Albums of the year 2024

Welcome to my annual blog where I list my favourite albums of the year.

My album of the year is Bill Ryder-Jones sensational lechyd Da. I was gutted his joint tour with Gruff Rhys didn't venture north of the border. I kinda regret not travelling down south or over to Ireland to see them. Both have released incredible records. 

Here are 15 albums I've enjoyed through 2024. A top 5 and then a further 10.

They include a number of albums that have been enjoyed across our household and I'm delighted that my youngest daughter Rosie is taking time to listen to albums and not just singles. I think Taylor Swift has played a big part in this. Albums by Taylor, Dua Lipa, Becky Hill (not in this list but still great), Gracie Abrams, Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo (released in 2023) are played regularly in our house and cars. I'm so pleased that so many creative, talented and cool female songwriters and performers are making such brilliant music.

Hopefully Santa comes good with Gracie Abrams tickets for Rosie and I!

lechyd Da by Bill Ryder-Jones

Quite simply a masterpiece; deep, soulful, melodic, inventive and melancholic. Utterly beautiful from start to finish. Ryder-Jones is rarely in a hurry, finding riffs and melodies, singing in a gorgeous hushed whisper, bringing in strings, choirs, horns and lovely dashes of psychedelia when he needs to. Exceptional songwriting, musicianship, arrangements and production. 

This Can't Go On - official video

Sadnesss Sets Me Free by Gruff Rhys

Recorded in just 3-days, there is a gorgeous fresh feeling to this record. Rhys is as inventive as ever as he lets his imagination run wild with his lyrics. Gruff's natural sing-song voice is soothing and he finds melodies with ease.

Bad Friend - official video

Bright Future by Adrianne Lenker

Recorded to tape in Lenker's analogue studio, hidden in a forest, there is a stunning intimacy to this album. Three musical friends joined Lenker, the tape never stopped. Each song feels delicate and special.

Fool - official video

The Secret Of Us by Gracie Abrams

I discovered Gracie Abrams through my daughter Rosie who fell for her magnificent single Close To You. The hook in the bridge - I burn for you, but you don't even know my name may be my bridge of the year. I fell for it too and enjoyed sitting down with Rosie to watch YouTube videos of Gracie performing live and checking videos from her catalogue. Zoe eventually fell under Gracie's spell too.

There is a lovely authentic feel to Abrams work - visually and on record. Her songwriting is exceptional, many of her songs (like Risk) develop into fast-flowing words and melodies that seem to come effortlessly. 

God I'm jumping in the deep end

It's more fun to swim in

Heard the risk is drowning

But I'm gonna take it, I'll bend 'til I break it

You'll be my favourite mistake

This is a very strong album indeed and Gracie has just been announced for TRNSMT. Hopefully Santa comes through with tickets for Rosie and I to go and see Gracie at the Hydro in March.

Close To You - official video

Pomegranate by Tess Parks

A welcome late discovery. This is dreamy cinematic garage psychedelic guitar music that is easy to get lost in. Scuzzy and fuzzy at times, with shoegaze/psych effects at others and chiming on Crown Shy, which also introduces some lush strings. Parks sounds beautiful and cool as she sings you don't get mad at the sky as it starts to rain in the opening song Bagpipe Blues.  Tess now has 5 albums to her name, including 2 with Anton Newcombe. Fans of Brian Jonestown Massacre will love.

Running Home To Sing official video

Bubbling under

Tigers Blood by Waxahatchee

I've updated my blog on January 22nd 2025 to include this wonderful album. I'd read about it numerous times, but I'd only listened to a couple of songs. Now, on a cold but beautiful winters day with a nice mug of coffee, I'm listening to the album for the second time in a row. It's lovely and should probably have been in my top 5. MJ Lenderman (see below) plays guitar in the band. Both play the Barrowland in June and I'm getting tickets on payday!

Bored - official video

Viva Hinds by Hinds

Dreamy, trashy, thrashy, brashy garage pop with dashes of shoegaze and psychedelia, I can't wait to see them play Saint Luke's in February. I actually think the album will make even more sense after seeing them live. Do you ever find that?

The Bed, The Room, The Rain and You - official video

Short n Sweet by Sabrina Carpenter

Wow! Super cool and sassy pop. Innuendo's galore, sugar coated choruses, enough hooks to floor Rocky, lyrics that are clever and funny, cool beats and sublime production. Impeccable pop. 

Espresso - official video

Nobody Loves You More by Kim Deal

What a pleasant surprise! The debut album by Kim Deal arrived in late November, that alone was a bit of a surprise. You would expect cracking guitar sounds (they are present - of course), but maybe not have anticipated it's strings, horns, hushed vocals and exceptional variety throughout. WARNING - Are You Mine? is a tearjeker.

Nobody Loves You More - official video

The Tortured Poets Department by Taylor Swift

A very hotly anticipated album in our house, particularly among our (now) 10-year old Rosie who considers herself a Swifty! I Can Do It With A Broken Heart is absolute pop perfection (check my blog) while Swift's songwriting is exceptional; telling tales, pouring scorn, being open and reflective, super confident one minute and full of self doubt the next. All with a lovely self effacing humour. The closing section of opening song Fortnight is sublime, the way it flows is stunning.

I Can Do It With A Broken Heart - official video

Manning Fireworks by MJ Lenderman

A late discovery via 6Music. Lenderman released this album in September, his fifth since his eponymous debut in 2019. I'm making my way through them. Lenderman is certainly prolific, he is also in the band Wednesday. Raw, stoned indie guitar sounds with a country edge, storytelling, humour and reflection are at the heart of his sound. Right up my street.

She's Leaving You - official video

A Dream Is All We Know by The Lemon Twigs

I missed these guys at Saint Luke's and I'll really need to make sure I catch them next time they are in town. Effortlessly talented with guitars, harmonies and songwriting, the D'Addario brothers fuse 60's and 70's sounds with ease; glorious harmonies, jangling guitars, fuzzed guitars - they can do it all. Simon and Garfunkel one minute, Big Star the next.

My Golden Years - official video

Dreamers On The Run by BMX Bandits
A fresh band of Bandits have captured the melodies, arrangements and flourishes that are in Duglas T Stewart's head perfectly. Lush, emotional and soulful. The title track is a particular favourite and possibly a career high. BMX Bandits celebrate their 40th anniversary in 2025 and I look forward to seeing them in Saint Luke's in late January.

Dreamers On The Run - official audio

In Giraffe by Adventure Team 

Think early Fanclub meeting Dinosaur Jr for a jam session. Lovely guitar sounds and cool melodies that veer off on beautiful tangents at times. I really enjoyed seeing these guys play BLOC earlier in the year.

Bummed Out (live)

Radical Optimism by Dua Lipa

Following up the immense pop of Future Nostalgia wasn't going to be easy and Dua Lipa certainly took her time (4-years), but Radical Optimism was worth the wait, while not being (pardon the pun) radically different from the predecessor. Houdini and Training Season were ace singles, while These Walls is an album gem. Dua's Glastonbury headline set was superb - a stadium/club/dance show. Huge in scale at times, super intimate at others.

These Walls - official video

Previous albums of the year

2010 - Shadows by Teenage Fanclub, This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem, Plastic Beach by Gorillaz

2011 - Love & Lemonade by Futuristic Retro Champions, Jonny by Jonny, The Quickening by Remember Remember

2012 - One Day I'm Going To Soar by Dexys, Electric Cables by Lightships, Light of the North by Miaoux Miaoux

2013 - Big Inner by Matthew E White, Reflektor by Arcade Fire, A Bad Wind Blows In My Heart by Bill Ryder-Jones

2014 - Morning Phase by Beck, Tied To A Star by J Mascis, Stay Gold by First Aid Kit

2015 - Beyond The Silver Sea by Dr Cosmos Tape Lab, Matador by Gaz Coombes, Modern Nature by The Charlatans

2016 - Pii by Stephen Solo, Say It All With A Kiss by TeenCanteen, Here by Teenage Fanclub

2017 - Adios Senor Pussycat by Michael Head and the Red Elastic Band, How The West Was Won by Peter Perrett, Erratic Cinematic by Gerry Cinnamon

2018 - And Nothing Hurts by Spiritualized, Impossible Stuff by Carla J Easton, Babelsberg by Gruff Rhys

2019 - Kiwanuka by Michael Kiwanuka, Purple Mountains by Purple Mountains, Pii3 by Stephen Solo

2020 - Fugitive Light & Themes of Isolation by Andrew Wasylyk, Weirdo by Carla J Easton, Future Nostalgia by Dua Lipa

2021 - Endless Arcade by Teenage Fanclub, Mirror Mirror by Pearl Charles, The Umbrellas by The Umbrellas

2022 - Poster Paints by Poster Paints, 11 by SAULT, Dear Scott by Michael Head and the Red Elastic Band

2023 - The Ballad of Darren by Blur, Nothing Lasts Forever by Teenage Fanclub, Blind On a Galloping Horse by David Holmes ft. Raven Violet

Anything

Trust me #66
Anything by Adrianne Lenker

Tuesday 13th February 2024 was a sunny day. I was due to drive to the outskirts of Edinburgh, so I jumped in my car and was deciding what playlist to put on when 6Music started playing a delicate acoustic song with a gentle psychedelic tinge to the guitar and vocals. The melody flowed effortlessly and I just sat for a moment, utterly transfixed on the song.

It was Adrianne Lenker. So instead of a playlist I just played Adrianne Lenker and fell for her charms. 

I had no idea who Adrianne Lenker was. Despite many friends shouting about the band Big Thief, I have to confess that I've never really taken the time to properly check them out. Weird, considering it is so easy to check bands out these days! Sometimes, just maybe, it is too easy.

Lenker is the lead singer, songwriter and guitarist in Big Thief who have released 5 albums since their debut in 2016. Lenker has also released a number of solo albums, dating back to 2006, 10-years before Big Thief's debut. New album Bright Future is due in March.

Back to Anything. It's just acoustic guitar and some delightfully fuzzy psychedelic effects. Lenker's voice sounds raw and pure as she sings about hanging in the sunshine, scoring drugs, mundane family life and being hopelessly in love.

This is songwriting of the highest order. Flowing so naturally in a gorgeous melody, telling so much in such a short space of time over a repetitive riff. Gorgeous, I must have played this 20 times in 5-days. 

Staring down the barrel of the hot sun

Shining with the sheen of a shotgun

Carol has a little if we need some

Joyous rays, we wanna come

Hanging your jeans with a clothes pin

Skin still wet, still on my skin

Mango in your mouth, juice dripping

Shoulder of your shirtsleeve slipping

Christmas Eve with your mother and sis

Don't wanna fight, but your mother insists

Dog's white teeth slice right into my fist

Drive to the ER, and you put me on my wrist

Grocery store list, now you get this

Brunch, had calls and messages

I don't wanna be the owner of your fantasy

I just wanna be a part of your family

And I don't wanna talk about anything

I don't wanna talk about anything

I wanna kiss, kiss your eyes again

Wanna witness your eyes looking

I don't wanna talk about anyone

I don't wanna talk about anyone

I wanna sleep in your car while you're driving

Lay on your lap whеn I'm crying

Circle of pine and riddle

Circlе of moss and fire smoke

Fan on the ceiling like a wheel spoke

Push the clutch in, and I pull the choke

Wanna listen to the sound of you blinking

Wanna listen to your hands soothe

Listen to your heart beating

Listen to the way you move

And I don't wanna talk about anything

I don't wanna talk about anything

I wanna kiss, kiss your eyes again

Wanna witness your eyes looking

I don't wanna talk about anyone

I don't wanna talk about anyone

Wanna sleep in your car while you're driving

Lay in your lap when I'm crying

Weren't we the stars in Heaven?

Weren't we the salt in the sea?

Dragging the newborn mountain

Didn't you believe in me?

Yeah, you held me the whole way through

When I couldn't say the words like you

I was scared indigo, but I wanted to

I was scared indigo, but I wanted to

I don't wanna talk about anything

I don't wanna talk about anything

I wanna kiss, kiss your eyes again

Wanna witness your eyes looking

I don't wanna talk about anyone

I don't wanna talk about anyone

I wanna sleep in your car while you're driving

Lay in your lap when I'm crying, ooh

Anything (live)

Anything is added to my Trust Me playlist; search for Everything Flows - Trust Me on Spotify , or CLICK HERE 

Check below for all previous blogs in my Trust Me series.

Previous Trust Me blogs

1. Something On Your Mind by Karen Dalton

1A. Crimson and Clover by Tommy James and the Shondells

2. I Am, I Said  by Neil Diamond

3. Where's The Playground Susie?   by Glen Campbell

4. If You Could Read My Mind by Gordon Lighfoot

5. Gimme Some Truth by John Lennon

6. Gone With The Wind Is My Love by Rita and the Tiaras

7. In The Year 2525 by Zager and Evans

8. The Music Box by Ruth Copeland

9. The Ship Song by Nick Cave

10. Sometimes by James

11. I Walk The Earth by King Biscuit Time

12. Didn't Know What I Was In For by Better Oblivion Community Centre

13. When My Boy Walks Down The Street by The Magnetic Fields

14. The Man Don't Give A F**k by Super Furry Animals

15. All Flowers In Time Bend Towards The Sun by Jeff Buckley and Liz Fraser

16. Are You Lookin' by The Tymes

17. A Real Hero by College & Electric Youth

18. Feelings Gone by Callum Easter

19. Sunday Morning by The Velvet Underground

20. Did I Say by Teenage Fanclub

21. Don't Look Back by Teenage Fanclub

22. Your Love Is The Place Where I Come From by Teenage Fanclub

23. Belfast by Orbital

24. Clouds by The Jayhawks

25. Dreaming Of You by The Coral

26. Everlasting Love by Love Affair

27. Walk Away Renee by The Left Banke

28. Teenage Kicks by The Undertones

29. Shaky Ground by Sneeze

29. Rill Rill by Sleigh Bells

30. I Can Feel Your Love by Felice Taylor

31. The State We're In by The Chemical Brothers w/ Beth Orton

32. Sunshine After The Rain by Ellie Greenwich

33. Losing My Edge by LCD Soundsystem

34. Mondo 77 by Looper

35. Les Fleurs by Minnie Riperton

36. Rat Trap by The Boomtown Rats

37. How High by The Charlatans

38. I Can't Let Go by Evie Sands

39. Pop Song 89 by R.E.M.

40. Summertime Clothes by Animal Collective

41. There She Goes by The Las

42. We're Going To Be Friends by White Stripes

43. Autumn Sweater by Yo La Tengo

44. Sister Rena by Lomond Campbell

45. Revolution by The Beatles

46. Lazarus by The Boo Radleys

47. Wrote For Luck by Happy Mondays

48. American Trilogy by The Delgados

49. Loser by Beck 

50. Silent Sigh by Badly Drawn Boy

51. Comedy by Shack

52. Take The Skinheads Bowling by Camper Van Beethoven

53. Freakscene by Dinosaur Jr

54. Thank You For Being You by The Pastels

55. I Think I'm In Love by Spiritualized

56. Chestnut Mare by The Byrds

57. Cannonball by The Breeders

58. Like A Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan

59. You Make Me Weak At The Knees by Electrelane

60. Lucky by Radiohead

61. Strange Currencies by R.E.M.

61. I Am The Cosmos by Chris Bell

62. Like A Ship (Without A Sail) by Pastor TL Barrett and the Youth for Christ Choir

63. Nothing But A Heartache by The Flirtations

64. Made of Stone by The Stone Roses

65. Tonight In Belfast by Orbital, David Holmes, DJ Helen and Mike Garry