By Anita Papsmear
This year was a pretty great one for music. On my list this year, I have included my favorite singles, a few perfect full albums, and some releases of note. In a singles-oriented musical landscape, it seems increasingly rare to hear an entire album with no “throw away” tracks, but I found a few. This year also seemed to bring a nice blend of new artists and old, releasing their art into the world. This makes for a tasty musical stew. Here’s wishing you all a fantastic 2025. Let’s hope we are all okay, despite the upcoming horrors we are about to endure via the incoming administration. I may be homeless by this time next year, but I will (hopefully) continue to bring you a year-end list worthy of your time and attention. Hope you all enjoy it and find something worthy to add to your playlists. Sending my best, Anita
All songs have received the coveted 5 out of 5 Smears rating according to Anita Papsmear’s Rating System (refer to past year-end lists for the Papsmear ratings system).
Perfect 2024 Albums:
The Cure, Songs from a Lost World.
Absolutely one of their best albums to date—and that’s saying alot! It’s everything you want from this band, laid right on your soul. #chefskiss.
White Rose Motor Oil, Preowned Songs.
This is an amazing collection of covers from this Denver band. It covers a wide range of styles, from Cheap Trick to Elastica to Maria McKee. This is a super fun CD to add to your collection. Also, their cover of “Hooray for Santa” is a favorite holiday nugget.
Wine Lips, Super Mega Ultra.
Saw them live in Denver this year—so good. This album is solid!
Jack White, No Name.
It’s nearly perfect, but then, what did ya expect? He’s a master.
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Wild God.
This album is a tribute to the human spirit and its capacity for love and forgiveness. It’s a beautiful collection of songs that feels like a rainbow after a storm.
The KVB, Tremors.
Fantastic through and through. It is hard to describe their music—dark, synth wave with some swirling, mesmerizing guitars, cool melodies, and great songwriting. It all comes together in this subtle masterpiece.
The The, Ensoulment.
Matt Johnson is a master lyricist and musician. So happy on a cellular level that he is making and publishing music again. Love the album, saw the tour, bought the t-shirt. #iwantsomemore.
Amyl and the Sniffers, Cartoon Darkness.
Those who know, know. Amyl and the Sniffers are one of the greatest bands out there. Handcrafted punk rock with something for everyone—even your granny.
Best Singles 2024:
Luvcat, “He’s My Man.”
A dark tale of woe…for her man, anyway. Hailing from Liverpool, Luvcat is going places.
Loose Articles, “Mr. Manager.”
Band from Manchester—so good and fun!
Griefcat, “Carbon Footprint.”
This band went straight to the top of my favorite bands list as soon as I heard them. It’s refreshing, woman-centered punk rock, but their musical styling isn’t limited. Their 2024 album, Late Stage Capitalism, showcases their very capable talents in several different genres. At times, they channel The Andrew Sisters with a sprinkling of The Judds—they can do it all. Their songwriting however is current, tackling issues like the environment, crypto-currency, pooping at work, corporate takeovers—it’s anti-establishment at its best. #newheroes.
The Albinos, “Bet You Don’t.”
Hard to pick just one song, as I have loved every song I have heard from this Houston band. Catchy, grainy psych rock. #yummy.
Sleaford Mods with Amy Taylor, “Nudge It.”
It’s fucking catchy as hell. The Mods vocal styling is like no other and the addition of Amy Taylor’s vocals just adds that magic touch that only she can.
Haute & Freddy, “Scantily Clad.”
Saw the video on TikTok—immediately catchy and fun.
John Grant “All That School for Nothing.”
Funky and delicious.
The Howlers, “El Dorado.”
Catchy as hell
Girl And Girl, “Oh Boy!” from Call a Doctor.
Still my favorite band of 2023/2024. Missed seeing them live twice in the span of a couple days. Top of list to see! Great songwriting.
Trent Reznor/Atticus Ross, “Yeah x 10” and “Compress” from the Challengers Soundtrack.
The Mysterines, “Junkyard Angel.”
Another band on my list hailing from Wirral/Liverpool. Lia Metcalfe’s voice is powerful. Lots of good tracks on their latest record, Afraid of Tomorrows.
Sofi Tukker, featuring Kah-Lo, “Woof.”
Super cool world music feel, dancey and catchy. Play this at your next party.
Geneva Jaccuzi, “Dry.”
Her new album, Triple Fire, is filled with atmospheric, dark, and dancey tunes.
Tori Amos, “Trouble’s Lament.”
Another gem from the goddess
Ministry, “Cult of Suffering,” featuring Eugene Hütz of Gogol Bordello.
So good.
The Courettes, “You Woo Me,” “Shake,” and “Here I Come.”
This is the coolest band on the planet right now.
Goat, “Zombie.”
This song is a great example of Goat doing what they do best. #tribaljourneys.
Black Doldrums, “Hideaway.”
Gothy goodness.
Warmduscher, “Pure at the Heart.”
Catchy ditty from a great band. Check out their latest record, Too Cold to Hold.
Noga Erez, “Vandalist.”
This is a fucking great song.
The Hives, “Bogus Operandi.”
So catchy it hurts.
Frankie Rose, “Sixteen Ways.”
Subtle and lovely melodies.
MC5, “Heavy Lifting.”
It’s been 53 years since there’s been new MC5 material. Luckily, the band laid these tracks down before the passing of Wayne Kramer. “Heavy Lifting” with Tom Morello is a definite highlight.
Corlyx, “The Letdown.”
Just a great, dark pop song that’s dancey and catchy.
2024 Of Note:
Sprints, Letter to Self.
#rocks
A Place to Bury Strangers, Synthesizer.
Check out “Disgust,” “Plastic Future,” “Don’t Be Sorry,” and other delightfully dark tunes.
Barns Courtney, “Golden.”
Orville Peck and Alison Russell, “Chemical Sunset.”
Peter Garrett, “Paddo.”
So cool to hear his voice. #midnightoilisgodhead.
Pokey LaFarge, “One You One Me.”
Beth Gibbons, Lives Outgrown.
Beth’s haunting vocals are so refreshing to my ears. Great new material here.
Hot Garbage, Precious Dream.
Awesome stuff. #rocks.
Drunk Mums, Beer Baby.
Out of Australia. Some fun stuff here
Dwight Yoakam, Brighter Days.
Spinning more country gems from that fabulous mouth.
Suki Waterhouse, Memoir of a Sparklemuffin.
So, so, so good. Check out: “Model, Actress, Whatever,” “My Fun,” and “Supersad.”
Gossip, Real Power.
Great to hear from Beth Ditto and crew. Decent album.
Yard Act, Where’s My Utopia.
Great album. Excited to hear more.
Jesus & Mary Chain, Glasgow Eyes.
There are some great tracks here. I think what I liked most about this album is that the Reid brothers journeyed out of their comfort zone and that brought a new dimension to their music. Good on them!
Dandy Warhols, Rockmaker.
Check out “I’d Like to Help You with Your Problem,” “The Summer of Hate”, “Alcohol + cocainemarijuananicotine,” and more. #worthy.
TR/ST, Performance.
Love this artist and all he has to offer. A very solid release
Wolfgang Press, A 2nd Shape.
Just excited this band is back at it after a number of years. Some cool tunes here.
Houses of Heaven, “Strange Temptation,” “The Depths You Hold,” and “Deserve.”
Synthy goodness.
2024 Under the Covers:
Sierra Ferrell “Funnel of Love”
Bad Monkey Soundtrack.
Awesome covers of some Tom Petty tunes. The Weezer cover of “Here Comes My Girl” is my favorite.
The Bellrays, “Ball Of Confusion.”
#lisakekaula #enoughsaid.
Sponge, 1994.
Highlights include covers of Oasis’ “Supersonic,” Morrissey’s “The More You Ignore
Me, The Closer I Get,” and Sonic Youth’s “Bull in the Heather.”
Nouvelle Vague, “Should I Stay or Should I Go.”
One of their better covers compilations
Andrea & Mud, “Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In).”
#lovethisduo.
Me First & The Gimmee Gimmee’s, Blow It! At Madison’s Quinceaňera.
This band is so fun and they prove it while live from Madison’s party. Includes some great covers like Captain & Tenille’s “Love Will Keep Us Together” and Juice Newton’s “Queen of Hearts.”
T-Pain, “War Pigs.”
This cover was released in 2023 but I just found it this year. Killer!
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