lol this list makes me feel like we went to a lot of the same shows at the bottle! As a Chicagoan breaks my heart not to see Dehd on this list…what is it about them that keeps them from breaking through ??? I can’t figure it out, they’re making music as good as anyone else right now
i haven't heard the new katie gavin in full and don't remember including it here but she went to high school with my gf. love the hurray for the riff raff lp (included it in the midyear) and charley Crockett. will check out the rest!
Great list, and great write up! I went on a journey this year of listening to 500 albums, I listened to many from your list, one I would recommend is Brown Horse, one of the new bands I found in 2024 that I really enjoyed. Cheers!
This is a great list! Yes Adrienne Lenker might be one of generation’s Bob Dylan. One album I see missing from a lot of lists that I loved, is Kokoko!’s Butu
You're right! That PDM LP is lovely but I don't think I was as high on that as some other writers. Still, it's excellent and would love to see them live.
Great list—the Wishy LP especially rocks. Kudos for also having Hour on there
Excellent list, instant follow! You have a number of my favorites on here: Finom, Lenker, Tapir!, Wild Pink, VW, among others. Any thoughts on Ugly from the UK? They released their debut EP this year, and I rate it right up there with Tapir! in modern British prog folk, my new favorite genre.
Great selections, I love how these various year summary listings introduce us to truly great stuff. I have some Wild Pink and adored ILYSM but completely missed "Dulling the Horns", so thanks for that. Had never heard of Closebye, Friko or the amazing Astrid Sonne, they are now in my Bandcamp so I and they say a very big thanks.
Good lord, you are a prolific writer! Thanks for the fun reviews. I was surprised you had Eggy on the list— saw them for the first time three years ago when they opened for Spafford in 2021. I’m a huge Spafford fan, but lineup changes and some personal tragedies have slowed their development. I need to revisit Eggy’s music and hear how they’ve evolved since, so thanks for the reminder.
No matter how many years I continue to review music, how many hundreds of albums I listen to every year, and how many times I learn this lesson, it will never stop surprising me just how much great music I miss. I haven't even heard of half the albums on this list! Time to get busy (but so glad you included Cindy Lee).
An awful lot of new to me music as I’ve probably only heard about half these albums. Only three albums on your top sixty made my top forty. I’d assumed there’d be a bit more overlap.
Looks like I have a lot of listening to do, something to keep me busy for the weekend!
I’m commenting prematurely as I want to fully read through this one, but presently taking a lil scroll while on my lunch break at work. I already know I’ll have a lot more I’ll fully agree with you on, but I wanted to reiterate 2017 Vice contributor you’s sentiment about (now) Finom: “…they are “the heart of Chicago’s music community” and it’s still true. Since then, their community building, gracious vibe, and headstrong attitude to their music have only strengthened.”
Macie truly is such a staple in this city’s music landscape and so much of the community she’s built up is why I’ve felt I simply cannot be living anywhere else or else I’ll be plagued by immense FOMO! She remains an omnipresent figure & force in the scene that I feel I’ve grown up with and adored since her time in Kids These Days to Marrow to now!
Can’t wait to sink my teeth into all of these and pick a few to give a whirl tonight!
Enjoyed this! Found quite a few things (Clearwater Swimmers, Dave Vettraino, Hannah Frances) that I haven't heard, but you've made me eager to check out.
Oh, and you reminded me that I really need to spend some time with the SML -- it's got such great players on it, I don't know why I haven't properly sat down with it yet.
Second year I'll be spending some time seeking out the (many) included here that I didn't get to or know about. Confirmatory and revelatory - bravo.
And an excellent one on Good Morning. Tough to choose, for me, between their two LPs this year. "Soft Rock Band" is so good - the Juan Soto of 2024 songs - that it probably tilts to 'The Accident," as well.
And I don't mind one bit we both highlighted (you here, me for AD) "Narcan/coke/punchline/joke" — it stands out in a song full of memorable lines (second fav being: "Now I collect key cards from Holiday Inns/Cigarettes and scratches that I can't cash in" - that's a lot said in a little space).
lol this list makes me feel like we went to a lot of the same shows at the bottle! As a Chicagoan breaks my heart not to see Dehd on this list…what is it about them that keeps them from breaking through ??? I can’t figure it out, they’re making music as good as anyone else right now
was surprised not to see katie gavin's album on the list. i'm *pretty* sure i found it through no expectations and really liked it.
my top 5 for the year are:
-the past is still alive: hurray for the riff raff
-temple needs water, village needs peace: lukah/real bad man
-visions of dallas: charley crockett
-bury my heart in east oakland: nimsins & jooneyor
-strange medicine: kaia kater
i haven't heard the new katie gavin in full and don't remember including it here but she went to high school with my gf. love the hurray for the riff raff lp (included it in the midyear) and charley Crockett. will check out the rest!
my bad! i clearly listened to it and thought "this is very no expectations pilled (complimentary)"
Great list, and great write up! I went on a journey this year of listening to 500 albums, I listened to many from your list, one I would recommend is Brown Horse, one of the new bands I found in 2024 that I really enjoyed. Cheers!
Bonny Light Horseman's "Keep Me Your Mind" murders me.
This is a great list! Yes Adrienne Lenker might be one of generation’s Bob Dylan. One album I see missing from a lot of lists that I loved, is Kokoko!’s Butu
Such a cool LP. I probably should have included it. Thanks for reading!
Great list, Josh. So many I don’t know that have piqued my interest. Totally agree that individual unranked lists are the best way to find the gold.
Have you heard the Peel Dream Magazine album Rose Main Reading Room? It’s very lovely indeed.
I have a list here, though I don’t have the time or talent to write about each of the records as you have. It includes both Good Morning albums.
https://open.substack.com/pub/jonhillcock/p/47-albums-i-loved-in-2024?r=2mnf6&utm_medium=ios
You're right! That PDM LP is lovely but I don't think I was as high on that as some other writers. Still, it's excellent and would love to see them live.
Great list—the Wishy LP especially rocks. Kudos for also having Hour on there
Excellent list, instant follow! You have a number of my favorites on here: Finom, Lenker, Tapir!, Wild Pink, VW, among others. Any thoughts on Ugly from the UK? They released their debut EP this year, and I rate it right up there with Tapir! in modern British prog folk, my new favorite genre.
Will listen ASAP! Thanks for reading David
I know very few of these acts, which is the mark of a good list atm. SML is right up there. Thanks for the sifting and commentary.
Great selections, I love how these various year summary listings introduce us to truly great stuff. I have some Wild Pink and adored ILYSM but completely missed "Dulling the Horns", so thanks for that. Had never heard of Closebye, Friko or the amazing Astrid Sonne, they are now in my Bandcamp so I and they say a very big thanks.
Are you a Neal Francis fan? His new album comes out soon.
A lot of my friends love him. Heard nothing but good things but I'm not too familiar with his recorded output
Catch him if you get a chance. Great retro vibe.
Good lord, you are a prolific writer! Thanks for the fun reviews. I was surprised you had Eggy on the list— saw them for the first time three years ago when they opened for Spafford in 2021. I’m a huge Spafford fan, but lineup changes and some personal tragedies have slowed their development. I need to revisit Eggy’s music and hear how they’ve evolved since, so thanks for the reminder.
No matter how many years I continue to review music, how many hundreds of albums I listen to every year, and how many times I learn this lesson, it will never stop surprising me just how much great music I miss. I haven't even heard of half the albums on this list! Time to get busy (but so glad you included Cindy Lee).
An awful lot of new to me music as I’ve probably only heard about half these albums. Only three albums on your top sixty made my top forty. I’d assumed there’d be a bit more overlap.
Looks like I have a lot of listening to do, something to keep me busy for the weekend!
I’ve just posted my honorable mentions if you’re inclined to check them out: https://open.substack.com/pub/joyinthejourney/p/2024-honorable-mentions
I’m commenting prematurely as I want to fully read through this one, but presently taking a lil scroll while on my lunch break at work. I already know I’ll have a lot more I’ll fully agree with you on, but I wanted to reiterate 2017 Vice contributor you’s sentiment about (now) Finom: “…they are “the heart of Chicago’s music community” and it’s still true. Since then, their community building, gracious vibe, and headstrong attitude to their music have only strengthened.”
Macie truly is such a staple in this city’s music landscape and so much of the community she’s built up is why I’ve felt I simply cannot be living anywhere else or else I’ll be plagued by immense FOMO! She remains an omnipresent figure & force in the scene that I feel I’ve grown up with and adored since her time in Kids These Days to Marrow to now!
Can’t wait to sink my teeth into all of these and pick a few to give a whirl tonight!
Enjoyed this! Found quite a few things (Clearwater Swimmers, Dave Vettraino, Hannah Frances) that I haven't heard, but you've made me eager to check out.
Oh, and you reminded me that I really need to spend some time with the SML -- it's got such great players on it, I don't know why I haven't properly sat down with it yet.
Second year I'll be spending some time seeking out the (many) included here that I didn't get to or know about. Confirmatory and revelatory - bravo.
And an excellent one on Good Morning. Tough to choose, for me, between their two LPs this year. "Soft Rock Band" is so good - the Juan Soto of 2024 songs - that it probably tilts to 'The Accident," as well.
And I don't mind one bit we both highlighted (you here, me for AD) "Narcan/coke/punchline/joke" — it stands out in a song full of memorable lines (second fav being: "Now I collect key cards from Holiday Inns/Cigarettes and scratches that I can't cash in" - that's a lot said in a little space).