Winter Gardens – “Anthropocene” This fantastic synth wave/shoegaze single is such a tease. I want a full-length album from this UK outfit!
Andy Bell – Pinball WandererShimmering dream pop plus some groovy Madchester-sounding tunes from Ride’s Andy Bell. Includes a heavenly cover of The Passions’ “I’m In Love with a German Film Star” featuring Dot Allison and Michael Rother. It’s on one of my favorite labels-Sonic Cathedral.
Saint Etienne – The NightSomehow, I missed this chill album when it came out in December of last year. It’s a shift for the band, moving to a more ambient, atmospheric vibe.
Travels With Brindle | Photo by Vintage Girl Studios
Travels With Brindle – No. 1 In HeavenStarring Travels With Brindle This fully-licensed Sparks covers album takes the original Giorgio Moroder-produced disco gems and gives them a lovely, twee second life. Recommended for fans of The Magnetic Fields.
Various Artists – Los Angeles RisingNick Cave, PJ Harvey, Jarvis Cocker, and others have donated previously unreleased tracks for this fundraising compilation to aid those affected by the Los Angeles fires.
Die Feen – Dinner & Drinks & DessertsAddictive dark wave with a touch of new wave on Die Feen’s latest two tracks.
SPC ECO – Hello The prolific Dean Garcia (Curve) and his daughter, Rose Berlin, have manifested another electronic opus with gorgeous layered synths.
Chalk – Conditions IIII am obsessed with Chalk. As I said in my “Favorite Music of 2024” list, Chalk would’ve fit in perfectly on Wax Tracks in the ‘90s. They’ve released another EP of thrumming industrial rock. I’m dying to see them live.
There was so much brilliant music that came out in 2024! I’m having the worst time narrowing down my list of faves. Luckily, my two cats, Candy O. and Ada Monroe, have been assisting me.
Ada Monroe looking mad because I wasn’t playing Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds at the time
It’s my hope that at least one person finds something they dig through this post. If you’re a Spotify person, do check out my “Best of 2024” playlist. Then go buy some music and/or merch. Or go out and see some live shows! Or do a shot every time I’ve written “dream” or “shoegaze.”
Without further ado, here’s my top 36 releases of 2024. Why 36? Why not?
36. fifi knifefight – I’m Not Mad, Just Disappointed Self-described “glam punk” from Austin, TX that channels a mighty ferocity.
34. Mo Dotti – Opaque These Los Angelenos are one of my favorites in a new wave of dream pop/shoegaze. Opaque was even mastered by Mark Gardener of shoegaze godfathers Ride.
33. Ride – Interplay Speaking of Ride … Some of the newer generation of shoegazers sound more like early Ride than current Ride does. But that’s not a bad thing. I think it’s good for bands to expand their repertoire.
30. Wishy – Triple Seven Power pop mixed with shoegaze! I can’t wait to see the Indianapolis band at February’s “Something In the Way” festival at Roadrunner in Boston.
29. Jack White – No Name To quote the great Huey Lewis, “The heart of rock and roll is still beating,” and Jack White’s blues-rock No Name is the proof.
24. deary – Aurelia EP Pretty much anything from British label Sonic Cathedral is a winner in my book! Aurelia is some pretty swell, shimmering shoegaze.
22. Phantogram – Memory of a Day It has a good beat and I can dance to it. But seriously, it’s a damn fine album and I’m upset that I still haven’t seen the New York duo live.
16. Old 97’s – American Primitive “You’ve got to dance like the world | Is falling down around you | Because it is” – Old 97’s, “Falling Down” The alt-country rockers’ 13th (!) album is a barn burner full of vim and vigor.
Matt Berninger of The National at BankNH Pavilion in Gilford, New Hampshire
14. The National – Rome I’m a little obsessed with The National. I listen to them A LOT. I’m in the Sad Dads Book Club. I saw El Vy (IYKYK) at The Sinclair in Boston by myself in 2015. This past fall, I went and saw The National by myself in the middle of nowhere in New Hampshire (Hey-Neal Katyal was there!). In Massachusetts, I braved the Great Woods parking lot with my husband and friend. To have a career-spanning live album from The National is a dream come true. Rome does an excellent job of capturing how brilliant they are live.
9. Chalk – Conditions II EP Industrial, gloom pop from Belfast that has flashes of The Final Cut. Would’ve fit in perfectly on the Wax Trax roster in the nineties.
8. Emma Anderson – Spiralée: Pearlies Rearranged The reimagining of Anderson’s Pearlies is effervescent and beautiful. It’s my favorite reworking since Nine Inch Nails’ Further Down the Spiral (1995).
7. Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross & Boyz Noize – Challengers [Mixed] I haven’t heard an album that’s such a seamless dance gem since Donna Summer’s On the Radio: Greatest Hits Volumes I & II (1979). With touches of Pet Shop Boys and New Order, I recommend this as an exercise companion. Which is not something I ever thought I’d say about Reznor’s music!
6. English Teacher – This Could Be Texas I love this stellar debut album from the British group. Something about them reminds me of more rockin’ Black Box Recorder. Another fave from this year is their Live From BBC Maida Vale EP, which includes a great cover of Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather.”
David Rawlings and Gillian Welch at the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord, NH
5. Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – Woodland When I younger, I got to work with this pair and it was an honor. Woodland is timeless and haunting. If you get the chance to see them, go!
3. Garbage – copy/paste On this Record Store Day Black Friday exclusive, Garbage collects ten gorgeous covers (nine of which were previously released). A favorite is their cover of The Jam’s “Butterfly Collector.” Something I really appreciate about this record is that Garbage includes detailed information about the original versions. An abridged digital version with six of the tracks was made available after Black Friday.
Nick Cave at the Harvard Book Store in 2023
2. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Wild God This is such a joyous album. Some Bad Seeds fans may take umbrage at its joy, but I love it and need it.
My brother, Robert Smith, and me on the Bloodflowers tour in 1999
1. The Cure – Songs of a Lost World I think this is The Cure’s finest release since 1992’s Wish, which is interesting because the album has this “Edge of the Deep Green Sea” vibe to it, with a lovely dash of 1987’s Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me.
It’s Bandcamp Friday! All proceeds go directly to the artists. Buy some tunes that you streamed on Spotify! (Note: This month’s wrap-up is short because I’ve been wicked sick with pneumonia. But I’m almost all better!)
Fifi Knifefight – I’m Not Mad, Just Disappointed You know how people are like, “Check out my friend’s band!” And you’re like, “Sure!” And then the band is mediocre? That is soooo not the case with Fifi Knifefight! I’m Not Mad, Just Disappointed is a fun, sonic romp.
It’s already Bandcamp Friday again! On Friday, October 4, 2024, Bandcamp waives their revenue share and pass the funds directly onto artists and labels. Here are some tunes I implore you to check out!
Glare – “Mourning Phase” The Texan outfit has released this new single that harkens back to ‘90s dream pop and shoegaze. Catch them next year at the Something In the Way fest at Roadrunner in Boston on February 2.
Wishy – Triple SevenBrazilian illustrator (and my pal!) Luciano introduced me to Wishy based on our common love of Ash. He was right; they sounded excellent! Full of power-pop vim and vigor. And then I realized that I’d be seeing them in February at Something In the Way. Lucky me!
Gillian Welch – Woodland StudiosAnother brilliant album of timeless bluegrass/folk from Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. See them on tour if you can. I was fortunate to work for their label’s distributor eons ago and every time I saw the duo was magical. I’m looking forward to seeing them in New Hampshire in December.
NewDad – Banshee EP Ireland’s NewDad released their debut album, MADRA, in January. This charming, indie pop EP is from 2022. Looking for something to celebrate casting your vote on Election Day? Go see them at the Middle East Upstairs in Cambridge, MA. Reminder: check to make sure you’re registered to vote at Vote.org.
Winter Gardens – “Moon Jockey” Britain’s Winter Gardens released this single last year. It sounds like Ladytron and Ladyhawke had a baby and I love it! They also have a smashing brand new single called “U/U.”
Ken Andrews – Secrets of the Lost SatelliteThe lush solo album from the man behind Failure is a must. It’s just been released as a high resolution download.
Year of the Rabbit – Year of the RabbitAnother Ken Andrews selection! This stellar album has also just been released as a high res download and it’s one of my all time favorite albums.
Francis of Delirium – LighthouseI’m obsessed with this debut album of bittersweet alternative rock from this Luxembourg act. Check out the featured track “Blue Tuesday.”
Lovina Falls – Ellery Wayand Tragedy Two tasty new singles from the brainchild of Valerie Forgione (Mistle Thrush).
Glaring – DR666Lovely and lux ambient darkwave from Germany.
Ekko Astral – pink balloonsHigh octane punk rock to get your blood flowing. Catch them opening for Deerhoof on tour now.
GIFT – IlluminatorHarkening back to dream pop, Illuminator is a treat, reminiscent of The Primitives, Adorable, and Lightning Seeds with a healthy dose of shoegaze.
Emma Anderson – Spiralée: Pearlies RearrangedJust announced, this remix album of Anderson’s (Lush/Sing-Sing) brilliant solo debut is available for preorder.
Pop Culture Omnivore 