I'll say it one last time: 2023 was a bumper year for music, and the process of trying to choose my top 10s of the year was a very difficult one as a result (if you've not read the outcome yet, you can find my top albums here, EPs here, and singles here).
After a very slight lull for a few days as 2023 turned to '24, things hotted up again pretty quickly with some brilliant single releases. Look out for the first of my top picks posts for more on that (soon), but — spoiler alert — Yonaka, Bob Vylan, Moonlight Parade, Gen and the Degenerates, Ber, Loupe and Lizzie Esau will all be featured.
There are more great single releases to come in the short term future (and 26th January seems like the absolute hotspot). Don't miss IDLES, Carpark, The Crayon Set and Jessie Reid before the end of this month, and Grace Calver at the beginning of February.
Don't forget: I keep a release tracker on the front page of this blog (it's on the right - if you're on mobile, you'll need to click the menu in the top right corner to show it).
Generally album releases tend to be trailed much further in advance than singles, which means lots of time to build up the anticipation as individual tracks are released and the shape of the bigger record begins to form. It also means I can already see that the album horizon is looking very bright. Here are a few of particular note:
- I'm really excited to hear NewDad’s debut album when it's released on 26th January. At the end of last year, they began to slip out some wonderful releases which have most recently been consolidated in a four-track release called 'White Ribbons'. I'm expecting the album to be an expansion of this, switching between the sometimes soft and vague sounds of tracks like 'White Ribbons' itself, and those jagged-edged riffs (see 'Let Go' in particular - delicious stuff).
- There's a new album from Music Observer favourite Katherine Priddy on 16th February: it's called 'The Pendulum Swing'. Expect more of her uniquely-delicate vocal delivery, but subtly more progressive song-writing as she further explores her capabilities and new ideas. Look out for more on Katherine on this blog in the coming months ...
- I suspect 'Tangk' could be IDLES' magnum opus. That one finally reaches us on 16th February, too. The new era of songs like 'Dancer' and 'Grace' have all the elements we've grown to love about IDLES — the rawness and power, riffs that grab, grinding basslines, surprising touches of melodic beauty; but they're elevated and soaked in a new kind of energy. This reflects the message of love which Joe Talbot continues to shout about, and the album looks set to take this all to a new level.
- Also on that same Friday (16th February), Crawlers take their turn, with 'The Mess We Seem To Make'. Since the huge success of 'Come Over Again' which was released in late 2021 and now has over 53m streams on Spotify, the band have played it very cool despite things moving pretty fast. They've worked hard on building a very loyal fanbase, staying absolutely honest and true to their indie ethos, and releasing well-crafted gems, slowly but surely. I'm confident their debut album is going to be very strong as a result.
- A week later, Hurray for the Riff Raff are back with 'The Past Is Still Alive'. They've been in a bit of a hiatus, and so it was great to hear a new single ('Alibi') late last year. As always, I'm not quite sure what to expect from the album — Alynda Segarra is always experimenting and shape-shifting — but that makes it all the more exciting.
- Mae Krell is a very special talent - I've been really enjoying every single piece of music she puts out. She has this incredible ability to pour heart, soul and spirit into her music, working with total honesty; and she will draw out your soul when you listen, too. It's always a beautiful experience, even where the themes are discomforting. Mae has a debut album coming on 19th April.
- Bob Vylan also have an album in the spring, 'Humble As The Sun', scheduled for 5th April.
- Sea Girls release 'Midnight Butterflies' on 4th June, their third album and reportedly "a collection of twelve melodious, pop perfection tracks" ...