Hi folks, Kenny here.
Outside of board gaming, my other hobby is music. I play in a couple bands, collect vinyl, and am constantly on the lookout for artists pushing the boundaries. Every year, I share a shortlist of my favorite albums with friends. I figured I'd share this year's list with you on the offchance that someone out there may get a kick out of it. This is NOT shelf stable, all these albums came out in 2024. Also, despite being into a number of things, my music tastes lean quite a bit towards heavy and experimental rock/punk. I know that's not everybody's thing so... heads up? Without further delay, here's the 2024 round up:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz4bSNY4O-3IdnYmoLdKQYAVsUR9VV4h_
10) Kendrick Lamar - GNX: Kendrick is hit and miss for me depending on the concept; this is a good one. I don't have much to say that hasn't already been said by much more credentialed critics so I'll save the typing energy for the rest of these.
9) death's dynamic shroud & galen tipton - You Like Music: abrasive, obnoxious, silly, and fun. What it would sound like if TikTok became sentient, played a lot of Minecraft, and watched videos of the Netrunner 2015 world champs.
8) WILLOW - empathogen: some kind of mix of progressive rock sensibilities with singer songwriter pop. An extremely compelling and dynamic voice. All around hits that keep you hooked without being overwhelming.
7) Chelsea Wolfe - She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She: Chelsea Wolfe does her usual spooky ghost voice. For some reason, this one resonated a lot more than previous albums. I think I like the pacing and overall direction of the instrumentals a lot more. Previous Chelsea Wolfe always felt like it was floating in the aether; this feels grounded.
6) TRAUMA KIT - TRAIN WRECKS TAKE TIME: full transparency, this is a local Boise band that I am friends with. That said, I think the album really holds up in the larger noise punk / hardcore space. Mason's vocals are a standout and create the band's unique identity. A lot of the guitar work is solid noise punk stuff. If that's your thing, you'll feel right at home here.
5) Melt-Banana - 3+5: loud and frenetic. Obsolutlely not your cup of tea, unless... Despite being released 10 years apart, this album and their previous, Fetch, feel like they came out back to back. Unfortunately, 3+5 cowers in Fetch's shadow. This is by no means a bad album, heck, it made the list. But it highlights just how good Fetch is.
4) Beth Gibbons - Lives Outgrown: I didn't know how much I needed a new Portishead album until the goosebumps started creeping up on the first listen of Lives Outgrown. I mean, this isn't Portishead but what even is Portishead? The band reinvents themselves with each album. I guess this is the year of spooky singers.
3) Help - Courage: finally, a solidly recorded version of Class War Now. That alone would make this album worthy of the list. It doesn't hurt that there are tons of other greats here, old and new. My wife's review: "this guy needs to drink some hot tea with honey".
2) Frost Children & Haru Nemuri - Soul Kiss: every year, I start to worry that I'm becoming an old fart and my frail ears can't handle the new. And every year, there's a GenZ artist that saves me from those fears by releasing an obsolute bop. Soul Kiss is a monstrosity of 2000s alternative emo (think 3OH!3) fused with hyperpop and a pinch of Japanese spoken word. It's wild, and I can't stop playing it at game night.
1) Geordie Greep - The New Sound: Black Midi's poster child has broken off, and his solo album is a masterpiece. He really leans into the Greep-iness on this one. Self-deprecating takes on how much semen he produces; a samba about how the Earth is dying; a catchy single about gross incel culture. Virtuosity, but not at the expense of creativity and fun.
Vinyl Update:
Black Midi - Schlagenheim
C418 - Minecraft Soundtrack
The Kills - Midnight Boom
Liturgy - Aesthethica
Like I said at the start, I hope somebody got something out of all this. If anything, it's fun to write about. Got a good episode of Shelf Stable coming, so keep your ears at the ready. Happy holidays!
Kenny
