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Now that we are on the other side of 2024 and everyone's album wrap ups have been completed, we've decided to make a list of some records that really stuck with us last year. I know it's really late but I've been busy so literally just get off my back.
There was a lot of music last year that shook me to my absolute core, and while I'm sure you all know about the heavy hitters (ie. Fontaines DC, Charli XCX, Amyl and the Sniffers, IDLES, etc, etc, etc.) I wanted to share a list of some records that might have flown under the radar but should not be forgotten about.
FYI: This list is not in any order or ranking.
One More Thing
Lime Garden
16.02.24 Brighton's Lime Garden released their debut record One More Thing at the start of 2024 and it is wall-to-wall full of indie pop hits.
Songs on this record ooze experience and songwriting prowess from a band that has been playing together for 5-6 years. Their first LP is such an impressive body of work and is absolutely worth the wait and we can't wait to see what Lime Garden does in 2025. Song Pick: I Want To Be You
The Accident
Good Morning
29.11.24
So I often say music isn't a competition, however if it was IMO Good Morning won music in 2024. At least they definitely won in my Spotify Wrapped.
This record is absolutely perfect and was a late surprise in the year, dropping late November.
It is a perfect 30 minute listen for whatever mood. I think I listened to it at least 3 times a day for at least two weeks after release. Good Morning have said this will be their last record for a while, it feels like they're at the top of their game with this release. Song Pick: Soft Rock Band
Scream From New York
Been Stellar
21.06.2024
Been Stellar are absolutely a band to keep an eye on for the future. I've been following this band since their debut EP release in 2022 and this record feels like a natural progression of a band you can feel is growing more and more. This album took a while but really grew on me throughout 2024. Been Stellar really feel like a special band and this release stands up to the hype. Song Pick: Pumpkin
Upper Ferntree Gully
Personal Trainer
2.08.2024
I discovered Amsterdam's Personal Trainer in 2023 after seeing them at a festival and absolutely fell in love. The dutch septet have created something very special with their second LP release and IMO haven't received enough online credit for it. At times it is wonky and feels like songs are perfectly falling apart while at other times it's heavy and spins your head. The underlying musical themes of this record shows off the bands' insane musicality and songwriting talents. The opening song and the title track caught me completely off guard on first listen and fully drew me in. Give this record a listen if you haven't already.
Song Pick: Round
Box For Buddy, Box For Star
This Is Lorelei
14.06.2024
This Is Lorelei has been a new discovery this year and goddamn this record had an absolute stronghold over me for months. Most of the tracks on this record showcase perfect songwriting at its core and each song feels completely authentic and genuine.
Song Pick: I'm All Fucked Up
MOMI001
MOMI
25.09.2024
I came across MOMI from their label I Oh You who explained that the album was written and recorded a few years ago between two housemates that had since fallen out. The record almost never came out but I'm so glad it did. It's such a great listen end to end, and makes me think of bands like New Order and Yo La Tengo. Song Pick: Fake Love
Harm's Way
Ducks Ltd
09.02.2024
There's something so nice about coming across a new band that sounds so reminiscent of other bands you love. However this one threw me, I can't believe that Ducks Ltd aren't from Australia. This album is an indie dolewave dream. The Canadian band references The Go Betweens as one of their inspirations which makes sense, this record also reminds me of bands like Verge Collection and Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever. It's absolutely worth a listen.
Song Pick: Hollowed Out
Poetry
Dehd
10.05.2024
Dehd's 2020 album Flower of Devotion was filled with tracks that managed to creep into every recommended playlist I put on over the last five years, and every single time I picked up my phone and muttered 'Fuck, who IS this?'. Four years later (with a 2022 record also worth a listen) this is a collection of jangly ditties with loose percussion that puts a smile on my face. Also, two crazy different vocalists that shouldn't work together but do so well.
Song Pick: Mood Ring (Jim's song of the century)
Soft Power
Fazerdaze
15.11.2024
Aotearoa's Fazerdaze returned with a new record last year and reminded us all that she is the queen of bedroom pop. Soft Power is Fazerdaze's first full length release since 2017 and it is absolutely worth the wait. The record is full of dreamscapes and fuzz that combine to make a lo-fi record that is full of hits.
Song Pick: Bigger
Ray and Lorraine's
Pop Filter
4.10.2024
Pop Filter's lineup has some of my favourite songwriters in Australia and I hope they release an album every year. Ray and Lorraine's is fkn beautiful - it makes me nostalgic for a really specific Australian memory that I can't actually put my finger on. This record really stuck with me throughout October - December while I was away from home and felt like a warm hug.
Song Pick: Fragile
Good Morning Seven
Good Morning
22.03.2024
OK I know I have already mentioned that Good Morning won music in 2024 but this is the other reason why. Good Morning Seven is 17 songs crammed into just under an hour and goddamn, it's such a lovely record. Sonically I think it is the furthest GM had pushed their sound especially with the strings, horns, samples and percussion elements scattered throughout which makes it easy to fall in love with this record and have a different experience on every listen.
Song Pick: Just In Time
Shirt
Porches
13.09.2024
The alternative synth-pop stalwart has pulled out the acoustic guitar from high-school and plugged it into the DS-1. Filled with lethargic-rock cuts prime for any delayed or renewed waves of angst, Shirt combines the signature auto-tune crooning we’ve come to expect from Porches and layers it over the songs scrawled in the back of notebooks from your teenage years. This is one of those albums that rewired me a little bit this year. A few sweet surprises that make this album worth every revisit.
Song Pick: Crying At The End
VIVA HINDS
Hinds
06.09.2024
This is the first full-length look at Hinds since they split the lineup that fans grew to love over their first decade, and it definitely feels like a reintroduction to Hinds. It's rowdy, it's rough, it's a spoonful of Spain served via L.A. Oozing with charm, this record feels like a sonic invitation to keep partying and kick on to another bar after the show with Carlotta, Ana and their whole crew (including Beck, of all people). I saw them take Austin in early 2024, here's hoping for a much awaited return to Australian shores. Viva Hinds forever.
Song Pick: Boom Boom Back
Illuminator
GIFT
23.08.2024
I came across New York's GIFT last year with the release of their second record Illuminator. It was on heavy repeat for me for months, this record is a perfect blend of 90's alt, shoegaze with a sprinkling of post-punk. They feel like a band on the precipitous of global domination and I am absolutely here for it.
Song Pick: Milestones
Call A Doctor
Girl and Girl
24.05.2024
So obviously Girl and Girl are one of GRAIN's favourite bands, having played about a million shows of ours in the past, but this somehow doesn't feel like favouritism. Start to finish, Call A Doctor feels like you're going on a theatrical journey with the band. The record feels fun and light but if you want to lean into lyrical themes there's much more behind the surface. I absolutely love this record and you will too.
Song Pick: Hello
Where We've Been, Where We Go From Here
Friko
16.11.2024
Beautiful introspective story-telling set to dynamics that pick you up and drop you over and over again. Worth a listen walking through a park, maybe looking at the water, taking stock of your own age, your place in the world, pondering your life and counting your metaphorical tokens, just wondering if you have enough pay the tax man as you know he comes for us all. By the time you hit the final track you have reached the conclusion you should just give your Nan a call. Great record.
Song Pick: Get Numb To It!
Come And See
Gurriers
13.09.2024
Dublin's Gurriers are an absolute force to be reckoned with. I caught them at Pitchfork Festival in 2023 and they absolutely blew me away with their noise, power and presence.
The energy in Come And See is struggling to be tamed. It is full of attitude and angst. It feels like the guitars want to jump out of your speakers and punch you in the face and I love it.
Song Pick: Approachable
Hovvdy
Hovvdy
26.04.2024
Who gave these boys the right? These quirked up Texans have made an bedroom-indie rock joint that feels like the product of Clairo growing up on a diet of Rusted Root. Their self-titled sixth album bubbles along, and the back half of this almost hour long track list takes it's moments to settle in, before picking the pace back up with bright guitars and someone drumming somewhere down the hall. One of the kindest-vibe live shows either of us have seen in years.
Song Pick: Jean
Age Difference
Snowy Band
19.07.2024
Keen observers might notice Snowy from the aforementioned Pop Filter album. Snowy is steadily one of the most exciting yet understated and multi-faceted artists in the country. Simply a peaceful album, filled with warm harmonies from partner in crime Nathalie Pavlovic. Just really, really sweet stuff.
Song Pick: God Texted Back
Hex Dealer
Lip Critic
17.05.2024
Hex Dealer is the most insane album I heard all year. Heck, maybe for a few years. It's the first release from the minds of one of NYC's Lip Critic. To be honest it's pretty hard to describe this record... its a mix between hardcore, punk and pop full of breakbeats and insanely fast. Think of Death Grips but for a world set in 2065. I'm not sure if the world is ready for Lip Critic but I for one, can't wait to see what happens next.
Song Pick: The Heart
Oyster Cuts
Quivers
09.08.2024
Hey, real quick. Are Quivers not just one of the best fucking bands in Australia? Guitar pop is alive and well with Quivers, instilling helpless hope in a collection of chugging guitar lines and synth strings usually reserved for teens driving through tunnels at night with the windows down. Put this album on and spend the next 41 minutes with four new friends in Quivers.
Song Pick: Apparition
Stiletto
Gut Health
11.10.2024
Naarm's Gut Health are standing on their own in Australia's underground punk scene. This record was hugely anticipated from a band that has gathered such a strong following from their live show, Stiletto doesn't disappoint. The record is percussion heavy, fast but never rushed, has a million intertwining melodies while being perfectly balanced. The record is unique as it is exciting, make sure you give this album a listen. Song Pick: Uh Oh
Baggy$$
Fcukers
06.09.2024
Yeah we know this isn't an album, but Fcukers are actually doing what every band thinks they're doing when they claim to be bringing back indie sleaze. It's not recycled, it's not outdated - it's the best party you've been to and the hosts are disinterested and don't care who you are. It looks like the rest of the world are finally picking up what Fcukers are putting down. This is a long way of saying I'm just glad someone's bringing back live drums for dance shows.
Song Pick: Homie Don't Shake
This Could Be Texas
English Teacher
12.04.2024
It really feels like English Teacher are about to take over the world. As they should do, after the release of their debut LP This Could Be Texas last year which won the Mercury Prize. It shows a huge step up from the band and while I'd call it a great post-punk record, it is completely unique and stands on its own. This album is absolutely worth a listen and is one of the most exciting records to come out of 2024.
Song Pick: Nearly Daffodils
Ok now that we are at the end, shoutouts to other releases that really got from home and abroad, all featured in the playlist below: