You may or may not know our buyer JB. He hides in the back office most week days and keeps to himself. Every December, he lines up his collection of the year’s records and labors over the exact chronological order they deserve in his best of list. If that weren’t weird enough, he then shares the list publicly as if people really care. Here goes!
JB’s best of 2024
10 Phosphorescent – Revelator
Matthew Houck’s moment in the critical spotlight seems to have passed him by. Unfortunate, cause I’m convinced that Revelatory is his most Phosphorescent thing he’s made. The pastoral pop jams have reached epic level. In fact, it’s pretty much soft-rock.
9 Kim Deal – Nobody Loves You More
A reason to celebrate Deal in 2024! And even though a chasm of time stands between this and the Breeders / classic Pixies output, one can hear a unique quality that connects the three. A whimsical musicality that is both artistically crafted and raw in nature. The existence of this record further deteriorates the legacy of Frank Black; bless his heart.
8 Jeff Parker IVtet – The Way Out of Easy
Modern Jazz guitarist with a long history of innovation. Not in shred or pyrotechnics, but in his approach to composition and improvisation. He has had many high points in his career (from Chicago post-rock to LA now-jazz) and this release has opened the ears of a new generation of Parker fans. Long format improvised spiritual funk…
7 Nilufer Yanya – My Method Actor
Fresh acoustic heavy rock arrangements with a 90s sheen, this British singer-songwriter is making new music that even old people can enjoy.
6 Vampire Weekend – Only God was Above Us
Clocking in at a tight 10 tracks, with Only God, the Vampires reach the promised land after wandering in the wilderness of the sprawling Father of the Bride. In some ways it’s a return to form, clever and catchy songwriting speaking to the moment.
5 Magdalena Bay – Imaginal Disk
Miami duo with a wide appeal due to their dance / pop aesthetic, but hidden in plain sight is a heady prog masterpiece that ponders the nature of humanity by using updated Genesis 1 imagery; Adam & Eve in the garden corrupted by installed software… The talking snake is not pushing fruit in 2024.
4 Real Estate – Daniel
2020’s The Main Thing saw Real Estate leaving their comfort zone and embracing polytonality as they added a denser psychedelia to their droney, jangley essence. I appreciate the effort but it produced an inconsistent album. 2024’s Daniel on the other hand hits the sweet spot! It sounds absolutely effortless, and the jangly jams just melt in your ears. Great set of songs, but the arrangements and mixing are masterful. Seemingly named after the album’s producer Daniel Tashian, the overarching theme of this record is to just sound great. Mission accomplished!
3 MJ Lenderman – Manning Fireworks
The second album on this list that seem to reference a theme of original sin; or perhaps coping with jerks that claim to own scripture. The concept of the proud pious being hypocritical is nothing new; it’s actually quite biblical. The refreshing voice of Lenderman’s songs confront the jerks (ourselves included) with a hopeful tone. Indeed, we “need to learn how to behave in groups.”
2 Adrianne Lenker – Bright Future
Lenker’s output leading Big Thief and her solo releases have been so consistently rewarding, I don’t think that it’s a stretch to call her the voice of our time. The Dylan movie is coming out on Christmas and it’s exciting to see new generations discovering and appreciating the work of a legend. Lenker on the other hand is creating now in her prime and on track to have that kind of legacy. Let’s say that Bright Future is her Bringing It All Back Home. What’s going to be her Highway 61?
1 Helado Negro – Phasor
Asheville has become a hotbed for working musicians. Homegrown heroes like Floating Action, Tyler Ramsey, Indigo De Souza, Wednesday & MJ Lenderman as well as transplants like Angel Olsen, Moses Sumney and now Helado Negro (Roberto Lange) all call Asheville home. I don’t blame them, Asheville is an amazing community and compared to LA or New York, the living is easy! Being an hour away has it’s benefits; I was able to see Helado Negro twice this year and I have to admit that I was smiling the whole time at both shows. I think joy is the hardest emotion to express musically and Lange delivers. The live trio brings the songs of Phasor (as well as Far In & This is How You Smile) into a magical transformative experience. I can’t recommend the live show enough. The records are great on their own but the show unlocks hidden content.
JB Curious in 2024 – records I’m jammin but not on the list
JPEGMAFIA – I Lay Down My Life For You
Jake Xerxes Fussell – When I’m Called
The Cure – Songs of a Lost World
Nala Sinephro – Endlessness
Waxahtchee – Tiger’s Blood
Father John Misty – Mahashmashana
Vince Staples – Dark Times
Mount Eerie – Night Palace
Floating Action – Cheey
Kamasi Washington – Fearless Movement
Ty Segall – Three Bells
Beth Gibbons – Lives Outgrown
Iron & Wine – Light Verse
Decemberists – As It Ever Was
Tyler Ramsey – New Lost Ages