On the record 2024 - wrap up
Published December 29, 2024
I always find it slightly surprising that I’ve been doing this album thing for such a long time, next year will be the tenth year of this adventure. Two albums a week, 100 albums a year, and we’re closing in on the big 1000! The worst part of the year is having to narrow down the list to the top five, but actually this year it wasn’t too hard - there were only six on the shortlist. Hopefully next year will be better.
1. F-1 Trillion by Post Malone
“Loved this! Was not expecting it at all, since when did Post Malone do country music?? I remember having mixed feelings over his previous work and changing my mind across the years, but I would never have predicted this album and certainly not that it would be so brilliant. Great tunes, incredible guest stars all the way through, and just a joy to listen to. Put it on again!”
2. Short n’ Sweet by Sabrina Carpenter
“Sabrina Carpenter is a bit of a mystery to me - it baffles me that she is on her sixth album but has somehow absolutely burst into the consciousness of music fans. She’s not just popular, there are so many of these tracks in the top charts, it’s very impressive! And I liked the album, it reminded me of Olivia Rodrigo but with far less angst so you can enjoy it a bit more. Just some really good pop with great vocals and a nice mix of genres.”
3. Radical Optimism by Dua Lipa
“I didn’t go into this album with expectations which probably served it well, but I was really pleasantly surprised by the outcome! It was a super fun, short and sweet, boppy pop album that entertains from start to finish. I don’t suppose it’s moving on much for Dua Lipa, but good strong pop is what she does and she does it well, so no complaints from me!”
4. hummingbird by Carly Pearce
“This is such a good album. The songs themselves are your standard country - perhaps more traditional than more modern country pop and with Carly’s excellent vocals layered on top. Where it really shines though is in the lyrics, the clever twists on sayings and idioms, and the way the stories build and flow. Heels Over Head is genius. Rock Paper Scissors makes me smile every time, and I really like Fault Line and Pretty Please. From start to finish, this is an album that surprises whilst also being gently familiar to listen to.”
5. The Mighty Several by Paul Heaton
“Just love Beautiful South/Paul Heaton in whatever form, they’re just such approachable, wise, funny, moving, boppy songs. I miss Jacqui Abbott on this, and feel unjustifiably grumpy towards Rianne even though she does a great job on this album and in live performances. There are a few other guests here too, and it feels like Paul wants to get a band back together but hasn’t quite got round to it. Great songs, maybe tailing off a little towards the end, but always worth another listen.”
The one that missed the cut was Satellite by The Script, but other than that, it’s been a slow year for music to my ears. At this point, I would usually discuss my top ten of all time, but I’m still working on it. I’ve been through the archive and finally every single album has a score out of 5 (why did I start this project for several years without scoring them??) and so now it’s a matter of reviewing again and whittling down to the top ten.
As a reminder, here is what it was the last time I posted it, and I don’t think it’s too far off:
- Come On Over by Shania Twain
- Rumours by Fleetwood Mac
- Millennium by Backstreet Boys
- Parachutes by Coldplay
- Staying at Tamara’s by George Ezra
- Who Built the Moon? by Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
- Chaleur Humaine by Christine and the Queens
- Days Are Gone by HAIM
- Achtung Baby by U2
- Storyteller by Carrie Underwood
Roll on 2025 where there are a good few albums lined up for the early months, I can’t wait to get listening again.
