25. Confidence Man – 3AM (LA LA LA)
What better way to kick things off than with one of the best live acts around? Confidence Man have made a name for themselves as a must-see act on the road, and new album 3AM (LA LA LA) brings all of that energy into sonic form. Now fully embracing the club sound, ConMan’s latest is full of bangers and good vibes.
24. Lava La Rue – STARFACE
Lava La Rue’s debut album feels less like an introduction and more an exploration into a new world. Where each listen transports you to a different part. One that unearths a new style that suddenly shifts the album on its head. It succeeds in bringing the grooves, but also throws in all manner of genres to make it an ever-flowing masterpiece.
23. Under Starling – Murmurations
Murmurations is such a well-rounded record, one of the most complete of the year. It serves as an excellent showcase of what the band can deliver through different genres, but also informs us of important milestones in Ireland’s history, while also providing a spotlight for some superstitions and stories too. It’s brilliant, and a real education of a listen on top of being emotive, powerful and all encompassing.
22. Lauran Hibberd – girlfriend material
“Girlfriend Material is a well-rounded collection of tracks that showcases Lauran Hibberd’s ability to fuse stadium-filling anthems with intimate, acoustic numbers. Resulting in a listen that displays the growth of an artist who has been through a lot, and how she got out at the other side. The inclusion of more acoustic-led tunes (‘anti-fragile’ especially) is a welcome addition. Highlighting that Lauran is more than capable to carry a song with melodies and lyrics instead of riffs. Although, it does help make those riffs hit harder too.”
21. St. Vincent – All Born Screaming
As mentioned on the Favourite Singles of 2024, Annie Clark brought the heaviness on All Born Screaming. Resulting in potentially her best album yet. Her guitar work is – as always – on point, and works really well with the impending doom that seems to surround a lot of the material here. Annie’s vocals also match the passion of the instrumentals too. Often injecting even more of that terror into the album.
20. Jack White – No Name
Probably the most no-nonsense record this year, Jack White put little effort into the marketing of this album and focused that energy into the music. No Name is what we expected to hear as Jack’s first record post-White Stripes, with its return to the Garage Rock roots. Resulting in something that simply wishes to blow out your speakers, which we respect.
19. The Howl & The Hum – Same Mistake Twice
“It details the tumultuous time Sam Griffiths has had over the last few years. From the breakup of his band to the ever-vivid global pandemic, the album sees Sam step into the light as a solo artist and documents the thoughts and anxieties that came from those heavy moments. Telling it in a way that’s brutal but so accessible; becoming one of the most honest, vulnerable records of the year.”
18. Jamie xx – In Waves
After many, many years, Jamie xx finally released a new album, and it was worth the wait. In Waves provides more of that larger than life sound we’ve come to expect, but flips the structure so that it continues to innovate with each play. The album features some of Jamie’s biggest and best singles to date, and even leaves room for the deep cuts to shine too. Here’s hoping we don’t need to wait too long for the next album.
17. The Last Dinner Party – Prelude to Ecstasy
“The indie rock group formed in 2021, going on to to sell out shows in 2023 and have venues upgraded due to high demand. They make it seem so easy, but as this debut album sets out to prove, they do not do things by halves. Slick production sees the band tread familiarity with brand new shoes. With the band’s gothic romance aesthetic comes a traditional darkwave sound, laced with the modern edge of London’s rising post-punk scene.”
16. Ezra Collective – Dance, No One’s Watching
Ezra Collective enjoyed a huge dose of admiration this year. Purely because of this album. Dance, No One’s Watching is such a relaxed, vibrant listen that it has all the tools to lift the mood of any setting. The musicianship displayed is brilliant, which allows all of its intricacies to reveal themselves when they wish to be heard. It is a wonderful record.
15. Dead Poet Society – FISSION
“FISSION is the new album from Dead Poet Society. Defined as “splitting into two or more parts”, this record certainly lives up to its name. As it gives equal parts “good lord, my face is actually about to fall off” and “jeez, the chances of an existential crisis are high.” It is a full forced, emotionally charged listen that makes one hell of an impact.”
14. Kendrick Lamar – GNX
When you thought eviscerating Drake would be enough, Kendrick drops a surprise album. GNX is an absolute blast – tearing through the airwaves with nothing but banger beats throughout. It seems to be the most fun Kendrick has had on a record, and follows in the footsteps of “Not Like Us” in housing some of his catchiest singles yet.
13. Blossoms – Gary
The album that grew on us the most this year. It feels like not long ago Blossoms first burst onto the scene, but here we are with Gary, their fifth studio album. While the title and context might not be the most mainstream of reasons to create a record – although a tall-ass Gorilla called Gary is pretty cool – we’ve been hooked by it.
Utilising their nostalgic take on Indie Rock and Pop to great effect, Gary is a record that needs to be enjoyed in full. The singles are solid, but are enhanced when you’re thrown deep into the golden hue of their world. The result is an album that is simply 30 minutes of straight up groovy indie music.
12. Green Day – Saviors
After the stumbling block of Father Of All…, not a lot of anticipation was built for a new Green Day record, but they came back with a vengeance with Saviors. It’s a real return to form, with the trio rediscovering their roots to deliver a much grittier sound. We weren’t expecting anything innovative from them at this stage of their careers, but they produced one of the most thrilling albums of the year.
11. EX GENERATION – The Napoli Exchange
Another album that transported us into the world of samba music (thank you, Somewhere Soul) was The Napoli Exchange. The debut record from EX GENERATION. It is easily one of the most vibrant listens of the year, with each song an idyllic stroll through seriously colourful soundscapes. It features some of the best instrumentals that breeze on by, and its singles are instant classics that highlight the joy of Funk and Soul.
Head over to the next page to see our top 10!