See what we couldn’t stop listening to this year.
MARC
NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS – WILD GOD
An optimistic offering to the Wild Gods that sing in unison like some gospel album for by the souls of the damned. In my opinion his best album to date.
THE CURE – SONGS OF A LOST WORLD
How can an artist continue their own legacy without tarnishing their past efforts? The Cure put out arguably the best album since 1989’s Disintegration. Spacious and beautiful.
THE LAST DINNER PARTY – PRELUDE TO ECSTASY
A divisive band. Some are skeptical. I celebrate whole heartedly. A perfectly formed pop album.
FONTAINES D.C. – ROMANCE
How can post-punk morph into stadium rock anthems? Check it out. Starburster is a great jumping off point.
KERRY KING – FROM HELL I RISE
A thrash masterpiece from Kerry King of the legendary Slayer. Idle Hands. Pure magic. Pure Hell.
RIOT FEST TWITTER GUY
Because I do not like music very much I will need to google what albums came out this year and then I will pick the funniest ones.
DAN
A DEFINITIVE RANKING OF METALLICA ALBUMS
1. Metallica – Ride the Lightning
2. Metallica – Master of Puppets
3. Metallica – Kill ‘Em All
4. Metallica – The Black Album
5. Metallica – …And Justice for All
6. Metallica – 72 Seasons
7. Metallica – Death Magnetic
8. Metallica – Garage, Inc.
9. Metallica – Hardwired…to Self-Destruct
10. Metallica – Load
11. Metallica – Reload
12. Metallica – St. Anger
FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2024
Pearl Jam – Dark Matter
Jack White – No Name
Charli XCX – brat
Billie Eilish – HIT ME HARD AND SOFT
Liquid Mike – Paul Bunyan’s Slingshot
The Cure – Songs of a Lost World
St. Vincent – All Born Screaming
Chappell Roan – The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess (2023)
Chromeo – Adult Contemporary
JD McPherson – Nite Owls
The Smile – Cutouts
Drug Church – PRUDE
Sleater-Kinney – Little Rope
Sabrina Carpenter – Short ‘n Sweet
Dua Lipa – Radical Optimism
Alkaline Trio – Blood, Hair and Eyeballs
Green Day – Saviors
Frank Turner – Undefeated
Laura Jane Grace – Hole in My Head
Bluey – Dance Mode!
MO
MEGAN THEE STALLION – MEGAN + MEGAN: ACT II
Meg was my top artist of 2024 so it makes sense her records were my top spins. Act II blew me away and is undoubtedly my favorite release of the year. She’s such a powerhouse rapper, I love seeing her shine. We’re now at TWO songs with Spiritbox… full tour when???
DENZEL CURRY – KING OF THE MISCHIEVOUS SOUTH VOL. 2
It came out in the summer, right when we were in the thick of our festival cycle. This was the album that I put on when I needed to lock in and design the hell out of some merch (or whatever else). Filled with great features and heavy-hitting beats, the timing of this album release couldn’t have been more perfect.
THE STORY SO FAR – I WANT TO DISAPPEAR
In my opinion, The Story So Far has never put out a bad record. When you’ve been listening to a band since 2010 you expect there to be at least one record you don’t like, but the sound of this band has withstood the test of time. It may have grown and adapted over the years, but it’s never lost its heart. I believe this record is a wonderful testament to that.
DOECHII – ALLIGATOR BITES NEVER HEAL
Doechii has always been in a lane of her own and I love her for that. This album is truly unapologetically her and I can’t wait for what she’s got in store for us next.
THE HOME TEAM – THE CRUCIBLE OF LIFE
I remember making artwork for this band many moons ago so it’s beautiful to see how they’ve grown and really come into their own. I really think they did their big one with this record, dare I say.
HANNAH
FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2024
Eminem – The Death of Slim Shady
The Cure – Songs of a Lost World
Glass Animals – I Love You So F***ing Much
Mannequin Pussy – I Got Heaven
Father John Misty – Mahashmashana
(Honorable Mention) Lil Dicky – Penith
JEN
FAVORITE PICKS OF 2024
Taylor Swift – The Tortured Poets Department
Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet
Angie McMahon – Light, Dark, Light Again
Tegan and Sara – Crybaby
Wiser Than Me (Podcast) with Julia Louis-Dreyfus (BIG recommendation)
JAKE
FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2024
Microwave – Let’s Start the Degeneracy
Wild Pink – Dulling the Horns
The Cure – Songs of a Lost World
This Is Loreli – Box for Buddy, Box for Star
Baby Combat – Pop is the Noblest Genre
NICOLE
DOMINIC FIKE – 14 MINUTES
I’ve never listened to the same 14 minutes of music on repeat as much as I listened to these 14 minutes of music. Favorite song on album – hi grace (apparently – even though 41 streams doesn’t really seem like that many).
REMI WOLF – BIG IDEAS
No skips, and it sounds just as incredible (if not better) live as it does when it’s pumping into your headphones. Favorite song – Wave.
GLASS ANIMALS – I LOVE YOU SO F***ING MUCH
Another album that I’ll listen to straight through without shuffling or skipping. Favorite song – How I Learned To Love The Bomb.
THE MARIAS – SUBMARINE
I’m admittedly a newer fan, but I’m definitely hooked now. Favorite song – it’s a tie between Run Your Mouth and Lejos de Ti.
TWENTY ONE PILOTS – CLANCY
Hard for me to pick a favorite song on this one. I’ll narrow it down to two for you – The Craving (single version) and Oldies Station.
CAROLINE
FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2024
Eminem – The Death of Slim Shady
Kendrick Lamar – GNX
Los Campesinos! – All Hell
LUBA
FAVORITE ALBUM OF 2024
Alkaline Trio – Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs
The Related Rabbit Hole
