesy guitar' sweet spot.

Surprisingly, my favoured album of theirs from 2024. Feels kinda more relentless and intricate, and a more even listen. And the guitar-driven tracks in particular are genius.

Really love the variety in this. Catchy, smart and massively relatable pop music. Also contains Benji's new favourite song, which helps.

Still an unbelievably alluring sound though, but slightly disappointing I think given their high standard. Saw them live following its release, and the louder moments hit a lot harder, but it hasn't massively increased my enjoyment of it.

Hugely enjoyable listen. Feels surprising and clever at every turn; changes in direction and dynamics all over. Nearly Daffodils a highlight!

Slyly enjoyable. Foals with less of their annoying traits, and more interesting percussion. Can't deny it, and reminds me of driving on the holiday this summer.

Enjoyable pop rock, but I'm not sure properly memorable for me.

I love this album. Those two tracks in particular (Wristwatch, which was a stand-out even hearing it raw and live before the release, and She's Leaving You) but the whole thing really. AOTY contender.

I don't love it, but Starburster has got under my skin and I think it's maybe more enjoyable than previous albums of theirs.

Lovely lo-fi. Probably could have been a favourite artist if I knew him through the years.

Really fun raw rock songs - surprised I enjoyed it so much! Love how loose yet catchy it seems to be

A proper highlight of the year. Absolutely drink it in. I Was Aching is fantastic, but almost every song has a moment that takes your breath away. Perfect indie / powerful female lead cross-over.

One of those rare albums where every song could be a highlight. Doesn't do anything spectacular, but rare case of just doing it better than anyone else. So catchy.

I can't pretend I like it as much as the last album, but it's still super effective as an emo band with fantastic melodic instincts. Think it being in a language I can't understand makes it more interesting but less relatable.