2 hours ago

THIS WAS 2024 AND THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS

REST EASY everyone. The world has been on hold for weeks now, unable to think straight, unable to make any decisions – especially on things like music to buy for themselves or as a present – while waiting to hear what I’ve been listening to and loving in 2024. I hear ya people, and I sympathise. So here I come to put you out of your misery.

The usual caveats apply: this isn’t the definitive best of the year, it’s not even the best I reviewed, as some here I didn’t get to review for various reasons and there are lots of albums released this year which have great reports but I have not had the chance to find out in depth. And it is not in any order because there’s no need and I don’t need the aggravation.

But it is a list of what I played over and over, and would play again right now.

Trends? Hard to say, except maybe it was the world this 12 months, maybe it was the mood of the artists, or maybe it was where my head and heart were this difficult year, but there’s a definite lean to subdued, close-quarters fare in these records. Maybe that was your year too.

Along with my favourite 24 albums of 2024, there’s a bonus list of others that were damn fine too, and all of them come with links to a review or related story so you can read more. Yes, you’ll note one entry has two albums from the same artist counted as one. Because I can. Because it makes sense as I’m seeing them as a two-parter.

And if you follow this link you’ll find a playlist drawing on tracks from these albums, so you can listen more. And if you’re tempted, hopefully buy, not just stream.

Because too much is never enough, there's also a list of the outstanding gigs, and the music films and music books that impressed.

Then tomorrow, a bumper playlist offering you my favourite songs of the year. Songs you can drive to, dance to, react to, sleep to, live by. Dontcha love the end of the year?

MY (24) FAVOURITE ALBUMS OF THE YEAR