The sister thread to this: 🫤 Disappointing albums of the year 😞 - #30 by JaguarPirate
Tell me unexpected things. Ideally from artists you were aware of before…or else this is just a “new band discovery” thread
The Decemberists album was the main one for me. Made me realise that I never really went “off” their brand of super twee and geeky folk rock, they just hadn’t released a decent version of it since The Crane Wife!
John Grant also released his best album since 2013, too
LL COOL J coming in with one of the rap albums of the year with his first album in 11 years and 14th album overall. No idea when he was last good or relevant but this is great fun top to bottom, big grin whenever i spin it
thread needs some title emojis
Arab strap. Loved them first time around and enjoyed the comeback with as days get dark, but did not expect something as strong as their latest. Genuinely think it’s their best record.
oh yeah same here, the album that finally made them click and made me a fan
I did not think the world needed an Underworld album in 2024 but the new record is very enjoyable. Like how undeniable a bop is this:
Also had never heard of Rowena Wise but her sadgal stuff can hook right into my veins ty
Thought the Future Islands album was a triumph, nothing particularly new, just a band perfecting their craft, and it being a “break up album” helped heighten the emotion.
Uh… the Camila Cabello album has been a real guilty pleasure too.
The new Alkaline Trio is fantastic and took me by complete surprise. I didn’t feel like I needed a new one from them in 2024 but it’s my favorite thing I’ve heard from them since From Here to Infirmary. It has no business being this good, but it is.
Magdalena Bay need to win this though don’t they
This is a weird one coming from me since I’ve enjoyed everything Billy’s put out, but Aghori Mhori Mei by The Smashing Pumpkins caught me completely off guard. I thought we’d be getting something pretty good, I wasn’t anticipating getting a new classic and an AOTY contender. I love it.
GNX
Actually probably the biggest surprise was Burial putting something out on XL.
Nooooo
I’d second this! What an album. Just sounds like a load of pals having the best time and not worrying about streaming numbers or charts or any of that stuff. The Gary Numan and Can samples make it a classic on their own, but the rest is ace too.
Good shout. Am always going to root for them but it was a joy when their new album turned out rather good.
Songs of a Lost World.
Jack White for me. After not liking anything he’s done since the White Stripes, this album absolutely floored me. Just so much fun! Great songs, great riffs. It makes me grin every time I put it on.
Johnny Foreigner and Los Camp both releasing absolute rippers wasn’t on my 2024 bingo card. Always loved both but sort of saw them as nostalgia acts at this point
Gotta be Yoo Doo Right. Last album was good, this one is stunning.
Jessica Pratt - Here in the Pitch
Listened to her debut a few years ago and whilst fine it did nothing for me.
I think this has been critically acclaimed but haven’t seen any DiS chat about it
Reviews compare it to Pet Sounds era Beach Boys but I’d say it’s more like slightly earlier BB - Beach Boys Today and the work Brian Wilson did with The Paris Sisters and other artists around that time.
It definitely has some 70s easy listening vibes as well with some bossa nova and Karen Carpenter ish vocals but if it was all like that it would bore me to tears. It is a lot more varied and goes to darker places, reminds me of Jeff Hanson (bit obscure that so think Elliott Smith but that would be pushing it) and even a bit of Richard Hawley in some of the vocal delivery
So it’s varied and yet coherent, strong songwriting and doesn’t dip at all.
Am not anywhere near as down on Sleater-Kinney without Janet as seemingly most people, but was still surprised by Little Rope being genuinely brilliant. Not quite up there with their very best work, but comfortably on the tier just below.