2024 favourites
- Emily Paivalainen
- Dec 29, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 23
International conflicts gathered strength while inflation waned and governments crumbled. Crime, homelessness, and UAP sightings are on the rise. Love that for us.
The music industry continues to sputter and (expensive) concerts returned in full force post-COVID. Most artists aren't making money but they do persist. The Cure put out a new album, and NOFX said a final farewell at a time when the decline has never been more culturally relevant.
As Lester Bangs said in Almost Famous: "You got here for the death rattle. Last gasp. Last grope." The end is just the beginning and at least we're here for that. Good music makes it all worthwhile.
These sounds have accompanied and inspired me over the past year. I hope you enjoy, and let me know what I missed.
Favourite Albums
Bon Enfant - Demande spéciale | Danser, maintenant!
Cindy Lee - Diamond Jubilee | Should have won the Polaris Prize IMO
Drunk Mums - Beer Baby | Punk is not dead, it just moved to Melbourne
Father John Misty - Mahashmashana | This MF does not miss
Fat White Family - Forgiveness is Yours | Deliberately deranged in the best way
Fontaines D.C. - Romance | Shane MacGowan's children are alive and well
MJ Lenderman - Manning Fireworks | Drinking beside a fire music
Nilüfer Yanya - My Method Actor | Brilliant and innovative pop
Oisin Leech - Cold Sea | A refuge from the rain
Tess Parks - Pomegranate | I love everything she does
TV Girl - Fauxllennium | Catchy, nostalgic and delightful dance tunes
Vampire Weekend - Only God Was Above Us | Prep-school gangsters, or just elder millennials?
Favourite Songs
Favourite concert: The final Sisters of Mercy show in Toronto. What a crowd. What a treat!
Best music book I read this year: Meet Me in the Bathroom by Lizzie Goodman. If you loved LCD Soundsystem, Yeah yeah yeahs, the Strokes, etc., if you came of age post 9-11, or know where the term 'hipster' originated, you will enjoy this thoroughly.
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