Fashionably late as ever, although this time I have several convenient excuses (see: everything is on fire, metaphorically and literally). 2024 couldn’t go down without a fight it seems, but thankfully neither will I. Music became a consistent part of my life again last year, and it was spurned on by what I can only describe as one of the most wildly fantastic release years I can remember since I started cataloguing them for this site. Sitting down and writing this is making me see so many familiar names all at once and bringing a smile to me again. We may not have much, but we have that.
Honorable Mentions
Atrae Bilis – Aumicide
The Body – The Crying Out of Things
Civerous – Maze Envy
Cold Gawd – I’ll Drown on This Earth
Frail Body – Artificial Bouquet
Melt-Banana – 3+5
Shellac – To All Trains
Trauma Ray – Chameleon
Uboa – Impossible Light
The Winner’s Circle
9. Chat Pile – Cool World
Believe the hype; Cool World is a step up in every way from its predecessor and cements Chat Pile’s deserved place as a household name.
8. Oranssi Pazuzu – Muuntautuja
Translated into English as “shapeshifter,” Muuntautuja earns its title by being enigmatic, ever-changing, and consistently downright bizarre in ways that make my brain light up.
7. Vuur & Zijde – Boezem
If your stated musical influences are Dutch black metal, Cocteau Twins, and Killing Joke, your album is just gonna end up on this list somewhere.
6. 40 Watt Sun – Little Weight
A return to form of sorts after Perfect Light without losing any of the power behind what made that album so special for me. Patrick Walker can do no wrong.
5. Ulcerate – Cutting the Throat of God
A worthy follow-up to one of the most game-changing albums made in recent decades, full of the same intensely complex and hauntingly melodic sonic maelstroms.
4. Pallbearer – Mind Burns Alive
A “we’re so back” album from a band I didn’t know I needed a “we’re so back” album from.
3. envy – Eunoia
Eunoia is envy casually reminding everyone why they’ve been a screamo institution for three decades, and one of the best bands to ever make music together.
2. Blood Incantation – Absolute Elsewhere
This is the record that this band was born to write, and it really is that good.
1. Alcest – Les Chants de l’Aurore
I knew from the strength of the first single how this album was going to move me, but damned if Neige and Winterhalter didn’t just put out some of their best work ever. No other album had a chance this year.
That’s all for me now, but you’ll see me again before long.
Be good to each other.
— Vincent
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