Rich's Top 10 Releases Of 2024

Blah blah blah, whatever. Weirdo, sometimes funnyman. Who cares. I will say this though: I didn't include Uche Yara's EP in the top ten but mark my words, she's gonna be huge. One of my favourite discoveries of the year.

I did start an Instagram account recently called Rich Talks Music talking about CDs and records in my collection, if you're interested give it a follow - it's gonna cover a range of genres. And here's a playlist so you can listen to what was on my radar for 2024.

Shout out to these albums/EPs that I've also been enjoying a lot this year (in no order):

Thee Alcoholics Feedback [Noise Rock/Electronic]; English Teacher This Could Be Texas [Indie]; The Common Ulterior The Vision EP [Experimental Pop]; Mulatu Astatke and Hoodna Orchestra Tension [Jazz/Afrobeat]; MINES Warm & Safe EP [Electronica/Dark Ambient]; Bloody Head Perpetual Eden [Noise Rock/Punk]; Pijn From Low Beams Of Hope [Post-Rock]; Tristwch Y Fenywod Tristwch Y Fenywod [Folk/Goth]; Wu-Lu Learning To Swim On Empty EP [Indie/Hip Hop]; Uche Yara honey, EP [Alternative Pop]; Moin You Never End [Indie/Post-Rock]; Through The Gloom Dark Patterns [Electronica/Dark Ambient] and Godspeed You! Black Emperor No Title As Of 13 February 2024 28,340 Dead [Post-Rock].

10. ORANSSI PAZUZU - MUUNTAUTUJA

Genre: Psychedelic Black Metal / Doom Metal

The beloved black metal experimentalists really came back with this one (I admittedly felt disappointed with the last album, especially with every incredible release before it), and have more of an electronic / krautrock influence here.

The way they implement those two makes me think of Radiohead or Suuns a little, but y'know, in metal. They might not be so obviously 'psychedelic black metal' here, but they're continuously pushing the boundaries of the genre.

Favourite tracks: Muuntauuja, Hautatuuli, Bioalkemisti.

9. VEGGIEHAMMERR - VEGGIEHAMMERR

Genre: Pop / Alternative Rock / Electronic

I’ve been a big fan of both Mangchi and Lealani for a number of years now, so finding out basically both were teaming up for this project? I WAS IN. It lived up to all my hopes, covering a range of genres and it’s a consistently upbeat album – which is great for me ‘cause I have a habit of obsessively listening to downers.

Fun genre-jumping music for oddballs (like me). And I was SO, SO happy that Lealani's cover of Blu Masheen made it onto an album. Her one of Keep That Fire Alive is hauntingly extraordinary, it stuns me - and my heart - every single time. I have to sit down with each listen.

Incredible music videos too.

Favourite tracks: More Distortion, Keep That Fire Alive (Mangchi cover) Blu Masheen (Mangchi cover), Death by Burrito.

A bit like another album further down (or up?) the list, this album has been a sort of anchor during mentally and morally challenging times through the year. I've only really been dipping into the jazz world a little over the past two years and found I really prefer the spiritual side of it, with African and Eastern sounds/influences.

That's what you get here. Meditative and enlightening jazz with plenty of woodwind / strings, along with fantastic guests like Lianne La Havas, ELUCID and Saul Williams performing on top. If you liked André 3000's "New Blue Sun" (Shabaka contributed to that album too) then give this a listen.

Favourite tracks: End of Innocence, Kiss Me Before I Forget (feat. Lianne La Havas), Managing My Breath, What Fear Had Become (feat. Saul Williams).

7. OBEY COBRA - MWG DRWG

Genre: I still don't know. Noise Rock / Post-punk / Experimental Doom?
WE HAVE THIS!

No secret that I’ve been obsessed with this lot since the debut “Oblong” in ’21, their refusal to sit in any one genre is always exciting – hopping from doom, to post-punk, to electronica, to noise rock, to drone… what else do you want from the Cardiff collective?!

This time they’re meaner and baring sharper teeth inside disarming grins - there’s angular guitar-driven noise rock, doom-rap (describe Kali Yuga to me if you disagree, go on), an infectious industrial jam, some Jesus Lizard-worship, a disillusioned dreamlike ballad… to some that might sound miserable, to me it’s a good time - all the way through.

Favourite tracks: Kali Yuga, Tolerance Break, Blackweir.

6. KIM DEAL - NOBODY LOVES YOU MORE

Genre: Alternative Rock

I originally went on a huge rant comparing this to the Pixies releases since the reformation - simply put, I find what Pixies have done since a bit drab and unimaginative; whereas this solo debut is the complete opposite (I fell in love with it instantly).

Each and every track is so fresh, new and absolutely charming. Each song has its signature hooks that cling onto your mind in the best way possible, flavoured further by her sincere and witty lyrics. The only thing I want after each listen is more albums from Kim. Flawless.

Favourite tracks: Crystal Breath, Big Ben Beat, Coast.

Genre: Grindcore / Powerviolence / Hardcore

Kidnapped (along with Obey Cobra) also released one of my favourites of ’21 with “Knowhere Is Sterile”: a 10-track grind/powerviolence album that edged over the ten-minute mark - PERFECT. This one is 15 tracks and lasts under twenty-three minutes… and the last track takes up chunk of that. So business as usual. YES!

Fast, furious and unforgiving with enough bludgeoning grooves crammed into each song you won’t know where to shake your mace at – Kidnapped are honestly the most exciting grind / powerviolence / hardcore band any of those scenes have seen in years (personally). As soon as it’s over, you have to start again, and again, and again, and again... You get it.

“THINK IT OVER!”

Favourite tracks: Bite Down, Not Today, Ego, Blind Dogs.

4. JESSICA PRATT - HERE IN THE PITCH

Genre: Baroque Pop / Acoustic / Bossa Nova

Two people I know kept mentioning Jessica Pratt and her new album before and after it came out, I made the stupid mistake of not listening to it there and then. First time I’d ever heard her music is when I finally did check this out months down the line, and realised I'd been a fool!

Jessica Pratt is a huge talent, huge. Each song entrenches themselves into your mind and soul, and even on a surface level, they just sound so simply beautiful. Her fragile voice breaks through and touches your heart and experiences every time. Magical and enchanting.

Favourite tracks: Life Is, The Last Year, Better Hate.

3. EMAHOY TSEGUÉ-MARYAM GUÈBROU - SOUVENIRS

Genre: Classical

I feel like I'm cheating, I'm sorry (and I'm not) to the previous and anyone who didn't make the ten: this is a collection of songs recorded long ago by the Ethiopian pianist, compiled posthumously - she passed away last year, aged 99. It might not be counted as a 'new album' but it's been such a solid listen through the year and has moved me so much, so many times (I'm tearing up listening to it right now).

It's her only release to feature her singing as well and she recorded the songs using a boombox on top of her piano. You can hear the tape hiss, the creak of her chair, birds singing outside, all these details in life. You really feel like you're in the room with her while she plays her beautiful songs of memories, yearning and loss. A real special experience.

I just wish she got the recognition, praise and comfort she deserved while she was alive.

Favourite tracks: Clouds Moving on the Sky, Is It Sunny or Cloudy In the Land You Live?, Ethiopia My Motherland, Tenkou! Why Feel Sorry?.

2. GNOD - SPOT LAND

Genre: Drone / Psychedelic Rock

Admittedly, this pick at this point probably says more about my mental needs and health this year than anything.

Even before the existence of mankind, chaos and cruelty have always been around. It’s easy to think that things are ‘getting worse’ whenever you look at the news but the fact is, it’s just about the same as it’s ever been. Man has, in one way or another, has always made its ignorant race towards self-destruction. Always been spiteful and ignorant.

Gnod have put out plenty of albums in the previous years bludgeoning their fists into pulp from frustration with all that (and I love those releases too), but “Spot Land” is more like a resigned acceptance, the penny dropping with the hopelessness of trying to fight it all at once. "Spot Land" feels like finding your own peace and a way to preserve your sanity in it all.

This has been an absolute comfort when things have gotten overwhelming personally. So drop out of life with Gnod in hand: it’s catharsis for the soul.

Favourite tracks: Peace at Home, Pilgrim’s Progress, Luz Natural.

1. THE DEATH OF MONEY - ERROR AFTER ERA

Genre: Post Metal / Doom Metal

The Newport doom-mongers are back again, their first album in 16-years and it's blown me away. There's the familiar Jesu / Godflesh / Justin Broadrick worship but they've also grown (or spread) their sound significantly. They've always been one of those bands that consistently manage to sound huge and cinematic. "Error After Era" takes it even further along with some truly emotional and goosebump-inducing moments.

A really stunning and powerful post-metal/doom release, every passage is a treasure that rings in the head. Also, I don't know if Bethan Lloyd just does vocals on Error After Era and Wasp Screams, or does backing on Poems too, but what breath-taking performances either way, bloody hell. Catches you by the throat. You all need to check her out too.

Welcome back TDOM, you've been sorely missed, please continue!

Favourite tracks: Haunt Me, Living In Fear, Wasp Screams (feat. Bethan Lloyd).