Ok, so most of these didn’t make our “Top Albums of 2024” but here’s a list of some personal favourites of mine from this past year.
Lola Young – This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway
Yup she gets to be in both lists because I love this album THAT much.
Listen to This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway
Lola Young Website
Zutons – The Big Decider
I’ve been a massive fan of the Zutons for a long time and I was so apprehensive that this come back wouldn’t live up the pedestal I’d built for them, but this funky, upbeat album was everything I hoped and more.
I reviewed this earlier in the year so I won’t go on about it too much.
Listen to The Big Decider.
Zutons website.
Courteeners – Pink Cactus Cafe
Another one I’ve reviewed so I won’t say too much, but this one has been on repeat since its release and I love it even more than when I first heard it. This album takes the band in a more varied direction, it’s more poppy yet introspective and deep. Bitten by Unseen Teeth has remained a fave for me, but First Name Terms has also grown on me a lot.
Listen to Pink Cactus Cafe here.
Courteeners website.
The Libertines – All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade
Another band’s comeback album I was keenly anticipating. I adore Pete and Carl’s creative partnership, and this album perfectly blends the Libs we loved 20 years ago with the wisdom of age. It can both draw you back to those dirty dancefloors and also make you sit up and go “shit we’re getting old”. Night of the Hunter and Merry Old England are two that feature regularly on my playlists.
Listen to All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade
The Libertines website.
Halloweens – Opera Signing at the Salsa Bar
Hallowe’ens is the side project of Timothy Lanham and Justin Hayward-Young (of the Vaccines). This is one of the most underrated albums of this year in my opinion. Lyrically, it’s catchy and clever. Musically it’s whimsically nostalgic, with lots of keys driven melodies and pop inspired vocals. Prophets of Nostalgia gets stuck in my head at least once a week (its lyrics also had the honour of gracing the Bio of my personal insta for much of the second half of 2024 – not an easy feat by any means, I’m very picky).
Listen to Opera Singing at the Salsa Bar.
Halloweens website.