In my 11th year on this journey of 365 albums, I find myself full of distaste, boredom, and indifference to most of the music I subject myself to. Perhaps this is a response to aging, or maybe an alignment to the bleak world we find ourselves in. I don't pretend to understand, but I wanted to share my favorites, the small handful of things that make me feel okay:
MK. Gee - Two Star & The Dream Police
While it was pre-existing, 28-year-old Mike Gordon's fringy, dreamy R&B project Mk.gee revealed itself to me in early February. Upon first listening, the cosmic-toned guitar-heavy masterpiece - Two Star And The Dream Police perforated its way through my psyche, playing in my head during bouts of insomnia, crashing from my head, drowning out nearly everything else, and becoming the soundtrack of my year. The album consists of some of the most pop-forward potential billboard top 40 tracks if those tracks were drowning in funk-infused distortion and fuzz. Each cut leaves you on the edge of your seat, waiting for the next. The album was accompanied by a plethora of live music videos of some of the more popular tracks and a live and fitting performance for an obscure Milan fashion show that all ultimately adds to the allure. I went to see Mk.gee both times he came through Denver in 2024, first at the appropriately aesthetic matching Meow Wolf and the second time at the summit; both far and away, some of the best live guitar performances I've seen in the last decade. I highly recommend listening to this album at night, accompanied by your favorite nighttime vice. This album is an easily digestible 33 minutes of pure magic, tied for my #1. Favorite Tracks: Dream Police, Alesis, Candy, I Want
Cindy Lee - Diamond Jubilee
Cindy Lee is the music persona of the Canadian musician Patrick Flegel, former guitarist and leader of the band Women. Diamond Jubilee came into this world most awkwardly and beautifully, three years in the making and almost entirely self-produced and recorded; it was only offered free to download through an archaic 90’s looking Geocities website or free to stream through YouTube. A big "fuck you" to the fration-of-a-cent paying streaming services. The album presents as an ambivalent distorted and tragic 50's pop rock, underwater noise rock album from an alternate universe. I highly recommend listening to this album in two parts, splitting it right down the middle. This album is tied for my favorite of the year and clocks in at over two hours long and not a dull moment. The sadness and beauty of this album eat each other, leaving only goosebumps and tears for its listeners.
Favorite Tracks: Baby Blue, Dreams Of You, All I Want Is You, Always Dreaming, Stone Faces, Darling Of The Diskoteque
Adrianne Lenker - Bright Future
Lenker and Big Thief have made my favorite lists for at least the last 5 years, as they undoubtedly have become some of my favorite music of the 2020s. Adrianne Lenker Understandably comes with a softer and more intimate touch with her solo albums; this release is no different. Bright Future falls somewhere between the happiest, hopeful, and saddest heartbreaking music I've ever laid ears upon. The album starts with the soul-crushing "Real House" and nearly wraps with the most joyous and hopeful tune, "Donut Seam" I recommend this to anyone who needs a bit of beauty in their lives, as I find Adrianne to be one of the most beautiful souls that ever graced this planet. It's like a golden ball of pure love and positive energy that heals and accepts you as the sonic soundscape enters your heart. It's this very golden ball of energy that holds you and tells you it's okay to feel what you're feeling. I had the honor to see her play live this summer, and I can say with all honesty that it was the best live music I've ever seen or heard; I spent the night with joyful tears rolling down my face, surrounded by best friends who were doing the same. At 43 minutes, Bright Future is nearly the perfect length of an album. Listen to this album with friends. Favorite Tracks: Real House, Free Treasure, Evil, Donut Seam.
Tierra Whack - World Wide Whack
World Wide Whack is a spectacular follow-up to the 15-minute 15-song Audio/Visual introduction ironically called Whack World. Philly native Tierra breaks away from the short form into a traditional album with some of the year's best and most prolific bars and production. Whack uses her songwriting clearly as catharsis, as some of the lyrics flow like tears. This album is fun and danceable while also being heavy and serious. The album combines Philly-style left-field rap with R&B and soul, with a tinge of wackiness. Any given day, you may find me rocking an appropriately loud Whack hoodie. Favorite Tracks: Chanel Pit, Imaginary Friends, Moovies, Shower Song, Two Night, 27 Club
James Blake & Lil Yachty - Bad Cameo
What would a year-end list be without a love letter for James Blake? I've been enjoying Blake since his debut in 2011. However, Yachty is a newer artist for me with his 2023 psychedelic rock hip-hop album "Let's Start Here." Both men are a fantastic complement to each other in Bad Cameo. From the drugged-out production and warble autotune vocals to the album artwork depicting the massive cultural divide between these two forces of nature, it somehow melds into an album that finds itself on the fringe of genres. Clocking in at just around 43 minutes, it's just the right amount of weird and psychedelic. I recommend listening to this album at night with a double styrofoam cup of purple lean or in the morning with a cup of Earl Grey and a plate of full English. Favorite tracks: Save The Savior, Midnight, Bad Cameo, Transport Me
Chanel Beads - Your Day Will Come
This was one of the most interesting and unexpected albums of the year. I found this on a new music Friday and gave it a casual listen, only to find myself starting it over 3 or 4 times before I even made it to work. Another short album, clocking in at 27 minutes, from the New York musician Shane Lavers with help from three of his friends: Vocalist Maya McGrory, Violinist Zachary Schwartz, and Sax player Henry Solomon, The sonic blend of acoustic nylon stringed guitar with heavy electronic synth and underwater distorted violin frosted with harmonic female vocals that end exactly where Lavers' begins. This album is uplifting and horribly depressing, as with the rest of my favorites. Favorite songs: the whole ass thing; listen to the entire thing; it's only 27 minutes.
Charli XCX - Brat
I didn't have a Brat summer because I'm not a mindless Tik Tok moron. However, I did enjoy this hefty pop album with much enthusiasm. 32-year-old UK pop sensation Charli XCX caught lightning in a bottle with this album, from the font and colo(u)r and the beautiful timing of its release and, most importantly, its danceable and intoxicating replayable tracklist. Except for Club Classics, each and every song is some of the best pop music of its kind, with top-tier production from AG Cook and awe-inspiring lyrical content. I recommend playing this album whenever you are hankering for a good time, day or night. Play the whole album, skip club classics.
Jpegmafia - I LAY MY LIFE DOWN FOR YOU
Has there ever been a time when Peggy doesn't awe, impress, and potentially offend? This album is likely to grow on me as it ages. Upon first impressions, I knew this would reach my year-end list. Jepegmafia's particular brand of weird, obscure, and alternative hip-hop always draws my attention, even as it at times applies a cheese grater to my eardrum in the same way it acts like Death Grips and Injury Reserve do. Guitar-slaying riffs, a clean drumset void of reverb, a cappella beat-less rapping, obscure samples, unexpected breakdowns, and Flume production spatter this album with greatness. I recommend this album to step out of the normality and experience some of the most experimental parts of the hip-hop culture.
Hovvdy - Hovvdy
Hovvdy is this beautiful and interesting duo from Texas that would be labeled as indie rock, and I suppose that is what this project is at its core. I find this music transcends this label in terms of how it makes me feel. Hovvdy brings me to a time of peace and tranquility where anxiety was only the kind you get waiting for Saturday to make it to your best friend's sleepover. It's not that the music sounds like it's from the 90s; I mean, it has notes of that, but more so, it has the feeling of innocent thinking and unconditional love. The duo and clearly best friends Will Taylor and Charlie Martin, both drummers, decided to branch out to simplistic guitar and synths paired with laidback songwriting, which makes just a wonderful album.
I Saw The TV Glow - Original Soundtrack
An Original Soundtrack rarely makes its way anywhere close to my favorite music of the year; this is a beautiful and glowing exception. First off, I must state that this is my favorite movie of the year, so having its accompanying soundtrack so excellent is just a treat. I Saw The TV Glow is basically a strange and colorful coming-of-age film that takes place in the 1990's. The Film's director, Jane Schoenbrun, wanted the Film to have an original soundtrack that emulated the sound of the 90's, so she commissioned a 15-track playlist of original tracks from some of her favorite artists, all tasked with the aural aesthetic of a 90's film that didn't exist. The soundtrack includes tracks from Caroline Polachek, Phoebe Bridgers, Yeule, Florist, King Woman, and Snail Mail, some of which also appear in the Film. Side note: The score is written and performed by one of my all-time favorite artists, Alex G. Watch the Film and check out the soundtrack. A24
Honorable Mention:
Nulifer Yanya - My Method Actor
Kendrick Lamar - GNX
Jessica Pratt - Here in the pitch
The Cure - Songs Of A Lost World
The Smile - Wall Of Eyes / Cutouts
